Puppy Updates!

This has been a very successful week for the puppies. Most of them have found wonderful homes, and the ones who are left are growing, growing, growing!

Here are pictures of the pups I have left!

This is Brown, a male. He's super smart and super sweet.

Now living in his happily ever after home!

This little sweetie is Pink. She's VERY cuddly and personable.

Now living in her happily ever after home!

This is Purple, another female. She's a very attached puppy. Loves to stay around your feet!

Now living in her happily ever after home!

Puppies!!!!

This is Tessa's second litter of puppies, and they sure are adorable!
Please note: These pics were taken at six weeks, they were born Sept. 3, 2013

There were eleven born, and nine lived.

I'll introduce each of them by their color.

This, obviously, is Purple. 

I've refrained from naming them so their owners can have the pleasure.

Ain't she cute?! She loves to follow you around!

She's a very practical pup, right in the center of the others.

A good dependable medium personality, and a LOVER of attention!

This is Red, a male.

Now living in his new happily forever after home!!!

He's super sharp, very attentive, and quick. He'll be a great trainee for a work dog!

He likes attention and is very smart! :-D

This is Gold, another male.

Now living in his new happily forever after home!!!

He is very curious!!

He's one of the first to come and see what's new, and he studies every bit of it!

This is Tiel, my BIG boy.

Now living in his new happily forever after home!!!

Very fuzzy, and the largest of the litter.

He's a pretty laid-back type of guy, and will make a great companion.

This is Navy Blue, another male

Now living in his new happily forever after home!!!

Great markings! (At least, I like them!) :-)

He's kind of small, but loves to follow you around. A sweet little guy, in general.

This little girl I call Rosebud, but her color is pink.

She is a sweetheart! Probably the pup with the sweetest disposition.

She loves to cuddle!

The third and last little girl, White.

Now living in her new happily forever after home!!!

I think she's a princess in disguise!

Loves to play and be played with!

This is Camo (camouflage).

Now living in his new happily forever after home!!!

I find it rather interesting that he wound up with the camo, because he'll be a great guard dog!

Very alert and sensitive to what's around him, yet he LOVES to cuddle!

The last male pup, Brown.

Yet another sweetheart. He's so sweet, he's a big pushover!

Energetic and friendly, he will make a great companion!

Puppy pile!

I'm not the only one who got worn out trying to get pictures of everyone! :-D

How To: Make Simple Homemade Goat Cheese

When people think of making cheeses, there is often the mis-leading thought that it will take a lot of time and weird ingredients that are hard to get. Nothing could be further from the truth! True, if you want to make aged or specialty cheeses you may have to buy some rennet and cultures, but for a basic yummy cheese you only need basic ingredients practically everyone has in their kitchen!

Ingredients Needed:

2 1/2 quarts of milk

6 T of white vinegar (or 1/3 cup)

1/2 tsp of salt

1) Pour the milk in a pot and turn heat on high. If you need to leave it for any reason, turn it down until you come back.

2) Place a thermometer into the milk so you can supervise the temperature rate.

3) Prepare your things for the cheese-straining step. I use a colander placed in a large bowl with a cloth napkin or pillow-case material to strain.

4) Get your vinegar ready, because once your milk is at the correct temperature, you need to act fast.

5) Once the milk has reached 180 degrees, pour the vinegar in, turn off the heat, and allow to set for one minute.

6) You should be able to easily see the curds separating from the whey. If not, try adding some more vinegar. (Only add 1 tablespoon at a time! Too much vinegar will make the cheese rubbery.)

7) Slowly pour the curds and whey into your straining equipment.

8) Pull the opposite corners together carefully and tie, then using your string, tie tightly under the knots of cloth. This will hold it up for the dripping process.

9) Tie the top part of the string on a doorknob or cabinet, and allow to drip for about an hour. You should be able to feel if the whey has drained out. It will feel soft, but not slushy.

10) Take down and place in a bowl. It should be creamy, yet still in tiny curds.

11) Mix until small and crumbly, then add salt. For a savory cheese, add parsley (1 tsp), onion powder (1/2 tsp), and garlic powder (1/2 tsp.).

12) Mix well.

13) Shape into a ball.

14) Garnish with parsley and serve with crackers or veggies as is, or chill and serve later.

Here's a hint though, don't tell anyone it's goat cheese until after they've tried it! I don't know why, but many people have this mental block against goat cheese, so I'll make a cheese ball and bring it to parties or special events, and when people come up to ask me about it, they get the shock of their life! The most popular comment is: "I didn't realize goat cheese could taste like THAT!" :-D