One of the things I wanted to learn about and attempt this year was cheese making. Pretty easy cheese making, but cheese anyway. My chance to do it came today. Nina has been working on a county report for her Utah History studies and her county happens to be Cache. One of the requirements is to study up on one unique aspect of her county and present it to the class. She and I decided that since Cache Cty is known for Cache Valley Cheese we would attempt to make some cheese.
Using a recipe off the internet, we got out all our ingredients and tools.
No rennet! I was sure I had read that fresh lemon juice could be used instead.....nope, no lemon juice in the recipe so I bought those four lemons in vain.
OK, send C to the store for rennet and Citric Acid.
C gets back and WOW, for the price of the citric acid, this cheese better darn well turn out.
Pour milk in pan, put on stove, go to put thermometer in pan and notice that it starts measuring at 100 degrees and I need one that starts at about 80 degrees. Hhhhmmmm, what to do. Throw caution to the wind and go for it. I figure we'll use the one we have and if it registers on the thermometer we'll know it's getting too warm.
Things are going well, milk is warming, and starting to curdle. Put in the rennet and let it sit. Supposedly 3-5 minutes for the curd to form.
3 mintes-not forming yet...................
5 minutes-starting to thicken.........................
10 minutes-thicker........................................................................
15 minutes!- finally thick enough to cut and watch the whey drain out.
We scoop out the curd and put into a colander and let the whey drain.
Wow! Lots of whey! Anyone need some????
Finally get as much whey pressed out as possible by hand, so we start microwaving it and draining it again. After 3 rounds its ready to start kneading and stretching. That's what gives mozzarella its texture, the kneading like bread dough and stretching like taffy. Well, that's what its supposed to do....mine kneaded just fine, but didn't want to stretch much. I don't know if I over cooked it or undercooked it or didn't knead it long enough.
Whatever, we salted it and kneaded it into a smooth ball and ran cold water over it and voila', it's "Cheese, Gromit, Cheese!!"
It didn't really take very long and if it tastes good, we'll probably do it again. We have lots of rennet and citric acid left over!
Anyone know what to do with a gallon of whey?
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Another first for Soren!
He got his first real spanking today. Oh, I've never been so upset with him. Being the baby he usually gets plenty of leniency on things, but today he just went too far...........
My oldest son is in an Architectural Rendering class and had completed a hand done rendering that won 2nd place in a contest at UVSC and got Honorable mention at the Timpview Art Show. I made the mistake of leaving his room door open this morning, and Soren somehow got a thin Sharpie pen and added to the drawing. I have no idea if there is anything that will take the pen off it or not. I feel sick to my stomach when I think about it. J spent so much time on that rendering and now it's all messed up. Most of the markings are at the top and not on J's drawing so I think they could be removed if there was anything that would remove them. Poor J! And poor Soren! He got put in his bed and cried himself to sleep.
This is just one of my bad-mama days. Actually, it's been a bad mama month........
My oldest son is in an Architectural Rendering class and had completed a hand done rendering that won 2nd place in a contest at UVSC and got Honorable mention at the Timpview Art Show. I made the mistake of leaving his room door open this morning, and Soren somehow got a thin Sharpie pen and added to the drawing. I have no idea if there is anything that will take the pen off it or not. I feel sick to my stomach when I think about it. J spent so much time on that rendering and now it's all messed up. Most of the markings are at the top and not on J's drawing so I think they could be removed if there was anything that would remove them. Poor J! And poor Soren! He got put in his bed and cried himself to sleep.
This is just one of my bad-mama days. Actually, it's been a bad mama month........
Thursday, May 10, 2007
An end...
I believe I have nursed Soren for the last time. I didn't nurse him at all yesterday or today and I think it's a good time to just let it go. He seems to be doing fine without it, in fact, I think I may miss it more than he does.
I have savored all those moments in the last 16 months that we spent together. I loved looking into his bright blue eyes when he was just a tiny baby and so dependent on me. I loved that it was time spent with just the two of us. In a busy household, it was a haven of quiet and peace. I still love looking into his bright blue eyes, but usually he is so eager to be off to new adventures that he rarely stares back.
I will miss this time with him.
However, I love watching him grow and achieve new things. Some of his latest tricks are walking(not scooting backwards) down the steps, climbing into his high chair alone, playing catch with anyone who will play, doing pattycake with his 'Tigey', jumping on the trampoline and wadding up any loose piece of paper he finds and throwing it in the trash. You can almost see the little wheels turning in his mind, it's so busy learning and comprehending new things. He is turning into quite a ham! Anything for a laugh, and with 3 giggly sisters, that is just about anything he does.
On to bigger and better things my little one. Love ya, Soren!
I have savored all those moments in the last 16 months that we spent together. I loved looking into his bright blue eyes when he was just a tiny baby and so dependent on me. I loved that it was time spent with just the two of us. In a busy household, it was a haven of quiet and peace. I still love looking into his bright blue eyes, but usually he is so eager to be off to new adventures that he rarely stares back.
I will miss this time with him.
However, I love watching him grow and achieve new things. Some of his latest tricks are walking(not scooting backwards) down the steps, climbing into his high chair alone, playing catch with anyone who will play, doing pattycake with his 'Tigey', jumping on the trampoline and wadding up any loose piece of paper he finds and throwing it in the trash. You can almost see the little wheels turning in his mind, it's so busy learning and comprehending new things. He is turning into quite a ham! Anything for a laugh, and with 3 giggly sisters, that is just about anything he does.
On to bigger and better things my little one. Love ya, Soren!
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Ack! Where does the time go?
Wow, has it really been that long since I had anything to say? Oh, yeah, it's really been longer than that since I had anything WORTH saying! haha!
Just wanted to do a quick update. It's been nutso-rama around here. Lots of projects due in school and last week was Teacher Appreciation week. I was in charge of it for one of my kids, F's, teacher. I'm SO SO glad it's over. I think to celebrate I will take the room mom folder I was given at the first of the year and do a celebratory burning of the folder. The last big thing we have going is the Shakespeare play and celebration all next week. M is a sea captain in the play and we have been trying to finish up his costume. I hope that he has all his lines down. I have a couple of dresses to sew for the girls to wear, since the kids can dress in Shakespearean costume all week long. It is really the great culmination of a wonderful year at school. Each day the 8th graders do one act from the play for the other students. The older children are all assigned a younger student to be their "buddy" for all the festivities. They have a Shakespearean Feast and on Fri night the play is put on for all the parents and public. My kids couldn't stop talking about it last year. The play they are doing this year is "Twelfth Night"
So I again bombed on SHS and I figure that I will continue to bomb on that til school is out. I am trying to keep up with stuff but it seems like so many things that are out of my control are taking over my schedule and life.
Got the great experience today of attending my SIL's ward and being at the blessing of their new twin boys. There were so many people there to support them, probably added about 50 people to the congregation.Their father gave them beautiful blessings and they were absolute angels. The gospel of Christ is such a blessing in our lives. The knowledge of the importance of families was manifest today.
Just wanted to do a quick update. It's been nutso-rama around here. Lots of projects due in school and last week was Teacher Appreciation week. I was in charge of it for one of my kids, F's, teacher. I'm SO SO glad it's over. I think to celebrate I will take the room mom folder I was given at the first of the year and do a celebratory burning of the folder. The last big thing we have going is the Shakespeare play and celebration all next week. M is a sea captain in the play and we have been trying to finish up his costume. I hope that he has all his lines down. I have a couple of dresses to sew for the girls to wear, since the kids can dress in Shakespearean costume all week long. It is really the great culmination of a wonderful year at school. Each day the 8th graders do one act from the play for the other students. The older children are all assigned a younger student to be their "buddy" for all the festivities. They have a Shakespearean Feast and on Fri night the play is put on for all the parents and public. My kids couldn't stop talking about it last year. The play they are doing this year is "Twelfth Night"
So I again bombed on SHS and I figure that I will continue to bomb on that til school is out. I am trying to keep up with stuff but it seems like so many things that are out of my control are taking over my schedule and life.
Got the great experience today of attending my SIL's ward and being at the blessing of their new twin boys. There were so many people there to support them, probably added about 50 people to the congregation.Their father gave them beautiful blessings and they were absolute angels. The gospel of Christ is such a blessing in our lives. The knowledge of the importance of families was manifest today.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Hey, it's May!
Wow, time flies when you're having...............fun? Is that what I've been having? I wouldn't classify it as fun, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.
For some reason the last two months of school always find me scrambling trying to keep up. There are so many projects due and papers due and activities to wrap up the year, and by the time the end of May comes I am WASTED, EXHAUSTED, DEAD!! This year is no exception. We've been pushing J to finish up his district packets and online course so he can graduate. I think he squeaked those in under the wire at the last minute. Then there were two required science fair projects this year. F has a big research paper type thing due tomorrow and I know he's not close to being done. I've been sewing and altering costumes for the Shakespeare play that the 8th graders are doing this year. They are doing 12th Night. M has the part of a sea captain, Antonio. He is supposed to have a sword fight, but there is talk of cutting that out and he is hoping they don't do that. That was what was most exciting for him. This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and I have been in charge of that for F's class. I have one more thing to put together for tomorrow and then that will be done. Hooray! And last but not least, I had to make my VT calls. I am learning how important it is to call your VT supervisor after doing your visiting teaching, since I find I'm having to do lots of chasing down of people to get their report. This is a particularly hard time of year with all the students moving and not calling their report in before they go. But it's done too.
The next things on my to-do list are making a couple of costumes for the girls for Shakespeare week, F too I guess, and getting pictures of J so we can make some graduation announcements.
At this point I am just trying to keep my head above water. Anyone who knows me knows that I can't stand to get water up my nose, which is why I only learned to put my face in the water without nose plugs at the age of 28 and that was for about 2 seconds. Hate that drowning feeling and I hate this one too! But this will pass.
On a brighter note, my FIL came by yesterday, in town for a few days, and framed the wall between my new dining room and mud room for me. It is so fun to be able to step out into that room and really be able to visualize the space and how it's all going to fit. So nice of him.
C is in Monticello today for a picnit for George Wythe College. They are in the process of trying to move their campus from Cedar City to Monticello. The land they have has been donated and purchased and it's on land that my father used to own. It's really such a coincidence, because C has wanted to attend that school for over 2 years now and when my parents told me that it was moving to Monticello I just chuckled. They had no idea that we had any knowledge of it. I'm really hoping that now the possibility for him to attend will open up and for our kids too. I am amazed at the 'education' they offer. Hope they have good weather for the picnic today.
For some reason the last two months of school always find me scrambling trying to keep up. There are so many projects due and papers due and activities to wrap up the year, and by the time the end of May comes I am WASTED, EXHAUSTED, DEAD!! This year is no exception. We've been pushing J to finish up his district packets and online course so he can graduate. I think he squeaked those in under the wire at the last minute. Then there were two required science fair projects this year. F has a big research paper type thing due tomorrow and I know he's not close to being done. I've been sewing and altering costumes for the Shakespeare play that the 8th graders are doing this year. They are doing 12th Night. M has the part of a sea captain, Antonio. He is supposed to have a sword fight, but there is talk of cutting that out and he is hoping they don't do that. That was what was most exciting for him. This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and I have been in charge of that for F's class. I have one more thing to put together for tomorrow and then that will be done. Hooray! And last but not least, I had to make my VT calls. I am learning how important it is to call your VT supervisor after doing your visiting teaching, since I find I'm having to do lots of chasing down of people to get their report. This is a particularly hard time of year with all the students moving and not calling their report in before they go. But it's done too.
The next things on my to-do list are making a couple of costumes for the girls for Shakespeare week, F too I guess, and getting pictures of J so we can make some graduation announcements.
At this point I am just trying to keep my head above water. Anyone who knows me knows that I can't stand to get water up my nose, which is why I only learned to put my face in the water without nose plugs at the age of 28 and that was for about 2 seconds. Hate that drowning feeling and I hate this one too! But this will pass.
On a brighter note, my FIL came by yesterday, in town for a few days, and framed the wall between my new dining room and mud room for me. It is so fun to be able to step out into that room and really be able to visualize the space and how it's all going to fit. So nice of him.
C is in Monticello today for a picnit for George Wythe College. They are in the process of trying to move their campus from Cedar City to Monticello. The land they have has been donated and purchased and it's on land that my father used to own. It's really such a coincidence, because C has wanted to attend that school for over 2 years now and when my parents told me that it was moving to Monticello I just chuckled. They had no idea that we had any knowledge of it. I'm really hoping that now the possibility for him to attend will open up and for our kids too. I am amazed at the 'education' they offer. Hope they have good weather for the picnic today.
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