I love “Do It Yourself” (DIY) projects.

This past weekend, my oldest niece, Katie, came to stay overnight at the homestead.  She loves to stay here and we love to have her.  One of her favorite things to do is create via craft projects.  I watched her and remembered my own childhood.

As I child, I too loved to make things.  I would create things for my dolls.  When I was her age, I got my first sewing kit (complete with patterns and material for an outfit) and learned to use the sewing machine.  It was at her age that I learned to knit and crochet.  I learned to work in the kitchen cooking and baking.  I helped in the garden, and was an expert at picking weeds.  When it was time to harvest, I helped with the canning process.  I remember “helping” my father with his projects, handing tools.... holding flashlights… anything to be part of the process.  He taught me how to prepare fish and meat for the freezer.

I learned so much as a child.

It sparked my passion for many things I love to do today.

It taught me that I could learn to do anything as long as I set my mind to it.  It taught me to be willing to try.

Fly tying, the old truck, home projects, and the garden are all extensions of those early years.  My parents nurtured the “can do” attitude by expecting my brother and me to at least try something new.  They provided the foundation, not knowing what might “stick”.  I cannot thank them enough for their time and patience.

One of my latest projects has been working on a home brew.  As much as I love good beer, I have not gone down that road (yet).  Besides, there are plenty of fantastic craft brew opportunities very close to the homestead!

I am brewing kombucha.

No typos folks.  Kombucha. 

I started drinking kombucha earlier this year as a way to bolster my digestion.  The health benefits are not proven, as with many natural remedies, but I decided to give it a try.  One of the local grocery stores carries a brand that others recommended, so I tried it. 

It is definitely an acquired taste!

Kombucha is very tangy.   The first sip will make your lips pucker.  It is effervescent, and is made in a variety of flavors.  Some of the flavors offer more of a sweet taste to balance the tanginess, and I found those to be most pleasing to me.  Rather than try to explain kombucha in this writing, you can read more here, if you are interested.

I enjoy the taste, and find I have a healthier gut when I drink it regularly.  I drink an eight-ounce glass three to four days a week.  A bottle from the grocery store is 16-ounces, and costs on average $4.00.  As with many natural foods, I found this to be a bit expensive.  It comes in a glass bottle.  The bottles add up in the recycling bin. 

My brain started kicking in to gear… and I started researching on the computer.

I can make my own kombucha!

After reading articles on how to do it (it did not sound that complicated), I looked into the initial investment for supplies.  I found a reasonable starter kit (which included everything necessary to brew 3 batches), and a set of amber bottles.  Everything arrived and I was on my way!

That was back in early April.  I have my seventh batch in process.  I have a routine, and have even improved my equipment for fermenting and moving the liquid from the large gallon jug to smaller containers.  Each batch I have played with flavors and fermentation times, working to find the right combination of sweet, tanginess, and fizz. 

Side note… mint and lime tastes great in a mojito… It is NOT a good kombucha flavor.

Kombucha requires a bit of a commitment as the SCOBY requires you either keep brewing batches, or store it in a way that will allow it to work when you resume brewing.  I have found it to be fun and rewarding. 

I love the satisfaction in being able to learn something new. I am happy my parents laid out a foundation of “just try it” in me that has grown into a curious person not afraid to learn and grow. 

As with most new processes, there is a learning curve.  There are some frustrations with failures.  As an adult I am more aware of failure than I was as a child.  As I have grown to a more mature age, I find I am more willing to try again, than when I was younger and more easily influenced by “the world” and what others might think. 

I will keep trying new things and expanding my world.  I am thankful to have people around me (near and far) who are willing to share their expertise and experiences… despite my never-ending run of questions!

I will gladly share my kombucha with you…

You never know what you can do until you try!