Yoghurt

Hello! This week's 'new thing' turned out to be so ridiculously easy that I'm embarrassed that I haven't tried it before - making my own yoghurt! My spell checker is currently trying to tell me that I should omit the 'h' at this point, but I think it must be in US mode as I'm sure that's how we spell it here in the UK. I'm sticking with the 'h' anyway unless someone points out the error of my ways. As it turns out, all you need is a pint of milk, a vacuum flask and a tablespoon of live yoghurt - the live bit is important as you need the living bacteria to work their magic. Heat the pint of milk to just below boiling point and then allow it to cool to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This bit was the only slightly tricky part as my sugar thermometer only started at 120 degrees. I worked on the assumption that 100 degrees is only slightly above normal body temperature, so dripped a bit on the back of my hand. When it felt neither hot nor cold, I called it done! Stir in the yoghurt, whisk until smooth and then pour into the flask and leave for 24 hours and it's finished. How easy is that? You can then use a spoonful of that yoghurt to start your next batch, although you should apparently only do that a couple of times before buying a new starter tub. You don't want unwanted nasties to culture! 

Following hot on the heels of Hallowe'en, we celebrated Bonfire Night. We normally have quite a quiet affair (personally, I'm always a bit frightened by the fireworks!). Sometimes, if we have enough garden waste, we will have a bonfire, but this year it was just a baked potato supper and some sparklers and fireworks left over from last year.

Other happies this week include:

Making pecan shorties.

 

 

The recipe was from one of this week's library books:

 They were yummy and I'll definitely be making them again.

 

 A Hong Kong egg tart from our local bubble tea shop. L raved about them on her visit to HK, so I was pleased to find them. R and I really enjoyed them but E found them, unsurprisingly, a little eggy!

A female pheasant in the garden. We usually have a male pheasant hanging around (Fergus!) and he is sometimes accompanied by his harem, but this is the first time we have seen a lone female. She has been around for a few days now but is still rather timid. Fergus will come to the back door to be fed but this one runs away as soon as I open it.

 Collecting my fired pots from the potter. I was quite pleased with how they turned out. I especially like my flower vase (although it is currently filled with knitting needles!) and the 2 SMALL pots (they were small when I made them and always shrink in the kiln) E and I are using to store hairbands.

I loved this full moon with its nimbus - not sure if that's the correct word - cloudy ring thing!

Starting a throw for a bedroom chair - I'm following Lucy's Summer garden throw pattern and thoroughly enjoying it. I haven't bought any new yarn, I'm just doing a bit of 'stash busting'!

Finally, continuing to enjoy my hooking:

 That's all for this week. After days of grey dismal rain, it's actually rather nice today. Maybe a walk after lunch? Have a good week whatever you get up to. Toodle pip for now. x