"My beloved is unto me as a bundle of myrrh." Song of Solomon 1:13
Monday, September 23rd, 2013
It’s brewing season at the parsonage.
Phil gets the babies to help out as much as they can, we like to train them young.
They love helping Daddy wash the bottles and amazingly, so far we’re shattered glass free. That’s why I stay out of this.
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese? What Kraft Macaroni & Cheese?
We don’t buy in bulk and have that junk in our house?!
Sunday, March 10th, 2013
This homemade temperature controller is better than some that you can buy. It has a high amperage rating and is quite customizable. Plus, by separating the power relay from the sensitive electronics (a generic home thermostat) things are simplified.
It doesn’t require too much electrical work and it operates any 120V device. Small chest freezers work well and can be used to ferment beer (especially lagers in the 45-55F range). But one could be used to heat or cool about anything.
Monday, September 5th, 2011
For the second harvest our Cascade hops did quite well. This is one plant and it really outdid itself. We picked right at 10 gallons of hops over several hours. The bines (vines of the hop plant) went to top of this metal corn crib—about 20 feet tall.
This view is from inside the corn crib. The hop plant went almost all the way across it with some bines. We picked most of the flowers—the greenish, small cones. Though the fresh hops weighed close to 10 punds, we expect about 2 pounds dried. That will be enough for several hoppy beers.
After a few days of drying their weight will be reduced to about 1/5 their original. Then they will be ready for use or storage. Next year we hope to expand our operation with additional varieties of hops.
Tuesday, October 26th, 2010
Phil wanted to get rid of some beer, so we had our first, maybe annual, Oktoberfest Friday night. Unfortunately we didn’t have any wurst or saur kraut or chicken dancing, but we did have a German polka band…streaming through my computer.
Mmmm, pretzels and pigs in a blanket!
