How to eat Fried Dandelions

Thursday night:

"Dad."

"Yeah?"

"Could I take Ruby back behind with me if I were to go mushroom hunting in the morning?"

"Yeah, you won't be too close to the cows, so she shouldn't get into too much trouble."

"Okay, I'll take her with me."

Worst.idea.ever.

Friday morning:

I got up and got out the door by 8 am which is a pretty big feat for me lately.  As soon as I opened the barn door, Ruby was on me like stink on a warthog!  She was ready to go for the day!  We started out across last year's corn field and was getting ready to head into the pasture with the pond when she circled back to chase a pair of geese that were flying over head.  From then on, she was chasing songbirds, and flushing anything out that she could.

I started up a mostly dry crick bed.  We usually find plenty of mushrooms, but today, it didn't happen.  I was moving slow, but Ruby didn't want to.  She barked at EVERYTHING!  She would run ahead and then come bounding back.  She jumps like a deer, but doesn't move as quietly as one.  

About half way up the bed, I stopped to sit for a little bit to still my soul.  I brought my journal along, and it was wonderful!  I was serenaded by God, and completely surrounded by nature.  No man-made sights or sounds were present, aside from the scratching of my pen.  This was my escape...  :)

Ruby, of course, had to bound my way all covered in at least half a dozen ticks!  She also wanted to print up my journal with her paws.  Finally, we headed back, me with my empty bucket and Ruby still full of energy.  She naturally had to jump in the pond on the way back through.  She also tried to chase down some vultures in flight.  Worst mushroom hunting partner ever, but it was a refreshing morning!  :)

A few years back, I was quilting at the Historical Society with my Grammy and some of the other ladies.  Virginia Snakenburg said that she always has to have one helping of fried dandelions every spring.  When I first heard this, I stuck my tongue out in disgust, but I've been thinking about it a lot the past few days.  I decided that I would give fried dandelions a shot.  You prepare them just like Morels.  Make sure you get as much of the stem off that you can, otherwise, you can tell that you're eating a weed.  They taste pretty good, considering the texture is a little strange.  I was satisfied with my lunch!