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I haven't had the time or inclination lately to update the ol' Bloggerooni. So here I is...updating!
When last we got together, we were talking about how Susan and I are better label makers than we are wine makers. Now that the fair is over and we have retrieved our entries, I was hoping there might be some constructive criticism on the judging forms that might help us determine where we could improve.
Unfortunately, the judging forms are not designed that way. They have about five categories and they rate each category with a number. Then they total up the numbers and the highest number wins.
They left a few comments but nothing helpful. My favorite comment was left on our friend Ellen's entry inwhich the judge noted that the wine was "slightly tart with slightly tarty flavor". I suggest there is a bit of tard in that judge.
Today is the last full day of Summer and the summer weather continues to stay with us although it is augmented by the slightly smokey nature of the various forest fires going on in our region. We end up with cool looking sunsets like this one.
My buddy Mike was just in town for a brief visit in order to say "Good Bye" to his Mom. She has had a steady decline over the past few years due to the Ahlzheimers. So while it is sad, it also a blessing that she is now at peace and hangin' with Jesus!
My work has been incredibly busy as all our customers want it NOW! I put in a bunch of hours last week in order to finish printing the full wrap graphics for a motorhome that is becoming a mobile health clinic.
This week has been much more mellow. I'm actually writing this during my work hours, which I hardly ever do. I can today because I'm sitting here at the computer pressing the "Go" button every five minutes on some decals I have to cut. Oops! There they go again. Excuse me whilst I change sheets. 11:21AM
I'm back! 11:23AM
We are having a festive Potato Lunch today. The boss has provided a mess o' taters, they have been baked and are now sitting on the barbeque awaiting extracation from the flames.
I think I shall go eat me a tater! Later!! 11:36AM
1:53PM Wow! Great lunch. Everybody had plenty to eat and it was quite tasty.
I guess that's all I have to say today. Thanks for watching!
I have started the Hops harvest. They were ready and I managed to find a little time on Sunday in between Biking and Fairing.
I'm only going to save the Sterling Hops, as that is a variety I can use in my home brewing. The Hallertau shall go to the birds, worms, or whatever wishes to chew on them.
They have done their job for the year and provided great vining foliage for the arbors on the deck. The fact that I get usable hops out of it is purly foam on the beer.
Next, I'm going to pick the few bunches of grapes we have and blend them into a small amount of juice to try to make wine from.
We have returned from the Spokane Interstate Fair. We have had our fill of fair food. Elephant ear, jumbo corn dog, wonder bar, greasy fair food, we had it all. Or at least a lot.
We often refer to our wines as award winners. The reason is because we have won ribbons at the fair. We had high hopes for our Zinfandel this year. Our hopes were dashed...but not completely. We got a second place ribbon. The Norby's (those Bastards!) are once again the Grand Champions.
I think I know why we didn't have the results we were hoping for. Our Zin had a lot of sediment that settled on the sides of the bottles. I don't think it effects the taste but it is aestectically unsettling. We are really happy with the taste, but the smelll is not what it could be.
On the bright side, our label won Grand Champion.
For the first time in weeks, it rained this morning. it is much needed and welcomed, but not on the day of the fifth running of SpokeFest.
This was our fifth time as well. We did the nine mile route which is prefect for us.
Frankly, our bodies cannot withstand much more than nine miles. It's just a couple of miles after the start where are butts get sore and not long after that where certain parts of my anatomy start to go numb...parts I don't want going numb. Let's just say that Susan is totally correct now when she refers to me as "NumbNuts"!
Now, it's off to the fair see how we fared in the wine competition.
It is the day after the Labor Day Weekend and that means, that for all intents and purposes, Summer is over. The mornings are much cooler and crisper than just two weeks ago. The nights are chilly. Football is back. The Interstate Fair is right around the corner. And so, Summer is over!
That is not to say that we will no longer experience warm, summer-like weather. We are in fact, experiencing great summer-like weather. The whole Labor Day Weekend was appropriately Summer-like weather. The forecast calls for more Summer-like weather through the weekend. There is even a record about to be broken in Seattle for most consecutive rainless days.
But psychologically speaking, Summer is in the rear view mirror. And I'm okay with that. It is time to turn our attentions to things of Fall...whatever those things are.
We had a great weekend up at Lake Pend Orielle. We didn't really do anything. It was perfect. I'm actually ready to come back to town and get some stuff done.
And whether or not I get something done, will be reflected here.
