It has been a crazy week, with multiple cooking contests and lots of entries to find in the Expo building. Today, if you can tolerate the tooting of my own horn, I’ll show you a few more ribbons in other divisions. In Senior Crafts, this holiday theme table topper won second place in Holiday Decorations. I love this sentiment! It is perfect for the holiday season. Used a baking print for the wide border.
In Senior Crafts Embroidered Item Hand or Machine, this set of hot pads with the chicken fabrics and the “Cluck It” saying won first place. It is notable that there were no hand embroidered items in this category. These will be for sale at the Fiber Fair in October along with a bunch of other things that won ribbons at the fair. I’ll have more information on that event for you later.
Going over to the main Crafts Division, my Autumn and Thanksgiving cards won a third place ribbon.
In the Holiday Ornament category, this Twisted Snowflake won second place. This technique was taught to our Area by one of our members, and I just loved the way it turns out. I made this one last month in black and gold.
My Fall Bell Pull from last year’s Fall Fortnight event won a first place in Crafts Needlework Machine Embroidered Item.
I’ve been working on things to sell, and this set of three hexagonal table toppers will be for individual sale. I entered them in the fair as a set in Crafts Sewn Household Accessories. I was actually surprised to win a second place with these. I honestly didn’t think they were special enough to actually win.
Over in Photography, I was really excited to win a first place ribbon for my photo of two farmers at last year’s fair. The category was People. I took this one at last year’s fair in the building where all the vendors are, along with special displays of NC Agriculture. This tractor exhibit had at least a dozen, and these guys were there to answer questions. The white streaks on the photo are glare from the lights, and not on the photo itself. There is a great story that goes with this photo, get a tissue.
I got a phone message from a man named Jerry, who said he saw this photo at the fair when some friends of his told him about it. He’s the guy on the right. He said he was floored to see it with its First Place Ribbon. So, he got my phone number from the entry, and called me. He and his buddy on the left are in the tractor club, and the tractor in the photo was his. The man on the left is a very dear friend to him, who was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent surgery. Jerry wanted to know if he could have a copy of the photo to give to him. Of course, I went to our computer printer that night, printed two glossy 8x10s, and we met at the fair on Saturday morning so he could get them. He was delighted. Unfortunately, his friend’s prognosis is grim, but maybe this will bring him a smile. Little did I know when I took that photo a year ago, that it would have such an impact today.
In the cooking contests, five of six contests I entered didn’t result in any placements. But in the Blueberry contest, the judges selected my Blueberry Buffalo Wings for a third place, woohoo! They don’t look that pretty, the dark purple is actually a bit weird, but they tasted good. Nah, you really don’t want this recipe, I doubt I’ll ever do it again.
In the dairy competition, I was really excited about this entry, a Four Cheese Crab Spread. It baked up beautifully, rich and creamy full of flavor. It was delicious hot, and was still good at room temperature.
But, alas, didn’t place. Still, this is one you might like to make for football games and party pot lucks. So, here’s that recipe – Four Cheese Crab Spread
The last cooking contest was for Apple Desserts, and I made a Caramel Apple Cake. Once again, no winner here. But I ask you, since when does cinnamon rolls from a can wrapped around an apple slice constitute dessert? Sounds like breakfast to me, yet two versions of that same recipe won first and third place. Second place went to a cheesecake with an apple topping. So, we are forced to eat this dense and moist apple cake with the Caramel Latte Frosting ourselves. It’s a dirty job but someone has to do it. Oh, don’t be too impressed, the frosting is from a container by Pillsbury.
But the cake recipe is all mine. I used a sour cream based cake, adjusted for the moisture in the apples. Well, of course you can have that recipe! Download the pdf – Caramel Apple Cake
On Monday, I’ll pick everything up at the fairgrounds, and life goes back to normal. Well, at least what is normal around here, LOL!! I found out quite by a fluke that the last Downton Abby movie premiered last week, so I will have to see that this coming week before it goes away. Movies just don’t stay around long anymore! I’m still working on Fall Fortnight, and will have a better idea of when this will actually be in another week. It depends on other events going on with the car clubs and such.
What have you been doing for fun? What’s on your agenda for this week?
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From My Carolina Home 
Hi Carole..Congratulations on all your beautiful entries and your ribbons !! Can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve for next year .
God bless you and your family,
Linda
Congrats, Carole! I enjoyed seeing all your entries. You’re brave and busy to put so many out there! Sweet story about the photo of Jerry and his buddy.
Congratulations on your wins! That’s awesome. And, thanks for the recipes – they look delicious. I’m curious what the 4th cheese is in your 4 cheese crab spread. I saw parmesan, cream cheese and colby jack but didn’t see a 4th cheese. It sounds like something that would be great at Thanksgiving while the turkey (and sides) are finishing. Dottie
Colby Jack is two cheeses – colby and monterrey jack. Yes, it would be great for Thanksgiving!
Thanks – I wasn’t thinking of it as 2 cheeses, LOL. Appreciate the clarification. Dottie
Asesome job on your placements and ribbons!
Update for safelight.I will have the one hundred cards and possibly more to send out later this week for you.
OMG, you are awesome!! Thank you!!
You are amazing-talented, energetic, entertaining, amusing, and besides your varied interests, you write well! I look forward to your emails tremendously!
Congratulations on your ribbons!
Thanks for sharing the story of the Tractor Club members. Heartwarming! I’m sure those photos will be treasured!
Well congrats again for all of your success.You must be running out if wall space to whom off all of you ribbons. YOU are rocking…I think that is still said…lol
Go ahead and toot your horn. We love hearing when you’re rewarded for your originals. No, wrapping a canned something around an apple slice sounds tasty, but not ribbon-worthy.
Your recipes are always winners with your followers. I agree that the color of the wings is a little off-putting! That is a heartwarming story about your photo of the farmers. We never know what impact small things that we do can have.
Congratulations on all your entries and wins at the fair. You really worked hard, and it’s nice to see the judge rewarded you accordingly. I’m glad you got a win on the bell pull from Fall Fortnight last year. It reminded me to get mine out of the closet and hang it up! Thanks for the yummy recipes!
You are quite a prolific competitor! So much energy for your Fair entries! Caramel Apple Cake looks decadent, but not on my WW agenda, so I’ll just enjoy the pics! We saw the Downton Abbey movie yesterday – it will be here ’til 9/25, but we really didn’t want the time to fly by & miss it. Many happy endings. Enjoy!
Jennie
Congratulations on your placements (and entries, I rarely find contests that cater to my likes)!
Congrats! On the ribbons! I love to read your stuff and really enjoy your pictures. I won a couple of ribbons at the Allen Parish fair for some Jackets I had made and entered. It was very exciting. That was about 15 years ago. I am now 91 yrs. And still sew a little. I had breast cancer and am now 17 years cancer free. Praise the Lord! However I Found out recently that my heart was severely damaged by the Chemo. I am very thankful for the 17 yrs. I now have to slow down and my medication is controlling it. I can still get around by myself at home. Don’t go much except to the doctors. I am thankful for each day the Lord gives me! I didn’t mean to say so much but I do look forward to your news and pictures each week. Thanks, Maxine
Congratulations on all your ribbons.
love the photo of the two farmers it is nice that you were able to give them a copy. I am surprised that anything made from a can of cinnamon rolls won the prizes – I always think of the prizes going to items made from scratch – not cinnamon rolls from a can even if it was wrapped around a apple slice
Congratulations on all your ribbons! I think it takes a lot of courage to enter our crafts into a judged fair – I’m always impressed with how much you do. Your apple cake sounds yummy – first place in my book! I love the story about your photo and the two men in it, too – so glad you were able to meet up with him and give them copies of the photo.
Congrats on your wins. Everything you make looks great. You are truly very talented. My week will hopefully be quiet. More fall cleaning, crocheting, watching baseball and reading. I am also planning on working on Christmas gifts. Hope everyone has a wonderful week.
Congratulations on all of your ribbons! I love the photo of the two men and the tractor and such a heartwarming story. Thank you for sharing, Carole!
Congratulations on all your ribbons! You are amazing.
I enjoyed the story of the two farmers at the fair last year. How wonderful that you shared your photograph with the two friends!
I love reading about all the goodness at the fair. I was in New York State in August (spreading dad’s ashes on the farm he grew up on) and the local fair was going on, so hubby and I visited the day prior to the full opening. I’m amazed the judging rules allow contestants to use pre-made, canned cinnamon rolls in their entries. That just doesn’t sound right to me. Of course, I’ve never entered any baking in a fair, so maybe I just don’t know what I’m talking about. You did, at least, receive a fair amount of ribbons, so you did good!!! 🙂 Congrats!!
If Rick is too wiped out to go to the lake with me next week when I go to get the fridge, I’ll go see Downton then. I’m really looking forward to it.
Meanwhile, another big WOW and an even bigger CONGRATULATIONS! I’m not surprised but still, so fantastic! Three cheers. It all looks beautiful and/or delicious!
Several more ribbons for you, congratulations! The tractor guys story is sad, and of course you were happy to hand over copies if your photos. It just goes to show that anything can happen, at any time, to change lives. They will live the photos showing happier times.
Wow!🎉 Aren’t you a clever girl!! Absolutely wonderful. ‘specially loved the story of the two friends in the photo, sad story, but they can pack in some memories for the one left behind in the remaining time. You have an eye for a picture Carole. 😊
Thumbs down to the judges that gave ribbons to goods made from pre-prepared foodstuffs. Maybe I’m biased. Although, maybe it shows people that they can ‘tart up’ prepared goods from the Supermarket and make a slightly healthier dish. Who knows!
Definitely like the Crab Spread – will be a nice crowd pleaser – will make for the ladies get together!!
After all that excitement you will now be able to look forward to the holiday times to come in the next few months. Thanksgiving, Christmas and all the other fun stuff.
Mary :))
Well done Carole! I think they may need some new judges over in the foods division…quick and easy is one thing, but using store bought for the main ingredient seems out of the spirit to me.
It was nice to see the wonderful ribbons from all of your hard work..that was such a touching story about the photo.
Thanks so much for sharing the pictures from the Mountain State Fair! Since I started following your blog, this event has been on my bucket list. I was planning to head there this year, but alas, the Lord had other plans. I have been diagnosed with cervical cancer and was busy having a scan, x-rays, MRI , PET scan, blood tests, biopsies etc. Not complaining – I am a stage 1-A which is nothing compared to what other women face. God has been very good to us in arranging doctors, appointments, diagnostics and surgeries. Hopefully, the last surgery will be on October 17th so attending the Mountain State Fair will be back on the calendar for next year!
We used to attend the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, MA for many years when we lived there so I was thrilled to see your pictures etc. Soooo if you ever get weary and wonder if it is worth all your effort to post the pics etc, it is!!!
Your tractor buddies picture and story brought tears to my eyes…. God is at work everywhere – even in this crazy screwed up world in which we live for now. Thank you for letting Him work through you in your kindness toward those gentlemen.
Have a blessed day and hopefully will see you next year at the fair! Linda Farineau, Bluffton, SC
Congratulations
Well done with all your entries, whether successful or not. You must have been extremely busy! Love the idea of eating the entry afterward.
Hi – I’m sorry I’ve been quite far behind in reading my emails. So I am just seeing your posts about the Safelight project. I’ve always had it in my memory that you would need these in January or so. I am the one who has made the sets with the Asian fabrics. I still have a good supply of those fabrics by the way. I see that you have a deadline of Oct 1. I have several things that I am in the middle of and need to get finished soon. I can try to get some time to work on the kits but I’m not sure I can meet the Oct 1 deadline. Would you still need them? Ada Montessoro Baltimore
Yes, I can use case sets later than Oct 1. At this point, I’ll be separating the bags in to two or three deliveries, so later is fine. The second delivery will likely be in December. So, if you can do a few before the holidays, we can definitely use them. Thank you!!
It is soo cool that you were able to meet the subject of your photo and give him copies of it. He will treasure that for sure. I bet it’s hanging on his wall already.