The Mushroom Growing Monks of Mepkin Abbey

Mepkin Abbey, Monks Corner, S.C.

I admit that when the Mepkin Abbey Monks got out of the egg business after being harassed by PETA I did hope they would become the Fudge Making Monks of Mepkin Abbey but I've been very happy that in their wisdom they became Mushroom Growing Monks.

I made chicken ginger mushroom soup with the mushrooms I bought in the gift shop. I gave my office mate a box and she turned around and made me soup. Now I've discovered there are mushroom recipes on the monk's web site and I may love mushrooms enough to try them all.

The Mepkin community has added Shiitake mushrooms to their Oyster mushroom production.   They look for the Shiitakes to become a valuable addition to their monastic industry due to the  market value for this delicacy in the Charleston area.

Mushroom Run

Mepkin Abbey, Moncks Corner, S.C.

When PETA harassed the Franciscan Monks of Mepkin Abbey into giving up chicken farming they turned to mushroom growing. I had no complaints about them taking up mushrooms although I originally hoped they might decide to be the Fudge Making Monks of Moncks Corner. You must admit it has a ring to it!

The gardens are so beautiful it is worth a drive (check your directions) any time of the year and now you can pick up mushrooms. Here is the mushroom story and a link to the online store.  The monks are pretty high tech.

Okay kids. I need to get my shower and get to bed. Another day ends.

Running through the Cornfield

Jesus and St. John in the cornfield, Mepkin Abbey, Moncks Corner, S.C.

Why? Why are Jesus and St. John running through the cornfield holding hands? John seems bewildered by it himself. He is looking up at Jesus with questions in his eyes.

This statue is so puzzling to me that I have to visit it whenever I am at Mepkin Abbey. It is off to the right of the main garden area. The field isn't planted with corn now but the statue clearly says, "Jesus and St. John in the cornfield." I didn't notice until I reviewed the pictures that they had lost hands and fingers.

I always want to run through the high grass when I am there and come rushing out just like Jesus and John.

In other news I am just back from Barbara Ven Thullenar's wedding reception at Crave in Mt. Pleasant. It was a lovely affair. I was a little worried because the only other time I had met this gracious lady was when I had taken pictures of her at a camp for children with cancer and she was in a Pollyanna outfit fully made up. I wasn't sure I'd recognize her dressed as a bride. Congratulations to the happy couple!