Just a Little Corny

Two things that go together in summertime – besides salt and my watermelon – are corn on the cob and dental flossers! If you know, you know!

Growing up out in the country, we had maybe a third-acre garden that felt like the size of three football fields when we had to weed it. But we had fresh corn on the cob, green beans, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, you name it. Very helpful with a family of 8 kids!

I was talking at lunch with 2 girlfriends the other day and wondered wasn't it weird to have Mom say "We're having corn on the cob for supper," and that was it. Our meal. We didn't grill up steaks to go with it.

We just picked it and shucked it and boiled it up for dinner. I think this picture is more like prepping Mom for her canning phase. We were not preparing to have 4-8 cobs per person for supper. Ha. 

But Mom would wield that electric knife and can bags and bags of fresh sweet corn that still tasted good in the winter! (Side note: The 3 siblings on the left of the picture all had braces at some point so she also did that cob-clearing for many meals over the years! Even the best dental flossers are no match for braces!)

And while we were talking about corn on the cob – because that's what you do at lunch when you're over 50 – my friend said she had some really good honey-dipped corn recently. I could not grasp the concept. Do they dip the cobs in honey?

No. I'm sure you can but it seems they can "engineer" the corn to have that extra sweet taste like it really was dipped in honey.

So then I was on a farmers market mission! We do buy good sweet corn from the neighborhood farm but I wanted to see what the honey hype was about.

Saturday I scored a half-dozen cobs (let's not be greedy until we taste test it) at the farmers market downtown. I shucked it yesterday and tonight after my much-needed chiropractor appointment, I cooked up a cob. (If you don't want to grill or boil, you can microwave for 4 minutes. I also learned that at lunch. LOL.)

Then I cooked up a second cob!

So sweet and good. Just a different summer treat that also doubles as a VEGETABLE!

Look at me, Mom. I had corn on the cob for supper and was completely satisfied! Miss you. Again.

Waiting to Bloom

So it's June! That means my column for the June church newsletter is live (or whatever). So I will share it here with you.

Waiting to Bloom for our Master Gardener

As winter slowly loosened its grip this year, many of us found ourselves watching the calendar, peeking outside, and asking the same question: “When will spring finally arrive?” 

All through April and May, we were eager for warmer days, green grass, and especially the chance to head to the garden centers and buy flowers for our yards and porches.

Full disclosure: I have two black thumbs and rely on Google to tell me when I should and shouldn’t buy my hanging flower baskets! Having “freeze warnings” halfway through May was not helpful this spring!

There is something hopeful about planting flowers. Tiny buds and bare stems may not look like much at first, but we trust that, with time, sunshine, and care, beautiful blooms will come. Yet no flower blooms before its season. Some blossom early, while others take longer to unfold. Each one opens in its own perfect time.

Perhaps that is how God works in our lives as well.

Sometimes we become impatient with ourselves. We wonder why we are not stronger in faith, quicker to heal, or further along in life. No matter our age, we seem to fall into the trap of comparing our journey to someone else’s and feel discouraged when we do not seem to be “blooming” as quickly.

But God, the Master Gardener, knows each of us individually. He understands what we need, how we grow, and when we are ready. Ecclesiastes 3:11 reminds us, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

What comfort there is in that promise. God does not rush His creation, and He does not rush us. Through seasons of waiting, growth, pruning, and renewal, He continues His faithful work in our hearts.

So as we finally jump into early summer and enjoy the colors of spring flowers around us, may they remind us to trust God’s timing. The bloom may not come when we expect it, but under His loving care, beauty will come in its season.

Voice of God: Take a Day Off Already!

I may have been the voice of God streaming down with lights from the clouds – or just my maximized stress levels – but my mind got the message to take the day off today. Shout out to Mental Health Awareness Month!

Slept in to make up for many sleep-deprived nights this week. That was a good start. Had to be sure I was up and showered in time to go to my one-hour deep tissue massage. Priorities!

Then it was a crap-ton of errands and special shopping...

As in let me check out some area greenhouses for hanging flower baskets! I visited Ella's on the recommendation of a friend.

I guess these "cone" type holders are a trend this year but my hanging baskets aren't very elevated so that didn't speak to me. I had to bypass those.

What did speak to me was that ONE hanging basket could take up the back of my vehicle for the very reasonable price of $36.

Fits perfectly in the front deck galvanized tin. Now I'll have to figure out the rest of my color scheme for the front facing part of the deck another day! Isn't that crazy amazing? I realize quite a few people I know were hopping around at Amish greenhouses today, too. So I'll have to check things out Sunday or Monday.

Another buy... and keep this under your hats so we don't offend Mr. Deck Chair...

I'm NOT exactly replacing Mr. Deck Chair. He just has new friends... who happen to have places built in for phones and water bottles.

Also, I thought these would match well with our new siding from last summer. Close but not quite the same. However, I'm glad I snapped the photo because holy crap, our deck needs attention this $ummer! Gah.

I did get some steps in after "work hours" but then remembered one of our favorite book club books was being featured on Netflix only starting today – in a remarkable movie starring Sally Field. So good!! Don't be intimidated that this is about an octopus that talks to a human. That's not what's happening. He may have thoughts, but humans can't hear those.

In the end, he just realizes (just like in the book), "Humans. For the most part, you are dull and blundering. But occasionally, you can be remarkably bright creatures." 

Great Kleenix-filled way to wrap up that Godsend of a day off!

Just Your Garden Variety

 

I'm patting myself on the background for keeping this flower bouquet alive since I received these fresh cuts Saturday evening. 

I was particularly interested with all the angles around the vase. 

I loved that no matter the angle, it was a pretty splash of color.

And that the Glads made my hubby say he was happy to give me some GLADness with flowers. Well done!

Went to a Garden Party...

Even a girl with two black thumbs appreciates a pretty garden – and creative yard decorations. Today, since we had friends showcasing their garden/yard, I embarked on my first Garden Walk sponsored by the Wood County Master Gardeners.

I'm 99% sure I can't duplicate anything I saw today, but it was inspiring nonetheless. And it wasn't just a garden tour. It was an art tour, too, with music and beauty. Here's a photo blog of some of the highlights for me, anyway...

I was so surprised at the first stop when I saw art on display with the garden. I'm sure it's not always like that with the weird unpredictable weather, but it was such a nice touch. I really enjoyed it!

Lots of water fountains of sorts with tiny ponds. I'm not sure we're engineers enough to pull this off.

Art on the deck? Nice touch!

This place had artwork for sale with some windows painted with some sponge-painting background a la 1998 that I connect with!

Lots of American flags whether part of the gardens or in the background added a nice touch.

When I saw the first bee "bonding" with a flower, I realized it was quite smart that my bee-allergic hubby didn't accompany me.

Loved that all the featured gardens had a 2025 Garden Walk stone on display.

Our friends Les and Pam had a "geranium tree."

I learned today that this funky spiky flower is called Bee Balm. Thus, the many bee visitors "hanging out" today.

Another fountain surrounded by prettiness.

This is the Assumption Royal Blue flower. I call it that, anyway.

And oh my, the first of many purple flowers you will have the purple pride pleasure (or not) to see.

Pam's niece and friends provided live music here. A few other "acts" had sets too.

For my friends with flower gardens, you are used to this. I just loved flowers that were pretty with lots of layers.

I have loved the different possible colors of hydrangeas since Jim's aunt grew them. Never tried, but I'd love some purple ones like this in our yard somewhere!

Gorgeous window display! 

What a great idea! Make some "flower rocks" to pay tribute to your lovely granddaughters!

I want to use this idea somewhere, somehow – even without granddaughters!

Another garden with art to accompany the colors. Love it.

I was impressed with how these people didn't necessarily find relaxing/sitting places, they created them. And it was beautiful.

Say hello to my favorite gate ever created. Hands down the most creative thing I saw all day – and there were a lot.

Live music here, too. It was fun to see and hear the variety.

What I call the Popcorn Ball flower!

What the cluck? The owner Bonnie definitely has creative ways to display her artwork.

I was fascinated by these stained glass type yard ornaments on a stick. Apparently I need to get to more garden stores. They were everywhere and I could use a few to class up my messy garden areas!

And so many cool decorations. I mean why not throw in a sun dial by some purple flowers?!

And the favorite thing I hope to grow in my garden – a Rocky Rococo pizza truck! Give me the seeds, man!

Just like our nearby farmer ladies, we don't need scary scarecrows to be, well, scary!

When I saw this, I thought, dang, we could've used our mother's old kitchenware to be creative after all!

Just a cool backyard setup.

Loved the attention to detail and seeing the lights there, I was bummed to view it during the day. Inspiring, though!

As a person with a milk can in front of her house to represent parts of both my hubby's and my heritage, I appreciated this display with all the tractor wheels and various gears. Very cool.

Unlikely a real rain barrel, but with the fountain there, it caught my eye.

And speaking of catching my eye... a pond with PURPLE flowers???

Beautiful, am I right?

As I saw throughout the day, there are so many cool planters and alternative metal methods of displaying flowers. This bird and 2 matching friends were awesome.

This place had a lovely gazebo on the pond with live music as well.

Me taking pictures of what I would call a Tiger Lily but have never seen in this pretty pink color. Don't correct me. I want to pretend I know one thing about flowers.

A country girl can't resist weather vanes among flowers...

Or on top of She Sheds.

Nice garden and flag stand display.

Another purple flower. You don't say?

Ope! Another one I can't name!

I could sit here and relax, couldn't you?

Not part of the official tour, but I guess this unique tree is a Variegated Maple.

The surprise at my last stop was that they combined the garden tour with a quilt show and it somehow worked.

And to my delight... more varieties of purple flowers!

And artwork? What a cool idea!! Love this!

Most creative She Shed interior.

Who wants to sit here and spend an afternoon with me? I told the owners this was my most captivating view all day. Wow.

And idea it you have a bunch of vintage heart-shaped cookie cutters. Seriously.

Again, what I think is a Tiger Lily but I have never seen this color combo. Pretty!

I should know this one, but I still appreciate and admire it even if it escapes me right now.

So many She Sheds.

Super idea for an old "stump"!

Love this. Old door with a few quilting squares and flowers.

And a few quilts on display with a bottle tree!

What a fun few hours admiring what people with green thumbs – and apparently lots of time on their hands – can create! Could I do the same? Nope. I admit I am too lazy to put in the time it would take for that. But I am inspired nonetheless. Hope you are too! 

Thanks for joining me for the garden party!