It's sweet corn time!

It is sweet corn time here at our house.  We had such high hopes to be able to sell sweet corn this year, but I guess the Good Lord had other intentions.  We didn't get the BT spray ordered in time and so it had worms in it of course, and I just don't feel right trying to sell it with worms in it. and we didn't get as good of a stand as we needed to supply us and be able to sell.

The way we put our corn up is the old fashion way of cream style corn.  It is a lot of work, but it is well worth it.   There is nothing like a skillet of corn in the middle of the winter to remind you of the summer.

This years corn field!  We plant a mix of G90 and Silver queen.  

This is the first pulling that we did.  The mix of G90 and Silver Queen gives you a mix of yellow and white cobs.

I cut my corn of the cob and scrape it.

This is the secret to cream corn.  I "milk" the cobs.  As you cut the corn off you put it in water and then ring the water out of them, what you get is a white milky looking substance.  You use that to add back into the corn when you place it on the stove to blanch it.  You have to add water anyway or you will scorch it.  And by doing this, you are adding the startchy water back and it will make for a much creamier corn.  And besides you don't won't to waste anything from these little cobs of gold!!

Finally it is blanching time!  I can not tell you how long this step takes, but it is a while.  Slow and steady so you don't scorch it.  When you begin to smell it and it turns a slightly different color then you know that it is blanched long enough,  

I think everyone in the south has their own way of doing corn and this is just my own little version.    It is one of our family favorites!

God bless ya,

Tara

Homestead Happenings this week~

Well we have been busy with the usual summer stuff this week, I have been busy canning beans and putting up squash and the likes.  The boys have been busy washing calves and of course going fishing.  We didn't make it anywhere Friday for the 4th, because unfortunately cows and gardens don't know when it is a holiday.  We also couldn't go off far, because our tires are wearing out and we ordered new ones, but they have not come in yet, so we had to stay close to home.  We decided on Saturday  to just go to a lake nearby and just grill some burgers and let the kids have fun for the day.  Even though it was not what we intended, it turned out to be a great day.

Cora likes her beans cooked or raw, and just look at those dirty knees!  Country girls need a little dirt on their knees!

Cora is cheesing for the camera!

Cora had a blast at the lake she just loved the sand. 

JC had been begging for days to go swimming and he was having a blast!

Even though he like to swim, he couldn't resist playing with Cora's sand toys!

We decided to do burgers for lunch and of course, the grill master had to take over!

 

Dad was down in his back so his job was just to chill out and watch the boats go flying by and wishing he had one!

Ready to go home for the day!  We had a great time!

What great blessings I had for the week!

God bless ya,

Tara

Homestead Happenings and birthday party!

It has been a long time since I have posted anything, seems like this blogging thing takes its turn with everyday life.  We have been busy with gathering produce and selling at farmers market.  I have been doing a lot of baking and taking it too.  We celebrated Cora Mae's 1st birthday this weekend.  I had to reschedule it I think around 4 or 5 times before we ever finally got to do it.  It turned out very sweet.  Just can't believe that her first year has come and gone.  She has been such a ray of sunshine for me.  She has had me on my toes for sure.

I decided I wanted to do something other than plain old balloons and streamers and really liked all the pictures of shabby chic type of party's and decided to go with theme.   Here are few pics of the day.

Joy comes in the morning.

For his anger endureth but a moment, in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.            
 Psalm 30:5

What does that mean to you, "joy comes in the morning" .  It means to me that the Lord has got everything under control.  Doesn't it always seem better the next morning what ever we are going through.  

I originally posted this a year or so ago and it is always a wonder that I am writing something for someone else, but it always comes back to me in the end.  Joy is something I need right now, Joy is not a fleeting feeling that is called happiness, joy comes from within.  I am learning that life is not easy and it is really not easy when you become a parent.  I am learning how to let go and let God have control over my children.  I dedicated them to Him when they were babies, but I never truly have let go of them.  I am in a season of learning to take it one morning at a time, and that the sun will come up at the end of the night and I am going to be able to turn my face into the warmth and bask in it.

Sin has a way of trying to creep in and still our joy, satan wants to rob us of every bit of it.  He wants us to wallow in shame and in the darkness, because when we are in the darkness there is not light and light truly comes from above.

I love the mornings, I love the quietness of it.  The freshness of the morning.  It seems like the Lord cleaned up over night and everything is bright and fresh. Its like a new start.  Every morning that we get to wake up is a blessing from the Lord.

Joy comes in the morning when we go to Him in prayer.  Prayer for our husbands and children.  For us to be better moms and wives and servants for Him. Don't forget to even pray for those little things in life.  God wants to hear about those too. He loves you and wants to hear from you.  Sometimes we get so busy with all the stuff and fluff around us we forget to go to Him.   This is not a me time but a Lord keep me in your will time.  A time for just the two of you to talk.

I encourage you moms and wives to get up a little early, get a cup of coffee or tea and take the word of God and go out side.  There is something about studying His word that time of the day that is special.  I feel closer to Him for sure.  I promise you it sets the tone for the whole day.

God Bless,
Tara