2017 was the hottest, driest summer I can remember.  Our garden was practically crispy and after a full work day I often found myself toting 5 gallon buckets of water all over the yard, desperately trying to keep something (anything) alive and producing.  I’ll never forget it though, it was the first summer I entered into our county fair.

We live in a relatively small rural town smack in between Richmond and Charlottesville, Virginia.  I adore the solace of country life and at the same time enjoy the easy drive to the occasional hustle and bustle.  Given my passions, I’ve found farm work, easygoing attitudes, no traffic, and the ease with which one can potty train a little boy from the porch are only found ’round places like these where the homes don’t touch.  As many small town country girls know…nothing brings summer to a beautiful close quite like the county fair.  This is a time to visit with neighbors, show off your skills, kick back, laugh and celebrate the year’s work!    And so I entered.

With my family as my guinea pigs I placed things before them that got me “chopped” many times – as Henry would say.  But then I found the most incredible recipe for cinnamon rolls I had ever tasted.  It was nearly perfect, and with just a few tiny modifications it transformed into the epitome of sweet-tooth heaven.  This will forever be my go-to for holiday breakfasts and special occasion deserts.  And do you know what?  When I went to the awards tent, perfectly placed next to them was a big, purple BEST IN SHOW ribbon!!!