Had some Labrador Tea tea at bedtime last night. And it was a good thing that I had all night to "think" about it, as any definition initially failed me. The best one word description is smooth. I wouldn't call it sweet, yet adding sugar is not necessary. There is a light taste of a tannin, reminiscent of the earthy bog where it grows, but not strongly astringent or biting. Quick brewing, the color is golden. Unlike pekoe teas, brewing more than a minute doesn't seem to enhance or strengthen the flavor. I include Basswood tea here because Labrador Tea tea is similar. Both seem to have the same base tanin flavor: Labrador Tea with the earthy bog twist, and Basswood with the added flavor of its flower's aroma. Not surprising as the tea is made with the dried flowers themselves. If you have ever had Basswood honey, the same flavor is there too. Basswood tea is even more smooth than Labrador Tea tea, but there is a quality about it that, for me at least, was not offensive yet it needed a bit of getting use to. In North America, Basswood (Linden) is Tilia americana. In Europe, it is Littleleaf Linden (Tilia cordata). When we visit our relatives in Slovenia, this is the tea they had and used almost daily, gathered from the nearby woods. And since I don't like coffee, this is why I got used to it. Littleleaf Basswood is also the national tree of Slovenia. Unlike our state tree (any guesses?), they take it very seriously. The two species of Basswood teas taste the same to me, although I have never tried them side by side. Rick P.S. The Minniesota state tree is the Norway pine or Red pine (Pinus resinosa).

I got the Brown Rice w Salt & cracked Pepper last week. I tried them last weekend and thought they were pretty good, my DH did also, but I missed the texture of the plain (I get the low-fat version). I LOVE the plain wheat w dips, thou it is probably only a handful of times I have crackers during the year. I am interested in using new products made that allow you to avoid wheat. I am not intolerant of wheat just want to limit my intake of it. I got a rice flour pasta few weeks ago I haven't had time to try yet. I did see the sweet potato version and will get that for this weekend for my DH, he eats anything w sweet potatoes. It's a nice change ~ liz

Pam, I would like to try a mosaic page. I have done a kaleidoscope that turned out really well. Currently I am working on our Disney World album and am to the Animal Kingdom park. I have TONS of pix of the Tree of Life so I think I am going to try a "center-cut" page. Has anyone ever done one of these. I saw the idea in the Dec/Jan issue of Paper Kuts. I am thinking of making a big tree for the center cut.

OMG, now I've got to get some of those Ritz, right now! As it happens I've got some returns at Walmart, so I have no choice but to get them. Yummy