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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

a busy season

"The sunlight and shadows in the woods were beautiful that morning, the sunlight a little pale and the air with that quality of hushed expectancy that the coming of autumn brings. Birds were calling to one another and telling of the wonderful Southland and the journey they must take before long. The whole, wide outdoors called me and tired muscles and nerves rasped from the summer's rush pleaded for rest, but there was pickle to make, drying apples to attend to, vegetables and fruits that must be gathered and stored, the Saturday baking and the thousand things of the everyday routine to be done."
{Laura Ingalls Wilder Farm Journalist: Writings From The Ozarks}

The garden is calling me loudly of late ~ peppers and eggplant ripening, endless green beans, onions reaching the size of baseballs, and tomatoes to can...

My dad delivered this corn one morning, freshly picked. Within a short time it was husked, blanched, kernels cut off, bagged, and popped in the freezer...

...the fresh flavor to be enjoyed some cold winter's day, when all this work will seem well worth the trouble.

26 comments:

  1. I just husked, blanched, froze a hundred ears of sweet corn yesterday.
    I remind myself we will enjoy it in the winter when I am surrounded by messy corn pieces all over my kitchen! Glad it's done. Loved your post today.
    Mim

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  2. Wow Mim, a hundred ears!..you are way ahead of me. My kids are not home as much, so I don't do as many ears as I used to...Deb

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  3. What a grogeous blog. I loved reading it. I will definitely be back to visit.

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  4. Anonymous4:06 PM

    LOL!  I had to laugh to myself about your surprise at 100 ears.  We freeze about 100 3 cup bags every year!!  My in-laws help and we split the finished product but it takes all day!  We do it out on our front drive and use a big turkey cooker to boil the water, big coolers with the hose running into it for the cooling water and we set up big tables to cut the kernals and bag.  But you're right -- it tastes great during a cold Nebraska blizzard in a big pot of corn chowder!Kristina

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  5. Your photos are lovely in their simplicity. You have a very comforting blog. Thank you for sharing your life with me.

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  6. Deb...the pictures of the vegetables were heartwarming to me. I am looking forward to next year's garden. Thanks for such lovely insight into yours.
    Amy

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  7. What a wonderful harvest you have! I can just imagine how delicious it all tastes... and all your effort and hard work was worth it :-)

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  8. Wow, what beautiful and fresh pictures!

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  9. Woman, you have such a beautiful blog here! I LOVE the pictures you share with your readers. I really like your kitchen sink.

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  10. I just canned 126 pints of corn!
    Next is peaches then tomatoes!
    I love canning anything and everything!

    Hugz, Dolly

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  11. Anonymous12:46 PM

    I wish I could get my hands on that beautiful corn. Here in Texas we have kind of icky corn really... I grew up on Indiana sweet corn and really miss it.
    I am taking baby steps in canning and freezing this year. I made 6 quarts of peaches, 6 half pints of zucchini relish, 8 half-pints of berry freezer jam, 2 pies worth of cherry pie filling, 2 cobblers worth of peach cobbler filling... I am thinking about doing some green beans if they are cheap enough at the farmers market this week. My poor garden only grew about 10 beans (my fault for not planting enough/planting them properly).
    Anyway, love your blog. I'm going to add you to my daily reads and link to you from my blog as well.

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  12. Anonymous3:01 PM

    I really enjoy visiting this blog. It was one of the first I came across and it's still a delight to read.

    Will be calling by again soon....

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  13. Anonymous5:46 PM

    I haven't tried my hand at canning yet. But I plan to. I usually freeze everything.

    Manuela

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  14. I sooo wish we could have a garden! We live in too cold a climate...will have to live vicariously through u. cherry

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  15. I am doing the same thing! I love it, but it does wear me out. Your pictures are just beautiful.

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  16. The canning and freezing is definitely a lot of work, but it is truly so worth it when you're getting those fresh tasting fruits and veggies all winter long.

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  17. Beautiful pictures... I don't normally leave comments here, but today I just wanted to tell you what a lovely blog you have. I enjoy it very much.
    Blessings to you,
    Chas

    http://www.homesteadblogger.com/chas

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  18. Just thought I'd say hello.Although I visit often like you time to sit and chat is always a problem.Just finished the peaches and doing the corn next.Have fun I know I am

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  19. Nothing like fresh veggies and putting them up for winter. A friend of mine called with 30 dozen ears a few days ago. We got it all put up in good shape. I'm so grateful for that freebie.

    Jody

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  20. Love your style - I am in the UK and grow my own and make textily things. I've added you to my Blogroll because your site is so therapeutic! JGYG x

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  21. Anonymous8:34 PM

    Deb, I find myself busy getting the processing of the garden done in my spare time as well. This year is the first time we have not planted corn in years. I plan on getting a few dozen from the Farmer's Market here to freeze for the winter.

    God bless.

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  22. Hey there Deb, go to my blog, I've nominated you for an award!!
    Suzanne

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  23. I love love love you blog. I have just moved to the country and am still taking it in. My father in law is a farmer and we just canned a bazillion tomato's. I will be back to read more. Thank you.

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  24. Thanks Deb for you enouragement and prayers about my mum :)

    I've requested the Laura Ingalls Wilder book from the library. Looks good.

    Blessings,
    Niki

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  25. Anonymous10:35 AM

    What a beautiful blog you have! Love your sunflower pics! Greetings!

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  26. I enjoyed my visit here. You have a lovley blog and I felt right at home.
    Lisa~

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Thank you for taking time to leave a comment--I love reading each and every one! I will try to answer any questions you have in the comment section. Due to the amount of spam, I am sadly no longer able to accept Anonymous comments....Kindly, Deb