Liqueur Store

As explained previously, Nicole and I found our way into a currant patch at Rush River Produce in Wisconsin. We nearly missed out on the currants since we were there to pick blueberries and were running late for the start of the Twins game, but thankfully we took the time to fight the sparrows and stain our fingers. If you have never had a black currant, you really must try them. They are one of those dynamic foods like brussel sprouts or squash that have numerous flavors and the first time you taste them they create new neuron connections in your brain to help you never forget the fireworks in your mouth.

Of course, the first logical thing to do with a lot of black currants is to make booze. We received a good tip from the Rush River Produce owners that you can make a liqueur from the berries. Here is the recipe that I found online.

1/3 quart fresh black currants

Sugar

A cinnamon stick

2 cloves

Vodka

Put some fresh black currants in a glass bottle until it is about one-third full. Each berry should have the skin pierced with a needle before inserting in the bottle. Do not wash the berries- they should have their bloom of natural yeast on the skins. Using a funnel, cover the berries with sugar. How much is a matter of taste.

Add a cinnamon stick and two cloves.

Fill the bottle with any good quality clear spirit such as vodka. The spirit should be at least 40% by volume alcoholic strength. Seal and store in a warm cupboard for about three months.
About three months? Three months?

Man, that sucks.

Blueberries!

We traveled to near Maiden Rock, Wisconsin last weekend for some tasty blueberries and delicious views. Wisconsin - being a bit ahead of the curve, weather-wise - readied our roads with a scenic autumn show.

Following the recommendation of our neighbors, we selected Rush River Produce near Lake Pepin. The blueberry harvest was winding down, but we collected more than enough to bake a few desserts - with extra berries to freeze for later - even after we ate half our supply in the fields.

Adam really hit it off with the black currants, even though they had a flavor another picker described as tasting like wild game. I thought they tasted more like the pine trees of the Black Hills, or rather, tasted like the smell of the pines. I managed to sneak a cup of the currants into some scones before Adam stockpiled the rest into a secret old-style currant cordial that we will experience in approximately 2-3 months.

We got out of there with enough antioxidants and blue-stained tongues to keep us safe for at least a month, but we'll be back next year. The scones were that good.

Get Big In '09

I know you have always wondered what our great room looked like from a really high ladder. Well, grip your loved ones and get ready for a mindblowing time. We will start with the north side.

Now we will ease you towards the south.

Ok, you can breathe now.
Remember to tip your guide. They went to a private college and are still paying student loans.

Coneflowers

Our plan to attract bees and butterflies to the yard is working. We have one coneflower plant that has started blooming, and it's been a hot spot with the beneficial insects group.

Lumberjack/Slumbajack Days

Last weekend, Stillwater celebrated Lumberjack Days, an annual festival commemorating the great history of our fair city (Coffee-Shop-Antique-Stop Days being already taken). By 8:00 a.m., the boaters were already zoning in on the best spots. We decided to walk the stairs to downtown.

Adam ("Cupcake-o-saurus"), Jake, Jeremy, and Molly rose early to compete in the 5K. Molly, in fact, bested all the guys by a good 3 minutes.

As for myself, I couldn't even get up early enough to grab a cup of coffee, and instead settled for a Dixie cup of hose-water and a bag of Old Dutch potato chips reserved for race participants. Next time I'll think twice before hitting the snooze.

Rob finished last of all, probably because he couldn't move his arms.

Actually, Rob took the 10-mile scenic route and was very sorry to miss out on the pancake breakfast assembly line show.

Later, we caught some Dock Dogs long-jumping into a pool to reach a duck decoy they can never really have. Look for it on your Outdoor Channel soon - if your husband has not recently cancelled cable. Go dogs!

We took TJ to the parade on Sunday, where he was mesmerized by the giant shopping cart of potential dog treats.

When that excitement passed, we sprayed down local floats with the garden hose. To be fair, they did ask for it. You can't get this kind of fun in the big city, kids.

I wish I had photos of the 1860 Vintage Base Ball games, the excellent fireworks (best I've seen in a very long while), and Emily's superb raspberry cheesecake, but it was difficult to balance the camera with my sweet tea/lemonade/extra vodka cocktail. Instead, I'll leave you with a picture of a goat. Good times.

Daylily Season

It's daylily season at our house. The flowers don't seem to hang around too long, but we have enough bunches that it doesn't really matter. There is always another flower to open up once the first flowers have died back.

Every one of the daylily clumps - with the exception of this orange deal, below - came from a friend and/or family division. I think it really says something about relationships. First, thanks for the beautiful flowers; I appreciate their beauty and your generosity. Second, my friends and/or family have decent enough taste not to pass off the orange one. It's really kind of ugly, both in color and form. I can't tell if it's growing or dying.

On another note, I just picked the first ripe tomato of the season - an heirloom variety called Brandywine. I hope it tastes as sweet as the name!

Willow River Camping Trip

We thought it would be a good idea to take an overnight camping trip with TJ into Wisconsin Territory. Not knowing what obstacles would befall us, we decided to bring everything we owned, and then a little bit extra - just in case.

Willow River is a short 10.6-mile trip from our front door to campsite, but it actually did feel like a vacation. (Probably because the non-resident fees can make you feel like a real tourist.)

Contrary to several posted signs, pets were welcome and abundant. And by "pets", I mean dogs. I did not see any cats hiking the White Tail Trail, although in all fairness, why hike when you can nap?

TJ quickly learned that looking pretty works well while camping. Since we couldn't bring it with us, TJ made good use of our extra turkey sausages.

Then he moved on to the real treat-feeder. I can't resist a smiling face!

Willow Falls and native plants (Note to self: plant native garden next spring; very drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and apparently quite prolific)

Adam and TJ enjoyed a quick trip into, onto, and all around the falls. I stayed within the marked boundaries and prayed that no one sprained an ankle.

Most of the trip was spent reading juvenile fiction and hanging out by the campfire. TJ eventually learned to relax after he had remarked the boundaries of our campsite. For a 20-hour, 20-mile, $40 trip (thanks Wisconsin), we had ourselves a pretty good time.