Show Time

This year show time didn't have quite the lead up of anticipation, as we had to have our main entries in some two weeks before the show (and so I may have forgotten even what I had entered by the time show time actually arrived). We also had a big day out the day before - kids at a Sports Expo at another small school nearby, and husband and I going to the Towers to do some jobs/grocery shopping and to collect the much longed for (and a long time coming) new work ute.

So when show day actually rolled around there may have been not so idle threats that tired kids (and mum) may be just staying home if jobs weren't done and fighting desisted.

But go we did, not without the obligatory photo-before-we-leave.

(don't they look happy happy joy joy little cherubs?!) the photo on the right is the closest of me you will get for the day, my jacket and shirt hanging waiting to be ironed. I was feeling the happy happy joy joy too don't worry (not).

Boyo scooped the pool in his section with his art works, taking home not only the Champion Exhibit for the Junior Art but also the aggregate for the Junior Section in the Pavilion.  Although, just quietly, it wouldn't have been hard to do, entries were rather poor.

I entered the canvas we gave Mum for Christmas. Of course it won ;-) A couple of my other portraits won or placed (that you've seen before).  I didn't put the flowers in, but there was a great selection of them and this one was just lovely (or would have been the day before when they hadn't wilted)

 

And of course side show ally and show bags and icecreams and other wallet draining exercises were undertaken. They must have caught me in a weak moment...although aunty sent big girl on a ride with little cousin that did NOT look in the least bit fun at all. I wasn't even ON the thing and I was wishing it was over. Little boys were dragged off to big slides with other bigger boys from school, and dodgems were enjoyed by all, with the assistance of other little school friends (Georgie did the pedal, Josie did the steering) Angus hung on for dear life. Big sister is a shite driver. (help me Rhonda.... dad needs to take on teaching them to drive!)

 

We stayed for the fireworks, which were much later this year (grr) and while it could have been my grumpy-ness, but they didn't seem as good as usual. Kids and I were both ready to be home by the time they were over. Poured them into bed sans jeans and boots when we got home, where self shortly followed. And of course, in true show tradition, we all have the sniffles in differing strengths afterwards, although thank GOODNESS its not the usual tummy bug!

All over til next year!

the show

I know you are eagerly awaiting a report on our local agricultural show. So here it is...despite the wet weather and looming clouds we booted up and headed in (white linen pants not being on the list of wardrobe choices for the day!) I had a busy morning sorting out the neighbours animals (they were away) and having not one but TWO smokos with visitors, so it was just after lunch by the time we got to town. Judging by the crowd, or lack thereof, no one else was in a rush much to be there either.

Gosh, I love these outstanding photos for the family album. Hats were really just an accessory, what sun came through was very watery and momentary.  (it wasn't even high UV glary sort of day) (and here's one of me, taken by Georgie, just to show I was indeed there - using the charming backdrop inside the toilet block. As you can see, I refrained from tucking my jeans inside my top boots)

First stop, the arts and crafts pavilion (firstly checking on the chook displays) the kids were eager to see if they had gotten any prizes.

Big girl got first and champion on her section with some sewing she had done with her granny, a little trinket box.

Boy got a rosette too, finally showing some of his mothers genetics and a eye for photography, submitted from school.

Daughter #2 missing out on rosette action, but scoring much more prize money with consistent placings and firsts in her submitted work from home and school (her collection getting a second).

  

Entries in the fruit, veges and photography were well supported, as well as quilting although the rest of the arts and crafts section was lower in numbers, which may be why I ended up getting Senior Champion for Scrapbooking with my four entries!

was pleased with the teal rosette, its my favourite colour at the moment.

We then headed down that wallet draining section of the show, Sideshow Alley.  The rainy weather may have also contributed to the low number of rides etc, but of course the Dodgems were there. The girls went together (very bad drivers) and then Angus and I went...the longest dodgem ride of my life. I really Do Not Like them, hating being hit from behind with a passion (as does my back) hence we hugged the outside minimising our hits. Not totally unavoidable and I have to say I took some pleasure rear ending some wicked boys (their mother is a masseuse, drumming up business much?!) who had done the same to us.

Tuned beforehand that they only got one ride if they wanted a showbag (another wallet draining exercise) they rushed off to choose one and then whined for food on regular intervals afterwards, as we wandered and chatted the rest of the afternoon away.

 

(beautifully decorated and fitted out RM Williams shop truck, from which I did not purchase anything. Husband was pacing outside in fear)

(yes, that is daughter #2 riding the mechanical bull. She has been wanting to for AGES)

And of course, the fireworks that we weren't going to stay for, where spectacular, and wasn't I lucky to get THAT photo on my point and shoot?!!

and this last one cracks me up. Can you hear the ahhhs and the ooohs coming from the kids.

And that concludes our show outing for twenty-twelve.

PS. no rosette winning photos from this camp this year, although I did get a couple of firsts and placings. You don't really want to see them, do you?

blame instagram

I feel like I am doing mini blog posts every time I put up a photo on Instagram, hence the brevity of posts here. I may have mentioned it before, but I love it.

So, if you peek at my instagram page from time to time (see the link above) you will see what I have been up to...not very much. Its been rather brisk and chilly this past week, with rain returning yesterday and 25mm falling last night. Normally very welcome, but with our local show today and tomorrow, well lets just say gumboots might be the newest fashion accessory in the west. However the sun is peeking out now and then, so am hopeful that by the time we head in tomorrow to view what the district has to offer in their arts and crafts and cooking and fruit and sewing, and catch up with everyone, it might be a little less muddy and my nice brown leather boots might get an outing (oh yes, its all about ME of course!)

Was going to be slack and not enter anything into the show, but ever mindful of bloggy show president friends giving me a roasting about supporting ones local show committee, and with the kids nagging, at the last minute rallied. Every mothers nightmare at show-time, we have entered two Collections.

(not a photo that is even close to show worthy! ack...new cheap ebay "play" lens not cutting the mustard and will henceforth be relisted....) Dressed in their finest, and hair brushed and styled, the girls are having a lovely old chat, reclining in their tissue paper lined basket.

and, involving paint and bluetac....

very much bluetac to hold those little critters into place....Georgie's Little Pet Shop Collection.

Not having it in me to create some sort of backing and holding for a myriad of well loved matchbox cars, the boy just had to be content with a promise of "next year" and his entries from school.

Myself, I ran my eye over my digital files for the past twelve months and quickly selected a few of what I consider my better shots that met a few of the photographic sections. Printed at home, I don't have high hopes for them doing much, the finish far less superior to a lab print. I also grabbed a couple of scrapbook pages, just to appear like I was sort of trying :-) (let me not go into the judging of scrapbook pages at our local show, I have issues with correct spelling which I guess may go against the spirit of the whole thing, but......)

With the return of my little handbag camera from our mate the chopper pilot (complete with bonus photographs of his children pulling faces) I am roaring and ready to capture the action at the show tomorrow.

Gumboots or not. Its just a pity that none of us own any at the moment.

what won what

So, a couple of my bloggy peeps and fellow photography lovers have asked to see what won what at our local show, seeing as said show sets such a benchmark in the photography world. Not. That being said, our district does boast some mighty fine talent (some of which didn't exhibit, which is a pity) and we all love looking at what is on display.

Here is what the judge liked. I did pull some of the photos I had chosen to put in, after they had been printed - I didn't think they were good enough, or I already had better images in a particular section. Its always fascinating as to what a judge thinks is worthy (particularly in the sections that I placed 1st 2nd and 3rd - why did he like one over the other?)

(and to clarify the "two or more people" section, 1st starts with the three kids in a pile, 2nd the reflections shot and 3rd the bride and groom;  the family shot on the old truck: I had enlarged  - with plans to frame for the wall).

The number of people that commented on the husband and kids shot - and laughed at the expression on Trevor's face. They know him well. ;-)

I guess this means I am good at people shots.

OH I've forgotten to show you my lovely orange rosette! For "senior encouragement award" in the photography. I promise to wear it tonight with my flannelette pj's and have the kids take a photo. Its sure to be a stunner.

The Show

There's been a bit happening this week, and a fair bit o' blog posting, so I hadn't gotten around to telling you about the local agricultural show. As you might recall, the kids and I put some effort in by putting entries into the pavilion, and were rewarded for those efforts. I can now truthfully claim to be an award winning photographer! (we don't need to say WHAT award  - or where - I won, do we? hee hee) Although it is most gratifying to note that other people also think one's favourite shots are also pretty good.

The kids were excited to get dressed up for a day out, and consented to the standard daggy we-are-going-somewhere-dressed-up photo. (taken with point and shoot, which explains the lesser quality of the image)

A friend of ours was lurking around the dodgems when the kids had their solitary ride, and took this charming shot:

(in the red hat, if you couldn't pick me out) I am not sure that I really like the dodgems.

She also took this one.

  Which is of my 6 foot something tall husband having to take our boy on the big slide when the boy bailed at the top and wouldn't come down. As you can see, he didn't really enjoy the experience. As for his mother, standing at the bottom? Enjoyed every moment of it, nearly peed herself laughing at the sight of her husband on the slide. Best two bucks ever spent!

We stayed for the fireworks, even though it meant enduring the constant we want this and we want that and can I have some more sugar in a bucket fairy floss and we are hungry and we are thirsty and can I have another icecream's.

And let me tell you: the sugar let down the next day (after they snuck into the left over fairy floss during the day) was.not.pretty.

We live and learn. Still, it was a good show. I have my rosette on the fridge to prove it. (I'm an award winning photographer, don't forget! snort)

getting ready for the show

Our annual town show is in a little over two weeks, and I've been quite slack over the past few years and not bothered with ANY entries what so ever.

This year the kids and I are putting in a few things: eggs, little collections (some very new! ;-) and some potted succulents, some scrapbooking, and just a few photos.

 

A sampling of what I decided to offer! (nicely showcased in a template from the ever talented Amy - thanks Amy!) across a few categories; obviously mostly my subjects are the kids. I've just remembered I've forgotten in include my favourite shot from the September wedding last year, oh well, too late now (having just uploaded and paid for this selection to print at Snapfish, who I hope are feeling speedy).

Lets call it my donation to the Show Society and our individual effort to fill spaces in the Show Pavilion. I might even have the kids do a drawing on nice cardstock. (or two of them, the third one shows great disdain for drawing, or if he does, its VERY, hilariously, minimalistic!)

Thoughts? Critiques? Ideas?

PS. Stamps: after we've decided to start a stamp collection ;-) I realised how few stamps I get on letters? If any Australian readers get some nicely stamped letters in the mail over the next few days, it would SO great if you could pop them in an envelope and post to me!