Springtime Treasures

Spring is here. Yes, it is still quite cold and has been very rainy, but it is spring nonetheless. Spring is probably my second favorite season, Autumn being first. Then Winter and summer last.



Mushrooms. They are one of Spring's greatest treasures. My dear brother brought us some nice morel mushrooms. They grow wild all over in Missouri, but you really have to look for them. I am kind of surprised that there were so many this year as it has been so cold. They are usually found under old trees, way back in the woods, so just gathering them is quite an adventure. Some people find them in their yards and a lot of times if you take the water they have been soaking in and throw it in the yard, they will come up next year. First you must soak them in salt water to get the critters out. Then in fresh water.

Then they are trimmed and cut in half or quarters if they are big enough!



Then they are drained on paper towels. Then pat them dry.



Mix up a couple of eggs with about 1/4 cup of milk. Put about 1 cup of breadcrumbs in a bowl and add a dash or two of garlic powder and onion powder, some fresh ground black pepper and a little seasoning salt. Then you dip the mushrooms in the eggs, and drag them through the breadcrumbs. This does work easier if you put the breadcrumbs in a large plastic bag.



Then deep-fry them in hot oil until crispy brown. Fry them in batches. Drain them on either paper towels or a plain brown paper bag. I think the Paper bag makes them stay crispier. You can keep them warm in a 200 degree oven while you are frying each batch. Enjoy!!

Then there are lilacs and redbud trees.





I love lilacs. The smell of lilacs to me is what angels might smell like. The soft perfume, wafting through the air. . . .

Redbuds are a tree that is native to Missouri. They grow EVERYWHERE! While driving my son back to Uni the other day, it had been raining so everything had that fresh-washed, watercolor kind of look. The redbuds were so pretty, misty purple against the lime green of new leaves and the dark, rain-wet bark of the trees. Very pretty.

So what are some of your spring treasures???