Thunder Over Louisville

On Saturday, I attended Thunder over Louisville which was held at the waterfront. It is the largest fireworks show in North America. Before the actual fireworks, is a really cool air show.

Luckily, a friend's sister had VIP tickets, which were awesome! The ticket provided:

• a shuttle from a downtown parking garage to the waterfront,
• dinner (chicken, burgers, hot dogs, salad, potato salad, deviled eggs, etc.),
• 2 drink tickets (wine for me thanks), and
  
• a seat on the bridge.

Let me explain about the bridge. The fireworks are shot off on barges on the Ohio River, on both sides of the 2nd street bridge. Hence, the seats on the bridge were gold!

This is what I saw when I descended from the shuttle. I was very impressed!










Downtown Louisville, complete with construction.




Airshow:


Fireworks time!

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A Hard Lesson Learned

Whatever you do, don't put pesto into a hot skillet. It makes a serious mess. Last night I made macaroni with pesto turkey and spaghetti sauce, and made the mistake of adding the pesto to the hot skillet first. Not good, or pretty. I would show a picture, but it's pretty gross.

As I spend time cleaning up the stove, back splash tile, and surrounding areas, I admit I learned a hard lesson. Next time, I'll be sure to put the turkey in first, then the pesto.

Oh boy.

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Talk Derby to Me Baby

It's that time! The Kentucky Derby Festival is in full swing!!

The most famous 2 minutes in sports kicks off on Saturday, May 2 and Kentucky has started to celebrate! We have quite a few events leading to the big day.

1. Thunder Over Louisville- This is the largest annual fireworks display in North America! The fireworks are shot off on the bridge of the Ohio river, which runs between Kentucky and Indiana.

2. Taste of Derby Festival-Sample dishes from more than 65 of Louisville's finest restaurants and beverage companies. The event also features a bourbon tasting, Bloody Mary contest, wine tasting and silent auction. All ticket proceeds benefit the Dare to Care Food Bank.3. U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Glimmer-The Glimmer kicks off the Kroger Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront and the opening of the Chow Wagon with a night filled with dozens of balloon lightings.

3. Derby Festival Great Steamboat Race-Witness the race for the Golden Antlers as the Belle of Louisville and the Belle of Cincinnati go head to head in a 14-mile boat race that begins at the Clark Memorial Bridge.

4. The Kentucky Oaks- This big day of racing at the Downs, second only to the Kentucky Derby, will feature 12 races this year, capped by the Kentucky Oaks, a stakes race for 3-year-old thoroughbred fillies. This is the event that most Louisvillian's attend.


5. The Kentucky Derby- The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three year-old thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, KY, on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter miles (2 km) at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds and fillies (females) 121 pounds. The race is known as "The Run for the Roses" for the blanket of roses draped over the winner. It is the first leg of the U.S. Triple Crown and is followed by the Preakness Stakes and then the Belmont Stakes. (Thanks wikipedia.)

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Mid-Kentucky Kennel Club Dog Show

I had the opportunity to go to the dog show a few weekends ago. It was super fun! Those dogs had better groomers than Paris Hilton!

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The Green Exchange

I love painless (and cheap!) ways to cut down on the chemicals I use to clean my home. I found these ideas in Woman's Day magazine and thought I would share:


1. Instead of a drain unclogger (like drain-o), try boiling water and a plunger. Pour a kettle of boiling water into the sink; let it drain to loosen up the clog. Then take a sink plunger and plunge for a full minute.





2. Instead of dryer sheets, try aluminum foil. It won't soften the laundry, but tossing in a hand-sized ball of foil will get rid of all the static cling.

3. Instead of carpet cleaner, try baking soda and hot water. Sprinkle baking soda on the rug, lightly spray with hot water, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then wet-vacuum. (You may be able to use your regular vacuum if dry.)

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Simple Inspirations (quotes)

"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments." -Jim Rohn

"Expect nothing. Live frugally on surprise." -Alice Walker

"Always fall in with what you're asked to accept. Take what is given, and make it over your way..." -Robert Frost

"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there." -John Wooden

"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong." -Ella Fitzgerald

"Helping someone is what life is all about." -Willie Stargell

"Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship." -Buddha

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Shoe of the Month Club

As I was reading through People.com this afternoon, I came across heaven. Really.

It's called Shoe Dazzle and it's a shoe-of-the-month club!

For $39/month you can be sent a pair of shoes a month! They send you 5 choices and they mail them.

Their chief stylist is Kim Kardashian, who I think has a great sense of style.

I'll let you know if I decide to join! :)

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Day Tripper

Recently I took a day trip to Bardstown, Kentucky which is about an hour from me. It is the second oldest city in Kentucky (1780's), and named after David Bard. It's quite a charming town, with the fourth largest Civil War museum in the country. I really enjoy history and thought it would make for a fun time on a Sunday.

Before I went, I printed this great city map. I like the fact that it had the streets clearly labeled and the landmarks as actual pictures. It really helped.



I actually went to the Civil War Museum, but as the caretaker said, they weren't really prepared for visitors on Sunday. I was a little confused, because they have open hours. But anyway.. The outside wasn't spectacular, but the inside was interesting-






Outside, I browsed the Pioneer Village. It's a reproduction of a village with original cabins from the county that date back to 1776-1820.

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Friday Find!

I found these at TJ Maxx for $10! OMG! Score! They are not only great with my jeans and a cute top, but they are also comfortable!

Yeah!

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To Wreath or Not To Wreath?

Since I've removed my Christmas wreath, the front door has been empty and...well...unwelcome. It needs a "pretty-pretty" to say "hello, welcome, come on in!"

Since my Christmas wreath contained removable items, I am going to re-use the wreath and just add spring items. The other night, I went to Garden Ridge to get some ideas. They had so many cute items to add! I liked a bit of everything! Between the false herb sprigs, the small Easter eggs, and the babies breath, they all would have looked wonderful on a wreath.

So, instead of buying right then, I decided to make an actual plan and select one that I want to copy. It will make it easier, cheaper, and I'll know what the finished product should look like.

I like this one for it's simplicity, but I wonder if it would be enough color for my black front door.


This one would offer good color and I like the unusual shape.


The simplicity of this one with it's white and green berries is calming.


I like this one because it reminds me of lavender.



I'll let you know what I finally decide. :)

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