Expanding Her Horizons

Female moose, having heard that Lisa was in the area looking for milk.

Despite the crushing disappointment of not being able to find a moose to milk on her recent trip to Montana, intrepid Cheese Czarina Lisa Jacobs of Jacobs Creamery pulled herself up by her new polka-dotted bootstraps and got back to work in her cheese room. You can find her at the Hillsdale Farmers' Market this Sunday (1/24) from 10 am till 2 pm. And if you have any moose milk lying about, she'd be thrilled if you could drop it off.

I have some unfortunate news to share. Sadly, a very important member of my cheesemaking crew passed over to the other side.

My gram scale is scheduled to be picked up in the morning from the recycling bin where it is resting in peace. It was early Sunday morning when I realized we had made our last batch of cheese together, and by Sunday afternoon I was scrambling like an egg to try to find a new one.

Where does one find a gram scale on Sunday afternoon in Nowheresville, you may wonder? You don't! There are no gram scales to be found.

After consulting a friend, I headed to Portland and out to 82nd Avenue to what was called a "head shop" where they sell glass pipes, novelty smoking accessories and things to smoke.

Before the transaction was complete I started to feel the giggles coming on because I was certain that the young man behind the counter thought I might be a drug dealer, especially after questioning the fellow on the accuracy of the scales and paying with cash. That's when I not-so-casually pointed out that I was a cheese maker and that I measure out my culture with the scale.

One eyebrow went up and he said, "Uh-huh."

I went to start my next batch of cheese thankful that cheesemaking had widened the varieties of stores I shop in.

Oh, and there are a few seats left in my cheese class at Sweetwares on Sunday evening, Jan. 24. We will have a cheese sampling (with some of my newest creations) and some of the finest picks out of the Jacobs Creamery aging room, as well as a light dinner. The class is from 5 to 7 pm and it will cost $75. You can call 503-546-3737 to reserve your seat.