fireflies

The Dear Wife and I motored to the TomThumb to grab a coupla quick picks for tonite's bazillion dollar MegaMillions.

On the way we saw three firefiles in the street. I can't explain it, but we are very pleased to see the little bugs. Fireflies are magic, beautiful, a good omen.

roof rat

There was a small creature living in our rain gutters. He finally showed his face on the porch about a week ago.

He was small (and cute) for a rat, and didn't look like one of those nasty rats you see. He was more like a giant gerbil or large fieldmouse.

Anyhow, a rat trap from walmart and a smear of peanut butter on the trigger took him to his maker within about an hour. We saw where he was coming/going and put it there.

Re-baited it, but have heard no further noises. We shall see.

National Homebrewing Day

Saturday the 3rd was National Homebrewing Day.

I didn't actually brew anything, but I did bottle 5 gallons of mild and 5 gallons of the apple cider.

I also cultured some of the liquid yeast that was destined for a new batch of cider; 10 test tubes worth.

bottled the porter

I bottled the "porter" this morning and mocked up a label for it. It's not really a porter but I am calling it that for the sake of simplicity.

I learned that you can dip the paper label in milk and that makes a great adhesive that comes off easily later in water. Neat trick.

Also both of my hop rhizomes have now sprouted. The Cascade broke topsoil about 2 wks ago and just saw the Kent Goldings this morning.

And as a nice bonus I dumpster dived about 25 excellent 16oz Sapporo bottles this morning. They were in good shape, and are soaking in disinfectant now for santizing and to loosen the labels.

Moosbeere-Apfelwein

Experimental micro-batches:

batch[4] = half-gallon batch of Apfelwein with 33% organic cranberry juice, left.
batch[5] = half-gallon batch of Apfelwein with 25% organic cranberry juice, right.

Also fired up the pressure cooker and sterilzed some more water and wort for future yeast starters or other uses.

Day off

Took my first day off in many months.

Accomplished these things:

* mowed yard
* watersealed toolshed and part of deck
* put up bookshelves
* bought some bulk malt (50# bag)
* brewed a 5gal batch: beer[3] port-o-LAN. Closer to stout than port, really
* made labels for all my batches
* picked up the freebie recycling bags from the City of Richardson
* figured out how the dingdang lawn sprinkler system works

A great, world-conquering day. I need one day like that every month and all would be well.

Dinner review: Tukta Thai

I've had two different cow-orkers goading me to to to TThai, so the Dear Wife and I finally went last night.

I was looking forward to it, since I've had some excellent salad rolls at Star of Siam (not recently!) and excellent pad thai and thai fried frice at the thai place that used to be at the NE corner of Spring Valley and Coit. It's since changed to Noodle Wave or something recently and haven't been back yet).

So I ordered thai fried rice and salad rolls. DW ordered some kind of beef dish.
Both were decent but not notable. I tried thai iced tea, and won't make that mistake again. Reminded me of licking a piece of pressure-treated lumber. The DW thought I was joking when I said it tasted like a patio deck. Until she tried it.

Two entrees, two drinks, one appetizer: $28.36 before tip.

Pros: many locals, BYOB, pleasant atmosphere, pleasant service and friendly (presumably thai) staff.
Cons: Kind of a crummy part of town. Food decent but not great.
Verdict: Not worth the hype, not worth the drive. I don't see us going back.

Located just off LBJ over near BoBo China (mentioned more for its sign visibility than culinary excellence).

Tukta Thai
9625 Plano Rd St 500
Dallas Tx 75238
214.342.0121