I am really enjoying this warm spring weather, finally.  I have been planning a trip from Sacramento California, through Reno Nevada and up 395 north into Klamath Falls Oregon.  I like Klamath Falls and have been looking at land up there.  I enjoy the isolation on 395 and am looking forward to going May 7th.

 

My beer brewery has been doing very well, producing excelling stouts, porters, ales, and even some fruit beer.  I drink more of the dark beer than light but this summer that will likely change.  My batch of strawberry wine is doing well and will be ready to bottle in first week of May most likely.

I just planted a few tomatoes, squash and strawberry plants today.  Fresh veggies are great.

Well, that is that so cheers to you all.

Jim

It is raining here in Sacramento, CA.  I love the wind and rain.  It bears such power!  The air always smells so clean and to watch the rolling  clouds moving behind the dancing tree branches is a great treat.  I am looking forward to my next trip out of town.  I do not know for sure if I will go to Yosemite or Bodie.  I just love getting into the wilderness. 

I have 5 gallons of Elderberry wine that is doing well for my first batch of homemade wine.  It will still be a few weeks yet untill it is done.  The Strawberry wine will be ready in early april.

Well best to all.

Well I have to admitt that the saying about what goes up must come down, is true the the high of the holidays (Presidents Day) and the aftermath.  I went 4 wheeling up in Minden Nevada on Valentines Day.  Yeah I know not romantic but hell of alot of fun.  My wife loved it.  I tried to reach an old Silver Mining town.  The road was all uphill and got worse as I traveled.  I hit snow and mud then got to a washed out curve the did not appear to be safe for the weight of my Ford Ranger.  Turning around on that high ledge was tricky.  My wife did not like that part of the adventure.  We got back down and still marvled at the solitude and quiet of the high desert.

I was in a snow storm comming back across the Sierras but no big deal.  I loved it.  Now I am sitting here wondering "Is that all?" 

Well, at least my Raspberry Beer and my Irish Stout beer turned out great!  I shall consoule myself with these simple pleasures and enjoy some video games.   I dont feel like going out for another week at least.  Being 62 years old has slowed me a bit but not too much.

Cheers!

To alcohol! The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems.
 Homer J. Simpson

I finally got my wine making equiptment and have began the first batch.  I think it is doing good.  The fermentation is looking great.  I choose Elderberry Wine to make since it was kinda featured in cute old move called Arsnik and Old Lace, oops mis-spelled it.   I like the fragrance of the wine and I think it will be tasty.  Later I will make some strawberry wine and perhaps some Merlot.

My beer kegs are all full now and I am currently brewing Irish Ale, Octoberfest Lager, Dark Winter Lager and a pale ale.  My Rose Red batch came out great.  It kick butt at 5.1% a b v.

I bottled my raspberry beer today.  I have to allow it to sit two more weeks in the bottle to carbonate.  Then it must condition in the refridge for a week.  It will be ready Feb 14. 

I am going to have a nice supply of refreshments by late spring and summer.

It is still January and already the weather is acting like early spirng.  Now that the mummers and fear of flooding have decreased;  my attention has turned to the evidence of spring already in the air.  My daffodills are blooming that I tentitivly planted last fall.  The grass in the empty lots and my yard is turnning a barron burnt look to the vibrent spring green that a person would expect in March.  I am planning on making some wine next month.  It will be either Elderbeery or Strawberry wine.  I am enjoying the fruits of my own beer as much as ever.  I am fermenting some raspberry belgim beer.  It takes twice as long to make because of the berries. Well I will sip my coffee and watch the lingering sun drop down behind the distant trees.  By then it will be getting cold so inside again.

Well it's 4pm Monday.  It a holiday  and it does not mean much to me since I am retired.  I am frying my brain cells on6.8% beer left from my new years party.  Listening to Forienger.  Ahhh!  It is good to rock now and then.  I cant wait until my own brew is finished I hate the taste of the store bought stuff now.

I just watched a distrubing DVD called the Excorism of Emily Rose, I think.  Oh well the battle of good vs evil goes on at least in hollywood.  I am bored and looking forward to a mountain get away soon.  till thin CHEERS!

While shopping for Christmas gifts I happened upon a beer making kit for 29.95.  Now I did not drink except at social or special occasions.  I rarely drank beer anymore.  I thought that this would be a fun experience for me since I had wondered in past times if I could brew a good tasting beer at home.

I was delighted with the results of the first batch.  It was Western Pale Ale and I liked it.  In fact, I enjoyed it so much that in three days my 2.5 gallon batch was gone!  I immedatly ordered a second fermenting keg and bottles and the ingredients.  Now I have the opportunity to sample a wide varity of import beers that I brew myself.  I do not share this beer so I have no real critics of my hobby yet.  I have made a mistake or two in the 2nd and 3rd batches but it was not serious and I consumed my beer anyway.

Right now I am working on fermenting my own recipie for a malt beer that will yeild 2.5 gallons of 5% aba.