Summer Harvest: Sweet Corn

When I think of July, I remember family cookouts that always included corn on the cob. That is my favorite summertime vegetable! Slathered in butter and salt, it makes my mouth water just thinking about it!

The United States Postal Service celebrated one of America’s favorite foods with postage stamp #5005, called “Sweet Corn.” The stamp was issued as part of the U.S. Postal Service’s efforts to highlight everyday objects, foods, and traditions that are meaningful to Americans. It was issued on July 11, 2015, at the California State Fair in Sacramento, California. The Sweet Corn stamp features an image of fresh corn and celebrates a crop that has been an important part of farming and food in the United States. The drawing of this stamp was inspired by vintage shipping crate labels, seed packets, and catalogs and was designed by Michael Doret.

Corn is popular and important because it is used in many foods that people eat every day. People enjoy corn on the cob, popcorn, cornmeal, tortillas, and many other foods made from corn. Corn provides important nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, and minerals that help support a healthy diet. It is also used to make products such as corn oil, animal feed, and ingredients found in many foods. Because it is useful, affordable, and easy to grow, corn is one of the world’s most important crops.

July is considered Corn Month, a time to celebrate this important crop and the many ways people enjoy it. Summer is a popular time for fresh sweet corn because many crops are ready to harvest. During Corn Month, people celebrate with summer meals, festivals, and recipes featuring corn. The Sweet Corn postage stamp helps remind us how this simple crop connects farming, history, and American food traditions.

Time to go hunt for some corn on the cob for dinner!

References:

• U.S. Postal Service — Stamp information and stamp releases
• USDA SNAP-Ed — Corn nutrition information and food resources
• Healthline — “Corn 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits”
• National Today — “Corn Month” information
• https://www.mysticstamp.com/5005-2015-first-class-forever-stamp-summer-harvest-sweet-corn/

Happenings this week

Books:

• Remarkably Bright Creatures - I read this in 2024, and I’m rereading it.
• The River is Waiting - This is an audiobook that I listened to. I got halfway through, and it was so depressing that I gave up on it. I returned it to the library early.

Knitting:

• Scrappy Socks for Don - It is so satisfying to use up my sock yarn scraps in this fun way.
• Antique Filigree sweater - a colorwork sweater. I always forget how much I love colorwork! The exciting thing is that this whole sweater involves colorwork!

Food and drink:

• Things I’ve cooked this week: Spinach and Mushroom quiche, stuffed peppers, and rice, pork burgers, and pickled beets.
• I made green smoothies for us a couple of times this week.

Watching:

I’m watching some TV shows that I’m sure others have already watched, and I’m a little behind the times.

• Tracker
• Marshals
• FBI

Special Events:

• Don had a cortisone shot in his back.
• I’m recovering from my second cataract surgery.

Fruits and vegetables:

• We picked lots of blueberries and some figs today. 
• I also found little tomatoes growing on my tomato plants.

Original photos by Pat Hensley