Kentucky Derby + Bucket List #1

Saturday was the Kentucky Derby!

Is there anything more beautiful than a horse in a full run and enjoying it? It gives me butterflies of excitement and makes me want to cry at the same time every year when I watch this race. I'm not a year-long follower of racing, I admit. I think I would like to be, but as of now I am not. I catch Derby fever every May, though, and it rolls into Triple Crown fever fairly quickly.

When I was a kid I read a series of horse books about Thoroughbred racing and I was addicted. I would ride Little Man around bareback at a canter/gallop to get the feeling of it. I was somewhat of a wuss and would have made a crappy jockey because I rarely hit a full on run. But a girl can dream. 

I sit and watch all 2 hours of pre coverage and just swoon. The animals are so incredibly beautiful and in top form. They are athletes at their very best. When the race is underway I start at the edge of my seat and end up jumping around the living room by the backstretch. Total nerd. 

I am dead to attend in person one day and smell the track smells while I watch! I adore the smell of horseflesh and horse sweat. 

My very own half-Thoroughbred, Eternal Little Man via Eternal Son who ran in the Derby!

Bucket List #1

I tried the Frozen Mint Margaritas for the derby as I am not a huge fan of Mint Juleps. They were very good, but a few words to the wise:

- Use at least half the amount of sugar recommended. Too sweet!

- Add about another half cup of mint leaves and make sure you tear them before putting them in the pot.

- Make ahead! I had no idea they had to freeze for 2 hours. I thought I'd be firing up the blender. I barely made the race. 

Rediscovering the Library

Madisonville, Louisiana Library

I have always loved libraries. Every time I visited my Granny as a kid, she would take me to the library and let me spend hours among the shelves. And Mama always took us to the library as kids- and the Book Mobile! We all three would screech when we saw it parked in the lot across from Daddy's clinic.

As I got a little older and was a social outcast at school, I would retreat to the library at lunch and read rather than sitting alone. And in college I would sit in the library and read between classes when it was hot or cold out.

I think I would explode from joy in a library like this!!

I love libraries. But I fell off the band wagon after college. With good reason- I tried the Pensacola library a few times over the years, but it had become the hangout of the homeless. Which would be fine if they sat and read, but they follow you through the stacks and it's just creepy. So I went solely with book stores. And I just adore those too! But it can get expensive. Especially if you're me.

When I noticed a library branch a few blocks from my office last week, I decided to scope it out. Turns out it's a beautifully clean library that's scary homeless-man free! Today I got my library card. What is it about library cards that are so wonderful??

I spent my lunch break just browsing. I love the smell and feel of books. There's something wonderful about the weight of a book, the way it feels in your hands. I like to look at the covers, read the backs and the reviews. I just like to hold them. Books are like baby dolls to me- wonderful and comforting and safe.

I see myself reverting back to middle and high school... if you need me during lunch I'll be in the library!

Biggest Dog Ever!!

OK, maybe not EVER. But almost ever.

Meet June Bug Hamlin:

Giving me kisses

On the farm with Van

Visiting Gran and Paw in the retirement home (why yes, she IS taller than the table!!)

Hanging out with Van.

June just boarded her flight in Guam headed home to Van and I! She's a 120 some-odd pound Great Dane and an official world traveler. She's been in Guam for almost 3 years now living with Katie and she's headed home- followed shortly by Kae herself. Van raised her from puppy-hood, so I'm excited to see how they reunite!

Niki, Nathan and I will be retrieving her from the airport this weekend. Pictures to follow!

Back to Me

It's official- it's almost time... KAE will be home in a matter of weeks!!!
OMG... loosing it!!!

Guam time is almost over! Justin deploys for 8 months or so and she'll be in the states the entire time! Woo hoo!!! No more scheduling calls, no more communication by email only, no more tears, no more fits!! Oh dear Lord, thank you, thank you for letting the time finally come!!!

KATIE IS COMING HOME!!!

Summer Bucket List

I suppose it's still spring, isn't it? But, today excluded, it's been 90+ degrees here this week. So I'm feeling summerish.

I got the My Recipes newsletter today and stumbled across a long list of margarita recipes! Well... HELLO! Margaritas are my peeps. So I have created my Margarita Summer Bucket List. I'm going to keep a tally on the blog and check them off as we go. Wanna try it with me?

Classic Margarita

I'm going to go ahead and check this one off, because I think we all know I've tried it!

MyRecipe.com recipe here, or mine (which I think is perfect) here.

Raspberry "Sangre" Margarita

These are basically frozen raspberry margaritas. Not sure what the"Sangre" is about but it sounds fancy so let's go with it. Recipe here

Adirondack Margarita

Apple Juice? Well, OK, sure... Recipe here

Limeade Margarita

This involves dumping tequila over Lime Sorbet. How hard is that? If you still want a recipe, see here.

Pomegranate Margarita

I'm all about jumping on bandwagons- so let's get onto the Pomegranate one! Recipe here.

Watermelon Margaritas

This is going to be great for summer! And apparently they are lower calorie than other margaritas. Like I care! Recipe here.

Key Lime Margarita

This makes me want to hear some Jimmy Buffet. Recipe here.

Watermelon Mint Margarita

I have fresh mint growing, so this should be yummy. Recipe here.

Strawberry Banana Margarita

This sounds like a smoothie and I feel like I can get Niki to try it!! Recipe here.

Frozen Mint Margarita

I'm not a huge fan of Mint Juleps (or Bourbon in general for that matter), so I'm thinking this for the Kentucky Derby! Recipe here.

Combier Margarita

Come to find out, "Combier" is the original Triple Sec. Recipe here.

Cucumber Chili Margarita

Cayenne Pepper in a Margarita? Must try!! Recipe here.

So there it is- my summer bucket list. Who's with me??

(Niki, you're automatically in)

A Wee Bit Wednesday

I am doing this in memory of the early days of my friendship with AC...


{one} have you ever been stuck in an elevator?I have! At my office in Pensacola the ancient elevator decided to stop mid-floor. I was stuck for about 15 minutes. But I missed the beginning of a boring meeting, so it turned out OK. It was also a large, well lit elevator. 
{two} have you ever ridden on an elephant?I know that I have- but I don't remember it. I was very young.
{three} have you ever met a well known celebrity?Yes. Well, to me! My friend Shannon who was the editor of Pensacola Magazine and then Louisiana Cookin' AND has been published in the Boston Globe. I consider her my famous friend.But I also went onto Pat Green's tour bus in college. 
{four} do you have any food allergies?Not diagnosed, although I'm fairly positive I'm allergic to brussel sprouts!
{five} do you know how to sew?No. I wish I had learned from my Gran! Niki and I were just talking about this.
{six} did you get an allowance when you were young?No, I just got whatever I wanted. :)
{seven} how often do you fill up your gas tank?Every other week or so.
{eight} have you ever been stung by a jelly fish?Yes- I grew up on the Gulf of Mexico. 
{nine} have you ever been robbed?YES! Once I was fishing in Hopedale, LA and I had a HUGE trout on. Mr. Mike- a guy fishing with us- cast his line right next to me. The fish broke my line and got his and HE caught MY fish!
{ten} what is the worst haircut you’ve ever had?Every time my mother took me to get my hair permed until I went to college.

Wish I was here Wednesday

Apalachicola, Florida

It's so beautiful out and I want to be on the beach, swimming with my Vannie G!