State Fair Knitting

It's State Fair time! This year I entered some knitted items into the Fabric & Threads competition. It was my first time entering, but it won't be my last.

I was lucky enough to win two ribbons. I won second place in the felted item category with my slippers. Now when I wear them I will brag about how they are award winning. Consider yourself warned.

I also earned a 4th place ribbon for my Mom's lace ribbon scarf. She assures me she will point out that it is award winning when she wears it.

I encourage you to head to the fair and check out the Fabric and Threads exhibit. Congratulations to all of my friends who entered the fair. I can't wait to see what you make next year.

Iowa State Fair

Last Sunday Ivy and I walked the Fairgrounds 5k. It was a beautiful day for a walk. Walking around the fairgrounds reminded me of the fun I had at the fair this year. I also realized that I never shared that fun with you.

John and I went to the fair on opening day. His company had a gathering in the Bud Tent so we headed there after work. It looked like a beautiful day.

It may have looked like a beautiful day, but it really wasn't. The heat was oppressive, with the heat index well over 100. It was so hot I could barely finish my beer on a stick. John only ate three corn dogs.

Three days after that I headed to the fair with Hot Toddy and Ivy. It wasn't quite as hot that day, but it was still the type of weather where you sweat sitting still. Todd had a tenderloin.

And then a frozen banana with Ivy.

After that we headed to the air conditioned buildings. After checking out the 4H exhibits we went to the Equestrian center where Ivy pointed out her family's plaque. We sat in the air conditioning and enjoyed a horse show before deciding it was too hot to stay at the fair.

I was back at the fair a third time on the last day. Carla, Stacey, Sarah and I went to see Sherly Crow. We had a great time hanging out and dancing at the Depot before heading in to the show. We'll be going to another concert in 2011.

The fairgrounds looked a lot different last Sunday when I did the 5k. I enjoyed the quiet, but I'll be back for the crowds again next year. And for the veggie corn dogs. And the mini donuts. Thanks to the 5k I'm better informed about fair food. At every mile they had signs that told you how much you burned off. 1 mile was cotton candy. 2 miles was a caramel apple. 3 miles was a corn dog. John was not happy to learn that you need to run 3 miles to burn off 1 corn dog.

Year In Pictures:Week 7

42:365 Friends

On Friday night Ivy, Hot Toddy and I met at Trader Joe's to pick up some snacks. After that we headed to my house where John met us for wine and cheese. We meant for it to be happy hour but we were at the table talking until 11. I'm lucky to have such great friends.

43:365 Fall

Hot Toddy and I went for a hike on Sunday. After searching for our first destination for over an hour we gave up and headed to Minburn to hike at the Voas Nature Area. We have never hiked there before and I was surprised at how beautiful it was.

44:365 State Fair 5k

On Sunday Ivy and I walked the Fairgrounds 5k. It was weird walking around the fair when it isn't fair time. I had never noticed how beautiful the buildings and grounds are.

45:365 Missed. I cannot believe how hard it is to remember to take a photo every day.

46:365 What now?

After finishing the BBAC I'm not sure what to bake next. I've been leaving through the book trying to decide what to make next.

47:365 Brioche

I decided on brioche this week. I compared Peter Reinhart's versions with the Baking Illustrated version. I liked the Baking Illustrated book better, so I decided to stick with that one.

48:365 Missed

A Great 2008!

2008 was a weird year for me.  I had some difficult times, but overall, it was the best year I've ever had.  I decided to reflect on the year by picking out my favorite photo from each month. 

Looking at all the photos reminded me of what a blessed life I have.  Through the ups and downs of 2008 I had amazing friends that I could call on.  You have all made 2008 great!

December

UNI vs Drake.  I have a group of friends that gets together for UNI events in Des Moines.  I didn't know any of them at UNI, but we have managed to bond over our love of the Panthers, and are overwhelming awesomeness as people.  Allyson is one of my UNI buddies, and she's also one of the people I call if I need to talk.  You can bet I count her when I count my blessings.

February

Waller had a Super Bowl party.  Nate & Waller played Edward 40 hands.  I was in charge of the tape.  I am sad that I don't talk to these guys anymore.  I suppose that means I should call them. Hopefully they will show up at my kick ass huge graduation party in May (date to be announced, as a blog reader you are invited).

March

I took a big vacation through the South West this march.  I saw the Cubs at spring training and checked out the amazing scenery.  It was a lot of fun, yet the most awkward vacation I've ever taken.  Oh well.

April

In April I didn't do anything that warranted taking pictures.  I tried to use that as an excuse to use two pictures for May.  After some reflection I decided that the one picture I had from April really summed it all up.  

My life started to bloom in April.  It's not like I had a tragic life or anything.  I've always been blessed with family and friends that love me, and I have a really good life.  For some reason things just got even better in April.  

May

Holy cow May was a good month.  The most fun I had in May (which says a lot, as May was so awesome) was at the fund raiser for Stage West.  Sarah and I made so many friends, and as this photo shows, were able to stage some amazing photos.  

June

In June Tim had his horsey party.   Stimmel & I headed out and had some fancy appetizers and drank wine in the cleanest barn I've ever seen.  It's also when I realized that if you wear a shirt and unzipped hoodie of the same color you look ginormous in photos.

July

In July Todd and I started biking to Cumming.  It's about a 30 mi round trip from our street.  Stimmel would meet us there, as Todd and I are not as fast as him.  It's not that Todd and I are slow, it's that we have so much to talk about that we can't ride fast.  The three of us would meet at the Cumming Tap and have some beers.  After this winter, I can't wait to get out riding with them again.

August

I was pretty sure I was in love with him when he ate six corndogs at the state fair.  Seriously, isn't there something obscurely hot about that?

September

If you have a sister, I have to tell you that the best way to celebrate her birthday is by buying wigs together,  getting your makeup done, and going out in Chicago (watch out Kathleen, I have looked up all of the wig shops in the greater Des Moines area).

October

Megan and Mark got married.  It was a beautiful wedding.  I spent a lot of the reception talking to Nate.  He is a wonderful guy, and we tell each other everything.  I am so lucky to have such wonderful cousins (of the Runchey & McCarty persuasion).

November

In November Tim and I went to go see Dolly.  I could talk about Thanksgiving and all sorts of wonderful things....but seriously....is it possible to top Dolly?

December

This Christmas we got a special gift - Bill & family were visiting from Australia.  I rarely get to see my aunt, uncle, and cousins, but every time we do see each other we get along great.  I wish we could see them more often, even if I do feel like a little person next to them.

In conclusion....2008 was an amazing year for me.  I can only hope that 2009 is half as good.  I do have to say, after such a big year, I am pretty tired.  I think this picture from New Years Eve sums it up best.

Here's to you in 2009.  May you have a year as amazing as my 2008.  

Fair Food

I went to the fair last night. For some people the fair is about the butter cow or the largest pig. Sure, those are fun to see, but for me the fair is about people watching and fried food on a stick.

We got to the fair about six. Stimmel started with a corn dog, and I started with a vegetarian corn dog.





Then Stimmel had another corndog.


Then we saw a guy wearing a plastic bag as a hat.

After the guy in the plastic bag hat we saw some tractor square dancing. There was a very large group of people watching the tractor square dancing. Tractor square dancing, I have to admit, is not something I see the beauty in.


Then Stimmel had another corndog.



At this point we got to my favorite part of the fair. The part that I talk about year round. The #1 reason I go to the fair. The Jr. Donut stand. The donuts were toasty and delicious. Perfectly sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. If you eat one food item at the fair, I highly recommend Jr. Donuts.



Then Stimmel had another corndog.



I was happy to find Monica at the Bud tent. We always find a lot to talk about, and spend most of our time laughing.



Monica is a good sport, and will pose for all sorts of pictures. She even agreed to frolic in the bubbles.



Andrew was able to cross an item off his bucket list last night: he enjoyed a fried Snickers. He was a trooper and finished all of it.



Then Stimmel had another corndog.



Then Stimmel had another corndog.



All of this talk of food on a stick is making me hungry. I think I'll make a grilled cheese sandwich. If only I can figure out how to get it on a stick....