Well it has been a busy few months and very quiet from me on this site.  Had an order for mittens for Christmas gifts in the UK.  Well you can imagine the spinning wheel and the needles have been cranked up.  Even managed to take some time out from work to head north to Tauranga Bay to help with a working bee on what was Nana’s Bach.  Took my fleece, spinning wheel and knitting needles for the night times.  Needless to say the bach looks loved again.  It is amazing what can be achieved when family gather together, uniting skills and have a purpose in mind.  We had a good time all together.  My spinning was a source of intrigue and family were grateful for a massage  from me at the end of each day to relieve tired muscles.

Since returning home I have finished the order.  Just working on some sharp business cards now to accompany these items to the UK.

Decided to have a crack at making Apple Cider using water Kefir grains and apple juice.  Not sure what it is supposed to taste like which is a bit funny.  Fun having a go anyway.  I’m using apple juice pre bottled.  Gets a great fizz but I am just figuring out when I should halt the initial ferment and whip the cider into a bottle for a secondary ferment.  At least I think that is what happens when you bottle it, the secondary ferment that is.  Will endeavour to record my developments.

Have cranked up the Kombucha brewing again too.  Winter saw the demand for this drop right off.  Getting the Scoby to produce a fizz has been a challenge however I think it is just because it has spent a while in a dormant state in my fridge.  I seem to remember that when I first ever began brewing, it took a few brews before the end product became carbonated.

Yes it certainly is a case of living and learning and having fun in the process.