Early next year, a few short weeks after President Obama takes office, we'll all get something most of us never want to see: Those damn yellow weeds, popping up in our lawns, gardens, and fields.

What most of you don't know is, we can put them to some pretty good use.

Dandelion Wine

4 quarts dandelion blossoms
4 quarts water
3 lemons, sliced
1 yeast cake
3 lbs sugar

Combine blossoms and water in a crock, and let stand covered for 9 days. Squeeze out the blossoms, and strain the juice. Add sugar, lemons, and yeast, and let stand for another 9 days.

Strain the liquid, and put it in a jug, leaving the cork out until fermentation ceases. Cork, cool, and enjoy.

Beetroot Wine

Here's another recipe to help us get through the next four years:

6 lbs beets
1 gallon water
few grains of rice
3 lbs white sugar
2 lbs seedless raisins
1 slice toast
juice of two lemons

Wash beets and cut into small pieces. Boil gently in one gallon of water for two hours. Strain, and pour into a large crock. add raisins, lemons, and rice, then stir in the sugar until completely dissolved.

Spread yeast on one side of toast and place yeast-side-down on the liquid. Cover and let stand 10 to 12 days, stirring three times a day. Strain, and bottle.

Onward and upward,
airforce