3rd Place Winnings

OK - here is the final installment of recipes from the Iowa State Fair.

Oatmeal Bread

Yield: 1 loaf (8 ½ x 4 ½)

Ingredients:
1 ¼ C lukewarm milk
3 T honey
3 C King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour
1 C old fashioned rolled oats
2 T butter
1 ½ t bread salt

2 t instant yeast

Bread Machine Method: Place all of the ingredients into the bucket of bread machine. Program the machine for dough or manual and press Start. Check the dough after about 15 minutes; it should be smooth looking, though fairly stiff (but not gnarly). Add additional water or flour as needed. Allow the machine to complete its cycle.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly oiled work surface, and shape it into a log. Place the log in a lightly greased 9 x 5” loaf pan, cover the pan with lightly greased plastic wrap and allow to rise until it’s crested 1 to 2 inches over the rim of the pan.

Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the center reads 190°F when measured with an instant-read thermometer. Immediately remove bread from pans and cool on a wire rack.

Pumpkin Cutout Cookies

Yield: 1 dozen large cookies

Ingredients:
¾ C unsalted butter, softened
½ C brown sugar, firmly packed
½ C canned or fresh cooked pumpkin
1 egg
1 t vanilla extract
2 ¼ C all-purpose flour
¼ t ground cinnamon
¼ t ground ginger
¼ t ground nutmeg
1/8 t salt


Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.



In small bowl combine the flour and spices, whisk together; set aside.


In a large mixing bowl; combine butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add the pumpkin, egg, and vanilla. Gradually stir in the flour and spices. Mix by hand to create a soft dough.


Divide dough into 2 pieces; wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Roll out each piece to 1/4” thickness on a floured surface. Cut into ghosts (or other shapes) with cookie cutters. Place on parchment paper on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10 – 15 minutes.


Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:

8 oz package cream cheese, softened
¼ C unsalted butter
1 lb powdered sugar
1 T milk


Beat cream cheese and butter together until soft and well combined. Slowly add in powdered sugar. Add enough milk to make spreadable consistency.


Decorate cooled cookies with cream cheese frosting and mini chocolate chips (for ghost eyes).

 
Also in Foods:  Whole Kernel Corn (Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving - or any of Ball's canning books) and the Swedish Rye Bread placed third in a class for foods with molasses (recipe can be found under the 1st place winner blog).
 
In Horticulture: my Oregano sprig was a third place winner.
 
In Heritage: a very old chain linked purse took a third place prize.
 
In Floriculture: had two of my floral arrangements receive third place honors.  Also had a number of fourth and a fifth place win in floriculture.
 
That completes my ribbon list!  Overall a very good year.  I enjoyed reading through the comment cards.  Sometimes I wish the judges would be a bit more specific so I know exactly what they didn't like (some cards are rather cryptic).  I know they try very hard to provide constructive critique which is appreciated.
 
Now just a brief update on our day.  Clark woke up saying he didn't feel good this morning but then seemed to be just fine.  Clark and daddy waiting for mommy to get ready.  I especially love that Jack the cat was in on wait.

Since we went to the wedding and were home late last night we decided to go to the late service at church.  Which actually worked out well since I needed to help set communion for late service and clean up afterwards.  We went to set up and then had time before the service started so we went for a walk on campus.  The boys had fun and we stopped for a snack so they wouldn't be too hungry during service. 
 

Beautiful fountain and the boys are much more interested in manhole covers.

The boys did OK for the first part but then heat and being overtired kicked in.  Suddenly during the sermon Clark threw up.  Wow - the joys of parenting.  That was a first.  Luckily it barely missed the college students in front of and behind us.  It did hit the floor and the wall (luckily missed the stained glass windows).  Alan took him out to clean him up and lay down.  Meanwhile Grant began to scream at the loss of brother and dad.  After he calmed down I quietly packed up (again during the middle of the sermon - sorry pastor) and left the church.  We found some rags and wiped everything down then took the sick child home.  I went back after getting Clark settled at home and made sure our mess was completely cleaned up and finished the altar clean-up.  Yes, now we will be known as the family with the child that threw-up in the middle of church - yay.  Clark seems to be much better tonight but that was more drama than we needed.

 

In much more exciting news my sister is engaged!  Hooray!  Congratulations Sis!