In article >, Michael Odom
> wrote:

> On Thu, 26 Aug 2004 10:03:50 -0500, Melba's Jammin'
> > wrote:
>
> >As Sam would say: "I so 'cited."
> >
> >Here are my 20 canning entries in this year's Minnesota State Fair and
> >how they fared at the fair
(snip)
> >Cherry Jam - 1st
> >Peach Jam - 1st
> Excellent.

You have no idea! The Cherry Jam rocks and I was surprised at the Peach
results! A friend trucks the cherries in for me from Door County,
Wisconsin. They're known for them. A couple years ago, my Peach Jam
got the big Gedney prize for best jam or preserve. I wasn't sure about
it this year, because it's always so iffy for me - and I think I used
Georgia peaches instead of Colorados. I'm sure a Georgia peach direct
from tree to mouth is something to behold but these weren't those; and
the Colorados are almost always stellar.

> >Raspberry and Apricot-Mango-Pineapple Jams - nothing
> More bums

Mmmm, maybe. I made two batches. The first one was quite soft. Quite!
Fiddled around with the second batch and increased the pectin and acid.
I'm pretty sure I entered from the second batch. And then discovered
that the first batch did finally set nicely (apricots can take a couple
weeks to set). I think the first batch was superior in taste. Again, I
look forward to reading the scoresheet.

> >Strawberry Jam - 1st
> >Blackberry Jelly - 1st

> More excellent.

Thanks, I've only ever gotten second place with the Blackberry Jelly
before. And never for Strawberry Jam. Usually I make Strawberry Brick
Mortar. Did I mention that my blackberry stuffs are made from frozen
berries from the supermarket?

> >Crab apple Jelly - 4th
> !

Yeah, I thought so, too; I thought my stuff was really tasty, not to
mention gorgeous. Will await the scoresheet.

> >Pepper Jelly - nothing
> Where did all the bums come from, anyway?
Nah, the pepper jelly wasn't all that great - too much stuff in it; more
like pepper jam than jelly.

> >Bread and Butter Pickles - 1st
> Pluperfectly excellentisimo.

You have such a way with words! I'm going to do a tv appearance on
Monday evening and I've been asked to bring some of the B&B's for
tasting. I've got the jar that was judged and will bring some of those
if I can get them away from Rob.

> >Watermelon Pickles - nothing (I wouldn't have given them a ribbon,
> >either)
> Barb, don't be such a bum.
(snip)
No, really. Modesty doesn't become me. When I made them, I didn't
think they tasted clovey enough, so I added more clove oil. Uffda.
Shouldn't a not done that. then I started fiddledicking around with it
to get the clove taste under control but it may have been too late. OK,
it was too late. Plus, I don't know what the winners were like - some
watermelon pickles involve lemons and mine don't. Dunno what the judges
thought was terrific.

> >And then these:
(snip)
> Geeze, lady. Save some for the other pepole.

Bullshit. They kin git their own! "-)

> Warmest congratulations on a fine sweep of the Minnesota jam and
> baking olympics. I'm very happy for you!

Thanks, Michael. I get giddy during the Fair, then I get back to just
normal-dufus mode. This year is fun because I checked and see that I've
never had a year any bluer than this one -- most certainly not one with
all the extra stuff (most of which don't involve any extra money, BTW).
>
> modom
>
> "Dallas is a rich man with a death wish in his eyes."
> -- Jimmie Dale Gilmore
--
-Barb, <www.jamlady.eboard.com> An update on 8/22/04; check the Fairs Fare tab.