Yup, it’s that time of year again. The Montana State Fair starts on Friday, and today was the day to submit our entries in the Culinary Arts division. I thought I was organized and had every intention of having all of the baking wrapped up by noon. Ha! Between a late start and breaking up early morning brawls, it was 9:00 a.m. before I mixed the bread dough. I made a Kamut Khorasan wheat and white bread, carrot-pumpkin (because I didn’t have enough carrots and didn’t want to dig up the entire bed to gather enough) cake and a flourless chocolate cake. 
It was Sam’s first year for baking so I let him choose. You’d think somethingn simple like chocolate chip cookies, right? Not my boy. He opted for a chocolate cherry fudge cookie. It’s hard to make perfectly, but I told him to go for it. I read the recipe and helped him figure out what needed to be done, but he did most of it himself. It looked like bears got into our pantry after he was done, and he had to change his clothes. They turned out pretty good. The hardest part was keeping John away from them until it was time to pick the best three to submit. And once we picked our entries all bets were off!
Besides the baked goods, Grant and I entered strained honey and honey comb. We hoarded them since last fall, which was pretty tough since we ran out over a month ago. It’s killed me to have to buy honey at the store; thankfully after the Fair I’ll be set until we spin it. I also submitted canned venison, applesauce, spiced crabapples and stewed tomatoes. Hopefully our hard work will pay off this year. 
Looks like fun! I think it is awesome how you are teaching your kids and giving them so much freedom in the learning process!
I can also relate to the breaking up of brawls!!!
Love ya.
Thanks, Beth! Yes, I figure it’s worth a few buckets of cleaning water and loads of laundry to teach them to cook. It’s something they’ll use forever!
So should we go in for a bulk order of striped shirts and whistles to use to break up the boys?
Love ya!