From -12 degrees Fahrenheit to 43 degrees Fahrenheit in 78 Hours!!!!

This is the story of the Glen Ellyn vines and their current existence underneath the blanket of probably 12 inches of snow, even still, nearly 10 days after the Chicago Blizzard of 2011 (which took place on Feb 1st and 2nd, 2011).

As I registered the real temp of -8 degrees Fahrenheit on late Wednesday night of this past week (Feb 9, 2011), I learned when I had awoken that at 8AM Glen Ellyn, Illinois was expecting the mercury to drop to -12 degrees before reversing such a trend. So far, to my knowledge, that is the coldest temperature that Glen Ellyn has been able to reach so far this winter.

The current temperature is 43 degrees Fahrenheit. That registers a 55 degree difference and temperature range. The winds are blowing today, quite vigorously. But we are not out of winter's clutch just yet. Things are changing, though, ever so slightly. Actually, a family friend tells that the oil rig workers in the North Sea have to deal with the March gales at this time, indicating changes in the seasons and the dawn of spring. Follow the link for a cool website:

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/marine/shipping_forecast.html#All~All


More to come.


Thank you!

Harvest photos - Sleepy Creek Vineyards, part deux

Have a few more great photos from my time of harvesting Frontenac grapes at Sleepy Creek Vineyards two weekends ago. More to come, actually, I just need to make the time to get the photos up.

the near-bungee cord used to fasten the vine to the aluminum wire was new to me.

the grapes were really shining in that morning Sunday light.

Dude watching over the harvesters amongst the Frontenac grave vines.

Dude

a wider scope of a Frontenac grape vine

Enjoy!

Harvesting Frontenac Grapes in Central Illinois

The following photographs depict what I was involved in yesterday Sunday August 15, 2010. I had a wonderful time harvesting grapes (Frontenac grapes, no less) and observing the so-called 'Crush' and 'Pressing' steps in the whole process toward creating wine. The wines that were pressed yesterday probably won't be bottled until January 2011 the owner informed.

updates from the Glen Ellyn, IL vines

The following photographs were taken 7 days ago (Sunday Aug 8, 2010). Very good news. It appears that the vines will be ready for the winters of DuPage County. Looking forward to more growth in the coming weeks and to seeing the current vines turn to wood from the harsh winter coming up.

Frontenac grape vine located front-left in the yard. (1 of 2 photos same vine).  Glen Ellyn, IL.

Frontenac grape vine located front-left in the yard.  Glen Ellyn, IL (2 of 2 photos, same vine)

Frontenac grape vine. (2 of 2 photos) Located back-left in the yard.  Glen Ellyn, IL.

Frontenac grape vine Glen Ellyn, Illinois.  Situated back-left in the yard (1 of 2)

La Crescent grape vine (1 of 2 photos same vine - front-right in the yard)

La Crescent grape vine in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.  This vine apparently has taken the longest to respond to the soils and get situated for growth and development.

La Crescent grape vine.  Location back-right in the yard (1 of 2 shots for same vine).

La Crescent vine, located back-right in the yard.

View of the four vines all together as planted on location in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.  Planted back in May 2010.  They seem to be doing very well.  The immediate neighbor to the north is quite intrigued and always asks after them.

Dachshund dog with the grape vines.  Frontenac on the left, La Crescent on the right.  Dog in the middle (name for canine:  'AC'.  Sweet dog with an overbite that makes it appear to be smiling all the day long).

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I am supposed to be sleeping at this precise moment, but instead I am finishing a blog posting because I can't sleep. I will be assisting with a grape harvest in the morning, in a few hours, at a vineyard in central Illinois. I'll keep you all posted on how things unfold. I was supposed to help out on Saturday morning, but I couldn't wake up. I worked 16 hours and 45 minutes on Friday and needed some sleep. Foolish of me to think I could drive 3 hours and 20 minutes after such a work shift. Can't win 'em all. Gettin' back on the horse soon, though.