Kentucky Derby Watch Party

The 152nd  run for the roses is today! I don't follow horse racing, but I do try to catch the Kentucky Derby every year.

And this year, I'm hosting a Derby Open House for my barn buddies. (Yes, I know the date is incorrect.)

Tim and Loni, Belle and her family, fellow hobbyist AND barn buddy Kelsey, Lisa, and Craig will all be in attendance.  

We will be having toilet paper races, 

Lukie winning against Aunt Emily, Boompa, and Mila.

electronic horse racing,

making origami horses,

and more.

Yesterday I did some party prep. I love these banners!

I have a Kentucky Derby glass for each of my kids' birth years on display. 

Of course, I bought a bouquet of red roses. I'd planned to put the activities out on this table; now I am not so sure. I like it how it is!

Those huge rosettes were in my tub of live show supplies, a donation from someone a long time ago.

As I was ironing them, I got to wondering what the ADGR was. Their world championship show had been held in Battle Creek, Michigan,

and when an online search turned up nothing, I turned to my dear friend and Michigander, Nancy Kelly.

I sent her pics of the rosettes, including the information on the back, and she's doing some checking. (Thanks, Nancy!)

Off to go bake some Kentucky Derby Pies now. I'm using the original recipe with walnuts, not pecans. And I'm leaving out the bourbon as none of us drink. The recipe is below.

Stay 'tooned for a Derby party report tomorrow!

Kentucky Derby Pie 

1 pie crust

1/2 c. butter, melted

1/2 c sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla

1/2 c. flour

1 c. semi sweet chocolate chips

1/2 c. walnuts

Preheat oven to 350. Whisk together melted butter and sugars. Add eggs, vanilla, and flour. Whisk until combined. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts. Pour into prepared pie crust and bake at 350 for about 45 minutes until the edges are set. (The center may still be a little jiggly.) Let pie cool and the center to set before serving.

49 Roses for 49 Years

First Post of the Day

Our 49th anniversary is in the books! We had a lovely day complete with messages and calls from our kids and even some in-person visits.

Lisa showed up during her lunch hour with an armful of roses.

Four bouquets of 12 and then one last lone rose to bring the total to 49!

What a gift! I've never received so many roses at once!

The lone rose was yellow, her favorite color. (Check out her sweater for proof.)

It was a bit of a scramble to find enough vases for them all, but in the end, they all were put into water.

What a lovely thing to do! Thank you, Lis! xo

Craig and I went to our "anniversary restaurant," Mountain Jacks, for dinner.  We have been going there to celebrate our anniversaries for years.

The food is excellent and the service is top notch.

And, every now and then I run into a former student! A lot of Purdue students work at Mountain Jacks while in school and I never know who I will run into.

Angelina was in my class for 4th and 5th grade, and has stayed in touch over the years. In fact, we were just texting last week and have plans to meet for lunch in December! Getting to see her was just awesome.

It was a lovely day but honestly, we are still trying to wrap our minds around having been married for that long.

The roses are a very visible reminder of how much time has passed. Boy howdy, it's hard for either of us to believe.