State Fair Blue Ribbon Desserts

Click to enlarge or go here for the digital edition and source.

During the summer outdoor parties, pot lot dinners and barbecues give us many opportunities to try new recipes or taste what others bring. 

In summer my parents always took me to the State Fair, an activity I can’t get to living in Manhattan. New York’s State Fair is held near Syracuse, New York in the town of Geddes on the shores of Onondaga Lake. Many Manhattanites (including me) don’t own cars, and I wouldn’t rent a car to drive to an area I don’t know. Where would I park it?

Freddy

Nonetheless as a child, attending the State Fair in my hometown in summer holds fun memories for me. This city girl loved the opportunity to eat corn dogs and cotton candy; see and pet farm animals; check out exhibitor and vendor booths: and sometimes talk to local celebrities. Once my Mother surprised her 10 year old nephew and me (aged 8) by bidding on a Singer Sewing Machine. For the outdoor auction, children stood in the front of the crowd so we could see. We were oblivious to who won the sewing machine until my Mom cut through the crowd to claim it. This total surprise thrilled us both! 

BTW: Nowadays you’d never let kids step away from you. My Father used to let me go into the woman’s bathroom by myself as he waited outside the door! Much younger we went into a stall in the men’s bathroom. Thank God and good people, I never had a bad experience.😌

Back in the day, my Mom didn’t enter cake or pie baking contests but they are a big part of every State Fair. Above👆 are 3 Blue Ribbon Winners from Texas, South Dakota, and Indiana. Before the summer ends, I aim to make them all starting with the toasted coconut pecan pie. 

Have you ever attended a State Fair? Which dessert appeals to you the most?

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The Earth Is a Magical Place

I wait for it all year long! The first day of summer known as the summer solstice. It’s the start of my favorite season: Summer!!! I especially love summers in New York City. It’s so easy to get out and about, enjoying Happy Hours with good friends, good bar food, and good wine. Outside dinners under a canopy or sitting under the fountain at Lincoln Center before the ballet, or open air concerts and theater. 

How wondrous is the above image showing us the position of the Earth when the Western Hemisphere enters the summer solstice. 

Photo: Indian Times - go here

According to NASA the 2025 summer solstice falls on Friday, June 20th, at 10:42 p.m. ET. It marks the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere when the Earth’s tilt is closest to the Sun. Imagine if you were spacewalking gazing at the tilted Earth and the Sun from space yet at a safe distance!

Did you know the Earth’s axis is always tilted -- 23.5 degrees relative to its orbital plane around the sun? The tilt causes different hemispheres to get varying hits of direct sunlight throughout the year. The tilt is called obliquity and without it, there would be no seasons as we know them. When a hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun it experiences summer, while the opposite hemisphere experiences winter.

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Have you heard of Pangaea? About 300 million years ago the Earth assembled into one supercontinent, Pangaea (from the Greek word pan meaning all, whole, or entire and gaea (meaning land, Earth, or Mother Earth). As Pangaea formed it became surrounded by a single gigantic ocean called Panthalassa, which means all the sea in Greek. While Panthalassa was the only ocean there was a smaller sea called the Tethys Ocean, an embayment within the coastline of Pangaea.

 

Photo: earth how - go here

Tectonic plate movement caused Pangaea to form, break up and is the reason continents continue to shift positions today. As the plates move, they cause landmasses to inch together, break apart, and transform. The plates are massive slabs of solid rock that are always moving and glide over the Earth’s mantle (the rocky middle layer above the Earth’s core). Fault lines are fractures or cracks within those plates or at their boundaries. Fault lines can exist on one plate or over two plates.

Animation here

Some 200 million years ago Pangaea the supercontinent comprising all the continental crust of the earth broke into pieces named Laurasia and Gondwana. 

There were 3 major phases in the breakup of Pangaea: 1) The opening of the Central Atlantic Ocean caused by the rifting (a major fault separating blocks of the earth's surface) between North America and northwestern Africa. 2) The breakup of Gondwana into Africa, South America, India, Antarctica, and Australia. 3) The opening of the Norwegian Sea. Australia and Antarctica broke up. Laurasia split into North America and Eurasia.

Evidence for the existence of Pangaea remains with us today: Like puzzle pieces: The eastern coast of South America closely fits the western coast of Africa. One of Australia’s coastlines fits a coastline of Antarctica, and certain coastlines of North and South America match up with certain coastlines of Europe and Africa. The Appalachian Mountain chain extends from the southeastern United States to the Scandinavian Caledonides of Europe. They are believed to have formed a single chain, the Central Pangaea Mountains. Moreover, fossils of identical species are present on continents that are now very far apart.

Today we have 7 continents. Isn’t it fascinating? What if when humans came along, geology had not separated us?

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Old Navy’s Vintage Mini T-Shirt Dresses

Nowadays when my senior mom needs new clothes I make the selections for her. The thought makes me smile because I realize what it means ... she’s beginning to dress like me.😁 When she bought her own clothes she wore lots of long pants in summer. But I wear casual dresses as soon as the hot weather hits, and I don’t return to wearing pants until the first chill💨 of fall kisses my bare legs.

I also switched my mom to soft, comfortable, easy to machine wash and dry fabrics. She was born in an era when women suffered for style, and many garments needed ironing and special handling. Let’s leave those practices in the past!

Another practice I think should be history is dressing the elderly in ugly clothes they’d never wear in their younger decades of life. No house dresses for her that resemble pajamas. In her old age she still likes fashion!

It’s going to hit 90 degrees F, and I’ve already received by mail what she’s wearing today. It’s the top image, Old Navy’s Mini T-Shirt Dress. You can dress it up or down. I have visions of her looking like a biker chick and may manage to pull the biker chick look off! Why, you may ask? I am her only child, but was never her favorite child. Ha, ha! Plus I think she’ll look adorable!😂😂😂

I ordered her several of the t-shirt dresses to carry her through the summer, all in the same teal color. If O.N. had other bright summer colors when I ordered them, I would have gotten other colors. Because the deals are so good, the dresses go very fast! 

Yesterday my mom wore the Short-Sleeve Vintage Mini-T-Shirt Dress in the pretty and bright pink color. I only ordered her one of that style since I think as soon as summer hits, she’ll be cooler in sleeveless cotton dresses.

For my readers who are interested in ordering the dresses too, they are now on sale. My mother is petite (about 5’1”) so regular in this mini style fits her perfectly. However if you normally order regular, you’ll have to order this style in tall for it to fall about an inch above your knee. Plan for some shrinkage.

The 100% cotton fabric is super soft and substantial for summer days. It’s not too thin.

Such a comfortable summer dress suitable for young or old! Right now the sale makes this t-shirt dress cheaper than the cost of a t-shirt. More fabric, more coverage for less. A fabulous value!

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Playful Shoes Or Assessories

Ballet flat photos: Vivaia

My coats, jackets, shoes, and handbags tend to be black, a neutral shade that looks classic, dressy (when needed), and goes with all other colors. Living in Manhattan, where space is limited, I have to mix and match everything I own, and fit them into my generous (yet only 2) wardrobe closets at the end of the day. I highly recommend finding your neutral color for these 4 articles to make dressing and storage easy.

But! When spring arrives, it's time to let our hair down and add something fun and playful to our wardrobes, isn't it? In the past, I bought ballet flats in leopard or polka dots. Or when replacing my sneakers stepped out of my practical neutral color zone by selecting bright pink or orange!

Why is it a worthy purchase? Wearing a playful color or pattern can put a pep in your walk by lifting your mood. I get loads of compliments on my fun shoes from friends, coworkers, and strangers alike! In a fanciful color or pattern, people can sense I am approachable.

Here is a multi-colored pair of sandals I tried hard to buy. Unfortunately, when I needed new sandals, none were left in my size, so I missed out!

If you're replacing your walking shoes, sneakers, or sandals this spring or summer, consider getting a little wild and crazy. Stepping outside of your usual (and sensible) neutral palette in this most casual of seasons makes you feel happy!🌞🌴🩴

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Don't get me wrong, I love what Uniqlo calls its Lifewear apparel and mostly worship its understated and classic basics. From the seller's outerwear to underwear and everything in between, the quality and value can't be beat.

But an issue I've had for about 5 years now is wondering where all the summer colors have gone at Uniqlo (and another retailer, Old Navy). Although I tend to wear dark neutral colors in trousers, sweaters, and socks, I need pops of color in t-shirts, blouses, and summer dresses.  I like black leggings or navy pants or grey skirts, but don't wish to pair them with black, navy, grey, or even beige tops. Moreover, in the summer, I love wearing bright blue, pink, and purple dresses, or floral and fun patterns. Where have all these summer bright or pastel colorings gone? The 1st summer I noticed this subdued trend at Uniqlo and Old Navy in t-shirts, I was disappointed but thought I'd just wait until the retailers returned to blue, pink, and purple t-shirts the next summer. Well, I'm still waiting for the return of the summer bright color zeitgeist!

Old Navy is this year's retailer for a wide selection of colorful summer dresses. Here and here. Unlike yesteryear, Uniqlo's dresses have gotten very neutral in color, as well as very long and impractical for walking around New York City. Outside of Manhattan, I still don't want to drag yards of material around if casually hanging out indoors or in a park. In July or August, it's too overdressed or hot, with the potential of picking up grass and dirt stains on the bottom of a longer dress.

Uniqlo's top double knitted nylon dress (also available in navy, black, and cream) is about the length I prefer to wear in the summer. The linen dress (here in two colors) on the sides of this blog is about an inch shorter than I like. A mini length limits where you can wear the dress. It can also look too daddylongleg-ish on taller frames. 

Just like baby bear, I desire a summer dress length that's just right ... which for me is about an inch or two above the knee and in pretty summer colors. Bring colors back to t-shirts, too, please!

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What do I love about summer? Long days of sunshine, no socks or layers, and summer dresses! Sometimes you can find an attractive summer dress in the most unexpected places. The hot pink Time and Tru Dress from Walmart caught my eye. Who would have thought you could find a stylish double cotton dress at Walmart? This one is a best seller with many good customer reviews. It comes in green and black too. If you need another summer dress, you can't beat its price!

Old Navy is a retailer where I expect and find lovely summer dresses to wear. I repeatedly write about the store because of it. Moreover, this year the merchant is stepping up its active and casual-smart style a notch by offering a new collection of special dresses called Occasion by Old Navy.

The crisp, smooth, silk-like taffeta fabric holds its shape, and once again, you can't beat the price for adorable style! Who would have thought to look at Old Navy for prom, party, or fancy date night dresses? A taffeta fabric is ideal for formal and structured garments like wedding dresses and christening gowns. You can't help but take a 2nd look! This is Old Navy? Why, yes, it is.

While the price points of Old Navy dresses are budget-friendly, they last longer than fast-fashion dresses. With the classic lines in this collection, you can wear them for years to come!

What are your favorites?

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New Swimwear Arrivals at Lands End

If you need a reason to hop on your treadmill or exercise bike and cut out that junk food here it is, the launch of Lands End Slender Suit Collection. 

There is choice galore of super cute styles in one-pieces, tankinis, swim shorts, and swim dresses. Different strokes for different folks include ruffles, halters, plunging or high necklines, and straps or sleeves.

IMHO the majority of women don't want to look like either grannies or strippers at the beach. Lands End designs swimwear that is dignified, flattering, classy, and adorable on every body type.

A suit that suits you! Stylish swimwear to cover everything needed without looking either dowdy or like a woman trying to pick up customers at the pool. Traditional bottoms, swim dresses, and swim shorts will hide any problem areas.

Each swimsuit also comes in 3 - 4 colors, ranging from solids to bi-colors and patterns. With such an appealing array of styles and cheerful hues, it's hard to decide on one suit from the collection, isn't it?

The Slender Suit Collection is made of fabric that is a combination of nylon and spandex that smooths, shapes, and slenderizes, and the cloth is substantial, not thin.

Designed with great versatility, customers won't need a separate coverup, as some swimwear can appropriately double as summerwear to go from the beach to a restaurant or a train ride home! Also while on the beach you may wish to avoid baking in the sun by covering up more skin. Active folks can take a run on the sand and then a dip in the ocean. No unsightly jiggling to provoke bystander giggling or unwelcome stares with thought bubbles of "We all see it. We alllll see it."🙂

All we need now is patience to wait for the Earth to move closer to the sun!🌞

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Sales On Blazer's At Lands' End

A blazer is one of those no-brainer traditional pieces that should be in every woman's (and man's) wardrobe. It elevates an outfit and acts as a light layering piece to take you from the late summer into the fall. Depending on the style, you could also wear it in winter under your coat to complete an outfit, as well as, for warmth once you get to the office.

You can't beat the classic style and quality for the price at Lands's End. The retailer offers so many choices, structured or not structured. Fabrics include 100% linen, 100% cotton, cotton-with-a-touch-of spandex, smooth, velveteen, or knit; and the devil that is always in the details such as pockets with or without flaps, one button, 2 buttons, or 4 buttons that are shiny to stand out or not shiny to blend in. Of course, the blazers also come in timeless patterns and an assortment of mostly neutral colors.

Now might be a great time to browse. When LE runs sales, they're very good and if missed, they'll roll around again. The white 100% linen jacket (above right👆) is on sale at 70% off for $40! My gosh, what a steal!  It's a smart and comfortable wardrobe piece you'll wear forever.

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Farmer's Defense Sun Protection

One of the best anti-aging practices for your skin is to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Although I have never been a sun worshipper and try to walk on the shady side of the street, I've only recently started wearing visors while out and about in New York City ... and honestly, I should bump it up to hats! 

I won't lie to you readers, I want to avoid looking ridiculous like an alarmist beekeeper running errands in Manhattan. Still, we all know how harmful the cumulative effects of exposing our skin to the sun are so I'm adapting and getting over my reticence. It helps when sun protective gear is also attractive!

Farmers Defense makes hats and protective sleeves for gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts that provide style, comfort, and superior sun protection for your skin. They cover what my visors do not -- every part of your head that needs protection -- the scalp, face, ears, and neck, plus your arms. 

The Farmers Defense Protective hats and sleeves offer a UPF 50+ rating, blocking 98% of anti-aging UVA rays and 99% of cancer-causing UVB rays. Made with sturdy REPREVE® polyester, they have sweat-wicking and cooling properties. The hats have a 4-inch brim that is perfect for working or playing in the blazing sun.

So cute that I don't mind wearing them while pounding Manhattan's pavements, and if you garden or are active outdoors in the suburbs, they are anti-cancer and anti-aging essentials. Very affordably too!

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