Oh and we tried to take out the spiders too. No spiders were harmed in this post -or photographed – so it is safe to proceed.
Yesterday was cold all day. One of those cold days that has a proper serious chill carried by a mean little wind aimed at that one spot of bare on your neck. The cold that makes you hunch and shiver at the thought of what is to come. 
Big Dog brought out his blankie and watched the proceedings from his bed. He really does drag his blankie around with him, he goes through three or four every winter because they catch and rip on sharp things as he runs dragging them along, flying behind him. They get stuck in the ice or get lost. He is wrapped up in at least one every night in the barn. Yesterday was his first day of carrying his blankie around the yard, so I guess this means winter is coming after all.
Cats do not care about the cold. They were discussing secret cat things all day. 
WE spent all morning picking grapes for the Ice Wine.
They were as sweet as table grapes.
We ignored the bemused and confused peahens calling out “who has been eating my breakfast” in honk language.
The grapes were stripped from the stems, everything went into the pot. A Stock Pot for the wino. The pigs and chickens fought over the skins and stalks after ..
..everything was crushed with potato mashers and freezing cold hands, left to wallow for a while and exchange flavours, then strained in the press. 
Twice. Yes Roger you are right; the glass you see above you is from my first vintage. Vintage is such a posh word. Looks and big posh words can be deceiving. And Jed just for you, even though I left in all the dried up exciting looking grapes, and the few sweet rotting ones, and even a few cobwebs, together with the pinky, plump and juicy ones, I did take out all the earwigs. 
The resulting cloudy, dirty looking, delicious smelling grape juice will settle overnight. Then John will take over as the boss and proceed with the wine making process. I take over again when it is drinking time. This is a very long wait for me you understand. I will need a lot of support.
The Daily View was taken later in the afternoon yesterday. 
I know that the temperature gauge does not look as cold as it really was. But there was a chilly wind. I am told that it is warming up again this week which will be very nice, thank you very much.
There is another Weblog presenting a daily picture. Over at My Little Corner of Rhode Island – where Angels have no fear treading- Marie takes a shot of her view every Four O’Clock. We are enjoying the comparisons.
Have a lovely, lovely day. Celi.
The Kitchen's Garden 
62 responses to “Everything but the Earwigs – Making Wine on the Farmy.”
I didn’t receive you in my inbox this am! 😦 Glad I popped over to check. Big Dog is so funny. The thrift store is a good source of Big Dog blankies. I can smell your grapes all the way here in WV. I’ve a pot of soup on the wood stove this morning. Chilly here this week. I’m having trouble moving the kiddos from in front of the stove today. Off to do school! Have a great day!
i know about that kiddo moving problem!! oh yes! a pot of soup sounds just lovely.. c
Ni-ice. Aw, that poor doggy having to carry his blankie around, I know exactly the kind of cold he and you mean. It looks and feels like it’s going to be a tough one this year. 🙂
Kitties! They look like they are having fun. It’s quite brisk here this morning as well, brr.
How wonderful to make your own wine, I am so envious, I would love to help you drink the fruits of your labour!
Big dog is so cute; the cats could do their own thing, I couldn’t care less, hate cats; there I said it!
It’s Canadian Thanksgiving Day today so I leave you with this: thank you for finding my blog and for giving me such a lovely read every day on your blog.
Big dog and his blankie are adorable.
The colour of last year’s vintage does look great. I hope it goes well this year 😉
It looks like all hands were on deck for the wine making, and what a fantastic looking piece of equipment the press is! Wish I could help with the tasting process, and I’ll bet this year’s vintage will be mighty fine.
Good luck with 2012 vintage. My, you have a couple of camera shy Menfolk there 🙂 Laura
They were hard at work, no time for posing.. c
What a cool tree house! If I had time I would be out there, book in hand, pillow and a lovely reclining seat of some sort.
Of course, if I had time!!!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
When we have the time it is too bloody cold!! (laughter! ).. c
I really enjoyed seeing evidence of your wine making process! Last year’s vintage does have a beautiful color, so I wish you good success for this year’s press. I’m charmed by a doggie pulling around his own blankie! That is just adorable. Our weather is finally cooling so I hope we may be able to share just a little bit of our leftover warmth with you, Celi. It may be cold, but your daily shot is just beautiful. Look at that pretty sky! 🙂
Very cool…and maybe the earwigs would give some extra “terroir”…;-)
Well I must say that I’m feeling good about the earwigs having been left out of the pot as I’ve never liked the flavor they impart on the wine. 😉 Seriously looks like a fantastic time to me, even if it was chilly.
btw…how is the previous vintage tasting?
very borderline jed, it looks lovely, but has an after taste of cleaning fluid, though it is improving with time.. i picked too early last year and the sugars were borderline.. this year is a full month later with some good frosts too, plus an exceedingly dry year, i am hopeful.. c
what a great way to live off the land for food and drink!!!! you have a wonderful life!!
How old is Big Dog and how old is TonTon and why doesn’t Big Dog have a proper name like Charlotte and Sheila?
Big Dog does have a name actually, He is Johns dog and was here before me even. his name is Cooder but he likes to be called The Big Dog because the Little Dog needs putting in his place. TonTon is about two and a half and The Big Dog is at least 12 or so, no-one is terribly sure – he was found abandoned as a pup about 12 years ago anyway. His other name is The Old Dog, but never in his hearing of course.. morning c
Good morning. It is a wee bit chilly here. Congratulations on your ice wine.