Say "CHEESE!"

Well, I know it requires some explanation, but I am extremely proud of this.

But, what IS this?

This is cheese. Homemade mozzarella cheese. I've always wanted to make cheese and finally took time to attack the project! It was a lot of work, and I hope the job will go quicker the next time. ("First times" always seem to take longer when you don't know what you're doing, don't they?)

I think that, once we have our own cow, it will turn into a cost-effective thing because we'll have so much free excess milk. But, for now - when I'm buying raw milk for $5/gallon, the financial turn-around (adding in my time) ain't great. I got two small wheels (3" across?) from one gallon of milk . . . plus a good deal of fresh buttermilk. But, we don't drink enough buttermilk (any?!) or make enough buttermilk pancakes for that by-product to really be worthwhile. Although, it's reportedly GREAT for plants (I've been pouring it around the new landscaping trees out from), and, of course, the chickens love it! So, it does not go to waste.