Whew!  Life is like a merry-go-round, and I am about to be dizzier than a kookaburra on my way back down under!

We have been busier than bees getting our county fair projects finished and turned in.  Last year hubby said we had better get them done before the 11th hour.  Did we listen?  Well, yeah, of course!  But did we obey?  Nope.  Sorry honey, I know you are right.  I PROMISE we will do better next year!!!!

So the four kiddoes and I have been taking photos, painting, drawing, sewing, knitting, crocheting, beading and all other manner of craftiness.  Then came the cooking!  The kids baked cookies, candies, cakes, pies and made jelly. 

Amidst all the drama of getting everything done and having two kids sick we had to add just a tad bit more drama the night before drop off.  We had *thought* we had until noon on Friday to drop off our entries.  Then another mom called to ask us about it....so my daughter double checked and yikes, found out we had to be there before 10 a.m.  This is about an hours drive for us.  Ok, so we planned to get up at 7:00, pack the car etc., leave by 8:00.

Then the inevitable happened.  My oldest daughter still had a cake to bake and a pie to finish, and at about 10:30 p.m. that final night....she burned her left hand on the electric stove burner.  OUCH!

We submerged her hand in a tub of cold water with several drops of lavender essential oil (thanks to my other daughter's wonderful memory, she reminded me that it was good for burns) and she proceeded to bake her cake, roll out pie crust and get all her baking finished.  Finally, at around 1:00, when we figured we had better get to bed, she was in some pain and we decided to go to the E.R. and have it looked at and wrapped "professionally."  We did, and only one person asked us what we were doing up that hour baking.  LOL!

Anyway, she had a mummy hand for a few days but I am happy to report that it looks fabulous now, can't even see much of the burn at all.  (2nd degree)

And to top it all off, she won First Place, AND Grand Champion in her division for that pie she rolled out with one hand.

We went out to the fairgrounds that same evening (thinking it was opening night) but found out it wasn't!  The nice people at the art hall let us come in and take a quick peek at our ribbons....and we actually missed some of them that we found on Wednesday.  That was quite a surprise!  Anyway, here are a few more of our awards. 

My youngest daughter did this lovely "checkerboard" cable knit sampler. 

 Youngest son did a "trash to treasure" entry (recyclable project) and much to my surprise, got some nice ribbons! Its the little town square made out of old milk cartons etc.  Very creative!

 Next, this is a model my youngest daughter made.  She made most of these miniature elements and put them together with her little bear, "Red-Red."  She actually did the minute cable knitting on the toothpicks! 

 Here she is with her lovely giant watercolor pansy.  I thought it deserved a first place, but she only got a participation ribbon on this one.  Does she seem to care that it wasn't first?  From that smile, I'd say no!

My oldest daughter knit these socks.  They are made from her hand spun wool.  (She even cleaned and carded it too)  She made these for her Daddy to take when he goes hunting, but now she's not so sure she wants him to do that!  This is the second pair she has made, the first pair were white and she made them for herself.  I was so proud of her! 

Did you know how much math goes into knitting a pair of socks? 

 This is Essie's acrylic painting of a robin.  Pretty cute! 

 The little guy got a second place on his candy canes he made! 

 He also did a lovely watercolor and got a 3rd place ribbon. 

These are both watercolor paintings I did, one landscape (canoeing on Rampart Reservoir) and one nature (the columbine flower.)

 And this is a leather rounder that my oldest son did.  He had several projects that my photos didn't turn out well on, so I will try again and get them posted later!  I know he will be crushed not to have his picture in here several times.  You know how teenage boys are about that kind of stuff!

Ok, well, we worked on the farm on this day and my face shows it!  (Very tired and red from the heat.) But I was pleased with my ribbons on these three next to me, the two watercolors and the acrylic of the fall leaves.

The one of the candles there, I think that was a pastel.  Isn't it fabulous!? That person did a great job!  I think I need to try some pastel too....maybe next year!

 This is my oldest son's Red Velvet Cake.  He did well!  First Place!  I made the mistake of trying it at home, I HAD to after all.  But I paid the price with a three day migraine from the chocolate!  Was it worth it?  Um...sure, anything for YOU son!

This is the second year my oldest has won in her division, for photography.  The funny thing is that she says she's not a photographer.  She really isn't!  She would much rather be sewing, spinnning, crocheting, knitting or baking. But she sure got lucky these last two years.  :)

And this pencil sketch really surprised me!  I liked it, (It's my yougest daughters drawing) but I really didn't think it was ribbon worthy---even if I am the mom.  Those judges sure have good taste though!

I was really proud of my acrylic this year.  I know, pride goeth before the fall!  I thought it was a ton better than last years entry (which won first and grand)  ~ Ya just never know!

Well, that twern't all of them, but I need to find the rest of the photos.  Crazy computer sometimes hides things from me!  IT has a mind of its own!

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of our entries. Last year's can be found here.  And the year before that, here.

Be sure to let me know if you are posting any of your county or state fair entries.  I'd love to see them!

Nancy