And They're OFF!!! Run for the Roses Derby Day Celebration

We really had a great Kentucky Derby celebration. I sure would like to hear from you about how your Derby Day went.

I made a video from all the pictures taken of our Kentucky Derby Celebration for everyone to view.  Enjoy it and let me hear from you.

Oh, and do not forget that this weekend is Mother's Day. It's not too late to get her something that tells her how special she is to you and the whole family.

U2 Can Mod Podge

No matter the real weather, it is always a beautiful day at my house where I regularly daycare children. 

One of the little boy's 8 year old sister was out of school. So, her mother asked if she could spend the day with me; and of course that was just fine. Every time his sister comes over she likes to have something fun to do.

This particular day I decided to let her paint a Mod Podge hanging. if she can do it, U2 Can do it.  Don't be miss-led by the name, Mod Podge, almost all of us have heard about decoupaging before.  That is what Mod Podge really is; the maker just decided to kid-i-fy it, that is they gave it a new and easy name that kids find easy and fun to remember.

It is a lot of fun, and kids seriously engage themselves in it without much supervision. While you may have the urge to coach them and stand over their shoulder, there is not much they can do wrong.  So, just let them take the project and run with the few basic instructions you give them.  They will ask you when they think they need help.

Mod Podge is a mechanism for remembering though. So, you want whatever is "podged" to be something you or they want to remember. What could be better than giving her a scripture to paint? So with that in mind we got all set up to begin the project, she had waited patiently all morning and was so excited.  

 




First I  find a wooden or any kind of plaque, which is what will be "podged" on. We are going to use a wooden plaque that we can display somewhere prominently.  By the way, kids really like it when you display their handiwork for God, the world and everyone to see.



 



Then I put down the newspaper. I always then lay 2 pieces of computer paper on top, as when the newspaper gets wet it has a tendency to stick to the back of the wooden plaque.




 




 




Next I gave her the Mod Podge and a paint brush. You don't need a large brush, just one about 1 to 1 1/2 in. wide.  You put your plaque on top of the paper.






Now it's time for the fun to begin. Carefully Abby painted the entire plaque with the Mod Podge, all around the sides and the top, really well. If the wood is a little splintery it may need a little sanding first. 

 



While the Mod Podge is still wet, carefully place your verse or picture evenly on the top. Try to smooth out any bubbles.

 





 
Then take the brush and dip it in the Mod Podge. Do not get too much on the brush at a time. Then spreading in the same direction, make even strokes back and forth until you have covered your picture. If bubbles appear, put a little Mod Podge on your index finger and try to gently rub them out. (Do not be alarmed if some of the bubbles remain.) When the picture completely dried on our project, they disappeared. 


Put a little hanger on the back of the wooden plaque or use a stand, whatever you prefer, and there you have a finished project.

Abby has a beautiful scripture of Philippians 4:8 on her plaque:

Finally Brethren,

• whatever is true, 
• whatever is honorable, 
• whatever is right, 
• whatever is pure, 
• whatever is lovely, 
• whatever is of good repute,
• if there is any excellence 
• and anything worthy of praise, 
• dwell on these things. 

This is a life building and saving verse that I always want to remember.  And I want to pass it on because it has always been so helpful to me.  I mean, how many times have you ever wondered if something was good or bad?  This verse is a God-given way to think about everything and anything.  Whatever thought that comes in to my mind, I test it according to Philippians 4:8 to determine if it is a Godly thought.  if it doesn't pass the Philippians 4:8 test, I just consider the source and put it out of my mind.
 
What a wonderful scripture for a young child or a person of any age to learn. That verse should be our filter for life.

Always think the very best of others. Always do what is right just because it's the right thing to do. This verse sums it all up so well. Ideas for Mod Podge could be to use a picture of your child to give as a gift on Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas, etc. Everyone always likes to receive a picture. You could use a beautiful poem, or a song. It's really what ever you think would be special.

I have taken the opportunity to provide you with a sample of old parchment paper I made by superimposing a picture of a leaf pattern on top of a MS Word document and then converting it to a PDF file so I could give it to you.  You can Google for any kind of background or picture to use.  Also, you may find some useful backgrounds and textures in MSWord under "Format." Then pick out a message and the type style you want for your font from your font format menu in MSWord.

To download the samples I have provided, free of charge, simply click on the links to follow. Oh, I would be ever so grateful if you could leave your email as a follower of my blog.  The little box is located at the top of the blog.  That way, you will always be notified when I have posted something new and I will know who my blog friends are.  Also, please leave a comment at the bottom of this post, as I want to know what you think of the post and get any ideas from you about how to make it better or what to include.  Here are the links:

• floral-parchmant-full-page.pdf 
• my_peace_floral_parchmant.pdf 
• The Fruit of the Spirit-galatians-5-22-23.pdf 
• Wisdom from Above-james-3-17-18.pdf
• God's Plans for Me-jerimiah-29-11-14.pdf 
• How to Get Wisdom-proverbs-2-6.pdf 
• Live in a Worthy Manner-1-peter-1-13-16.pdf 
• Produce Fruit Exponentially-2-peter-1-5-8.pdf 
• Brought from Dark Into Light-ephesians-5-8-12.pdf 

Abby and I had time together to talk about how her school was going. We talked about her new Wed. night choir she had just begun.

Also it was fun to hear her tell of summer camp and the times she had actually done this kind of project before. Kids have a lot of stories, and many times they just want a listening ear. It makes them feel important. And letting her do the project almost 100% on her own did just that. She was very proud and I just kept saying, "Abby you are doing a Great job." Every child needs to hear that.

If more children were told that, I believe we would live in a different kind of world. Enjoy and please share other things you have tried with Mod Podge. We would LOVE to hear your ideas for a wonderful project!

Derby Day-Run for the Roses

Many people think of the Kentucky Derby when they think of the State of Kentucky, notwithstanding the great basketball played there. The fact is not many people know that Kentucky was the birthplace of Jim Bowie, Abraham Lincoln, Cassius Marcellus Clay (Mohammad Ali), George Clooney, Jefferson Davis, and even Judge Roy Bean (for you Texans who may think Kentucky is just for hillbillies).

The Kentucky Derby, however, celebrates all there is about being from Kentucky. My family and I celebrate it gastronomically and elegantly at the same time. And I want to share some of the cooking and pageantry we are doing this year with you. Get ready for some great cooking recipes and some lively hat making projects!

This Saturday, May 3, 2014, ushers in what is called the "Run for the Roses" that Dan Fogelberg sings about with such feeling. (For those who cannot see the YouTube video below, click this link of Run for the Roses)

I love this rendition by Dan Fogelberg, as it describes the long hours and days put into three minutes of racing. He composed "Run For the Roses" for the 1980 Kentucky Derby. It has since been used as an unofficial theme for the event. The song alludes to "the chance of a lifetime, in a lifetime of chance" at once describing the experience of horse racing, and life itself.

People describe the excitement of horse racing in similar terms for baseball, flying, and war. What are they like? "Long hours of pure boredom followed by extremely short periods of pure terror!"

Indeed, the Kentucky Derby has been described as the most exciting 3 minutes or so in the history of sports. A friend of mine was blessed with experiencing what it was like for him to be in the winner's circle back in 1998, not at Churchill Downs, but rather in Lima, Peru of all places. He explained that his cousin and her husband owned and ran a horse that won the race they took him to. I bet he felt so special special as he joined in the ceremonial placing of a blanket of roses on the horse.  He described it as breathtakingly exciting!

The excitement in our house, as I was growing up, increased every year right after Easter. While none of my children were born in Kentucky, I and my brother and sisters were. My mother still lives there. So, celebrating Derby Day is something we do every year.

My Granny and Pa lived right behind the stables of Churchill Downs. My granny knew how to cook some amazing food. We went to their house pretty early on the first Saturday of May. While she was cooking away in the kitchen, and the adults were visiting, my sister and I would go out in the backyard and play the afternoon away. Granny had tall steps out the back porch.

My sister and I loved to play on them. We would go as high as we could because that would give us the best view of the horse stables. It was so much fun. The whole family would come out on the porch when it was almost time for the race. We would watch the horses being taken out of their stables to meet up with their jockey.

When the last horse was taken out of the stable we would quickly go inside to watch the horses go to the gates and get ready to run. Everyone always picked a horse that we knew would be the winner. Then the trumpet would blow and the signaler would say, “And their off!” You see we couldn't see the tracks from the porch so that's why we watched The Derby inside. It was always so much fun.

When the race was over and the roses were in place around the winner's neck we sat down to granny's amazing dinner. Every year I still pick a horse or two that I'm sure will be the winner. My children do the same.

This year, my sister introduced us to "The Run for the Roses" game she created. We're going to try it out (you know, kind of be her little focus group) and, who knows, maybe in the not too distant future she'll decide to offer it to the public. We'll let you know more about that if and when the time comes.

Tune in to the television on Derby Day and you will see a spectacle of hats!  The ladies, all of the ladies, strut their stuff in their latest creations of hats. They accent their hats with the rest of their clothing, beautiful Spring dresses, some of which may be termed gowns. And many of the men don their own derby hats or top hats.  This year the family is  making our own beautiful derby hats.

Check this out if you want to try making some of your own.  Start out with a few tools and materials.

Add some flowers, and that all important and specially picked out hat.

 And walla, it is Derby time!

Check this beauty out!  And don't forget our four legged friends!

Here are a few hats we have made in Virginia, and in Texas.  Next year, perhaps we will hold a contest ahead of time for all of our readers to join us in our celebration by making their hats and sending us pictures of their entries to pick for some awards if not rewards.

  
While making hats is great fun and tweaks my artistic penchant, the gastronomic part of our celebration is epic.  Here is our menu this year:

• Toasted Pecans
• Ham biscuits
• Fried and Roasted Chicken
• Green Beans & Collard Greens
• Scalloped Potatoes (perhaps potato salad)
• Deviled Eggs
• Veggie Tray
• Derby Pie

I'll give you some of our recipes after you check out these dishes: 

                             Veggie Tray                    Toasted Pecans

                         Potato Salad                              Deviled Eggs

                           Green Beans                                        Fried Chicken

 

                          Ham Biscuits                             Derby Pie

I'll post the recipes for these dishes and other favorite recipes for Derby Day at the end of the post.

We wash this gastronomical extravaganza down with a host of things.  For Derby Day, favorites are alcohol-free mint juleps and alcohol-free bloody mary's.

              Alcohol-Free Mint Julep             Alcohol-Free Bloody Mary

We will get together about 3 hrs before the derby to make, try on and wear the hats, fellowship and play games (remember this year we're playing my sister's newly created "Run for the Roses" game).  We will all pick our winning horse and look at all the beautiful horses and hats on TV.  It just gives us another reason to be together.

We all share in bringing the food; everything from toasted pecans to Derby pie and everything in between. It's a combined effort. We will eat our dinner and climb into the grandstands (living room). We will sing "My Old Kentucky Home" with the crowd gathered at Churchill Downs. We will watch as the horses, with the jockeys on their backs, are taken to the gates. (For those who cannot see YouTube flash videos on their equipment, click the following link Music Only: "My Ole Kentucky Home" or Sing-Along: "My Ole Kentucky Home")

And after the trumpet sounds, we'll be on the edge of our seats as the announcer says, “And Their Off!” Who will be the winner? We'll see Saturday May 03, 2014.

And when the race is over and the trophy is handed to the winner, we'll set back and enjoy a good cup of coffee and a slice of Derby Pie. And we'll reminisce about the fun we had that day, and in days gone by watching, as a family THE KENTUCKY DERBY!

OK.  Here are a few recipes, and next year friends, join us by getting your hats ready early and emailing your pictures, and stay tuned for opportunities to play my sister's game!!!!!

Baby Hot Browns often substituted for Ham Biscuits

• 24 pumpernickel party rye bread slices
• 2 tbs. butter or margarine
• 3 tbs. all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1-1/2 cups (4 oz.) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1-1/2 cups diced cooked turkey
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. ground red pepper
• 5 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 6 bacon slices, cooked, crumbled, and divided
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

-Arrange bread slices on a slightly greased baking sheet.
-Broil 6 inches from heat for 3 to 4 minutes.
-Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat; add flour, and cook, whisking constantly until smooth. 
-Gradually whisk in milk; cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until mixture is thickened and bubbly.
-Add cheddar cheese, whisking until cheese melts.
-Stir in diced turkey, salt, and red pepper.
-Top bread evenly with warm cheese-turkey mixture.
-Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and half the bacon
-Bake in 500 degree oven for 2 minutes, or until parmesan is melted.
-Top with tomato slices and sprinkle evenly with the remaining bacon. 

Derby Pie

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1-1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Pinch of salt
• 1 ready-made pie crust

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Combine flour and sugar in a mixing bowl.
-Add the eggs and butter; mix to combine.
-Stir in the walnuts, chocolate chips, vanilla, and salt.
-Pour the mixture into the unbaked pie shell.
-Bake for 40-45 minutes.
-Let cool before slicing.

Toasted Pecan Halves

• 4 cups pecan halves
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3 tsp. salt

-Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
-Spread pecans on large pan.
-Bake 10 minutes.
-Remove and place in a bowl, add butter and stir until coated. 
-Sprinkle salt on evenly and stir. Place back on pan.
-Lower temperature to 250 degrees and bake 20-30 minutes more.
-Scoot/shuffle pecans around twice more  on pan while baking.
-Test for being done at 15 minutes.
(nuts continue to cook when taken from oven, so don't over cook them)

Non-Alcoholic Mint Julep

• 6 mint leaves, rinsed
• 1-1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups cold water
• 3/4 cup lemon juice
• 4 cups Fresca (or and flavor lemon-lime soda
• 2 cups ginger ale

-Place sugar, water and lemon juice in large bowl.
-Mix until sugar dissolves and add mint leaves.  Let sit for 1 hour.
-Fill large pitcher with ice and pour sugar lemon juice mixture over ice.
-Add Fresca and ginger ale
 -Discard the mint leaves (or leave them in for a stronger mint flavor).
-Serve and enjoy! Refreshing!
 
Non-Alcoholic Bloody Mary (Makes One Serving)

• 6 ounces V8 vegetable juice
• 1/2 ounce lemon juice
• 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
• 1 dash Tabasco sauce 1/4 teaspoon horseradish

-Pour all ingredients into a glass over ice and stir well.
-Garnish with a celery stick. 

Be sure to email us your pictures of dishes you tried or made, and don't forget next year's celebrations.  I hope you use Derby Day  to fellowship with those you love.  Encourage your daughters to get creative with their hats and strut their stuff.  Believe me, it will leave a lasting impression in everyone's mind.

These beauties will be ready for the "Run for the Roses," will you?