This year, my birthday fell during quarantine, so our celebration looked a bit different. I usually enjoy doing an activity, such as visiting Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, which is what we did in 2016, and eating a nice meal at the restaurant of my choice. Despite the COVID-19 closures, Mr. Handsome was still able to plan a wonderful day.
In the late morning, we went mushroom hunting at a friends’ farm. Mr. Handsome grew up hunting for morel mushrooms every spring, but as hard as he searched, he never found more than a couple every year. To say he was excited by the “loot” that we acquired on my birthday mushroom hunting trip is an understatement. He was utterly elated, and he was even more elated to share the experience with Little Buddy and me.
I, on the other hand, don’t believe I had ever tasted a morel, but I had heard about how tasty they were. Mr. Handsome sauteed them in a skillet, and they made a wonderful addition to the steak that he grilled for dinner. My birthday was lovely. Spending time outside with my two favorite men and then having a quiet evening at home was the perfect way to celebrate.
We won’t mention Little Buddy’s tantrums at the farm. Let’s just say he doesn’t yet understand that you can’t walk through tall grass because of the risk of ticks. But Mommy did let him play in a puddle, so that was a highlight.
Anonymous
Happy Birthday! Glad you got to eat morels! They are delicious!
Ellie
Thank you! 🙂
Marilyn
Glad you had a nice birthday. Wishing you a year of happiness and blessings. God Bless.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLIE
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
Ellie
Thank you so much, Joan, Marion, and Marilyn! Hope you ladies are doing well.
Ellie
Anonymous
You look somewhat like Jessa!
Ellen
Ehm, if you pick too many in one place, none will come back next year.
Anonymous
Yes, you need to leave some spores there for later.
Ellie
We picked a few from several different spots, and the owner showed us where to pick. 🙂
Anonymous
There’s such a thing as a False Morel, which is toxic. Hope you’ve identified all of those as edible morels. Hard to see what you’ve got in that pile. Slicing is usually the indicator of what’s edible and what’s toxic. Look it up if not sure. Also, it’s important for your readers to know that it can be forbidden to pick mushrooms in some state parks or public lands. I know you were on private land, but your readers should be aware and check local rules first before doing something like this.
Ellie
I’m not a mushroom expert, but Mr Handsome is pretty knowledgeable. He knows all about the false morels. 🙂
Ellie
Cjohn
Happy Birthday! God bless you and your family.
Ellie
Thanks, Cjohn!
Bridget
Happy Birthday Ellie!!
That sounds like a wonderful birthday! Would you have morels again? They sound like they would have an interesting texture!
Ellie
Thanks, Bridget! The texture didn’t bother me, but it does take some getting used to. I wasn’t a fan of the smell while they were cooking, but I enjoyed the taste.
Ellie
Alisa
Wow! I found this post quite ironic because just this weekend I met up with my boyfriend on a hike and he was SUPER excited when he found some morel mushrooms for the first time. We didn’t find quite as many as you guys did (maybe around a dozen?). We tried them as a side with dinner and I thought they were quite delicious!
Ellie
That’s hilarious! And what a fun memory. Do you do a lot of hiking?
Ellie
Alisa
I wouldn’t consider myself a hardcore hiker, but on the weekends when the weather is nice, it’s always been a favorite activity of my family’s to take a hike on one of the trails nearby. 🙂
Candi
Oh my word, Ellie, I can’t believe you found that many!!! I would love to be able to find a morel and taste it. I think, if my brain is working right, I remember my hubby found a few a number of years ago but for some reason I can’t remember the taste at all. Been so long ago I guess. And my whole fam absolutely LOVES mushrooms. I can never have enough regular mushrooms in the fridge…well, good for you!! I’m glad you found a bunch 😊
Ellie
Hope you are able to find some soon! How do you prepare your mushrooms?
Ellie
Candi
I like to sauté them in either butter, coconut oil, or ghee and a seasoning. I’m into Lawrys Total Seasoning or Kinders The Blend right now. Or roast them along with broccoli in the oven if I’m doing broccoli. With the roasting I like to throw the veggies together with some olive oil, minced garlic and a seasoning and salt and throw it on a pan. Very easy. By the way, I forgot to mention a Happy Birthday…May you have a blessed year!! Thanks for keeping up with the blog!!
Ellie
I love Lawrys! Haven’t tried Kinders The Blend. Where do you buy it?
Ellie
Candi
I found it at Sams Club in the seasoning aisle but I wonder if it’s not one of those seasonings they switch out with different ones cause I haven’t seen it in with the staple seasonings (the ones there all the time). By the way, we LOVE Kinders BBQ sauce. I had to order it after we tried some from a bent and dent grocery place. And I couldn’t find it anywhere in town here. A little pricey But it sure is worth trying! It doesn’t have high fructose corn syrup in it like most do…
Ellie
Thanks for the tip! Costco does the same thing with products. It can be frustrating when you find one you like and then it disappears. I’ll keep my eyes out for it. 🙂
Ellie
anon
happy birthday ellie. glad you had a wonderful day!
i love mushrooms but have never picked them, except from the grocery store lol
when my daughter was really little, my husband was making mushrooms and she asked him what he was making. he jokingly said ‘donuts’ and asked her if she’d like to try one. she loved the ‘donuts’ and to this day you cant leave one on your plate without her asking if you’re going to eat it lol! better say yes or she’ll stab it with her fork lol
Ellie
LOL! Has she tried a real donut yet? 😉
anon
oh yeah lol. once she tried it daddy told her what it really was and she knew she was tricked into trying it. she was such a picky eater that she wouldnt even eat pizza because it was ‘bread’ but would eat french toast!?!
what’s really funny though is she doesnt really like donuts that much! she worked in a dunkin donuts and hardly ever brought donuts home (at the end of the night they throw them away if there isnt anyone to give them to) and now she works in a gluten free cafe and brings home the healthy stuff
Ellie
Ooh, I would love to know someone who works in a gluten free bakery! Is she gluten free?
Ellie
B
Mushrooms sounds good. My Dad use to make mushrooms over the stove in red wine and a little bit if butter. It was so good.
Ellie
I had a similar dish at a restaurant. It was great.
Beth
Happy Belated Birthday Ellie!
Ellie
Thank you, Beth!
Amanda
Happy birthday, Ellie!
I’m glad you had such a nice day. I love morels, and I’m sure they were good on steak. I usually just sauté them in butter with onions and eat them without anything else.
Ellie
Thank you, Amanda. Sauteed with butter and onions would be delicious!
Stacey Badger
Happy birthday, Blessings for great year.
Ellie
Thank you, Stacey!
Justine
Hey Ellie!!!
U guys are boring U guys are fungi’s!!!!!!!!!! (get it)!!!!!!?!!!!!!
Love U!!!!
Anonymous
Happy belated birthday Ellie! Thanks for sharing it was a happy day for you, I like good news stories! You and Mr Handsome are creative people! Very interesting to read about this adventure.