Monday, July 30, 2007

Putting Up the Corn






While sitting in the yard, watching the impending storm approaching, our neighbor stopped his truck by my gate. "You need corn?" "Ummm..well, yea!"
We'd begun to think that this drought had affected the sweetcorn harvest. Eastern Iowa has been getting deluged this month, but everything had passed right over us and we were dry. The farm where we usually pick sweetcorn had announced a failed harvest between the lack of rain and the coons. So any chance of getting corn was a welcome chance indeed.

True to his word, ten minutes later, with the rain coming down in great big buckets full, Chuck pulls into the driveway to deliver some corn. I ran out to meet him, greatful for the rain soaking me through. "Is this enough?" he asks, holding up a 5 gallon pail full of sweetcorn. "Plenty! Just put it here on the lawn" I tell him and then spend the next 20 minutes or so bagging it up in plastic grocery bags to bring into the back porch.

The next morning the sun broke through clean and bright without a hint of humidity. It was a perfect morning for shucking corn and putting it up in the freezer. And for taking pictures (naturally). The boys were very helpful as well. And a flexible cutting mat is a must! I did 43 ears of corn that day. Of course, now everyone has sweetcorn ready and DH went out yesterday and picked two dozen more. They went into the freezer as well. Sweetcorn and home-grown tomatoes - it doesn't get any better than this! I love summer!

8 comments:

A wildlife gardener said...

What a wonderful harvest and after so much drought...marvellous! Happy eating, Sally:) Bet you've got some of your super recipes ready for all your tomatoes and sweetcorn...

Great pics too :) I love a happy ending :)

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

You are so very right on that one Sally. I love corn and I believe that will be on our table tomorrow night with family all around!
Fantastic neighbor.

Sally said...

Mornin' W.G. Me too!

This is just one of the joys of living in a small town Tanna. I wish the season were longer, but I have a bunch of wonderful corn in the freezer to enjoy this winter.

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

Oh my mouth is watering now!
I'll be right over =D
I'll bring the fried green tomatoes.

Sally said...

Hi Sandi - Fried green tomatoes! Yum!! Sounds like a plan.

kate said...

Now that sounds delicious! You'll be enjoying corn throughout the winter months. Corn and tomatoes ... yum!

Sally said...

Hello Kate - Thanks for stopping by. I know - sweetcorn for Thanksgiving! Yum!

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

Sweet corn and tomatoes, is this heaven, no it is Iowa! So glad to see Elvis and his buddy are enjoying the bounty.