Here at Hangman Hill

Today’s project is to scale down my beer making process and recipes to the 1- gallon scale, so that I can make some more unusual types of beer and do it more frequently. I just don’t drink enough to get through 5-gallons of barley wine!

Warm temperatures and crystal clear skies afforded the opportunity to hike one of the 4000 footers. We took a familiar and favorite drive to Crawford Notch to hike Mt Pierce (4311 ft). The temperatures were in the high 50’s when we left the parking lot just opposite the AMC Highland Center. We followed Crawford Path to the summit of Mt Pierce.  Crawford Path is the oldest continually maintained hiking path in the US and is popular approach to many of the Presidential Sumits. The summit of Mt Pierce offered amazing views and we enjoyed the company of a few fellow hikers.  We returned to the car via the Mizpah hut which is closed in the winter but offered an open sheltered spot for lunch.  We rejoined Crawford Path for an easy return to the car.  While we hoped to be skiing, a 4000 footer in September-like weather is not a bad way to spend our Christmas vacation!

Crawford Path: Approaching ridgeline to the summit of Mt Pierce

Just below the summit of Mt Pierce with views to Mt Washington

Summit of Mt Pierce

Lunch at Mizpah hut

Kokee taking a cleansing swim before heading to the car.

Merry Christmas!  We celebrated a quiet Christmas in New Hampshire with record breaking temperatures and clear skies.  

We have had unseasonably warm temperatures in the Northeast with high temperatures in the 50-60’s for most of December.  While it is tempting to start planing seeds in the garden, we have been making preparations for the holidays.  Warm weather has made outside decorating a breeze, so Santa and the flamingos keeping the neighbors amused. Sheri is making a tradition English Christmas cake which involves lots of sherry, fruit, marzipan and royal icing.  Even the cactus seems to know Christmas is coming.  The only thing lacking is a little of the white stuff.  

Enjoying my prize from our department Christmas party – a growler of “Lonesome Boatman Ale” from the Outerlight Brewing Company in Groton (just down the road from Pfizer) 

What better to do than to spend a Saturday afternoon upgrading my beer and cider making skills?  So….a few weeks ago I went to our local home-brew shop to learn about “boil-in-a-bag” full grain brewing and apple pressing with locally picked apples.  As you can see a fun time was had by all and some very fresh apple juice made its way back to Hangman Hill Road.

 

  

 

After some fantastic late fall hikes in New Hampshire we are spending a few weekends in Connecticut.  Sheri has been recovering from abdominal surgery (nothing serious, but a slow recovery) and Bruno has been taking care of the pets, the garden and Sheri.  

We are grateful for all of the encouragement, gifts, cards and well wishes for Sheri’s speedy reocovery.  Special thanks to DiAnn and Mike for the lovely plant and flower display and the fresh fruit bouquet!

Sheri has enjoyed two books from our friend Denise.  Grandma Gatewood’s Walk tells the story of the first woman to hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine at age 65. She then then repeats the walk two more times.  The second book, Following Atticus, is the story of Tom Ryan and his miniature schnauzer Atticus as they hike the forty-eight 4000 footers in the White Mountains in all four seasons.  Both are inspiring reads and make us eager to get on the trails be it on foot, ski or snowboard!

It has been nice to spend time at home with the cats and enjoying some warm sunny skies.  The garden is winding down and Bruno had been tidying things up for winter so that in the first warm day in spring we can start planting.

Essential tools for Sheri’s recovery

Hary is a good companion for the patient

Colorful flowers are welcome this time of year!

The leaves have mostly come off the trees which means it is time for fall clean up in the garden.  It is always a little melancholy packing up hoses, cutting back the asparagus fronds, putting the pots in the shed and cutting back the remnants of sunflowers, beans, and other garden fruits.  It is for this reason the disovery of big red beets, crisp radishes and bright green fennel that you forgot you planted in late summer is so very sweet.  We have a tasty face of produce this November.  The taste of garden fresh veggies, and visions of fresh powder on the trail, keep us smiling.

Last weekend we were in New Hampshire enjoying unusually warm weather and clear skies.  We hiked in the Carter range and enjoyed views far and wide in every direction.  The hike up to the Imp face was steep, but once we were on the ridge we were able to take it easy and enjoy the scenery.  Mount Washington was in the clear and we think that we may have spotted Marty the summit cat with our binoculars!

We both recently attended the annual meeting of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (APPS), where Bruno was honored with the “AAPS Achievement Award in Manufacturing Sciences & Engineering”.  This award is given in recognition of outstanding scientists who have demonstrated significant impact in their respective fields.  In addition to lots of interesting science and renewing some old friendships we were fortunate to enjoy a week of warm weather in Orlando FL.