Mid-week at the fair

I always think of the fair in three parts... the first part is the whirlwind with everyone arriving, opening ceremonies and parades and much excitement.  The middle part is typically a bit more low key and relaxing.  In some ways, it is my favorite part of the fair.  The end of fair is filled with draft horses, which is definitely a highlight.  This post will cover the middle part - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the fair.

Monday afternoon our friend, Jim, arrived and pulled right into the space that Deborah and Lorree had just exited.  It sure was handy that Daddy reserved that extra space next to Uncle Mitch.  We ended up using it the entire fair time!

picture that Jim took of us in front of his RV

The theme for the fair this year was 'Celebrate Then and Wow'.  Yes, pretty cheesy... but I truly did appreciate all the historical aspects of the fair this year.  They had historic walking tours throughout the fairgrounds, which I thought was a terrific idea!  I have always loved the architecture of the buildings there - I just can't see the fair ever being located anywhere else.  Those buildings have so much character and heritage.  It was nice to see it celebrated this year.  Even if you couldn't make it on a tour, there were signs at all the buildings with basic information, including a QR code to scan with your phone sending that tour info directly to you.   There was also a 110 year commemorative wall erected in front of the Historic Administration Building.  Very, very nice additions to the fair.

Another highlight of the mid-week was the parade of antique tractors.  I just love seeing all the old tractors, shined up and looking spiffy.  Certainly takes me back through our own history, as well as all the Old Threshers celebrations we attended when I was a kid.

Tuesday evening we all gathered for a 'potluck' dinner at our camper.  Uncle Mitch brought his famous cucumbers made with mayo and splenda.  They are super tasty!!  Jim brought ham and we added fresh tomatoes and sauteed veggies and had a feast.  After dinner Jim, Marvin and I went to the Paul Revere and the Raiders concert.  We couldn't get anyone else to go with us, even though we had an extra ticket.  Okay... so we didn't have the highest expectations ourselves, but let me tell you, that was one of the best concerts I have ever been to in my life!  Seriously!  WHO KNEW???  Paul Revere (yes, that is his actual name) is in his 70's now and is still touring with bandmembers who have been with him for 30 to 40 years.  (Remember his wacky TV show in the 60's?)  However, they have a 'new' lead singer, within the last 10 years.  They primarily leave all the singing to him and he is incredible.  But, as Paul himself said, they only do a whole song about every 20 minutes.  The rest is some of the funniest stage show and improv that I have ever heard.  This guy just keeps talking and keeps you in stitches!  Hysterical!  I would definitely go see them again in a heartbeat.

Wednesday is always a day I look forward to at the fair.  That is Bluegrass Day and also Senior Day.  For the bluegrass part they have extra tents and stages set up around the fairgrounds with bands playing all day long, culminating with a jam session at the end of the day.  Great stuff!

Misty Mountain bluegrass group

River Berry bluegrass group

You may remember my affection for the Senior Missouri Waltz dance contest.  I so look forward to this event and the opportunity to cheer on my favorite contestants.  Many come back year after year.  This year I was saddened, though, when I couldn't find one of my favorite couples.  This particular couple has always been the couple that I felt like I know.  They just look so much like 'my people'... the people of my childhood family.  Shelby county folks...  And this year I didn't see them.  Then I saw the lady in the audience... and no sign of her husband.  I knew then what I really didn't want to know.  I smiled as many greeted her with hugs and she even danced a few rounds during the intermissions.  But, I couldn't help but feel sad thinking about her being back here without her husband.  Then, just last week I discovered more information about them.  It turns out they WERE Shelby county folks.  No wonder I always felt like they were 'my people'.  A lady I met last week actually knew them and confirmed that the husband had passed away this year.  I know I'll think of them, especially her, a lot.

Wednesday morning we stepped out of our camper to a surprise.  A step had magically appeared at the bottom of our camper steps.  We had been talking about needing an additional step and apparently dear Jim had one that he no longer uses.  What a great friend and gift!

The guys spent the better part of Wednesday and Thursday watching Team Penning in the Coliseum.  The addition of the 'big ass fans' really did make a huge difference in the temperature in there.  (Yes, that is their branded name, as Jackson just loves to remind me...)  For a description of what team penning involves, check out the wikipedia link here.

those famous fans...   :)

Wednesday the Budweiser Clydesdales arrived and we went down to see them in their tent.  Daddy helped us all get our photos taken with them  (one of the perks of knowing a Commissioner) and the boys got to meet the fair queen.  We took in a little bit of the horse-pulling contest then went to the Country Gold concert.

this is one of my favorites of all the photos Jackson took at the fair...

at the horse pull in the Matthewson Center

You can see more photos of the horse pull at the album linked at the bottom of the page - including some step by step photos showing the process of horse pulling.

Thursday was filled with more Team Penning, the 2nd parade (where Jackson got some great shots of the Clydesdales... and the queen) and the ground breaking for the new covered arena at the Coliseum.  We ended the evening at the Jake Owen concert where Jackson got another chance to visit with the queen.   :)

Professor Farquar 

Gov. Nixon, John Hagler and Daddy before the ground-breaking

To see an entire album of photos from mid-week at the fair, click here.

Fair Time! Thursday through Sunday

I am finally going to get around to posting about our two weeks at the Missouri State Fair.  We always look forward to this event with a great sense of anticipation and in some ways, trepidation.  It is easily one of our very favorite things to do, but we always know that when the fair ends, summer is also officially over.  Ahh... the good and the bad of things.  :)

The theme of this fair, for us, seemed to have been 'People'.  We enjoyed more time with friends and family than in any year that I can remember.  How wonderful!  And, to chronicle it all, Jackson and I took over 1800 photos between the two of us!  Don't worry... I won't post them all here.   :D

We headed down, along with Mama, Daddy and Anna, on Wednesday, Aug. 8th - arriving in the afternoon in not too bad temperatures.  It was a far cry from the way the rest of the summer had gone - with typical temps well over 100 degrees.  I couldn't believe how perfect the fair weather was - 80's and 90's the entire time!  Zack and his family had been in Branson and they ran him up to us Wednesday evening.

Thursday morning we headed out for the opening ceremony, this year across from the state fair fire station, which was celebrating its 50th year of operation at the fair.  Happily, we ran into Professor Farquar before the ceremony even began and he stopped to perform a couple magic tricks for us.  He is definitely one of our all time favorites!

Zack, Professor Farquar, Anna

Daddy onstage for the opening ceremony

We managed to get in quite a few shows that opening day including the Nerveless Nocks Thrill Show, the Bald Eagle Returns (sponsored by MO Dept. of Conservation), a bit of the state fair queen contest, the opening parade (complete with stealth bomber fly-over) and Jackson & Anna even made it to the rodeo Thursday evening.  Throw in a 'dollar day corndog' and some relaxing time at the camper and it made for a pretty fantastic start to the fair.

Nerveless Nocks Thrill Show

Bald Eagle Returns presetation

Daddy in the parade

stealth bomber fly-over

Jackson and Anna heading to the rodeo

one of Jackson's great shots at the rodeo

Friday we were joined by Adrian as well as Julie and the Matheney's.  Deborah and Lorree from Arizona also rolled in that day in their RV, which we parked right next to Uncle Mitch's camper (which housed Troy, Julie and their crew the first weekend of the fair).  Some of the shows and events we took in on Friday included In Capable Hands performing at the Touchstone Energy Stage and Cowboy Mounted Shooting at the Matthewson Center.  Then all the 'kids' went to the Justin Moore/Josh Thompson concert while Marvin, Julie and I accompanied Mama, Daddy, Deborah and Loree out to dinner at Golden Corral.   :)  We all met up back at the camper at the end of another good day.

In Capable Hands - very entertaining show

Mama, Lorree, Daddy and Deborah with the owner of The Hacienda mexican restaurant at the fair.

Brenda and Matt at the Conservation building.

Cowboy Mounted Shooting

Another great Jackson shot...

Saturday was another busy day with a whole crew of folks at the fair.  We took in the Sea Lion Splash show, watched a tremendously talented group of young men called Six Appeal,  (you have to really read that carefully when it is in small print in the schedule!!)  played with bubbles and enjoyed the mule show.

Zack, Adrian, Melina, Jackson and Megan

Sea Lion Splash show

Six Appeal a cappella group

Janna and Julie (S.)

Anna

In particular, we all got a kick out of this little girl who was showing her miniature jumping mule. Her whole little body was so determined to show her mule, yet when she got him to the jump, he just didn't want to do it.  Finally, she would hand it over to her Mom, step on the other side of the jump and start clapping; which, of course, got the entire audience clapping along with her!  Finally he would jump and she would get so excited she would jump up and down.  She definitely became a fan favorite.  When they were finally eliminated she walked out of the arena then turned back around at the gate to wave at her adoring audience.  I do believe we saw a future state fair queen that day!   :D

Saturday evening the 'kids' all went to the Montgomery Gentry/38 Special concert while the rest of us 'old folks' relaxed back at the camper.  :)

Sunday was a little gray and overcast, but the temperature was perfect.  All the kids spent a good part of the morning hanging around the campers playing football.  That afternoon we attended the Military Appreciation Ceremony at the Matthewson Center.  Once again, the Patriot Guard Riders came into the arena one by one then gave their 'salute' of revving their engines all at once.  I tell you, that is a powerful moment.  

Melina, Jonathan, Anna, Matthew, Zack, Jackson, Adrian and Megan

Marvin, Julie S., Mama and Daddy

Julie, Mama and Daddy 

Patriot Guard Riders

There are SO many terrific photos from this jam-packed four days.  You can see a full album of them by clicking this link.  

Quick and Easy Cole Slaw Meals

Did I mention that it has been a 'quick meal' kind of month around here?  Well, here are a couple more recipes that are not necessarily pretty to look at, but they are certainly quick, easy and fairly good.  Not a ringing endorsement?  Try them on a frantic evening and you will grow to LOVE them!   :)  Ha!

Both of these meals begin with a bag of cole slaw mix.  How easy is THAT?

Quick Cabbage, Potato and Turkey Sausage Hash
1 bag cole slaw mix
3 cups cubed hash browns
3 or 4 green onions
1 turkey smoked sausage
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder
3 Tbsp. olive oil

Heat olive oil in skillet and add hash browns in a layer across bottom of pan.  Then pour the slaw mix over the top, then the smoked turkey sausage (be sure it is the pre-cooked kind or you will need to cook it beforehand).  Let cook without stirring until the hash browns brown - about 10 minutes or so.  Then stir the mixture and add sliced green onions.  Cook for a few minutes more until heated through.

Quick Stir Fry Slaw
1 bag cole slaw mix
1 to 2 Tbsp. sesame oil
stir fry seasonings of your choice - I used...
3 to 4 Tbsp. low sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1 Tbsp. Teriyaki sauce
1 Tbsp. Hoisin sauce

Heat the sesame oil in a skillet then toss in the bag of cole slaw mix.  Add seasonings and stir fry for just a few minutes until slaw is crisp tender.  You can add Rotisserie Chicken to the stir fry or on the side (as pictured above).

Oven Garlic Herb Chicken

Years ago, way back when Jackson was a baby, I had a 'stand by dish' that I knew I could whip up in mere minutes.  It seems that I needed that quick meal solution quite often back in those days!  Does anyone else remember those 'Create A Meal' frozen meal starters?   I liked it so much better than the comparable convenience frozen meals of today because I could use my own chicken.  All I had to do was cut up a couple of chicken breasts and toss it in with the veggie/potatoes and seasoning packet.  Our favorite was the garlic chicken.  They quit making them quite a long time ago... and I begrudgingly figured out other things for my 'go-to quick meal'.

However, a few weeks ago I started thinking about the old Create A Meal again.  Partly because the last few weeks have certainly been demanding more 'quick-fix' type meals, but also because we truly liked the Create A Meal dinner.  Not only had it been quick, it was tasty!  I finally decided that I could make my own version.  (duh)  Well, I did!  And we all loved it!  And it is still quick and easy!

Note - I just went searching on the web and discovered that they are kind of still around.  Apparently, they only have Stir Fry flavors.  I have to say I really liked the old 'classic recipe' versions better.

Oven Garlic Herb Chicken (my version of Garlic Herb Create A Meal from the late 90's)
2 to 3 chicken bouillon cubes
1 Tbsp. onion flakes
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp. Montreal chicken seasoning (totally optional - I just had it in my cabinet!)
1 tsp. garlic powder (or 2-3 garlic cloves crushed)
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup water
3 chicken breasts
1 bag of Schwans Fire Roasted Veggie Blend  (I like using this blend because it has potatoes and veggies all together, but the beauty of this recipe is that you can choose any frozen veggie blend you like!)

Crush the bouillon cubes (or use bouillon granules - 1 cube = 1 tsp. granules).  Add all seasonings to bowl and toss with frozen veggie blend.  Cut up chicken and add to bowl.  Add oil and water and stir to coat all thoroughly.  Pour into baking pan (I use a stone casserole) and bake at 375 for about 30 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked through.  Stir occasionally during cooking time.