For Saturday, May 5th, 2012

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

MAY 5TH,  2012

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

It's SATURDAY!  

KENTUCKY DERBY DAY!

The Kentucky Derby is run today at Churchill Downs in Louisville.  The race is known as The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports or The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports for its approximate duration, and is also called The Run for the Roses for the blanket of roses draped over the winner. 

Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr., grandson of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition was the founder of Churchill Downs which was named for Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr.'s relatives, John and Henry Churchill, who had provided the land for the racetrack.

In addition to the race itself, a number of traditions play a large role in the Derby atmosphere. The Mint Julep is the traditional beverage of the race. The historic drink can be served in an ice-frosted silver julep cup but most Churchill Downs patrons sip theirs from souvenir glasses (first offered in 1939 and available in revised form each year since) printed with all previous Derby winners. Also, burgoo, a thick stew of beef, chicken, pork and vegetables, is a popular Kentucky dish served at the Derby.

The infield, a spectator area inside the track, offers general admission prices but little chance of seeing much of the race. Instead, revelers show up in the infield to party with abandon. By contrast, Millionaire's Row refers to the expensive box seats that attract the rich, the famous and the well-connected. Women appear in fine outfits lavishly accessorized with large, elaborate hats. 

Grab your hat and enjoy Kentucky Derby Day!

There are one hundred and ninety nine ways to beat, but only one way to win; get there first

Willie Shoemaker

NEWS FROM HOME

I'm always fascinated by the hats worn on Kentucky Derby day.  I really don't go in for many sports at all including horse racing.  As part of the United States Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby is one of the more popular hat fashion days of the year.  

Decades ago it was considered near necessity for men and women to have a hat on at all times during special occassions, and outdoor events.  Compared to today, to find a lady without a hat on would have been considered a scandal.  Many of the hats selected for the Kentucky Derby often double as sun safe styles.  Tightly woven hats or wide brims made from solid cotton or linen shield your face, neck and shoulders from the damaging effects of the sun's UV rays.

Wearing a hat to the Kentucky Derby is believed to bear good luck!  The long-established fashion was started by the women, however, over the last few years, many men have taken part in the tradition as well. From the fantastic to the sublime, there are no rules or limits.

Today is also known as Supermoon Saturday: It's also called the full Flower Moon, and the Milk Moon.  The supermoon will be only 221,802 miles from Earth, the closest to our planet this year

Have a super Saturday everyone!

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

KENTUCKY BURGOO

This Kentucky stew is traditional anytime but especially at Derby parties.  There are as many recipes for Burgoo as there are cooks in Kentucky so feel free to improvise.  I made a variation of this yesterday and it was very good.  I'll be enjoying it again today for sure.

3 lb.. chicken ready to cook

2 lbs. beef tips

12 c. water

1 tablespoon salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

6 slices bacon

2 large cans tomatoes

1 cup cubed peeled potatoes

2 cups sliced carrots

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup chopped green pepper

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper

4 whole cloves

1 bay leaf

4 ears of corn

2 cans butter beans

1 cup sliced okra

2/3 cup flour

In a 10-quart Dutch oven or stock pot combine chicken, beef, water, salt and pepper.  Cover and cook till meat is tender, about 1 hour.  Remove chicken from broth leaving the beef tips in.  Remover chicken from bones and cube.  Set a side.  Cook bacon till crisp, drain reserving drippings.  Crumble bacon. Set aside.  To reserved broth and beef in dutch oven add undrained tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, onion celery, green pepper, sugar, red pepper, cloves, garlic and bay leaf.  Cover and simmer 1 hours.  Stir often.  Remove the cloves and bay leaf.  With knife make cuts down center of each row of corn kernels and scrape off cobs.  Add corn , cubed chicken, undrained beans and okra to Dutch oven. simmer 20 minutes .  Blend flour and reserved bacon drippings: stir into stew.  Cook until stew thickens.  Salt to taste.

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

It is not best that we should all think  alike; 

it is a difference of opinion that makes horse races.

Mark Twain

COUNTING THE DAYS

The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running. 

Author unknown

46 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER

Celebrate the happiness
that friends are always giving,
make every day a holiday,
and celebrate just living!

Amanda Bradley

A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma