Making the Best Better with Biscuits and Sewing

To Make the Best Better

I started cooking and sewing when I joined 4-H. Though I learned much about sewing and cooking through 4-H, Mom was there too, guiding and helping me every step of the way. I had my picture published in the newspaper many times for 4-H events I attended, and for sewing projects I completed. I entered food and clothing projects at the Rock Island County Fair many times over the years. Diana and I won a trip to the Illinois State Fair in Springfield for demonstrations we gave. Mine was on how to make perfect baking powder biscuits. Diana won for her demonstration on how to make coffee-cake. I practiced making biscuits over and over until the whole family was sick of them. I was even on WOC-TV giving my demonstration. I thought the ending of my demonstration was so cute and still remember it: “If you follow these instructions carefully, your biscuits won’t be as hard as the proverbial bride’s biscuits, which were as hard as stepping stones.” So Diana and I were off to the state fair, and oh, what fun we had. The best part was spending time at the midway. We rode the double Ferris wheel. We were scared to death, but we did it. Diana wanted to play the games where you throw darts at balloons or try to toss a plastic ring around a pop bottle. But I was the big sister and “knew” that all the midway games were rigged so I told her, “No.” One of the barkers heard me tell her this, called us over and handed her the biggest teddy bear he had.