Rainy Sunday.

Is there anything better on a rainy Sunday morning than reading the paper, a sleeping dog and a great cup of coffee?  I think not.

I found a new hair salon yesterday.  Jerry Heston's in Louisville.  I found it after a google search for the best salons in Louisville. They were rated number one for colour! So after a two week wait I finally had my appointment yesterday.  What I also found out it, is that it is located on Frankfort Avenue which is a historic street with really cool shops and cafes.   My appointment yesterday was just for colour.  I thought I would check them out before I went in for a cut. This place was really different for the fact that their colourist do not cut hair. They have one side of the salon for just colour and the other side for cutting.  Elizabeth did my hair yesterday.  She was really nice and did a really great job. They use paper strips instead of foil and when they rinse and wash your hair they give you this great head massage.  That was awesome!  I mentioned to her I was trying to grow my hair out and when she noticed how thick and curly my hair could get she recommended a stylist she thought would be good for me! I actually look forward to making that appointment.  I still think writing the book is a good idea though. I thought about asking her opinion and interviewing her about what to do when one goes to the salon. But I think I will wait until I get it cut.

Well my day today consists of cleaning, grocery shopping and paperwork...oh joy.  I am glad it is a rainy day so I don't feel so guilty about not going outside.  I am looking forward to a long weekend coming up AND....a visit from Becky and Mike!  They are heading south to Florida with a brief stop in Bardstown to see the Bubs, TC and I.!!  wwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Dear Fairy Godmother,

Just wanted to send you a quick note of thanks.  You have been so thoughtful lately sending me numerous suitors to win my affection.  How joyful for me to be the object of desire for such a "quality" caliber of men. (note sarcasm here)  What delight for my ego to learn that some of these "princes" are a whopping 10 years my junior.  What more could one ask for?  This just confirms for me what I already knew; that I don't actually look like someone near the...choke...39 years I almost am.  However, just a few points to note for your future reference.....

If in the future you feel the need to send another young suitor my way, perhaps you could consider one that looked more like Ashton and less like.... well not Ashton.  I mean, let's make it worth my while if I am going to log in all those man hours training such a young pup!

Also, if in the future you send a king to do his prince's bidding, perhaps you could make the prince more "Charming" and less say...."Lord Farquar".  I do appreciate the large dowry dangled in front of my nose like a carrot, but alas a life in the tower seems more favourable.

Now I know you must be thinking that such an "old maid" (no matter how fair she is) should not be so picky. However, since the suitors you have sent my way throughout my adult life have been less than stellar, I feel confident in saying you really owe me one!  I don't believe that I am asking for a lot. I do not expect Prince William, but I don't think I deserve Prince Charles.  Despite his sense of humour.  So here I have created a list of what "I am NOT looking for" in a mate and not what I am looking for.  I will hope that you will take this list to heart in your future searches on my behalf..... you old bitter hag.

1. No Shreks.
2. No prince that could pass for one of the Seven Dwarfs.
3. DEFINITELY no donkeys....I realise that does make your job a little bit harder.
4. No court jesters.  Humour being very important, but have them actually be funny....not think they are funny.
5. No fire breathing dragons.  My dental plan is not that good.
6. No beasts!....well ok...maybe just a little bit.
7. No egos like Gaston...but tall like Gaston.
8. Absolutely no Pinocchio's.  I don't care how long that nose can get.
9. No Quasimodo's.  I don't do hunchbacks.
10. No more frogs.  I don't care how much you kiss them, THEY DO NOT EVER turn into a Prince!  Ever.

Sincerly,
Your forever date-less Princess.

The rest of the Weekend!

After Maker's Mark, Jim dropped Nancy and I at the apartment and he headed back to the hotel.  We were meeting up at 7:00 to have dinner at the Talbot Tavern across from the apartment.  Of course I completely forgot there was no way for Jim to get into the apartment when he returned and that there was also no doorbell to ring to let us know he was here.  However, Jim figured out a way to rattle a pipe that snaked up the side of the building in hopes that we would wake up, look out and see him there. Uh...not so much.  We heard it.... we wondered what the hell it was. ..... and we did look out.  Yet we didn't see Jim, didn't think it might be a way he was trying to communicate with us and went right back to the magazine's we were reading.  To our credit (or not) it only took us about 5 more minutes to wonder what might be keeping Jim and then to then finally look out to see the van was parked in front of the apartment! :)

Talbot Tavern was not a great success.  The fried green tomatoes were good, but unfortunately Jim and Nancy's dinners were cold. My chicken was good once I scraped off the thick crust.  They redeemed themselves a little in Jim's eyes with the Bourbon Bread Pudding....I think that is what it was.  Later we did a quick tour upstairs of the bread and breakfast.  Talbot Tavern boosts former patrons such as Lincoln, Daniel Boone and Jesse James.  All the room upstairs are named after one of them.  I think the waitress said that there were even bullet holes in The Jesse James room...but we didn't get to see that.

Just in case you didn't know....hee!

Jim trying out Burgoo.  A chowder/stew like concoction with chicken, beef and pork.  He liked it....said it had a wee bite to it. 

A lovely sitting area.

Sunday

Now Sunday was Jim's golf day.  I was a little worried he wasn't going to get a chance to get out and enjoy "My Old Kentucky Home Golf Course". The clouds were rolling in and a few sprinkles were felt, however sunny skies didn't take long to break through and turn it into a great day for golf.  Which just so happened meant more shopping for Nancy and I.  So we headed to Louisville in search of Costco, Target and Marshall's. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

When we came back to the hotel we found Jim relaxing with a beverage.  He informed us that we had a reservation for 7:00 at The Kurtz restaurant.  He ended up golfing with some lovely gentlemen who recommended this restaurant as the best place to go after Circa.  (the best restaurant in Bardstown) This one was a winner compared to the Tavern.

When we arrived, Jim heard some other customer's say they were going to the play about Stephen Foster's life at the outdoor theater in the My Old Kentucky Home State Park.  (right across the street from the restaurant)  Stephen Foster is famous for coming to Bardstown and writing the State song, "My Old Kentucky Home".  He also wrote the song "Oh Susannah"!  So Jim suggested we attend the play after dinner.  Hey "why not"?  (a sentiment we would later regret!)

My dinner.  So good...and extra for the following night.

Bourbon Bread Pudding and coffee. No doubt there is bourbon in the pudding. Yum.

We weren't quite ready. Notice Nancy's shoes.....Zappo's!!

The Stephen Foster Theater!

Jim making his way down.

It was a beautiful night for a play and you couldn't ask for better company.  The play however was about an hour and a half too long!  It wasn't poorly done.  The music was good, costumes good, acting good.  Length of play...not good.  Stephen Foster's life was not fraught with nearly enough strife, angst or trouble to have two and a half hours dedicated to showcase it.  I mean you don't need to have every single song he ever created sung....I mean top ten is fine....better yet top five might be better....leave you wanting more.  Isn't that what they say to do in show business?  One thing we did find amusing is that you can purchase a large dill pickle at the concession stand.  50 cents.  We saw several people noshing on them...even a small baby.  A dill pickle!!!  So Kentucky. 

It was almost 11 when the play was over...maybe closer to 10:30 and I think it was safe to say we were ready for bed.  So Jim and Nancy dropped me back to the apartment, we said our goodbyes and sadly our great weekend was over.

More of the Weekend!

With Jim Beam growing small in the rear view mirror we made our way to Zappo's.  I really think I should get a piece of the Zappo's pie with all the people I take there.  However, this time I showed an amazing amount of self control considering everything in the store was 70% off and I only purchased one pair of shoes.  A nice pair of Ivanka Trump flats.  Sorry...no pictures.  Jim and Nancy were a lot luckier in their searches.  Nancy found these great yellow leather sandals.  We had never heard of the brand before, but later in the day when Nancy was flipping through my Vogue magazine it had an advertisement for the brand!  So we decided then she was a ground breaker in fashion.  If we didn't know that already!  She also found awesome brown sandals and a pair of kick-ass boots.  I think there was more, but it was all a "shoe haze blur".  I believe Jim did quite well himself.  I think he found 3 pairs of shoes.  I know one pair was Keen's, but I didn't see the others. I can't believe I didn't get any pictures of what we bought.  I must be slacking.
 

After we finished up our shopping, we headed back to Bardstown to walk the Bubba and have some lunch. From there we were heading to Maker's Mark. Jim had heard from a gentleman he was sitting beside at Zappo's while they were both patiently waiting for loved ones to finish up their shopping; that Maker's Mark was the distillery to tour. So after Bubba was walked, refreshed and barking his wee face off alone in the apartment, we went to Hurst Drugs for a quick sandwich and milkshake! I love that place.  I finally got the chance to have a milkshake and I am happy to report they are great and super filling. 

Well the gentleman from Zappo's was right, Maker's Mark is probably the best tour...so far. :) Here they show you the whole process on how to make the bourbon which I haven't seen on the other tours.  The grounds and buildings are also just beautiful to see and explore.

Notice Nancy's sandals I did get a picture!!

Jim looking to see if he could get a job with Quality Control.

"The Yeadales"

The World's Oldest Operating Bourbon Distillery.

I think this is what they call the "Mash"....obviously I am going to have to go back to confirm.

These large barrels actually go down farther than the floor we are standing on.

You get to taste test!!

Not sure why this guy wanted to do this...but it was sick looking when he took his arm out.

The dual distilling process to get to the White Dog.(moonshine)



More taste testing.  This time we got to taste bourbon after the dual distilling process and before it goes into the barrels.  I forget what proof they said it was. If you were brave you took a swig.  Jim is faking it in this picture....(ha!) ...but we did get to dip our finger in it.

So that is one more stamp for the passport....just three more to go.

What A Week....END!!

You know I knew Kentucky would be a tad bit warmer than Canada, but I wasn't prepared for spending my days working without air conditioning!   It is exhausting!! I spent the week working in clothes that were drenched in sweat by 10 in the morning while my brain was swimming in a fog. My boss isn't bothered by the heat so he doesn't have the sense of how it affects the rest of his team.  I left him an anonymous note threatening that we would all stop showering if he didn't get the air fixed.  He doesn't appreciate other people's lack of cleanliness and strong personal odour.  Other than passing out and hitting my head, I thought this was the only route to take where he would actually be forced into doing something.  How is someone so oblivious?

Luckily for me it was a short week because I was having VISITORS!!  Jim and Nancy....or "The Yeadales" came down from Guelph to pay me a visit, meet the Bubba, play golf, shop for shoes, eat lots of food, drink bourbon and discover the lovely town of Bardstown in this great state of Kentucky!  I love having visitors and I really loved having them here to see where I am spending my time.  They drove down Friday and since I knew that is an exhausting drive I left them a wee care package of refreshments at the hotel to soothe their weary travelling souls.  I met them at the hotel after they arrived, had a wee beverage and then we went for dinner.  We hit Mammy's downtown to have some authentic Bardstown cuisine and enjoy the live music.  The food was good...in that greasy spoon kinda way. We all ordered the Bourbon Burger and we all really enjoyed the Bourbon Burger.  Although as good as it was, in the back of my mind I was a little afraid the Bourbon Burger was going to come back to haunt me later. (rest assured...it did not)  The live music was loud...he didn't suck...but he really didn't need to be plugged in considering the size of the place.  It was a very good time though, I would highly recommend a visit to Mammy's when you are Bardstown

 

Nancy and I at Mammy's

Ah...the Bourbon Burger!

The Bar at Mammy's.



 Our next day was quite full.  On our way to Zappo's in the morning...(which by the way was having a 70% off everything sale! weeeeeeeeeee)...we made a stop to have our first distillery tour at Jim Beam's. It was really a gorgeous day for a tour.  I don't know why, but we didn't get the tour or video of the family house on this tour.  Maybe Saturday's are too busy, but it was an interesting tour none-the-less.  When they were taking us to tour the Rickhouse we noticed the Claremont cemetery across the street was having a burial. It was for a veteran.  They played "Tap"s for him and his coffin was draped with the flag. What we didn't know whas that our tour guide was in the Armed Forces and had just completed two tours. One in Iraq and the other in Afghanistan.  He was really affected knowing that it was a fellow soldier. He said it brought back a lot of bad memories.  I can't even imagine what that feels like or what he has seen and been through...and how do you go from putting your life on the line to fight a war in two unknown countries to coming back home and give tours at Jim Beam?  Not that there is anything wrong with that, but you sort of feel he deserves so much more. Although working around tons of bourbon isn't a bad way to spend your days! Anywhoooo...who would have thought that going to a distillery tour you would get to meet someone like that!

Jim and Nancy after the tour and before the tasting!

"Ah, the gleam in his eye...

...not so much gleam in her eye though"

Our tour guide!

Almost looks like a post card!

Road Trip!

Since I have been a little neglect on knocking off my adventures discovering the great state of Kentucky, yesterday I thought it was time to change that. I didn't plan anything. I spent the night before trying to find something I could do with the pooch.  That really limits you...especially when you have a dog like Bubba.  So I decided to take Bubba shopping.  My friend Tina from work told me about this Pet Store that was going out of business and that they had everything at 50% off.  Not very exciting but a perfect time to stock up on the must haves for the kids.  The store however, was located in an outlet mall in Indiana! What the hell, why not? It was all I had! So we woke up, had our walk, drank coffee (just me) and then jumped in the car for a nice scenic drive.  The mall was only 2 hours away and I figured if we found anything exciting along the way, we would stop.  Once we arrived at the outlet mall, I almost regretted bringing the dog...lots of stores...shiny, inviting stores. But alas, we were in search of the Pet Store.

I wasn't sure how The Bubba would handle the store...my expectations were not too high.  But I gotta say I was pleasantly surprised.  He was a big hit in the store...everyone loved him....and he didn't completely spazz out!  He didn't love it, but he was good!  Well Bubba being good means he didn't freeze, poop, pee, release his glands or bite anyone.  SCORE!

We were in the store for about 1/2 an hour and then back in the car heading home. Heading home we found Starbucks.

DRIVE THRU AT STARBUCKS.  HE WAS HOPING IT WAS McDONALD'S.

CO-PILOT

 "JULIE'S NEEDFUL THINGS AND SMOKE SHOP"...SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT PLACE.

DRIVING OVER THE OHIO RIVER BACK INTO KENTUCKY

KENTUCKY WATERFRONT.

CO-PILOT TIRED.

There was nothing on the way home that we stopped at so we were back in Bardstown by 3:30.  At which point I thought my day wasn't done.  Even if my dog was. I dropped him home and thought I would head to Louisville to hit Meijer's for some groceries.  If my car was pulled in other directions, c'est la vie!

Luckily for me, my car headed in a new direction and took me to a book store.  The title of the store didn't hurt.  50% off Books and Magazines!  I must have been in there for close to two hours.  They had everything...old, new, records, cd's, dvd's, audio books.  So much fun!

After some food, I finally hit Meijer's and headed home. A pretty good day all in all. I might not have had a plan going into my day, but it certainly took me to a place I will be back to again and again!  The stores proximity to Target and Marshall's doesn't hurt either!