Cheers!

I can't believe that I almost forgot to show you these pictures of the wine that Jacqueline brought with her from Iowa last weekend.

Are these labels not just the most adorable wine labels that you have ever seen?

This one with the handcuffs really had me laughing and honestly the wine was delicious too.

She brought them all boxed up pretty from a wine tour that she supposedly went on while waiting to attend a soccer game. Wine...Soccer... Let's just think about that for a minute.

She also brought some Iowa beer/ale. So you can see that we had a mighty fine weekend and that doesn't even include the Breeder's Cup "before party", the actual Breeder's Cup, or the Breeder's Cup "come down party".

I might have to lay off the booze for a while. I'm just saying....

Sally

Airing Out The House

I always hate to see our company leave, especially after such a magically weekend as the one we had at the Breeder's Cup. Uncle Elliot and Jacqueline departed Monday morning so I guess the party is really over. Time to get back to the "normal". I have to tell you that getting back to "normal" is kind of difficult when the weather is absolutely perfect. We are expecting highs in the upper 70's today so I decided to strip the beds and open all the windows. This might be our last opportunity to let in some fresh air before the cold sets in for good. I don't usually enjoy washing bedding. It's just one of those jobs that goes along with taking care of the house. Not as bad as cleaning bathrooms, but a "chore" just the same. I guess having the windows open makes all the difference. The dog is sure enjoying it. She has checked out the smells and sights from every open window.

Hope the sun is shining in your neck of the woods and that your windows are open too.

Sally

Breeder's Cup Weekend~Part 2

We couldn't have asked for a better Breeder's Cup weekend weather wise. The sun was shining. the sky was blue and it was pretty darn warm for the first weekend in November. We arrived at Churchill Downs before the crowds and had an opportunity to find our perfect seats in section 115 and do a little exploring.

These are pictures of the paddock area where the horses are brought to show off and saddle up before each race.

People watching is one of my favorite things to do and this was the place to do it. Check out this guys hat. One of many unique outfits.

Here we are soaking up the environment and planning our betting strategies.

Uncle Elliot with Fred Grieves our host. Fred and his wife Mary Helen are originally from Louisville, but live out in California now. If it were not for them this weekend would not have been possible.






During the singing of the National Anthem, some very talented Army parachuters dropped in and landed directly on a target in the middle of the track. It was breath taking and perfectly timed with the music.

First drinks of the day, you can also see how the crowd has filled in.


Probably the biggest highlight of the day for me was getting the chance to be escorted into the paddock area while the horses for the 7th race were being readied. Hanging out with people in the know really does have it's advantages. The man that took Jacqueline and I on our tour has attended every Kentucky Derby since 1967. He told us that His wife has only missed two of those years because she had babies. He didn't think that that was a good enough excuse.

It was pretty incredible to be standing there as the horses paraded around us. Seriously we were close enough to reach out and touch them. Don't worry, we kept our hands to ourselves.

By the 10th or 11th race the moon was beginning to shine and the lights were turned on.
The 11th race was the BIG ONE worth $5,000,000. We placed bets on three of the horses running, Uncle Mo, Game On Dude and Havre De Grace. It was close, but none of our picks won. Alan did pick a winner in an earlier race and made $78 dollars which bought us all breakfast the next morning.

It really isn't about the money, while winning is nice. It's totally about the experience and just being there in the thick of things.

The Breeder's Cup will be out in California next year, so I guess our fun times are over for a while. There is the Derby to look forward to in May. I'm going to start saving my pennies and dust off my hat.

Sally

Breeder's Cup Weekend~Part 1

The Breeder's Cup was held here in Louisville for the second year in a row. You may remember me mentioning it last November. It is a HUGE deal. Not as HUGE as The Kentucky Derby, but HUGE in an international way. Tons of money is involved which makes the stakes much higher.

Last year my uncle was invited to perform at a "night before the Breeder's Cup party" and my Dad also came into town for the festivities. Uncle Elliot received the same invitation this year, but due to some serious back pain, my poor Dad couldn't make it again. Since there would be an extra ticket, my very generous uncle said "invite a friend". So I did.

My friend Jacqueline was able to rearrange her weekend schedule on very short notice, pack and drive 8 hours Friday to make it here just in time for the party.

Uncle Elliot was accompanied this year by two other very talented musicians. John Gage is a local guitar playing singer and Jerry G is a harmonica playing singer from the Bay area in California. The three of them sounded amazing together.

Even though it was a late night, it was so much fun and the perfect way to kick off the weekend.

Tune in tomorrow to find out how we did at the races...

Sally

Afternoon Tea

I hope that you are not sick and tired of hearing about Trader Joe's. I just want to share my latest purchases with you because I was pleasantly surprised at how good they both are.

I not usually one to buy scones at the grocery store, but I happened to over hear two ladies talking about how great the TJ's Cinnamon Chip ones were so I decided to give them a try. I have to say that I'm impressed and will probably be back for more.






The tea purchase was just a whim, but a good whim at that. I'm drinking it right now all on it's own. No added honey or sugar. It has a nice lemony flavor and yet it's warm and comforting too.

Tea and Scones with new holiday magazines is one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon. I wish that you were here to join me.

Sally

Oh No!

So, yesterday I was out and about doing my regular Tuesday stuff when I decided to pop into Starbucks for a little pick-me-up. I was all set to order a Pumpkin Spice Latte, when what do you know?

The day after Halloween, November first just happens to be the launch day for all of the holiday flavors.

Now what do I do? I had to make a choice. Enjoy the Pumpkin Spice because they will probably run out of it soon, or go for the Gingerbread which is really my all time favorite.

What do you think I did?

Don't worry I won't keep you in suspense.

I went with the Gingerbread and it was DELICIOUS!


Sally

Please Leave a Comment

I just finished reading another Blog in which the Blogger explained all of the different comment set-ups available for Blog use. When I first set up my Blog, I had no idea what I was doing. I actually used the popular Blogging For Dummy's book to help me get started. I think I must have just gone with all of the default modes and have just never bothered to change them. Since I don't leave comments on my own Blog I had no idea what a stupid process it was. My gosh could they make it any harder? What the heck do you need that crazy word verification for? Anyway, I've change my settings and I'm hoping that I've made it easier for you to leave a comment if you want to. I'm hoping that a couple of you will be willing to give it a try and let me know what you think. Is it easier or just as much of a pain? Thanks for your help.

I probably should have called this post "How many times can I say Blog in one paragraph...."

Sally