Farm Show 2026

The Farm Show was a big part of the last two weeks.  It's traditionally about good food and agricultural education for us but as the Blossoms grow, our involvement and responsibilities change.

We were there a couple of days in multiple family configurations.  Blossom1 and her fiance were with us one day ~ tasting delicious food, purchasing local skyr yogurt, and exploring exhibits.  Oh, and the Rugged Mountain Man was VERY happy with his turkey leg, but not the parking situation.  

Blossom2 was involved with the Culinary Connection stage,

helping with demos, preparing tasting portions, and 

competing in a Chopped-type competion with other culinary and baking and pastry arts students.  We got to see some stuff in person and some through a livestream.

Let me just say, it is intense to watch your daughter do this.  I was talking to the livestream,

"Check the rice!  Somebody PLEASE check the rice!!!"

"There's only five minutes left, SOMEONE get the plates out for plating!"

(The camera panned over to Blossom2 arranging plates.  That was a proud mama moment!)

Her team won!

Blossom3 did a presentation with another 4-H State Project Ambassador.

They've been working toward this for a few months now.  They wrote the presentation themselves, practiced, tweaked, pulled together a game, and organized a craft.  

It was a major victory for Blossom3 to own this project from start to finish with very minimal involvement from me.  

They also spent time researching categories for future exhibition by other expressive arts 4-H members.  

This is a growing part of 4-H and they are excited to be a part of it.

Blossom4 has been along to support her sisters, be a part of the games, and be inspired by them - her real life role models.  

It's a beautiful part of sisterhood~

learning from their victories AND their bumps, watching their goals from start to finish, and being the best cheerleader a sister can be.

Ag education was another big order of our days at Farm Show.

Blossom3 was inspired... maybe there's an upcycled greenhouse in our future.  Pretty inspiring since her presentation covered the topic of upcycling.

There were bovine organs to be explored.

The alpaca fiber arts were some of my most favorite.  

Mom and I love to admire craftsmanship.

This booth featured 'Paca projects from makers from all across the Commonwealth and we were in awe.

The miniature landscapes are one of our most favorite exhibits.  

We came away determined to exhibit more next year.

Considering how much the girls have matured, I'm excited to see the determination become goals and grow into fruition. 

America's 250th is a big theme for PA Fairs this year, which is no surprise.  Patriotism is strong in the Fair world and it's something we love.

We signed the bell

and marvelled at how many signatures were collected in

only FOUR days.

With tired feet and full bellies 

(with deep fried cheese cubes, bloomin' onion, pierogi, flavored lemonades, cheesesteak pretzel roll, and milkshakes... the list goes on), 

we greeted the police horses, and trekked toward home.  

Dominique