Home Sweet Home!

Well we left before 11 and we were home by about 6:30.  TC talked the whole way and Bubba slept mostly.  TC was a mess when I took him out of the cage.  I guess he forgot to go to the bathroom before we left. He never listens.  I gave him a quick bath which was not met with a lot of appreciation.  He wasn't too fond of me trying to towel him off either.  He is sitting next to me as he cleans himself...his way....so I guess he doesn't completely hate me. However I will wait to see if he decides to relieve himself in the litter box next or in on something I hold dear.  Bubba continues to sleep....I am doing my best to avoid my neighbour.  That won't last for long I am afraid. Grrrr.....people suck.

Packing up Load Number One.

Well I have finally gotten around to the packing. Damn I have a lot of stuff...and not just shoes. It is hard to figure out what is going to make the first trip and what can stay for the second trip....or third.  I also have to clean so the landlord can show the apartment and not be embarrassed.  I thought about waiting until Sunday to leave, but the weather is supposed to be kind of crappy. Not sure when I will head out tomorrow. My neighbour Barb is moving out as well, so we will be competing for time on the stairs carrying our junk!  Passport is packed, kitty Zanex out and ready, Bubba wants to go now and me?....well...still in denial.

Christmas Visit Four. The Day Joanne was really looking forward too...

ZAPPO'S!!!!  Joanne was a little disappointed to find out that the States didn't celebrate Boxing Day like we do.  Well more disappointed they didn't have Boxing Day Sales!!!  However, I was hoping Zappo's was going to have a great after Christmas sale. Unfortunately there wasn't going to be another discount added to our 50% percent off, but that didn't really take away any of Joanne's excitement.  The store opens at 10:00 a.m. and it takes about 1/2 hour to get there.  I think Joanne was up and ready to go by 8:00.  Ian and I were not far behind because we were not going to make her late!! We made it to the parking lot with 3minutes to spare.  Ian came equipped with his Kindle, anticipating that he would be killing some time waiting for us to finish.  He was even scoping out areas or stores around Zappo's he could visit in case he got bored. (Turned out the only time he had to kill was for about 10 minutes as he was shopping just as much as us!!)  I didn't have as much luck, I found a nice pair of red suede flats that the cashier said were the most comfortable shoes!  Joanne did great.  She left with 3 pairs.  Some great warm boots, some Clark's shoes and a pair of running shoes.  My brother didn't do too shabby either taking home 3 pairs himself....or was it two.  Wait no...three....a pair of Puma's...a good pair of leather flip-flops...and a great pair of leather slip-on shoes that he said his feet were thanking him for with every step! 

She's Team Edward all the way! Good to see him there to support her shopping at Zappo's.

He really looks like he had to suffer and wait long. Nice to be in short-sleeves the day after Christmas. But he did work up a sweat shopping.

From there we decided to check out downtown Louisville.  I thought this would be a little more interesting than it turned out to be. There wasn't a lot open which surprised me.  We did walk over to the Louisville Slugger Museum and had lunch at an Irish Pub in Fourth Street live.

Some interesting fun facts we found during our walk.

The other side.

Belle of Louisville on the Ohio River.

More fun facts...down by the river...

...the other side.

Joanne and I at the Louisville Slugger Museum beside the big bat.

The big bat!

Fourth Street Live.  More exciting at night when you can walk around with alcohol.

Siblings!

Joanne getting her party on!

Deep Fried Pickles...finally!!

Joanne noticed this sign when we were crossing the street.  You really don't see that in Canada.

After lunch and our walk we headed to the Cave City Cemetery to visit and pay our respects to Colonel Harland Sanders!!  Again there was a lot of me driving around trying to remember where the hell he was located...I thought I might at least have a better idea this time....NOPE...that would not be true.  After a few trips around we found the office and Ian went in for directions.  Map in hand we made our way to his grave.  Turns out to be pretty easy with direction!!  Imagine that.

Someone had left a bucket to pay homage!

Joanne felt kind of wrong taking this picture with the man's bust at his grave...Ian did not.

From there we headed home to relax and nurse some barking dogs and throbbing toes!  After some relaxation and dog walking we decided to hit Rebecca's pizzeria for a nice easy dinner.  Ian saw an ad that said they had a brick pizza oven.  It was a really good dinner, but most notable was our appetizer.  We couldn't really help ourselves when we saw it on the menu.  We weren't sure we would ever have the opportunity again to eat...wait for it....

DEEP FRIED CORN!!!

Yes, you read it right...deep fried corn.  The waitress said it was like eating creamed corn...not a favourite of mine on a good day...but I couldn't say no.  The waitress said the were great...reminded her of trips to Moby Dick (that is a restaurant) with her Mee-maw. ( I don't really know how you spell that special handle some give to their Grandmother.)  I can't say I am a fan....or will ever order them again like I would the deep fried pickles.  It does help me seriously cut out any more fried food in my future.

After that we headed home to bed.  We had to get up early for the airport.  Ian and Joanne were flying out at 8:00 a.m.  It was a great visit and I am so glad they could come down and help me experience Christmas in Kentucky.  Not traditional, but definitely memorable!!

Christmas Visit. Day Three....Christmas Day.

Christmas Day in Bardstown, Kentucky was beautiful.  Sunny and warm is the way to go!!  We had a nice, slow start to the day. Knowing we didn't really have to be anywhere we stayed in our "casuals" longer than normal.  However, Bubba was in the Christmas spirit right away....

He really couldn't wait to get in his Santa outfit...as you can tell from the way he seeks shelter near my brother. He only wore the hat during the walk.

TC and Bubba enjoying their Christmas presents.

Now TC enjoying Bubba's Christmas present. Bubba is so upset, he had to lie down.

I probably should have paid more attention to my brother's posing....Joanne at least took it more serious.

Ian a little frustrated he can't get in....

....peeping Tom.

 

Ian was fascinated by these birds...they had a turkey's head on a duck's body.

We left the Civil War Village and proceeded up the hill. We passed the the oldest paved road in Kentucky and as we continued up the hill, Bubba had to stop to do his business. So Ian and Joanne crossed the street to check out the memorial of a gruesome battle where a lot of men from the area lost their lives. I didn't even have a chance to cross the road to join them before they were beating a path back in my direction.  I guess they came across a rather large bobcat sunning himself just inside a sewer duct beside the memorial.  That is a first! I've walked with the Bubs a lot in that area and had no idea we could have come across the wee kitty!  We picked up the pace and headed home.

We decided we would see the 4:10 showing of Mission Impossible. For three adults with two small popcorn's and three small cokes, it only cost Ian less than 40 bucks!  The movie was decent. Lots of amazing action. I can hardly believe Tom Cruise chose to hang out of that window in Dubai. Not enough money in the world.

Right beside the theater is a drive-thru Liquor store and amazingly it was open on Christmas!!  Joanne really wanted to have this documented.

Ian and Joanne posing in front of the store.

Joanne experiencing the Christmas cheer inside the liquor store.

Ian enjoying the variety of wares that they offer!

Keeping in the spirit of a "nontraditional" Christmas we headed out in search of dinner.  We couldn't have been happier to see that McDonald's was open for Business!!

You would think we were the only ones there....but no...it was crowded. I think it is safe to say the staff was less than "festive" at having to serve us.

Big Mac never tasted so good.

Oh Christmas tree...Oh Christmas tree....you kinda smell like french fries....

My favourite picture!!  The eyes...it is that child like excitement you normally see on Christmas mornings.....from small children!

After our great dinner we went home to grab Bubba and take another walk and to also work off our dinner. Plus Ian really wanted this picture of a blow-up Santa we saw on someones lawn. The day before Santa was doubled over with his head in the dirt like he had, had too much the night before.  When he saw him upright the next day, Santa's beard was soiled like he definitely had a bad night.

Ian helping Santa up.  What a good little Elf! He should be getting something extra special for Christmas next year.

Me and the Bubs...family photo minus TC.

Christmas Visit. Day Two.

Since the weatherman said that this day was going to be nice weather we decided it would be our shopping day.  Joanne expressed some interest in checking out the bookstore of new and used books I like to go to so that is the first place we intended to hit. Now normally the drive to this bookstore is easy and straight up Old Bardstown Rd.  We got about half way there only to be stopped for what we could only assume was some type of traffic accident. Due to the windy road we couldn't see what was causing the back up so we decided to wait it out. That lasted about 1/2 an hour until we had, had enough and decided to turn around and find another route. So we back tracked a wee bit to a road that would take us straight to I 65. From there we hit I 264 to take us back to Old Bardstown Road...hoping it was ahead of whatever caused the back up. After watching the news later in the weekend we learned it was a young girl who rolled her car because they suspected she had been texting.

So an hour later we hit up Starbucks on our way to the bookstore. From the bookstore we made our way to Liquor Barn to try and locate some Whiskey and Pumpkin Spice Liqueur we learned about at Heaven Hill the day before.  That was probably the biggest Liquor Store I had ever been to. They had a nice section of food which is a great idea for a liquor store.  When Ian and Joanne were checking out they found out from Bill their cashier that they were going to be open on Christmas day...and sadly Bill had to work.  We couldn't believe the places that were open on Christmas!!  From the liquor store we hit Target and then made our way to lunch. We found a deli by the book store.  The sandwiches were huge. Ian was impressed.

After lunch we hit Walmart, Meijer's then Kohl's before heading home. We were in search of a good razor for Ian....to no success.  I don't think we bought much that day other then some food from Meijer's and Joanne got a really good deal on a sweater at Kohl's.  We had an accident free drive on the way home.

Christmas Visit. Day One.

Well it is a nice sunny morning here as I drink my coffee and figure out what to do with my day. This time yesterday it was raining and I had already dropped off Ian and Joanne at the airport. They were probably already landing in Detroit and I was on my third cup off coffee.  We had a great visit and Christmas together....albeit not so traditional.

Ian and Joanne flew in Thursday night.  I picked them up at the airport and we headed back to Bardstown for dinner.  That was after an hour long wait for their luggage. For some reason their luggage didn't come down on the baggage carousel and was just placed in front of the airline office. After the search for the luggage we were finally on the road. We hit the Bourbon Bistro in Bardstown for a late dinner.  Dinner was great and Ian and Joanne were able to experience the first of their Kentucky culinary experience; Fried Green Tomatoes. I believe it was a thumbs up.

Then it was home to Bubba and TC.  It didn't take Bubba long to remember Ian and Joanne and he was cuddling with them in no time.

On Friday it was a slow start to the day...well not Joanne so much as Ian and I.  Since the weather was not so nice we thought it was a good day to spend touring distilleries.  We headed to Maker's Mark so Ian and Joanne could experience the actual making of the bourbon.  It was decorated so beautifully for the holidays and the tour was great.

I am enjoying the wetness of the bench....not sure why it didn't occur to me it would be wet.

 "Hello...God is that you?"

Joanne braved the moonshine.....after a little peer pressure.

Spa bath.  I hear it is good for your skin.....

Aww...what a good looking couple....and their bourbon.

After the moonshine we just couldn't stop her....

Joanne leaving her job at the Quality Control Lab. Ian wondering what has happened to his wife.

So pretty.

Brother and sister enjoying some bourbon flavoured coffee.

After our tour and tasting we headed to their cafe for lunch. We all chose the bourbon flavoured pulled pork sandwich for lunch and were not disappointed.  On our way home we decided to stop at the Heaven Hill distillery. I mean we have to drive right past it anyway.....it seems foolish not to drop in and say hi.

After the tour we had our tasting in the bourbon barrel. That was the first time I had my tasting in there....this being my third visit

Joanne decided that that sample tasting wasn't enough.

The trolley you can take from downtown Bardstown to Heaven Hill.

Light-weights. Can't handle their bourbon.

Practicing for my part time job.



After our tours and bourbon tasting we headed to the grocery store to pick up some food for dinner.  Joanne was making her Ravioli casserole. Awesome!!