It’s Minnesota State Fair time and it’s hot.  Africa hot.

Husby and I took a little drive down to St. Paul to visit the fair today and we couldn’t believe how stifling the heat and humidity was. It didn’t stop hardcore fair goers though. Hardcores like us.

Man, it was hot.

We got there around 9:00 a.m.  It was hot.

It only got hotter.

Hot.

We were sitting across from Steichen’s eating our delicious turkey sandwiches.  No, not your sliced turkey on bread turkey sandwiches.  Deep fried turkey, shredded, moist and delicious, on a bun, with a little bit of barbecue sauce for me and Cajun seasoning for Husby.  Yum.  So we’re eating our sandwiches on the ledge across from Steichen’s.  Don’t know Steichen’s?

Steichen’s is the fairgrounds’ grocery store.  They sell everything.  So we see this couple going into Steichen’s.  Remember, it’s hot.  Africa hot.  A few minutes later we see the couple coming out of Steichen’s, the woman had a three-pound bag of ice balanced on top of her head.

She had the genius idea of the day.  Because I’m telling you, it was hot.  It was so worth walking around with a bag of ice on your head.

Hot.

Africa hot.

So ends the 2013 Minnesota State Fair.  Technically today is the last day, but it’s over for me.  I’ve got a blister on the ball of my right foot, but I don’t mind so much.  I visited the fair five times this year.  What?!, you say?  Well how are you supposed to eat everything you want to eat in one visit?  How can you see all the sights, collect all the freebies, carry all the merchandise you want to buy in one visit?

I’m also happy to report that my dad survived his 49th year working at the fair.  He’s 80 years old.  Yay Dad!

We had Dive Night with Ruthie and Ray at the fair too, which I’ll be reporting on this week.

I’ve got the day off from my day job today, which is a good thing because I have a little resting up to do after many long, hot days at the fair.  I also have to get back into my household routine and get some candles poured before my next show at the Dancing Dragonfly Winery on the 14th and 15th.

So, goodbye to the carnival, people walking around with huge stuffed animals, the beautiful smell of hot grease, food on a stick, and thousands and thousands of people packed into 320 acres simply for their love of the fair.  Goodbye, Fairchild, until next year.

Dive Night is a semi-monthly adventure undertaken by me and Husby, along with our friends Ruthie and Ray. Each couple alternates choosing a restaurant, one which must come under the category of “dive.” Our definition of dive: a neighborhood gathering spot with a laid-back atmosphere and good food. We’ll find the interesting hang-outs in the Minneapolis/St Paul area. Casual attire required. A sip of beer or wine doesn’t hurt either.

Once a year, if we’re lucky, the fearless foursome of Dive Night has dinner at the Minnesota State Fair.  It’s a good thing we all like the fair.  We don’t shy away from the crowds and endure the heat (which was tremendous this year) like real troopers.  Husby and I were hosts to the experience, so after meeting at the beloved Fairchild statue we headed out to The Garden.

The Garden has been serving food for a long time, but I’ve never eaten there simply out of habit.  Back in the day it was a beer garden and they may or may not have served food.  But of course I was much too young to go into a beer garden, so I pretty much passed it by even when I was of age merely out of habit.  Dive Night was the perfect opportunity to see what it was all about.

In the true spirit of an old-fashioned beer garden this building is very large and very loud. They even have live music in the form of bands and karaoke.

On opposite sides of the building there are two different “restaurants.”  One side serves Chicago Dogs, the other side is known as Ragin’ Cajun.  A nice variety.  Of course The Garden still serves alcohol of the beer/wine variety.

The Chicago Dog side of The Garden.

I love the animated neon – dancing hot dogs!

The Ragin’ Cajun side of the building.

The Cajun side had very large Mardi Gras masks hanging at the counter. They were kind of scary.

It didn’t take us long to decide what we wanted to eat.  The men went for the Chicago Dogs.  There were standard recipe hot dogs available, like the Chicago Dog, Chili Dog, etc., or you could get a hot dog with your choice of toppings.

Ray’s hot dog. The dog itself is 1/4 pound. They had a long list of toppings too. Looks like Ray got some onions and cheese, and probably some other stuff. Served on a very nice looking poppy seed roll.

Husby got one topped with sauerkraut and onions. It looks like he has some mustard, or maybe banana peppers?

Meanwhile, Ruthie and I went over to the Ragin’ Cajun side and both ordered a shrimp po’ boy.

The shrimp po’ boy comes with spicy shrimp, lettuce, onion, and a really good Cajun-spiced mayo sauce. There was a good amount of shrimp that was freshly prepared before going into the sandwich.

The sandwiches were loved by all.  For drinks the guys got a beer, I got a black cherry Mike’s Hard Lemonade, and Ruthie, obviously the most dehydrated of us all, got a bottle of water.

We couldn’t stop at po’ boys and hot dogs.  We had to get some dessert!  There is no better place than at the Minnesota State Fair to get something satisfyingly sweet.

Husby got some lefse. It was filled with lingonberry jam and topped with sliced almonds and whipped cream. I apologize for taking the picture too late. It was much prettier when he received it. It was hot and the cream began to wilt a little before I got the shot. Husby loved his Scandinavian treat.

Ray and Ruthie shared a funnel cake topped with raspberry sauce and powdered sugar.

I had a s’more on a stick. Everything is served on a stick at the fair. They put three marshmallows on the stick. Then they dip that in chocolate, after which they roll the whole thing in crushed graham cracker. There’s some kind of sweet batter over everything to hold it all together.

It was much easier to eat my s’more on a stick sans the stick and with the aid of a fork. So intense and pretty dang good.

So ends our Dive Night at the fair.  We stayed late and watched the fireworks, which go off every night after the Grandstand show.  All in all a very delicious and merry evening!

Win Me!

It’s Day Four of the twelve-day Minnesota State Fair and I’ve visited twice so far.  Of course it’s everything I expect it to be every year, and more.  There are lots of new additions to the fair this year, and as much as I don’t like change I like what’s been done.

On Friday I went to the fair with my dad, Charlotte, Fojo, and later in the day Paenney joined us.  Mom is still recovering from her knee surgery so she’s depending on the rest of us to report back to her to let her know what’s going on.  You can be sure she’ll hear everything.

Of course the main thing about the fair (for me) is the food, and I’ve had a bit of it so far, although much less than I would like.  Good thing I’ll be going back a couple more times to fill up.

Danielson & Daughters Onion Rings are a must!

I missed out on my deep fried Twinkie-on-a-Stick, only because it was so hot I didn’t feel like eating much, but I did manage to have a deep fried turkey sandwich, deep fried pickles, Tom Thumb Donuts, a jumbo beef burrito, a taste of chicken and waffles, Pronto Pup, and onion rings.  Not a record in the eating marathon that the fair is for me; I think I’m starting out slow and waiting for the sprint at the end.

An every-year favorite, the Pronto Pup.

Husby and I will be going to the fair two more times before it’s gone again for another year, so hopefully I’ll be able to eat everything I want.  On the list:

1.  Deep fried Twinkie-on-a-Stick
2. Shrimp Dog (shrimp and cream cheese covered in batter and deep fried, served with cocktail sauce)
3. Lobster Roll
4. Walleye Cakes
5. Foot-Long Hotdog
6. Crab Fritters
7. Sweet Martha’s cookies
8. Lefse with butter and brown sugar (Husby only)
9. Wild Rice Hamburger

The list goes on and on. Hopefully the weather will cool down a little and allow me to eat more.

I’ll keep you posted on all the great food I eat, plus whatever else I encounter at the Great Minnesota Get-Together in 2014.

In case you didn’t know, my entire world stops when the Minnesota State Fair is happening.  Even though I’m not there each of the twelve days my mind is completely wrapped up in the event.  After all, our state fair is a great state fair.

The autumn season has begun here in Minnesota, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.  August and September were such busy months for me, and now I look at the calendar and see October is more than half over!  Here’s what I’ve been up to…

1.  The Minnesota State Fair was the highlight of August.  One special thing Husby and I had the opportunity to do, in recognition of our contributions to the Minnesota State Fair Foundation, was dedicate a bench.  (Benches are a necessity at the fair ~ I’m finding that out the older I get.)  We dedicated it to Dad and my brother Diggy, who died just before his 26th year of working at the fair with Dad.

The small plaque on the back of a bench dedicated to Dad and Diggy and twenty-five years of working at the fair (and taking bench breaks) together.

2.  September was full of craft shows.  I was at the Dancing Dragonfly Winery, the Chateau St. Croix Winery, and the Baker Orchard, all in Wisconsin.  I love Wisconsin.  I went into each of these shows with doubts of one kind or another, but they all turned out to be fabulous.  The organizers of the shows did a tremendous job, it was a blast to spend weekends with my fellow artisans, and of course the food and music at all of these events were wonderful.  Husby and I have a special place in our hearts for Dave Ybarra and the Northside Dukes, who have twice invited us up to the stage to do the Hand Jive.  They played at both winery festivals, so we got our share of the blues.

Dave Ybarra (center) and the Northside Dukes. Premium blues band.

Husby and I aren’t the only ones who like to dance to the music at the festivals…

Four ladies dancing it up in front of Auntie B’s Wax’s canopy.

3.  Then came October, and Husby and I went to our beloved Door County for a bit of R&R after three consecutive weekends of craft shows.  Our trip this fall seemed to be much more relaxing than the visit we paid in the spring.  We managed to see a bunch of stuff we hadn’t seen before, and plus discovered some new restaurants that will surely become favorites for us.  Not only that, we got to lounge around and do whatever we wanted whenever we wanted, which no one can do unless one is on a true vacation.  *deep sigh*

A lovely autumn in the County of Door.

4. There was also a trip to the family cabin to close it up for the winter. There was much raking and other miscellaneous chores to be done before the cozy little cottage is left to weather the forthcoming winter on its own. One never knows how it will fare, as it was built in 1950 by Grandpa Mike…from scraps.

Work gloves and rakes were the tools du jour at the family cottage.

One leaf of millions.

What now?  There’s still a lot to do, but the chaos of deadlines is behind me for the moment.  This is the time of year I cherish and I plan to enjoy it to the hilt.  I have lots of projects in store for our home and a list of hot, comforting food to make during the chilly and downright cold months to come.

I also hope to visit this site more often too, documenting happenings at the Auntie B’s Wax World Headquarters.  I’ve been away too long.

Here’s to a bright autumn and a peaceful season of dormancy.  *squeal*

What a summer it’s been.  It started out with an extended weekend to Door County, Husby’s and my go-to place to get away from the hum-drumedness of the everyday routines we have.  It’s always refreshing and has become quite comfortable.  We’ve gotten to know people who used to just be familiar faces, we devour our favorite meals at fun restaurants, and we revel in the company of mighty Lake Michigan for hours on end.

Moon over Baileys Harbor

I’m the luckiest girl in the world because not only did I get to have a mini vacation with Husby, I got to have a major vacation with Charlotte…to Europe!  Oh, the sights we saw, the people we met, and the feelings we had.  It was my first time visiting countries not attached to my homeland, and it made a huge impression on me.  So huge I’m still trying to get my head around it.  Everything I saw and did was awesome, in the truest sense of the word.

Cologne Cathedral

Next on the summer agenda is the Minnesota State Fair, which begins in nine days.  There will be much eating of things on a stick, taking in animals and art and carnival, and general hobnobbing with millions of fellow Minnesotans.

Fair lovers galore!

When it’s cold and snowy (and it will be soon enough) I’ll have warm memories of the Summer of ’15.  Making memories – that’s what life is all about, isn’t it?

OK, I’m pretty sure you guys know what’s coming up in this post.  This time of year I’m very predictable.

IT’S MINNESOTA STATE FAIR TIME!

I know it’s not everyone’s bag, but I can’t understand why not.  For crying out loud, people come from other states just to visit our state fair.  Why?  Because it’s the best state fair in our state.

Today is the first day of the Minnesota State Fair and for the first time in a long time I’m going to attend on the first day, with my friend MaryAnn.  The first thing on my list of things to do is eating a deep fried Twinkie, if indeed they still have deep fried Twinkies, what with the whole Twinkie-going-south thing.  MaryAnn is looking forward to some deep fried pickles.  Deep fried.  It doesn’t matter what kind of food it is, as long as it’s deep fried, and maybe even on a stick.

Deep Fried Twinkies (on a stick) are to die for. I’m not even kidding about this.

So, after MaryAnn and I are done working our tedious day jobs we’re going to meet up at the fair and see the sights, eat the food, and talk some girl talk.

If you live in Minnesota, or even Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, heck, Alaska even, come and see the Minnesota State Fair.  It starts today and continues through Labor Day.  Oh what a time it is!

The Mighty Midway

For the next twelve days you might hear from me about things other than the fair, but know that my heart is at the fair.  Always.

My first visit to the Minnesota State Fair was on opening day and I went with my friend MaryAnn.

Right away I got a deep fried Twinkie.  I can’t even tell you what a delectable treat it was.  Then we walked the length of the fairgrounds so MaryAnn could get some deep fried pickles.  She shared one with me and once again my taste buds rejoiced in the gifts I granted them.  Also on the food list was the most juicy turkey sandwich you can imagine.  Then MaryAnn treated us to an after dinner libation while we sat on a bench and watched (and commented on) the people strolling by.

I have to tell you though, we did something I never imagined we’d do.  While cruising the midway we saw a brand new attraction.  A fun house.  You may think, “what’s so great about a fun house?”  This thing was like nothing I’ve seen at the fair, ever.  It wasn’t a scary haunted house.  It wasn’t a walk through a darkened semi trailer.  It was a fun house!

It’s called New York New York. I suppose that’s a play on the Vegas casino or something. The Minnesota State Fair hasn’t seen the likes of this in ages.

There were tricky stairs, back-and-forth-moving paths, hangy tubes to navigate through, spinny tubes to squeeze through and rolly paths.  MaryAnn led the way and got to experience all of the challenges before me.

MaryAnn, you should be able to navigate the plank-and-rope bridge – just like on Gilligan’s Isle.

There were those up-and-down platforms, like in the final scene of Grease where Sandy and Danny fell in love for good at the graduation scene.   MaryAnn wanted to sing the song You’re the One That I Want with me, but I had to draw the line somewhere.

I didn’t want to dance or sing in this fun house. MaryAnn was very disappointed.

The grand finale of this fun house was the tubular, spiral slide.  There was the option of taking some stairs down three flights, but MaryAnn and I both agreed we’d take the slide.  I went first this time…

Screaming before I even went down. What’s with the curly goat-tongue thing I’m doing?

Two old ladies at the Minnesota State Fair, acting like they were teenagers again.  How much fun can life get?

Today is the last day of the 2015 Minnesota State Fair. It was a fine and good State Fair – it always is.  Our state fair is a great state fair, the best state fair in our state!

The days are getting cooler and (thank God) less humid.  Autumn is just around the corner.  Woo hoo!  Autumn in Minnesota is the best.

In honor of autumn I present to you its gateway, the Minnesota State Fair…

My BFF MaryAnn, eating her ever beloved Pickle-on-a-Stick

Me at the fair, casting a shadow that looks like a Who from Whoville

Alpacas, lounging around and taking in the admiration of fair goers. Some day I’ll have an alpaca for a pet. I love them!

The giant Paul Bunyan, clothed completely in recycled clothes and fabric. He teaches us to recycle and reuse.

A stunning painting created by my friend, Mark Caselius, on display in the Fine Arts Building at the State Fair. Of course he won a prize!

The Mighty Midway at dusk

Once again the fair didn’t disappoint.  The smell of hot oil, the squeals of kids on their first thrill ride, and food on a stick galore.  I’m always a little sad when the fair ends, but I know it will be back again next year, barring war (as happened in 1861, 1862, 1945), conflict of major events (1893-damn you World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago! ) and/or epidemic disease (polio, 1946).

I’ll be back next year with bells on to enjoy the one thing thousands of people at the fair have in common, Minnesota.  We love our state and our people are great.  We know how to have a good time, how to eat good food, how to learn from experts, how to watch baby animals being born, and how to fly high and fast on the midway.

Long live L’Etoile du Nord!  And happy autumn!

Anyone who knows me knows I love the Minnesota State Fair. In less than a month the great Minnesota Get-Together will be in full force and I can’t wait.

The main reason I love the fair so much is because I was brainwashed at an early age by my dad who loves the fair even more than I do.  I harken back forty years or so and remember how Dad would take me and my sister to the grounds on set-up day where we’d watch Royal American set up the rides on the midway.  We’d peek into the train cars for a glimpse of carnival life.  We’d meet and greet all sorts of “human (and animal) oddities” (known then as “freaks”) going about their regular lives, and chatted things up with concession operators (big hello to Johnny Bolan up there in the big Midway in the sky).  We mustn’t dismiss the carnies…I could write a whole ‘nother post about the carnies. *sigh + heart flutter*  I was a young child, very impressionable, and Dad passed down generations of carnival love to me.  I totally love carnivals and fairs, especially the Minnesota State Fair.

Here’s the thing – the Minnesota State Fair doesn’t just happen. There are a lot of people, employees and volunteers, who pull it all together, and is not funded by public money. There’s also an organization called the Minnesota State Fair Foundation which is dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the historic Minnesota State Fairgrounds, and supports State Fair agricultural, scientific and educational programs.

Because Husby and I love the fair we donate as much as we can to the Minnesota State Fair Foundation. The Foundation gives perks to donators too.  A donation of $25 or less will get you a Friend of the Fair ribbon, the annual State Fair pin, a Blue Ribbon Bargain Book (coupons worth over $500 worth of savings in food and fun stuff at the fair) and a discount at the State FairWear shops on the fairgrounds.   Perks increase as the donation does.  Husby and I were lucky enough to be offered a personal tour of the fairgrounds by one of the Foundation big shots.  We love State Fair big shots (because they make it all happen) and this one was a really nice guy and showed us a very fun and informative time.

As my dad is known (mostly to himself) as Mr. State Fair I asked our tour guide if he could join us for the tour. “Of course!” We rode around the 300 acres of grounds learning history and seeing improvements facilitated by the Foundation. It was great.

Dad, donned in his State Fair garb, ready for a tour with Lynn Varco, Senior Director of Major and Planned Giving.

If you’re a Minnesota State Fair lover I’d encourage you to donate to the Foundation. They do wonderful work even though it may be work that’s invisible to the typical fair goer.  Despite some of the invisibility all of it is very important in the preservation of the buildings and much, much more.  (Gotta love those new bathrooms scattered around the grounds and the new elevator in the Grandstand.  Yep, that’s the Foundation’s work!)   Go to the Minnesota State Fair Foundation website to learn more and donate if you can. Contributions are tax deductible! Above all, come to the Great Minnesota Get Together August 24 through September 4, 2017.

Thanks to the Foundation and many donors for making our state fair a great state fair.  Don’t miss it, don’t even be late!

If you live in Minnesota you don’t need to be told we’re in the midst of the Minnesota State Fair.  At the Auntie B’s Wax World Headquarters the fair takes center stage.  Housework is brought to a halt, cooking is done infrequently, and my schedule revolves around the Great Minnesota Get-Together, twelve days of food on a stick, squealing children, history and tradition.

This year a giant came to visit.  It’s on the corner of Randall Avenue and Cooper Street.  It’s name is The Great Big Wheel, and it’s fabulous.

It’s one of the tallest traveling Ferris wheels in North America and Minnesota was fortunate to be one of its stops.  It’s over 150 feet tall and one of the smoothest Ferris wheels I’ve ever experienced on a fairgrounds.  No squeaks, no grinding.  The view from the cab is spectacular.

The whole three-hundred acres of the fairgrounds can be seen from the top of this giant.

I had the pleasure of boarding this giant with my parents.  My dad is working his 50th year at the fair this year and I couldn’t resist sharing the experience with him.

Not only can you see the entire fairgrounds from the top of the wheel, you can see the skylines of St. Paul and Minneapolis…at the same time!

At the right side horizon you can see part of the Minneapolis skyline.

The Ferris wheel not only gives a great view of the fairgrounds but also puts on a fabulous light show.  Even if you don’t like heights or don’t want to take a ride, at least stop by and see the lights.  They’re magical.

The Great Big Wheel isn’t a permanent fixture.  It’s a traveling Ferris wheel and seeks new places to amaze all over North America.  Catch it while you can.

The Minnesota State Fair is pulling out all the stops until Labor Day.  It’s worth the trip, even if you don’t live in Minnesota.

Don’t be too scared, winter isn’t here yet.  But as my Grandma Harriet always said, “after the State Fair comes Christmas.”   I’m usually in State Fair mode at least a week after Labor Day.

For me, Husby, and most of my family the State Fair is…

Ick.  That’s not me having big fun, but midway art is always a treat to view.

It’s not all fun and games at the fair though.  I saw some random woman trying to feed a grisly bear and getting her hand bitten off…

For the most part things aren’t this scary at the fair.  This year the weather was perfect except for a couple days of rain.  Two out of twelve isn’t bad at all.

This is Fairborne, the nephew of the official MN State Fair mascot, Fairchild. He struck a lovely pose for my camera!

The Mighty Midway flags waving proudly atop the Balloon Pop game on the midway.

Twilight at the fair.

This year’s fair was fabulous, as usual.  There were changes made here and there, but traditions stay strong throughout.  So long for now to the Great Minnesota Get-Together.  I’ll be back next year to reconnect with all of the education, excitement, people greeting (and watching), and of course the food.  Until next year…

Fly high.

Ok, just one more post about the Minnesota State Fair.  Didn’t I say I’m usually in “fair mode” until at least a week after Labor Day, the day the fair ends?  Yes, yes I did.  Still in it, I guess.

Husby and I sat in on a free concert at the Ramberg Center (formerly known as the Ramberg Senior Center) at the fair to hear one of our all-time favorite bands, Jack Knife and the Sharps.  As we’ve been going to the fair for a hundred years we can’t shake the “senior” out of the Ramberg Center building name.  Interestingly, the gigs going on there are much to our liking.  Am I now a senior?  Has the Ramberg Center begun catering to other than seniors (aka people of my age)?  All I know is the room was lined with white, wooden rocking chairs and Husby and I sat in two of them instead of the other park bench style other seating, waiting to hear one rockin’ band.

Jack Knife and the Sharps. Too bad that guy’s big head is in the shot. I did the best I could.

This three-piece band is as good as ever.  Members have changed a bit over the years, but Ric Hollinger, lead, has been a constant for decades.  He’s a boss.

Then, all of a sudden between songs some guy comes walking up the center aisle shouting about how great the band is.  He looked so familiar.  And why wouldn’t he?  He’s a Hollywood star.  Chris Mulkey.  Don’t know him?  Check out the photo and you’ll probably recognize him.

Chris Mulkey. That guy you instantly recognize but can’t quite place him. He’s usually a bad guy in the movies.

So Chris comes walking up the aisle and the band invites him to play.  Come to find out Chris has (or had) a band himself.  He’s a great musician as well as a great actor and producer.  Oh what I wouldn’t do for so much talent.

Once we figured out who he was I had to take some pictures.   Chris was great and was backed up by The Sharps fabulously.

Close to the end of his song he said through the mic that his the guitar was silent, and it was.  Amplifier malfunction!  Chris kept singing as Ric tried to reconnect the amp to the guitar with no success.  The set thus ended.

Ric, gets up to the mic and says, “we have another amp in the truck.  You know what that rhymes with…”  The set was cut a little short, but was fabulous despite the technical difficulties.  Chris played the room and shook some hands in the audience and disappeared into the crowd outside the building.

Yay for the Ramberg (Senior) Center for booking Jack Knife and the Sharps.  The band is wonderful as ever, and having a special Hollywood guest star was an extra treat.

Did you see Chris Mulkey wandering around at the Minnesota State Fair this year?

Here’s a little taste of Jack Knife and the Sharps…