Still Home: Family, Food, Flowers and Farms!

 "The corn is as high as an elephant's eye

And it looks like it's climbing clear up to the sky!"

~ Oscar Hammerstein II, "Oklahoma" 

I love corn on the cob. It has been a family tradition since I was a child when my grandfather would plant "Croope Corn" and each year we'd harvest loads of ears from stalks far taller than I. Our "Corn on the Cob" dinner -- where all we ate was corn -- was a favorite.

Long golden ears with plump kernels, slathered in butter and salt, were stacked in bowls on the table and we ate our fill. We knew that Grandma would also be canning those sweet morsels and we would be enjoying them long after the stalks had been cut down. 

It's corn season once again and the week included a trip to my favorite corn stand. It was steadily occupied by with eager corn fans and as soon as one car left the parking lot, it seemed another would roll in.

Located in the country, just outside of town, it was a spot where one might run into an old acquaintance (as I did) or just enjoy the scenery on a lovely day.

I wish I had a photo of the fabulous dinner I made with that corn -- it was easy as pie. (Easier, actually.) It took about 10 minutes under the broiler and about five minutes to mix up the marinade. The longest part was the dreaded peeling-and-deveining of the shrimp! (I skipped the potato section of this, but those would be a great addition.) Here is the link to the New York Times recipe. That and a caprese salad made for a perfect dinner!

It has been a good week, punctuated by a successful garage sale haul and fun with family. I found this cute settee with a matching wicker shelf unit at a wonderful price. The settee is perfect for the family room and a wonderful replacement to the two chairs there. Lizzie likes it too!

The shelf unit went into the guest room, desperately needed for the overflowing bookshelves. That, of course, meant rearranging furniture and discovering all the spots that hadn't been well cleaned for far too long. Here is a "before" on a rare day when the bed wasn't piled with all the stuff I'd picked up from other rooms in the house!

And "after." After is better!

Here's a closer look at the shelf. I'm so pleased!

Rick's stepsister and her husband came to dinner on the evening before the East Lansing Art Fair. Kim Arden is a fabulous polymer artist. I'd show you her booth if I'd made it to the fair but please check out her website if you are in the market for some fabulous, colorful jewelry that will make you feel happy just wearing it!

The next day we had toddler fun! Molly and the kids came by for lunch and to spend the afternoon. The boys were fascinated with the charcoal grill and the "black rocks" that we used to cook the hot dogs!

Molly's birthday is coming up and we celebrated. The Little Big Guy took charge of the camera and came up with some pretty good photos for someone not yet five, especially one of his pretty mom! (I won't share the others here but I'm fascinated with what and how he sees and the things he chooses to photograph. That kid is getting a camera for Christmas and I look forward to the day I can take him on a photo shoot at the zoo.)

We enjoyed some time at home before setting out to a neighborhood yard sale just down the street. Probably the find of the day was a free box that our Little Big Guy used to collect pine cones and other bits he found on the street.

 A stop at the park was next. Guess who was in charge of pushing the tire swing!

 There were loads of smiles as they enjoyed the swing, slide and climbing on all sorts of playground equipment.

Heading on, we checked out the community garden where things were looking mighty healthy. Someone is having a wonderful harvest! The boys pointed out different things, especially noticing the pumpkins!

What's next? A stop at the fire station, where the boys were treated to a little tour of all the engines and ambulance.

They got to sit in the various cabs. "It's so high!" our Big Guy noted! 

The firemen were just terrific, explaining things to the kids in language they could understand. There were loads of big eyes and big smiles!

We wrapped up the day with a visit to Lizzie, who, being the retiring wallflower she is, hissed at them. I held her in a body lock so they could pet her and after we let her go to wherever she went, they tried desperately to find her. I have no idea where she hides out -- that cat is a master of hide and seek. Molly later said the thing they talked about most was Lizzie. I suppose it's the age  old thing of playing hard to get. As Stephen Sondheim wrote for "Follies," they had that "As long as you ignore me you're the only thing that matters feeling."

The garden is still scary. But pretty!

And some things never change. Lizzie is back at her post. 

Next week is our annual Art Camp, where my friend Kate and I head north and paint all week. I'm hoping the weather holds. I'm missing my daily swims! Meanwhile, I leave you with another photo taken by our Little Big Guy.  

 With my Big Guy!

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