In Photos: Winter in Gratz Park
My 2012 Kentucky Resolutions
Despite spending over 25 of my 30 years in the great state of Kentucky, there are still some pretty essential Kentucky experiences that have escaped me. Seeing as how I bill myself as a proud Kentucky spokesperson, some of these oversights are becoming embarassing. In 2012, I'm going to start checking some of these items off my list.
- Visit Mammoth Cave. A national park and the longest cave system in the world - not to mention just about two and a half hours from my house - Mammoth Cave seems to always be at the top of any list of Kentucky tourist attractions. I'm not quite sure how I escaped childhood without a single field trip there but I plan to remedy that this year.
- Become a Kentucky Colonel. One of the most humiliating moments of my life was when I worked for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. One of the interns found out I was from Kentucky and exclaimed, "Are you a Kentucky Colonel?!? I am!" He had never even been to Kentucky. He was from NEW JERSEY. Oh, the shame.
- Visit Bubbleland. The Kentucky Bend fascinates me. I'm not saying a visit would be life-changing but it's close and seems like something you just gotta see.
- Try Col. Bill Newsom's Aged Kentucky Country Ham. This recently popped up on a essential Kentucky list in Garden and Gun. One of the few culinary experiences in Western Kentucky, it seems crazy I haven't tried it yet.
- Go to Tater Day in Benton. Every cool kid in my high school skipped school to go to Tater Day. I'm not sure why I never went except that I wasn't that cool. Well, there's nothing to stop me now and I love sweet potatoes.
Kentucky Places: Downtown Lexington Ice Rink
About a month ago, Lexington got a surprise that I think was quite welcomed - an ice skating rink smack dab in the center of downtown. I drove past it this weekend and it was great seeing families downtown and skating their way through Triangle Park. It brought a completely different, almost idyllic, feeling to downtown Lexington, especially when it's normally barren while UK students are at home for the Holidays.
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| image via kentucky.com |
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| image via kentucky.com |
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| image via visitlex.com |
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| image via kentuckykernel.com |
Details: The Unified Trust Company Ice Rink is open Monday through Friday 4:00 –
9:00; Saturday 10:00 – 10:00 and Sunday 1:30 – 9:00. While schools are
closed for the winter holidays, the ice skating rink will be open Monday
through Friday from 10:00 – 10:00. The fee to skate is $10.00 per
ninety minutes. You may bring your own skates but skates are available
from the ice rink at no additional charge. If you have questions about
the ice rink you may call (859) 269-5681.
Kentucky Places: Noble Park Christmas Lights Display
Every year Paducah Power puts on a spectacular lights display at Noble Park in Paducah.
My favorite part is watching some of the displays reflect off the pond.
Southern Christmas
Prior to being a Kentuckian, I was a Georgia peach. Granted, I was only 12 when I moved here, but my mom was from Savannah and had a slow, southern drawl to her speech. She was mega-Georgian.
Anyway, growing up, I quickly realized the grandeur of the Southern Christmas. Not sure where the revelry comes from in the tradition with my family as we were never particularly religious. I do know that Christmas time was my favorite as a child, and to this day have really strong inclinations to keep some of the Southern traditions intact despite not having family around.
Hubs grew up in Lexington, and has a different version of a Southern Christmas than my family did. They focused much less on material items, decorations, and food than we did. Perhaps some of that comes with having a large family and enough chatter to fill the house with color.
Ingredients to my Southern Christmas:
- The tree. Real or fake, but white lights only. Ribbons must be present and theme trees are acceptable (in color or category). Multiple trees are encouraged as well if there are children - they get their own tree.
- Needlepoint stockings hanging on the fireplace mantle. Bonus if the names are on the stocking. At Christmas, stockings must be overflowing with lots of goodies. Some of my favorite things were in the stockings, just because they were unexpected and thoughtful.
- A wreath on the front door.
- A tree skirt with tradition. I have the one my family used growing up. It doesn't match the tree or my house decor, so I cover it up. Still, I know it's there and that's all that matters.
- Food. Lots of food. Staples include: pecan pie, pumpkin pie, ambrosia, ham, turkey, giblet stuffing and gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes (fresh, not from a box, and with real butter), baked macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole with those fried onions on top, yeast rolls.
- Holiday-scented potpourri or cinnamon pinecones around the house.
These days the food is much lighter, the potpourri has been replaced with Scentsy and hubs and I don't do stockings, but I still have my little semblance of my Southern Christmas.
What does your Southern Christmas look like?
In Photos: Governor's Mansion Christmas
Kentucky Governor's Mansion in Frankfort, Kentucky.
Gift Guide for your Favorite Kentuckian
You know the only thing I love more than Kentucky? Presents! Hence, the most amazing thing in the WORLD would be Kentucky-themed presents.
You're welcome.
You're welcome.
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I LOVE these state necklaces from Maya Brenner. Let's face it some states are prettier than others. Hawaii might be paradise but their necklace is ugly. Of course, Kentucky's is beautiful. And of course, I own the Kentucky one WITH the diamond over Paducah.
Ok, pretend that's Kentucky. The shop can do any state. So, for the little Kentuckian in your life or the proud parents of a future Kentuckian, this little onesie is perfect.
Change it to Paris, Kentucky. Done.
I used to think spoon rings were a little lame...until I found this one.
When I lived away, my mother always described Kentucky as my roots. It always made me tear up.
So, does this print.
And to prove I DO care about Kentucky fans, what every UK fan needs - a portable UK fire pit. :)