The Country Fair

I Caught It! Now what do I do with it?

            Throughout our wonderful country of America the County Fair has become a rural and city yearly tradition.  As a young girl I remember going to the County Fair with Grandma and looked at all the colorful bottles of fruit and vegetables lining the shelves on display with pretty ribbons on them.  It was like looking at a priceless painting.

            Now I take my family to the Fair.  This year a granddaughter put pickles in the fair we made together.  Excitement is felt as you watch the children go to the entry they entered on display on the tables in the fair.  Eagerly they look for there own entry to see the ribbon (all the kids get a ribbon) and get money for their entry, an added bonus.

            Quilts line the walls, some machine stitched and others quilted painstakingly stitch by stitch with a thimble, some quilters with older aching hands. 

            After the judging just like the kids women and men look for their entry among the displays to see the ribbon they received and if they won the coveted scissors prize.

            Let’s not forget a very important event, the Princess or Queen talent show and pageant that the girls are hopeful to be crowned.  For one night they are the darlings of the county.  Then whoever is crowned goes around the fair wearing their crowns with honor while they help with judging or just overseeing events.

Then the rodeo where people from all over the county surround the arena to see the cowboys and cowgirls rope the steers or ride the bull.  The young people get to go catch a chicken to take home, or whatever is available that the locals want to donate (mostly roosters because they want to get rid of them.)  This year we got two ducks which we put in the pond and have to feed because they are domesticated ducks and don’t know how to feed themselves, but they are sure enjoying the pond.

            The young kids get to ride on sheep, which is the picture below; he stayed on for quite a while.  It is anything but easy, spitting out the dirt after they do a face plant while landing.. 

            Families plan all year for this old fashioned County Fair, Kids in the 4 H (Head, Hands, Heart and Health) organization raise their animals which are sold after being judged, and the money is usually put away for a college fund or to buy another animal for next year.  The youth in FFA (Future Farmers of America) will do the same thing.

            They used to have a greased pig chase where all the kids would chase the pig.  They discontinued that event probably because the kids couldn’t catch it and were so filthy by the time they finally gave up while I am sure the pig was terrorized.   He probably got over it after a good meal.

            Whatever the event, the cotton candy and hot dogs that are consumed at the County Fair, the Dutch oven contests and of course the baby contest which all come out winners (best smile, pretty hair, etc.) the goal is always the same, to come together as a family and community to share a common goal – the betterment of the family and the joining of the community as one.

 

Prized pickles on display

 

 

 

My Grandson Riding a sheep at the rodeo.  Hold on Justin!

 



 



 

Baked Chicken Bites

 

 

 

 

 

Bake these Chicken Bites in the oven for a snack or a meal everyone will enjoy.

3 cups shredded cooked chicken
1/4 to 1/2 cup hot sauce (to taste)
3 1/2 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 3/4 cups sharp shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs, lightly beaten
3 – 4 cups Corn Flakes cereal, crushed

Preheat  oven to 350˚F.

Grease your pan or line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix your chicken, cream cheese and hot sauce, cheddar cheese and green onions in a bowl.
Make about 1 ½ inch balls and put on a plate or another baking sheet until all the chicken mixture is made into balls.

Put  flour in a shallow dish and mix eggs up in a small bowl.

Put corn flakes into another small bowl.

Dip your chicken balls into the flour first, then egg mixture and cover with corn flakes.

Put on your baking dish and bake 20 to 25 minutes or until done.

Serve with ranch dressing or the dressing from my last recipe for zucchini dip.

Makes 40 to 46 balls.  These are delicious and you’ll enjoy them as will friends or family.

 

 

 

 

Zucchini Fritters

This is a very good way to use your zucchini, once you try it you will make it over and over again.

 

Vegetable oil for frying pan
3 cups grated zucchini
1 cup diced onion
2 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Garlic powder to taste

 

1 cup prepared mayo
juice of half a lime
1/2 tsp chili powder

 Put vegetable oil in skillet about half an inch deep or less and cook on medium.

Combine zucchini, onion, and eggs in a large bowl and mix.

Combine flour, baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon chili power, salt and pepper in a sifter or mixing bowl and stir then put in zucchini mixture and stir together.

Make your dip with mayonnaise, lime juice, and chili powder and stir then put in refrigerator until you are ready to eat. You may also use this dip with your French fries or whatever, even on a sandwich.

 

Homemade Febreze

 

 

For  those of you who like Febreze this is something you might want to try.

 1/8 cup of fabric softener (Downy is good)

2 tablespoons Baking Soda

Hot Tap water

Spray bottle

Pour fabric softener and baking soda into your spray bottle – I use a funnel, you'll have less spill. 

Fill your spray bottle with hot tap water and shake it well.  If using a Febreze bottle twist the nozzle over to the lock position.

Your homemade Febreze is ready to use.

How to clean those dirty cookie sheets and pans

How to clean your cookie sheet that has leftover grease and grim.

 You put about 1/4 cup of baking soda in a small glass bowl and squirt in hydrogen peroxide until it makes a nice paste.

Rub off the dirt, stains and grease.

 

Use a rag or soft scrubber and rub until the pan is clean.

Creamy Orange Popsicles

 



You may find so many fun Popsicle molds now in a variety of stores or you can just use a juice cup and a stick to make one.   This is a refreshing Popsicle recipe sure to be a family favorite.

·         1 cup thawed orange juice concentrate

·         1/3 cup sugar

·         2 cups full-fat plain yogurt

·         2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

In a small saucepan, combine juice concentrate and sugar over medium-low.  

Cook, stirring, until sugar is dissolved, 3 minutes.

Stir in yogurt and vanilla. Transfer to a large liquid-measuring cup, pour into ten 3-ounce ice-pop molds, and insert ice-pop sticks. Freeze until pops are solid, about 6 hours (or up to 1 week). Briefly run molds under hot water to release pops.

 



Early Christmas Present Buying



           

I have started searching for Christmas presents.  As I go out shopping I have been on the hunt for that special something for someone on my Christmas list.  So far it has been going quite well.  I have found a few things that will be a nice surprise for some people on my list.  Some of the things have been on sale and others a good buy.  Keep in mind its not how much you spend but what you buy.  I don't spend a lot of money on any present, I just don't have that much to spend and even if I did it wouldn't guarantee something they would like.

            The hard part is making sure you put them away and not give them early.  Christmas is not that far off so keep reminding yourself of that as you shop.  This year I am going to make sure I have most of my presents purchased before December.  Keep in mind I don’t buy expensive presents but they are certainly things that I feel are something they want or can use, that is the advantage of buying early, you don’t feel pressured to buy just anything.

            For some of you it is shopping for school clothes time.  Many don’t have the money for a lot of school clothes let alone Christmas presents.  Don’t feel stressed because you haven’t been able to start early.  The reason I recommend buying early is to relieve stress not increase it.  There are some stores where you are able to lay away items so if you find something you want to give for Christmas lay it away and pay on it a little at a time.