Top:  Red sweater (thrift) with black/white scarf (hand-made gift from Kyrgyzstan)

Bottom:  Levi Jeans & St. John’s Bay Caley Tall Boots

Accessories:  Simple silver jewelry

Nail Color:  NYC (Long Wearing) Big Apple Red #131

Lip Color:  NYC Sheer Red #309

More On the Scarf:  We had friends that are humanitarians among the deaf in Kyrgyzstan – an amazing ministry!  My understanding is that those who are deaf, in that country, are pretty much left to their own devices.  Alex and Tina Savelyev would raise their own money to fund their trip over and try to educate and help find ways for this community to support themselves.  I think of the hands that made this scarf everytime I wear it and the person who gave it me.

What I Ate Today:

• Breakfast:  water, coffee, 2 waffles with peanut butter
• Snack:  A wonderfully crisp red apple
• Lunch:  water, turkey melt (see above) & salad
• Birthday Dinner for Sarah:  Fettucine Alfredo (homemade sauce), salad, cheesecake (homemade), Doritos, cookies – her choice and red wine, coffee (with the cheesecake) & water before bed

What I Did Today:

Art Class!!!  Today we learned about the Mola art form.  Here is what I worked on…

This was not easy to do and required some thought before cutting into the paper.  We used construction paper instead of material.  Be sure to check out the link on Mola here.

The rest of the day was about Sarah.  Around here, the birthday boy/girl gets to choose the menu for the entire day.  Birthdays start the moment you wake up with a small gift waiting on your nightstand and end with gifts from the family at dinner.  We try to keep birthdays simple and not over do.  It is more about celebrating another year together.

Sarah turned 17 – hard to believe!

What I Wore Today:

I did not take a picture – repeat outfit.  The blouse is a great thrift store find.  It can be dressed up or kept casual and does not require ironing!

If you do not like ironing (which I do not), then don’t purchase clothing that requires a lot of maintenance.  You know that linen skirt you love but never wear because of the ironing involved and sits in your closet because you know that once you wear it (or even look at it), it will start to wrinkle.  Yeah, that one.  I am definitely into keeping things simple for myself.

What I Ate Today:

• Breakfast:  water, coffee, 2 slices of waffles (homemade) with peanut butter and a banana.  (Peanut butter has great staying power!)
• Lunch:  Potato soup (made the night before), salad, yogurt
• Snack:  Shared some Twizzlers with David while running (walking) our errands around town and mineral water – great combo right?  It’s all about choices.  I could have had a soda to go along with my sugary (HFCS) goodie but…
• Dinner:  Turkey melt (turkey I had made a few weeks ago), glass of wine, salad and water before bed

What I Did Today:

Today did require some plan rearranging for most of the day.  We had a Plan A which went into Plan B, C, D, E & F!  When you are not using a car – you can’t just run to the store and back in a few minutes.  You have to figure in the amount of time it will take to get there, shop and back again.  Factoring in that you will (always) run into someone you know and stop to chat a bit.  Also, you don’t want to purchase more than you can carry.  If you are looking for a good workout, try carrying full grocery bags.  I highly recommend it!

Last night, Blaine made yogurt which was ready by the time I shuffled myself on down the stairs.  We have made yogurt in different ways but find using these small jars a better fit for us.  You bring the milk up to a certain temperature, add your culture (yogurt from a previous batch) after it has cooled, pour in the jars and let it sit on the warmer overnight.

Someone mentioned to me that they never would have time to make their own yogurt.  Sure you can!  It does not take as much time as one might think.  If you’re just not into the whole making-it-yourself thing then do the next-best-thing and find a good quality (healthy) brand of yogurt to purchase.  Voilà

Check out what others are wearing and doing on the left under Beautiful People.

After leaving the Governor’s Mansion (going out the proper door this time), we walked over to Capital which is absolutely beautiful…

The sculptured pediment represents Kentucky – the central female figure with Progress, History, Plenty, Law, Art and Labor as her attendants.

State Representative Terry Mills who joined us for lunch earlier and then brought us up to his office.  Terry is not your typical politician.  He is truly an all around nice guy wanting to do the right thing.  I will be sad not have him in our district next year.

This is one of four hand-painted murals that depict agriculture, industry, civilization and culture – past, present and future.  The murals were installed as part of the Capital Centennial Celebration in 2010.

While you are standing in the rotunda, be sure to look up long enough to watch the lights change colors.

Press conference for Kentucky Voices for Health

The egg and dart is used throughout the entire building on mouldings and, pictured above, carved on doors.  The meaning?  It is supposed to represent the duality of life (the egg) and death (the arrow).

Another architectural element used is the Greek Key or Meander (the flow of life).

Looking from one end to the other.

The Doorkeeper’s Chair!

Redistricting issues going on in the Senate that has made the news.

Can you guess who this guy is?

How about this one below?

I love how the tip of Lincoln’s shoe has been shined from the thousands of hands touching it.

With each visit, I have discovered something new and could take hundreds of pictures which I nearly did.

Our leadership group spent the day in Frankfort for our State Government class.  We started at the Commonwealth of Kentucky Executive Mansion.Normally, visitors enter the building this way…

Not us!  Being the “special” people we are,  we decided to come through the side gate.  You know…the Governor’s entrance.  I can only imagine what the guards watching the security cameras thought as we approached – those crazy people from Casey County! 

As you can imagine, the gate was locked.  Blaine proceeds through the side, on the grass, like he knows exactly where he is going.  I was prepared to walk around the entire property and enter through the front walk – like everyone else is supposed to!  But oh no!

Growing up, I was taught never to walk on someone’s lawn and to always, always, ALWAYS use the walkway provided.  So, here I am, walking on the well manicured lawn of the Governor’s mansion like we own the place.

The guards surprisingly opened the gate.  All of us were laughing at our obvious faux pas and waving at the hidden cameras as we sheepishly entered through the Governor’s gate and hopped over the sign (chain linked) telling visitors to go around the front entrance.  The Governor was getting ready to go somewhere that morning – his car was waiting for him along with security - that entrance that no one is supposed to see the comings and goings of the Governor and First Lady.  Oh my!  What a way to start the day!

I thought for sure the tour guide (waiting inside) was going to smack our hands for coming through the wrong side.  You have to know this woman as I have had the pleasure of her “tour” through the mansion on several occasions.  There are rules that she sternly reminds you of before entering – no gum, no touching, stay on the carpet, etc.  I could see her as the type that if she finds you chewing gum, she will make you spit it out in her hand reiterating the rules you obviously chose to ignore.

I need to back up a bit.  We left Liberty at 8:15 am – coffee’d up – arriving around 9:45 am and by that time (along with our adventure on the Governor’s lawn) we were in dire need of the facilities if you know what I mean.

Our stern guide informed us that ”we” passed the building with the ”public” bathrooms on the way in and should have used them before entering.  This would have been nice to know beforehand.  We didn’t see any signs telling us this.  Course, we totally ignored the sign for the Governor’s entrance only.  Sheesh!  Nobody reads these days!

This went over well with the ladies in our group who where close to dancing as we congregated into the ballroom.  Our guide was not pleased.  However, it was four women against one.  We won but not without hearing her displeasure and constant checking of her watch.  I will say that we all got back on the dot of 10 am which is when our tour was to begin.  The clock in the hallway started to chime and I couldn’t help but smile.  Despite all the fuss and mention – we were right on time.

Knowing Blaine, I knew he was going to give the guide a hard time due to her rather serious exterior - joking with her, asking questions (she doesn’t like to be sidetracked from her script – her words not mine) and finally getting her to break into a smile.  That’s my guy!    You can be in the worst mood ever and he can always get you to laugh.

I can’t fault the tour guide.  Having worked in positions that deal with the public – you do have to set a precedence.  Not only do people not read but they don’t listen.  However, she is representing the home and those who reside within and everyone leaves with the impression she presents.

On with the show…err…I mean…tour!

The Ballroom

The Receiving Room

The artwork & sculptures change from time to time to showcase artisans from Kentucky.  The work, currently on display, features the work of Kentucky artists that created the Governor’s awards for the arts from 1993 through last year.

The Dining Hall – this table seats 22 comfortably.

Fruit Bowl made from the U. S. S. Kentucky

The Hallway…

Another silver bowl from the U. S. S. Kentucky

The crew from Casey County!

Next:  Lunch with State Representative Terry Mills and a tour of the Capital.

Top:  White basic t-shirt, black jacket with white stripes and matching belt (I have had this one for years).

Bottom:  London Jeans (thrift) and black mules.

Accessories:  Silver hoop earrings, silver necklace, and silver heart charm bracelet.

Nail Color:  NYC (Long Wearing) Big Apple Red #131

Lip Color:  NYC Sheer Red #309

What I Ate Today:

• Breakfast:  water, 2 waffles with apricot preserves, coffee, coffee and you guessed it…more coffee! 
• Lunch:  water, 2 bagels with cream cheese, yogurt and applesauce
• Snack:  crackers with cheese (shared with Blaine ♥)
• Dinner:  TBD

What I’m Listening To:

What I Did Today:

Today required catching up, making phone calls and planning which took most of my morning.  Trying to juggle it in between schooling can be interesting and can take a better part of one’s morning.  I recommend that you do not attempt this without lots and lots of coffee! 

What Book Are You Currently Reading?

Picked up a book that I ILL* from our library.  Remember my conversation at the library not too long ago about the book How To Cook A Wolf by M. F. K Fisher?  It came in!  While I was there, I picked up a few others – books & DVDs.  I can’t help myself!  I do have to be careful about what I “pick up” while I’m there.  Walking back with an arm or bag full can be quite the work out.

Off to straighten things up a bit, hopefully open my new book and wait for Mr. Cutie Pie to get back from an errand so we can have dinner together and watch a movie.  You can see what Blaine is reading on his blog.  He does not post a lot but does keep up with the books he is reading.

I leave you with this video Sarah shared with me earlier on The Joy of Books…

*ILL, Inter Library Loan, is where you can request to borrow a book from another library when your library does not have the book on the shelves or catalog.  It is a great resource for smaller libraries.

What I Wore Today:

I forgot to take a picture this morning – dressed appropriately for art class today – we worked with charcoal and knew things might get a bit messy.  The technique we learned today was called chiaroscuro – pictures of what we did below.  I wore a lavender long-sleeved top that I normally wear for yoga with my black padded vest, jeans and my black mossimo mules.  Comfortable and practical for class.

What I Did & Where We Went:

We arrived just before the front came through and with a long crash of lightening.  I think we all jumped about a foot after hearing it.  Always good to be indoors when that happens!

I love the building we have our class in.  Once used as a local school, it has been renovated and used for classes, museum and local events (pie suppers, Easter Egg Hunt, High Tea Festival, Halloween Carnival, Christmas Dinner, etc.)

Our class is located in the basement.  Come on in…

Here is what I worked on last week…

A Winter Scene and my first attempt (ever) working with acrylic paint using only 3 colors.

Today we used simple objects (ball, block & sphere) lighting & charcoal…

The kids and I had so much fun!  I can’t wait for next week’s class!

Top:  White AE Tank & White AERO long-sleeved shirt with gray wrap sweater (I can’t remember where I picked up the sweater but love this piece for the fall/winter/spring)

Bottom:  London Jeans (thrift) and Mossimo Black Mules

Accessories:  My standby silver pieces

We have had the weirdest weather.  Not sure how I needed to dress – warm or cold weather.  It’s all about the layers.

What I Ate Today:

• Breakfast:  water, coffee, banana, 2 slices of sourdough bread with butter and apricot preserves
• Lunch:  water, egg salad sandwiches on sourdough bread, chips and 1 navel orange
• Snack:  coffee and 1 square piece of dark chocolate – Mmmm!
• Dinner:  thinking navy bean soup, bread and a salad (waiting for Blaine to come home from a late meeting and will decide then)

What I Did Today:

Froze a batch of navy bean soup (made a few days ago) and saved some for us to re-heat for dinner or lunch this week.

After lunch I walked on over to Blaine’s office and we both headed across the street to our local radio station, RadioLibertyKY.com, where Chad Warrix was a guest…(not without stopping for coffee at Sweet Beans!)

Chad was cute as can be and hope you can catch him and his crew playing sometime soon.  He has great energy and talent as you can see in the video below…

You can listen to our station online here.

This week is another crazy one – art class, dinner with friends, Frankfort, trip to an arts center…I need another weekend!

Miss Sydney has the right idea and is pretty much what we all did this weekend.

I try to get everything accomplished on Fridays so that the weekend is open and free to do whatever.  No schedules unless we want to.

Saturday we all slept in late which was a delicious feeling!  Staying in a warm bed, snuggling under the weight of several blankets on a cold winter morning and rolling over to sleep just a bit longer.  So tempting.

Later in the afternoon, Blaine and I walked over to the library where they play free movies on Saturdays and watched Moneyball.  While we were watching the movie, it had snowed.  The walk back, arm in arm to stay warm, was so quiet and peaceful.  When we got home, we made grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, yogurt and applesauce for dessert with a glass of wine – keeping it simple.  The kids had already eaten so it was just the two of us.

Sunday I decided to attend Mass - something I have not done in  some time.  I grew up Lutheran and converted to Catholicism when I was married before.  I did not convert back – I didn’t really see the need to.  If there was a Lutheran church close by, I would attend but the closest one is 27 miles away.

My mother grew up in a Catholic & Baptist home.  She would get up with her dad and attend 4 am mass and then go with her mom, at 11 am, and attend the Baptist church.  My dad grew up Methodist.  How we became Lutheran is beyond me but understanding the service (Missouri Synod) - it is a nice blend of all of them and where I think my parents compromised.

I miss those services especially during Christmas and Easter.  I miss the confession of faith & asking for forgiveness before taking communion – every Sunday.  There is beauty in the ceremony.  There is a strength & power that comes from the congregation saying the Nicene Creed together as one.  There is a certain reverence, respect and retrospection before you enter the church.  It is what I grew up with.  It is what I know.  I can’t describe it any other way other than I felt at home.

After lunch we all did our own thing.  David was on the computer, Sarah and Blaine took a nap and I did my usual and watched movies…

I had started to read this book a few years ago and was never able to finish it.  After watching the movie, I will be checking this book out again.  The book goes into more detail of Li’s life in China during the 70s & 80s.  Be sure to have hankies on hand for this one.

My pink v-neck sweater, dark chocolate brown (padded)vest/jacket and white & brown scarf all came from a thrift store.  I paid $3.50 for the jacket.

As for the rest…jeans, boots (see below) and my basic go to pieces of jewelry – diamond studs, silver charm bracelet, watch, etc.

Many times, thrift and consignment stores will hold a half price sale on certain ticket items.  The day I got the vest (during the summer), I also picked up a winter coat for me, one for Sarah and spent a total of $10.50.  Not bad!

What I Ate Today:

• Breakfast:  water, coffee, waffles with peanut butter
• Lunch:  water, salad & coffee (I was not super hungry this afternoon)
• Snack:  2 twizzler sticks (walking back from town w/Sarah) and a cup of hot green tea (when we got back)
• Dinner:  water, ham, mac’n'cheese, salad, applesauce & a brownie, glass of wine and water before bed

These boots were made for walkin’!  And that is just what we did.  The weather dramatically changed from when we started our walk to the store (15 minute walk) to when we returned home, after shopping.  It was warm enough when we left that Sarah debated about wearing her coat.  I am so glad she did.  The temperatures dropped and started snowing on our way back.

We had 2 offers for car rides.  The first was from someone I know and work with on several projects.  B— pulled over and asked if we wanted a ride.  She told us that she wasn’t sure if we needed a ride or if we were just walking for fun.  For fun of course! 

In The Kitchen Today:

I baked a ham I picked up on sale a few weeks ago and had stored away in the freezer – much cheaper to make it this way than buying the individual packages.  The dogs followed me into the kitchen everytime I headed back to baste the ham.  Miss Syndey did not show herself until she knew it was ready a couple of hours later - smart cat!

Blaine made the yogurt and bread…

To go with the ham, I made homemade mac’n'cheese and Sarah whipped up some brownies for dessert.  Lots going on in my little tiny kitchen!

Be sure to check out the links on the left of others who share what they wore – Beautiful People.

Top:  Black basic tank, Croft & Barrow striped sweater (I fell in love with the chocolate brown color & fuchsia stripes.  Maybe I was craving dark chocolate with raspberries at the time?) – thrift

Bottom:  Mossimo Jeans (Target)

Accessories:  Fuchsia scarf (a basic item & color in my wardrobe) & simple silver jewelry.

What I Ate Today:

• Breakfast:  water, coffee, 2 waffles with peanut butter and a banana
• Lunch:  water, Italian bread sticks w/sauce and a chicken & cheddar sub and coffee
• Snack:  None – too busy running errands around town
• Dinner:  Thinking leftovers and some homemade applesauce for dessert.

What I Did Today:

Ran several errands or is that walked several errands?  After lunch, Miss Sarah and I headed over to the library.  I ordered some books that were recommended to me:  How to Cook a Wolf by M. F. K. Fisher and An Everlasting Meal:  Cooking With Economy & Grace by Tamar Adler.

I love the conversations that started over the title of M. F. K. Fisher’s book.  It went something like this…

Librarian A:  You’re cooking a wolf? (upon hearing the title)

Me:  No-ooo!  (Giggling – Went into some detail of the book and how it was not about literally cooking a wolf but experimenting with cooking during shortages and learning how to make do.)

Librarian B: (helping a patron and hearing bits and pieces of the conversation about cooking a wolf) You are cooking a wolf?  You have a wolf?

Me:  Oh sure!  (repeating what the book was about).

Librarian A:  Do you have a wolf in your freezer?!

Librarian C: (walking in from the back office) Catherine?  I ordered your books for you.

Me:  Thank you!

Librarian C:  (talking to the other librarians) Catherine orders the most interesting books.  She is into everything!  I think she is going to teach us how to cook a wolf. 

Me:  (thinking…not so sure about interesting but definitely all over the place with my interests)

Librarian D:  (coming out of the back office right into the middle of the conversation) Who is cooking a wolf?!  Wait!  What are we talking about?

This led to a wonderfully rich conversation with a patron who lives here during the winter in an Amish house with no electricity or running water - purposely.  Trust me, you would never know they were living this way.  We discussed the current affairs (Europe and more specifically Greece) and how unprepared we are as a country should we crash.  The conversation led into chickens and gardens and growing up during The Depression and WWII and food rationing.  Loved it!

Off to watch this documentary…

Dive! Trailer from Compeller Pictures on Vimeo.