First the Dupage County Fair. I have to say that I was very disappointed.
They have 11 canning categories. I had entries in 5 of those categories, and
was the only entry in 4 of them -- there was one other entry in
Jam/Maramalade/Oreserves. The 6 categories I didn't enter had no entries.

So I got the blue ribbon for every entry I had, but since there was no
competition, it hardly means anything. I also got a Special Award for my
Strawberry-Rhubarb Jelly (awarded by judges for overall excellence and
creativity).

For the record, here are my 5 blue-ribbon-winning entries:

Jelly:
Strawberry-Rhubarb Jelly

Jam/Preserves/Marmalade
Plum Orange Jam

Pickles
Bread & Butter Pickles

Salsa - Hot
Spicy Salsa

Salsa - Mild
Peach Salsa


So, on to the Illinois State Fair. I entered four items:

Jelly - Any Other Kind
Strawberry-Rhubarb Jelly
No ribbon
(Note that this was the same item that got a Special Award at the Dupage
Fair. Go figure.)

Jam - Any Other Kind
Plum Orange Jam
Blue ribbon
Rosette for Best of All Jams

Bread & Butter Pickles
Bread & Butter Pickles (natch!)
Blue Ribbon

Salsa (Tomato-Based)
Chile Salsa
Blue Ribbon
Rosette for Best Sauce or Relish

So except for the somewhat disappointing result for the jelly (I can't say
I'm totally surprised -- it didn't come out all that clear), I won 3 blue
ribbons and 2 purple rosettes. The only downside of this is that I can't
enter in the Jam - Any Other Kind or Salsa (Tomato-Based) classes next year.

Regardless, I am very happy.

Oh, and Ping Barb:

I used your recipe for B&B Pickles, so you can chalk up another two blue
ribbons for it.

Anny

Anny Middon wrote:

>
> So except for the somewhat disappointing result for the jelly (I can't say
> I'm totally surprised -- it didn't come out all that clear), I won 3 blue
> ribbons and 2 purple rosettes. The only downside of this is that I can't
> enter in the Jam - Any Other Kind or Salsa (Tomato-Based) classes next year.
>
> Regardless, I am very happy.
>


Congratulations, what a haul!

gloria p

In article >,
"Anny Middon" > wrote:

> First the Dupage County Fair. I have to say that I was very disappointed.
> They have 11 canning categories. I had entries in 5 of those categories, and
> was the only entry in 4 of them -- there was one other entry in
> Jam/Maramalade/Oreserves. The 6 categories I didn't enter had no entries.
>
> So I got the blue ribbon for every entry I had, but since there was no
> competition, it hardly means anything. I also got a Special Award for my
> Strawberry-Rhubarb Jelly (awarded by judges for overall excellence and
> creativity).
>
> For the record, here are my 5 blue-ribbon-winning entries:
>
> Jelly:
> Strawberry-Rhubarb Jelly
>
> Jam/Preserves/Marmalade
> Plum Orange Jam
>
> Pickles
> Bread & Butter Pickles
>
> Salsa - Hot
> Spicy Salsa
>
> Salsa - Mild
> Peach Salsa
>
>
> So, on to the Illinois State Fair. I entered four items:
>
> Jelly - Any Other Kind
> Strawberry-Rhubarb Jelly
> No ribbon
> (Note that this was the same item that got a Special Award at the Dupage
> Fair. Go figure.)
>
> Jam - Any Other Kind
> Plum Orange Jam
> Blue ribbon
> Rosette for Best of All Jams
>
> Bread & Butter Pickles
> Bread & Butter Pickles (natch!)
> Blue Ribbon
>
> Salsa (Tomato-Based)
> Chile Salsa
> Blue Ribbon
> Rosette for Best Sauce or Relish
>
> So except for the somewhat disappointing result for the jelly (I can't say
> I'm totally surprised -- it didn't come out all that clear), I won 3 blue
> ribbons and 2 purple rosettes. The only downside of this is that I can't
> enter in the Jam - Any Other Kind or Salsa (Tomato-Based) classes next year.
>
> Regardless, I am very happy.
>
> Oh, and Ping Barb:
>
> I used your recipe for B&B Pickles, so you can chalk up another two blue
> ribbons for it.
>
> Anny


Ribbon WHORE??? Yer takin' money, are ya? "-) I, being more Genteel
than Thou, describe myself as a Ribbon Slut, because there's no money
involved. '-) At least no "real" money.

Anny!! GOOD ON YOU!! Are you sharing the Plum Orange Jam recipe? If
so, cough it up, Woman! If not, I understand. What kind of plums?
Isn't that a riot about the differences in fairs and what they consider
worthy and exceptional and not? Too funny.

Same peach salsa I tasted? I still have 1/4 jar in the fridge.

Glad to hear the B&Bs were deemed worthy by Illinois' judging staff.
'Scuse me while I polish my nails on my bosom.

I made a great Mango-Raspberry Citrus jam; not sure if I'll enter it‹I
kind of want to enter my Lemon Apricot stuff.

I should be making stewed tomatoes and tomato juice for the Great
Minnesota Get-Together; instead, I've been updating my website. I'm
becoming quite comfortable with the software I use for it so it's easy
for me to add to it frequently.

What's the rule they have that forbids you from entering the salsa lot
next year? Have you won it x consecutive times? I couldn't put in my
B&Bs for two years and will enter them this year with a slight variation.

I salute you!

--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.mac.com/barbschaller , blahblahblog is back and
is being updated quite regularly now, most recently 8-7-2008.
"rec.food.cooking Preserved Fruit Administrator
'Always in a jam. Never in a stew.'" - Evergene

On Fri, 8 Aug 2008 09:47:09 -0500, "Anny Middon"
> wrote:

Snip

>So except for the somewhat disappointing result for the jelly (I can't say
>I'm totally surprised -- it didn't come out all that clear), I won 3 blue
>ribbons and 2 purple rosettes. The only downside of this is that I can't
>enter in the Jam - Any Other Kind or Salsa (Tomato-Based) classes next year.
>
>Regardless, I am very happy.
>
>Oh, and Ping Barb:
>
>I used your recipe for B&B Pickles, so you can chalk up another two blue
>ribbons for it.
>
>Anny
>

Congratulations, Anny.

Boron

"Melba's Jammin'" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Ribbon WHORE??? Yer takin' money, are ya? "-) I, being more Genteel
> than Thou, describe myself as a Ribbon Slut, because there's no money
> involved. '-) At least no "real" money.
>

Depends I guess on what you term "real" money. I got $6 for each blue
ribbon at the county fair, but then I had to pay $15 in entry fees (included
free admission to the fair), so I netted $15. Illinois will eventually send
me $7 for each blue ribbon. I paid only $4 in entry fees, but I'll have to
pay to get into the fair.

I'll get the jars back, but the ingredients weren't cheap. I figure, what
with shipping charge for mailing my state fair entries, I won't even break
even.

So maybe I should start calling myself Ribbon Slut, too. But you know I
don't really care about the money -- it's the ribbons I want. I've got them
hanging along the soffits in my kitchen.

> Anny!! GOOD ON YOU!! Are you sharing the Plum Orange Jam recipe? If
> so, cough it up, Woman! If not, I understand. What kind of plums?
> Isn't that a riot about the differences in fairs and what they consider
> worthy and exceptional and not? Too funny.

Plum Orange Jam is from recipe in the Ball CBoHP. They call it Orange Plum
Jam; I switched the fruits in the name because it's really a plum jam with a
bit of orange and I thought it sounded too orange-y the other way. It calls
for optional orange-flavored liqueur -- I used Grand Marnier.

>
> Same peach salsa I tasted? I still have 1/4 jar in the fridge.
>

No -- I decided to try something different. This one is from the Ball
CBoHP. Frankly I think the other one is better -- recipe for it is at the
NCHP website as Peach Apple Salsa.

> Glad to hear the B&Bs were deemed worthy by Illinois' judging staff.
> 'Scuse me while I polish my nails on my bosom.

As well you should. Everyone loves them. I always make the minor variation
you suggest of using one red pepper and one green pepper. The red pepper
really adds to the attractiveness of the pickles.


> I made a great Mango-Raspberry Citrus jam; not sure if I'll enter it >
> kind of want to enter my Lemon Apricot stuff.

Both sound delicious. I'm about done with soft spreads for the summer,
except that I promised a friend I'd make some Blueberry Marmalade. I wanted
to make Grapefruit Marmalade last winter, and never got to it, so I'll
probably do that this year.
>
> I should be making stewed tomatoes and tomato juice for the Great
> Minnesota Get-Together; instead, I've been updating my website. I'm
> becoming quite comfortable with the software I use for it so it's easy
> for me to add to it frequently.
>

I went to the fair website, and frankly I'm envious. We got tickets to see
ZZ Top while we're in Springfiled, but in Minnesota you've got Jonny
Lang/Buddy Guy. Gotta love the blues.

> What's the rule they have that forbids you from entering the salsa lot
> next year? Have you won it x consecutive times? I couldn't put in my
> B&Bs for two years and will enter them this year with a slight variation.
>

I won the Best of Category rosette for the salsa, which means I can't enter
next year. Last year I won the best of category rosette for the Peach-Apple
Salsa (fruit salsas) and the Best of Division trophy, so I couldn't enter a
fruit salsa this year.

> I salute you!

Obviously, wins at the Illinois State Fair outshine the county fair wins,
but aren't as impressive as Minnesota State Fair wins. You get a lot more
entries than we do.

Frankly I was really surprised at the extrememly poor showing at the county
fair. Between the way food prices are going up and the great attention paid
to eating locally-grown foods, I thought canning was seeing a resurgence in
popularity.

Anny

"Gloria P" > wrote in message
. ..
> Anny Middon wrote:
>
>>
>> So except for the somewhat disappointing result for the jelly (I can't
>> say I'm totally surprised -- it didn't come out all that clear), I won 3
>> blue ribbons and 2 purple rosettes. The only downside of this is that I
>> can't enter in the Jam - Any Other Kind or Salsa (Tomato-Based) classes
>> next year.
>>
>> Regardless, I am very happy.
>>
>
>
> Congratulations, what a haul!
>

Thanks, Gloria. Gotta say, I do love winning ribbons.

Anny

"Boron Elgar" > wrote in message
...
> On Fri, 8 Aug 2008 09:47:09 -0500, "Anny Middon"
> > wrote:
>
> Snip
>
>>So except for the somewhat disappointing result for the jelly (I can't say
>>I'm totally surprised -- it didn't come out all that clear), I won 3 blue
>>ribbons and 2 purple rosettes. The only downside of this is that I can't
>>enter in the Jam - Any Other Kind or Salsa (Tomato-Based) classes next
>>year.
>>
>>Regardless, I am very happy.
>>
>>Oh, and Ping Barb:
>>
>>I used your recipe for B&B Pickles, so you can chalk up another two blue
>>ribbons for it.
>>
>>Anny
>>
>
> Congratulations, Anny.
>

Thanks, Boron.

I like to think of myself as a salsa expert, so the blue ribbon there was
especially gratifying.

Anny

In article >,
"Anny Middon" > wrote:

> First the Dupage County Fair. I have to say that I was very disappointed.
> They have 11 canning categories. I had entries in 5 of those categories, and
> was the only entry in 4 of them -- there was one other entry in
> Jam/Maramalade/Oreserves. The 6 categories I didn't enter had no entries.
>
> So I got the blue ribbon for every entry I had, but since there was no
> competition, it hardly means anything. I also got a Special Award for my
> Strawberry-Rhubarb Jelly (awarded by judges for overall excellence and
> creativity).
>
> For the record, here are my 5 blue-ribbon-winning entries:
>
> Jelly:
> Strawberry-Rhubarb Jelly
>
> Jam/Preserves/Marmalade
> Plum Orange Jam
>
> Pickles
> Bread & Butter Pickles
>
> Salsa - Hot
> Spicy Salsa
>
> Salsa - Mild
> Peach Salsa
>
>
> So, on to the Illinois State Fair. I entered four items:
>
> Jelly - Any Other Kind
> Strawberry-Rhubarb Jelly
> No ribbon
> (Note that this was the same item that got a Special Award at the Dupage
> Fair. Go figure.)
>
> Jam - Any Other Kind
> Plum Orange Jam
> Blue ribbon
> Rosette for Best of All Jams
>
> Bread & Butter Pickles
> Bread & Butter Pickles (natch!)
> Blue Ribbon
>
> Salsa (Tomato-Based)
> Chile Salsa
> Blue Ribbon
> Rosette for Best Sauce or Relish
>
> So except for the somewhat disappointing result for the jelly (I can't say
> I'm totally surprised -- it didn't come out all that clear), I won 3 blue
> ribbons and 2 purple rosettes. The only downside of this is that I can't
> enter in the Jam - Any Other Kind or Salsa (Tomato-Based) classes next year.
>
> Regardless, I am very happy.

Congratulations! That is just so cool. Our County fair was actually
cancelled last year due to business development. What is this world
coming to?

Isabella
--
"I will show you fear in a handful of dust"
-T.S. Eliot

"Anny Middon" > wrote in message
...
> So I got the blue ribbon for every entry I had, but since there was no
> competition, it hardly means anything........

That's how I felt when my puppy won a blue ribbon at a dog show - but was
the only one in her class. That was back in the 1970s. It meant a lot later
on when she won over 5 to 10 other dogs.

In article >,
"Anny Middon" > wrote:

> First the Dupage County Fair. I have to say that I was very disappointed.
> They have 11 canning categories. I had entries in 5 of those categories, and
> was the only entry in 4 of them -- there was one other entry in
> Jam/Maramalade/Oreserves. The 6 categories I didn't enter had no entries.

Jeez, I missed that first time I read your post. Bummer. Take heart:
I entered somethning once and didn't take 1, 2, 3, 4, OR 5 -- and there
were only three entries in the lot. And sometimes they don't award
first place if the best score isn't within the range for a first place
award.
>
> So I got the blue ribbon for every entry I had, but since there was no
> competition, it hardly means anything.
> Anny

--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.mac.com/barbschaller , blahblahblog is back and
is being updated quite regularly now, most recently 8-7-2008.
"rec.food.cooking Preserved Fruit Administrator
'Always in a jam. Never in a stew.'" - Evergene

In article >,
"Anny Middon" > wrote:

> "Melba's Jammin'" > wrote in message
> ...
>
> I'll get the jars back, but the ingredients weren't cheap. I figure, what
> with shipping charge for mailing my state fair entries, I won't even break
> even.

Understood. I figure I'm doing well if I make sugar expenses. :-/


Money is a transitory thing; bragging rights can last forever.
I just ran across this via the Fair website ‹ some fun listening as the
judges evaluate dill pickles:
<http://download.publicradio.org/podc.../special/2007/
08/state_fair/FairWaves_Day_3.mp3>

> Obviously, wins at the Illinois State Fair outshine the county fair wins,
> but aren't as impressive as Minnesota State Fair wins. You get a lot more
> entries than we do.

The Great Minnesota Get-Together is one of the largest two or three in
the country, IIR, and I *think* they get close to 1000 canned goods
entered and well over 1000 baked goods.

> Frankly I was really surprised at the extrememly poor showing at the county
> fair. Between the way food prices are going up and the great attention paid
> to eating locally-grown foods, I thought canning was seeing a resurgence in
> popularity.

> Anny

I think it is and I also think there are lots of folks (younger ones who
work full time, I'm guessing) who just can't be bothered. I understand
that and it makes me sad, too. I think if you didn't grow up with it
it's hard to become interested. It helps a lot if the first couple
times can be done with someone who knows what he/she's doing. More
about that in a separate post.
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.mac.com/barbschaller , blahblahblog is back and
is being updated quite regularly now, most recently 8-7-2008.
"rec.food.cooking Preserved Fruit Administrator
'Always in a jam. Never in a stew.'" - Evergene

"Melba's Jammin'" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> "Anny Middon" > wrote:
>
>> "Melba's Jammin'" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>> I'll get the jars back, but the ingredients weren't cheap. I figure,
>> what
>> with shipping charge for mailing my state fair entries, I won't even
>> break
>> even.
>
> Understood. I figure I'm doing well if I make sugar expenses. :-/
>
>
> Money is a transitory thing; bragging rights can last forever.
> I just ran across this via the Fair website < some fun listening as the
> judges evaluate dill pickles:
> <http://download.publicradio.org/podc.../special/2007/
> 08/state_fair/FairWaves_Day_3.mp3>

Thanks for that -- it was a lot of fun and pretty informative. I understand
why the judging is almost always closed, even though I do love the scene
from State Fair where Melissa Frakes' pickles and mincemeat are judged.
(Every year when we get together at my mom's, my mom, sisters and I watch
State Fair, the version with Jeanne Crain.)

Here's a link to the site made tiny so it doesn't wrap:

http://tinyurl.com/5842c7

>
>> Obviously, wins at the Illinois State Fair outshine the county fair wins,
>> but aren't as impressive as Minnesota State Fair wins. You get a lot
>> more
>> entries than we do.
>
> The Great Minnesota Get-Together is one of the largest two or three in
> the country, IIR, and I *think* they get close to 1000 canned goods
> entered and well over 1000 baked goods.
>

I don't think Illinois gets even a quarter of that, but I'll try to get a
count when I'm there next weekend.

>> Frankly I was really surprised at the extrememly poor showing at the
>> county
>> fair. Between the way food prices are going up and the great attention
>> paid
>> to eating locally-grown foods, I thought canning was seeing a resurgence
>> in
>> popularity.
>
>> Anny
>
> I think it is and I also think there are lots of folks (younger ones who
> work full time, I'm guessing) who just can't be bothered. I understand
> that and it makes me sad, too. I think if you didn't grow up with it
> it's hard to become interested. It helps a lot if the first couple
> times can be done with someone who knows what he/she's doing. More
> about that in a separate post.

You know, I didn't really grow up with it. I don't remember my mother ever
canning, and both my grandmothers died when I was young -- I was under 2yo
when my mother's mother died, and altho I was 6 when my dad's mom died and
remember her, she had a stroke when I was an infant and no longer did any
kitchen work.

I was in my early teens and bored one day during Christmas vacation when my
mother suggested I use up some of the oranges by making marmalade. Until
then it had never occurred to me that you could make soft spreads in a home
kitchen -- I think I assumed you needed a factory. No BWB processing -- I
used paraffin. But this was the 1960's and I think paraffin was still
considered okay back then. The cookbook I was using was from the 1940's.

At any rate, I'm entirely self-taught, with ample help from cookbooks. (But
then I'm pretty fearless when it comes to such things. I got a sewing
machine for a wedding shower present from my mother, and having never sewn
anything more complicated than a couple of Barbie dresses when I was a kid
[and those by hand], my first two sewing projects were a winter coat and a
long dress to wear to a friend's wedding.)

Anny

On Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:16:13 -0500, Melba's Jammin'
> wrote:

>In article >,
> "Anny Middon" > wrote:
>
>> First the Dupage County Fair. I have to say that I was very disappointed.
>> They have 11 canning categories. I had entries in 5 of those categories, and
>> was the only entry in 4 of them -- there was one other entry in
>> Jam/Maramalade/Oreserves. The 6 categories I didn't enter had no entries.
>
>Jeez, I missed that first time I read your post. Bummer. Take heart:
>I entered somethning once and didn't take 1, 2, 3, 4, OR 5 -- and there
>were only three entries in the lot. And sometimes they don't award
>first place if the best score isn't within the range for a first place
>award.
>>
>> So I got the blue ribbon for every entry I had, but since there was no
>> competition, it hardly means anything.
>> Anny

I'm all excited about the state fair. One of our county fairs had very
disappointing (to me) Preserve entries. Some lovely dried zucchini
though.

The Best in Show went to a jar of B+B pickles but mine look way better
then that jar. I was surprised. Too late to put B+B's in the state
fair, but there's another county fair I can enter. I live in a 4
county rural area and they don't seem to be too fussed about who
enters what.

I can't imagine winning that many ribbons, how cool. My friend Mr.
Blackberry says I'll spend twice as much in gas to go to the fair even
if I win 1st prize. Oh poo who cares about that!

snow