Union Fair, Maine

Everyone likes Maine blueberries.

On August 22, 2019, DH and I ate small blueberry pies - one each, we restrained ourselves- at the Union Fair, an annual event in a part of Maine known for wild blueberry barrens as well as cattle and sheep.  Here are some of the sites:

Quilts and needlework in the Crafts barn.

Raffle quilt.

Rug hooking is a venerable Maine tradition.

More rug-hooking - not in competition but a winner in my book.

An exquisite piece of cross-stitch from a design available on etsy.

Delightful winter-themed quilt.

Now, we expected delicious wild blueberry pie at this event, but did not expect to find "the area's best kept secret" - the Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage, housed in one of the utility buildings on the fair grounds. This is an Aladdin's cave of antiques relating to daily life in Maine. No precious objets, just tools and equipment owned and used by Mainers in their everyday lives.

 

A frame for hooking rugs.

Old laundry tub, paddles and washboards.

Vintage needlework items - those steel knitting needles look lethal...

Good weather for spinning.

On the day we visited the fair, a group from the Midcoast spinners demonstrated their craft in Sherman Park.  It was surprisingly meditative just to watch them at work.  I noted that one of the spinners, Penelope Olson, had yarn exhibited in the Craft barn.

Prize-winning yarn by spinner Penelope Olson.

Speaking of wool, a sheep says "hello".

Young people waiting to show their sheep in the 4-H judging.

Belted Galloway cattle resting.

Tasty traditions.

Making a batch of play slime

Homemade blue slime.

Ingredients: white Elmer's school glue, baking soda, contact lens solution, food coloring.

In anticipation of a grandchild's visit, my kitchen became a laboratory for making slime, a toy currently popular with elementary and middle school kids.  This non-sticky but pliable, stretchable substance is a first cousin to silly putty and oobleck.

Equipment: bowl, spatula, measuring spoons, plastic tub for storage.

I tried two other formulas from random sites on the internet before finding this recipe, which worked for me.  A note on the contact lens solution: all purpose solution is fine, but the ingredients list must include boric acid.  And finally, utilize equipment - bowls, measuring cups and spoons, spatulas, etc. - dedicated to craft projects ONLY for craft projects, NEVER for food production, serving or eating!


First,  empty two four-ounce bottles of white Elmer's school glue into a bowl. (My bowl is the 2.5 quart Pyrex Smart Essentials product.) At this time, add food coloring. Only a few drop so food coloring are needed.

Two drop of blue food coloring added to glue.

Mix well.

Add baking soda, mix well again.

Next, add one tablespoon of baking soda, mix well.  Finally add one and one-half tablespoons contact lens solution, and incorporate into the glue and baking soda mixture.  The slime should form almost immediately. Keep stirring as mixture firms up and pulls away from the side of the bowl.  When the slime has formed a cohesive mass, begin kneading with your hands, and if the slime is still sticky add a bit more contact lens solution, up to another half tablespoon.

After adding contact lens solution, slime forms quickly.

I made slime in green and orange too.  One caveat -  I found that the blue coloring came off on my hands, so it's a good idea to wash hands after playing with darker colors.  Not a problem with the orange and green.  Slime is best played with at a table or another solid surface, as it might be difficult to remove from clothing and upholstery.  There's something very satisfying about it, though, and slime seems to stay "fresh" for quite a while in a plastic tub.

Bubbles are ok.