Kentucky In One Word: Friendly

I don't know about you, but if I had to describe Kentucky in one word, it would be friendly.  I have been all over the great commonwealth and one thing is consistent: friendliness.  Whether you're west in Paducah, east in Pikeville, north in Louisville (or N'ucky!), or south in Bowling Green, the one common thread is that everyone is nice.   

My Mom always said to treat others as you would want to be treated and I feel like that's a distinctive trait among many Kentuckians.  My Mom told me a story last week about how one of her friends was driving her elderly father to town to wait on someone that was meeting them.  The person was running late and her father was getting antsy.  She saw that an older man that was also sitting at this McDonald's and she went up to him and said, "excuse me sir, but you look like a farmer and my Dad is getting antsy over there waiting for someone to meet him, can you go talk to him?"  My Mom said that the man went over and talked to her friend's father for an hour about farming.  And that my friends is a perfect example of how people in Kentucky are super-friendly (and love to talk as well).  

Celebrities who come to Louisville for the Derby will go on and on about how friendly everyone was and how hospitable people were to them.  

I've lived in Lexington, Florida, and had a short study abroad stint in Paris (and add in traveling around the US for work) and I can personally say that Kentuckians are the friendliest that I've come in contact with.  

Maker's Mark Chocolate Pecan Pie

My birthday was last week. By the time we got around to a birthday dinner with my family, I was already a little sick of cake. We were doing a simple, hearty surf-and-turf menu, so I thought a Derby Pie would provide a nice contrast for dessert. Well, you know, what I mean. 

Derby Pie is, of course, a trademark of Louisville's  Kern's Kitchen bakery. Every other restaurant, bakery, and home cook in the Bluegrass State has a different name for it: Pegasus Pie, May Day Pie, Run for the Roses Pie, etc. The idea remains. Chocolate chips and nuts. It's pretty delicious, whatever you call it. 

I opted for pecans rather than the traditional walnuts, simply because I  prefer their flavor. I added a good healthy swig of Maker's Mark because, well, why wouldn't you? For time's sake, I used a pre-made pie crust, but didn't cut corners with the homemade whipped cream. I don't think anybody minded the tradeoff.

Bourbon Pecan Pie with Maker's Mark:

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup bourbon
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup pecans or 3/4 cup walnuts
• 9 inch unbaked pie shell

Combine ingredients in a medium bowl. Stir with fork and pour into pie shell. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until browned.

HerKentucky Business: Olive You Boutique

A friend told me about a new boutique in Richmond (for you non-Kentucky folk, about a 20 minute zip straight down I-75 from Lexington) and I asked if it was really worth the drive to go there, especially as I'm a plus size gal and can't usually find anything at boutiques. She assured me that it was, and seeing as I'd love to own a boutique one day (I mean, who wouldn't!?), I went to Olive You and chatted with owner Katie Brandenburg. She is just as lovely as her store is, which is saying a lot because the store is AMAZING. I left with a few pieces of jewelry and greeting cards - there's definitely something for everyone.

Katie Brandenburg

What made Richmond the perfect place to open Olive You?

I love Richmond and it makes it even more special that I am from Richmond. I love all the people here and Richmond has always needed a fun clothing boutique. I have always wanted to open a store in Richmond, since I was a child.

For so many women, owning a boutique sounds like a dream. How did you get to this point, and what made you take the leap?

It really has always been a dream and didn't think that this dream would ever come true. :) My parents have been a huge inspiration and have really made me go for my dreams. I am one lucky girl and truly blessed to have such a great family helping me all along the way.

How do you select what items go in your store?

I select the items by going to market picking unique, one of a kind items that I can picture a wide variety of people wearing. When opening the store I wanted women from all generations to be able to find something they love. When at market I select brands that a wide variety of age groups would love :)

What's the hardest part about being a business owner?

The hardest part is trying to manage your time and get everything done that is needed. There is so much to do for a business owner and juggling your time can be stressful!!

What's the best part about being a business owner?

Making my customers feel good about themselves and feel good in their skin. No matter your age or size everyone should have fun shopping and be able to find things that they love and make them happy. I love making this happen everyday!! :)

What advice would you give to Kentucky women wanting to start their own business?

Go for it!!! It is a lot of hard-work, but if you have a dream and a great plan you should make it happen.

Quickfire Round:

• Bourbon, martinis, or beer? Beer 
• One bucket list item. Go to Capri :) 
• Favorite way to spend a Friday night. Hanging out with close friends and family having a great meal or just sitting on the couch. 
• Celebrity/personality you'd most love to shop at your store? After Golden Globes this weekend I would say ... Jessica Alba... I also love Reese Witherspoon!! She is so cute and fun.

Check out Olive You at 118 Meridian Way, Suite 1 (in Heritage Place across from Meijer), follow them on Facebook, or check them out online!

Kentucky in One Word: Iconic

Colonel Sanders. The Twin Spires. Muhammad Ali. George Clooney. Some of the most famous images in the world. Icons. Symbols of Kentucky.

To me, the one little word that describes Kentucky is "iconic." The defining imagery that conveys the Bluegrass State. The pageantry of the Derby. The limestone fences that outline the Central Kentucky countryside. The quilts. The actual blue grass, and the unique genre of music which shares its name. The college basketball tradition.

You can go anywhere in the world and identify yourself as being from Kentucky and, invariably, you'll get the response of "Fried Chicken" or "Derby." Our horses and our whisky are unparalleled. Our local boxing legend is The Greatest and our hometown heartthrob is The Sexiest.

Kentucky is a land of unmistakable images. Kentucky is iconic.

(All images Leroy Neiman.)

Kentucky in One Word: Comfort

It's funny - I was reading Sarah's "Kentucky in One Word" post and I thought she stole my word... home. Turns out that she actually led me to the word that should have come to mind in the first place: Comfort.

image via joeshlabotnik on Flickr

You see, my family isn't in Kentucky. I wasn't born in Kentucky. I resented being in Kentucky for a long time (this is what happens when you move a very moody girl in her early teens). It wasn't until college at UK - my last resort school - that I started to really feel comfortable. I experienced the spark of UK basketball, finally went to see the ponies at Keeneland, and started to pull the stick out of my butt that seemed to lodge there when I first moved here.

I met a Kentucky boy who is the very definition of comfort to my heart. His family added an anchor that is comforting to have when my family is so distant.

I love to travel, and am surprised every time how much I look forward to flying into LEX and driving home with my heavy suitcases and oily travel face - windows down and breathing in the fresh air.

Today while I write this, I'm curled up on my sofa with my laptop with a down comforter wrapped around me like a burrito. I just drank a cup of hot tea and my pup is trying to get my attention. In this place I am warm, loved, wanted, and needed. Comfort is what Kentucky gives to me.

A Dream Come True

As many of you know from my very first post here on Her Kentucky, I've been working on a young adult novel, BETWEEN, for about two years. I wrote it, then re-wrote it, re-wrote it, and re-wrote it again. I'm talking major, beginning-to-end rewrites, not including all the minor revisions I made on those drafts along the way.

Many times, usually about halfway through a rewrite when I realized I had written myself into a corner and couldn't find a way to make my plot work, I thought about giving up on it. 

I'm glad I didn't.

I decided pretty early in life that I was going to write books. I gave up on that dream several times as I got older. Writing was always something I enjoyed, but I quit looking at it as something I would seriously pursue. I didn't even really understand how a person got a book published, and when I started looking into it, the whole process seemed so big and terrifying that it just felt too far out of reach for a girl from a tiny town in Kentucky with no publishing connections and no idea of where to start.

One day, I'm going to sit down with my daughters and tell them that. I'm going to explain how I almost let my silly fear of the unknown keep me from doing the one thing I'd known I wanted to do since I was old enough to make up stories. Some dreams might actually be a bit out of reach. (For instance, my goal of marrying Prince Harry is probably not going to happen and might even be slightly creepy at this point. And also I married a pretty stellar fella already.) But other dreams only seem out of reach because you're told that they're impractical, or that they're the kinds of dreams only certain people get to have. 

I'm so thankful that I have the kind of family who never said, "This is ridiculous. Grow up." 

This morning, I gave my six-year-old a really long, thought-out speech about how I had wanted to be an author ever since I was a little girl and it's important to never give up on what you want in life. She looked at me very seriously and said, "Mommy, my dream is to make toys and houses for all my Little Pet Shop animals."

I nodded, hugged her, and told her to go after it.

No matter what, I want her to know she can be whatever she wants to be. Even a Littlest Pet Shop toy and house designer.

Maker's Mark Double Chocolate Brownies

Y'all know I'm just nuts about the pairing of Maker's Mark and chocolate. Yesterday, I made these simple brownies; they're full of rich chocolate-bourbon flavor, but remarkably light. The chocolate chips and pecans added a great texture. It was a fantastic quick recipe for a rainy Sunday!

• 2/3 cup unsalted butter, melted and divided
• 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoon Maker's Mark
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups sugar
• 2  eggs
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1 cup cocoa
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup pecan halves (optional)

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 13x9x2-inch baking pan.

Stir together cocoa and baking soda in large bowl; stir in 1/3 cup butter. Add boiling water; stir until mixture thickens. Stir in sugar, eggs and remaining 1/3 cup butter; stir until smooth. Add flour, bourbon and salt; blend completely. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into prepared pan. Top with pecan halves, if desired

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into squares. Makes 24 to 36 brownies.