How 'bout that cheese?

I just returned from a road trip with my book group to the northern Berkshires, Ashfield, Massachusetts to be exact. Last spring we read Barbara Kingsolver's non-fictional account of her family's one-year trial as locavores, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. Not only were my friends inspired by what they learned, they wanted more.

While devouring a rhubarb banana galette at my house, one of the members proudly announced we need to hit the road and learn to make cheese. Of course, as Kingsolver had done one summer, only Ricki Carroll, self-proclaimed "cheese queen" would do for our new-found aspirations.

We measured, we waited, we stirred, we waited, we strained, we waited, we tasted, we drained, we waited, we molded, we waited, we pulled, we tasted.

Well, what's not to love? Beautiful setting, interesting people, great food - a little get away may be in your future, too.