I hope your St. Patrick's day was as lovely as ours. I'm not Irish (that I know of!), but all of the green was a cheerful addition to our home. We had wonderful friends over for dinner & very much enjoyed their company. All are a reminder of the warmth that spring brings to our hearts and souls.
I type all of this as it is snowing outside. I remain optimistic!
Last weekend I made a cheese press using the instructions from the Ashley English book, Home Dairy. The essential function of the press in her book is the same as this free tutorial. The on-line tutorial uses materials that are more budget conscientious. For example, wooden dowels vs. galvanized pipe, or washer and screw for the feet vs. galvanized floor flanges.
Although the internet tutorial will certainly produce an end product that is just as effective, I chose to use the parts suggested in the book because I felt they were more sturdy and would last a lifetime. I also chose to use a four pole design rather than a two pole design (example here). I felt the four pole design would result in a more even weight distribution.
In the Home Dairy, the photo shows a press made from some beautiful, well oiled, exotic looking wood. 1" is the suggested thickness. I used 3/4" birch plywood cut to size. I actually have enough left over for two more presses which I may or may not get around to making. We'll see...
Admittedly, my hobby list is a long one and it continues to grow. After checking out a few books on the subject from our library, cheese making got added to the list last month. I made several soft cheeses at home from the directions in Home Cheese Making, by: Ricki Carroll and quickly found myself limited. (This is no fault of the book, which is great. I plan to purchase my own copy soon.) For me, hard cheese is where it's at.
I took the next step forward and purchased a cheap-o mini fridge via craigslist and converted it into a cheeserator (as I like to call it), a.k.a. "cheese cave". A wine refrigerator and a cheeserator are very similar in regards to temperature and humidity. I followed this tutorial for converting a mini fridge into a wine refrigerator. The regrigerator I purchased did not have the "magic screw" so I followed the timer method. I didn't bother to purchase a separate refrigerator thermometer, I just used the pen-like dairy thermometer that I have to keep things in check. I should probably try to obtain a hygrometer, though.
Next, I'm going to be putting together a cheese press. I can't wait to get this party started.
I tried growing lavender seeds in my kitchen window last year with dismal success. The poor seedlings were awkwardly leggy and had very little color. This year I am more than certain that I will need a grow light to get my seeds off to a good start. A heat pad will be necessary too, but I will worry about that later. There are all kinds of light kits that you can buy, but most of them are small and way overpriced! With all of the seeds I want to get started, I know that I will need something a bit larger.
I purchased a shop light and a couple of sunlight bulbs at the hardware store. The whole setup cost less than $30. Logan mounted the light to the underside of a table we purchased at Ikea a few years ago. It fit perfectly and I couldn't be happier. I was glad that we didn't have to build a frame for the light but if we did... Clark at growgardentomatoes.com has a great plan to make a grow light stand on the cheap. I absolutely love the fact that it is stackable. If this one light is not enough for our needs I will definitely be using this tutorial to make another one.
My alarm goes off in the morning. It's cold in the house and my bed is warm. Cozy. I don't want to get up. I imagine myself sitting at the breakfast table with a warm cup of coffee nestled between my hands. This, I decide, is my motivation. I will get up. I will make coffee.
I half walk, half stumble down the stairs. Then, I look out the window.
Jack Frost has arrived.
Yesterday marked our first complete year in Washington. After three days of exhaustive traveling and one accident, we made it here together and in one piece.
There is not a day that goes by that I am not thankful and greatful for the family we have that made it all possible,
for the home we have,
the friends we've made,
the places we have explored,
the things we have learned,
and for our future here.
It's been a beautiful and fulfilling year.
I'm looking forward to watching our boutny of blessings grow with each passing season.
I'm doing Thanksgiving at our house this year. This is all new to me and I'm pretty anxious about it. That is the most mild phrase I can think of to describe how I'm feeling, folks. Any hoo...
I decided that I needed an autumn looking wreath for the front door. I love, love, love the wreaths over on Etsy at Itz Fitz! However, I am a cheap skate and couldn't justify spending forty bucks (plus shipping) on something that I knew I could make myself with reasonable satisfaction and with supplies I already had... mostly.
Here's the tutorial I used to make my copy cat wreath. I trodded off to Michael's and bought the wreath form and a little birdie. The rest of the stuff was from my own stash o' stuff.
It's not perfect or exactly as I had envisioned, but I'm glad I got to use a few things that I might not have otherwise.
Have fun, be safe, and don't forget that your children are subject to a 10% "mama tax" on all candies collected. ;0)
In a constantly flowing river of grey clouds, one begins to wonder if the sky above them is still blue.
If there is one thing I have learned since moving here, it's that having something to look forward to has become an absolutely essential part of my wellbeing. When autumn conceals the sky with her grey shroud, sometimes looking forward to something has to be planned for.
I look forward to the gift of a smile in exchange for a new hat.
I look forward to the smell of peanutbutter cookies baking in the oven and to having Thanksgiving at our place for the very first time.
I had been looking forward to purchasing this pretty vintage fabric. Now I am looking forward to making a little something for myself.
What are you looking foward to?
Last weekend we visited what is believed to be the oldest apple tree on the west coast. Planted in 1826, it still produces apples today. The Old Apple Tree Festival celebrates the longevity of this tree and the history that was to follow its planting, making Washington the U.S. leader in apple production.
The festival was quaint with a toe tapping bluegrass band, lots of room to explore, and free activities for the kids to do.
If you bring your own apples and your own container, the volunteers will help you turn them into fresh pressed apple cider. We brought a mix of grannysmith, ginger gold, and honeycrisp. It was by far the best cider I've ever tasted. Logan claims that ours was even better than Martinelli's. Top that.
I've been treating our prized brew as if it were war rations. The kids want to guzzle it down, while I want to savor every sip. I think we're down to less than a quart now.
Quite possibly the biggest draw for me was that Vancouver Urban Forestry was handing out one tree cutting from the old apple tree to each family. I've heard that the success rate for these cuttings is pretty low, but I remain hopeful. I believe that there is a registry of survivors & it would be an honor to have my family's name on that list.
If you're interested, here is a detailed history of the tree.
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