Ribbons Flowing at the County Fair

I first entered some jam and photos at the county fair three years ago. I got the idea after reading a canning book of blue-ribbon recipes. It got me interested, so I did some research and figured out what kind of exhibits our county fair accepted. In the past two years, I won a few ribbons, enough to make it fun and keep me doing it each year.

This year, Annalee joined in since she met the age requirement for the junior competition.

Our friend John went to the fair on the day it opened and sent me some texts with photos of some of our entries. I could see some really cool looking ribbons, but I had no idea what they were.

When the girls and I finally attended the fair on the third day, we headed straight to the Home Economics building to see just what we had won. Here's where I'm going to brag about Annalee and me. So, if you don't like that, just stop reading now. But, I have just been so excited by our winnings, that I have to share!

This picture was entered in the 'reflections' class. It earned first place and a special award from the director. Truthfully, it was a total fluke that I found this picture in our digital files and thought to put it in this category. I was actually looking in the file from Zelda's recital to see about any pictures of her for the 'portrait' class. When I saw this one, I knew it had potential.

When I took this picture at the county fair, I knew I wanted to enter it in the 'best picture taken at the county fair' class. The lighting was just so perfect. This also earned first place and a special award from the director. Zelda was excited!

She also was excited to see the picture of herself sleeping with a flashlight tagged with a second place ribbon. This was in the 'humorous' class.

My sunset picture from our vacation in Michigan earned a fourth place ribbon in none other than the 'sunset' class, of course.

For the first time this year, I entered two baked goods - in the layer cake and dietary dessert classes. I baked my nearly famous chocolate layer cake; it's both gluten- and dairy-free. In the layer cake class, it earned a second place ribbon. But, better than than, it earned the People's Choice ribbon. That's voted on by volunteers and others working in the Home Ec building once the official judging is completed. A note on the back of the tag said it was 'great! wouldn't know it was gluten-free.' I entered a slice from the same cake in the gluten-free dietary dessert class. It earned a second place ribbon as well.

Here's what all the awards look like:

Then, we checked on Annalee's entries. She earned blue, red and white ribbons. I think I was more excited for her than she was for herself!

Her heart-shaped candy pops earned first place.

A weaving she created in school earned her second place.

And, decorated cupcakes earned her third place.

My guess is that she was disappointed that none of her three pictures received a ribbon. But, we have about 11 months to work on her photography skills before entries are due for next year.

After all that, I was geared up for the Ghiradelli Best Chocolate Dessert Competition, a free contest that was held on Sunday, the last day of the fair. I actually baked my s'mores cookie bar recipe twice, trying to get it just right. I made it gluten-free; I couldn't make it dairy-free since Ghiradelli chocolate has milk in it - yes, even the dark chocolate. So, I didn't really get to enjoy it, but that's ok. We waited and waited while the judges tasted each of the entries. When they got to my bars, I could lip read enough to know they were surprised that it was gluten-free and one said she never would have known that. In the end, three other desserts won the great cash prizes and gift baskets. It was a fun and educational experience. And, even though I don't eat Ghiradelli, I'm already considering what recipe to work on for next year's competition. The cash prize is calling my name!



When all was said and done, it cost us $51 for all our entries; then, we received checks totalling $60. So, you could say we are money ahead. But, the entry fees are just the cost of entering the competition, not the cost of creating our entries themselves. When you figure in the cost of baking and canning ingredients, photo paper, mounting materials, etc., it cost us money. But, hey, that's not what this is about. For us, this was about doing things we love, sharing them with others who have an appreciation for these things and then being recognized for those efforts. Actually, then, I guess we came out ahead.

Next year, I'm aiming higher. I would like to win the most points for entries in a single division to earn a champion rosette...

Photo Project 2012 - Day 220

So, we're 220 days into 2012. And, we're at least six weeks into summer if not seven, nevermind that we had three months of spring before that.

Today, the weather mat at my front door finally struck me as out of season. I figure I either don't use my front door very often (not true) or I'm not very observant (possibly). Even more strange to me is that none of my friends has even mentioned it when they've come to visit. So, I took this picture to laugh at myself. And, then, I ran into the office so I could post this on the same day and be really current with my year-long photo project.

And, no, I haven't changed the door mat. I figure it's only another couple months until fall and then the snow comes. I'll be in season then.

Photo Project 2012 - Days 202 to 219

I know I already posted a picture for Day 201, but I found this one on my phone and wanted to recognize it.

 
The day after we learned that The Stray Dog restaurant in New Buffalo, Mich., had burned down, the girls and I decided to wear our Stray Dog t-shirts to pay homage. We just had trouble taking the picture of ourselves with my phone.

Day 202
 

Stephen, from our church, is going off to college this month. For his final piano and guitar recital, he wanted to host it at church with an open invitation for parishioners. Ron and I attended while the girls were on a sleepover with my dad and stepmom. Then we went to the bookstore and movies - what a perfect date night!

Day 203
 

I made everyone's favorite chocolate layer cake for our little friend's second birthday. 

Day 204

While mounting photos to enter in the county fair, I neglected to put the protector directly under the mounting board I was slicing into. Part way through the cut, I got that sickening feeling that I was cutting into the table. I gently lifted the board to see that, yes, indeed, I was slicing the table. I include this here so that all my friends who have crafted in my kitchen will know that they are not alone in having damaged my table.

Day 205
 

For the first time all summer, we spent some time with the Crowley girls. We missed them!

Day 206
 

We brought a bottle of a newly discovered wine favorite, 2009 Red Satin by Domain Berrien Cellars, to dinner with friends.

Day 207

I finally took a stroll to the garden (not really, it just takes 10 steps from the patio door, but I was being leisurely) and found a nice surprise of veggies waiting to be picked.

That evening, we were eating dinner when I looked up and saw something move around outside. If you look very closely at the red flower the furthest to the right, you'll see a hummingbird. Don't blink or it'll fly away.

Day 208

We went to the county fair today. Our first stop was the Home Economics building to see what awards we had won.

The top one is Ron holding Zelda on his shoulders while watching an event at last year's fair. The second one is from Zelda's dance recital when several girls were watching the light reflect off their sequins. Each picture placed first in its category and received a Special Award from the director. (I'm going to try to put together another post with the actual pictures that won awards.)

Day 209

Ron and I took the girls to Plush Horse ice cream parlor on Saturday afternoon. This 'baby'-sized cone we ordered Zelda looks as big as her head!

Day 210

At our church auction last year, several of us bid on a game day offered by friends. Instead of taking any pictures of our friends, I opted to take a picture of one of my favorite dogs ever, Milo.

Day 211
 

After trying bacon on the grill during vacation earlier in the month, I tried it at home. It was so delicious! But, you really have to watch it. One minute it's still a little soft and the next minute it's burnt to a crisp.

Day 212

When I realized I hadn't taken a picture for the day, I grabbed the camera while watching the USA women's gymnastics team during the medal ceremony.

Day 213

I made a new recipe, watermelon gazpacho. It was a mess to make, but it sure was cool and flavorful. Lucky for me the girls didn't like it - and Ron would never eat cold soup!

Day 214
 

Zelda was sitting in the kitchen with this hoodie dress on, with the hood on, so I wanted to take her picture. When she saw the camera, she said she'd give me her weird face.

Day 215
 

Another end-of-the-day moment when I realized I hadn't taken a picture. This is of Michael Phelps with his final individual medal of the 2012 Olympics.

Day 216
Family Farm Fest at CHN
 

 
Our church held its sixth annual Family Farm Fest on Aug. 4. This year, a wonderful man brought his family chickens to share with the children. Annalee and Zelda really  loved the opportunity to hold them. Maybe some day we'll get our own backyard coop.

Day 217
 

We've been talking with Annalee for several weeks about becoming an acolyte at church. She really wants no part of church; and she really wanted no part of this. But, we asked her to participate in the training, and then we could talk about it. Well, by the end of the training, there was nothing to talk about. She was so excited! I think it's the robes (even though they're hot) and the candle that have her intrigued. Let's see how it goes. She's scheduled to serve on Aug. 26, when Ron also is a LEM.

Day 218

 

This is Zelda and Bo after playing in the sandbox and then the water hose. I'm not sure why they couldn't smile. But, what fun would that have been?

Day 219

To celebrate our 13 years of marriage, Ron and I took the girls to dinner at Cooper's Hawk. It was fun to get a little dressed up and take the girls somewhere they hadn't been. Our waitress was thoughtful and considerate of the girls, which made for a pleasant experience. We enjoyed everything from the wine through the dessert, though Annalee would say the dessert needed more Reese's and more ice cream on it. 

And, when I press Publish, I will have caught up on my Photo Project 2012 blogging. How cool is that!?!

Photo Project 2012 - Days 188 to 201

What I love about this year of photos is that when I finally get around to working on a post and selecting the pictures for each day, I'm often reminded of little things we have done together that might otherwise be forgotten.

Day 188

The Saturday night following vacation, Ron helped the girls make a fort in the family room. We got smart and used the boca clips to hold the blankets in place. The girls slept in it for several nights before we took it down.

Day 189

While in China to adopt Zelda, we spent a good deal of our time with two families. One family has since moved out of state. This was the first time we had been together since last summer. We met up in Chinatown for lunch and a walk-about.

Day 190

On July 9, the girls began two weeks of summer camp at Worlds of Wisdom and Wonder. Here they are getting ready for their first day.

Day 191

I finally remembered to freeze the blueberries I bought on our last day in Michigan. What's not to love about fresh frozen Michigan blueberries?

I just had to take this picture of Annalee sleeping with her life-long pal, Googlie. Oh wait, this might be the extra Googlie we had in reserve that recently came out of hiding; Annalee named this one Gannalee.

Day 192

I thought Zelda looked like a very cute VERY short adult all dressed up with her little skirt and sweater sleeves pushed back going to brain camp.


Day 193

We met up with our 'China' friends one more time before they headed back home. This visit was to Bass Pro Shop where the kids made themselves at home with their Pokemon cards in the open bow of a boat.

Day 194

Our priest called a little panicked the day before she and her family were going out of town for a night. She had made all the arrangements for their getaway - except for care of their dog, Reilly. She didn't even have the request out of her mouth when I agreed. The girls always are thrilled to have Reilly for a visit. In this case, it was giving them a little practice in anticipation of our new kittens coming home.

Day 195

The next day, Zelda was helping me bake goodies for coffee service at church the next day. Still in her pajamas and apron, Zelda took Reilly for a walk around the front yard.

Day 196

These are Zelda's creation for our church friends: cone cakes. They were a huge hit!

Later that afternoon, we attended a cousin's daughter's Christening party. A face-painting, music-singing, guitar-playing magician kept the girls entertained.

Day 197

Our first Sweet 100 tomato came in!

Day 198

One week after my dad Bob went into the hospital, my dad Ken and my stepmom surprised him with a visit. Here the girls and their cousins, along with Nana, are entertained by a game on Annalee's DS while we dine in the hospital cafeteria.

Day 199

The girls like to hole up in Zelda's bed with their electronic toys. I can never quite understand why they squeeze into Zelda's twin bed when Annalee has a more spacious double bed. Go figure.

Day 200

I found this banana treat in Family Fun magazine. I thought it would be something fun and easy that the girls and I could make. I was half right.

Somehow, ours didn't quite end up looking like those in the magazine (they rarely do). The bananas were falling off of the sticks, so we laid them down on a pan and tried to stick the toppings to them.

Day 201

Even though they weren't as pretty as the professionals', they were super delicious and a fun way to start our Friday!