Hogs and Corncobs

If you stand at the edge of the pasture south of the plum trees and call into the woods, pigs come running like bandits from an ambush.

This morning, Garrison, Sam and I picked two buckets of sweet corn to freeze. It was one of those foggy, soaking, drippy mornings. We were taking an advantage of a break in the rain, but it started dripping again as we finished grabbing the last few ears. Sam suggested that we go to the tree fort to husk the corn. Our tree fort is in the pigs current paddock, so we ran down, hauled the buckets over the fence, and dragged them up into the fort. The pigs knew why we were there. They were snuffing around the base of the fort by the time we had the buckets up, and grunted in approval when the first husks fell. The advantage of the fort is that once you are in it, there is no fear of the pigs getting at the peeled ears, and the roof keeps off the rain! It is rare to hear a mixture of sounds as ludicrous, curious or peaceful as a gentle rain on leaves and the grunting of pigs. I know it sounds funny. You had to be there.

Of pickled "cucs" the birdie sings...

Grandma and Grandpa came last Friday and helped with market preparations. They added good conversation to a typically rather silent day. Hard work is made so much easier when you can do it with someone, and Grandma and Grandpa make it doubly it fun!

The best part of the day was lunch...we had corn-on-the-cob, refrigerator pickles, and Reubens! It was the first time three of the boys and I had experienced sauerkraut, and being half German, we all decided to live up to our heritage. I thought it was very tasty! A new taste to add to the glorious variety that overflows from the garden!

"The last few days, when I walked across the wind-swept field, or trudged up the garden path with a bucket for corn, a breath of wind wafted by me, carrying air from another world; sweet and golden, rich and cool. For a moment, the breath of Autumn was rushing down my neck and filling my senses with a tingling fragrance. It was gone a moment later, swallowed in the perfume of high-summer; but not without whispering in my ear the promise of harvest time

~ From the Six Arrows Farm Update this week

"...th' sun shines on the rain and th' rain falls on th' sunshine..."

- Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

Another sign of the coming autumn...

Rose Hips!
These small "fruits" of the fragrant wild roses make a good tea. They are an excellent source of Vitamin C!

BEES...

I happened to be in the field with the camera when Mr. Rossman came to put another box on the hives! Ben and Charlie enjoy learning what Mr. Rossman teaches them. Bees are such an amazing testimony to the wisdom of our Creator! We can't wait to taste honey from our own land!