Pencil Art

A weekend bonus...

Many artists use a pencil while creating art. But for Brazilian born, Connecticut based, Dalton Ghetti, the pencil is the art. He carves the graphite at the pencil tip into mini sculptures.

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Check out kronikle.kidrobot.com for more photos.

Cheese Making

“Age is something that doesn't matter, unless you are a cheese” - Billie Burke

Several years ago, my wife and I attended a cheese making class and had a great time. For a simple cheese like mozzarella, the technique is quite simple and the cheese can be eaten immediately. Firmer cheeses like cheddar require a long drying time and more experience. Cheese making is not a difficult hobby and can become a business. When traveling we love to visit independent cheese makers and sample their wares. They are everywhere!

For equipment, supplies, techniques and recipes, check out BEGINNING CHEESE MAKING © by Professor Fankhauser, Ph.D., at the University of Cincinnati Clermont College. The professor recommends starting with his yogurt recipe and working your way up to soft cheese (Neufchatel) and mozzarella.

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Freshly made cheese is so amazingly tasty. Try some fresh ricotta on bread as a spread. It is literally milk turned solid with a clean and simple taste different than the more processed cheeses that take on a flavor of their own from the maturing molds and bacterias. You'll also be surprised at how wonderful fresh yogurt can be - just like Greek yogurt but cheaper.