Let Rip

Hoorah for jam, hoorah for sugar, hoorah for rhubarb, hoorah for redcurrants, hoorah for more sugar, hoorah for rum...

We made some jam last night. It was fun to make - lots of bubbling sugar and yummy fruit in a preserving pan - I think we may have enjoyed the bubbling a little too much as it's definitely set. I'm sure a little warming before we put it on the waffles and it'll be fine. Or maybe we can use it as the basis for some rum - what do you think Jamie? Hoorah for rum.

We even made the label. "Rips" are currants in Norwegian, by the way. I think it's a terrible accusation that I fart all the time.

David and Dino also started some wine last night - David's been carrying around this large box of Shiraz grape juice that he was given when he left Bristol, and Dino managed to nag him enough to get it started - it's now sitting in the living room bubbling away.

Hic!

Dyl - What this blog needs is more about wine, jam,...

Jamie - Miaow miaow miaow pilchards hic!

Dyl - Thanks Jamie... pilchards, rum, bananas and less about socks.

Dyl - Our good friend Dino...

Jamie - miaow miaow miaow big gay dinasour hic!

Dyl - Thanks Jamie... has helped us to bottle and label our first batch of home brew. It's made from plums from the garden.

Dyl - Jamie's been testing it as we don't know how much alcohol is in it and we want to make sure it doesn't make you blind. Jamie, can you see?

Jamie - miaow miaow miaow hic!

Dyl - Oww... apparently he can see me.

Dyl - It's actually not bad for a first go - sweet, but not too sweet; clear; and not too strong (according to Jamie).

Jamie - miaow miaow miaow not enough pilchards

Dyl - thanks Jamie... and doesn't taste of pilchards.

The label

Ready to drink

First pajamas

One pair of pajamas down, two to go. I started these for David on Sunday from the material I bought while I was in the UK. It was a really simple pattern so I managed to finish them without them going on the ikke ferdig list. Hoorah. I think they look pretty funky, and David seems to like them.

I made them while David was bottling the plum wine we made at the end of last year - of course we had a try it too, and found it to be surprisingly palatable. We have no idea how much alcohol is in it though as I didn't realise you're meant to take a specific gravity at either end of the fermentation process and then do a calculation - I know for next time.