Tiny Tots Teatime Toytime Time...

You know what it's like when the chair feels oh so comfy, but you really need a cup of tea? You'd do anything to get someone to go and make you a nice cuppa. Problem is, everyone else feels the same way, and that's when the arguments start...Who's making the tea?

Now, thanks to the wonderment of modern technology and the clever wizardry of a good friends programming skills, worry no more. Simply click on your free to download application... "Who's Making the Tea?"



Just enter the names of the disputing tea buddies, and then select one of two entertaining ways to decide who's putting that kettle on.

The 'Pointer of Misfortune' will keep you on the edge of your seat, making you feel all the more comfy when you realise it's someone elses turn to serve the beverages.



Occasionally the needle of doom will fall on 'Respin'. The rising anticipation will make your mouth turn drier, but the tea taste all the sweeter!

Trust your luck to the turn of a card. Will you be 'safe' or will the kettle whistle call you to tea service?



This fun application with its wacky music is absolutely free to download. There are no hidden nasties to haunt your computer, just good honest fun. Simply CLICK HERE to visit "Proper Bostin Games" and get your copy now!

Stop weeding, and Settle for Nettle Tea...

Many might consider Stinging Nettles to be a weed and a nuisance, but I always keep a stand of them in the garden. They are great for beneficial insects, including bees, and the foodstuff for the caterpillars of Peacock and Little Tortoiseshell butterflies. Anyone who knows about the technique of 'companion planting' will know that if positioned next to herbs it will have the effect of increasing the amount of volatile oils in Mint, Rosemary, and Sage.

This time of year they are particularly lush, and really nice for making into tea. I like to pick the young tips and the first two mature leaves for extra tenderness. Wash thoroughly in cold water to remove the 'beneficial insects', which, although good for the garden don't add anything special to the flavour of tea. Chop finely (at which point they begin to lose their sting) and pop a good heaped tablespoonful per cup in a teapot or jug.

Pour on boiling water and let steep for 3-4 mins. Run the mixture through a tea strainer into your mug, and add a dollop of honey... sit back and enjoy.

Nettles are a great anti- inflammatory. They'll help with arthritis, eczema, hay fever symptoms, and post cold snuffles. They are full of vitamins, and the seeds are said to have an aphrodisiac effect.

If you don't like it as a tea, then you can cook it like spinach and serve with butter, or boil it to a mulch, season and spread it on toast.
If prepared as with tea, and allowed to cool, once strained it makes a great hair conditioner. Wash your hair as normal and then massage through with the mixture as a final rinse for glossy natural hair. It's also safe to use on pets for silky coats.
Why would a plant have to defend itself with such vigorous stings if it wasn't so damned good?!...