Mint Teas: Makes a gallon - use only glass containers, plastic leaves a funny after taste. I use those glass jugs that apple juice/cider is often sold in. Citris Mint Tea (this is my Mom's favorite and I got the recipe from her): In a large pan (eventually needs to comfortably hold a gallon of liquid), bring 5 cups water to boil. Turn off heat and add a bunch of mint(I use 10-20 sprigs of mint, various kinds, and depending how strong I want it). Add 10 pinches or teaspoons of loose black tea (again depending how strong you want the "tea" flavor). Cover and let steep for 2 (two) hours. In a sauce pan, bring 5 cups water to boil, reduce heat and add 2 cups sugar (I only use one cup, because I don't like my tea too sweet), one cup lemon juice, and one frozen 12oz can orange juice concentrate. Keep well stirred until well disolved/mixed. Cover, turn off heat and let sit 2 hours. after the two hour wait: Add the juice mixture to the tea mix. Add 8 cups cold water and stir/mix well. Remove mint sprigs w/ tongs. Strain mixture using a very fine strainer into 1 gallon jug and top off with cold water if needed. Shake jug and refrigerate. Serve cold, over ice. You may want shake jug prior to each serving. Apple-Cinnamon Mint Tea (This one I came up with by making substitutions to the above recipe, as I prefer apples to oranges) In large pot (again eventually will hold nearly a gallon of liquid) bring 5 cups water to boil. Turn off Heat Add 10-20 sprigs mint add 10 pinches-teaspoons loose black tea (to taste) Add 2-3 cinnamon sticks. Don't use powdered cinnamon, it doesn't dissolve, found this out the hard way. Cover and let steep 90 minutes. In a saucepan bring the following to near boiling, but don't let it boil. Mainly just want it hot enough to get the sugar to dissolve: 4 cups unfiltered apple juice (has a cloudy white color to it) 2 cups cranberry juice (to replace the lemon tartness of the earlier recipe and complements apple better than lemon) 1/4 (1 quarter) cup brown sugar Stir until dissolved/mixed cover and turn off heat, let sit 90 mins. I originally used frozen apple juice concentrate, but it ended up too syrupy/sticky for some reason - using the actual juice turned out much better. After the 90 min wait: Add juice mix to tea pot, turn on heat to get it all steaming again and stir well. Then cover and remove from heat for another 30-40 minutes. Add 8 Cups cold water and stir. remove mint and strain the mix into 1 gallon jug, top off with cold water if needed. Cap and shake jug, refrigerate and serve cold over ice.

Sherry's recipe sounds like my recipe for gingersnaps...one of my favorite cookies. I prefer a crisp cookie, but I do like chewy ones also, so I might try Annie's recipe (I KNOW my husband would like them). In any case, I hadn't thought to use crystalized ginger in a gingersnap....why it hadn't occurred to me I have no idea...but I've got some very good home made ginger, and think I'll try some of that in my next batch of 'snaps. I think a crispy cookie with little bits of chewy ginger in it sounds wonderful. I like a Seabreeze. It's a sort of backwards Cape Codder, a Vodka and Grapefruit juice with a splash of Cranberry. But it really has to be freshly squeezed Grapefruit juice and since moving to the Valley, I can't get good,cheap Grapefruit anymore.

I make this in huge amounts - all of my grown kids request it. Our family thinks it's the true cure for sore throats. One kid even has his college coach pleading for more. Even the grandkids like it, but then it's almost straight sugar! The trick is to find inexpensive orange drink mix. My local IGA guy will order it for me - like I say, I make huge recipes of it throughout the year!

She is quite sick, and it is important that she get the rest, hydration and meals she needs. How fortunate she is to have a loving mother to help out. Jeff's girlfriend sounds like a fine person as well. Family helps family when the need arises. I don't think pneumonia is contagious, but strep is, so if you handle things she has handled be sure to wash your hands. Can she sleep in her own room separate from others? I bet she will feel much better in a few days. If not, call the dr. How old is the baby?