Dogwood and Redbud Winters

Have y'all noticed how cold it's been lately? The flowering trees are in bloom, and  the temperature is dipping down into the 40s at night. Of course, there's an old-timey mountain tradition to explain the phenomenon. Here's an essay, first posted here on HerKentucky last year, about just that. -- HCW

When I was growing up in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, I rolled my eyes at a lot of conventional mountain wisdom.  Some of that was, of course, the traditional child's prerogative; parents and grandparents simply can't know what they're talking about with their old-fashioned perspectives.  And, to this Muppets-and-Madonna-loving child of the '80s,  old-timey mountain traditions seemed a relic of a long-gone era. 

As an adult, I've had to rescind quite a bit of my know-it-all scorn. The twangy mountain music that my granddaddy played on his vintage Martin guitar sounds curiously like the hipster-standard Raconteurs and Avett Brothers tracks that fill my iPod.  My grandmother's Crisco-and-butter cooking turned out to be far healthier than the fake food revolution of my childhood.  And, so many pieces of folk wisdom -- the most embarrassing, "unscientific" observations of the natural world -- have turned out to be true.  I've been forced to eat my words time and again.  The most dramatic example is Redbud Winter and its close, usually later, cousin Dogwood Winter.  

Now, when I was a kid, I hated hearing about these supposed weather phenomena.  When the first warm spring rolled around, it should be warm and pretty and springy from then on.  Without fail, someone would note "Oh, it'll get cold again.  We haven't even had Redbud or Dogwood winter yet.  Don't put your coats away." That was surely just an old wives' tale.

Except, it wasn't.  Every spring, the pretty, delicate blooms on the flowering trees brings a dramatic cold snap.  This year was no different -- last week brought 85 degree days, then the redbuds and dogwoods started to peek out.  As I started to unpack my spring dresses and shorts, I immediately thought that I'd better leave out a few cold weather items, just in case.  Of course, redbud winter came a few short days later, bringing cold mornings and brisk days.  

I guess the old-timers are right after all.

{all photos taken in my mom's Floyd County backyard}

HerKentucky Story: Photographer Priscilla Baierlein

This HerKentucky story features a guest post by Central Kentucky-based photographer Priscilla Baierlein. I am lucky enough to be best friends with the man who was smart enough to marry this incredible person. When Cilla started her photography business, she asked to take pictures of my daughter for portfolio. I had absolutely no idea how incredibly talented Cilla was. I've always loved photographs. Memories mean everything to me. I am a hugely sentimental person. However, it's completely accurate that I didn't "get" photography as an art until I saw Cilla's work. Aside from her ability to turn everyday moments into art, she's also an amazing wife, mother, and friend. I've never met anyone who doesn't adore her from the moment they meet her, and I can't wait for you guys to get to know her too! - Megan Whitmer

Many photographers develop a passion for photography that is born out of their love for their children. They realize just how fleeting each moment is and want to hold on tight to every little memory. My love for photography came at a time that I thought I may never be able to experience motherhood. I may never experience the gentle (and not so gentle) nudges of a little one growing inside me. I may never experience the hard work of birthing my baby into the world. I may never experience holding him for the first time or watching my husband ever so carefully swaddle him snuggly. I may never experience the intense and overwhelming love, fear, and feeling of responsibility that comes with having a child. There would never be bath times with water splashed every where or bedtime stories and snuggles. I would never have sweet little afternoon naps or squeezes around my neck. I would never hear that pitter patter and laughter fill my house. I would never have kisses that would heal any boo boo. It took a while for us to realize that although we may not be able to experience those things with our own biological child, there were other options. Then something happened. After a series of medical interventions and what, to me, can only be explained by the love of God, things turned around. We started getting good news. Before we knew it, I was pregnant.

Now, I find myself falling in love with photography all over again. It's my way of holding onto this time of his life. I get sick to my stomach just thinking about high school graduation and college. Although this chapter of parenthood can be trying at times, it is beautiful and perfect and will only last a short while. I feel extremely thankful. Thankful for all the things I thought that I may never experience. Thankful for the things we experienced that only prepared us to be the parents we are. Thankful that not only were we able to have a child, but we are able to watch him play, hold him, and protect him. He's not sick. He's healthy. And wild. He's wild and crazy and sweet and perfect.

My most favorite photography captures...well...everything. It captures the laughter, the tears, the pitter patter, the bath time, the first breaths, the swaddles, the naps, the neck squeezes, the cuddles, every moment...every chapter...every season of our lives. It's all picture worthy (even in our pj's, with our messy hair, dark circles under our eyes and pounds we need to lose) because it's our lives and it's what we're going to wish we had just a little bit more of when our end comes. I know that although many days seem less than perfect, one day I will hope for just a few more moments with the ones I love. These types of photos, these are the ones that will show my son how much he was loved just in case we're not around to show him.

I'll leave you with a few of my favorites from the most recent chapter in our family's story.

It's beginning to look a lot like...QUILT WEEK!

As Paducah gears up for Quilt Week, I thought I would revisit a post I wrote last year to introduce the rest of Kentucky to the event that preoccupies my little neck of the woods. - SSH

There is one event the entire year revolves around. There is one event every Kentuckian around me loves but also dreads. The tourists. The crowds. The traffic.

The Kentucky Derby?!?!

Nope! That's for you central Kentuckians. Over here in Western Kentucky, the event of the year is the AQS Quilt Show. Starting early this week, the streets of Paducah will start to fill with quilters from near as far (seriously, FAR, as in Japan far) and really live up to its name The Quilting Capital OF. THE. WORLD.

The Quilt Show transforms the entire town. I will never forget the first year I moved back. I walked into my favorite coffee shop downtown only to find the front had been filled with fabric bolts of every color. Coffee shop/Fabric store! Only during the Quilt Show.

Some less enthusiastic citizens complain about The Quilt Show. These are the people who have never actually gone to the Convention Center and taken in the beauty and artistry that is competitive quilting. These are the people who prefer to frown over the slightest change in their routine and giggle at the ladies in their quilted vests. These are the people who don't even go down town the entire week for fear of being confronted by someone not from Paducah!

These are not my people.

I'm very lucky to have my own quilting tour guides every year. My husband's parents run Planet Patchwork, a popular quilting website, and have been coming to the Show for years. (That's how I knew Nicholas and I were meant to be. He took me to the Quilt Museum on his first visit to Paducah and showed me his father's endorsements in the front of all the quilting books.) They show me all the best shops and shows. We eat at the church quilting luncheons. It's a blast to be a foreigner in your own town.

So, as the rest of Kentucky gears up for a little horse race, Paducah will be living large with the quilters. If you're not from around here, I encourage you to come by. And if you are from Paducah and have never embraced the Quilt Show in all its glory, it truly is your loss.

~ Sarah Stewart Holland

HerKentucky Derby Days: Lifeguard Press Lilly Pulitzer Giveaway!

Hey y'all! We're so excited to bring y'all the second giveaway of HerKentucky Derby Days.

As I've told y'all before, I'm a huge Lilly Pulitzer fan. I was so excited a few years ago when a line of fun Lilly paper goods, gifts, and accessories was released. I was even more excited to learn that the company that produces these items, Lifeguard Press, is Kentucky-based!

Lifeguard Press was kind enough to send me a Lilly Pulitzer print tumbler to review. I just adore this -- it's a huge, Lilly-print acrylic cup with a hot pink straw. I used it all this weekend -- it kept my drinks cold and made my desk look so cute. Even better, it's BPA-, Phthalate-, and Lead-Free. So many thanks to Lifeguard Press-- I think this may be my new favorite cup!

Lifeguard Press has also graciously offered a prize pack to get one lucky HerKentucky reader ready for Derby! As y'all know, any horse race can is subject to weather. It can be sunny or rainy, but the Derby must go on. These Lilly-print items will help you be prepared no matter the weather. The prize pack includes a can koozie, sunglass straps, and an umbrella. You'll be Derby-ready, rain or shine!

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Good luck, and Happy Derby Days!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Actual prints may vary from prizes shown. A member of the HerKentucky writing staff was provided with a product for review, however, all opinions expressed are our own. Contest runs from 6:00 a.m. Monday, April 22 through 12:00 a.m., Friday, April 26. Winner will be announced Friday, April 26.}

Thunder

Fireworks just really aren't my jam.

Being outside in a nighttime crowd amidst loud booms and distracting lights just seems like an invitation to be mugged and/or thrown up upon. Now, I can't speak for you, but to me that doesn't sound like all that much fun. And, if you have a couple of dogs (and I do!), then you know that fireworks equal non-stop anxiety for the furry members of your household. Needless to say, the famous fireworks display that kicks off the Kentucky Derby Festival isn't an event that I include in my spring calendar. As I told a friend recently, I need a Xanax or a glass of Shiraz when I just think about Thunder over Louisville.

And so, whenever someone asks me "Are you going to Thunder?", I adamantly reply "You couldn't pay me enough."

image via Voice-Tribune

Over the years, I've played many roles in expressing my hip disdain for Thunder. I've been the smug Highlands-dweller who schedules her Saturday night dinner reservations to avoid the Thunder tourist crowd. I've been the even smugger Former Highlands Dweller who audibly rolled her eyes when friends asked if she was heading to Louisville to see the fireworks. And, I've been the chick who giggles over the so-called Thunder baby boom, because that can't really be a thing, right?

The only problem is that, lately, I'm starting to wonder if I've missed out on something by ignoring Thunder. I have never seen a photo of the display that isn't outright beautiful. And, Downtown Louisville in the springtime is one of the most gorgeous sights I've ever seen. The fireworks always seemed impressive when I'd catch them in the distance from my carefully reserved dinner table or my 8th floor condo window. Maybe it would be even cooler if we were watching from a downtown hotel or office building...

 Maybe all those crowds are onto something.

image via gotolouisville.

What do y'all say? Is Thunder a must-see or a must-avoid for you?

Capturing the Beauty of Central Kentucky

In a time of great tragedy and sadness, it's important to remind ourselves of the goodness and beauty that exists in this world.

Maybe I'm biased, but out of all the places I've visited, I cannot think of a more gorgeous place than Kentucky in the springtime.  Even the cloudy days are stunning. 

This spring, I've spent a great deal of time outside with my camera trying to capture some of this beauty in my own "backyard" in Central Kentucky.  From the tulips at the Kentucky State Capitol, to the iconic horses and their foals grazing in newly green pastures, the natural beauty that surrounds us is simply breathtaking.  Here are just a few of my favorite photographs:





As our country copes with yet another senseless tragedy, I encourage you to take a moment to appreciate the beauty in your own life.  And, there is no better time than the present to step outside and take a look around.







HerKentucky Welcomes Glenda McCoy!

HerKentucky is thrilled to welcome Glenda McCoy to our writing staff!

 I first met Glenda when we were both in school in Lexington. As you do these days, I "re-met" her via social media. Glenda is so smart and creative, and her love for Kentucky shines through in so many ways. I mean, she takes pictures like this:

Glenda is an Ashland native and an alumna of the University of Kentucky. She spends her days in Frankfort, making the world a better place at the Kentucky Commission on Women.  She and her husband live on a Clark County farm and have an adorable toddler daughter.