The A&P show has come and gone. I have not had the most productive or focused 2016 to date as a result I only entered a fraction of what I did last year and I think the judges could tell I was sort of half-assing it. I only got one first on show day and that was for my Anzac Cookies. Everything else was a 2nd, 3rd, or nothing.

I did put in my first entry to the gardening section. I entered three very nice chili peppers, which to my eyes looked identical to the ones that won. I should have entered my shallots. The ones sitting in my cupboard which I pulled up a couple weeks ago are twice the size of the winners.

For those who are curious here’s a bit of a photo blog of this year’s work.

Green Apple/Blueberry apple butter. Apple butter is the easiest thing. Put apples in a crock pot for two days then put in jars.

Always sterilize your jars and lids.

Apricot Jam, Spiced Cherry Chutney, and Cherry Jelly.

Base ingredients for my second place jelly. Wine jelly works surprisingly well with peanut butter.

An attempt at an artistic early morning shot of apple butter and walnuts preserved in honey.

First attempt at sourdough bread.

Sourdough and challa bread.

Dough rises fast in Auckland in February.

Ready for the oven.

Challah bread ready for the show. The sourdough turned out flat and hard and for some reason I forgot to take pictures of the cookies.

And here is the only picture I took at the A&P show. Yes, chopping wood is a sport.

Next year I’ll be more organized and do better.