theholtsite

Since Jill blogged today, and since I was walking around the house taking pictures with her camera, figured I’d post too.

I found this block of wood at the dump, drilled some holes in it, and made a lamp. Doesn’t need a shade/cover because we’re using those “vintage” bulbs that aren’t too abrasive. Great for “mood” lighting.

A friend and I won a church-wide, doubles badminton tournament this past summer (with some fierce competition). I got to take home the trophy, which is there on the right. From the guy glued onto it, you’d think it was a philosophy tournament, but I like it anyway!

Alice had the idea to put some of my collection in order by color. From left to right we have:

• A candle we made from bacon fat and beeswax, trying to be part of the club
• A great friend, brother, and fellow brewer’s Black Raspberry Vanilla Mead
• My homemade Berry Brandy, made from various wines I’ve made, and aged in toasted White American Oak
• Homemade blueberry wine
• “Quad Berry” wine made from raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, and blackberry
• Homemade cherry + blueberry + raspberry wine from another batch
• Strawberry + cherry wine, just bottled this week
• Cheap amaretto I did not make, but the color fit
• Strawberry wine from last year
• Metheglin (spiced mead) with anise, cinnamon, and a bit of cherry-infused vodka (made by same friend as above)
• Cyser (mead brewed with apples/cider), made by same friend
• Homemade jaggery wine. Jaggery is used in a lot of Indian food and is basically unprocessed sugarcane. I decided to make wine out of it. It has a great, distinctive flavor a bit like white wine, although it came out too sweet.
• Homemade limoncello made with 180 proof everclear, a ton of lemon zest, and sugar syrup. Strong stuff!

Soap we made, ready to sell in little cute bags. Now my standard recipe, perfected after 33 batches over the years. A wonderful soap that’s the “best of all worlds” in terms of being cleansing/grease-cutting, moisturizing, smelling great, a nice lather, and hard enough not to “melt” all over the place when used often. This batch scented with tea tree, also a bit of oatmeal to make it a bit exfoliating.

My current reading list, which seems to keep growing. This is because I don’t actually read a ton, so it takes me a while to get through things. I’m currently reading “Dracula” out loud to the girls.

Also we have this traditional Christmas playlist, which I’m thoroughly enjoying today. Very 1500s. It’s combined with a fire video to make us feel warm.

Jill makes homemade bread almost daily, and she has also perfected a bunch of recipes. This one is potato bread, which is delicious and fluffy and great for spreading butter or jam on. It also makes great sandwich bread and lasts for days.

Cat in a box, and on the left my own guitar transcription/arrangement of “You’re a Mean One, Mr Grinch”, which is very accurate but rather hard to play.