Wedding

Getting Married...

Joe and I were married in Grants Pass, Oregon in my grandparents back yard on July 11th. It's special to us because my parents were married there 32 years ago this Aug.

First look photo at the river

A few moments together before the ceremony..

Father's toast during reception..

Breechers Cheese

Yesterday, Maria, a friend Jen and I got to go to Pike Place Market and learn how to make Breecher's Cheese!

It was so incredible! We arrived at the flagship store at 6:45am to watch the milk truck hook up to the hose outside the store. It was then pumped into a 10,000 steal tub and over the next 2 hours or hard stirring, brought to a 102 degree temperature & curdled.

As you can see in the pictures, we all took turns raking the bottom on the tub to avoid the curdles sticking to the edges, where the anchors couldn't get to it.

The cows are from a locally owned farm in Duval, WA which is about an hour outside of the City. These cows are fed green grass all day until it is milking time. The bell rings and the cows know it is time to feed on sweet grains from the barn & line up. They love the sweet grain and associate it with being milked. A diet of sweet grain and fresh green grass keep the milk sweet.

The 10,000 gallons of liquid soon solidifies into a mere 1,000 of gel curds. It was then transferred to a second steal tub where it was drained of any excess liquid (a sweet milk substance) and cut into blocks, then folded onto each other.

These blocks are stored in compressing containers and kept for a year in temperature controlled vaults before it becomes cheese. It is then ready to take out of its containers, wrapped and sold to the public.

Martha Stewart was just at the Breecher's flagship store making cheese this past month and will air a show on the 26th of Jan. If you happen to see it, you will see how they make cheese step by step like we did this past Friday!

Check out this site for more information! www.beechershandmadecheese.com

Red Meat

"Hi Heather," anonymous.

"Hello..." I reply. The conversation that ensues touches subjects ranging from what I had to breakfast, to what I was doing this week, to the cute blouse that I was sporting. Somehow, the the topic was guided to red meat.

"Do you eat red meat?" asked anonymous.

"No." I replied. Why do I say that? That just comes out. I don't eat red meat. Am I trying to convince myself? Although I grew up not eating red meat for every meal, I would definitely take pleasure in biting into a small bite of freshly cut filet mignon, medium well. So it's not bleeding when I'm eating it, but it's still red meat. I still get the craving.

And honestly, sometimes I'll walk by Kidd Valley and smell the aroma of fresh ground beef, topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese...all on a sesame seed bun. Throw some mustard and ketchup on top and I swear drool is running down the side of my face. Sometimes I have to swing by my house and change because I'll often find a pool of saliva collecting on the front of my sweatshirt.

Between the cravings for fine steak cuts, juicy burgers...mongolian beef, beef jerkey, I still believe that I don't eat red meat. How could I? I am a dedicated yoga participant and think myself green when presented with an opportunity to help the environment. There's no way I eat red meat? There are just too many factors that would suggest that I am a vegetarian and those cruel beef eaters are heartless humans that take advantage of the weak four legged beauties.

But I like red meat...I really do!

Maybe that's the first step. Admitting that you like red meat; that it's okay to enjoy our status at the top of the food chain. Maybe over 80% of the worlds red meat eating population aren't all criminals (I'm guess on the %)? This really could be some break through thinking on my part.

My only hope going forward, is that I can be true to myself when presented with an opportunity to state my red meat eating preferences. Don't expect me to drive to Eastern Washington to start my own cattle ranch, but as long as someone does the dirty work and cooks that beautiful brown cow to a crisp...expect my mouth to be full and my conversation dull! I'm eating meat!!!