So here in Staffordshire, it's been twilight all day, cold and raining. Just think how miserable it must have been (or still is!) for those without proper houses and heating! Or in the trenches in WW1?
It's very hard to stay motivated, and I wish we could just hibernate.
I heard one opinion that this is why the early Christians stuck Xmas near the winter solstice, to take advantage of an alleviation of the winter blues and to have a much-needed feast!
Barb UK
Barb, it is evident that you need to take a prescription from Dr. Beagles: make more wine - drink more wine - more often.
And this time of year the prescription is mulled wine or Glogg. Served steaming hot with a shot of Vodka or Akvavit. Warms to the bone! :^)
Quixote
Actually, it's more likely that they put Xmas there because that's when all the big celebrations were- Saturnalia, Yalda, etc.
Co-opting not only the time of a mid-winter holiday, but many pre-Xtian traditions too: gift giving, feasting, lighted trees, etc.
I do sympathise Barb. I emigrated from England to the States ten years ago, and live in Arizona. It is 70 degrees most days in december. Brrrr!!!!
While I sympathise, I must ask it...did you expect any other advice on this group than "errr....make and drink more wine dude!"
Hic!
xxx
Sean
Actually, Sean, it's probably what I wanted to hear!! ;-) Barb UK
I live in Pittsburgh and our weather is always bad also; my winemaking room is well lit and has no windows so it just doesn't matter. Wine doesn't like sunlight so I consider it a blessing; the bad weather just forces me into winemaking mode... It's all in how you look at things.
:)
Joe
Actually, I've just thought of an advantage to winter!!! I put my fermenting wines in the airing cupboard - with the door open a little, so the temperature doesn't get too high - and they "go" much quicker than in the summer, when I do them in the kitchen and the temperature is lower and more irregular. (The cat likes it in there, too..)
So I get to drink the wine quicker!!!! :-))
I still have to do the big 5 gal one in the kitchen, though, with a heater... which uses leccy.... which adds to global warming ... which makes me depressed again ... which makes me drink more wine..... ho hum! Can't have it all ways, huh?
Barb UK
Well, wine makes it's own heat when it's fermenting. Try wrapping that carboy in a blanket and see what happens. At minimum, you won't need as much warming if you insulate it. That, or power your heater with solar or a wind turbine...
:O)
Joe
Yep, good point Joe. I did wrap a blanket round my 5gal fermenter, in the belief that it would cut down elec. consumption, so hopefully I am still being a bit "green"!!
Next time, I think I'll contrive a layer of bubble wrap under the blanket, which will help even more - so maybe the heater won't have to come on very much at all! Probably just a bit during the night when the heating is off.
Barb UK
DrinksForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.