i've been a bit busy lately. nature adventures, beach time, and general summertime lolly-gagging has taken priority over my intent to cook a healthy dinner for the family each night. i've found that watermelon on the shore under the warm sun to be just as tasty as homemade savory chicken cobblers around the dinner table. it has taken me quite some time to reach this realization. i get stuck on wanting to make dinner every night, and i feel a bit failed when i lack to provide this. don't get me wrong, it's not like i am giving up cooking dinner, but i'm able to substitute melon, sunshine, and good ol' fashion fun for the later here and there. this weekend provided such opportunities.

we live in a unique area, full of magic and wonder. i feel as though it would take me decades to explore all there is to explore here. so i need to get going. i've put away plenty of adventures, but moving around cook county gives me new areas for discovery. currently residing in grand portage i have picturesque adventure spots at my fingertips non-stop! this weekend we explored a red rock beach about a mile from our home. it was amazing! woodsy trails to hike, cozy coves, small pebble beaches, and a rock skipping competition that lasted most of the afternoon. for such adventures we need sustenance. we went prepared.....

at the bottom of a backpack, between the heart shaped rocks we've collected and the random feathers and driftwood bits you will usually find cheese. most cheeses travel well. a few of our favorites from the weekend; caramelized onion cheddar from england, eichten's smoked gouda, and widmer's 6 year cheddar. all are very unique. all are very tasty. casual beach meals with a three year old are usual very, very casual. i have plenty of time to ponder the dynamics of flavor for every morsel i'm savoring, while addie is usually smearing hers into a sandcastle. so these cheeses. we have a small but progressive cheese selection at the co-op. we try new varieties based on wants vocalized by our customers/ owners. i thought i'd share a favorites list this week in replace of a recipe!

Widmer's 6 year Cheddar- this fabulous cheese is distributed by Widmer's Cheese Cellars in theresa, WI. They make younger cheddars, but this one....this one has flavor crystals as we like to say- bits of condensed cheese goodness in tiny flecks of magnificent cheese magic speckled throughout the cheese. it's awesome. the best cheddar we carry. it's a little spendy, but a little goes a long way.

English Caramelized Onion Cheddar- this is my favorite cheese! i often reference it as 'cheese candy'. something about the sweet caramelized onion jam which is infused with the creamy, salty, tangy cheddar that makes me have to take a time-out every time i eat the stuff. we've started cutting smaller wedges and stashing them in a basket in the deli cooler for quick grabs for the picnic basket. do not let the seagulls nab this one!

Eichten's Hidden Acres Gouda- we have several varieties of this one- herb, caraway, wild rice, sundried tomato, smoked, etc. all of them contain the classic gouda goodness. a creamy, cow's milk cheese which is milder than cheddar, but still containing character and flavor. it goes melty very well. think fondue.

Cypress Grove Chevre- 'Purple Haze' is the variety we currently carry. it's a goat's milk cheese infused with springtime herbs such as lavender buds and wild fennel pollen. it is great eaten on it's own with a bottle of pinot griggio. you could also slather it on everything from grilled asparagus to artichoke raviolis.

Manchego- ours comes from spain. it's a sheep's milk cheese, and we actually carry a younger variety which is aged over 3 months. this is a slightly harder cheese, and it's bright, parmesan-ish personality is an over all splender. it's great grated on spicy pork tacos, or with most of your favorite spring time veggies.

Ski Queen- Gjetost Cheese- yes, there is a cult-like following from the scandinavians. this is made in norway of a blend of cow's and goat's milk. it's creamy, nutty, tangy, buttery, and unusually addictive. it is packaged in bright red packaging in a perfect cube shape. it's coloring is that of milk chocolate or coffee and cream, and i visualize those flavors when i'm eating it.

those are just a few varieties that i very much enjoy, but we have a variety of raw milk cheeses, goat's milk cheeses, and also a variety of tasty bites that go very well with our cheeses. try the marcona almonds in rosemary infused honey- good stuff! the fig jam and our olive selection rock the house too! belly up!!