Morel dinner

My first morel experience was nothing short of amazing.  Not only did I find them in our yard, but we made a meal with them that was out of this world.

Dinner was a loosely adapted version of this recipe using some of our deer tenderloin.  The morels were fun to work with - this being my first time.  I cut them into cross-sections (per advice from myco-geek friend) and soaked them in salt water in order to halt any insect life happening in these little buggars (though none was found).

We added some butter and onions as well as asparagus from the garden and finished them off with a red wine/beef broth roux. 

It was.....

DIVINE!!!!

The not so elusive morel....

I've been curious about morels for several seasons now.  I've made a few attempts to seek them out in our local forests with no luck.  As recently as two weeks ago, I was poking around at the forest floor in a fruitless effort.  I had all but given up until last night when I was mowing the lawn on a mundane spring evening.  I was up near an old fence line at the front edge of our property near our chicken coop and hammock posts.  Imagine my surprise when I nearly tripped over THIS!

I immediately turned the mower off and dropped to my knees.  I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  This amazingly beautiful mushroom that had eluded me for so long was right in my damn yard!  Completely awesome.  I've always heard that when you see one, you need to stop and slow down.  Look around - there will be more.  And there were.  Four of them that I could see on our side of the fence line.  I consulted with a friend who is heavy into mycology and she confirmed what I thought to be true.  They were Classic Yellow Morels.

I wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing so I didn't immediately pluck them from the earth, however my friend confirmed that this was okay.  I didn't want to ruin future harvests by taking them all.  She said that the spores has likely already been released and as long as I didn't disturb the underground structure, we would be fine for future years.

So, they've been pinched from their foundations and will make their way to our bellies tonight.  Perhaps paired with some venison backstrap.  Local eating at its finest!  Food reports to follow.....

It's time!!!

Oh Deer...

Living in rural Virginia, we are lucky enough to be surrounded by hunters.  A lot of them.  And friendly ones at that.  Friendly ones that are willing to kill, field dress, and assist with the processing of a deer all for YOU with no strings attached.  We now have a lot of extra meat in the freezer keeping the garden veggies company thanks to one particular hunter, co-worker and friend.   We feel lucky and thankful.  Thankful for kind people and for an animal that gave her life for us.  Her backstraps taste amazingly wonderful.  Oh deer!

Plant Crush

The snow is still melting but it's got me thinking of spring and starting seeds, and digging in the earth.  I'm daydreaming about the perennial beds and where I can move things and what I can add to refine the look.  When we moved into our house, we had a BLANK slate.  I started from square one by removing weeds sod the hard way.  Since my plant budget was basically zero, I had to get creative.  Luckily, plants allow you to do that.  Cuttings were taken, perennials divided and plants were gifted.  Sometimes though, you get a Plant Crush and you've just got to make a purchase.  Here's what's currently making my heart flutter:

Veronicastrum virginicum 'Fascination'

At 4-5 feet, I think this is going to make a lovely backdrop to a perennial bed.  And it's purple.  'Nuff said.

Look who decided to show up!!!

Winter!!!

The view from our Gap Mountain Garden

Yep.  It's about time.  Our first sizable storm this season arrived this weekend in Southwest Virginia.  It was mild and sunny on Saturday and this appeared on Sunday.  It's leaving just as quickly as it arrived though.  It was good fun while it lasted.  There's something so supremely wonderful about a snow day.   Watching the flakes fall, blanketing everything in an awesome white overcoat....all while in the safe confines of your warm home with a giant cup of coffee.  Eventually, you gather yourself and your winter clothes and venture out to immerse yourself fully.  The dogs go crazy, you get wet and cold and take a million photos.  It's really one of my Top 5 things that this world has to offer - a perfect snow day.

Hot Horticultural Headline from USDA

The USDA has come out with an updated version of their Plant Hardiness Zone Map which was last published in 1990.

Source:  USDA

It seems we're living in warmer times - although - some would argue that the last version was created during several years of unseasonably cold weather.  Additionally, data from more weather stations were used for this version.  So, although it seems times are changing, maybe not so much.  Personally, I will still think twice before investing in that marginally hardy plant material.

Keep Calm and Garden On....