Washingtonians

[Totalcolour]

Quote: About 3 weeks for the fermentation, then a few more weeks to settle out, maybe another few weeks after the first racking, then bottling, and at least a month in the bottle to "mature". So, perhaps ready in four or five months - I'll check it at 4 and see. This is why we try to make wine all year long - it's the "Waiting", like hatching chicks!

 

[Totalcolour]

Quote: Right now I'm thinking on the dry sise - when it finishes fermenting I'll taste it and try a little added sugar, and see which we like best. Usually go for the dryer one - mix with Perrier or San Pllegrino for a nice summer spritzer! (but then, it might make a really nice dessert wine)

 

[Totalcolour]

Quote: We'll be here!

 

[ReiMiraa]

clear sky here but the wind is terrible.

they are calling for 45mph gusts.... and with my windows shaking i believe it.... i just hope no tree branches fall on my car...

 

[Mia_]

My barns are awfully damp and my outside pens wet from tarps damaged in the ice.  What do you people like as a drying agent?  I've been using hydrated lyme-hate how it feels on my hands ( and lungs) if I forget my mask and gloves which, I always do.  I need to dry things out for my poor Polish.  They can't take the wet.  Some of those crests are toast until the next molt.

Now I am sure you know way more than me but ...... I figure if it bothers me to handle or breath it then I should probably not use it for my birds. Are you trying to make a dryer floor for them to walk on or are you trying to get rid of moisture content in the coop/run? If just trying to soak up water I know some people use wood pellets either the ones for burning in stove or the ones for stall bedding. They take a while but will suck up a lot of water. Then scoop out and dispose.

I have found that if you want to get something dry, like chickens, use talcum powder. Dry what you can with other things, then get the last bit of moisture with talcum powder. It should not affect your lungs and you don't need gloves.

It works on wood dance floors when the roof leaks, babies' butts to prevent diaper rash, etc. so it should work on your chickens.

 

[Totalcolour]

Depends on the wine, or fruit used.
red wines use the whole grape, skin & all, it is what gives the red wine it's color.
It is aged with oak chips if not aged in oak barrels and the tannin in it is what protects it and helps it last, and you need to age it for at least a season, in my opinion, but to let it age properly for years mellows & developes a totally different taste.
White wines are crushed & skins removed....harder to produce in the home.
Whites are not aged in oak, and have no tannins and can so spoil easily by light & warmth.
Whites need to be drank within a year.
Fruit wines differ as to the fruit & if it is aged with oak chips or in oak barrels as said before.
dark fruits like plums can be pressed & fermented just as dark wine grapes, and aged the same way if one wanted to...or you could press out the juice & toss the skins and ferment it as white wine.
That is the fun of making wine, different yeasts also develope different flavors.
Much equipment is need, a brix tester & tube (to measure sugar) campa tabs, sulfite tabs, and so on...all properly measured & loved and bottled.
It is a wonderful hobby I highly recommend.
Nothing like going to a friend's for dinner & bringing several of your own wines with you for a fun wine tasting!

Just like eggs are the "perfect" human food, so grapes are the perfect fruit for wine.

Other friuts are not as good, since they are usuallu amelioreated, and don't have engoiuh nutrients, so we add some. Still, it takes a bit longer to ferment out than do grapes.

My peach and nectarine, took 20 days, the parsnip 15, the pear/cranberry 18, the plum 21, etc. The persimmons I don't know yet.

It also depends on fermentation temperature, the cooler it is the longer it takes. I like a long, slow ferment with fruits since it keeps the nice fruit aromas better, and like CL says, I use a champagne yeast for dryness.

 

[PitterPatterPalace]

Hi, guys- long time no talk to. It's been real busy here at the pitterpatterpalace. I'm back to work & baby D is at daycare 3 days a week. We've been exceptionally exhausted. I hope to get on here to catch up--maybe we can set a meet-up soon. Anyway, we're getting rid of DH's truck bed liner. Let me know if any of you are interested by e-mail--here's the craigslisting:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/zip/2811207743.html

Miss you!

 

[auntpa-k]

Has anyone had an issue with a silkie having very long and hard feathers on its feet? If I am careful about that blood vein in the feather, is it ok to trim it back some? This poor little thing isn't a show bird, so clipping anything for that reason isn't an issue. I have just noticed she isn't walking very much. Last night I moved her and checked her feet. Nothing seems to be wrong except for a few long feathers. They look to be in her way of picking up her foot. I tried to find a thread on here about this, but didn't have any luck. Thought I would ask.
Thanks,
Paula

 

[SadieSue]

Okay, finally caught up here. News is much more encouraging the past 24 hours. Sounds like many have gotten power back or found alternative sources by now.

Broody - wonderful news about your PET scan!
CL - I am always impressed by the beauty of your Buckeyes. Love seeing their pics.
Totalcolor - Your persimmon wine sounds like it's going to be fantastic! I love how you experiment to come up with your own delicious concoctions!
Hallerlake - glad Ginger is out of the tree
RRF - what an awful time you've been having with those hatching babies. I am just sick about your losing some to your dog. I hope you are able to save more of them.
ReiMirra - I am so sorry to hear about your losses to predators. I sure hope your friends come through for you and take them out! You must feel helpless when you're stuck at school.

I know I'm missing comments to some others - I should have been taking notes!

Things have calmed down here a bit - my dead car's battery was replaced, (Thank you AAA for coming out with a new one for me!) And doubly nice, the AAA guy was an old friend I used to party with when I was in my teens. Hadn't seen him in years.
Snow is turning to slush, but finally able to get down my hill. DH missed 2 days of work due to the Liquor distribution warehouse being shut down, but they're making up for it this weekend.
We have been able to maintain power since a short 3 hour loss. I am grateful. However, we have lost some beautiful limbs from the trees in our yard and neighborhood. I watch a 12 ft. limb come crashing off the fir across the street into the neighbor's back yard yesterday while I was out with my AAA buddy. It was scary. I could hear resounding cracks all over the neighborhood as they finally surrendered to the weight of the ice and fell.
Unfortunately, we missed 2 crucial dress rehearsals to my show "California Suite" which was supposed to have opened last night. Due to inclement weather and the Narrows Bridge being closed for so many hours because of falling ice, Tacoma Little Theatre chose to cancel last night's performance which is almost unheard of. Since all cast and crew were there, we were able to have a couple of run throughs and one more dress rehearsal. SO, this evening will actually be opening night! I believe we are ready! Many of the folks who had pre-purchased tickets for last night will be there tonight which should make for a good sized audience. Now if we can just keep the flood waters from the streets and sidewalks leading up to the theater door...

 

[SadieSue]

Oh! Let's see if I can get this posted properly. Here is a video clip of a few choice moments from "California Suite" which was shot during rehearsal on Tuesday night. This is the promo piece being used by the theater. My "stage husband", who plays both of my husbands in 2 different stories during the show, produced the video. He is a very active volunteer for Pierce County Humane Society and Coalition Humane for spay/neuter and produces all the video for the Humane Society. He also hosts the local show on Comcast which spotlights the weeks adoptable pets. He's a great guy and I love working with him!