Kentucky in One Word: Beautiful

It's hard to reduce our home state to just one word. I really struggled with the idea, but kept coming back to the word "beautiful."

Native Americans discovered and returned to Kentucky again and again for the bounty that the land provided. Later, the Early European settlers must have seen bits of home in the highlands of Appalachia, the verdant meadows of the Bluegrass and the meandering waterways across the region. Today, I often find myself gasping at the beauty my state offers, and I'm in awe of the diversity of that beauty. Mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, and arches are some of the beautiful natural world we call home, but we've also had the (generally) good sense to work to preserve a lot of those places and enhance them.

My words are woefully inadequate to describe the beauty of Kentucky, but if you've ever lived through a Kentucky spring, you know that the green surrounding you is enough to make your heart squeeze with joy. If you've ever hiked a Kentucky forest on a crisp autumn day, you know the sights, sounds and smells of Kentucky.

Kentucky is beautiful beyond words and beyond my amateur photography abilities. I hope you enjoy some of my favorite images and will share links to some of your favorites!

Waterfalls Abound in Kentucky - Cove Spring Nature Preserve, Frankfort

Bright Summer Colors - Washington County

Majestic Waterways - Russell Fork River, Elkhorn City

Spring is Perfection in the Bluegrass - Capitol Lawn, Frankfort

Winter Brings Its Own Beauty - Cove Spring Nature Preserve, Frankfort

Fall in Appalachia - Russell Fork Gorge, Kentucky/Virginia Border

Arches! - Red River Gorge, Slade

Christmas in Ashland

A few weeks ago, I found myself in Ashland with an hour or so to kill, so I took a walk downtown to look at the Christmas decorations. I've always adored the way that town decorates for the holidays. It's so delightfully old-fashioned and fun.

Sunset

November Quake

Yesterday, as I took the dogs out for a walk in the hills at my parents' house, I started thinking about how hard it is to characterize these first few weeks of November. It's kind of still football season, and it's kind of basketball season. Halloween is over, and you can't really drag Thanksgiving out into a multi-week holiday. It feels ridiculous to put up Christmas lights already, and yet I get so excited when I see the Christmas displays at department stores.  Maybe that's why there are so many November memes -- we're all trying to figure out what the month is all about.

Recent weather patterns here in Kentucky certainly have added to November's identity crisis. It was sweater weather as my beau and I left Rupp Arena Monday night; by the end of the week, I heard talk of tee times. Now, we all know that Kentucky weather is unpredictable -- if you don't like it, stick around a day or two and it'll change. But, this is one crazy-assed Indian summer, even by Kentucky standards.

Just when I thought it couldn't get any weirder around here, November decided to throw me for a loop. I was already a little on edge today. Deer season started this morning and I awoke to shotgun blasts reverberating throughout the holler. Then, around noon, I was standing in my parents' kitchen making lunch when I felt a weird rumble. A ripple of vibration made its way across the walls of the dining room and kitchen. The china cabinet groaned and tinkled.  At first, we weren't quite sure what had happened. My dad swore he hadn't felt anything. My mom thought it was just her imagination. But, soon enough, we confirmed it on our very favorite news source -- Facebook.

Now, it wasn't anything like the kind of quake they experience on the West Coast. It was a 4.3 magnitude earthquake in Whitesburg, which is about 45 miles away from my parents' house. There's no significant damage to be found. Around here, my aunt suffered a few cracks in her walls. The KSP post for Southeastern Kentucky told the Herald-Leader that they'd received reports of "people's pictures being knocked off the wall, and ceramic figurines being broken."  Nothing devastating, but certainly a memorable flourish on a pretty late autumn day.

I guess November just wanted to be taken a little more seriously.

Autumn at Lexington Green

HerKentucky Story: s e e r s u c k e r + s a d d l e s

HerKentucky is excited to present a guest blog from Beth Parker of the popular Lexington-based fashion blog S e e r s u c k e r + S a d d l e s.  Documenting a  fashion love affair that dates back to when she was a young gal, Beth blogs about her love of fashion with an emphasis on her southern roots.  Beth's daily outfits combine classic preppy elements with equestrian flair and unexpected pops of color.   We simply adore her blog, and love the description that Beth provided for us:  S e e r s u c k e r + S a d d l e s – a place where the south and style collide. 

A quick little history lesson:

Our lovely Lexington, the beautiful place I now call home.  It’s where my 2 lovely ladies will grow up and learn to appreciate all things equestrian, wildcat, and bluegrass.  It’s my “SADDLES.”

However, the beachy, charming little town, Jupiter, Fl, is where I was born and raised.  It’s my “SEERSUCKER.”

A childhood chock full of boating, beaching, fishing, and the like, Florida will forever hold a near and dear place in my heart.  It is where my family still resides and we continually visit.  So what, you may ask, could possibly pull me away from this picturesque little town?  How about a Kentucky gentleman of course!  

 

Fast forward 8 years and I now consider myself a proud Kentuckian, married to a Harlan native, raising a lovely little brood,  and bleeding my fair share of blue (mixed with Garnet & Gold of course)!   So the takeaway of this little intro …I LOVE THE SOUTH!!!   Now onto the goodies…THE FASHION …

Oh it dates back to my younger years, indeed.   I have always been the type of gal that needs a creative outlet in one form or fashion, no pun intended.  Fashion & s e e r s u c k e r + s a d d l e s undoubtedly fit that creative bill.  For me, fashion is pure expression.  It is individuality & creativity wrapped up into one fun little rig (aka outfit).  

One rule of thumb I try to follow is to choose a piece that is versatile.   For me, buying something that I can use in a multitude of ways is pretty darn important.  For instance, let’s take this mustard blazer-perfect for work & play.  How about pairing her with a navy & white stripe tee, some skinny jeans, and leopard ballet flats for a weekender look? 

 

 Another fun little tidbit, treat leopard as a neutral.  In small doses,  it’s a fun little complement!

    

Take pleasure in the details.  I love the scallop cut to these shorts & the nautical rope handle on the tote…..seersucker all the way!

Family, friends, & fashion….it’s what I love, always have.  I sure hope s e e r s u c k e r +s a d d l e s provides a daily dose of closet inspiration…make it a good one, gang!

photos courtesy Kristin Tatem Photography

In Photos: Appalachian Nightfall