uscjusto, Yes, I grow them from seed. I used to always buy them from Park Seed, but they quit selling them. So this year I bought them from ? Jung? I think. They seemed to be more popular/available about 8-10 years ago. Now you really have to look around to find them. I think they are having trouble keeping it true to the original one. sconticut.......Do those 2 favorites of yours ever get cuc beetles? I would love to grow other varieties, but they all die from the wilt.

Way to go Annie! I too came from a country life background. As kids when the fair came around everyone took turns fighting for the ovens to bake their entries. We had only one oven so it ran for 24 hours and each took turns! We finally got use of the neighbor's oven which helped out. Judging day was the BIG event. Sitting all day watching the judges do their work on taste, appearance ect. I recall while still in high school I entered strudel and wheat bread and won on both. Those were the days! My kids always whine that I should enter some of my jams, jellies and canned fruits in the fair but I always seem to forget until too late. Our county fair is wonderful and still has a lot of baked goods and canned goods (although it seems a little less every year). Some of the surrounding counties have little or no baked good entries! I was actually horrified when they started giving awards out for bread baked in bread machines. I guess I am too old fashioned. Glad to hear the grandkids are interested and you can pass on your skills! My kids love to eat the finished product but cooking in any form is not for them (hope they don't end up being microwave queens when it comes to food prep).

What a wonderful idea to give prizes for family antiques. Yours are so sweet. I'll bet that photo of your dad was tossed around, maybe by the children. I say that because I remember how, as children, we took some of those old things for granted.

arcy, that vase is beautiful. Will be a family heirloom for sure. What a lovely (and talented) gift. I don't do anything clever enough to enter, but I think we're going to a tiny little fair next week. In an area where DH had done a lot of work over the years and he knew many of the farmers, land owners. We haven't gone in a few years but I noticed the dates and thought it might be fun to make a day trip of it. I saw the most intriguing quilt on display there one year. It was dairy cows, and somehow the quilter had managed it so that no matter where you stood, it looked like the silly cows were looking back, following with their eyes. I'm not even especially attached to cows but would have bought it had it been for sale. It wasn't ;0)