Wine making

I started to document my whole wine making process but it got a little busy and before I knew it I was done. Making wine in bottles is relatively easy . I bought the concentrate and the other things needed not too far from home (Dundee) . Now is the waiting and watching until I have to rack it the first time to get rid of the sediments. I made three different kinds. Liebfraumilch ,Niagara ,and Sarah . Matt and Shell gave me a bottle of niagara that they make and I liked it a lot so that was an easy choice. We will see how these turn out before I make any larger amounts. I saw a nice vessel for making 6 gallons at a time but that will have to wait. Check it out here.. I think Kevin would like one of these!

Garden in late Oct.

I have in this bed Swiss Chard , Onions, and curly Kale at the far end just starting to come up. Hoping for Christmas dinner of greens and onions. I got this idea of covered beds from my Alaska magazine that had a story about someone in the far north growing plants and selling them to the locals. As I looked at those photos I was thinking that this is what I need to do and so far I am having some success . It is still a learning experience though and I need to get a good schedule and the right plants.
The garden is doing well. I planted in late August and most of the greens are flourishing . We still are not getting enough rain so I have been watering. From the left to right in this photo... Russian Kale,Beets,and Turnips.
This is a view into No. 4 bed. Spinach Mustard cross,with leek along the sides. The darn leek did nothing all summer but are starting to take off now. I am hoping that with the row covers they will have time to get some size. I can never get the giant stems that the markets have . I think because of the dry summer mine didn't grow. Some day I will get a water system going for the raised beds. First I need a hydrant in the garden and my well water fixed.
I have a lot of lettuce growing and it is doing great in this cool weather. This is just a peek under the covers.
Under all of that white row cover is the lettuce . The other rows are Mustard, more Mustard spinach cross, and a row of mixed greens.
All covered and buttoned up for the cold night we had last week. I think that all would have been okay anyway even though we had a hard frost. Over and out.

Hunting on some beautiful property near Marlette Michigan - heaven must be like this. This is from my tree stand using my cell phone. Click on the photo to enlarge.

I saw 4 bucks come by and let them pass. I may be sorry later,but am waiting for a bigger one. So far two 4 pts,one seven and a 6 . I'm sorry already.

Food and Friends

I must be hungry. This post is mostly about food ,friends and fogies (me). The picture on the left is of my old television antenna and tower. A while back my teenage neighbor was over and he pointed to it and asked "what is that anyway". I had to look twice before I informed him that that was the way we used to get a tv signal. He stared at it a while and said ...humm. That is the fogie part. Living long enough that the young generation can't relate.

Don't laugh,your turn will come.



We had some friends stop by. Linda and her daughter Jessica. They used to live a couple of houses down and I skied with them a lot out west. Linda's mom ,our neighbor, died so they are up from Florida. Good to see friends.

We had a great meal last week, fresh potato rosemary garlic bread,roasted chard with grated cheese, and chicken thighs with peppers and onions. Love cooking good food.

Lots going on now. Hunting season is in full swing and am hunting tomorrow in the Thumb. Hoping for that ten point before I get too old to see one.

The garden is doing great . I will get some photos of it soon. The greens are knee high and the lettuce is coming along well. Ginny says that I planted too much and see may be right this time. I have almost three 25 foot rows 18 inches wide! Someone is going to get some lettuce for sure. Ginny likes giving produce to the older ladies at church that can use the extra food. and I like growing it for them too. So it works.

I have started making some wine and will update on that soon. Nothing as grand as Kevin but it's a start. Later

The recipe for the greens.

I got this recipe from The Greens Book

Ingredients

• 3 Lb Chard
• 1 Tsps Salt
• 1 Pepper
• 4 Tbsps Butter
• 3/4 Cups Parmesan Cheese ,freshy graded
• 4 Tbsps Feta cheese optional

Directions

1. Wash chard well and cut off the stems. Trim the stems and cut into two inch lengths.
2. Cut the leaves crosswise into two inch strips.
3. Blanch the stems in salted boiling water for about three minutes. Add the leaves and blanch for another 1 1/2 minutes longer.
4. Drain the chard well and transfer to a oven- proof dish. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
5. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Brown the butter in a sauté pan. Pour the browner butter over the the chard and toss well.
6. Sprinkle the Parmesan (and feta, if desired) cheese over the chard. Bake 10 minutes or so until the cheese is bubbling and pale golden brown. Serve hot.
7. Tomato slices ,cut thin, may be added before baking for a garnish. Sprinkle basil across the slices.

I'm back .

We had a great dinner one night at Jim and Nancy's house. Nancy made a fine feast for us and we enjoyed the evening eating and talking. We even got to see a movie with them from their video library. When all is said and done it is truly the friends that you have that make you happiest.

I have been remiss at posting this summer. I just didn't have the time or inclination to sit down and do it. Here is a little catch up. Our grandson Ben is almost walking(his mother keeps pushing him down). He loves getting into the cupboards,emptying the contents on the floor and back again. Although he is not as good at putting them back. He is a lot more work than Macy was. The boy thing I guess.
Speaking of Macy. This is her and Blake ,my nephew, last month. Two great kids and they play together well, despite the difference in age. I will have to post more often and will try. A few comments would help. These photos got all outta order..sorry.