I finally made mozarella

I got inspired to make cheese about 2 years ago....I order the supplies and brought them with me to Nicaragua where we had rented a house. By the time I located a milk supply, we had had enough of Nicaragua, and were back on the way to the US...months elapsed, we took off for more travel, and then we returned to the US, but I was pregnant with Noah, and then he was born, and....
Long story short, I never made any cheese! So, I now have a great milk supply from North Florida with a weekly delivery not too far or cumbersome, and I had a gallon I wanted to use up....so Maya and I made 30 minute mozzarella. So fun and easy! And I'd bet tasty too, though I can't confirm that until this afternoon.Next I guess I'll see if any of my cultures are still good (2 years not temp regulated....I'll cross my fingers) and maybe do some sour cream or kefir...

Summer fun

The kids have been enjoying watermelon on the deck...followed by a thorough spraying with the garden hose, which has water lightly warmed by the sun. It's officially hot enough to be summer!

Noah defends his food

Noah takes his food VERY seriously...and nothing is going to get between him and his strawberries...not even a pack of hungry chickens. As they approached, Noah cluched his fruit and growled at them...eventually they backed off to wait in the grass for his scraps.

The Barbie-Bye Bye Boobie Cake

Maya decorated the cake on her own....I helped with assembly and initial frosting, and then she (rightfully) kicked me out of the kitchen because I was being a bit too neurotic. We were both really pleased with the end result!

Weaning Party

I have always wanted to let Maya end the nursing relationship when she was ready. I figure if I’ve given her this much, why not allow her to conclude the process (I’m sure she’ll want to move out one day, and then nursing will be logistically hard.) However, I do not like the mother I am lately, particularly towards her…very short fused, snappy and generally drained. Thus, last week I decided that it was time to begin the weaning process, though I was not sure how I would go about it. The following day, while at lunch with Maya and Marci, I mentioned the possibility of a weaning party...which Marci voiced enthusiastic endorsement of and Maya decided sounded like a good idea.
I have periodically suggested a weaning party over the last year, and until last week Maya always either looked at me as if I was insane or simply ignored me. In the car on the way home from lunch I came up with a plan...and Maya has not nursed since. It makes me sad that I did not know that Maya's last nurse would be her last; that I was not more mentally present for it. And the adjustment has included lost of tears for both of us...I'm sad that she's sad...she alternates between sad and angry...and just being silly about it too. But as the days have progressed, it seems easier, and tomorrow is the day of her party.
We designed and sent out an evite to several of her friends, she's chosen a cake which we are making, and we will take her to choose a special present this weekend too. I'm up, waiting for the cake to come out of the oven so that it can cool overnight and be ready for decorating in the morning. Maya did not ask to nurse to sleep tonight and is really excited for her big day.

Celina, TN

Camping in Ocala