Mushrooms Popping Out All Over-Day 3

Humidity Tent- Day 2

This is how the project looks for the next several days while it grows mushrooms under the humidity tent. At this point there are two things that can go wrong and they both involve moisture. Too little and the mushrooms can't take off, too much and other things begin to grow as well. I'm striving for balance!

Starting My Mushrooms-Day 1

Thanks to my son, Brandon, and his girlfriend, Angela, I am embarking on my first experience of growing Shiitake mushrooms, in my kitchen! I suspect they know that we have a great appreciation for mushrooms, as we used to hunt for the rare Morel Mushroom when we lived on the farm in Paradise. 

So today, December 29 is day 1.

I began by reading the "easy to follow" instructions that accompanied the mushrooms upon opening the box. As per the instructions, I put the bag in the refrigerator, boiled and cooled some tap water, then assembled the simple materials you see in the above photos.

I have chosen the kitchen because the instructions suggested finding a good location, something with a temperature between 50-80 degrees and good ambient light, but not direct sunlight, AND a place that is "well traveled," (I guess they know how forgetful we can be!)

After 5 days,  I opened the bag, and was greeted by a very fresh, earthy smell. This is good news! It makes me happy to appreciate the rather strange looking lump that is the "mushroom patch." I gently cut off the top of the bag, nestled it inside a large bowl, added cool water until the patch was submerged, (yes, the bag did leak), sat it on the barstool, and put the timer on two hours.

Once the patch has soaked, I will don rubber gloves and carefully remove it from its packing bag and set it on a cookie sheet, covering it with the humidity tent. But for now, while it is soaking, I am making my next batch of boiled water for the brand new spray bottle that I purchased, (couldn't seem to get the chemical smell out of any that I had on hand), and will mist the patch 2-4 times a day until the mushrooms begin to grow. 

That's it for now! Thanks Brandon and Angela, for the unique gift! Stay tuned for more blogging and photos. Oh, and wish me luck cuz I can already taste the Shiitake mushrooms on my steak!

Here is how the cake looks in the 10 inch pan.
I baked it for 55 min at 325. The cake rose to the top of the10x2 inch pan but came out beautifully.

Update: While this cake was "OK" it is not what I would consider a "keeper."

Cake #1

This is Chocolate Cake Recipe #1. I followed a sketchy recipe from the Wilton Cake recipe discussion forum. It called for:

1 Duncan Hines Chocolate cake mix

1/2 c. Buttermilk

1/2 c. Oil

8 oz. sour cream

1 box instant Chocolate pudding mix

4 eggs

(All at room temperature)

I mixed all the ingredients in my old Bosch mixer on low speed, scraped the sides down and continued mixing on medium-high for 2 more minutes.

According to many bloggers, baking the cake at a lower temp. (325) for a longer period of time, I'm starting with 40 min., is supposed to produce a flatter, moister cake. (We shall see).

Our Wedding Album, April 19, 1973

Condo couldn't be saved

Not a good Memorial Day for some Colorado folks

Weller Pottery Collection

Here is my Weller Pottery Collection as it began on May 13, 2012. I did lots of research on the bud vase to the right, to find out that it is from the Weller Flemish line and that certain color schemes of this vase can be worth over $200. The vase on the right was also made in other colors, mine is a beautiful green with called the Daisy. It is valued between $20-40. I also have three pieces of white McCoy pottery.

Happy Mom's Day it is!

Adrienne made all of the arrangements for Mother's Day. It began with an outing at the City Market and Farmer's Market. We browsed the early vegetable/fruit stands, looking for the best that was offered so we could stop by after our dining and pick up what we wanted. We were a little early for our brunch, so we posed for a picture to remember our day. 

Reservations for brunch were at The Farmhouse and the menu was special for Mom's!  I ordered the fruit and waffles with a side of bacon, a splurge to mark a special occasion. After a lovely meal, we strolled back to the farmer's market and bought a few items, tomatoes, cilantro, zucchini. The tomatoes weren't fresh vine-ripened, that would be impossible so early in the season. But they looked great!

Next we went to an antique store, I only hope Adrienne remembers where it was, because by that time we had totally taxed Glen's patience and we had to hurry through to finish before he imploded! He did stop to admire the Weller potter and ended up buying three pieces, two for me and one for Mary. 

The day ended with calls from my sons, Devin and Brandon and all was well in the world.

Kelley returns to sunny Cali

Final laughs and fun times before letting Kelley go! 

Goodbye Kelley!

I met Kelley when she came to SFT as a SPED Para. She ate lunch with Marsha and me every day in the library. As you can see, Kelley is Hawaiian, so it is no surprise that she would move closer to a region that is more like her beloved island, that would be Sacramento. 

Kelley is a story teller, Marsha and I are not. So this = "boring lunchtime" next year :( 

Why is it all the cool people always leave? 

Best of life in sunny Cali, Kelley, we miss you already!!

March in Olathe, Kansas

March 2012 In Olathe

Over 4 inches of rain and temperatures 65 and above, spring is busting out all over. I had to take pictures of our yard because it may not be this green again! 

Statin Drug Safety FAQs | Sinatra Health Center

Statin Drug Safety FAQs Sinatra Health Center