Prepping for Winter

I don't know if the mojitos I made looked good or bad, but they tasted okay. Admittedly, the first I made was quite strong as I used a random shot glass from the cupboard, only to find out later it was a double shot glass.

But with the last of the sun for a while and the breeze quickly picking up to signal the coming drop in temperature, a strong drink while grilling some vegetables and chicken was acceptable. And the second round I made myself (as my wife was fine with the first) was much easier on the palate and pretty decent. I think I prefer the normal white rum version, but since I had an unopened bottle of dark rum sitting in the cupboard for five-plus years, that is what got used instead of buying more.

Some alcoholic drinks go bad before we even open them here.

Mostly beer. Because I sometimes buy some when we are having friends over, and then since I don't drink beer, they go off before the next occasion. I should just make people take them home with them instead, as at least they will be enjoyed.

Our grill is inherited from my in-laws, and I think it is on its last legs. I will do a thorough clean while it is raining to see if I can get it up and running again, but it just doesn't heat hot enough anymore. Though, to be fair, it never really did much better. Not all grills are created equal and this one is not great. I always find my father-in-law a bit funny, because he is so cheap when buying things like a grill or tools, but has spent massive amounts on cars in the 15 years I have known him.

I think he has it backwards.

Cars are pretty meaningless, but the things you use often should be practical and quality of possible. I have a friend similar to my father-in-law, who will skimp on spending small amounts for things he will use often and enjoy, but has changed his car four times in the last six years. It comes down to preferences of course, but it just seems silly.

My friend knows he is silly.

But, since I am not ready to drop any money on a decent barbecue myself, I will try to get the old one running as best as I can, and make do with whatever it can do as is. What I will have to spend some money on is more paint for the basement, as what I have done so far ended up soaking in so much extra, there is no longer enough to do the garage side. I think when I do the garage side I will lay two primer coats instead of one, to see if it makes a difference with how much it soaks in.

But before getting back down into the basement work, the morning might be rain-free tomorrow, so we are planning our annual pilgrimage to pick raspberries on a farm to freeze and see us through the winter. It saves us about 40% on the current store prices, but far, far more if we were to buy them throughout the winter. This way, we can eat delicious raspberries (and strawberries which we bought this year) throughout the cold months and get some much needed vitamins.

Okay, we get vitamins from other things too - but berries are awesome.

It is going to be an early start though, because the rains are scheduled for around lunch time and it is a bit if a drive and then a bit of picking time. So, for now, I am going to head off to bed and see what the morning brings - because if it is raining already, we probably won't go.

Then it will be to the basement instead.

Taraz
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