See That Glow? That's A Proud Mama Beaming

The State Fair results have been posted
http://statefair.org/fair/competitions/documents/FoodResults2014.pdf
(Scroll to div. 4614)

Will you indulge me a second to brag about the youngster's accomplishment?

My baby boy's first prize-winning jams and nectar. It was, apparently a sweep with him taking 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place ribbons. The nectar took a blue ribbon, and it isn't clear which jams came in where, but we'll know that on Monday when we go to Grand Island. I have to admit, the apricot nectar was really good. I'm so proud of him (would have been even if he hadn't placed) for all the planning, and hard work developing recipes, testing, and finally bottling them up. He's already planning next year's entries.


In other news, I finally (after five weeks) got my second pair of specs back from the lab. First, they forgot to tint them. Then, instead of green, they tinted them yellow. Finally I ended up with sky blue and decided to call it a day. The line-less trifocal is insanely difficult to get used to, and even though they adjusted the frames, they are still sliding down my nose (because they're heavy) so I think at some point I need to find a new place to do my eyewear. They used to be good, but whatever happened, they aren't now.

We used to tease my mother that these were rapper specs, but I feel more like Elvis, if I'm honest. I have a polyester jumpsuit with rhinestones that may need a wearing soon.

I frightened the gardener today. He was attempting to sweep soaking wet mulch from the sidewalk after a rain when he saw me and said hello...then he saw the eyewear and kinda froze. Can't blame the kid. Last I saw of him he's given up sweeping in favour of one of those leaf-blower things, but it wasn't really helping. We've had very heavy rainfall of late, and wet mulch isn't going anywhere until it dries out. I hope I don't find him out there with a hairdryer next. So yeah, I've had a lousy couple of weeks but at least I'm not charged with sweeping wet mulch. Life could be worse.

Yesterday was full of excitement though. I was in the kitchen chopping the hell out of what must have been the world's hardest squash (I mean, the chef's knife wouldn't budge through it) when Danny came in to tell me he had a loose tooth. OK, no big deal, then he yells from the powder room, "I got it out." Great, I kept chopping away at the squash figuring the problem was solved, when he came into the kitchen with a soaked gauze pad and a worried look.
"I don't think I got it all."

I'm not the panic sort of parent, so I looked in his blood filled mouth, saw the piece of tooth that broke coming out and figured I'd grasp it with a tea towel and get back to my squash duties. It wouldn't budge. 4:30 in the afternoon, and I need to find a dentist. I found one-three minutes from the house. She cut away a bit of gum, pulled the tooth, and said if it ever happens again, just keep wiggling it, and it will come out eventually. There might be tons of blood though, depending how it breaks. I'll pass this vital bit of information along in case it ever comes up. I got home, covered the squash, put it in the fridge and dealt with it today. See? No big deal. Blood, teeth, broken bones-no problem. Asthma? Anaphylaxis? I will freak the hell out. Inwardly, of course.

Are these the best chartreuse earrings, or what? I wanted them at $3.99 but figured they'd go on sale-and they did. I wish all my earrings looked like lemon candy.

The Guardian had an article today in the fashion section about how opaque tights are back in style. When I stopped laughing, I realised they were serious. Well they never went out of style for me. Our winters are much too harsh for bare legs. Besides, this skirt would have been obscene with bare legs, where now it is just, "kind of short."

Outfit Particulars:

Ann Taylor skirt-Goodwill
Blouse-Sears (I think?)
Green 70's jacket (part of a suit)-Thrifted Salvation Army
Gaymode 60's shoes-thrifted
60's handbag-Thrift World, Millard
Cazal Eyewear-Mum's
Bracelets-hand-me-ups
Rings-Thrifted
Earrings-Hand-Me-Ups
Floral pin-Goodwill 108th and Blondo
Scent-Tabu (Still can't decide if I like it or not (on me). Probably won't buy another bottle).

Now, to select my clothes for Grand Island, and the visit to Red Cloud http://www.willacather.org/. I guess it comes down to, Laura Ashley, or Gunne Sax? Either would work, just not with these specs.

Do take a peek at the Cather Foundation website-you can do a virtual tour of Willa's childhood home. Last time I went, it was 104 degrees F. and I nearly passed out climbing up to that hot attic to look at her floral wallpaper. A virtual tour would have been nice. Monday looks to be better weather. Thank god.