Yesterday was the Harvest Fair and Horticultural Show in our village. The sun shone and it felt like the entire village turned out to enjoy the day. Four years ago I entered a couple of items into the "Homecrafts" section of the show and due to the fact that there weren't very many entries I ended up winning the "Ladies Cup" for getting the most points in that section. Now for me it was all a bit of a laugh and a huge joke that I actually won the cup but there are one or two people in the village who take it very seriously and one in particular who was very frosty with me for several months! As a result I've not entered since. But I was inspired by
Silverpebble's recent efforts and pulled together a few bits early yesterday morning... this year the competition was tough with lots of entries.
But I managed a third for a jar of my Gooseberry Jam (the Plum remained unplaced!)
Another third for a handmade card (I confess... there were only three entries in this category so I did in fact come last!)
My Glutney Chutney managed a second place...
As did my washed and worn quilt... which was a bit of a surprise as I'd also put in a couple of machine embroidered pieces that I rather liked but were obviously not to the judges taste.
My Victoria sponge managed a second place too despite the rather dark brown crisp edge on one side... skillfully covered with a liberal sprinkling of caster sugar.
And my scones gained a FIRST place! But then the recipe was based on
Alice's perfect scones so they couldn't fail really. The result of which was I managed to gain top points in the Homecrafts section once again and the Ladies cup is now gracing my mantlepiece... which probably means pistols at dawn with certain members of my community! I'm not sure I dare enter next year... although I really think it is time for a man to win the Ladies cup!
Meanwhile if you fancy afternoon tea, I can offer you prize winning Victoria sponge...
Or prize winning Fruit Scones with jam... only Plum I'm afraid.
But I managed a third for a jar of my Gooseberry Jam (the Plum remained unplaced!)
Another third for a handmade card (I confess... there were only three entries in this category so I did in fact come last!)
My Glutney Chutney managed a second place...
As did my washed and worn quilt... which was a bit of a surprise as I'd also put in a couple of machine embroidered pieces that I rather liked but were obviously not to the judges taste.
My Victoria sponge managed a second place too despite the rather dark brown crisp edge on one side... skillfully covered with a liberal sprinkling of caster sugar.
And my scones gained a FIRST place! But then the recipe was based on Alice's perfect scones so they couldn't fail really. The result of which was I managed to gain top points in the Homecrafts section once again and the Ladies cup is now gracing my mantlepiece... which probably means pistols at dawn with certain members of my community! I'm not sure I dare enter next year... although I really think it is time for a man to win the Ladies cup!
Meanwhile if you fancy afternoon tea, I can offer you prize winning Victoria sponge...
Or prize winning Fruit Scones with jam... only Plum I'm afraid.
Not a surprise that you are the winner of the ladies cup. You are brilliant at everything you do. Well done and that cake looks delicious so I could manage a small slice!
ReplyDeleteI love these village shows and congrats on your successes. It's amazing how seriously some people take these things. An aunt of mine always won the ladies' running race and there were rumblings of dissent about allowing professional athletes to take part! Put the kettle on - I'm on my way for afternoon tea!!
ReplyDeleteOk, Gina--
ReplyDeleteYou knew you would pique our curiosity with a name like "Glutney Chutney", didn't you?
Please put me out of my misery with the recipe (or at least the main ingredients!)
After all, you don't want to give too much away to those competitive neighbor ladies of yours!!)
Congratulations on all of your wins!!! (I say that the best woman won!)
Congratulations on your wins! I have never DARED enter our local show lest I win and be dragged from my bed at midnight and burnt! (joke!!!)........ Next year is the year that I shall throw caution to the wind and enter stuff.......
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed! K x
ReplyDeleteWell done Gina! Be on your guard against the jealous losers...
ReplyDeleteThose scones look good. Mine never work out so well. I think I'll have to look at that recipe.
ReplyDeleteWell done Gina!! What are they thinking about not placing your embroidery!!
ReplyDeleteAlthough you're going to have to keep an eye out behind you from now on!!! LOL
Vivienne x
Oh well done Gina! I'll have a scone if you've any left ;) they look scrumptious
ReplyDeleteWell done Gina! Although it is something else to clean. How about Hubby doing some cooking for the competition next year?
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work. I'd enter next year out of spite! But then I am a mean-minded, vindictive, competitive harridan.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. Its a real achievement..the judges have their own strange criteria for the sewing section...I know this after a long discussion with a member of our felt group who had been asked to judge at her local show. She described her own decisions and there were collective groans from the group as she told us about the quilt which she had wanted win for its artistic merit but 'hadn't been finished off at the back properly' so it was second....and so on.
ReplyDeleteThese competitions can be very competitive. My next door neighbour has won the best garden four years running. Someone else had won it for years before Val moved here (4 yrs ago) and it hasn't gone down well. Using the right recipe for the Victoria sponge is also so important. Glad you had fun and congratulations on winning so many prizes.
ReplyDeleteWell done you!! It all looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteMy hubby was once asked to judge a cake competition
at a village show...and he was told which cake to choose as the winner...because 'She always wins'. So he chose a different cake and was not popular!
Talk about cliquey!
LOL ;-)
I am impressed! Hope you give the cup pride of place in your front window just to annoy the villagers!!
ReplyDeleteWow well done but 3rd for your handmade card - did they know you embroidered the gorgeous seed head yourself? Not sure how it got third as it gorgeous! lol - doesn't it make you laugh when people get all serious about these things - mind you saying that I most be the most uncompetitive person in the world so don't really get it :-)
ReplyDeletewell done Gina - and a fab post - i am just having a cuppa so a piece of sponge cake would go down a treat - ah well, just have to make do with a rich t!!!
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Well done you - all your stuff looks fabulous. Does the frosty lady usually win every year? If so, it'll do her the world of good to go without now and again ;) x
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! but do you now have to wear a disguise out and about in the village?!
ReplyDeleteWell done Gina and pooh! to the sore losers! :) Not surprised you won prizes for your culinary gifts, the sponge and scones look scrummy.
ReplyDeletewhat a talented woman you are. Congrats on all your wins.xxlynda
ReplyDeletewell done you! If it was me I would carry my cup around the village every time I went out just to rub it in a little more!!
ReplyDeleteWell done. The competition sounds all very "Midsomer Murder-ish" ... quite funny!
ReplyDeleteWell done Gina! Hope your scary co-competitors don't react TOO badly! ;o)
ReplyDeleteLucy xx
Well done - good to see all the hard work rewarded! I once won 25p at a village fete for my jam tarts. I was 5 and I dont remember actually being involved in the preparation at all, but I was delighted anyway :)
ReplyDeleteIt just so happens that I love prize-winning Victoria sponge!
ReplyDeleteYour talents are seemingly endless. Well done.
I like how you underplay the amount of effort to just rustle up a FEW entries !
ReplyDeleteYou've done a sterling job - and I'm so inspired to get to our show in february with a bit of effort.
Well done - and enjoy that morning tea :)
Congratulations -- it looks like you had a great showing! That Victoria sponge looks wonderful. That's something we don't really make commonly here, but I'd love to try one!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, how could your card possibly have come third?! I think it's gorgeous!
ReplyDeletetake a compliment woman..it's not bluff but talentxxxx! Haxx lynda
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, congratulations! And you say that's without really trying! I can't believe you were able to put together so many entries and do so incredibly well, huge congrats!Kimx
ReplyDelete