The HerKentucky Valentine's Day Wish List
Valentine's Day is tomorrow, and we've been shopping a lot! This week, we've given you our Valentine's Day Wish Lists for guys and for t-shirt lovers. Today, here are a few great, Kentucky-made pieces for the woman on your shopping list, or some great ways to treat yourself!
W & M Custom Jewelry Silver Tulip Earrings
I went out to dinner with a dear friend the other night, and I found myself looking at her earrings repeatedly. Finally, I just came out with "Those are W & M, right?" Well, of course they were! These delicate silver flowers go with anything, and make a great gift!
Louisville Stoneware Garden Boot Birdhouse
This gorgeous piece combines so many of my very favorite things: Wellies, Louisville Stoneware, and Kentucky-based celebrity gardener Jon Carloftis. It would be a fantastic keepsake for a Stoneware collector or garden lover!
Elva Fields Luck Abounds Necklace
I just cannot stop staring at this necklace. How perfect is it for a day at the track, a Derby party or, you know, anywhere? Another thoughtfully-constructed, vintage-inspired piece from Kentucky's own Elva Fields jewelry.
A Bourbon Women Membership
If you really love her, say it with bourbon. Membership in the Bourbon Women association is a great opportunity for professional networking, and a unique chance to learn all about Kentucky's signature spirit.
Kentucky Cutting Board
This cutting board from Two Chicks & Co is a great way to display your Bluegrass pride! Wouldn't this make the most darling cheese tray ever?
A Louisville Stoneware Holiday Wish List
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to tour the Louisville Stoneware factory.
It was so fun to learn about the pottery I've collected for years. It was really cool to see the actual raw clay that is transformed into beautiful pottery.
It was so fun to learn about the pottery I've collected for years. It was really cool to see the actual raw clay that is transformed into beautiful pottery.
As I watched clay being purified, softened, and molded, I felt like a little kid on one of those candy factory tours they used to show on Mr. Rogers. I had a million questions about the production process, and I was thrilled to see some amazing pieces I recognized from my own collection. (Which I'm talking about today over at The Mint Julep Diary.)
This coffee mug proclaims "I'd rather be drinking bourbon" and, well, wouldn't we all? It's a great gift for the bourbon lover on your holiday list.
These gorgeous ornaments reflect your favorite city, your college team, or your holiday spirit.
These holly graffiti julep cups are filled with locally-produced soy candles and would make a fantastic holiday gift.
And I couldn't decide on a favorite among all the salt and pepper shakers; each set was cuter than the last.
I was particularly partial to the Wildcats and the Colonels.
Thanks so much to Louisville Stoneware for hosting me for a tour! I had a blast!
Louisville Stoneware 2013 Komen Birdhouse
Y'all know that I just love Louisville Stoneware. I've been collecting for as long as I can remember, and I just love the mix of elegance and whimsy that it adds to my kitchen.
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| 21C Penguin Birdhouse Salt-and-Pepper Shakers? Yes, please! |
Now, they already had me at "locally-produced for two centuries", but in recent years, Louisville Stoneware has given me yet another reason to love their product with their Komen Birdhouse Collection. For the past five years, Louisville Stoneware has created a gorgeous piece of birdhouse art in conjunction with breast cancer awareness month. A percentage of the proceeds from this birdhouse will go back to the Louisville chapter of Komen for the Cure, helping women right here in our community!
My beau and I attended the unveiling of the Fifth Annual Komen Birdhouse earlier this week. Let me tell you, that event made me fall in love with Louisville Stoneware all over again!
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| I NEED the pink fleur-de-lis julep cup!! |
(No member of the HerKentucky staff was compensated for this post.)
HerKentucky Turns 2!
Today's our birthday, y'all!
Today marks two years of the HerKentucky blog. Every member of our writing staff is so thrilled and humbled that y'all stop by to read our posts and visit our social media sites. It's so wonderful to know that y'all love the Commonwealth as much as we do!
I wish we could all sit down together for a glass of bourbon and a cupcake today. Since that's a little difficult to manage, we've partnered with Louisville Stoneware to bring one lucky HerKentucky reader a stylish way to enjoy her favorite drink.
The Louisvilke Stoneware Mint Julep Cup is so fun, and its logo gets straight to the point.
Here's what our friends at Louisville Stoneware would like you to know about this item:
Located in the heart of Bourbon Country, and with a history of making whiskey jugs, it’s only natural for Louisville Stoneware to have a line of Julep Cups.The exact origins of the Mint Julep are unknown, but it is said to have originated in the southern United States during the eighteenth century. U.S. Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky introduced the drink to Washington, D.C., at the Round Robin Bar in the famous Willard Hotel. It was also the favorite drink of American author William Faulkner. The Mint Julep is best known as the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, a position it has held since 1938, with Churchill Downs making over 120,000 for Derby fans each year.Chill your Stoneware Julep Cup in the freezer for at least 30 minutes – it can be stored there permanently if you like. With a slightly flared rim, this cup is perfect for slow sipping – the only way a julep should be enjoyed. For an authentic Julep-sipping experience, we suggest following the recipe on our Julep pitcher. Cheers!Your stoneware can be safely used in the oven, microwave, dishwasher and freezer. Just remember to allow pieces from the dishwasher to cool before refrigerating. Likewise, you should allow refrigerated piece to return to room temperature before washing. As with any stoneware item, extreme and sudden variation in temperature may cause cracking or breakage.
You can enter to win using the Rafflecopter widget. The winner will be announced on Monday, September 16th, and you can look forward to more HerKentucky birthday fun throughout September!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks so much to Louisville Stoneware for partnering with HerKentucky to bring y'all this giveaway. No member of the HerKentucky writing staff was compensated in any way for this post. Check back throughout September for more celebrations, giveways, and fun!
Game Day Shrimp and Grits Casserole
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| Please forgive the horrid iPhone photo. |
Having people over for the Big Game today?
This shrimp and grits casserole is amazingly creamy and hearty and only takes about 30 minutes to prep and cook. The shrimp comes out so tender! It's also a great way to showcase Kentucky Proud ingredients like Weisenberger Mill grits, Kenny's Farmhouse Cheese, and your favorite Western Kentucky country ham.
- 2 cups milk
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup uncooked quick-cooking grits
- 1/2 cup Parmesan or other hard white cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp, coarsely chopped
- 4 oz country ham, diced
- 2 tablespoons dried minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper (or less, to taste)
- Kosher salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Combine milk and broth in saucepan; bring to a boil. Add grits and about 1/4 teaspoon salt to pan. Stir constantly, cooking about 5 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese, butter, and cream cheese. Stir in remaining ingredients; salt and pepper to taste. (I like this quite spicy, but you may want to cut down the cayenne and garlic.) Pour into greased 11x7" baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes or until set.
There you go. Game Day ready. The Cats or Cards serving pieces are your call.
(Serving pieces via Louisville Stoneware.)
Thanksgiving Traditions
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| Spode Woodland, via Belk |
Thanksgiving
is a holiday centered around family, gratitude, and tradition. As we carry on
the tradition of the earliest settlers of our land, we celebrate with the
customary feast foods.
Now, this
sounds momentous, proud, and lovely. But, the truth is, the food gets a little
monotonous. If you don't like ham or turkey, then most of the time, you're just out of luck.
In a lot
of families, the preparation of a huge meal falls on one or two people, who are
charged with meeting the dietary and taste demands of a crowd. Earlier this
week, I was talking about the meal with my aunt, the traditional hostess of our
family Thanksgiving dinner. She noted that several family members want the
dishes we serve to be exactly the same as in previous years. Now, occasionally
we mix it up a bit -- one year a second, fried turkey (whom my brother and
cousin named "Brian" after a long debate as to whether the bird
should be brined, but that's another story for another day...) was on the menu.
Sometimes, I'll try to branch out into sweet potato pie or another dish that
seems to fit. But, by and large, the menu is fixed. My mom will make pumpkin
pie, pecan pie, and broccoli casserole. My uncle and grandmother will conduct a
raging two-hour debate about whether traditional dressing or oyster dressing is
better. I'll make a hot brown on leftover turkey Thursday night. I guess that's
how traditions work.
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| via Louisville Stoneware |
Every
family has their own set of Thanksgiving customs as well. Some folks, like Lydia, are all about the football-and-sweatpants aspect of the day. Others are
hurrying up the holiday for a tryptophan-induced nap and Black Friday preparations. The lucky ones, like Cristina, can pour a bourbon and enjoy the
day. When my maternal grandmother was alive, we stood in the kitchen and took a
turn saying what we were thankful for. It was a beautiful moment of affirmation
for the adults, and the bane of the grandkids' existence. But, it's forever
etched in our memories as What You Do On Thanksgiving.
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| via Hadley Pottery |
A fun way
to mix up tradition is to add some pretty new dishes and serving pieces to your holiday table. I'm forever in love with Spode's Woodland china pattern. Someday, the Hunting Dog series will be mine. More locally, pieces from Louisville Stoneware and Hadley Pottery add a little Kentucky tradition while prettying up
your table.While my suggestions for turkey tikka masala often go ignored, at least I can spice up the holiday with these fun bird patterned china patterns!
Here's to
old traditions and a few new ones to mix things up!
What are
your Thanksgiving traditions?
Pumpkins and Witches!
I love decorating for Halloween. There are just so many fun pumpkins and witches to choose from!
I recently ran across some Louisville Stoneware pieces that I just love for the holiday this year:
This black pumpkin lights up a room or porch and saves all the carving mess.
This pumpkin serving tray is a great way to serve treats. Pumpkin whoopie pies are always a hit!
And this witch pitcher is just about the cutest thing I've ever seen.
Maybe you could stir up a spooky cocktail, a la Martha, although I'd recommend serving an artisan bourbon instead.
What kind of Halloween decorations do y'all have this year?