Like I Said

Still working on the fence.  It looks good so far.  We even have the gate up across the driveway.  It's exciting to see the end to this project.  Maybe two more weeks.  Belle is learning her boundaries and hasn't gotten into much trouble.  Just eating things she shouldn't and chewing on things not hers.

On the mushroom side of things, we're really trying to figure out a year-round cycle for producing the Shiitake and oysters.  We really have to get with our suppliers and just have them send what's needed at the right times.  We're also cloning and creating our own spawn so that should help some.

When we do get Shiitake in, we hope to sell downtown. The last flush just 10 days ago got dehydrated and sent out to mom, Jim and Ava and Aunt Alice to thank them for their support of our endeavor. It was fun to create the packaging and mailing labels for the company.  I also made a rack card for when we go to farmers markets.  This whole marketing gig is new to me.

Fences

I never thought that of all the things I have experienced in my life I would add pulling fence to the list.  We want to keep our big dog Belle from roaming the neighborhood.  Lately, at 7 months old, Belle has decided to be real friendly and visit the neighbors around us.  But her way of greeting is barking and running circles around you. With her size and looks it can be very intimidating.  So bottom line we need to keep Belle from TERRORIZING the neighborhood.  Vic and I purchased wire fencing and fence posts and this weekend put up fence along one side of our property, 330 feet worth.  Whew.  Fencing the rest of our two acres is going to be quite a job.  So hold on neighbors, it may be a long month.

Shiitake Logs

Who would have thought our Shiitake would decide to flush in mid July but here they are.  We expected them in October.

I got enough this morning to plan for dinner.  These are much smaller than the ones we grow indoors, but just as tasty.

Our Shiitake Village www.kickstarter.com project will be over in 4 days.  So far 20 people have backed us on Kickstarter for a total of $794.00.  Way less than the $5500 we were trying to get but an awesome turn-out nevertheless.

Vic is being his inventive self again.  We sought advice from our very brilliant sister-in-law, Ava, Associate professor Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, UofW, Milwaukee.  We wanted to know how her lab kept everything sterile.  She suggested a germicidal UV light.  So Vic found a
GermGuardian,GG1000 Pluggable UV-C Air Sanitizer with Odor Reduction and mounted it in our glove box.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Just Thinking - Probably too Much

We hoped when we started the Shiitake Village project on https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/128992244/expanding-shiitake-village that we could get people especially in Georgia excited about Georgia grown and made products.  I was hoping that if we actually were backed that it would be in the local papers.  This would maybe get people to thinking that locally grown and made products are something to be very proud of.  That people would begin encouraging others to do the same and build some community pride here in Henry county.

I visited the local farmers market held on Thursdays from 10 to 2.  I talked to many who had booths, some for homemade aprons and bags, organic soaps and skin care products, jellies, jams, and of course  produce.  When I think of a market place I picture crowds of people bustling about buying their fruits and veggies etceteras, excitedly chattering and comparing of ideas.   But in actuality it was like walking into a funeral.  Not many customers, not many happy merchants.  I made it my job for the 30 minutes I stayed to converse with and truly show interest in what and who was there.  I bought some awesome homemade soap made with tons of oils and herbs and a few delicious peaches.  After all, you can't be in Georgia and not eat a darn good peach.

It would be tremendous if people everywhere, not just here and there, returned to the earth and really cared about community.  Too many of our brothers and sisters have left this earth, their minds lost in cyber space.  But I digress.  I can only hope that with my interest and others as well this farmers market can blossom.

It does take a village.  I just want to be part of it.

Now on a happier note:
We continue to improve our methods for growing shiitake and getting much cleaner.  I didn't realize it took such cleanliness to grow fungi successfully but the shiitake seem happier for it.  Have you hugged a shiitake today?  I have.

More pics of the ones I hold most dear to my heart.

HOT

It's hot and humid in Georgia, but we still managed to add to our mushroom shelves.  We are up to 65 inoculated bags of Shiitake.  They take 2 -3 months before first fruit so September should be a busy month.
 Kids had vacations recently so I have to post at least one picture of the grandkids. The grand dog is Pearl.

Fourth of July

I hope everyone had a great 4th. Perhaps had a little gratitude moment for our country and the men and women who fight for our freedom and way of life.  I'm guilty lately of complaining way too much about the insanity going on in D.C. and elsewhere around the USofA and the world.  Recently I spent time with my grandson for his 1st birthday and was able to put my fears for this country and the world aside and thank God for family and friends.  Who could possibly resist the smile and giggle of a one year old.

A little gratitude goes a long way.  

Shiitake Village update.  Many people have donated money to our Kickstarter project.  All we need is 100 more people to donate $50 each or 200 people at $25 each etc.  Seriously, this has been fun and motivating for me.  We're working hard and have 40 bags in various stages of production and  so much more to do.  

Enjoying Shiitake

We have new babies popping up all over the place and growing fast.  These are our favorite eating mushroom above all others.  We're also waiting for a shipment of grain spawn to come so we can inoculate more sawdust substrate.  Pretty soon we should have about 50 more bags incubating.

We've had a slow start on Kickstarter.com but are so grateful to the people who have shown their support for Shiitake Village.  Some have donated with personal checks so, wow, many thanks. I am humbled by your generosity.

Dinner with Shiitake:

I sautéed the shiitake in olive oil with garlic, onion and a dash of worcestershire sauce.