HerKentucky Entertaining: First Birthdays

I have a thing for first birthdays. Truth be told, I have a thing for birthday parties period but there is something extra special about the first one.

First, you've kept them alive! Newborns are so fragile and tiny that it seems a stiff breeze could ruin your nine months of hand work. However, an entire year has passed and you have managed not to drop them (too hard!), not to forget them, and not to go crazy when the tiny little being produces so. much. crying. That is worth celebrating.

Second, if you are like me, then you have an amazing group of family and friends that loves this little baby almost as much as you do and has been there supporting you from the very beginning. A little cake and ice cream is the least you can do.

Third, as I recently wrote about on my own blog, I love creating and to be able to do that for my favorite person on the planet seems like a win-win.

So, here are my tips for creating a first birthday to remember.

1. Pick a color, any color. I don't really do themes for my first birthday party. It's not like a one-year-old really has interests or favorite things. My youngest son Amos turned one over the weekend. Amos likes to eat and he kind of thinks Elmo is funny. Actually, Griffin (his older brother) is his favorite thing in the world but that would be a weird theme. Instead, I usually just pick a color. For Griffin's first birthday, I did blue, green and orange. For Amos, I just did red.

2. Photo invites are the only way to go. Since most one-year-olds don't have a large group of friends, you will most likely be inviting family and friends. Your Aunt Helen doesn't want to see cartoon renderings of cupcakes and birthday hats. She wants to see that darling baby face. This is particularly important if you have a lot of family that won't be able to make it.

3. Ask for something besides presents. Chances are this will be your most well-attended birthday party. If you're like me, then you don't want a bunch of baby toys overriding your house and collecting dust. For Griffin's first birthday, I asked everyone to bring their favorite toy from childhood or their child's favorite toy and not to worry about age appropriateness. He received an awesome assortment of Lincoln Logs and Tinker Toys that I'm still doling out at Christmas. For Amos's first birthday, we asked everyone to contribute to a time capsule he will open on his eighteenth birthday. Our friends and family really enjoyed thinking up creative things to add and I can't wait for him to open it up years from now.

One things is for sure, one-year-olds are sweet, cuddly, and definitely deserve to be celebrated!

~ Sarah Stewart Holland 

It's Chicken Salad Time

I'm not quite sure what I sat down to write about because it was thrown out of the window today when I heard these precious words outside of my car window as I was driving past Ramsey's in Lexington:

"I'll have the chicken salad, please!" 

Yes, it's chicken salad time again. Really, you need to excuse to visit one of Ramsey's Diners (not to be confused with Louisville's Ramsi's Cafe on the World, which is also mighty delicious).

the original Ramsey's

Ramsey's started in 1989 near downtown off of Woodland Avenue. Known for the mixed, painted wooden chairs (no two are alike), random tables, and no-fuss attitude, Ramsey's is what many southerners known as a "meat and three" restaurant. You pick your meat, and then three delicious side dishes, many of which are seasonal and Kentucky Proud.

Ramsey's is also known for its hot brown. Originally created at Louisville's Brown Hotel, the hot brown is an open-faced sandwich with bread, turkey, bacon, and Mornay sauce (or cheddar cheese). It's artery-clogging for sure, but people flock for this Kentucky tradition.

I didn't come here to write about the hot browns though. I came to write about the seasonal chicken salad plate. 

I am a mayonnaise hater, yet love the creamy chicken salad that Ramsey's only has in the summertime. Here is the description, straight from their menu:

Traditional chicken salad served with sliced fresh locally grown tomatoes, slices of fresh avocado, and fresh eggs. No pecans, no grapes, no pineapple, no water chestnuts- JUST CHICKEN SALAD!

It's one of those things you need to taste to understand. Something about pairing it with fresh avocado slices and sliced hardboiled eggs (something else I'm not fond of). Nom.

Now, when dining at Ramsey's, pay attention to the whiteboards around the restaurant which list the Missy's Pie's that they're selling for the day. Save room for a slice, or at least order one to take home with you. My husband strongly recommends the peanut butter pie, and I opt for the sugar free cherry pie. During Thanksgiving and Christmas, we make sure to pre-order their pumpkin and pecan pies. 

I've never had any food at Ramsey's that I didn't like and that wasn't comforting as lots of southern traditional food is. Who wants to be my lunch date?

Been there. Done that. Bought the (National Champs) T-shirt.

It's been two months since we won the Tournament.  Now, that gives a girl plenty of time to shop.  There's been a ton of National Champs merchandise out there, and I've wanted to pick up enough "stuff" to commemorate the event without becoming crazy merchandise hoarding lady.

I've tried to be good.  Really, I have.  I've tried to pick only the pieces that I love.  I've tried not to buy the $7 gas station shirts, despite the fact that (a) they're only $7; and (b) you never know when it'll all be gone. At least, that's how the lady at the random BP station in Knott County tried to sell me one.

It started innocently enough.  I'd been waiting for this email for, oh, three years or so:

And, of course, I had to order one.  I mean, it's a Tervis Tumbler.  That says "Nati8nal Champions." What was I going to do, not order it?  (Even though I would have far preferred if the design had been an embroidered patch rather than the plastic wrap-around thing.)

Of course, there have been plenty of t-shirts.

First, I got this one, because I take my brackets very seriously.  I fill them out in a meticulous and methodical manner.

Image via Wildcat Den

But, this one feels so keepsake-y that I'm afraid to wear it very often. It's so white and pristine; it just seems like it should be put away to commemorate the Big Game.

I recently found this one at a really great price, and I just adore it.  It's a great cut and an awesome fabric.  I love that UK is a Nike school; it makes it so much easier to find high-quality team merchandise!

Image via Wildcat Den.

So far, I've been able to stave off the temptation to pick up "just a few more" National Champs items. The coffee mug in Wal-Mart today was adorable, but I have about a million coffee mugs already.   The golf windbreaker at Macy's is proving harder to resist, as I've only looked at it 5 million or so times.  And, I'm pretty sure this is going to be a must-buy:

Image via Wildcat Den

Have y'all found any good National Champs gear?

Now You're Cooking with Bourbon...

Image via Southern Living.

A few Sundays ago, my beau and I had just sat down to a patio brunch at one of our very favorite Downtown Lexington spots when we happened to notice the folks at the next table.  They were clearly a family, a mother, father, and a twenty-something son.  Their rapid accents and references to Westchester County easily identified them as upstate New Yorkers.   As we finished deciding on our order, we happened to hear the lady at that table wondering about dessert selections, so my beau handed her his menu.  A moment later, she asked us whether the restaurant carried "something called Derby Pie", which she'd been told to try on her trip to Kentucky.

Now, it was a sunny, lazy Sunday morning -- kind of a picture-postcard day -- and we decided it would be a lovely time to play "native Kentuckian" for these folks. (Later, my beau would jokingly say of the encounter, "This is so going in HerKentucky, isn't it?")  So, I gave our new friend a mini lesson on Derby Pie -- how nearly every Kentucky restaurant sells a variant of Derby Pie, but are bound by trademark restrictions to call it something else, how she definitely wanted to try it before she went home, etc.  As she asked more questions about the pastry and its preperation, I went into the basic instructions of how to make a Kentucky pie-- chocolate, walnuts, and a heavy splash of Maker's Mark.

"Does it have to be Maker's Mark, or can you use any bourbon?" the lady then asked. 

Image via Maker's Mark.

Now, as I've said before, Maker's is the bourbon of choice at our house.  We just love its caramel notes and its smooth drinkability.  We know that any time I cook with chocolate, I add a splash of Maker's for balance.  We know that any time we want to undwind with a nice cocktail, it's Maker's and Coke or a Maker's Manhattan.  But, the truth is, it has been ages since we thought about  or explained the reason.  Needless to say, we jumped into Maker's Mark Ambassador mode and gave our Knickerbocker friends a little lesson in bourbon.

I first explained to our fellow diner that I always use Maker's Mark in baking because the three distinct notes -- smokiness, caramel, and a hint of vanilla -- provide a complex counterbalance to chocolate.  This flavor profile compliments the chocolate flavor deliciously.  My beau then took over from there,  noting that Maker's is distilled in a very unique manner, using red winter wheat instead of rye, which creates a smooth and caramel-textured bourbon. 

By this time, the youngest member of the dining party had returned from paying the check.  His mother asked us to repeat a few details for his benefit, to which he replied "Do you work for Maker's Mark?'

"No," my beau and I said, almost in unison.  "we just really like bourbon."

HerKentucky Charity: Woodford Humane Society

I'm a dog person.

(Ok, I'm one of those ridiculous people who's always photographing her dogs, pampering her dogs, having quilts hand-made for her dogs, and generally making a fool of herself whenever dogs are involved. To-may-to, To-mah-to. Whatever.)

Image via here.

Over the holiday weekend, I found myself in a situation where my crazy dog-person heart was just breaking for a sweet and beautiful dog. She was a timid, gorgeous pit bull who'd basically been given to a family acquaintance for breeding purposes. Here she was, a week postpartum, hot and exhausted, and feeding eight puppies. Her old owners didn't want her. She was being given plenty of food and water, and a good bit of attention, but it wasn't like she was home. As I looked into her blue-grey eyes, I wanted to tell her it was okay.  I wanted to tell her that she and her babies wouldn't be subjected to all of the fear and misinformation that arises in relation to her breed.  Mainly, I just wanted to fix things for her.

Now, my beau has had to tell me time and again that I can't rescue all the dogs, no matter how much I'd like to.  We've rescued two high-energy, high-maintenance dogs, and that's really all that we can handle right now.  (But don't think we didn't consider it.)  Since it wouldn't have been feasible for me to personally save this sweet girl, I found myself wishing that she and her babies lived a whole lot closer to Woodford Humane Society.  I have every faith that they could help her find the loving home she deserves.

 Located just outside Lexington, in the Woodford County town of Versailles, the Woodford Humane Society is a non-profit animal adoption center that cares for the animal population of Central Kentucky.  Fueled completely by private donations, Woodford Humane has an open-door policy, which means that they take in all animals, regardless of breed, temperament, health, or age.   "Regardless of breed" doesn't just mean dogs or cats -- the shelter houses rabbits, birds, pigs, and as you'd expect from the Bluegrass State, horses. The WHS commitment to placing animals is truly astonishing. The national average for animal shelter home placement is 25%; since 2007, WHS has found homes for an average of 97% of their animals.

Woodford Humane maintains its commitment to first-rate animal care through year-round fundraisers, including the Limited Editions calendar, the Woodford Wag 5K, and the Freedom Fest. Please consider donating to Woodford Humane, fostering a pet, or adopting a new friend today.  You don't have to be a crazy dog person to make a difference!

The 2012 NBA Draft Lottery

Excuse me while I go all sports-fan on you for a moment. 

Last night was the NBA draft lottery. This makes one of the two nights I'm interested in the NBA in any way. The other night? The actual draft.

That's because I'm a college basketball fan, through and through. The bright lights, big paychecks and even bigger egos of the professional basketball world don't appeal to me in any way. Pretty much, I watch the draft lottery and the draft, itself. Any other information I know about the NBA comes to me through former UK players' tweets and some random SportsCenter pieces where I forget that I hate the NBA and pay attention.

However, last night's draft lottery has a big impact on some people that I care a lot about - namely, some guys named Davis, Kidd-Gilchrist, Miller, Jones, Lamb & Teague. I'm just not feeling our boy Eloy's prospects. He'll be a great overseas player, though!

It looks like Anthony Davis, at least, can already start shopping for homes in the Big Easy. The Charlotte New Orleans Hornets won the first draft pick in the lottery last night. They'd be crazy not to choose the big man from Kentucky. First of all, he's pretty much been named All-Universe at this point. Second, look at his record for playing in New Orleans! Obviously, he likes the town and the arena. He won a national championship there!

The Charlotte Bobcats, a team that even I know is terrible (Dude, they were 7-59 last season. Let that sink in.), has the number 2 draft pick. Surely, surely, their owner recognizes that you can build a team back to greatness around a kid like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. I'm pretty sure Michael Jordan recognizes talent when he decides to look away from the mirror. MKG has talent, maturity and the willingness to do what it takes to be a team player. Look at how he bought in to Coach Cal's system. He was totally willing to sacrifice his spot in the starting lineup in the hopes that it could give the necessary spark to get a teammate (Miller) out of a post-season slump.

Beyond the top two picks, I have no idea where the other Wildcats will end up. 

I don't know a team who couldn't use the biggest heart in college basketball. If an owner happens to read this, let me tell you: DARIUS MILLER IS YOUR GUY. He played and excelled for a shitty coach. He played and excelled even further for a great coach. He's had experience playing and dealing with star-studded teams. Also? You should pay him lots of dough because I plan (maybe not-so-secretly) for him to be my next husband.

I'd love for the Blazers - with the 6th pick - to pick up T. Jones. I know how much he loves his mama, and he could buy her a fatty house in Portland. They'd be right at home, and don't you know that Terrence would be extra-active in a community that he's called home? He'd be the hometown hero and breathe some life back into the Rose Garden. Also? I'd like to see him put a bird on something.

I'd love to see a duo of Doron Lamb and John Wall in Washington, D.C. (although, I doubt the Wizards - with that third pick - would choose Lamb). That would be some lights-out-shooting that could be fun to watch.

As for Marquis Teague, I think he would do well on a team with unselfish guards that are willing to be a mentor for him. In my opinion, he'd have done well to get another season of college ball under his belt, and that is not a selfish wish. He needs some maturity in his on-court decision making. Also, having another year with Coach Cal could never hurt a guard, I don't think. Regardless, I think he'll eventually do well in the League.

Where do you think this year's crop of NBA Cats will end up?

Louisville HotSpot:Heine Brothers Coffee

I had the pleasure of being back in the Bluegrass state a couple of weekends ago.  I was scouring for the local Starbucks when I drove past Heine Brothers Coffee.  Normally, I would just keep driving, but their drive-thru sign caught my eye (let's face it, I'm lazy).  I wheeled in the drive-thru to order my regular vanilla latte and was pleasantly surprised at how good it tasted!  I then learned that Heine Brothers used all organic and sustainable products in their drinks and recycles everything! 

How awesome does that Cleo sound? 

I am sad that I live hundreds of miles away from a Heine Brothers Coffee House, but I will definitely visit again any time that I am in Louisville. 

What are some of your favorite coffee joints?  Have you ever tried Heine Brothers?