• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • SHOP
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT CATHY
  • CONTACT

CZ Design

Everything’s better on a stick

August 28, 2008

Everything’s better on a stick

Ahellominnesotafair_2

A few days ago, we went to the Fair. And I took pictures. And here’s some of them with minimal words serving as their accompaniment.

First things first: this year, we hopped a ride on one of those bike taxis. This was our view. I wish I could share the smell here as well. Some things just don’t translate.

Bodiferousride

Oh, but it made the arrival at those Pearly Gates that much more magical. Hello, Minnesota State Fair.

Cpearlygates

First things first: you visit the Creative Arts building, and your family admires the Scrapbooking winners, and your husband says, "Aw honey…you should enter next year. You got a shot!"

Gmaybenextyear_2

Then, you eat.

Deat

Mmmm. Pronto pups.

Eat

Mmmm. Pronto Pups equal to or exceeding the length of one’s humerus. Mmmm. And don’t forget the fried green tomatoes.

Fyum

As you make your way further into the fair, the familiar sights warm your heart.

F2space

F3sights

A quick visit to the giant slide is always in order.

Hstaticcling

Then you wind your way down to the Mighty Midway. Behold, the Mighty Midway.

Imightymidway

Jmyfuturebrastyle_2

And you find magic, and high school stoner art, at every turn.

Kbadlydrawnsrv

Beloved children risk their lives on shoddily assembled rides.

Lsoaring

And not a soul would guess that just 15 minutes after this shot was taken, that Mom, in response to two whining children, would have what one might call meltdown of her own. Ah, fair. You do have a way of bringing out the best in us all.

Mhappycouple

But all was saved with the amazing concert by Miss Brandi Carlile, who really did put on a show.

M2brandi_2

One of her encores was Folsom Prison Blues. You can watch a link (not from this night) of her doing the song here. This girl is so damned talented and hot it’s ridiculous.

And so, our time at the fair has come and gone. Thanks to my trusty little Kodak Point&Shoot, I have cherished and magical family memories to add to my lifetime collection.

And, three extra pounds.

Nnightynight

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tina says

    August 28, 2008 at 10:08 am

    Beautiful pics, Cathy! And I agree – you should enter the Scrapbooking contest next time. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  2. Nadia Munarolo-Kurjata says

    August 28, 2008 at 10:25 am

    awesome pics from the fair! I could taste the food from here. yum! and thanks for the link to brandi. new to me! hope you are having a wonderful thursday! ciao!

    Reply
  3. katie scott says

    August 28, 2008 at 10:26 am

    nice pictures – especially the wonderwoman!

    Reply
  4. Susan says

    August 28, 2008 at 10:32 am

    Once again I am laughing out loud!

    “I wish I could share the smell here as well.”

    Absolutely no need for “smell-o-vision” here, I can totally imagine all on my own and it is making my pregnant self very, very nauseous!

    The colors in these pictures are amazing!

    Reply
  5. Patti says

    August 28, 2008 at 10:38 am

    Oh, thanks for the trip back to the fair. I grew up in MN, and thus going to the fair, for the food! πŸ™‚ We went to the WI State fair this year and it was such a let down. Glad you had a good time.

    Reply
  6. Rene says

    August 28, 2008 at 10:42 am

    I’m heading to the Tennessee Valley Fair next week where I am entering two minibooks into the scrapbooking contest. One of the things on my bucket-list is to win a blue ribbon in the fair so I guess you have to enter something to win…haha

    I just KNOW you’ll be envious but I feel the need to tell you anyway…the Village People are playing our fair on September 5th. I’ve already started practicing my Y.M.C.A. moves….I’m aiming for front row, baby!!

    Reply
  7. Anne says

    August 28, 2008 at 10:52 am

    Perfect weather for the fair! Great colors that almost make your heart break!
    But I still don’t like fairs. Sorry.

    Reply
  8. Christina says

    August 28, 2008 at 10:54 am

    First, you are so lucky to have seen Brandi Carlile in person. I’m extremely jealous.
    Second, Aidan is getting TALL. Perhaps Dan is shrinking?
    Third, glad you all had fun. I miss state fairs!

    Reply
  9. Jeanne Pellerin says

    August 28, 2008 at 10:56 am

    Girl, you so crazy!

    Reply
  10. Kimberly says

    August 28, 2008 at 11:03 am

    Wow, your fair is huge!!! Those corndogs are making my mouth water. Our town’s fair is this weekend too…our kids even get Friday (tomorrow) off of school because of it! Yay, 4 day weekend!!!

    Reply
  11. Elizabeth Lombardi says

    August 28, 2008 at 11:41 am

    Amen Sister!! Everything is better on a stick indeed! And fairs are always about the food. Whinning kids and momma meltdowns – sounds like we experienced the same fair this year. Yet we’ll do it again next year because when else can we eat food on a stick and enjoy all of the sights (and smells.) Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  12. Anna says

    August 28, 2008 at 11:55 am

    your fair looks so much better than our fair! especially the cool slide. and with the crazy (i say that with much love and admiration) zielske clan, it had to be a ton of fun!!

    Reply
  13. Gina says

    August 28, 2008 at 12:01 pm

    You captured the fair awesomely with your trusty little point and shoot! The colors are amazing. Can’t wait to see how you scrap them. Have a great day.

    Reply
  14. Bay says

    August 28, 2008 at 12:23 pm

    Cathy, would you like a recipe for fried green tomatoes? It’s so much easier than you think, and then you can have that tasty treat any time you like. Well, any time that there are green tomatoes to be had. Which is a lot more often than just fair-time.

    Dang, now I’m going to have to make some for myself since I don’t have a fair to attend and buy some fried green tomatoes of my own. Thanks a lot for slinging a craving! πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  15. Megan says

    August 28, 2008 at 12:24 pm

    Well, I was kinda thinking the same thing about the poundage after witnessing the Humerus length whatever-that-scary-lookin-thing-was. But I wasn’t going to say anything, until you did. But here’s a trick. Put a deck of cards on the ground. Put one foot on each side of the deck, approximately shoulder width apart. Keep your back straight and squat down to pick up the cards (one at a time, please- I know what you are thinking.) Soon, your butt will be rock hard and somewhere up around your shoulder blades. I promise. (add in high kicks between squats and it’s like doing sit ups without sitting.) I know. I’m a fun-sucker.

    Reply
  16. stephanie says

    August 28, 2008 at 12:42 pm

    funny as all heck Z!
    our fair? mango on a stick with chili pepper sprinkles (seriously..not bad) chased down with ‘yard long’ beer…if you time it right (ie, not lose your cookies on The Octopus), you can follow -up with a waffle cake, malox and advil.
    So jealous!! LOVE Brandi Carlile!!!

    Reply
  17. Nancy says

    August 28, 2008 at 12:52 pm

    Awesome pictures, Cathy. We went yesterday. So no bright blue sky to go with my pictures…

    My husband said the same thing about my scrapbook pages… and I’m not even famous!

    Reply
  18. jennifer says

    August 28, 2008 at 1:17 pm

    fabulous photos with even better commentary, as always. write a book already, woman! and i don’t mean a “scrap” book (which i own, thank you), i mean a funny, one-woman-show kind of book. you have a serious way with the pen…or keyboard i suppose it would be, now-a-days. i have to know, did you edit these photos at all? they are SO vibrant! glad i stopped by…

    Reply
  19. jennifer says

    August 28, 2008 at 1:19 pm

    obviously, all due respect with my last “woman” comment…i was being serious! you have talent…(as if you didn’t know!) enjoy the wknd!

    Reply
  20. O says

    August 28, 2008 at 1:50 pm

    Ah yes, Pronto Pups! And the grilled corn-on-the-cob! Mmmmm…I’ve been to the MN state fair a time or two w/my cousins. It’s huge and so much fun πŸ™‚ I really could almost taste, smell & hear all that the fair has to offer through your magical point-n-shoot photos! πŸ˜‰ Looks like you all had a good time.

    Reply
  21. Judy in Huntsville says

    August 28, 2008 at 2:16 pm

    aaahhhhh – PRONTO PUPS!!!! i haven’t heard corn dogs called that since the last itme i made them at home with my mom when i was a kid – YuuuumEEE. Loved the photos too btw! ~ J

    Reply
  22. sue Treiber says

    August 28, 2008 at 2:26 pm

    banquet on a stick, indeed!

    Reply
  23. Tina says

    August 28, 2008 at 2:43 pm

    Great fair pics! Love the inspiration πŸ™‚ And LOVE me some pronto pups…State fair here we come…Monday πŸ™‚

    Reply
  24. Linda says

    August 28, 2008 at 3:05 pm

    So do you guys go more than once to this fair? Once a year would probably be enough for me. Thanks for sharing Cathy.

    Reply
  25. erin yamabe says

    August 28, 2008 at 3:15 pm

    ahh, i LOVE your blog. and the way you share your stories:) thank you cathy!

    Reply
  26. Nevis says

    August 28, 2008 at 3:30 pm

    Love the photos and loved the way you wrote your commentary. You have a gift.

    Reply
  27. Kim Chalfen says

    August 28, 2008 at 3:41 pm

    You should definately enter the fair. You would win hands down. My husband said “are those scapbooking pages”(with a really funny look on his face) they need a bit of improvement. So by that you would definately blow them ALL away.Yes, he does know what really good pages look like we had alot of awesome employees and customers for years.

    Kim

    Reply
  28. Wendy Bretz says

    August 28, 2008 at 5:16 pm

    love your photos cathy! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  29. Sophie says

    August 28, 2008 at 6:42 pm

    It was perfectly captured. The excitement. The day glo paint. The all things on a stick feel. Good times, to be sure! πŸ™‚ We used to go every year…and I miss those days…perhaps next year.

    Reply
  30. Karen says

    August 28, 2008 at 7:27 pm

    The colors in your pictures are glorious and the perspective so cool. Your kids have grown so much since I’ve been reading your blog. Thanks for the memories!

    Reply
  31. Erin Glee says

    August 28, 2008 at 7:50 pm

    Thanks for the vicarious trip to the Fair~ I LOVED IT!

    Reply
  32. heidi says

    August 28, 2008 at 8:15 pm

    “Beloved children risk their lives on shoddily assembled rides.” LOL that is hilarious! Looks like a fun time. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  33. Marianne says

    August 28, 2008 at 9:22 pm

    That last shot–the one of the cotton cancdy stand–really speaks to me. I am SO there.

    Reply
  34. Donna says

    August 28, 2008 at 9:44 pm

    Looks like a fun family night. Nice pictures…thanks for sharing & hope your wrists are feeling better.

    Reply
  35. Lauren says

    August 28, 2008 at 10:10 pm

    Love the hole in the back of Cole’s shirt. Such a typical boy. How tall IS Aidan? She is long and lanky! She’s gonna catch her dad soon. You guys are such a cute couple.

    Reply
  36. maple jenny says

    August 28, 2008 at 10:32 pm

    So much fun. I’m going this Sunday and hope the weather is as perfect as your pictures. I’m looking forward to the deep-fried Twinkies. Did you try the chocolate covered bacon? It sounds more like a guy thing to me.

    Reply
  37. Jen G. says

    August 28, 2008 at 11:08 pm

    you always crack me up…but what really cracks me up is your photo thumbnail titles. You are too funny.
    went to the MN state fair last week. best pork chop on a stick ever. fried snicker bar on a stick even better.

    Reply
  38. Sarah says

    August 29, 2008 at 8:06 am

    Hey Cathy… LOVE the photo taken of you and Dan. Assuming that one of your darling children has picked up some great photography skills over the years? (All these years there are almost NO photos of me since I am the one behind the camera… which is OK in my book to not document bad hair and minor weight gain.)

    When we went to the fair last weekend, we did not see any building full of scrapbbook pages… I am not a fair-goer, this was the 2nd time in my life and hubby was leading the way. Hmm, he must have been holding out on me.

    I’m thinking you’d make a clean sweep at the fair if you entered your pages.

    Reply
  39. Holly Denghel says

    August 29, 2008 at 8:52 am

    Your husband is a funny man. Ah, the fair. Your pictures bring back so many fond memories!! And state fair corn dogs!! There is not a better food on the face of the earth.

    Reply
  40. Susan says

    August 29, 2008 at 10:46 am

    only three extra pounds? you werent trying very hard!!!
    lovelovelove Brandi. My favorite is her new duet on Pat Monahan’s (from Train) solo CD that just came out. I could listen to it overandoverandover again πŸ™‚

    Reply
  41. michelle says

    August 29, 2008 at 1:27 pm

    it’s ALL about the foods at the fair. I swear, that’s all my husband and I did this year… go around and sample the various foods (including one disgusting fried twinkie). And I LOVE the actions… you introducted them to me a while ago, and ever since then, I must say, I LOVE my photos a LOT more!!!

    Reply
  42. Mona says

    August 29, 2008 at 4:55 pm

    Great pics – looks so fun!! And please don’t take this the wrong way, but when did your dd get a womanly figure??? My dd is 7 – and I am NOT ready!! Although I know it is a coming!!

    Reply
  43. kp says

    August 29, 2008 at 9:24 pm

    dang, no wonder my pictures never look as good as yours! today was our second trip to the fair (yes, we are insane) and right now I am soaking my feet…and wondering which house of yours we drove by in our attempt to avoid the traffic back to Highland Park.

    Reply
  44. Christine says

    August 29, 2008 at 11:25 pm

    We don’t get fairs of this magnitude in these parts – thanks for sharing the pics.
    But what is a ‘pronto pup’? I’m guessing a corn dog of sorts -? Never mind, sign me up for one with a side of cotton candy (diabetes be damned!)

    Reply
  45. Bethany says

    August 30, 2008 at 12:18 pm

    So how does the bike taxi smell compare to the state fair metro transit bus smell? Because I got a good dose of that yesterday…

    Did you happen to catch the deep fried fruit on-a-stick? Nothing like the fair to take something that COULD be healthy and turn it into a diet disaster.

    Oh, and have you ever met Mr. Ellie Pooh with elephant-poo paper for scrapbooking and paper crafts?

    Reply
  46. Angie says

    August 30, 2008 at 2:39 pm

    Great pics of the Fair Cathy! I was there last week to see my layout (it won a ribbon!!) that I entered on a whim. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  47. Joanna says

    August 31, 2008 at 7:26 pm

    Cathy, I was going to write this last year, but forgot until it was too late. My mom had a cousin who lived near the MN State Fairgrounds. He was actually one of the ones who ‘sold’ parking spaces in his yard during the fair. He made a chair out of beer cans and would sit in that chair while out in the yard doing the car parking thing. Many, many people wanted to buy that chair, but he wouldn’t sell!

    Reply
  48. Stephanie says

    September 1, 2008 at 10:47 am

    Could you please offer a photography class or photoshop 101???Your pictures are downright ‘gorgeous’ I can smell the food, and the carnies from Wisconsin they are so great!!!

    Reply
  49. Kim says

    September 3, 2008 at 7:07 am

    Brandi Carlile is indeed a fabulous singer – lucky you to see her live. Sound like a great time at the fair. I wish our little pissant fair were 1/10 as good. πŸ™‚

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Categories

  • Cards
  • Crafts
  • CZ Life
  • Free Downloads
  • Products & Classes
  • Project Life
  • Scrapbooking
  • Tutorials

Archives

Footer

About

I'm Cathy Zielske and this is one of my homes on the World Wide Web. Want to learn more about me? By all means, click the link below:

  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Let’s Connect

If you have specific questions that can’t be answered by stalking me on social media, please click below:

Categories

  • Cards
  • Crafts
  • CZ Life
  • Free Downloads
  • Products & Classes
  • Project Life
  • Scrapbooking
  • Tutorials

Copyright © 2023 Cathy Zielske Β· site by bello via design