This is by far the tallest corn I have ever grown! It must stand over 10 feet tall now. I have it growing in a raised bed and I think it is enjoying the layer of bunny fertilizer that lines the bottom of the bed. I plan on harvesting our first few ears this weekend for dinner when everyone will be here. Yum! There is nothing like homegrown corn!

I have read two different opinions on when corn should be harvested. I have always heard to have your pot of water ready to go as you pick and shuck your corn. Recently though I read (somewhere, I always forget where I read these things!) that the sugars in the corn are actually in the corn the most in the morning and so that is when the ears should be picked for the optimum sweetness. Any opinions out there on when is the best time for harvesting corn?

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I have not taken part in Skywatch Friday in a couple of weeks now and have missed doing so. I just love photos of the sky. While out watering my garden yesterday morning I was kneeling down to reach some of my containers that needed a drink and happened to look up to see this pretty sight. I never get tired of peering through the lacey bronze fennel that is self-sowing with abandon around the garden lately. It is such a pretty culinary herb with medicinal benefits. I am not a huge fan of its anise flavor but it sure adds that certain oomph to tomato sauce!

Please be sure to visit all the other blogs participating in today’s Skywatch Friday. Have a great weekend!

Photos can be clicked on to view full size.

I took my kids today on a spur of the moment trip out to the Hood River Valley area for some last of the season strawberry picking. Unfortunately, I have no pictures to share of the farm we ended up at. It was too hard to take pictures while making sure a 2 ½ year old did not eat the whole strawberry field! The strawberries were still very plentiful despite being so late into the season. The owners of the farm told us the berries were too small for the fruit stand and were more than happy to let us pick till our heart’s content. My boys managed to pick close to 4 pounds each! Needless to say this evening you will find me in my kitchen busily making up jars upon jars of strawberry jam. We decided we should have pancakes for dinner just so we can have some homemade jam on them.

On our way back home I pulled off the road for a minute or two to stop at a panoramic spot so I could at least steal a photo (or two) for today’s Skywatch Friday. The sky was a little bit hazy but Mt. Hood still looked absolutely beautiful.

I could have stood and stared at the valley beneath us for hours but our strawberries were awaiting us in the car so I snapped this photo below and then got back out on the road towards home.

Now I must get going on that jam making and preserve some of today’s sweetness.

Be sure to visit other great blogs taking part in today’s Skywatch Friday! There is always some gorgeous photos to be found there.