Greetings Customers;

I know it's hard to believe, but I am sure that Spring will be in the air soon. I am already planning my garden for this year. That helps to keep me sane. I always think I can have the biggest garden in the world, then reality sets in of how much time and work it takes. So I down scale my thoughts a little. Boy I am ready to play in the dirt!

Well mark your calenders! There will be a Beer making class Feb. 20th from 10am to noon, and a wine making class Feb. 27th from 10am to noon. $5.00 will cover materials, drinks and snacks. We will make the beer from a kit that all can do in the kitchen. We will make Pear wine from fruit.

I will be close an additional day,Feb.23rd due to eye surgery. I do want to be able to SEE you all better.I hope this will not pose a problem. Other days my brother will help. If you have not met him, he is a deaf mute, so be ready to write. He can help you just fine, but always feel free to call me.I know the shop like the back of my hand.

We also want to alert the Wine Kit customers that you all have been invited to share a taste of your kit wines with each other. I have a customer that will open his house for all to bring several bottles to share with everyone. This is a good way to try the different kits, and see which one you might want to do next. We plan to do this in March, and more info will follow soon. Save a few bottles from the wines you are making, and mabe even trade with others for a different wine. I hope in the future this will open the way for a wine club for all possibilities. You have plenty of time to make a new kit if you want to, so that we have more to share and enjoy.

Don't let the winter weather get you down because Beer kits and wine kits are so much fun to make. I can't believe John and I made a wine kit just recently. WOW it was fabulous! It's a great way to taste grape wines that don't grow here, and for a fraction of the cost compared to buying them. Get out of your slump, and try something new. We already love the beer kits and they are so easy. All grain is fun too, but time is always a factor.

I hope for all of us this winter ends soon. There is always a way of putting things in perspective though. Let us pray for Hati and all the snowbound people, mudslides and terrible floods that others may endure. So a little snow isn't so bad. Give thanks for a new year and be fruitful. It is what we make it, and I think the simple things in life are our rewards. Take time to look for the small things ,smile and be joyous. I hope to see you all soon, and yes the Super Bowl was Super!

Ferment and be blessed;

Becky Riley