In Photos: 5K on the Runway
Sunday morning I volunteered for the United Way of the Bluegrass 5K on the Runway. It was part of an entire day where a portion of the Lexington airport (LEX) was shut down for fitness activities down a couple of the runways - part of 2nd Sunday by Get Healthy Kentucky.
Getting to see the sun rise over the runway was such a fun experience. The weather was perfectly cool. 2 flat laps around the runway and the 5K was finished.
Kentucky Places: The Bodley-Bullock House
It just isn't summer in Lexington until you've attended a wedding at the Bodley-Bullock House.
The Bodley-Bullock House is a charming example of Lexington's old Downtown. I so enjoyed Miss Minnie's hospitality this weekend, and I do hope she can look past my bubbly endulgence!
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| Photo via Junior League of Lexington |
The 1814 mansion, with its Federal and Greek Revival details, is located in the heart of Lexington's Gratz Park Neighborhood and is a perennial favorite event space for Lexington brides.
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| Gratz Park houses, next door to the Bodley-Bullock. |
The Bodley-Bullock House was built for Lexington mayor Thomas Pindell, and was most notably owned by General Thomas Bodley, a War of 1812 hero, and Dr. Waller Bullock, a prominent Lexington physician. Upon the passing of Dr. Bullock and his wife Minnie, the home was left in trust to Transylvania University and was renovated by the Junior League of Lexington in 1984. It is used as both the Junior League Headquarters and a rentable event space. The house is similar in architecture and decor to many other Gratz Park-area houses, including the Hunt-Morgan House.
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| View from the window of Minnie Bullock's bedroom |
This weekend, I attended a family wedding at the Bodley-Bullock House. The dramatic staircase and old-fashioned touches provided an absolutely stunning backdrop.
I've attended dozens of weddings at the venue. I've put in my share of Junior League meetings and picnics there as well. It's always been one of those comfortable, friendly houses that just embodies Old Lexington, and it's always been rumored to be just a little bit haunted. The best houses always are.
I recently ran across an interesting anecdote about the Bodley-Bullock House. It seems that the late Mrs. Minnie Bullock was not only a community leader, but also a vehement teetotaler. Apparently, the original terms of her will provided that alcohol could not be consumed in her home, even after her passing. It seems that this provision was later changed, to Miss Minnie's dismay -- it's said that her ghost has been known to flicker lights and crack tables when she doesn't like the happenings in her home. Now, I've had more than my share of celebratory toasts in this venue, so I hope Miss Minnie can forgive me. Rumor has it that Dr. Bullock wasn't above kidding Miss Minnie about her temperance beliefs; he hung a portrait of the "town drunk", William "King" Solomon, in their home, where it still remains.
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| My gorgeous cousin Amy |
I've attended dozens of weddings at the venue. I've put in my share of Junior League meetings and picnics there as well. It's always been one of those comfortable, friendly houses that just embodies Old Lexington, and it's always been rumored to be just a little bit haunted. The best houses always are.
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| Looks like the bride and I inadvertantly disregarded Miss Minnie's wishes. |
The Bodley-Bullock House is a charming example of Lexington's old Downtown. I so enjoyed Miss Minnie's hospitality this weekend, and I do hope she can look past my bubbly endulgence!
Kentucky Places: Greentree Tea Room
Lexington's Greentree Tea Room is a longtime favorite "Ladies Who Lunch" spot.
A few weeks ago, I visited Greentree for a bridal tea. We arrived a little early and took a little time to enjoy the adorable shops near the tea room. L.V. Harkness is such a lovely spot for gifts, stationery, and home decor, and Belle Maison has such delightful antique finds!
Luncheon at Greentree and shopping nearby was, as usual, simply enchanting. I'm always amazed that such a quaint, old-fashioned nook is hidden so close to Rupp Arena and the downtown scene!
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| My cousin Amy (the lovely bride) and me. |
A Verdant Oasis in the Middle of Lexington
This year, I’ve gotten the crazy idea to try and grow some of our own food. This is worrisome because I’ve been known to kill cactus. Last fall, I started some kitchen herbs and those are still (mostly) alive. In the early Spring, I sweet-talked my husband into building some raised beds for our teeny tiny front yard.
My grand plans to grow vegetables from seeds turned out to be terrible plans. Everything died just before they were to be transplanted outdoors.
On to Plan B!
Enter Michler’s – a Lexington florist and greenhouse for over a century. Originally, I planned to go to Fayette Seed for my transplants, but it turns out they have operating hours that don’t mesh with my schedule. A friend suggested Michler’s – by way of saying, “You know…that place on Maxwell Street.” I did not, in fact, know.
I wracked my brain, trying to think of anything resembling a nursery in that part of Lexington. In all my four years of living there, and having UK friends living in the Aylesford neighborhood, I never once noticed the little nursery on Maxwell tucked away after the apartment buildings of north campus but before you get to the shops near Woodland Avenue.
My husband and I visited and were in awe of the rambling old greenhouses, filled with lots of plants that I could never name. It turns out the greenhouses that were so picturesque, that my husband described as looking “like they’ve been there forever” have, indeed been there a long time! Michler’s proclaims itself as “Kentucky’s oldest continually operating florist and greenhouses”.
The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. They put up with me asking a ton of newbie questions. The variety of flowers, ferns and landscape adornments was fantastic. If I were in the market for ornamental items I wouldn’t hesitate to spend my money, locally, at Michler’s. Since the plants are grown, here, it makes sense to me that they’d thrive and flourish, here. I’m not so sure you’d have the same luck with plants grown in greenhouses and shipped hundreds of miles to your local big box store.
This was my first trip to ever look for vegetable transplants, so I’m not sure how great their selection was. They had a variety of herbs. We picked up both some mint and rosemary to add to the basil and cilantro I was able to start at home. There were many different types of tomatoes – heirloom and non-heirloom varieties. We ended up with three varieties of peppers (jalapenos, sweet yellow chilies and traditional chilies), eggplant, cucumber, Swiss chard, and three types of tomatoes (Brandywine, yellow pear, and Roma). On a whim, my husband grabbed some sunflower seeds.
Michler’s is not just a greenhouse nursery. They offer floral arrangements and plant and delivery in Lexington (with online ordering as an option). They also have garden design services and offer wedding flowers.
The next time you’re in downtown Lexington, I urge you to visit Michler’s. It really is like another world right in the heart of the city – a world where everything is green and fresh and full of life. I’m so happy to have discovered this verdant enclave.
In Photos: Stakes Day Wedding Shower
This weekend, my mother, my aunts, and I hosted a bridal shower for my cousin. What better for Blue Grass Stakes day than a preppy, pink-and-green theme? It felt like my aunt had dressed her entire house for a trip across town to Keeneland!
