Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Total Eclipse of the Sun (and kolaches)

As luck would have it, drop-off day for Danny's state fair entries was the day of the eclipse-and Grand Island was smack-dab in the middle of totality. After getting his entries in, we stuck around in town to join everyone else in hoping the clouds would clear in time for the eclipse. They did-and it was two minutes of breathtaking viewing. I didn't think fiddling with my camera was how I wanted to experience it, so I just watched it instead😎. Here, Danny is showing you with a kolache what it looks like when you see the sun's corona around the moon. You get the idea. 
Yeah, that was cool. The five hour drive home through standstill traffic on I-80 was a drag, but in the end, obviously worth it. We go back to Grand Island next week with my pies for the live event, and we'll be able to find out how Danny's entries did. I'm expecting he will be bringing home some ribbons. 
When the fair opens, the hall will be filled with exhibits. This is Danny's beehive honey cake covered in candied borage leaves. There's a cup and a half of honey in the cake and another 3/4 cup in the honey/lemon glaze. This was for a contest sponsored by the Nebraska Beekeepers. 

The photos really don't do the cake justice. I hope he wins a ribbon for it.
By the end of the day those tables will be covered with entries for judging. We were the second to arrive. Now that's done-onward to the pie baking!
I made a quick visit to the Grand Island Goodwill before the eclipse and found two pair of vintage earrings. There was a necklace that matched the pink ones that I didn't buy as it was long. If it is still there next week, maybe I'll get it-I really shouldn't quibble over a buck. I don't wear a lot of long necklaces, generally. 
Today, I've been slowly returning to a normal (ish) routine. I washed my hair for the first time in over a week, so that's something. Maybe I'll find 15 minutes to give it a trim as well. 


 I finally wore this polyester dress I bought months ago. The heavy polyester knit isn't great in summer temperatures, but the short sleeves won't do much in winter. We've been unseasonably cool this week, so I took advantage of the weather to try this dress out. I like it, though the matching tie-belt does seem to disappear in the pattern.

 Outfit Particulars:
1960's polyester dress-Goodwill
Shoes-K Mart
Vintage handbag-Goodwill
Brooch-Hand-Me-Ups
Earrings-Hand-Me-Ups
Fragrance-Patou Caline (it reminds me of Parure. Not a dupe, but in the same spirit)
I'll leave you with a look at my new sweatshirt. I don't need a shirt to encourage me to do what I've essentially been doing my entire life, but it was soft, warm, and inexpensive. I picked this up at Target when I bought the unicorn leggings. It got a laugh from the woman ahead of me waiting to pay when she realised I was buying them for myself, not a child. Yeah well, like the shirt says. 

I'm taking a few days to relax before the pie-a-thon begins. The Nebraska State Fair runs 25 August-4 September 2017. 

























11 comments:

ThriftyParka said...

I'm so glad you are taking a bit of a breather. You and Danny have been busy!! It must have been immensely fulfilling to place those delicious looking baked goods on the tables. I know he'll bring home a ribbon for the cake and kolaches (hee, laughing at the "eclipse kolach".

Love that dress! And those glasses!!!

take it easy, eh?

happy thrifting ;)

Bibi Maizoon said...

Wow that is one amazeballs looking beehive cake!
It's so overcast here in the Monsoon no one would even notice an eclipse.
I recall we had one of those blow torched wooden placques in the 70's with the 'hippy' slogan "Do your own thing" on it. I think my mom bought it at the California state fair in Sacramento.
Anywho, looking forward to the pie-a-thon!

Mim said...

Education through cake. There's a learning technique I could get behind. I hope Danny gets lots of ribbons, he's worked so hard.

That 60s polyester dress is pretty tasty too.

Anonymous said...

That beehive cake is sure to be a winner! How did he make the shape so well? JanF

Polyester Princess said...

You guys have been super busy, and I'm sure all Danny's work will be paid off with quite a few ribbons. That honey cake is a work of art. Surely that will win top price. I'm hearing you on the short-sleeved polyester knit dress! I've got some of these myself and they hardly get worn, lovely though they are. Yours is a one I would have picked up too, such a great print and colour! xxx

Miss Magpie said...

Danny's cake looks amazing fingers crossed for him and thank you for explaining the rules :)

Goody said...

@Thrifty
I've been thinking of you, and wondering how the building is going? Your blog is showing old posts from January ;)
I hope you have been able to get a break from all the renovations this summer. Take care.

@Bibi
Hopefully the monsoon is cooling things down for you. Ugh, it must be awful before the rain.

@Mim
I know that would have made me a better student ;)

@Jan
It is a two-part mould, so it is really like baking a layer cake-after trimming, it is sandwiched together with icing.

@Ann
I know you would have figured out the perfect belt for this dress!

@Miss Magpie
Thank you-and you're welcome!

Radostin said...

A few days to relax - you certainly deserve them! Danny's cake is far lovelier than a cake should be, and the kolach eclipse picture is adorable. I like your dress too - though clothes that are always either too warm or not warm enough are frustrating. I hope the piemaking is fun, & good luck with the ribbons 🎀

Beth Waltz said...

Borage on a honey cake -- brilliant theming! Looking forward to the pies and the ribbons, of course. Odd question: Does Danny have a chef's apron yet?

I neither knit nor crochet; however, I do remember shopping for bolero-ish toppers for those late summer shifts made of heavy knit. Also remember belts of white leatherette "shapes" joined with links of chrome chain. (The shapes quickly yellowed and curled.)

Goody said...

@Radostin
I'm probably psyching myself out over the pies, but I just found out the woman that dominates the event each year is a professional pie baker with a business devoted to them. There's nothing in the rules prohibiting a professional from entering, but to be honest, I feel like I'm being set up to fail. I wouldn't have gone to the effort, time and expense had I known. I guess I'll be happy if I come in 2nd or 3rd.

I've been baking pies for decades, but suddenly I'm unsure of myself and my trial runs have been terrible.

@Beth
I made him an apron-not very chef-like as it was made from a cute printed barkcloth with woodland animals on it, but he likes it. We also have a pile of envelopes marked, "Chef Dan's hairnets" as that hair of his gets everywhere otherwise.

I have a few of those chain belts. Somehow, they just don't look right without the addition of white go-go boots! Crazy as it sounds, I have a wardrobe filled with cardigans, boleros, jackets etc. that NEVER seem to work with what I'm wearing! I really don't know how that's possible ;)

Vix said...

Danny's cake is a masterpiece, if he doesn't get a ribbon for that beauty then there's no justice in this world!
Loving the polyester frock and the newly acquired earrings. Get the beads!!!
I've just washed my hair for the first time in a week, the water was rancid but does it feel good? xxx