Happy New Year ~ Sister's Question ~ Popcorn Storage

Happy New Year!

I was out getting wood for the wood stove, and snapped this quick sunrise photo.  It's not the best photo, but winter sunrises here are difficult to catch. 

 At our Christmas family gathering, my one sister asked me, "so now what are you doing?  You're done with the garden right?"

To answer her question,
we just removed all the homegrown popcorn from their cobs, and sifted them in a strainer to remove debris and stored them all in canning jars.  We finished the job at about 8:30pm.

We popped more of our homegrown popcorn the other night, and only one or two kernels did not pop. 

We've really been enjoying the popcorn, and have to thank my Mom and Aunt for mentioning that my Grandma grew it.  Knowing that she did, I just had to add it to my garden.

Also, Mom taught us that rubbing two ears together speeds up the kernel removal.  Just do it slowing or in a tall, big bowl, so your kernels don't go flying all over the room.

I'm very happy with our homesteading progress, especially with growing an heirloom popcorn.

Now...anyone have suggestions on how to safely store some of this for next spring's planting? Just store it like any other saved seed?

Well, the last day of the year did not go without a visit to the ER.  My brother (younger) and I spent the entire day at the hospital with Mom.  I will be heading back up to see if there is any new test results and if she's feeling better.  Although the kids stayed up to greet the New Year, I was fast asleep, and if they cheered and hollered, I never heard them.  

Also, two more pets will need a vet visit now.  Ugh is right.  Jesse, the one who recently had a very large tumor removed in October, will most likely need another surgery.  The vet is out this week I am sure, with the holiday and all.  To top it off, barn cat Aurora came to the door with a hole in her side.  Literally a hole.  Not a scrape, a hole about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter.  She needs stitches.  Too bad my daughter (18 yr old) doesn't have more vet experience.  

A good friend of mine, dropped off a Christmas gift to us last night.  One was a bottle of chocolate wine.  I've never tried it, so tonight, after Mom is checked on, and all of our Christmas decorations are down and stored away for the year, I will be enjoying a glass of it.  

I hope and pray your New Year is filled to the brim with blessings, good times, fun experiences, much love and laughter, and relaxation.