This first weekend of February was  a warm one, indeed! We made the most of it and got outside to do some yard clean up and pruning of the fruit trees. But Punxatawney Phil predicted another 6 weeks of winter. Hard to believe it when the snow was melting away very quickly, the green grass beneath was showing and a robin was hopping around looking for worms. But then it started snowing. And the Weather Channel is predicting 2 snow events this week. So, I guess spring has not arrived yet after all.

I guess I am okay with a bit more winter. After all, the 22nd Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia are starting in 2 days. The Sochi Olympics will be the first ones in the Russian Federation since the breakup of the USSR in 1991.  There will be 98 events in 15 different winter sports. The figure skating is probably my favorite event, but I find most of the events interesting. I know Eric & Andrew will be glued to TV sets when the hockey games are being televised. We’ll probably all be skipping the curling events. (I just don’t see the point of it and how is it considered a sport?! Seems more like physics experiments!) I’ll be grabbing some hot drinks & watching others be cold for the next 3 weeks!

Chai Tea Latte   Serves 1

• 1/2 cup powdered milk
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg
• pinch of ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon cardamom
• 1 black tea bag

Heat one cup of water on the stove or in the microwave. Put the powdered milk, vanilla, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, sugar, cardamom & the tea bag in a mug.

Just add boiling water!

Add the boiling water to the mug and let the tea steep until it is the desired strength, about 3-5 minutes. Remove the tea bag and use a wand blender to homogenize the latte and create a bit of foam. Garnish it with a cinnamon stick if desired.

I like the foam that the wand blender creates!

You can use half real milk and half water instead of the powdered milk and water. Mix the milk and water together and heat them, then add them to the mug of spices.

It wouldn’t be the Winter Olympics without the snow & cold. ~Linda

Chai Tea Latte   Serves 1

• 1/2 cup powdered milk
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg
• pinch of ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon cardamom
• 1 black tea bag

Heat one cup of water on the stove or in the microwave. Put the powdered milk, vanilla, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, sugar, cardamom & the tea bag in a mug. Add the boiling water to the mug and let the tea steep until it is the desired strength, about 3-5 minutes. Remove the tea bag and use a wand blender to homogenize the latte and create a bit of foam. Garnish with a cinnamon stick if desired.

You can use half real milk and half water instead of the powdered milk and water. Mix the milk and water together and heat them, then and add them to the mug of spices.