http://petersonweb.com/blog Just some ramblings about making cheese, yard work, being a Mom. Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:27:04 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Wow, I didn't think we would get any eggs until next spring - but what a surprise! Here's our first little guy. I wonder why I even checked the nest box yesterday, not something I usually do, and there was this little treasure. Okay, he's small and on the right. Compared ... http://petersonweb.com/blog/?p=259 Well, the baby chicks are not babies anymore! And we got a Rooster! He is very entertaining and fearless. His name is Roo, of course. He will take on dogs, cats, squirrels, crackles, mockingbirds, you name it, if he thinks they are threatening "his" hens. And he likes to hear himself ... http://petersonweb.com/blog/?p=232 Well, the baby chicks finally arrived yesterday -five Golden Campine day old chicks all the way to Texas from Connecticut. Our local Post Office was kind enough to call at 5:45 in the morning announcing their arrival. Susie and I jumped into our clothes and headed around the corner to pick ... http://petersonweb.com/blog/?p=217 I have to make this cheese once or twice a month. My family, friends, co-workers, daughters friends, etc. love it. I like it because it is ready in only 5 days (Manchego Fresco). It melts beautifully and makes killer grilled cheese sandwiches. If you've never made hard cheese, this is ... http://petersonweb.com/blog/?p=176 Finally, my dear husband has agreed to let us have a go at raising a few chickens. For the first time in 30 years, we don't have any dogs (miss them though). So, here is an empty dog run - I'm trying to remember why we built this in the ... http://petersonweb.com/blog/?p=167 This recipe is from the book 'Home Cheese Making' by Ricki Carroll. Check her web site at New England Cheese Making Supply Company Here's what you need. 4 gallons unhomgenized whole milk 2 packets direct-set mesophilic starter 8 drops annatto coloring (optional) 1 teaspoon liquid rennet dissolved ... http://petersonweb.com/blog/?p=118 Found this recipe in edible Austin magazine and adapted it - I use a lot more yogurt! Originally it was from Greene on Greens. It is our current favorite veggie dip. Here's what you need. 1 gallon yogurt (I used home made yogurt) 2 cucumbers - peel, seed ... http://petersonweb.com/blog/?p=81 Here’s what you need One gallon of whole milk 8 teaspoons of lemon juice OR 2 teaspoons citric acid dissolved in 2/3 cup water good thermometer large heavy bottomed pan Butter muslin (cheese cloth) Here’s what you do Pour milk into the pan and turn ... http://petersonweb.com/blog/?p=50 Here’s what you need: 2 gallons unhomogenized, whole milk (“Cream on Top”)* 3 teaspoons citric acid powder 1/4 tablet rennet, dissolved in 1/4 cup cool water 4 teaspoons kosher salt a good thermometer a large pot Here’s what you do: Pour cold milk into a large pot. I like to use a 4 gallon, heavy bottom pot for ... http://petersonweb.com/blog/?p=16 Here is what the railroad company does to trees that grow too close to the tracks. Every couple of years they come by with a giant "tree wacker" and obliterate whatever they can reach. These pretty Soap Berry trees are wacked, but they didn't reach the Hackberry trees. Hackberry trees ... http://petersonweb.com/blog/?p=8