Tunbridge World's Fair

So, the Tunbridge World's Fair took place about two months ago. And I'm just now blogging about it. Please don't judge me. 

My adopted family (Oh hey, Ogrincs!) and I took to the Tunbridge World's Fair in Tunbridge, Vermont. As a child growing up in Iowa, I toured my share of county and state agricultural fairs so I was eager to experience Vermont's rendition. 

The Tunbridge World's Fair began with an impressive tractor-trailer ride from the parking lot to the fair entrance. That's some Vermont hospitality right there.  

The fair was comprised of several sections. The first area show-cased antique farming equipment. Mostly, lots of rickety iron mechanical objects sputtering fumes and cutting logs. Or Vermonters tediously  re-enacting old-fashioned farming techniques. Overall, very informative.

Next, we headed down-hill to tour our feasting options. Good fair food is essential part of any fair-goers experience. The Tunbridge World's Fair offered a surprisingly vast and diverse array. While fried Oreos, pretzels and funnel cakes occupied many booths; roasted corn, beet chips, eclairs, buffalo burgers, maple cotton candy, apple crisp, and local barbecue. Epic food success.

After scoping out our food options, we moseyed down to the agricultural section. Personally, one of my main priorities of the fair was to see an ox. I've seen a great number of cows, chickens, pigs and various other farm animals, but never an ox. I found oxen quite impressive. These animals are massive and strong.

Oxen home!

Sheep!

Fancy chickens.

Fancy chicken eggs. 

Awesome root beer station!

More food. Hotdog style. 

After fooding, rides were in order. This fair had quite the spread, not just your typical farris wheel. 

Our day concluded with a pig race. Oh yes. The first two races involved feisty little pigs that tore around the race-track with mad speed. So inspiring. The final round featured four thick, squatty sows who moved at the speed of saplings growing. Actually, they were hilariously entertaining. I would would go to more pig races if  they were available.

The Tunbridge World's Fair was quite a wonderful day!

Livin' the Dream - VT Style

Several weeks ago, three of my favorite Kansas residents journeyed cross-country to visit Vermont and entertain me. Dave, Wendi and Amanda flew into New England Wednesday afternoon and our epic vacation-time began immediately. 

Our first destination was the incredible Farmway store in Bradford, VT. Farmway mashes outdoor gear, pet supplies, a vast shoe selection, men and women's clothing and other random rural items into a giant super-store. Amanda and I bought matching jackets!

Our next stop was P&H truck stop in Wells River, VT. P&H boasts an extensive diner menu full of delicious options. My favorite was the cinnamon french toast made from P&H's Cinnamon Raisin bread baked fresh daily. Amanda and I may or may not have made a late night pit-stop for this french toast on our final drive home at the end of the week...such happiness. 

We're happy because our blue jackets match. And we're eating. Both good things. 

Summer in New England

Summer in Vermont, combined with my wacky bakery schedule, has resulted in an unintended blogging hiatus. Don't worry, my dear tens of readers, I'm back to blogging. I promise never to leave you out of the wicked exciting happenings in my life again. 

Summer in New England is a beautiful sight. All at once, the hills and valleys turned a brilliant shade of green, farmer's markets popped up in every town, kayaks and canoes began riding a top tightly packed vans, cyclists crowded the roads, and temperatures rose into the mid-80s. Soft serve ice cream shops have become my second home, I finally resigned myself to wearing shorts, and I have more freckles than I did a couple weeks ago. 

Lately, I've been spending a large amount of time with my friends Liz and Joska. One of my favorite meals we've prepared is grilled pizza. Normally, I grab pizza dough from the bakery, bring a gallon of watermelon, and Liz and Joska provide toppings. We've taken to dining outdoors.

   

I've been bugging Joska (a native Jamaican) to make Festivals since practically the first day I met him - and so he did!

Ice cream is a critical part of a New Englander's summer. Literally a dozen small shops sprang-up at the first touch of warmth. I fully support this past-time and have partaken very willingly.

Liz and Joska were also expecting their first child! Baby Willa was born 8 lbs 3 oz on June 23rd. 

Happy Grandma!

Family Photo

To continue the happy occasions, my lovely friend Katie got hitched July 3rd. I flew back to Kansas City for the event. Katie's wedding was incredibly beautiful and very much a reflection of her personality.

After the wedding, my parents drove down to KC to pick me up and haul me back to Iowa. I spent several days relaxing with my parents and brother. S'mores and fireworks were involved.

Overall, this summer has been a busy one. I'm still plugging away working in the bakery. Right now, I rotate three days on pastry and two on bread. I find myself becoming more comfortable with the atmosphere, but I still have a great deal to learn. I'm hoping to drag my camera to work one morning and capture the mayhem magic. 

I'm going to *attempt* to blog twice a week for the remainder of the summer. Until next time!

Flax Seed Crackers

I recently polished off my box of store-bought crackers and came to the realization that I could probably bake a comparable cracker at home for a much lower price. Crackers (or these crackers I should say) are incredibly easy to produce. With my surplus of flax seeds and whole wheat flour, I created these crackers based off of Alton Brown's recipe. While they are no Wheat Thin, I quite like them. 

Flaxseed Crackers

Adapted from Alton Brown's Seedy Crisps Recipe

• 9 3/4 ounces whole-wheat flour
• 2/3 cup Flaxseeds
• 1 teaspoon table salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons aluminum-free baking powder
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 3/4 ounces water

In a medium bowl whisk together flour, flax seeds, salt, and baking powder. Add the oil and stir until combined. Add the water and stir to combine and create a dough. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead 4 to 5 times. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces, cover with a plastic wrap and allow to rest for 15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 piece of dough to 1/16-inch and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Score dough into desired size with knife or pizza cutter. Poke holes into dough with fork. Bake for 8-9 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack. 

Maine Travels and Apartment Update

Last week, my dear friend Katie journeyed out to New England to visit me. While she was here, we embarked on a small road-trip to Maine.  We drove up through the White Mountains, then down to Portland where we stayed overnight in Portland at a cute Bed & Breakfast. The following morning (after discovering a lovely City of Portland parking ticket on my windshield) we ventured down the coast of Maine, cruising along the smaller back roads. Most of the tiny coastal towns were sleepy and quite this time of year, but still incredibly scenic and quaint. 

Katie, with her sharp interior design eye, helped me piece together my apartment so the space looks a little more homely. We rearranged the furniture, hung picture frames, placed flowers and lit candles. I'm still looking for a dresser to replace my cardboard set-up, sew a couple pillows, and finish storing odds and ends. 

I feel as though my life has been very hectic lately, resulting in less blogging. However, I did recently purchase a fancy a new camera, so hopeful the new toy will spike my motivation. Vermont is slowly thawing out from the bitter winter. I'm looking forward to viewing another season change in the Upper Valley.