Cheese Making Demo, Etc.

Oh, my!!! I haven't blogged in quite a while. My daughter and I are spending the night in a motel because she has an Orientation Day tomorrow at the school she will be attending this Fall. It has wireless internet and I'm having fun with the faster access, so I thought I'd catch up on my blogs.

Several weeks ago some 4-Hers from my County came to my house to watch and help me make mozzarella cheese with my goat milk. First I heated the milk up and explained the process to the kids and their parents. While the milk was coagulating, we went to the barn to see the goats. The kids enjoyed the babies goats and our new litter of kittens. Then we went back to the house, washed hands and stretched the mozzarella. And of course, they got to sample the cheese, plus the pineapple cheesecake and some feta that I had made for them. Everyone who tasted the cheese stuff liked it.

I'm in the same boat this year as last with my garden. It's either been raining or I haven't been home or had something else that had to be done and I'm behind in getting my garden planted. I do have peas, carrots, and lettuce up. And I did get a few tomato plants put in the ground, but I'm no where near finished yet. It's time to plant everything now! Guess I'll have a busy week next week. It's supposed to be warmer as well.

And I still have lots of soap to make to fill an order, plus soaps for all my markets. Three are open now and next month my fourth market will be open. Can you say B-U-S-Y?

I did finish the red, lacy, cotton sweater for my younger daughter. I'm currently working on a beautiful lacy, cabled baby afghan for my nephew and his wife. They are expecting their first baby later this summer. After I finish it, I have some hats and scarves to make my younger daughter. She wants several to choose from, not just one for the whole winter season. I am also going to make some wool mittens for a friend whose hands stay cold, unless it's above a certain temperature, because of the meds he's taking.

Until next time!

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! Hubby took the family out to lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. While we were there, a young man proposed to his girlfriend. She said, "Yes." :)

It's been a while since I last posted. Busy making cheeses and soaps. Last time I wrote that I was going to make a strong feta with the lipase powder. It turned out wonderful!!! Really good on salad! It's now my favorite cheese that I make. The mozzarella and ricotta are great, too, and can be used in so many foods or just eaten by themselves. The lasagna I made with these cheeses turned out delish! Next, I want to try a cheesecake recipe and use the ricotta rather than the store-bought cream cheese.

The weather is still cold and dreary and it snowed again last week. The kids were out of school for a couple of days. It was snowing earlier today, but has stopped for now. Weatherman said we could receive an inch or two by tomorrow. But this is MO and you know what "they" say. "If you don't like the weather, just stick around 'cause it'll change again." I am so ready for Spring!!!! Saw a humongous flock of geese flying north on our drive home from church and town. I've been seeing geese heading north since the middle of January, which I thought was a bit early for them. So maybe Spring will be here before we know it.

I have still been knitting away on my daughter's red, cotton, lacy sweater. One and a half sleeves to go, sew up the seams and it will be finished! And I've already got my next couple of projects decided on. Just have to order yarn.

I have a busy week coming up. I will be substitute teaching 3 days and making soaps and cheeses the days I'm home. The Master Gardeners Seminar is a month away and the Home and Garden Show is a little over a month away. I want to make sure to have plenty of soaps for folks to choose from. Then before I know it, it will be time for the Farmers Markets to open. I encourage everyone to support their local farmers markets. And remember this bumper sticker, "No Farmers, no food!"