I like this time at night on HBT

[opus345]

I love buckwheat honey. The last I bought was local, I'll have to see if I can find any more.

I have been thinking about doing a mead. Just haven't got there yet. The guy I am going to see about the bees was an entomologist at Arizona State and bought a farm just north of where I used to farm. He has quite a few hives all over the area. He is actually putting on a beekeeping seminar at the local nature center today, I was going to sign up but my daughter's due date was the 7th so I thought I might be in Milwaukee this weekend. But the little feller surprised us by coming a couple weeks early.

I have been meaning to stop in and see him and see if he would be interested in doing a honey for mead swap. He supplies the honey, I do the work and we split the batch. If I can work something out I might hit you up for some mead pointers.

I've been learning to appreciate buckwheat more and more.

Still learning about the mead. Folks in the Mead Forums like FatBloke, Saramc, Atek, Arpolis (to name just a few) are great at sharing information, advice, and even a finger wagging after you admitted to pulling a bonehead stunt. Just one of my favorite HBT areas.

Here is an interesting read on commercial store bought honey: http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/11/tests-show-most-store-honey-isnt-honey/#.UTteolePYz4

 

[Stauffbier]

Glass did not break, it just blew it's cap. My room is very sticky now. Calm down, it'll be okay, will just clean up better in the AM.

Glad you're ok. That stuff can be dangerous. I once pasteurized some apple cider that was a little to carbonated for pasteurizing. It was in the kettle of hot water and a bottle exploded. It put a nice, deep dent in the lid of the heavy aluminum pot. Scary stuff!

After my rude awakening, I would like to taste that... sounds very delicious.

I have to admit it was pretty dang good. I love to experiment with beer. It's still a bit young. It should be perfect in another couple of weeks.

I was noticing yesterday the trees are starting to bud. Spring is coming :rockin:

They are here, as well. Just in the last couple of days I noticed bines sprouting out of the ground from my hop rhizomes. One already has a couple little leaves on it in just 2 days. They were just planted last year, and they didn't really produce much. I'm hoping this year I get a good crop.

 

[BobbiLynn]

Lowes/HD sell Rubbermaid trash cans and a separate dolly base for them. I think the plastic can sorta screws onto the base.

You could use this contraption. Maybe take some snips and cut away the top of the can if it is too deep. I don't have the dolly but I do have the 32g can it matches up with.

Ah, yes, something on wheels. Will try to get to lowes or home depot and find something similar. And my dog is allowed in those stores so he will be happy. Also thinking about ripping up the carpet in the living room. Tile throughout the whole house. Easier to slide things across tile. Or even wheel things.

Slept very late after being up most of the night. Plant or clean up the sticky mess? Surprised one bottle of beer can contain so much liquid, must have at least tripled it's original volume.

Hubby is home but very ill right now. Probably needs to be in the hospital where they can get his blood cells counts fixed up, but he won't go. Just the suggestion of going to the hospital makes him very angry. I once saw him pick up a young cow, throw it over his shoulders and carry it home. Now he shakes to lift his small glass of juice.

Decided, get outside and plant, must keep a close eye on hubby, try to feed him and keep him hydrated, but for the most part get outside and do my own thing. It hurts me to see him like this. Causes me physical pain in my heart.

 

[BobbiLynn]

Stinging nettles got me so time for a break from gardening. Ouch, they hurt, feels like my hands and arms are on fire. Got them into one pile now though. Gonna destroy them with a blow torch. I will be sure to stay upwind.


Time for an organic gardening lesson.

First, you make some good soil. It takes 3/4 carbon source and 1/4 nitrogen source. As a rule of thumb, carbon sources are brown and nitrogen sources are green. Many exceptions, but a good rule of thumb. You can make your compost in something as small as old five gallon bucket or have an open pile. Takes one year for the soil to get good if you turn it at least twice over that period of time. For an open pile, which is what I do, because I have space, at least 5 feet X 5 feet, height width, for an open pile but contain it in some way and you can make soil in a much smaller space.

A year later, you got good soil. Dig a big hole in your garden for each plant, fill it with the dirt you made. Or just put them in containers with your beautiful soil. Put 3-4 seeds in each pot, or each hole, after the last frost threat. They will start popping up and of the 3-4 seeds you planted, pinch off the weakest 2-3 and keep only the strongest looking one. You will soon have a gorgeous garden overflowing with vegetable and herbs.

 

[BobbiLynn]

Sorry, I guess I put everyone to sleep?

 

[Leadgolem]

I have a video link that Dan gave me on making homemade mozz if you're interested. It's uber easy. I made some very tasty cheese by following the easy directions in the video.

I would like to see it. I actually skipped a step last time I tried to make it, so I'm not to worried.

Everyone please just stay calm, it's only beer. There is no more flying shrapnel. A 22 ounce beer exploded. Had it sitting off to itself because I was worried about that one, hmm... Just gonna let it dry itself off and will clean up tomorrow. Sopped up most of the liquid. Glad I wasn't in the room when it happened but sure did wake me up. Okay, back to bed now... It's just beer, no one will melt, don't worry.

Erm, if you have other bottles you are worried about, a metal trash can might be a good idea.

Sorry, I guess I put everyone to sleep?

Nope. Nope.

I would add you can actually make good finished compost a lot faster then that if you keep the moisture content right. Though that can get a bit dicey, as if you forget to keep the water on it it can actually burst into flames. All the microbial action generates rather a lot of heat.

You should also avoid adding animal products and/or oil to the pile if you are going the fast turnover method.

That, and you should be careful how much of your compost is wood chips and/or sticks if you are going to grow root crops in it. The tannin takes a couple of years to break down in the soil, and things like onions, carrots and potatoes will pick it up. Making them very bitter.

I'm going to actually have to buy compost this year. I hate to, but I moved from an apartment to this house and I won't have any in time for spring planting.

 

[AussieBrewerInColorado]

not too impressed with my latest kegged ipa ;(

 

[Stauffbier]

I haven't brewed in a month, because I've been using all of my spare time to build a keezer.

All I have left to do is varnish the woodwork, install the hardware, and wire up the temperature control.

Here she is. From the free chest freezer I got to what it looks like this evening...

 

[opus345]

Wow! That is gorgeous. How many taps to start and how many could it hold?

 

[Stauffbier]

Wow! That is gorgeous. How many taps to start and how many could it hold?

Thanks! I'll be starting with 3 and then upgrading to 5. It can hold 6 pin locks in total, so the idea is I'll always have one either carbing or lagering and 5 serving.

 

[Varmintman]

Wow that is nice. I got a freezer that someday I will turn into a keezer but finding the time has not been easy. I applaud you

 

[Varmintman]

Bobbi on the days I hurt to much to carry stuff I use my computer chair to wheel things around. Not very fast but it does work

 

[Stauffbier]

Wow that is nice. I got a freezer that someday I will turn into a keezer but finding the time has not been easy. I applaud you

Yeah, I got the chest freezer for free, and it sat on my back patio for about 4 months before I finally got around to it.

 

[BobbiLynn]

Great looking keezer! Now I'm eyeballing the chest type freezer on our front porch thinking about where I could put the food.

Bobbi on the days I hurt to much to carry stuff I use my computer chair to wheel things around. Not very fast but it does work

My chair is on wheels... that's an idea. Back is better today. Got out and planted a few more beans and bell peppers but trying to take it easy. Hubby's endless supply of pain pills are nice to have around.

 

[Varmintman]

Oh man I am sore today. I am so sore I am not going to brew even :cross:

I had forgotten how much sledding will beat you up and tear up your leg muscles. Today it just hurts to stand up and once I am up I try to do a bunch because once I am sitting back down I do not want to get up again.

We rode about 60 miles yesterday and even climbed red butte. Man it felt awesome at the top looking around for miles and miles. I was going to take a camera but chose instead to fill my backpack with beer

 

[BobbiLynn]

Oh man I am sore today. I am so sore I am not going to brew even :cross:

I had forgotten how much sledding will beat you up and tear up your leg muscles. Today it just hurts to stand up and once I am up I try to do a bunch because once I am sitting back down I do not want to get up again.

We rode about 60 miles yesterday and even climbed red butte. Man it felt awesome at the top looking around for miles and miles. I was going to take a camera but chose instead to fill my backpack with beer

Dang, no wonder your back's been hurting, take it easy!!!


I'm going out of town this week. Deciding whether or not to even bring my computer. I probably will but doubt I'll have much time for it. 2 reasons for the trip, first, a friend having surgery at Shands and I'm going to help her(family will help hubby while I'm away), and 2, my son is in college there and since he's over 21 now, I really want to get together with him for a beer. He takes the bus everywhere so no worries about driving.

My son even said he would change his own plans so we could meet up. So I think we will have the entire day together while my friend is in surgery. Of course, I want to see his apartment and meet his roommates, check out what's in the fridge. Maybe buy him groceries. And get out for a beer and good food. I'll have to figure out where to go in Gainesville, Florida on a Wednesday evening.

 

[emjay]

Hubby's endless supply of pain pills are nice to have around.

That's good, but take it easy on them. Make it a rule to not take them 3 days in a row (or even 2 days, if you can). Becoming dependent on them really sucks.

I had to start on some pretty hardcore pain pills about 3 years ago because of a facial nerve issue nothing else would help with. Now the pain is somewhat intermittent, and a little bit better, but since I've become dependent I still have to take them round the clock because I can't get off of them long enough (before the pain intermittently starts again) to get past it. Even if I could (I tried a couple times anyways), it is by far the hardest thing I've ever tried to do. Pure torture. There's nothing I hate worse than having to be on them day in and day out.

 

[BobbiLynn]

That's good, but take it easy on them. Make it a rule to not take them 3 days in a row (or even 2 days, if you can). Becoming dependent on them really sucks.

I had to start on some pretty hardcore pain pills about 3 years ago because of a facial nerve issue nothing else would help with. Now the pain is somewhat intermittent, and a little bit better, but since I've become dependent I still have to take them round the clock because I can't get off of them long enough (before the pain intermittently starts again) to get past it. Even if I could (I tried a couple times anyways), it is by far the hardest thing I've ever tried to do. Pure torture. There's nothing I hate worse than having to be on them day in and day out.

Oh yeah, they can be nasty. Hubby did hand me half of one a couple nights ago when I was hurting, but, no, I don't really dip into his stash!!

 

[ruralbrew]

I finally did some beer stuff today. I had a Russian Imperial Stout that had been sitting on the yeast since I brewed it Thanksgiving weekend, finally got it in the secondary on some oak. About time, I have been very lazy this winter. I also started a batch of Chardonnay that had been sitting in the back of the basement since November. I was going to start a batch of cider too, but ran out of time. Damn Daylight Savings Time.

I need to get some sleep before work tonight, but I decided to have one of my Imperial Pumpkin Ales, the first one was so good I decided to have a second. The OG was 1.070 and it fermented down to 1.007, so it has a pretty good kick. I hadn't had one for at least a month and the alcohol bite has gone away, the spices and pumpkin has come to the forefront and it is exceedingly tasty. This year I'll have to brew it earlier to give it a chance to condition but the problem is I didn't document this one very well. I guess I'll just have to wing it again.

Bobbi, leave your laptop at home and enjoy your time away, as much as you can. We'll all be here when you get back.

I think we need some music....

but I can't think of anything appropriate.

 

[passedpawn]

Evening late-nighters. Hope all is well.

Here's an offering for your late night soundtrack. Enjoy.

 

[Leadgolem]

That's good, but take it easy on them. Make it a rule to not take them 3 days in a row (or even 2 days, if you can). Becoming dependent on them really sucks.

I had to start on some pretty hardcore pain pills about 3 years ago because of a facial nerve issue nothing else would help with. Now the pain is somewhat intermittent, and a little bit better, but since I've become dependent I still have to take them round the clock because I can't get off of them long enough (before the pain intermittently starts again) to get past it. Even if I could (I tried a couple times anyways), it is by far the hardest thing I've ever tried to do. Pure torture. There's nothing I hate worse than having to be on them day in and day out.

That happened to me when I had my wisdom teeth removed. I didn't even realize I had a problem until I ran out of them. I'll be WAY more careful if I need them again though.

Oh yeah, they can be nasty. Hubby did hand me half of one a couple nights ago when I was hurting, but, no, I don't really dip into his stash!!

Good.

 

[Leadgolem]

 

[Leadgolem]

Hmm, my concord wine finished really high. OG 1.160, FG 1.064. That means it's only 12.8%, and really sweet. Maybe I'll dilute it after pouring. Not sure exactly what I want to do with it. It's sitting in my bottling bucket, and it will be a couple days before it's settled enough that I'll want to bottle.

I'm also going to run 5 parallel batches of rice wine, that should be interesting. Here are the grains soaking.

My milk is warming to room temps in preparation for trying the mozzarella again.

I've also got two shots of baileys poured, and I'm giving the chocoffee shot glass time to do anything it's going to do.

Hmm, have I mentioned lately that I'm nuts?

 

[BobbiLynn]

Looks like the experiments I've got going on in the kitchen. But I try to keep most of my various sizes fermenters and jars in my craft room, hidden under a dark sheet.

 

[Leadgolem]

Looks like the experiments I've got going on in the kitchen. But I try to keep most of my various sizes fermenters and jars in my craft room, hidden under a dark sheet.

Hey, you never know until you try right? I forgot I had Japanese sweet rice too, so I started some of that soaking. It will be about an hour behind the rest of the batches, but I doubt that will make any difference.

The chocoffee shot glass imparted a very small amount of coffee flavor to the baileys. Though it did provide some really excellent coffee aroma. It isn't bad, but I wouldn't count on a shot glass of chocoffee or chocolate to add much to the flavor. I think the presence of all the fat in the shot glass is preventing the materials from mixing much.

 

[Leadgolem]

Ok, I ate the chocoffee shot glass. That should keep me awake until I'm done cooking all the grain.

I bought a coffee grinder with an espresso setting on it today. I hope it's fine enough to produce a nice smooth powder to make chocoffee out of. Though I think I will make the next batch with milk chocolate, so I suppose it will be mocha.

I also remembered I have another small rice cooker, so I'm cooking 2 batches at the same time now. Maybe I'll get to bed before sunrise.

 

[Leadgolem]

Ok, 30 minutes after adding the rennet and I still don't have a clean break. These are the instructions I'm using. One point of deviation. I don't have a thermometer that will read 88-90F. I used the "bath water" test instead. Since that's about the same temp as a warm bath, I turned the heat off when the temperature felt like a warm bath when I stuck my finger in it.

I think I'll look at some other instruction sets and see how they differ, while I give the milk another half hour. This is the same problem I had last time. Honestly, I don't see how I can get much farther in my new cheese making hobby without being able to consistently achieve a clean break.

EDIT: Ok, apparently junket rennet sucks. You need 2 tablets to achieve a clean break. No wonder. I mixed in another tablet. It won't be great, but I'm hoping it will get to clean break now.

 

[BBL_Brewer]

You need good speakers for this one.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaJE-c2L82o"]YouTube[/ame]

 

[Leadgolem]

 

[bigbeergeek]

Think I'll brew up a no chill batch of dubbel tomorrow. 2 Row, special B, some biscuit malt, 20% homemade dark candi syrup, WLP 500...