The first Saturday in May is always one of the most exciting days of the year...The Kentucky Derby! When "My Old Kentucky Home" plays I can't help but tear up and looking over at my parents, I see them tearing up as well. My adrenaline rushes as the horses walk to the starting gate and then surges as they come around that final turn. It's hard not to love the fabulous dresses, the hats, southern hospitality, and the best of the best in horseracing. Every year I hope and pray that I get to see a Triple Crown Winner. I calculated once that my grandfather got to see 11 during his lifetime. My parents have seen three. I just want to see at least ONE :)
Horseracing has been tradition in my family and infact, it's how my parents met. My parents both worked at racetracks growing up...galloping horses, mucking stalls, walking, and rubbing horses, the whole sha-bang. My grandfather trained horses, as did my father's uncle, so it's something that I have been around my entire life.
For this occasion, I thought I'd share with you one of the best cookbooks for horseracing occasions (but in reality could be used for any occasion-the recipes are all southern and very true to Kentucky!):
It's called The Bluegrass Winners A Cookbook – 1st Edition
This cookbook has recipes that reflect the southern hospitality of the Bluegrasss state and features famous farms and their menus. It also has some beautiful photos of famous farms in Kentucky and a little excerpt about them. The book has different menus set, but you can also mix and match recipes depending on whether you want recipes for a Black Tie Dinner, Luncheon, Pool Party, Cookout, Post Derby Breakfast, or Cocktails after the races. Who doesn't love some down-home southern cooking? You will not be disappointed!
I planned to post some recipes, but it's SO hard to narrow a few down since there are SO many great ones!
Will y'all be tuning in for the big race tomorrow? Who are your Derby favorites? :)
I love that horse racing is how your parents met! It is so sweet, and such a unique and fabulous love story!
ReplyDeleteAs far as tumblr goes, thank you for your sweet words! They are not hard to make at all! Tumblr offers tons of layouts, and all you have to do is click "install theme" to use it! The rest is done for you! I use the "Prolix" them that can be found here:
http://www.tumblr.com/themes/by/14thave
But, I changed and customized the codes to say and link exactly what I wanted so it doesn't look exactly like that one anymore.
My tumblr name & url actually came from a nickname that some of my friends gave me. I am obsessed with stars, and when I was in high school, some of my friends started calling me little star. And the name of my tumlr blog is one of the lyrics from a favorite song.
I think lyrics are a wonderful place to find inspiration for a tumlr name/url and tumblr name. Even some song titles are particularly alluring and beautiful. Also, you could think about some of the quirky/unusual things that you love or do, or even use a word you love in a different language.
I hope this was helpful! If you need anything else just send me an email or something and I would be more than happy to help! Also, send me a link once you get your tumblr all set up and I'll be sure to follow!
(And yes, that video you mentioned is one of my favorites. I cry every time.)