How to Freeze Fresh Ohio Sweet Corn (the Easy, Family-Friendly Way!)

Every summer, when the sweet corn stands pop up across Ohio, I load up on organic bi-color Montauk sweet corn—the kind so sweet and tender, it barely needs butter. For years now, it’s been my tradition to put up around 15 dozen ears for my family, making sure we have that summer flavor all year long.

If you’ve ever wanted to freeze fresh corn but weren’t sure where to start—or you’ve tried and ended up with chewy, tasteless kernels—this guide is for you!

🛒 Step 1: Pick (or Buy) the Right Corn

Look for:

Ears that are full and heavy

Tight, bright green husks

Silky tassels that are slightly sticky but not dry

My go-to is bi-color Montauk corn grown right here in Ohio—it’s organic, sweet, and perfect for freezing.

🧽 Step 2: Prep Like a Pro

This step is best done in a team (let your kids help shuck!).

Husk the corn and remove all silks.

Rinse under cool water.

Cut off any bad tips or damaged spots.

Fill a big bowl or sink with cold water to soak the ears briefly.

🔥 Step 3: Blanching – The Must-Do Step!

Blanching stops enzymes that cause the corn to lose flavor and texture in the freezer. Here’s how:

Whole Ears

Boil a large pot of water.

Drop in 4–6 ears at a time.

Blanch for 7 minutes.

Immediately transfer to an ice bath for 7–10 minutes to cool.

Corn Off the Cob

Cut the kernels off using a sharp knife.

Blanch loose kernels for 4 minutes in boiling water.

Ice bath right after.

⏳ Don’t skip the ice bath! It stops cooking and keeps that corn crisp and golden.

❄️ Step 4: Freeze for Freshness

For Whole Ears

Pat dry and place 4–6 ears per freezer bag.

Remove as much air as possible.

Label with date and quantity.

For Loose Kernels

Spread on a baking sheet to pre-freeze for 30–60 minutes (optional but helps prevent clumping).

Bag in meal-size portions (about 2 cups).

Press air out or use a vacuum sealer.

📦 How Long Will It Last?

Properly frozen sweet corn will last 8–12 months and still taste garden-fresh.

💡 Bonus Tips

Use reusable silicone freezer bags to cut down on waste.

Add a sprinkle of sugar (not salt!) to preserve flavor if blanching corn off the cob.

Save the cobs! Boil them into a sweet, mild corn broth.

Final Thoughts

Freezing corn isn’t just about stocking the freezer—it’s about capturing a piece of Ohio summer for your family to enjoy all year long. Once you taste that juicy Montauk corn in January with a hot bowl of chili or in a creamy chowder, you'll know the effort was so worth it.

Happy freezing from our kitchen to yours!

Buying An Old Home? Think About This

 Are you thinking about purchasing an older home? It’s fair to say that there’s something rather romantic about this possibility. You can buy a house that has seen better days and transform it into something new, exciting and most importantly, completely personal to you. While it is easy to get carried away with this romantic and wonderful notion, it’s important to be aware that there are always challenges that come with this possibility. So, let’s explore a few of these. 

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Dangers

First, you need to be aware of the dangers that can come with buying an older home. The biggest issue here is that the regulations that are now in place to protect us didn’t exist back when these houses were built. So, you might find that you have a problem like asbestos in the roof - as an example. If that’s the case, then it could danger your health, particularly if you are planning some DIY repairs. Now, while you won’t be able to make a legal claim because you were exposed to this, you could potentially sue if you can prove the buyer new asbestos was in the property and didn’t make you aware when they sold it. This however is difficult to prove even with the help of experts like Frost Law Firm, PC. The easiest way to avoid this is to arrange a complete and comprehensive inspection before you buy. 

Cost

It’s important that you think about what the asking price is for the property that you are interested in purchasing. When you purchase an old property, it’s essential that you have a survey conducted to check for any issues that could be costly to you in the future, as the last thing that you want is to spend a fortune into a property you have to continuously pour money into.

If there are issues with the property but you still want to purchase it, it’s worth offering a lower amount based on the fact that you’re going to have to make repairs. The chances are with older properties that there is going to be something, somewhere that’s going to cost you, so finding out what it is prior to purchase can help you plan your finances better.

Infestations 

Another consideration when it comes to buying an old home is the worry of being met with infestations. This can happen, especially if the home has been empty and on the market for some time. Consider hiring a pest expert to come in and ensure your home is free from any nasty bugs. They will be able to eradicate anything and everything they meet, including rats and cockroaches. 

Be sure to check out reviews of anyone you are hiring, the last thing you want is for them to damage your new home or not get rid of everything. You could also ask friends and family members if they have used anyone in the past. 

We hope this helps you understand some of the key steps that you should take if you are considering purchasing an old home in the future. By being aware of their issues, you can guarantee that you don’t end up with a money pit and instead find the house of your dreams that just needs a little TLC. 

5 Common Legal Mistakes That Could Cost You Big Time

 It’s important to be well aware of the legal ramifications that every person is held accountable to, whether they’re an individual or operating as a business. The law is in place to keep chaos at bay, and it helps to ensure everyone abides by the rules that are laid out by the governing body responsible for the country.

With that being said, there are some common legal mistakes that are worth knowing because otherwise, they could cost you significantly.

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1. Not putting agreements in writing

Whether you’re making an agreement as an individual with another individual or a business, it’s important that this agreement is in writing.

The reason is that without a written agreement that’s been signed by both parties, you may find it harder to prove accountability for those who are in the wrong.

When you come to make an agreement, you’ll want to make sure that a contract has been drawn up that both parties can agree to on the conditions and consequences should either party want to back out of the agreement or breach it on purpose.

2. Neglecting contracts

Neglecting a contract is definitely something to avoid, and while it can be done purposefully, it can also be done by accident. Not being fully aware of what you’ve signed or the full details of the contract is something that you want to address before you proceed with anything.

Whenever you’re responsible for a contract, you’ll want to make sure you’re looking through every word and paragraph of it. Having a proficient understanding of the contract and getting clarity on anything you don’t get can help make sure you’re complying with everything laid out in the contract.

3. Choosing the wrong business structure

For businesses that often make legal mistakes, it’s often due to picking the legal structure of the company incorrectly. The legal structure of a business, whether it be an LLC, a partnership, or a corporation, has significant financial and legal implications. 

Picking the wrong structure ends up exposing your company assets to potential business debts while also limiting access to funds that might help it flourish. There are tax liabilities, too, that you might have to pay, and that also might be unnecessary and something you should be able to mitigate.

4. Overlooking legal obligations

Legal obligations are something that anyone has when it comes to running a business or agreeing to a contract. 

Businesses in particular will have ongoing legal obligations, whether that’s complying with labor laws or being responsible for staff in the workplace. It’s worth knowing the right law firms, like Peterson Law Office, whether you’re at the receiving end of a legal obligation that’s been overlooked or you’ve caused the issue specifically. 

5. Failure to protect intellectual property

Failure to protect one’s intellectual property can lead to a business being vulnerable as a result. From not registering trademarks to copyrights or patents, this can leave your business feeling vulnerable to potential infringement. 

These legal mistakes are common, so if you want to avoid being at fault for one, remember these whenever you’re navigating anything with legal ramifications. 

Preventing Damp In Your Home

 Any home can get damp, and it’s something that can really make a huge difference to the home over time, potentially causing it a lot of damage in fact. If you know that you tend to have dampness in your home, and you are wondering what you might be able to do about it, there are a lot of things that you might want to consider here. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the main ways in which you can hope to prevent dampness in your home.

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Understand The Types Of Damp

There are generally three main types of damp that you might come across, and it’s useful to know what they are and how to tell them apart. It might be condensation, which is caused by excess moisture in the air settling on cold surfaces. Or it might be rising damp, which is when you have moisture from the ground rising up through walls. And it can also be penetrating damp, which is water entering from the outside due to leaks or structural issues. Identifying the type of damp will help you to figure out how to prevent it returning or worsening.

Improve Ventilation

For any kind of damp, however, poor airflow is going to make things worse - but especially for condensation damp. So improving the ventilation in the home is always going to be a really good way to approach this, and it’s something that you can easily do in any home. Use extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms, open windows regularly - even during the colder months - and avoid drying clothes indoors wherever possible. You might find that these simple changes make a huge difference to your levels of damp in the home.

Control Moisture Levels

In general, being able to control moisture levels is going to be a really useful thing to do, and you’ll find that you are so much more likely to have less damp going on. You can do this by covering up leaks and holes in the building, whether through CoverUp window wells or whatever else, and by ensuring that you are taking care when you are cooking or cleaning too. If you can control the moisture levels, your damp problem should be much less of an issue, and it’s something that you are going to find really important to get on top of.

Insulate & Heat Well

Of course, you will also be able to help a lot with all this if you are making a point of insulating your property effectively, and heating it too. You should check the insulation to make sure that it is really working as necessary, and as long as it is, it might be a good idea to make good use of heating as well. All in all, this is going to make a huge difference to the kind of level of moisture in the home and you will be glad that you did it, along with the other steps here.

Favorite Instant Pot Recipes

 Life's busy, and sometimes the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. That's where the Instant Pot comes in! This magical appliance has revolutionized cooking for busy individuals and families alike. If you're looking for quick, easy, and delicious meals, you've come to the right place. I've gathered my favorite easy Instant Pot recipes that will have you enjoying flavorful dinners without the fuss.

Why do I love my Instant Pot? Let me count the ways! It's a time-saver, a flavor enhancer, and a one-pot wonder. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a kitchen newbie, the Instant Pot makes cooking accessible and enjoyable. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Speed: Say goodbye to long cooking times. The Instant Pot cooks meals up to 70% faster than traditional methods.
• Convenience: One-pot meals mean less cleanup and more time for what matters.
• Flavor: Pressure cooking locks in flavors and nutrients, resulting in incredibly delicious meals.
• Versatility: From soups and stews to rice and desserts, the Instant Pot can do it all.

Now, let's get to the good stuff! I've curated a collection of my favorite easy Instant Pot recipes that are perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prepping, and everything in between. Get ready to impress your family and friends with these simple yet satisfying dishes.

Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta

Banana Rice Pudding

Garlic Butter Glazed Carrots

Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Lemon Pasta

Pork Tacos

Peanut Butter Chicken Noodles

Banana Rice Pudding