Sweet Corn

Did you family have a hobby that was totally normal to you, but others gave you a look of 'what are you doing?'  You had at least one.  We had several.  

One of my favorite autumn hobbies was picking sweet corn.  Mom, Dad, Steven, Alyssa, Landon, and I each would given huge seed bags.  Next, we would begin walking up and down the rows carefully pulling down the husk to see if the kernels were ready.  With at least six people out there we would harvest a pretty good crop each time!  This was one of many loads that summer.

There were three different things we would do with the corn.

1.) We would sell to the regional grocery stores and get "fun money."  Basically fun money was used for vacations, pizza nights, or renting a movie everyone liked.  At the time I never thought about how cool of a concept and lesson my parents were teaching me.  Hard work = fun.  We never had individual allowances, but a collective puppy, sweet corn, and pumpkin fund.  In the end it was like our own business and to this day I still want my children to start up their own business because it teaches them so much!  Finances, hard work, dedication, communication, and reaping the rewards.

2.) But we also gave a ton away to community members.  If you knew our family you expected a large grocery bag of corn on your door step.  My parents would tell us kids to go and pick a bag full and run it into various households: pastor's house, teachers' houses, elderly people, new families, etc.  I cannot recall how many times I felt awkward carrying a bag of corn into school… but everyone appreciated!

Now days Steven has taken over planting a patch of corn.  He has been super nice and has sent bags of it down to SDSU.  This year I've delivered corn to Evan, SDSU athletics, landlords, classmates, and neighbors.  I admit it is a little weird walking into the office with a Macy's bag and stating I just brought corn for anyone to take.  Probably because not a lot of people know I am from a farm.. and it is a department store bag.  Yet it is the best dress corn around! 

3.) And of course we ate the corn.  I remember having nights where all we did was have corn - two or three cobs.  My family nooked them for 2 minutes and it was delicious… we didn't have the patience with six hungry people to boil it!  But still we had extras; therefore, my mom would freeze and freeze and freeze the corn.  Year around we were able to have homegrown veggies.  

I still can't bring myself to buy the corn in the store because I just want Kuecker corn.  Hopefully I will never have to.  Next year if you want some I suggest calling up Steve… I know he will be elated I just volunteered him :)