The humidity has a lot to do with Bread making and there are adjustments that need to be made when making bread on a rainy day or high humidity. I'm just not sure what they are, sorry Lynne!
I have tried to make bread on many occasions, and although I'm an excellent cook and baker in many other areas, bread making is not one of them! :p
I have been told that I could be killing the yeast, if the temp of the water is too hot. It says to use LUKEWARM WATER, between 90 and 100*, well, think of a swimming pool. When they tell you the pool is 80* it really doesn't feel all that warm , does it? If you have a thermometer I would think that would be the best way to accurately get the water temp right. And it sounds like they had you heat the cottage cheese up too hot! That could've killed the yeast.
I have had a few successes with bread, but only when I work at it really hard and do everything EXACTLY the way it says, so.............Good luck with your next bread adventure!