The contest is officially over!! and if I can ever get this phat cat photo to cross over you'll see the phat lady sing! Thank you all for the warmth and humor you've shared - I really need it now that we're not going to see 10F for another week. (-30F windchills for the next 4 days - yes, sympathy please). SO! It's up to the judges now, the panel of 4 has their work cut out for them. We're picking 1 winner in the pond (aquarium) catagory, and 1 in the non-pond related catagory. Each winner will have $25 donated in their pet's name to HSDM. And as I've told the judges, every photo here is fair game, because while some photos are of the pet involved in their OCD behavior, other pix are of the pets and the stories are of their OCD behavior. And, yes, the owner's OCD! We're all family here and a picture of Aunt Mable snoozing in the Lazy Boy may bring up fond memories of that great Thanksgiving when she got a little tipsy and fell asleep before the pecan pie! There's often alittle history behind a photo. Winners will be announced SUPER BOWL Sunday! Thanks everybody!

I grow my coleus in pots. In late September, I move them into the greenhouse. By mid-winter, they usually die back, but the seeds drop into the pots and I have 'babies" come up in late March or April, depending up the amount of sun they get and when I start watering everything again to bring them out of dormancy. Just thought I ought to "splain" that better. Same thing happens with my Basils, Petunias and Periwinkles, too. Oh, and the Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)- it comes back every year. I had two come up in one of my potted cactus this year and one came up in the Butterfly Ginger pot. I love these plants. The leaves are so colorful!

Gee, I am not sure where to start, lol. I started entering fairs in 7th grade in the Home Ec class, I am now 48. First, and foremost, get a Premium Book from the fair you are entering, if it is over this year you may be able to get an extra one to study in preparation for next year. Some, are available online. Secondly, as I understand it, the Land Grant College of Mass is the University of Mass in Amherst. The land grant colleges of the United States are the Universities who have been granted Cooperative Extension Services. There you will find alot of information about agricultural and fair competition. The 4-H department has phamplets for this purpose for the different clubs to educate the youngsters. When entering last year I felt sorry for some newbies who didn't read up and were not allowed to enter do to incorrect jar size, glued on top covers, travelling distances only to find out that fair required bands on the canned goods. Unlike the fair Shirley enters there is no rule for label placement for me, although I place mine on the bottom for single competition and place on the side for display competition (the ones on trays/baskets like Dave mentioned). The 5 pickled competition is tough for tray size 15 inches max. That is exactly 5 pint jars lined up. I won blue last year, the colors were awesome I must admit, sweet gerkins, garlic dills, pickled cauliflower, 3 bean salad and pickled red cabbage. The Ball writing on the lids were perfectly aligned with the embossing of the Vintage clear jars I used. That's another tip, only clear/shiny clean jars is the standard. I use either vinegar or Borax to wipe down. Food coloring is usually not allowed. I may chance it with the Lavendar jelly this year to get a nicer violet color. Other standards are correct head space for the product canned, following USDA Guidelines, no floating fruit or veggies, good seal. Last year was the first year the jam/jelly judge opened lids for correct jell set on the jams and jellies, but did not taste product. I can sympathize with that after being a judge years ago for an apple/pumpkin baking contest. Went home and pucked for hours, to this day can't stand cream cheese frosting. Fresh veggies, you would surely be wise to get the 4-H information on the cut stem sizes for peppers, beets, pumpkins, eggplants, etc.... All specimens should be of the same uniform size, free of insects, insect or mechanical damage (ie: bruising when transported).Some veggies you shine, others you don't. Many fairs have weird /odd, giant veggie categories. New Jersey gives Trophies for the largest weight maters. Baked goods is another category for the Ag Department if you bake. Zucchini bread and Blueberry muffins are the toughest categories here. Hort Department, I have to agree about the other forums. Although, that is how I started entering, have a zillion blue ribbons for my floral specimens and can pick a blue ribbon zinna in the dark, that would make this post too lengthy. Lastly, HAVE FUN!

DD, I always get at least 2. We have dinner every night, and I use them. I don't set the table just for a pic, too much work. We sit down and enjoy them. I haven't done my St Pat's table for this year..MONDAY.. Luvs, the shamrocks were 2 left from a whole set son was given. Only a few pieces survive..so I took 2 plates.. The green set I got 4 dinners and 4 salads. I used to buy only for 12!! But I don't have 12 every night, so I cut back.. Prosp, I liked the glasses too..Lenox had a sale. I got 4 stems in that color too... The little Irish guy is very cute..I got my gdau a girl with apron full of shamrocks...her bday is next week..Pic is blurry though...