Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Summer Mushrooms

I have not been doing much since the weather finally became descent.
Traveled to Eastern Oregon, Sisters, and participated in Boletus Hunting.
What a thrill for me. This was not my husbands first visit. He has been there before, without me.
So this year's visit was very special for me. We only stayed a few days but we had a great time.
A few of our friends learned how to find and harvest Spring Boletes. 
It was not a financially rewarding trip, we went over to late in the Spring.
I think I enjoyed the fact that our camp did "NOT" have Mosquitos. Wow!
I so enjoyed camping it and not spending my entire weekend tending to my allergies!
I did take photos. I will come on later and load Sammy's Bolete picture and a few others.
Transitioning into Chanterelles & Lobster at the Coast soon.
I can't wait for the Fall Boletes. I am packing the Camper this week.
Just a little, "cabin fever".
This was taken in late Spring on an outing.. I just love the large grouping of Lady Slippers.
The mountain man is my husband, David. The Mushroom buyer in Douglas County, Oregon.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Oregon Without A Seal of State * 1899 Oregon Native Son Magazine

This is the best article regarding the State of Oregon's State Seals, that I can find.
The first was in "History of Oregon", Charles Henry Carey, 1922.
The purpose of researching this seal is due to my husband found (many years ago) and old Douglas County, Oregon, Deputy Sheriff's Badge dated: 1859 that has A DIFFERENT STATE SEAL & CREST. There are 33 stars that encircle the design that start at the Eagle's wing tips and the Eagle's chest ~ plate is centered directly above the center of the Crests design. It is clearly not Design # 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8. However, it appears to have some of the bits from each years design. 33 stars encircled (#5, 1859), and the Man of War centered above the Wagon with the incoming ship on the left hand side. More closely related to Deady's design #7 which was a variation of #5.
Considering that Judge Deady had land holdings in Douglas County, Oregon and that there is to this day, a road named after him that is on the Old Highway 99 just North of Winchester, which, was the ORIGINAL COUNTY SEAT before the great flood in 1872 (2 actual floods 1868 & 72), the location of Deady's County Seat. I personally believe it was a design of Deady's that was created for the local Deputy's Sheriff's Office that did not get accepted. It is made of Silver and it is an enigma!



Oregon Without A Seal of State * 1899 Oregon Native Son Magazine

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Morel Hunting

Spring is here and so are the Morels.
Driving to our favorite areas to harvest them is
much easier than finding them however.
The On and Off Spring weather has
definately interrupted their growth.
While the guys looked about the area,
I took a break.
I was awakened by the guys showing off
Thier big find.
I would LOVE to Go on the road camping and helping
hubby to harvest & buy.
That's the plan I have.
Camp, do my crafts, pick mushrooms, live off the
land while David gets to have the time of his
life too!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

A Visual Guide For Harvesting Mushrooms.

                                                I often see people with a variety of Field Guides
                                  for Mushroom Hunting. There are alot of wonderful books on the market,
                                  however, I feel that mine offers practical information with wonderful
                                    pictures and advice. The photographs are of actual mushrooms harvested
                                                           in Douglas County, Oregon.
                                           Local reviews of my book have been so positively, wonderful.
                                                "An actual book of our mushrooms", It's great!".

Morel Mushroom sketch & Cartoon.

                                         I thought I would try my hand at some Art.
Morel

Orgun, home of Sunshine, Rain
and Snow,  on the same day.

                                     This one is my interpratation of the weather here in Orgun.
                                   Spring = Wet. Summer = Hot.  Winter = Brrrr.
                               (A lot of detail was lost in scanning.)
                                    1st slide: a city street.                                          
                           2nd: A mountain scene from an Orgonians view point.
                                    3rd: Lower sign reads: 1500', 
                                        Upper sign: SNOW ZONE  
                                   Three Seasons: Wet, Hot & Brrr.! 
                                             Enjoy, LRM..

Monday, April 4, 2011

Spring Fiddle Head Fern

                                          Last night my husband bought some Fiddle head fern.
                                          
 Spring brings forth the bounty from our forests. There are many wonderful food products to search for, right now. We are still getting Black Trumpets, Yellow Feet, Hedge Hogs and are transitioning into the Spring products such as, Fiddle Head Fern, Stinging Nettle, Morels & Minor's Lettuce.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Another blusterry night at the Mushroom Station.

This storm just can't pass us over. Only a few harvestors are out picking Yellow Feet, Hedge Hogs, Black Trumpets and now Nettle. Our son, Ben, brought in All the Nettle last night.
Prices are so low for everything this Winter. We have heard every rational reason, new world market contributers, not enough open public ground that is not being logged, the weather is too cold, etc.. Low prices, good crop, supply and demand at it's most basic.

A Beautiful Morel from last Spring. I can't wait for the weather to clear.
I have got Morel fever!

Youngest home on Spring Break, heads back today. Next semesters tuition will be due soon, ugh!
The shop is barely open, if it were not for my husbands persistance, things would be so different. I thank the Lord for his dedication.  With the decrease in people showing up we still had a great time at the station,
just us and hubby's cousin and our oldest son around the fire barrel. We have had BBQ's, alot this Winter, not much to do after the harvestors leave. Sharing coffee, stories and a warm chair.
This old shack will be falling down soon or torn down, we gotta move or get some sort of contract. That's why we are trying to regroup and get the place we really want. The Cinerella Story~ kinda, Rags to Riches is not our style, just the basic home & Gathering Hole.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Morel Mushrooms, Finally!

It's been a very long Winter and the Morel Mushrooms are finally making an appearance.
One lucky harvestor brought in almost 2 pounds this evening.
Nice, perfect and Delicious! Looking forward to the Sunshine next week to warm up the soil.
I can't wait!
We are still working on the $425,000.00, only $424,995 to go!

Last nights "moment" at the Mushroom Station.

 As a wife of 27 years, mother of 5 adult children, grand parents of two girls and the wife of a Mushroom Buyer, things can be very interesting. Last night my husband realized if we were going to move into the property, that we can't afford, we would need to raise $425,000.00.. Yes, that's alot of money, with an annual of $20-$50,000, which varies upon the harvest season & weather, this is not going to be easy! So, if we ask each person we meet for one dollar, we only need to ask 424,995 more people.
All while we put two kids thru college, pay our bills, help the other three kids and move out of our little shack, noooo problem!