Old Fashioned Crafts:



By Brenda Hyde

First, here is a nice simple recipe for fresh corn chowder.

Fresh Corn Chowder

Ingredients:

1 sweet onion, chopped

4 slices bacon, diced

6 ears fresh corn

2 quarts whipping cream or half and half

salt and ground black pepper to taste

1 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme (optional)

Remove corn kernels from the ears of corn and set aside cobs. Saute the bacon, onions, and corn in a medium pot until the onions the bacon is crispy. Add the cream. Heat through over medium low heat. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.

CORN COBS: After you've removed the corn from the cobs, dry them for 1-2 weeks in a spot that squirrels and other wildlife can't get to them. They'll need good air circulation so they dry and don't mold..

Corn Cob Placemats

You'll need:

Corn Cob

Corn cob holders

Fabric paints

Fabric-cotton muslin works well

Prepare your fabric-I always like muslin because it's inexpensive and though it needs ironing, it works well for crafts. Cut pieces of the muslin to the size of a placemat. Place down colored ads from the newspaper (the ink doesn't smear like on the regular paper pages) on your work area. Cut the corn cobs into 2 inch pieces-each person should have one piece. Attach the corn cob holders to each piece.

Put a small amount of paint on a paper plate--each color should have its own plate. Dip the corn cob into paint on one side--then dab it on a piece of paper towel or rag to get off the excess. Roll it across the placemat until a pattern is created. Allow one color to dry and add more until its done as you wish. Notes: You should have enough corn cobs that everyone can trade cobs with different colors OR you can rinse and dry the cobs between colors too. Just dry them with a paper towel or rag. Try dipping the ends of the cobs in paint for some neat circles.

MORE PROJECTS: You can use this method to make wrapping paper, pictures, handmade cards, background for signs etc. It's easy, inexpensive and the kids will have a blast!

A Bird Cob Feeder

You will need:

dry corn cobs

peanut butter

birdseed

large nails

string or jute

Push the large nail into the thick end of each cob. Use the back of a wooden spoon, butter knife or spatula to spread the corn cob with a good layer of peanut butter. Place the bird seed in pie plate and roll the peanut butter cob in the seed until it's coated. Tie a string to the head of the nail and hang the cobs from tree branches.

ANOTHER FUN PROJECT: Make corn husk dolls this autumn with the kids! Click Here.

About the Author

Brenda is the editor of OldFashionedLiving.com. She is a wife, mom to three and a freelance writer as well.