Friday, January 31, 2014

Random 5 Friday


It is hard to believe that it is already Friday again!  Though I started a number of drafts this week, ideas churning away in my head, I only managed to post one.  That is a bit off my blogging goal, but my full days are making fodder for posts to come.

1.  As you can see from the above picture, B has busted out the elderberries that we carefully prepared last fall.  The 2014 wine making has begun.  He began 4 gallons of  Elderberry Melomel and 3 gallons of Gooseberry/Rhubarb wine this week.

2.  I have re-committed to bread making this week thanks to this wonderful book.  There is something so calming filling the house with the smells of fresh baked bread.  Speaking of bread, I also began a new sourdough starter.  I did one a year ago, and though it turned out fine, I couldn't keep up with it. This new recipe, from the same book, is slightly different in its process and I must say, it is a very happy little starter only three days in!  Let's see if I can keep this baby around...maybe even pass it down!

3.  I am so excited to be going out with some dear friends this evening to see the Moth Story Slam, I just can't wait!

4.   B always snow blows our parking area against a big old maple tree.  Then the kids use it as a mini sledding hill all season.  This year with plenty of snow and the deep cold, the hill has turned to mostly ice.  Perfect for making an igloo!  I would say that it is more than half done.  Charles and a friend dug a tunnel through the side of it, so they will use those holes plugged by some colorful sledding disks to make skylights.  It is a work in progress, based on its sheer girth, and another couple of months of winter to come I would say, much of this igloo will grace our yard well into April, and we will see remnants into May!

5.  I had my first committee meeting for Charles fifth grade awards/graduation celebration yesterday.  This morning I am sifting through the last six years of photos.  Wow, they grow fast!


linking up with Nancy, won't you join in?

11 comments:

  1. Kids sure do grow up fast! A pity you didn't post a photo of the igloo...I would love to see it. I always wanted to make a snow cave, but have never lived in a place with that much snowfall that we had a blower.

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  2. At first I thought it was beet juice! Bread making is great way to relieve stress, and yes, the smell of fresh baked bread is wonderful!

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  3. I was thinking blueberries when I saw the purple hands- I hope that came off pretty quick! My husband is just learning how to make wine...so far it's been pretty gross..but then I don't drink so maybe it's supposed to taste that way! LOL!

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  4. i was thinking you were working with beets. that is too funny!! elderberries. not sure i ever had them before? i wonder? ( :

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  5. Elderberry wine sounds intriguing! I make elderberry-rhus jelly but I have never thought about making wine. Hmmmm. I know where there a ton of elderberry bushes too. ;))

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  6. I've never had Elderberry wine before. Sure looks messy to make.
    Wow a snow igloo, do get pictures and post them.

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  7. Jealous that you are going to a Moth story slam. We listen to the podcasts all the time and love them.

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  8. Gosh, I love elderberry anything. At the end of summer in England I usually make enough hedgerow jam to last till next summer and always use crab apples, damson plums, blackberries and elderberries. Have you ever made elderberry cordial? A friend gave me the recipe and it's delicious. Good luck with the wine; I bet it will be yummy. Have a wonderful weekend. :)

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  9. The wine-making sounds like fun and so rewarding... if not a little messy! :)

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  10. I had this visual of Bs purple 'wine' hands and you with your hands covered in dough for the bread. Wine and bread, good combination.

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  11. Your wine making looks like some messy-good fun!

    I understand about those snow piles lasting til May. :) The igloo sounds great!

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