Mad about Mushrooms . . .

We're popping the champagne cork...spring mushrooming is here!

There's cause for celebration in the Taylor household:  the spring mushrooming season has started...finally.

Last weekend we held our first-of-the-year foray on Mt. Hood, driving an hour or so to one of our favorite locations.  We arrived with great anticipation of the abundance that might be awaiting us, and we weren't disappointed, especially given the persistent rains of the earlier weeks in May. 

We were greeted by a sunny and rather warm day as we stepped from our vehicle.  The grasses were growing tall, the ground was moist, and the usual spring flowers (as shown in the photograph above) were in full display.  Always a good sign to see companion plants.   We were soon bending down and gently plucking puffballs from the soil.

When it rains, it spores ...

Our dear friend (and photography guru) Steven Thompson loves word puns and plays - most of which he comes up with on his own - and recently sent us the following:

When it rains, it spores!

Very clever and very appropriate for today’s post… because we're writing about a museum which features a clever twist on the use of mushrooms in art as well as redefines what is a museum.

 

May 2017's Recipe of the Month: Our Own Smoked Salmon Chowder with Dried Mushrooms

Out of town friends called early one morning to say that they would be dropping by around noon on their way to Portland!  Oh, my goodness!  We frantically tidied up the house, our motto being "everything in its place and a place for everything," not allowing ourselves to breathe a sigh of relief until all appeared spic and span!

Then, the big decision:  what to serve for lunch.  Of course, our savory Smoked Salmon Chowder was a convenient choice, thanks to the mushroom shelf in our pantry and vacuum-packed bags of smoked salmon in the freezer. 

What a great decision this turned out to be!  Per usual, we and our guests virtually licked our soup bowls clean, while unanimously declaring the chowder to have been a scrumptious lunch choice.

Why wait until guests to descend upon your home to make the chowder?  How appropriate it would be to treat yourself to a bowl of Smoked Salmon Chowder during this month of May, named in homage to Maia, the Roman's earth goddess of plant growth.

 
Our Smoked Salmon Chowder was especially appreciated
earlier this year when 5 1/2 inches of snow fell overnight,
blanketing the refuge!  This early morning visitor
seemed puzzled by the change in the landscape.