Back to Basics Day #29

Well, if I thought this month was going quickly, I can't believe that it's my eldest daughter's 6th birthday today already! Where did that last 6 years go? Her birth is still burned fairly vividly on my brain, LOL (let's just say it was "interesting"), so I can barely believe she's almost finished her first year of school. When I first graduated from University with my mind firmly on my career, I never imagined I would say this, but I feel incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to stay at home for the last 6 years. You really can almost blink and miss it.

Anyway, between birthday activities and Miss 4's preschool Christmas concert today, Today's post is a bit truncated again. Sorry :-)

Doing: Optimistically sowing "Lazy Housewife" beans. I should have done this weeks ago, oops.

Picking: Zucchini, cherry tomatoes.

Making: Failing to make ricotta :-( Don't ask me why I did it, but I read something on an internet site yesterday morning about leaving the whey from the mozzarella for 12-24 hours before making ricotta, so I left it overnight. Of course, then when I consulted my cheese making books this morning for the exact method, they both said don't use whey more than 1-3 hours old!! Argh! I tried the method on the 'net site I orginally read, but the curd didn't set properly :-( Live and learn. Pity I don't have chooks to give the whey to, but I will freeze the clear portion for use in cooking, and give the rest to the dogs. Bummer.

Dinner: Homemade pizza, by request. Check it out:



Homemade base using local-ish organic flour (as local as it can get: 265 km/ 165 miles), homemade rocket/arugula and walnut pesto (made with my rocket), homegrown tomatoes and homemade mozzarella:



Tasted good too :-)

Reading: Online educational toy catalogues, for ideas for wooden toys my FIL might be able to make as Christmas presents for the kids.