Productive Monday

We got a lot done Monday!

I “bottled” the gallon of kombucha I brewed two Sundays ago. It tested with a brix of 6 and ABV of less than 0.2%. Success! I poured the 1/2 gallon jars into quart jars for the sake of “single servings” and put them in the fridge for the week. Then I began another gallon batch.

Also, I separated out the kefir grains. In a matter of two weeks, they’ve doubled and I have enough to split off and share, should anyone I know be interested.

I bottled a batch of ACV and started another quart and a half today. I’m slowly restocking my pantry with ACV for the chickens in a few more weeks. I used a lot of ACV in gnat traps this summer, and I got behind on my brewing. Shame on me.

Anyway, while I was doing all that and playing with my daughter, my husband was outside with our son cleaning out the chicken coop and composting all their poopy bedding. We were attempting the deep mulching over the summer so that the composting poo would work to help heat the coop, but it was just getting a little stinky and dirty in there so, we cleaned out the yuck, and added some more fresh pine shavings. Perhaps straw would work nicer? But we are able to get the pine chips really cheaply so that’s what we do. The chickens seem happier and hopefully the one who has been laying for us this winter encourages the other girls to follow suit.

Then, that dear man of mine broke down the cardboard boxes that had been on the back patio for ages and swept the patio! He’s really my most favorite person ever. There’s something about a cluttered porch/patio that sets my teeth on edge and having that gone just made my day.

Earlier this weekend, they (husband and son- they’re really adorable working together) went out to the coop and collected some really beautifully composted soil from the run that I’ll be using to start our tomatoes and peppers indoors. I cannot tell you how nice it is to not be spending money on dirt this year! Hooray!

I’ll do another post on the seed order we made from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. I’ve been really happy with them in the past, and I look forward to spring planting!