State Fair Results, Business Ventures, Life

So, today's post is more of a "catch up" post rather than a recipe. However, I do have another recipe post coming this way before the week's over. Yeah, imagine that, I'm actually getting around to posting two recipes in one week! ;)

First and foremost, y'all should finally know how the State Fair competition turned out, I mean, it was only a month ago... Quick refresher for anyone who never saw the first post about it here or on That Old Oven's Facebook page: Last year I entered my baking powder biscuits into the State Fair and didn't even make it to the display case. No surprise there seeing as how the biscuits were a total flop that time (why does that always happen when it's most important for it not to?) and I just had to make do. This year, I was ambitious. I entered my biscuits again. And, because I had found and altered a new apple pie recipe that was getting stellar reviews from my "panel" I entered my apple pie as well. And, because I love King Arthur Flour and all their products I entered a coffee cake into that competition as well. Aiming high y'all, I was aiming high! 

Well, fast forward a few days and my hubby and I are walking through the display cases at the fair and we came across this...

And then this...

Y'all!  My apple pie won 1st place and my baking powder biscuits won 3rd place!  Whoop! Whoop!  I made a blue-ribbon worthy pie! :)  And they were even placed in the case conveniently side-by-side. 

Or back-to-back, something like that.

 My coffee cake didn't make it, but that was to be expected seeing as how it looked gorgeous but I had never even made the recipe before so I had no clue how it tasted. What mattered was that my two favorites made it. And as someone mentioned, there are 50 states in the US, so 50 state fairs, sooo... my apple pie is in the top 50 in the US. I'll take that! ;) Needless to say, I was flying high. :)

On that note, the blue ribbon I won on the apple pie has resulted in one of my 'business ventures'. I'm now selling my apple pies to anyone who wants one! I had a few people ask about it, so I figured why not?  I've always wanted to sell pies eventually anyway. It makes me really happy and I do hope it can turn into a true business venture.

My other latest development is that I now have a 2nd "job" as a consultant for the Pampered Chef! Talk about a fun job! It doesn't even feel like work half the time and I get to put my love of food and cooking to good use. Not that it doesn't go to good use already, but I profit from it this way, so not too shabby. :) And they have great, great, great perks.  

So I'm happy with my "business ventures" right now and delighted that they both involve food. And that's life right now! Be sure to check back here Thursday and/or Friday night for a delicious rolls recipe that I'll be sharing. :)