Happy Halloween!

For school today, we read to each other some of our favorite fall and Halloween stories.

Pumpkin, Pumpkin by Jeanine Titherington

Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White

The Beast Who Couldn't Say Boo by Amanda Agee

And a chapter from Richard Peck's A Year Down Yonder, that tells the story of Halloween with Grandma Dowdel.

We also made cupcakes (devil's food, of course) with sprinkles.



Tonight, I'm hoping for a chance to watch Arsenic and Old Lace with my older daughter.

Any special plans at your place?

State Fair Judging Results

We picked up our entries from the fairgrounds yesterday as well as a handful of ribbons. Yay! As usual, the things I think are winners get nothing and the ones I think are just so-so, are the ones that come home with awards.

Here's the list of winners:
Bread and Butter Pickles--1st place
Apple Jelly--2nd Place
Grape (muscadine-wild grape)--2nd Place
Strawberry Jelly--2nd Place
Blueberry Jam--2nd Place
Purse--2nd Place

Apron--2nd Place

Girls Wear (dress)--2nd Place

Pillow--1st Place

We also had the great pleasure of meeting our state fair hero, a charming lady who enters literally dozens of categories and wins in lots of them. Miss Dorothy was there picking up her entries, an all day task for her, and we happened to see her cart and recognized some of her work. She was just as sweet and friendly as I had pictured. My son was thrilled to meet her and couldn't wait to tell his big sister about meeting Miss Dorothy.

Time to get started on next year's projects!

In Atlanta for Country Living's "Pitch Your Product"

The Bede Sisters spent the weekend in Atlanta for Country Living magazine's "Pitch Your Product". It's kind of like American Idol for craft people. We checked in at the "pitch" desk and were sent to a waiting room with lots of other people. The hope is that Country Living will select out product for a mention in the magazine. (Here we are at the hotel, with our fabric baskets.)

We had three minutes to present our product, then the people from the magazine asked a couple of questions. That was it. Now we wait for a few weeks to see if we're "going to Hollywood". At least nobody called us "dawg".

After we were done with our pitch, we went to the Country Living Fair, held at Stone Mountain park. We had a great time checking out all the booths.

I spent a long time talking to a couple who raise their own sheep for wool. She's a long time spinner and I had the fun of watching her spin some of her hand dyed wool. I also brought home some roving for myself, of course.

The picture below is of Lori and me in front of a small camper belonging to the Sisters on the Fly. They are a group of women who go on adventures together, often fishing and many in their own wildly decorated campers. We may join them someday. When we grow up.

What have you been doing, Kay?

I'm so glad you asked.

I've been visiting Florida theme parks in the rain. Checking out the chickens at the state fair with my son: Grieving the loss of our 20-year-old chair, lovingly known as "the blue chair":

And sewing. Lots and lots of sewing:

Am I Coming...Or Going?

2011 SC State Fair Entries

I'm headed to the SC State Fair grounds later today to deliver my entries for 2011.

These are my canning entries: jams, jellies and a jar of pickles. I wanted to enter some things made from pears, but I wasn't able to get pears this year.

I also have two stocking entries, the first from a recycled rice bag, the second from new materials. I love this little purse! It's made from leftover Halloween fabric from other projects.

This is a skein of my homespun yarn. It's way to lumpy and bumpy, but I had a great time spinning it. The judges may not be impressed, but I am. Yay me!

My scarf entry is made from bamboo yarn and is super soft. The colors are purple and white.
The last two entries are a crocheted shawl (including a bit of homespun yarn) and a Thanksgiving apron.

Wish me luck!