First Corn of the Season

It's that time of the year again!! Corn pickin time! Yes, this past week we had the first fruits of our labor (my hubby's labor anyway). We've had beans, cukes, lettuce, tomatoes, zucchinis, potatoes, and eggplant. But, it doesn't feel like summer until we've had corn from our own garden. After all, planting corn runs deep in the blood of the hub's family. I think my hubby would give up hunting before he would give up planting. He just gets a deep satisfaction out of watching our acres fill with corn. He will often take daily walks to see how much the stalks have filled out (I can't say that I could see much progress daily, but maybe he can). I bet he could even hear it grow. Okay, enough already, you get the picture. He LOVES corn.

My husband's love for corn has been inherently passed on to the girls. They have been eating it off the cob since they were 16 months old. They ask for it at every birthday meal, and are known to eat 3 cobs at a meal. This past week, Kyra even learned how to pick the ears off the stalk. She knows how to feel for fullness and everything. I was quite impressed. And I'm sure my hubby was beaming at his budding farmer.

So with out further adieu, here are this years pics of our kiddos eating their corn (we've taken a picture every year).

(Might as well start him out early!!)

Strawberry Patch

Lately I've been thinking about having the kids try their hand at picking some berries at the local strawberry patch. We've done the apple picking in the fall to make pies, cobblers, and applesauce but never strawberries. We did try growing our own strawberries, but I think our patch is still a little young because we only yielded oh...about 4 strawberries (unless you count the 10 green strawberries that Katie ate..yuck)! Anyhow, for the past few years we have either had homemade jam made from my in-laws or made from myself from store bought berries, and we are plum out. And I'm sorry, after you have had homemade strawberry jam it is hard to go back to store bought.

So grandpa called last night and said the farm still had enough berries for today, but only until 10 am (apparently it was a popular attraction this year with the lovely weather and all). He wanted to meet at 7:45 a.m. at the local gas station to caravan over. Needless to say, I was a little leary that I could get everyone moving by 7:30, but I thought I'd give it a go (especially since it is hard enough to get the kids out the door by 9 a.m. for church on Sunday, with an extra helping hand)! But we did it. Katie wasn't too happy with me, but she perked up once she saw grandpa.

Actually, I was surprised at how much fun we had. In the past when I tried picking strawberries in my in-laws garden, the mosquito's have been almost more than I could bare. This was so pleasant! No bugs, no blistering sun, it was just beautiful. The girls tried their best at picking, but in the end they picked about 10 each and then headed to the car to have grandma read them a book. Maybe it was a little early for them yet.

The real fun came when we came home to fix up all the berries. Kyra was having a blast cutting her share of the berries, trying her best to mash them, and helping to measure the sugar. We had our first experience trying to measure correctly with the measuring cup. "It's not at the 4 cup mark yet Mom." I was surprised at how much fun I had with her helping, because unfortunately I am usually a control freak when it comes to the kitchen (I have to do things my own way - maybe a little bit of my Dad in me? Nah, couldn't be). After two batches of jam, we still have berries left over, so already the hubs is thinking strawberry shortcake, and I'm thinking strawberry pie. We might just even try freezing whole berries to make smoothies for a later date. Mmmm...summer produce is finally here.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

To get to the other side of course! Rather, our side of the road. Yes, yesterday we came home from church to find a chicken in our backyard. This wouldn't have been so unusual several years back, because we used to have seven chickens that roamed our property. I never fed them, they just lived off the land and crowed ever so early in the morning. They were here when I moved in with my husband. I guess it was kind of a package deal. However, me not being a country bumpkin, I really didn't want anything to do with them, and was slightly annoyed with the constant crowing. Oddly enough, I must have grown more attached to them then I thought, because when the last one died over 4 years ago I kind of missed their familiar sound and the brightly colored feathers adorning our yard (of course the droppings I didn't miss).

So, it was kind of fun to find this brightly colored chicken pecking around our pine trees. My husband called my brother in-law, who lives across the road (actually he lives across the M-6 highway) to see if it was one of his. He counted the chickens in his yard, and said sure enough it was one of his chickens. He had to have flown across the highway!! We must have some pretty attractive piece of property. The hubs assured him, we would return it as soon as we caught it. I thought this would be a challenge, but the chicken made it a little easier than we thought.

When we went outside to track it down, our dog escaped immediately. We have a pointer dog, Rudy, but Rudy is scared of a mouse, so about the most damage he would do is point at the bird that we can already visually see for ourselves. Nevertheless, he scared the poor bird all in a tizy. The girls were having fun joining Rudy in the chase and laughing at the squawking bird, as it tried to take cover just about anywhere and simply ran in circles most of the time (I wonder why he didn't just fly back over the highway). Unfortunately this poor pee brained animal ran right up the stairs of our deck, where it was cornered. I kept shouting at Rudy to back off, but his prowling instincts were not going to let this chicken off the hook. He moved in ever so slowly until... BAMM! The chicken tried flying through the slats of the boards on the deck. Nevermind trying to fly OVER the deck, he tried flying through the deck. We about all fell to the ground in laughter. Rudy looked puzzled, as if to say "well that wasn't much of a chase." My hubby just shook his head, and then went to the rescue of the chicken. Once in the arms of my husband, he was calm and collected. The girls got to pet the chicken and then it was back down the road for him. I tell you, it's never a dull moment around here. I only wish I had a picture of the chicken stuck in the slats of the deck. It was truly a sight to see.

Demolition

My husband has been in the midst of a big project...tearing down 2 of our 4 barns. Last March, after an ice storm 2 of our very old barns fell down. This past spring he said that we would have to take them down. I pleaded with him not to (not because I enjoyed looking at the eye soar, but because I know that would take away so much precious family time). The buildings are hidden away behind some trees, so if you look out our front window, you can barely see them. I asked him, "what difference does it make?" Most likely we will never sell our house to another homeowner (as it will probably become commercial and just be torn down any way). But he insisted that they needed to be taken down. Even though they aren't in plain eye's view, he knows they are there. And besides, it could be a liability if someone were to ever come over and get hurt. I finally reluctantly agreed that he should take them down, and began the process of searching for dumpster companies.

I started to think later on that the demolition of these barns was kind of like cutting out the sins in our lives. We share a juicy detail about someone's life, eat a dessert that we know we shouldn't have, or say an innocent seeming lie to cover our tracks....SIN. We know it's ugly like the barns, but no one see's them right? Perhaps they are hidden from the naked eye, and no one really finds out about the sins we commit, but we know they are there. We try and tell ourselves, it was just something small, what difference will it make? However, God does know the difference. He wants us to knock down the barn, and have a clean slate. It isn't an easy task to break the habit of gluteny, gossip, or whatever the problem may be, but we need to continually try and become more like Christ and ask for forgiveness. How fortunate we are that we have a Savior that forgives so readily. And unlike the weeks it will take to knock down these barns, we merely need one prayer to ask for forgiveness and our "barn/sin" will be knocked down in one stroke.

Pumpkin Patch

I love fall time. I start thinking about bundling up in a warm blanket, cozying up in front of the fire, viewing all the trees changing colors, and tasting all those warm harvest foods and desserts. I like taking out those favorite pair of jeans or cords (of course so I don't have to show my legs anymore), and feeling the crisp air - a change from the blazing sun (not something we are feeling right now of course during this 85 degree week). So, even though fall is sadly the entering season to winter (which I don't care for), I love it.

In the past few years (ever since we started having kids), we have started a new fall tradition too. That is going to a pumpkin farm. Usually our friends from Illinois come for the weekend, we go to a scarecrow festival and chili cookoff and then eat warm doughnuts and cider the following day. The kids have fun on hayrides and pony rides, while running through mazes and laughing as they chase one another. What could be better than this? The thought of it just echos comfort, family, and love.

Anyhow, last weekend I decided to get a jump on the season and go to an apple/ pumpkin/ animal farm. Of course the daily chores piled up and we were unable to go (good thing we didn't tell the kids of our plans otherwise we would have had some unhappy campers). We had close to an hour before their nap time, so we decided to have our own harvest time and cut off our pumpkins from the patch. Daddy gave the girls a ride in the wheelbarrow and they each got to pick out "their" perfect pumpkin. It was a great time and the best part was, we only had to step out of our front door!

Fresh from the Garden

I'm not big on tending a vegetable garden (flowers are a little more my style), but eating vegetables from the garden is a different story. My husband and his family love to garden, which is a benefit for me, because he can tend to it while I only need to eat the fruits of his labor! He makes this massive garden that becomes almost to hard to keep up with. So when mid July to August hits, watch out, because you are going to be eating potatoes/ corn/ zucchini/ squash/ tomatoes/ beans out of your ears!

Anyway, the other day we had dinner at my brother in-law's house, when we noticed something. The entire meal we were eating was either caught or home grown! Nothing came from the store (with the exception of butter and rolls). And it was one of the most delicious meals I have had in a long time. We had steamed brocolli and beans, potatoes (which once you've had from the garden, you'll never like a store bought one again), corn, a red pepper relish (to put on the potato), cooked red cabbage (which I never liked until I had this), and grilled salmon (caught from Lake Michigan). Mmmm, I love the taste of summer.

Food Chain

Disclaimer: okay, for all those faint at heart, or people that can't stomach anything having to do with snakes, STOP READING HERE....there are pictures involved you may not want to see.

Yesterday, my brother in-law found a snake on my doorstep. Now fortunately, I am not one who cringes at even the thought of a snake, so when he told me to take a look, I came along. I find snakes kind of interesting to watch (weird I know), but I was curious to see how long this porch snake was and what it was up to.

Of course, when we crept upon it, I saw that it was not only quite a large snake, but it was a snake devouring a toad! Here's where it gets a little twisted, I actually was very intrigued in seeing just how this snake was going to eat this toad. Although the snake was quite large, the toad was about 3 times the size as his mouth (I mean hey buddy, pick on someone your own size). My brother in-law and I had bets going on to see if he was actually going to accomplish his goal in eating the toad. It seemed impossible. So I proceeded to check on the guy every 1/2 hour or so. And to my surprise, he did it! It took probably 2 hours, but he did it. He didn't care for it too much when I came in close for a good shot (in fact if it weren't for the toad in his mouth, I think he might have gone for me for antagonizing him), but it sure was interesting watching nature take its course.

First Corn of the Season

One of my friends posted a blog of her 3 year old daughter downing an ear of corn and asking for more. It was a cute little story, and it made me anxious to try our corn fresh from the garden. Well the day has arrived. My daughter came running to me with two ears of corn in her hand, shouting "Mommy, mommy the corn's ready!" Shortly after, my husband came with several more ears. I told them that was great and that I was anxious to try it for dinner. However, my hubby said "Oh no, we have to eat this right now!" So in to the house we went eating an early lunch of corn. I knew Kyra would enjoy it, since she did last year (and she did...all 3 ears). But I wasn't sure how Katie would do. Kevin cut the corn up for her, when I said why don't you let her eat it off the cob? We tried showing her how to hold the little corn holders, but she had no interest (oh well next year maybe). Oh no, we put it on her plate, she grabbed it by the cob and dug in! She almost ate the corn holder! Yup, I think she's going to fit right in to this corn eating family.

You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

For those of you who know me, know that I am not a very adventurous person. I like to stick to things I am familiar with and know I can do well. Heaven forbid I were to leave my comfort zone. However, with my kids new found joy in riding my father in-law's 4 wheeler, I decided I should learn how to drive (or rather my hubby pressured me into it). So, as I stand there looking at this beast, my husband says "See it's easy, you press this button here, kick out the stand here, push your foot down 3 times on this lever here, and press the gas! Oh and don't burn your leg here." Sure, sounds easy, now can you go over that 5 more times, but more slowly? Needless to say, I did it!! I was quite proud of myself. I was a little jerky, and am sure that I had it in the wrong gear for most of the time, but I did it! So, with my new found confidence maybe I should try the tractor next? Maybe tomorrow.

Corn Obsession

You mention the word corn to my husband and his family, and you are guaranteed conversation for hours. Although I commonly roll my eyes at their so called obsession with growing corn, it is rather neat to see that they enjoy watching the fruits of their labor (and who doesn't have their obsessions - for instance this blog has become a bit of an obsession as of late). Anyway, with the lack of rain, their corn is starting to yellow so they had to brainstorm ideas of how to get water to the corn. For those of you who don't know us, we live on 12 acres that my husband, brother, and Father cultivate. Fortunately my husband is rather good at coming up with creative solutions (for this I am always amazed). So out to Menards and TSC my father in law went. They bought a water pump and rigged it up to the creek running in our back yard. They set up the irrigation pipes and were able to use 10 heads (I'm not sure if I have all the farm terminology correct), and wham, they were in business. It is quite neat to watch, just don't tell my husband I said so.