The HerKentucky Guide to the Best New Kentucky Wildcats Swag
Get. Excited. Y'all.
Tonight is the first game of the Kentucky Wildcats' Basketball Season, and there's literally nothing I'd rather do than watch my 'Cats take on the Grand Canyon Antelopes tonight. It looks like it's going to be a seriously amazing season for basketball fans, and game time can't get here soon enough for me!
I'm sure y'all are like me -- you have plenty of team gear at home, but you're always on the lookout for something cute and new. I mean, you aren't really a Wildcats fan unless your weekly laundry includes one load of nothing but Kentucky blue, right?
Right. And, everybody knows there are three ways to watch the game: At home, at Rupp, or with friends. Here are some of my favorite items for repping the 'Cats in any setting.
At the Game
Of course, the best way to watch is at Rupp Arena. There are so many fun ways to wear team colors to the game -- from traditional sweatshirts to office attire for your beau. I'm just in love with those blue Hunter wellies; what a fun way to brave the elements!
At home
If you can't watch the game in person, it's always fun to watch from the couch. There's plenty of bourbon or hot chocolate, and you can wear your pajamas. And scream as loudly as you like. I NEED those fuzzy socks ASAP.
Out with friends
Stay warm and look pulled-together with on-trend boyfriend jeans and booties topped off with a signature blue coat. A fun UK logo accessory ties it all together.
Where do y'all watch the games?
Homemade Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Homemade Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in celebration of National Peanut Butter month!
Since November is National Peanut Butter month, I thought I would debut this recipe that I have been working on for months. Why so long? I cannot get the chocolate to stick on the outside without wax (I'm not eating wax--sorry!). I gave up, and put the chocolate on the inside. I have no idea how they got it to stick, but I got impatient because this recipe is so DELICIOUS.
The peanut butter filling: I saw how much sugar they asked for in the recipe, and I decided to half it and go from there. The golden rule of cooking-you can ALWAYS add more, not take away. I am so glad that I did because it was delicious and spectacular the FIRST time!
Homemade Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
from Six Sister's Stuff
Makes 3-4 dozen (depending on the size you make)
10 graham cracker sheets, crushed into crumbs
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
8 oz powdered sugar
1 cup peanut butter
Milk chocolate chips
- Put graham crackers in a food processor or plastic Ziploc bag and beat until they are finely crushed.
- Mix butter, powdered sugar, peanut butter, and graham crackers together in large bowl.
- Grab some of the peanut butter mixture and a few chocolate chips and roll into 1″ balls.
- Place rolled balls on large cookie sheet (I lined my cookie sheet with parchment paper) and stick in the freezer for about 20 minutes.
- Try not to eat them all!
This recipe is dead on for a Reese's cup. The Hubby says he prefers these to the store brand.
Do you like peanut butter? The Hubby and I go through about a jar every two weeks. What can I say, if I was allergic to peanut butter, I would be the saddest woman in the world! If you are looking for a savory peanut butter recipe, check out my favorite Asian dish: Rice Noodles with Peanut-Lime Sauce.
21 Days to a Peaceful Holiday
Three years ago, my husband lost his job two weeks before Thanksgiving. The parting was unexpected and traumatic and it forced me to re-examine many things about our lives. Most importantly, it forced me to re-examine my favorite time of the year, the holiday season.
That year I celebrated Christmas without consuming and I learned that fancy Christmas cards, a giant Christmas tree, or big holiday parties are not essential to a happy holiday.
The next year we were in a better financial position and consuming again entered into the equation. However, the consciousness I experienced that special year led me to celebrate with a newfound intention. Last year, I took all the lessons I learned about what does and does not make a special holiday season and joined forces with my dear friend Nurtured Mama to offer a very special e-course on achieving peace during a chaotic time of year.
21 Days to a Peaceful Holiday consists of 21 days of emails beginning December 1st and running through Winter Solstice on December 21, as well as membership in our 21 Days to a Peaceful Holiday Facebook group.
This course is basically like an online holiday season life coach and support group.
Imagine starting your day with a dear friend who just wants the happiest holiday season for you. Or how would you like to share your morning coffee with a friend who gently asks "Are you taking good care of yourself?" or has conveniently scoured the Internet for quick and easy Advent ideas to make you feel like a Christmas queen with minimal effort?
That's us!
Nurtured Mama and I have written gentle reminders and inspirational ideas on how to decide what holiday memories are important to YOU, how to capture those Christmas moments that come and go so quickly, how to keep the consumption and indulging to a healthy minimal, how to simplify gift giving, and much, much more!
We tackle everything from the emotional, like how to deal with difficult people during an already stressful time and how to embrace the romance of the season, to the practical, like simple gift DIYs and easy traditions to start tomorrow.
Nothing is required. You can give as little or as much energy to our suggestions as you want. What WE want is to make this holiday season brighter, easier, and yes more peaceful!
The HerKentucky Guide to Speakeasy Louisville: St. Charles Exchange
Welcome to the final installment of the HerKentucky Guide to Speakeasy Louisville! On Thursdays throughout the fall, we've traveled back to the Jazz Age in the Derby City, when the nation's Prohibition laws didn't quench the collective thirst for Kentucky Bourbon. We've channeled our inner Daisy Buchanans and dance the Charleston at Louisville's finest establishments. And, of course, we've taken a sip or two of the native drink that kept the city's spirits high. Since we began our tour with a Speakeasy, it only seems logical to end at one as well!
St. Charles Exchange is located in one of Downtown Louisville's oldest buildings, on the site of a former bourbon distillery. Named in homage to the historical St. Charles Hotel, the focal point of this posh restaurant is an elaborate bar built to resemble an early 20th century hotel lobby bar. The results are pretty spectacular.
And, oh my goodness, the hand-crafted cocktails. The old-fashioned, made with Old Forester and lemon and orange oils, is so delicate and balanced. It would be worth breaking Prohibition laws to order one, that's for sure!
I hope you've enjoyed our journey through 1920s Louisville! Coming soon -- a trip to the Guilded Age!
Why I'm Voting: Glenda
Glenda votes based on candidates' support of rare disease research that could potentially save her daughter's life.
The Huffington Post recently ran a piece entitled Why 27 Influential Women Are Voting This November (And Why You Should Too). The post, and its accompanying hashtag campaign, come in reaction to a Fox News host's suggestion that young women stay away from the polls and "stick to Tinder and Match.com." Earlier today, I shared my own reason for voting in today's election. HerKentucky writer and photographer Glenda McCoy kindly shared her own #WhyImVoting sign, and it really is the best reason I can imagine. -- HCW
Longtime HerKentucky readers know that Glenda and her husband David have spent the last 13 months in search of a diagnosis for their young daughter Katherine Belle, who suffers from an as-yet undiagnosed rare disease. Glenda works tirelessly to raise awareness for rare diseases, and hopes that candidates will support rare disease research funding. For Glenda's family, it literally is a matter of life or death. You can read about KB's journey at HopeforKatherineBelle.com.
We love this shirt that KB wore to the precinct today!!
Why I'm Voting: Heather
When you know the candidates, you have absolutely no excuse to not vote.
The Huffington Post recently ran a piece entitled Why 27 Influential Women Are Voting This November (And Why You Should Too). The post, and its accompanying hashtag campaign, come in reaction to a Fox News host's suggestion that young women stay away from the polls and "stick to Tinder and Match.com." Here's my own take on #WhyImVoting. -- HCW
This year, for the very first time, I put an election sign in my yard.
For me, voting has sort of come full circle. When I was on college, I was on fire for a candidate. I belonged to my school's party-affiliate club, I campaigned, and I met the candidate. My friends and I were all political science, pre-law types. We were going to rule the Commonwealth and possibly the nation. Then, along the way, I got disenchanted. As I've said before, I started to feel really distant from the process. I railed against partisanship. I made excuses. I stayed informed, and I usually voted (well, in the big elections, anyway...), but it became much more of an academic exercise than a personal interest.
This year, I got a pretty significant reminder that I have absolutely no excuse to not get involved. This year, I know a lot of the candidates, both personally and professionally. Obviously, this comes from the fact that my fiancé and I spent our twenties working in big law firms, and from the fact that we've both lived in Kentucky for most of our lives. As people announced their candidacy for this year's elections, we started to see more and more friends and acquaintances among the ranks. A partner from Bob's old office, and an associate from mine. One of my former clients. Our classmates. My sorority sister. My college roommate's then-boyfriend, now-husband. A friend with whom I sit on a charity board. Family friends. These folks hope to become our next judges and Congresspeople. There's even a candidate for Coroner up in the mix.
Now, this doesn't mean that I'm solely voting for old friends. Some are running for local offices in other corners of the state. Others may not do the best job. It does mean that I'm a lot more interested in the process because I know these people well. I've been to their houses. I've engaged with them over dinner, drinks, or in-depth conversation. I know them, and I no longer have the excuse that I'm not part of the process.
I vote because I know these candidates. I quite literally have NO EXCUSE not to vote.
Izakaya Pop-up at Atlantic No. 5
Pop-up Japanese dining at Atlantic No 5!
Atlantic No. 5 is one of my favorite spots for lunch and coffee in Louisville! So, when they contacted me to see if Bob and I would be interested in taking in their new dinner concept, I accepted within, roughly, 1.5 seconds. (Pretty sure I hit a new personal best in email turnaround!)
Over the next few days, ANo5 is transforming itself into an Izakaya, which is kind of like a Japanese pub -- a casual spot for after-work drinking and dining. Think drinks and small plates. Very, very good drinks and small plates.
The concept here is casual fun. The curated playlist was old-school hip-hop, heavy on the LL Cool J. The wine list was no-frills. You aren't buying a label, just the description of a wine's tasting notes. The vibe was fun and casual.
Last week's menu
We started with the Ahi tuna, which was served on a bed of burrito with pickled pear and celery leaf and drizzled with olive oil and freshly cracked pepper. The tuna was insane -- the best quality I've found in Louisville. The pear was delightful, and the cheese was creamy. I felt the oil overpowered the flavors a bit, but it was overall quite good.
Next came the Hoisin Pork Toast, with cilantro and radish. Bob was enchanted by this one. It was hearty and delicious. My impression was that it tasted like the best pot roast you'd ever eaten, if the pot roast included Hoisin sauce...
Next came a smoked peanut soup with crab, coconut, curry, and black rice. This is a unique soup for a cold day. The black rice was amazing; my only wish was that the crab had shone through a little more. It was very good, especially when paired with a dry red wine.
Our final dish was by far our favorite. The Ramen Carbonara came with miso cream, quail and crow eggs, and salmon roe. Every bite was an amazing taste explosion. The salmon roe was intense and rich. The eggs were delicate, and the cream had the perfect hint of miso. Bob and I simply loved this dish!!
Cheers to Atlantic No 5 for an incredible dining experience!!
Thanks so much to Atlantic No 5 for the invitation and the fantastic meal! I hope to see y'all there soon! The Izakaya Pop-up continues this week on November 5, 6, and 7 and the new dinner menu will launch on November 12. For more information on reservations visit www.A5onmain.com or call 502-883-3398