Monday, September 14, 2009

Mountain State Fair

We inaugurated a new family tradition this weekend: the Mountain State Fair. Until Sunday, it had been ages since I'd been to a real fair, and what a shame! Kate was in heaven, a big toothy grin permanently plastered across her face as she pointed around, taking it all in and squealing with delight at the sights, sounds, and smells. And of course, not at all surprisingly, her favorite thing about the fair was the animals. I made a point to enjoy this as probably the only year she wouldn't be clamoring to ride all the rides and was quite content (and dare I say, enthralled!) watching sheep herding and goat milking demonstrations.



We went with some good friends who have an 8 month old son, and the six of us had the best time gorging ourselves on fair food, browsing exquisite handmade art and mountain crafts, and tromping through the straw lined barn areas to peek in at prize winning goats, llamas, sheep, cattle, chickens, and big floppy eared bunnies. Being a parent seems to give these simple experiences a new level of importance, as you become conscious of the fact that you are making memories and creating traditions your kids will carry with them forever.


Attending the fair puts me in the mood to dive into all things domestic and I immediatley began a mental to do list of winter projects that would make Laura Ingalls Wilder proud. I also felt a rush of sporting blood as we browsed the blue ribbon entries in the preserved food categories. I make a mean black raspberry jelly, and my homemade salsa is nothing to be ashamed of, if I do say so myself. Who knows? That blue ribbon might be mine next year! Well, one can dream.

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