Homebrew Journal Vol 1

I should have done this from the beginning. I don't remember any of the stats on my first independent homebrew experiment, except that I started it sometime in August, and that it contained Whole Foods Organic cider, and Pick N Save organic cranberry. I think I used Safeale05 yeast, and added 1# white candi sugar. So now I will right that wrong by recording all of my endeavors from the beginning. This will mostly be for me, unless you happen to care.

10/10/09 5 gal Apricot Cream Ale. Safeale 05. OG: At this point, I don't think I feel like using the hydrometer. Don't think I will.

10/10/09 1 gal Grape Wino Wine. Old Orchard red grape juice. Safeale 04 (edit - Dumped this one all over the kitchen floor. Won't be making the wino wine.)

10/10/09 1 gal Pomegranate Apple Cranberry Raspberry Sunshine

10/10/09 1 gal Apple Pomegranate Funtastic

The Super Skilled Girl’s Guide to Brewing Your Own Beer

Step 1: Have a homebrew. If you’re all out, or just starting your first batch, have a microbrew. Or a glass of wine. But drink something, to remind yourself why you’re going through all this trouble.

Step 2: Eat some dinner. It will make you far less crabby than trying to brew on an empty stomach.

Step 3: Find something for your roommate, husband, dog, etc to do. Preferably out of the house. Working on your own is a little more hassle, but it’s worth it not to have to explain all of the messes you’re making.

Step 4: Find LOTS of towels. I can’t stress this part enough. LOTS of towels.

Step 5: Buy a cheap pair of yellow rubber gloves. It will help to protect the pretty manicure you just got.

Step 6: Read some books to be sure you know what you’re doing. I recommend The Complete Joy of Homebrewing, or the Alaskan Bootlegger’s Bible. Consult them frequently.

Step 7: Choose your work area. Avoid lifting or carrying as much as possible by working near the ground. Cover said work space with the aforementioned towels.

Step 8: Sanitize your equipment. Make sure to wear the gloves, as the solution that takes the gunk off of your bottles also takes the pretty polish off of your nails. Also, be sure you have all of your equipment before starting, so that you’re not calling the room mate in the middle of your process to find out where your automatic bottler is.

Step 9: Whether you’re at the brewing stage, racking stage, or bottling stage, don’t panic! Drink your homebrew. DO NOT give in and call someone for help. You can do this, all on your own.

Step 10: When finished, clean up all of the evidence of the huge mess you just made. Again, TOWELS. Then, have another homebrew, and make a cake. It will remind you that you’re a woman, and not only can you brew your own alcohol to make your friends drunk, you can bake, to make them fat!

Enjoy!

Thank You So Much

This weekend I listened to a sermon about the tenth commandment: "Thou shalt not covet." Prior to this, I never much considered myself a covetous person. I think i get by fairly with minimal material possessions. I don't think I ask fr much. However, I soon learned that there's more in life to be envious of, and that those things keep me from truly appreciating all that I have been blessed with. The pastor presented the congregation with a challenge: go home and list everything you're thankful for. Keep listing for a few days. He challenged us to come up with a list of 50, 100, or even 500 items. I see this as a valuable activity, as I have been so blessed in my life, though I often forget those blessings when I'm overcome with self pity at one temporary situation or another.

So here's my top 25, in the order in which I thought of them. I managed to create an excel spreadsheet of 64 items in about 5 minutes, and I'll keep adding as I think of things.

food

emergency room

dentist

electricity

gas

my own car

college education

job

multitude of grocery stores

fashionable and seasonal clothing

hair dye

the internet

computers

itunes

all of my senses

rain

vegetables

family

friends

past relationships

learning from mistakes

wisdom

affordable housing

medicine

entertainment

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed of hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

A List of Sorts

In the interest of feeling a little caught up on this blog, and for everyone who actually reads (all 2 of you), here's a list of what's been going on lately.

• I went to Africa. It was great. I'd love to show you pictures; all you have to do is ask.
• I started running again, then stopped, then started again. I hope to run a half by November.
  
• I ended a 2 year long relationship.
  
• I enjoyed several adventures in baking.
• I found a new bar that I'd like to make my regular hang out - Leff's Lucky Town in Tosa. Great new patio, ok food service.
• I bought a new computer and new cell phone. Love the former, undecided about the latter.
• I finished the 3rd season of BSG. Can't wait to start season 4, by myself.
• I watched the first season of Lost. Not bad.
• I planned a camping trip and a baseball outing.
• I downloaded a ton of music from emusic.com, and look forward to more.
  
• I saw the Hangover by myself, and laughed.
• I watched He's Just Not That Into You, and cried.
  
• I made a bet with Heather that I intend to win.
  

I Like Lists

I'm a forgetful person. About some things. I remember a promise someone made to me years ago, word for word. I remember exactly what outfit I was wearing at my 21st birthday party (even though the rest of the details are sketchy). I remember the terrible taste of asparagus the time my parents made me chew it for hours. But I can't for the life of me remember the name of that really nice person I met last week, where I left my cell phone, what I wanted to say, or the three things I need to pick up at the grocery store.

It is for these items that I make lists. I love them. I make lists for the store, to-do lists, packing lists, lists of cds and books that I'd like to buy someday. And yes, once in awhile I'll make a list of the top 3 things that I'd like to remember from a conversation over a glass of wine.

I like looking back on old lists, and I enjoy reading other peoples' lists. But sometimes, I even forget where I put my list. This has happened to me the past few trips to the grocery store. What I've found, though, is the simple act of making the list helps me to remember what I needed to buy. I'm delighted when I come home and I did indeed purchase everything I intended to.

Which is why I won't be giving up the habit anytime soon. now if only I could apply the practice to finding my cell phone...