soap nuts and shiitake mushrooms

i got my soap nuts today! they are not very pretty nor do they smell very pretty but they do work! i am washing my first load as i type. the package came with a cool gift - soap nut earrings! i saw them on maggie's website but i didn't think they looked nice enough to actually wear but get this - i really like them! they just look like a big black bead. i hope this laundry thing works out, if it does i am a soap nut addict.

and finally i can upload some pics of the first mushroom crop. i kinda messed up the cycle cause i wasn't ready to grow mushrooms but out they came anyways. this pic is after about 3 or 4 days after soaking....





and after about a week - mushrooms! i didn't eat these, though. they are the test crop. right now my log is resting and in a few weeks i'll sprout it again.





i am seriously wanting some hens. 2008 is going to be a good year.