Sweets for the sweet

I must be awful' sweet, because I just had two ears of homegrown Butter and Sugar sweet corn. And I sliced up that first Husky Pink and ate it with fresh basil leaves and balsamic vinegar. Then I sauteed some store-bought yellow and zucchini squash, with onion and dried tomatoes and a little tube pasta.

The corn was a trifle bland -- a bi-color -- and so was the tomato. But they were real!

... and Garden

I've been picking a daily handful of Sungold cherry tomatoes for about a week. Today I picked the first Pink Husky (Husky Pink?). Probably a day or two from being perfectly ripe, but it can sit on a counter. There's another one right behind.

And I peeled back the husks on an ear of corn and pricked a kernel -- milky, not clear, so it may be ready too! I've had a dozen from roadside vendors, but this is mine own!

The HP tomato was just a variety at Earl May, where I also got the Sungold and a Brandywine (which died). I did a very late job of starting seeds this year, and don't expect much in the way of heirlooms, despite what Barbara Herring says! Luckily, a few Brandywine, and some other varieties, have produced volunteers from last year, so I should get a few tomatoes at least.

I blame the rain, rather than my sloth. Who's to know?

House

I met Eric Quaintance, my builder, at the Ar-Jay Center this afternoon. We made decisions on kitchen countertops, cabinets, design, and hardware, then went to the lighting department and chose lighting throughout the house (not including the table and floor lamps I already have) and for all exterior doors/garage, plus a ceiling fan for the library. We looked at the firebox he had selected, then went into a "sale" room, where they have various display items that are now many-percents off, and saw a beautiful oak mantelpiece, marked down from $700 (which I thought might be a good price for what it was) to $150!

We will get flooring at Bachmeier's in Iowa City, but he and I have pretty much the same ideas. Faux wood laminate and 18-in. faux tile vinyl. Slager's for the kitchen appliances, which I am going with black cooktop, but I don't know yet whether black or white for the refrigerator and wall ovens. I think because of the white beadboard cabinets, I may be better off with black appliances.

What I envision for the library is darkish "wood" floor, wood fireplance mantel, wood rocker (from Joyce), dark leather sofa, wood coffee and side tables, piano, and grandfather clock, with bookshelves of stained wood and off-white walls behind. Bare, unmatched woods and leathers with some throw pillows and maybe the other (grandma's) rocker in fabric. The curtains are that dark fringed wool. Floor lamps and ceiling fan of dark bronze. Rather spare and solid overall, yet homey and comfortable.

Eric seems comfortable giving his opinion, and I value it, both practical and aesthetic. But once or twice I "overrode" him, and he came around, or seemed to. Particularly in the case of the bathroom cabinets, where I wanted black to counteract the light-colored tops, that wouldn't go well at all with the white beadboard used in the kitchen. He wasn't sure, but after carrying the sample door over to the bath display area, he said he liked it. Certainly, it's my decision, but I'd like for him to be happy with "his" house. He has an artistic and professional reputation and pride.

Nice while it lasted

The Northblue bush seems to be done -- unless it's that pesky rabbit. Got a tablespoonful of Northsky, but it's also winding down. Got two nice strawberries, and two more Sungold. Knocked several dozen nasty beetles off the roses - and the sweet corn. The sweet corn is dropping pollen, but in several cases onto NO SILK. This is a weird year all the way around, so I don't know if that's typical or if it means I'll be lucky to get a half dozen ears total from my two bozes. I noticed, driving home today, that Dean Rebal has his signs out.

House & Garden

Eric brought over his bid, not quite final. It's really at the very top of what I could manage, so I need to pare down about $10K. Goodbye, geothermal. He said nice things about baseboard electric, but how I have my heart set on heated floors! It would be more expensive to re-use the wood interior trim from this house, as opposed to buying new, due to more labor costs in ripping it off. But he will talk to his guys and see if they would rip it off for $25 an hour or something. I'll look the bid over in detail while he takes his family to Door County.

The blueberries seem to be winding down fast -- unless it has something to do with the rabbit I chased out just now. Next year should see greater yield, and the following year the next 3 plants should start to bear. I want to plant additional varieties next year, as well, focusing on extending the season. But how lovely it's been to eat 1/3 C. every other day -- that's just about right.

House

Hooray! Eric Q. called yesterday -- he's nearly got the bid together and wants to meet!

Heaven in my hand

Or, rather, mouth. I just came in from the garden with a little cupful of blueberries, the first two tomatoes of the season -- Sungold -- and a huge strawberry, perfectly ripened, which I promptly rinsed and ate. Wonderful! It must be from the everbearing, rather than from the June-bearing, and I didn't know if the former would taste all that good. This one did!

I'm not certain the Sungolds are ripe, but they are orange and they are the first! Alas, the Stupice and other early heirlooms aren't even in the ground yet! I plan to set them out this weekend -- who knows if I'll see fruit, but it's worth a try.