Just wondering you enter your accomplishments in the county fair? I did the last two years and won Grand Champion for my pickled peppers, (a ribbon and gift certificate) I got a couple other ribbons each year. It was fun. I felt like a real country woman. I didn't win anything for my crocheting, and I saw a lot of beautiful work including gorgeous quilts that didn't win. They don't give honorable mentions here like they do in some counties. Don't know if it's true, but I've been told judges look for the unusual.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), June 18, 2000

Answers

Dear Cindy,

Congatulations on your win!! I've never entered anything as an adult, because our county fair is just for 4-H and other kids. I've helped many, many kids prepare projects for the fair, however; and gone to State Fair with several who have brought home champion ribbons. It is very important to READ THE RULE BOOK!! I have seen many excellent displays lose because they didn't follow one rule - for instance "a one inch by one inch area must be cut out of the corn husk, so that the kernals may be viewed". Or all three gladiolia must be the same color, etc...

I always tell the kids to take a good look at what won - and remember what was different about that one project over the others. On projects where the kids were viewed by the judge, such as clothing, I told them to think like the judge. For instance, for a clothing project, my daughter wanted a fabric with a trendy (and obnoxious) cartoon character on it. I bought that fabric, but I also bought a bright pink fabric with big green frogs on it - and that is what she made her outfit for fair out of - and that's what won. 'Course, the judge was an older woman, and a little blond girl in a pink skirt and top with big green frogs and hair bows to match on the end of her braids ...well, need I say more?! Another young man had to speak with the judges and explain his electricity project. We watched a couple of other kids, then I suggested that he take off his ball cap before he walked up to them, shake hands with first the elder, then the younger judge, use "yes, sir" and "no, sir" and "thank-you" at the appropriate moments. I enjoyed watching him win at county AND state.

Don't suppose that you would care to share your prize winning Pickled Pepper recipe here, would you?? I had a very good, very simple one that I use to pickle banana peppers for Italian Beef, but I haven't been able to find it for a couple of years - I sure would appreciate another one!!

-- Polly (tigger@moultrie.com), June 18, 2000.

Cindy, congratulations on your County Fair ribbons! I've entered artwork at our local fair in years past and have won some ribbons too. Like you, I remember feeling like a real country woman. I think there's just something so quaint and real and honest about a county fair. When my kids were little, I remember spending an entire day there with them, poring over the 4H projects and petting the cows and appreciating the displays of baked goods and jams and pickles. And, of course, the day wasn't complete without some cotton candy and a pony ride! And I think they were even more excited about my ribbons than I was! Back then, I think the winning dollar amount was all of five bucks, but I was thrilled.... I highly recommend entering something in a county fair; it's a wonderful experience.

-- punky (mayfaire@netzero.net), June 18, 2000.

Cindy, Congratulations! Yeah, I hope we can see your recipe, too. I love our county fair...to me, it's the essential expression of country living. When the county fairs become history, so will our civilization! (Do I sound like Joel? :) )

Our local grange just closed it's doors after something like 120 years of serving the local population. Everyone got old, I guess. I am greatly saddened. They always won first or grand prize for displays at the fair in Monroe, WA...also they had the BEST Thanksgiving dinners in conjunction with the Snohomish Lions Club...guess those dinners are history too. (Lions is doing fine, though!)

I salute you and look forward to the fairs this summer. I may be spinning at ours if I can find the time. I love what this does for community and especially 4H for the kids!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), June 18, 2000.

Thanks for asking for my recipe, although I think they won for their appearance, the first year the peppers were orange and red the second. The computer server's been down and my migraine is just about gone so here goes-I hope. wear rubber gloves...4 qts. of any kind of peppers(I always can a lot more)...cut off stems and slit other end...soak in 1 1/2c. salt to 4qts. water at least 12 hours(I usually do this overnight)... Drain...rinse...drain thoroughly...Combine 10c. apple cider vinegar and 2c. filtered or spring water and lots of garlic cloves...simmer 15 min...Pack peppers into hot jars...leave 1/4in head space...Pour hot brine over peppers....Burp jars...seal.. process in water bath. 10 minutes for pints, 20 minutes for qts. I know some people that don't process them. Enjoy! I like to pour the vinegar over pizza or spaghetti etc. I use the whole peppers in soups. Jalapenos-whole or sliced esp. on Mexican potatoes. Warning: if you have friends or relatives that like peppers or just like the way they look on the shelf, you'll want to can extra.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), June 20, 2000.

Thank you, Cindy. That is very kind and neighborly of you to share your prize winning recipe with us. I know I will be using it.

Laura

-- Laura (gsend@hotmail.com), June 21, 2000.