The holidays are here again and it seems more stressful than previous years. At least it did. Between gifts and bills, it didn’t look like we would be able to make it to Oahu to spend Christmas with Mary as we said we would. Well, after knuckling down, we were able to find 1 1/2 free round trip tickets through our Hawaiian miles program. Mary offered to pay for Gavin. That only left 1 1/2 tickets to actually buy, which was much more feasible. So we purchased them. We now have our tickets to Oahu, and what do you know? Most of the stress is gone. Amazing. Now I’ve been able to enjoy the lit tree, house decorations, chocolates, Christmas specials, and various other holiday amenities.

Our poor Jetta has been heading rapidly down hill since we moved to Hana. Between dirt roads, Hana hwy, the sun, and the increased milage (now up to150k), the car has about had it. It’s suffered holes in the oil pan (darn land slides), high temperatures, two kids, a few dents and dings, trips across the ocean, snow (yes, snow), miles and miles of road, rain (inside and out), cockroaches, exploded tires, corroded batteries, blown fuses, and much more. With all our car has endured, it has treated us really well.

Despite the “Mama car’s” willingness to survive, we decided to start looking for a new car. Holly sent me to town on Saturday to buy a turkey, some wine, and a few other groceries. Also, I was to do some research some new cars.

I did the latter first and sent a few pictures back for consideration. None were spectacular. After three or four dealerships, I was tired of being attacked by car salesmen and headed to Wal Mart.

This gave time to think and research the vehicles I looked at. In doing so I ran across a Chevy that had good reviews, was in the same class as the other I looked at. After Wal Mart I headed to the Chevy dealership to take a look. The salesmen didn’t attack me when I hopped out of the car and seemed really happy when I seemed to know what I was looking for. They only had two lest on the lot. I took it for a test drive and emailed Holly a
Picture of the car. Her and the kids all liked it so I decided to just go ahead and buy it.

It was a long process and surprisingly easy. They were even understanding and rushed the whole process just so I could get to Costco before they closed. It also helped that the dealership itself had closed shortly after we started the paperwork.

In the end, I said my goodbyes to the “Mama Car” and drove away with a new Chevy Equanox.

It was a crazy thing to do, but I am a master of rationalization. Plus, for a number of reasons, it was just something that needed to be done.

Back at home, Holly and the kids were entertaining a few friends we invited over. When I arrived home, all the kids ran out yelling, “He got a new car! He got a new car!”. “A” assured the other grown ups that they were kidding and I had pulled up in the same old car we’ve always had. Holly didn’t know who to believe so she had to come out and check.

Her reaction made it all worth it. She jumped up and down, hands over her wide smile, and hugged me in happy disbelief.

The kids were the first ones to jump in to take a closer look. They oohed and aahed at the car. They looked on the front seat. They looked in the back seat. “Gavin got a ‘Bone Napper’!!” And just like that the kids were off playing with the new toy.

So there you have it. The rein of the Mama Car is over. Hail the Chevy Equinox.

Back inside, Holly poured me a pint of cider, we toasted the new car, and continued to enjoy the rest of the evening.

Leif has been fascinated with trucks. They are everywhere. We drive slowly past the fire station so he can see them and get all happy and laughy about them.
This past week he’s been all sick and snotty. Last night he had a hard time breathing with a hoarse voice and constricted airway. We brought him to the doctor bright and early, and with one listen of his cough and cry, stated that he had croup.
We were home and making cookies after two quick shots. Despite the cookies, Leif was still grumpy, and sat in Gavin’s room playing with his trucks. He made me sit there with him while he muttered “truck” (his new word), to let me know exactly what it was we were playing with.

After success with making a lilikoi ale, in which I didn’t post, I decided to try my hand with the guavas that were falling off the trees. I had a few ingredients lying around and thought they’d work nicely. See the recipe below.

A few weeks later and I popped open the fist bottle. Nicely carbonated with a thin beige, almost slightly pinkish head, the flavor of guava is noticeable, but not overpowering or too sweet. It is a very nice, quite drinkable and very tasty guava ale.

Guava Ale

.47 lb Crystal 60
.47 lb Flaked Barley
.53 lb Candi Clear
2 lb Extra Lt DME

.6 oz Tettnanger 3.9% @ 60 min
.4 oz Green Bullet 12.9% @ 15 min

Safale US-05 yeast
Approx. 20-30 Guavas (boiled 10 minutes with 3/4 cup sugar & 2 tbsp lemon juice).

Boil grains 60 min @ 155°
Add candi & DME
Add Tettnanger @ 60 min
Add Green Bullet @ 15 min
Cool wart to pitching temp.
Add guava juice & pitch yeast

Ferment for 7 days (or until reach target gravity)

Prime with 3.5 oz corn sugar (adjust according to fermentation temp).

After deciding that I need more control over my fermentation temperature, I picked up a 4.5 cubic ft GE refrigerator from Wal Mart this weekend. Even with the lip from the compressor, it’s large enough to fit a 6.5 gal bucket with an airlock. The only modification I had to make was to peel off the door shelves. Not bad.

My next step is to get the Brewer’s Edge Control II temperature controller so I can have precise control of the fermentation temperature. The Control II comes ready to plug and play. Simple set up with digital readings from a gas filled thermometer for accurate readings.

Having that, I’ll be all set to make some perfect lagers. That’s pretty good considering I live on a tropical island.