Posted in Daily Blessings

As usual, there has been quite a bit of activity going on here in my home!    Let me share with you last weekend's activities for a moment...

Friday night was the County Fair for us.  My youngest son, his 2 children, his ex-wife, and I all loaded up and headed to Milton for the County Fair.  We had a wonderful time (I'm sorry--I forgot to take my camera with me that evening!), and the children were completely enthralled with everything.  We enjoyed browsing through the 4-H exhibits--everything from home-canned goods and baked goods, to fresh produce and handmade quilts.  I was amazed at the skills these precious children had on display!  I give a huge thumbs up to their parents and 4-H leaders for taking the time and energy to teach these skills and wonderful qualities to the next generation.  I know the time and effort I put into my own grandchildren with these teachings and am always amazed when I see it done on a much broader scale.  Hallelujah!

The FFA youth had some great livestock shown.  Such beautiful animals and very, very well cared for!  My co-worker was able to win a pig during the auction and will enjoy its bounty this winter.  I think its great that we can buy meat like this and know who raised it, and know that there are no hormones or other additives given to the animals.  Locally raised, free-range, and hormone free--yes, a true blessing!  I didn't win anything at the auction this year, but hopefully will next year.  She and I have talked about maybe going in together on a cow next year--unless they choose to raise their own instead (they live on a farm in the country).  We'll just have to wait and see.

After making it home late that night, we were up early on Saturday for the West Virginia Hot Dog Festival, held downtown here in Huntington.  My son entered the Hot Dog Eating Contest, and that was a lot of fun.  I did remember my camera that day!!!  Let me share some pics with you here....

This was taken before it began.  It all looks so nice and neat!  The gentleman with the camera behind the table is with a television production company.  They are filming a reality series with Jamie Oliver about healthy eating and basing it here in Huntington (I think because we were named the unhealthiest city in America--hmmm).  Anyhow, it's supposed to be out this fall on ABC channels, to my understanding.  Next...

In the midst of devouring as many hot dogs as possible in the time period of 12 minutes!  Slow and steady there, boy!  Remember the tortoise and the hare!!!!

THE GRAND CHAMPION!!!!!

Yes, my Robert ate 14 hot dogs on their buns in 12 minutes and was named Champion for 2009!  You see his children there--Allen is holding the big trophy that will be kept in Stewart Hot Dog's offices with his name engraved on it, Cayla is holding the trophy he keeps, he's wearing his Champion bib, and I now have the 4 tickets he won to King's Island!  He'll also receive a $100 check soon (maybe for the antacid I know he needed afterward???).  He was also interviewed by the film crew of the reality show I mentioned earlier and will appear on that this fall.  Not bad for a few moments of eating! 

Anyhow...on with the weekend.  I also managed to make the time to can 14 quarts of pickles.  Seven quarts were Kosher Dills and seven quarts were Bread-and-Butter pickles.  Whew!  Of course, some have already left my home for other refrigerators and pantries, to be enjoyed in a few weeks (if they'll wait that long!), but I did manage to hang onto 4 or 5 quarts here.  Seems like every time I can, most of it goes elsewhere.  Oh well, as long as its enjoyed and the jars and rings find their way back home I don't mind.  It's a blessing to me to share like that.  (No, I didn't grow the cukes I used--they were a gift from a customer at work!  Hallelujah!). 

So, as you can see, things tend to stay a little bit active around here.  Tonight I plan to do a bit of writing, tomorrow is a trip to the Farmer's Market in the West End of Huntington, and perhaps a bit more canning tomorrow afternoon, depending on what I find.  I'll be freezing some breaded green tomato slices and breaded squash slices tomorrow, for sure, too (gotta love Fried Green Tomatoes and Fried Squash when the snow is flying).  I also have a bit of ironing to do and some homemaking to be taken care of.  Sunday School and Church services on Sunday and then back to work on Monday morning!  Whew!

I'll be starting soon on some sewing that is begging to be done.  I have some table linens to make (I haven't forgotten, dear Sis!), a quilt to make my granddaughter for Christmas, some aprons to get made that have been requested, and some other goodies for Christmas gifts.  Have mercy, if I don't start them now, they'll never be done in time!  It's hard to believe this is already the end of July!  Yikes!

Well, anyhow, I hope you've enjoyed my sharing here with you and some of the pics from last weekend.  Maybe I'll remember my camera tomorrow and take some at the Farmer's Market!

I pray you're having a blessed weekend!

Hugs,

Cynthia Robin