Shout Out to Designermom!

Somehow this post title will make sense. Last week was our county fair - a much anticipated event for me and the girls. We usually spend 2 or 3 days there just hanging out with the animals and eating free candy. The fair is nostalgic for me because that's how I met my friend Designermom. We had communicated by internet and decided that the fair was a good place to meet (and decide if we could stand each other?). I know - sounds lame. But she is such a fun, crazy, awesome friend and mom. She helped me at the fair 2 yrs. ago as that was my first outing alone w/ 3 kids. Now, she convinces me to do crazy stuff like enter exhibits at the fair. Wacky - I know. Ha, Ha! The sad thing is that I didn't even go to the fair w/ her this year of last year. Next year for sure Designermom, okay? At least we saw each other entering our food because she called me and told me to get out and get my jam entered. Anyway - here is my shout out to a wonderful friend!!! Bubby and her cousins convinced this girl to let them in the cage and pet the pony. We always meet people that let us go in the cages w/ the pigs, goats, sheeps, and ponies. Way fun for the kids!

Look - my apricot-raspberry jello jam got a 1st place ribbon! I was terrified to go look at the results because I didn't want to have the only losing jam in the fair. As it turns out though, every jam I saw had a ribbon. Blue is a good color! Designermom got a blue ribbon or 2 as well. She makes much more exotic things though - like Huckleberry Jam. Her and her husband also enter crops (i.e. vegetables from the garden). I love that she has helped me to find the "country" side of myself (which is a stretch for me since country anything isn't usually classic) and become a fair participant. Next year, I want to enter a pie! And figure out how to earn a judge's choice award on my jam. Hmmm....

Here's Bubby, Cakes, and Carebear looking at the sheep. Carebear was so funny to watch. She ran around screaming obnoxiously every time a sheep licked her hand. I love animals, so I think it's nice to have opportunities for the kids to become comfortable around animals other than a dog.