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).