The warm weather of spring encourages all sorts of good things to pop up and grow. One of the joys of living in the Ozarks is all the edible wild plants that can be found in the area. For Jim and I, finding a patch of morel mushrooms is a real treat.

Outdoor writer Joel Vance agrees. He wrote in an article in "Country America" many years ago that they were "one of the greatest gifts of spring." After suffering a couple of lean years when we found none of the little treats, we were really hoping for a good crop this year.

It happened unexpectedly a couple of weeks ago. I was working at the computer and Jim was out mowing the yard. Suddenly, the sound of the mower stopped and he came rushing into the house. "It sure is a good thing I have pretty good eyes," he said. When I asked, "Why?" he replied, "I almost ran over some morels." I grabbed a bowl and went outside. Sure enough, a front tire of the mower was only about two inches away from a small patch of morels.

We picked about 20 of the tasty morsels, around a pound we estimated. After soaking them overnight in salt water, the next morning Jim chopped some onions and sauteed them in a bit of bacon grease, added some chopped morels and finally scrambled in four or five eggs. We ate half that day and half the next. Jim's gone out to roam the yard almost every day since but, so far, that has been the only ones he's found.

A few days later, a friend came by on his way to the walking trails in Pop Allum Park. He was going out to walk his dog and invited me to go along. I accepted, clocked out for lunch and drove to the park to meet him. I stuck an empty plastic grocery bag in my back pocket before venturing out on the trails in hopes of finding some mushrooms in the woods but, even after trekking the lower wildlife trail, I didn't spy a single one.

Another free food that's available in abundance in the spring is a variety of wild greens. Yes, I like them too. While visiting an acquaintance on WPA Road near Decatur last week, I noticed a few stalks of pokeweed growing around an old tree stump. Another was emerging beside a nearby utility pole. When I asked the homeowner, he quickly gave me permission to pick them. I brought them home and walked the fencerow, where I found a few more to supplement his gift. I also added some lamb's quarter I found growing around a tree out by the cellar. I cooked them that evening, making a vitamin-rich veggie for supper.

Last Saturday I visited the farmers' market when it opened for the season. I bought a bundle of green onions, and Jim and I enjoyed one in our scrambled eggs for Sunday breakfast. I also brought home some fresh asparagus and a small bunch of crunchy radishes. Not wanting to waste a thing, I saved the radish tops and cooked them. Again I added a few sprigs of lamb's quarter, making another serving of tasty greens.

My sister Nancy visited us the first of last week. She reported she and Marlin had sold about 20 roosters, 40 quail, 13 dozen chicken eggs and a dozen quail eggs at the Southwest City sale over the weekend. They purchased a dozen hens and some ducks and hope to have duck eggs for sale soon. She brought us big pieces of Marlin's chocolate cake with chocolate caramel icing, a bonus from the cakes and cake decorating class he's taking.

I volunteered a few hours at the library's used book sale recently and brought home one of their bargain bags, filled with good reading. Among my purchases were two cookbooks, "Italian Kitchen" and "Cooking on a Wood Stove." I'll add them to the collection I plan to display at the museum's "My Collections" exhibit this Saturday. Circle the date on your calendar and come join us for the event. You'll enjoy seeing the treasures accumulated by several area collectors who'll bring their items to share with the public. Hours for the exhibit are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Susan Holland is a long-time Benton County resident and a reporter for the Westside Eagle Observer. She can be reached by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.

Editorial on 04/19/2017