It is weird how I haven’t written or thought much about politics, climate change, peak oil and the frustration of global inaction against the things that matter. Purely because I am engrossed in my new found love for all things cheesy! I can’t get over how much that this has taken over my life. How can 8 litres of warm and nurturing milk be so bloody important to me each week. Is it the buzz I get every Friday night whilst making this obsessive delight, or is it the sense of adventure each week by trying out a new method or technique? Or is it the thought of enjoying a nice glass of red wine whilst making the cheese?
If I thought that this cheese making hobby would become so freeking addictive, I don’t know if I would have started it. I suppose I am trying to say that maybe this fanaticism is taking over my greenness, after all, this blog is called The Greening of Gavin for a reason. I still do all the green things that I started, and keep up the maintenance of the garden, orchard and chooks, but other than that, there is not much more I can do around here. Maybe I should start another blog to keep both my green thoughts and cheesy behaviour separate. Maybe I am as green as I can be?
What do you think? I am going way over the top on cheese related topics? How green can one person be?
I welcome your thoughts,
Gav
Have you tried making green cheese?
I think maybe you’re as green as you can be already
i hear ya gav. i made a decision whn i started blogging for it to be a schizo blog…tying onesself down to one thing can be limiting as we grow and change. i look forward to seeing how you resolve this issue! lol
Gavin, I hope you will just keep on as you are, as everything you do and learn about is very interesting and so we learn as well. Even my husband looks over my shoulder to see what you are up to next !!
Lee from WA
I see no problem in your cheese obsession! We all have a hobby or passion, and that’s what makes life interesting.
Keep going like you are, I say!
Buddy, you cannot overdo cheese. Be at peace.
Jenny
love the cheese making articles!!
Penny
I hear you too Gavin but I say go for it, don’t separate the two, I’m on a roll with your obsession. 😀 (no pun intended!)
Hey, when the weather warms up and the soil is calling you will be looking outward a bit more. For now, have a cheesy winter! Cheesily, Rose
Hi Gavin I am really enjoying your cheese making adventures.
Could you use muslin, parchment paper or even vine leaves instead of the alfoil?
I think the cheesemaking is the most important outward manifestation of green-ness. It’s a renewed profession for a post-peak, relocalised, greener world that you’ll have for life.
You seem to have achieved most of the major external things that can make your immediate environment greener, and now you appear to be making your way along a path of internal change showing us that we can go beyond being consumers of green things to become producers of green things.
We will only have overcome the problems with our current economic structure when we have the larger percentage of household consumption being of things produced within that household.
You’re promoting the household economy, just as it was in our (great-)grandparent’s times. This is one of the greatest political and social statements we can make.
Perhaps a sideline (extra obsession?!) in wine making might round out the enterprise lol.
Oh I agree with Geoff – an expansion from beer and cheese-making into wine making would certainly round things out LOL. As for the cheese – too much cheese is barely enough as far as I’m concerned 😉
Cheers, Julie
Gavin, there is nothing more inspiring than someone who is passionate about something. Don’t stop.
Besides, can one ever have enough cheeses…YUM!!
Cheers, Lisa
I enjoy the cheese posts just as much as the green ones 🙂 Just because you haven’t got anything new to say about green living right this minute, doesn’t mean you won’t again later on. Seasons change, interests come and go – don’t fence yourself in 🙂
I forgot to say that I totally agree about the cheese, no such thing as too much cheese and as soon as I get some spare time I am going to go on a cheese course too.
Thanks to everyone for their wonderful feedback. I feel overwhelmed to say the least.
@ grrenfumb. Thanks Deb, sounds like something Wallace and Gromit would do!
@ Kel, yes, growth limiting, but I suppose I can write about anything I want to. Everything I do has a green bent anyway! Sounds like you are having fun in Bali
@ Lee. Thanks for the support, I should have guessed that after 427 posts, it would be a learning reference.
@ Darren. So true, I have many obsessions, it is just that cheese making has become the strongest one!
@ Jenny. I believe you are right!
@ Penny. Thanks. Should have another one posted this weekend.
@ Maggie. I could use muslin, in fact that is what they wrap real cheddar in to age it. I will have to find a supplier.
@ Rose. You are so right. Come spring time, it will be all hands on deck in the garden. I won’t know what hit me. In the mean time, all those lovely cheeses will be ripening ready for late spring/summer. Thanks
@ Geoff. Great comment. I really didn’t look at it that way. I have been talking about reskilling a while now, and I suppose I forgot that cheese making is a great skill to have up ones sleeve for the future. Now wine making might be on the cards, as I am going to plant a couple of vines down the back. Probably only get 10 bottles max, but they will be the best.
@ Julie. Supportive as always. I can’t wait to see your first pressed cheese now that you have the equipment.
@ Lisa. I will only stop if you guys & gals stop reading.
@ JulieG. Thanks, you are so right. Who knows what my next obsession will be? Best to stick to one blog and mix it up.
@ Deb (again). The course will blow your mind. You will wonder why you didn’t try this before.
@ Everyone. I did ponder over starting a second blog just for cheese. I even started it. http://cheesingofgavin.blogspot.com
I have hidden it, mainly because it is empty, so will keep it in reserve in case I want to make a business out of cheese making. Could be on the cards. I could make cheese for a living I reckon! I certainly haven’t tired about it since February when I started.
Gav
I think the blog is great, and there’s nothing wrong with telling us about what you love doing.
Have you really done all you can though? There are plenty of other green avenues you could tell us about or explore. Have you tried vegetarian eating? Plenty of evidence suggests that that is a more sustainable way of living. How about public transport options in your area – are they good? How often do you use them? A big movement at the moment is op-shopping, for both recession and consumption reasons. Do you do it? Are there any good op shops that you can recommend?
Or, if you feel that you have done as much as you can on a personal level, is there something more you could do to lobby or raise awareness? Or encourage others in your circle to do so. I know you are only one person, and there is only so much you can do! But do think about how you can challenge yourself further. Maybe over a glass of wine and some cheese.
We’ve been quite inspired by you cheese articles and are now minded to have a go ourselves. My other half keeps asking me when I’m going to get arounfd to ordering the cheese press etc.
Too much cheese is never enough!
And try Esrom – it’s like
Havarti with attitude.
Hi I’ve just ambled onto your blog and was immediately taken by the cheese posts, because making my own cheese is one of my ambitions. So keep up with the cheese posts, I’ll be lapping them up.