Reflections in a Fifteen-Year-Old Mirror

Today I sat on the stage at graduation.
It turns out that serving on a school board is a thankless job. You spend quite a lot of time trying how best to spend what seems like a great amount of money, but money that in reality is spent almost before it comes in. You get to make terrible decisions and no matter what you choose somebody somewhere has something to say about it. And you are oftentimes referred to as 'That Damn School Board'.  But there is one thing that makes it worthwhile.
I had always viewed graduations (or any other similarly monotonous ceremony) as a thing to be avoided unless absolutely necessary to maintain familial peace. And I wasn't wrong. Until I sat on the school board.
Today I got to hand High School Diplomas to kids on the same stage where I myself graduated from high school exactly 15 years ago. I felt an unexpected rush of pride in these kids, most of whom I didn't even know their names until they were read aloud on stage. These kids who have worked so hard to turn around a school that was a laughingstock into a school that they could be proud to say that they graduated from. These kids that will go out into the world and represent a school system that I now serve.
I couldn't help but think of my own graduation as I handed out diplomas. I realized that I couldn't even remember who had handed me my own diploma. These kids likely wouldn't either, but that didn't matter. What matters is that they not only received their diplomas, but that they earned them. I remembered another unexpected feeling of pride from that previous graduation day. I arrived at school that morning just wanting to get it over with. There were parties to go to after all. And I remember that as I left that day, alone in my car, feeling like I had accomplished something important. True, I had only gone to school because that was just what you were supposed to do - not out of any ingrained sense of seeking an education for myself. That came quite by accident, I assure you. But when I left my high school that day, for what I assumed would be the last time - and good riddance, I realized that I had something that no one could ever take away from me. And then I'm pretty sure that I never thought of it again until this day. Weird!
I would not have thought, 15 years go, that I would myself be part of the establishment. Fight the man! That was my motto, back in the day. It was only after I got older that I realized that sometimes you have to become the man to fight the man. Still I never would have imagined that I would wind up an elected public official.
Not then.
And I wondered a bit what today's graduates imagined that they would be doing 15 years from now. Most assuredly they all think they know precisely where they are headed. God knows I did and it did not include a husband, two kids, a mortgage, a First Lady hair-do, and public service. Likely a few of them will be doing exactly what they imagine. I've known a few people that have always know what they wanted to do - and then went out and did it. My brother, Boyd is like that.
But more than likely most of them will find themselves with lives they could never have imagined for themselves. Most times this is a good thing. Sometimes not. But almost invariably not what one would have thought.
I suppose that's life, right? It's weird like that. You never really know where it's going to take you. I thought for a wild moment that I should tell them. But then I realized, no. It's a lesson we all must learn for ourselves and I wouldn't take that away from today's graduates for anything. I wouldn't have wanted to know what my life was going to end up being.
Not then.
I know that I would not wish to know the future at this point. And that, I guess, is the point. The only difference between me then and me now is that I have learned in the past 15 years that not only 'it is what it is' but that 'it will be what it will be'.
Good luck to the class of 2013! Call me up in 15 years. I would love to know what you're up to.

Bourbonade

It's Tuesday and I may or may not be over our Derby Party on Saturday. Everything went wonderfully well and (I think) a good time was had by all. There was plenty of good food and drink and, more importantly, good people.
The dark horse hit of the party was definitely the Bourbonade, though. No, you read that right. Bourbonade!
The Old Man sent me a tezt Friday morning telling me that he had come across a great sounding drink online somewhere and could I recreate it. Knowing, as I do, that The Old Man considers a mixed drink putting ice in his Bourbon I knew that I just had to try it. And so, my take on

Bourbonade

1 Frozen Lemonade
1 Frozen Limeade
1 750ml bottle Bourbon (I used Woodford Reserve 'cause it's my fave)
1 1/2 Cup Sugar
Iced Tea

Thaw lemonade and limeade in a large pitcher. Add Bourbon and Sugar and stir together. Add tea to fill pitcher. Serve over ice. Stand back and accept your compliments.

In the words of Boyd, who was the first man down at the Derby Party 2013 (due largely in part to said Bourbonade) "That Bourbonade you made ain't playin' around"

And I'm Off!!!

You can find this gorgeous print at Horse and Hound

I started cooking last night for our upcoming Derby Party this Saturday. Like Thanksgiving or Christmas or any other major holiday, Derby Day is kind of a big deal around here. Culinarily speaking, that is. Today I am planning on frying a whole big bunch of stuff and freezing it so that on Saturday I can pop it in the oven to warm it u without my whole house smelling like a deep fryer. Tomorrow is likely to be pie day. And Friday will be spent on cupcakes and potato salad and vegi trays.
Why do this to myself, you may ask. Surely I could plan a pot luck and take some of the stress off of myself. My friends would gladly pitch in and bring whatever was asked of them. My friends are pretty great that way! But there are two other things to consider. #1 - I actually like to cook and entertain. I really really like it. #2 (and here's where my inner OCD control freak kicks in) I don't trust anyone else to do it like I would do it. I truly mean no disrespect to my friends here.
 I realize that I have some control issues. Trust me, I am not unaware. It has been pointed out to me more than once. It's OK, I have come to terms with it. And I really would rather do all the cooking and decorating and have my friends just come and enjoy themselves. It is a party, after all. And in that vein I will need a menu.

 

Derby Day Menu

Hot Browns

Ham Biscuits with a Moonshine Mustard Glaze

Burgoo

Crab Cakes

Shrimp Devilled Eggs

Spinach Tarts

Fried Mac and Beer Cheese

Dill Potato Salad

Lexintonian Salad

 

"That" Pie

Ale 8 Cupcakes

Chocolate Mint Julep Cheesecake

So, what'd'ya think? Will it do, Donkey? I certainly hope so. Because, like I said, I've already started cooking it.

Supply Run

It's one week until Derby Day and here on The Hill we are anticipating our not-so-annual Derby Party. (Not-so annual because we only do it when The Captain is not busy Captaining) Today being Saturday and my favorite sister-in-law not having to work, it just seemed to be the perfect day for a supply run. And while I love my little hometown dearly it is not exactly a spot one thinks of when one needs to purchase party supplies. And so. . .


Off to Lexington! It may be my favorite city in the state, if not the whole country. I love to go and hang out and just take in all that is Lexington. The stone fences, Keeneland, Joseph-Beth, Downtown, Rupp Arena - I love it all, and more!
Yeah, today wasn't about any of that.
Just a few of the things on my list?

• small outdoor side table for back deck - found it at Tar-jay.
• paper plates and napkins to match my previously purchased officially licensed derby dinner-ware - BOGO at The Party Store.
• beer, wine, and other Potent Potables - managed quite well at The Liquor Barn
• a few ingredients for my Derby Day menu - thank you very much, Trader Joes.
• dishwasher tabs, chocolate chips, pecans, and a case of Ale-8 - Sam's Club on a Saturday is No Bueno!
• and finally, I was disappointed to discover that my favorite KY chocolatier did not create the famous Chocolate Churchill Spires. WTH, I was really counting on those to be the centerpiece of my dessert table. Big, Huge Disappointment! - I'm looking at you Ruth Hunt. (Oh, well. I did at least get my bourbon balls. And a few extras besides.)

And we were able to acquire just about everything on our list, plus have a nice lunch, in less than 4 hours. I don't know if I've mentioned it before but I really love Lexington and would gladly while away a whole weekend there doing absolutely nothing. So the fact that I am back home and in my fuzzy socks right now is kind of a big deal. I want points for that.

Just to Review

It's less than two weeks until Derby Day and I'm sure you have firmed up your plans. You know where you're going whether it's Churchill Downs, to a party at a friends, or hosting your own. And if you are hosting your own bash, I am sure that you have planned your menu. You would never leave it till the last minute right? Right?
Well, if not here is a place to get started. Here is a list of the greatest hits of Derby's past and the links to get you there. Enjoy.

Fried Green Tomato Hot Browns

Woodford Reserve Mint Julep

That Pie!

Derby Party 101

Mint Julep Ice Cream

You're welcome!

Lemon Poppy Seed Scones

Try these super-easy Lemon Poppy Seed Scones to impress your mom on Mother's Day or for a Graduation brunch or for Derby Day breakfast or just because you're into Lemon Poppy Seed. Or Scones.

Lemon Poppy Seed Scones
2 Cups all purpose flour
1/4 Cup Sugar
Zest of two Lemons
2 Tbs. Poppy Seeds
1 Tbs. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Salt
1 stick unsalted butter, frozen and shredded (trust me!)
1 small container Lemon Yogurt (I used Yoplait)
Juice of one Lemon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Mix together all dry ingredients, including zest. Set aside. In small bowl mix together yogurt and lemon juice. Add frozen, shredded butter to dry ingredients. Mix lightly. Add yogurt mixture, mix to combine.
Turn out onto lightly floured and knead just until soft dough forms. Form into a 6-8" round. Cut with a pizza wheel into 6 equal wedges. Place on lightly greased baking sheet 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool before glazing.

Glaze
Juice from one Lemon
1/2 - 2/3 cup Powdered Sugar
Add sugar to Lemon Juice until light glaze forms. It should be about the consistency of maple syrup. Drizzle lightly over scones. Allow to set for about 15 minutes for glaze to set.

Confessions of a Butter Hoarder

Ahhh, butter. . .

Look in my refrigerator at any given time and you are likely to find 3 or 4 pounds of butter in the bottom drawer. Getting down to 2 pounds of butter makes me nervous. I even have a favorite butter.
After extensive research I have deemed Kroger unsalted butter to be the best for cooking and baking. And I prefer good Irish (or Amish, in a pinch) butter for fresh applications like my morning toast - a ritual I hold dear.

Seriously, the best. Though I prefer organic if they have it!

Ironically, in all our trips north to Wisconsin - The Dairy State, I haven't found a really goo fresh butter. Cheese, yes. Pounds and pounds of cheese in all its forms and varieties. But no truly exceptional butter. Yet. I'm always on the lookout.
I do not care at all for margarine. I can, very easily, believe it's not butter. It belongs with other post-war kitchen miracles that were supposed to make our lives easier. Like Formica and canned fruit cocktail. And TV dinners. I'm sure margarine seemed like a healthier alternative during an era when we wore pearls while we vacuumed and smoked to keep our weight down. Just sayin'.
So over this past Holiday Season (the time from Thanksgiving through New Years), in the fine tradition of those other Butter Queens, Paula Deen and The Pioneer Woman, I decided to track just exactly how much butter I used. The result? 11 1/2 pounds.
That's a lot of cakes, pies, and ice cream. And yes, I use butter in my ice cream. I also tend to use copious amounts in my mashed potatoes. And then, of course, The Captain loves his corn pudding. And he needs biscuits to go with all the ham. To be honest I'm kind of surprised that I didn't blow through more butter than 11 1/2 pounds.
I'm currently in preparations for my next serious culinary endeavor. (Hint, hint - It's Derby!) As I was trying to finalize the menu it occurred to me to wonder just how much butter would go into our celebrations of "The Fastest Two and a Half Minutes in Sports."
Any guesses? The person coming closest (in pounds) without going over will win a small prize.