Yoghurts...

As some of you know, I've been doing my own yoghurts since now over 2 years. They're easily done, and I really enjoy making them. We do also enjoy eating them!!!

A couple of months ago, my yoghurt machine broke down. As it was 30+ years old, I didn't even try to repair it, but I thought I'd get a new one. Until a girlfriend of mine asked me if I had already tried to make yoghurt in the oven. Well... no!

So I had to try, and it turned out to be sooooo good that there's no way I'm ever going to by another yoghurt machine again!

See for yourself, all you need is:

- 1 quart milk (1%, 1.5% or 2.5%... or full)

- 1 yoghourt storebought (a "small" one). Don't use a liquid one or your batch will be liquid as well! unless it's what you want!!!

- 3 Tbsp sugar

- 3 Tbsp powder milk

- a few drops of Vanilla extract (to break the acidic taste)

Here you go!

Mix all the ingredients in a pot and pour it in small pots (individual ones) for which you have lids. Don't put the lids on, but you'll use them "tomorrow". Set your oven to heat at 104F (40C) for 2 hours (don't open the door during this time!), and keep the babies in it for another 8 hours or so. Overnight is good if you start the thing in the evening!

After that time, you put the lids on your little pots, and store them in the fridge. You'll tell me how you find them!

For the vanilla extract, as you see on the picture, I use the Lockhead Vanilla extract. First because I find it so good, and second, because it's made by my friend Kathy's family in St.Louis. Really worth smuggling a few bottles on my trip back to Europe last Fall!!!

Can't wait to see you again this Fall Kathy!!! ;)!

Uphill skiing!

No! I'm not crazy!

But I try to re-think many things of my life... and for instance the satisfaction of reaching a goal myself. For years, for instance, it's been rushing downhill on my skis, or doing nice curves while going down. And of course, enjoying skilifts to go back... uphill!!! It was time now to discover the satisfaction of "deserving" skiing downhill!

This Winter I decided to get a new ski-gear (mine was old, bought in 1996!), and I picked some material to go uphill skiing: special shoes, special "skins" (originally seal skins, but now nylon stuff) to stick under the ski, special bindings that allow the heels to be free while going uphill, and fixing it to the ski for a "regular" downhill ski. The material is much lighter than regular downhill ski, but I chose an "allrounder", because I still am going to enjoy skiing with the kids on regular slopes!

Yesterday I had a day of introduction to this sport. I had done 2 outings the week before with a friend of mine, so at least I knew how to stick the skins under the skis! And how to use the different heel levels, depending on how steep the slope is. And go down on a short slope without falling... almost (try to ski downhill with the "skins" there...)

We "climbed" approx 3000ft (from 3000 to 6000) in the "pre-Alps" yesterday, under a beautiful blue sky. We were a group of 7, plus a mountain guide who led us and taught us how to save our energy to be the most efficient (you don't want to go too fast, you want to save energy for the downhill which won't happen on flat slopes, but in deep snow!). I simply loved it. It was awesome to go up a mountain (actually, my being afraid of heights prevented me from going to the very top, but I still could enjoy a nice view from where I was).

At the end of January, I'll go for a 3 day tour with the same guide. My friend told me she'd watch the kids during that time. Aren't I blessed?

The Summit is called "La tête à Josué (Joshua's Head)" or "Les Arpilles"

I stopped not far from the summit, as I was getting afraid of heights.

But look the fantastic view I still could enjoy! (looking West)

and that was on the way down...

1.1.11

I wish you all the courage to go this way, discovering yourselves, and becoming who you really are. I'm on my way...

Happy 2011!