Award Winning Kids
Yarn on a Stick
It's taken me a day to recover, but once again we had a splendid time at the State Fair!
Our first visit to the MNSF was in 2006, before we moved here, when we were on vacation. Last year only the kids went with their aunt Gayle (Gerry and I were at Mayo)
This year the kids (& friend Charlie) and I took the bus, Gerry meeting us later (he drove over after chemo, he parked the car in a friend's driveway a block from the main entrance. THAT'S the kind of friend to have this time of year...)
We walked, walked, walked - did a lot of people watching and even did a little fish watching. It was entertaining to see so many folks in thrall at the "Fish of Minnesota" pond, just staring at fish.
I let the kids loose with $10 each, they cleverly pooled their resources to purchase 50 tickets (11 more than they could have bought separately) and thus we learn the lesson of collective bargaining. They ate and rode until they should have been sick (but weren't) and they they ate some more.
We visited the Miracle of Birth pavilion (my favorite, I love to see how many pregnant women gather there) and watched the adorable piglets, lambs and calves becoming acquainted with the world.
The kids got their fill of the bottomless milk cup (all you can drink for $1) and Gerry had the clever idea of asking them to mix chocolate and white. Perfect harmony, in a cup.
As we were leaving - me, hobbling on my exhausted feet and ankles - we took a stroll through the creative arts building to look at the creative arts.
I was surprised at some of the blue ribbon winners (there's probably always some disagreement with the judges) and really felt that the best stuff had red, pink and white ribbons. Just one knitters opinion.
I love the jellies and food awards, they look so pretty in their random arrangement of color.
Finally we all piled in the car and drove home - exhausted, happy and feeling a little more Minnesotan every day.
Newsletter
If you're interested, I've posted my latest newsletter, which will be going out today. I didn't do a newsletter in late July, my Summer off. Check it out here, and sign up for the monthly heads up on my latest shenanigans.
BikeToday Hannah and I did a dry run on our bikes to her Jr. High school, she's been feeling a bit uncertain about biking all the way. I think she really needed the ride to feel comfortable on her bike (we just got it back from the shop yesterday) and I'm hopeful she'll enjoy the ride as much as I do. And, there's always the bus if she doesn't want to ride.
Our first visit to the MNSF was in 2006, before we moved here, when we were on vacation. Last year only the kids went with their aunt Gayle (Gerry and I were at Mayo)
This year the kids (& friend Charlie) and I took the bus, Gerry meeting us later (he drove over after chemo, he parked the car in a friend's driveway a block from the main entrance. THAT'S the kind of friend to have this time of year...)
We walked, walked, walked - did a lot of people watching and even did a little fish watching. It was entertaining to see so many folks in thrall at the "Fish of Minnesota" pond, just staring at fish.
I let the kids loose with $10 each, they cleverly pooled their resources to purchase 50 tickets (11 more than they could have bought separately) and thus we learn the lesson of collective bargaining. They ate and rode until they should have been sick (but weren't) and they they ate some more.
We visited the Miracle of Birth pavilion (my favorite, I love to see how many pregnant women gather there) and watched the adorable piglets, lambs and calves becoming acquainted with the world.The kids got their fill of the bottomless milk cup (all you can drink for $1) and Gerry had the clever idea of asking them to mix chocolate and white. Perfect harmony, in a cup.
As we were leaving - me, hobbling on my exhausted feet and ankles - we took a stroll through the creative arts building to look at the creative arts.
I was surprised at some of the blue ribbon winners (there's probably always some disagreement with the judges) and really felt that the best stuff had red, pink and white ribbons. Just one knitters opinion. I love the jellies and food awards, they look so pretty in their random arrangement of color.
Finally we all piled in the car and drove home - exhausted, happy and feeling a little more Minnesotan every day.
Newsletter
If you're interested, I've posted my latest newsletter, which will be going out today. I didn't do a newsletter in late July, my Summer off. Check it out here, and sign up for the monthly heads up on my latest shenanigans.
BikeToday Hannah and I did a dry run on our bikes to her Jr. High school, she's been feeling a bit uncertain about biking all the way. I think she really needed the ride to feel comfortable on her bike (we just got it back from the shop yesterday) and I'm hopeful she'll enjoy the ride as much as I do. And, there's always the bus if she doesn't want to ride.
Feed me, baby!
12 Comments:
That state fair sounds GREAT! We have the Eastern States Exposition here which I've never been to, but looking at your pictures makes me want to go. Or at least go to one of our two local 4-H fairs coming up this month!
Good luck to Hannah and Max at school this year!
LOL on the yarn on the stick. I just heard On NPR that your State Fair is all about things on a stick. You cannot be floundering if you can make someone laugh from 2000 miles away!
Holey Moley--What are you going to do after Gerry recovers, and you can't use him anymore to gain sympathy?
Between the evil people who are keeping your (knitting) Union down, and your poor husband's illness it's almost imposible to actually blog about knitting!
Do your children know that they are being used to gain sympathy?
Um - Gerry drove over after chemo? This year? Have I missed something? Hope all is well.
Roo - it's his monthly 15-minute Zometa drip that he gets at the chemo center in Maplewood, so we just call it "chemo" because it's easier than explaining what Zometa is, etc., each time.
Happy Birthday Annie! What a busy summer you are living. I cannot wait to get my paws on your book. With the kids in school and you in your new office, what will happen next? Keep up the great job you are doing.
My hubby has men who knit and the dogs who love them and we just think your super.I want to give (((you))) a hug and your (((family))).I read Gerry's story and I think it is wonderful that you are trying to help others.I think that often the way to learn about an illness and to work towards a cure is threw talking about it getting the word out there.Hugs Darcy
Did you notice my Backyard Leaves scarf with the pink ribbon? Sniff. It deserved better...just another knitter's opinion. :)
I had fun knitting it- it was in my queue for, oh, 3 years, and I finally finished it. Thanks for a beautiful pattern!
The judging at the fair sometimes drives me crazy, but I keep entering anyway. I'm reconciled to the fact that it's very subjective- like all such competitions are.
Deepa -
I didn't just notice it, I was SO flattered! I thought it deserved better, too, it was SO beautifully done. Thank you!
Annie
I think it's awfully nice of you not to delete nasty, NAMED comments.
Some people have no shame.
We love you Annie!
Glad you had fun at the Fair!
(I enjoyed the wine tasting in the Agriculture Building, myself:)
I really enjoy looking at the Creative Activities stuff. I agree with you that I do not always agree with the judges, but they are coming closer to agreeing this year. There is some good stuff out there!
Did you happen to wander over to the weaving and see MY scarf? It had a red ribbon on it. OK, the field was REALLY small, but I am still thrilled.
I loved looking at the weaving and seeing some projects I had "met." Next year I will enter some knitting, just to earn my stripes as a Real Minnesotan.
It's such a good fair. Of course, being native to MN, I am biased. Down here in TN, the state fair is hideous. Did you see Princess Kay of the Milky Way and her court being sculpted in butter? They're the only folks you see in parkas during the fair, as they sit in the cooler. *L*
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