Inn at Woodhaven

SPRING MEANS DERBY 17 Apr 2013, 4:16 pm

SPRING BRINGS FABULOUS FLOWERS AND DERBY

If it is spring in Kentucky then we are all out in our yards planting, pruning and getting ready for the big show...DERBY of course. Frost could still happen until the second weekend in May but no matter, everyone will have the annuals out by the first Saturday in May.

Two of my favorite places to go for new plants and garden plants and  fun decorations are:
Wallitches Nursery on Hikes Lane in Louisville and Hidden Hill Nursery and Sculpture Garden in Utica Indiana. Both are great places for information and inspiration.  Hidden Hill Nursery's owner Bob Hill welcomes tour groups and is available to lead tours of the enchanting gardens "dispensing great garden wisdom and rambling garden nonsense in mostly equal parts"
I just found the most beautiful poppy at Hidden Hill. I have been trying to grow these for 40 years! I once had a small grouping that were just getting going when my gardener pulled them up thinking they were weeds!
For hours and more information go to www.hiddenhillnursery.com and www.wallitchesnursery.com


And this weekend is the kick off of the DERBY FESTIVAL.  Thunder Over Louisville, one of the biggest fireworks displays in the country is the Saturday on the riverfront in Louisville. The weather is going to be nice so it is best to arrive early to get a good spot. There is plenty of entertainment and food available or you can bring your own picnic.

There is an event each day right up to the DERBY. The  Balloon Festival, Derby Parade and The Great Steamboat Race are three of my favorites. To check out all of the events and find times and locations go to www.KDF.org

BOURBON IS BIG IN KENTUCKY 5 Feb 2013, 1:36 pm

Bourbon Popularity is Booming

Baffalo Trace Bourbon Distillery - Great guide named Freddie

Kentuckians have long loved our Bourbon. Now is seems that the rest of the world is loving it too.
The boom in popularity and sales have allowed the industry to expand and add distilleries to meet the demand for our signature spirit. And more and more visitors from around the world are interested in touring distilleries around the state to learn about the history and tradition of bourbon making.

Tours of distilleries are a fun way to learn the bourbon making process, sample some bourbon, try some bourbon balls and take home some bourbon souvenirs. Just about every distillery has a great tour and they are all very unique. Many have historic buildings and warehouses  that date to the 1800's. Inspired by the California wine country tours and Scottish whiskey trails Kentucky began the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 1999, which has been hugely successful.

The popularity of single batch bourbons and small-batch bourbons is one of the reasons for the rise in bourbon sales. And there is a  new appreciation for all the old cocktails such as the Manhattan and of course the Mint Julep.  Local and national chefs put bourbon in the spot light in their restaurants and  TV shows. Home cooks can find cookbooks devoted to using bourbon in many fabulous dishes.

In Louisville we have The Urban Bourbon Trail where participation restaurants offer a huge selection of different bourbons. And a very exciting new distillery and museum will open in downtown Louisville in the historic Whiskey Row. The new attraction is being built by Heaven Hill Distilleries and will celebrate the legacy of Even Williams, Kentucky's first distiller and namesake of Heaven Hill's flagship bourbon brand.

And did you know? Bourbon is a redish brown because of the aging in charred oak barrels. It starts out white and ages with the charred oak giving it the distintive flavor and color.
I always thought Bourbon could only be make in Kentucky...not so, it can be made anywhere in the U.S. However, 95% is made in Kentucky.

GALLERY HOPPING 24 Jan 2013, 9:34 am

Gallery Hopping this Winter

When it is cold and dreary outside it is the perfect time to visit area galleries. Colorful works depicting river views, country roads and cityscapes bring the outside in during these months when it is not great to be outdoors.  And our museums offer interesting exhibits on  history, fashion and science.
Here are a few to consider:

'Artists of the Wonderland Way' Presented by the Carnegie Center for Art and History
Features works by a group of area artists that formed in 1906 to give artists a place to congregate and talk about materials, techniques and places to paint. They called themselves the artists of the wonderland way art club and created their works just before World War I and until the late 1930's .Many of the works in the exhibit show scenes of the river and roads and landscapes between southern Indiana and Cincinnati.
Opening: Friday January 25 reception from 6 - 8 pm
through April 6
At the Carnegie Center for Art and History
201 E. Spring St
New Albany, In
www.carnegiecenter.org
812-944-7336

'Body Worlds Vital' Showing at the Kenucky Science Center
Vital presents a special collection of real human bodies designed to show visitors the essentials of human health and wellness.
Now through May 19
Kentucky Science Center
727 W. Main St
Louisville, Ky
www.kysciencecenter.org

TIS THE SEASON 6 Dec 2012, 1:49 pm

TIS THE SEASON

To Tour Historic Homes

A Candlelight Christmas at Locust Grove
Friday December 7, 5:30 pm to 9:pp pm
Saturday December 8, 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Visitors will get a real look into life at Locust Grove at Christmas in the early 1800s.
The grounds and home are lit only by candlelight and decorated with fresh greens and fresh fruit much as it would have been in 1809. In the formal ball room there is live music and dancing with docents in period clothing.
Be sure to visit the outdoor kitchen where you can sample food prepared over the open hearth.
And in the visitors center more refreshments and live music await, plus a chance to do a little Christmas shopping in the gift shop.
Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children ( maximum $18 per household)
For more information visit: www.locustgrove.org



To Shop, Shop, Shop, Shop

First Friday Gallery Hop
Friday, December 7, 5 pm to 11 pm

Galleries and Shops on East Main Street in the vibrant NuLu area of Louisville will be open for shoppers to hop from one gallery or shop to another. This fun event happens the first Friday of each month along the East Main Street area. It is a chance to view art from local and national artists at the galleries, and shop at the locally owned stores along the street.
The galleries close at 9 pm but many of the shops stay open later and the trolley runs every 15 minutes until 11 pm.  And the restaurants and clubs will stay open later as well.




Olde Tyme Christmas
Saturday, December 8, 9 am to 6 pm

"Olde Time Christmas" celebration on Frankfort Avenue will be this Saturday December 8.  Shops along Frankfort Avenue will be open from 9 am to 6 pm. Many will have live music and holiday refreshments. Take a break at one of the many great local restaurants along the way.
Park your car and stroll along the street or take the free trolley from noon to 5pm. Horse carriage rides will also be offered from 1pm to 4pm for only 50 cents.
For more information visit: www.frankfortave.com

DIANA a Celebration, EXHIBIT AT THE FRAZIER MUSEUM 22 Sep 2012, 2:40 pm

"DIANA: A CELEBRATION"

An exhibit showcasing the life of Diana Princess of Wales just opened at the Frazier History Museum.  Over 7,500 square feet of displays in nine galleries will house the exhibit and feature family jewels, personal mementos, paintings, rare home movies and of course some of the fabulous designer dresses she wore and her famous royal  wedding gown. The exhibit is on permanent display every summer at Diana's ancestral home,  the Spencer family's Althorp Estate in England.

Two diamond tiaras and Diana's family jewels will also be on display. Curator, Graeme Murton, said "They are exceptional. I've never seen diamonds like them." He and Nick Grossmark have been traveling around the world with the exhibit for more than decade. They are the only people allowed to handle the wedding dress and its lavish 25 foot train. They wear white gloves to protect the material from the acidity in their hands.

This very special exhibit is open through January 13 the Frazier History Museum, located at 829 West Main Street in Louisville. For more information on this exhibit and the rest of the permanent collection at the museum go to www.fraziermuseum.org or call 502-753-5663.d

KENTUCKY FOLK ARTISTS 6 Sep 2012, 2:07 pm

COLLECTING KENTUCKY FOLK ART
There are many Kentucky folk artists scattered around the state. Generally they are located in pretty remote areas. But you can also find their creations at exhibits and in galleries in the state and nationally. Morehead University has a great gallery showcasing different artists and also a permanent collection on display. Another great spot is the Kentucky Artist Center near Berea Kentucky. Here you can see and purchase any kind of craft produced in Kentucky.

I especially have fallen in love with the work of a husband and wife team from London Kentucky. Lonnie and Twyla Money create the most whimsical of critters, with fanciful shapes and bright color combinations. Lonnie carves the animals and Twyla paints them. Recently I purchased some new additions to my collection. The calico cat looks like our inn cat Baby, right down to the chipmunk in her mouth! The purple turtle is a guest favorite and sits on the buffet watching the cookies. To take a look at more of their work you can check out this website:
www.moneysfolkart.com

MOONFLOWERS - ONE OF THE BEST SUMMER PERFORMERS 11 Aug 2012, 1:28 pm

MOONFLOWERS IN THE GARDEN



moonflower bush in full bloom

One of the best summer bloomers are our moonflower bushes. They love the hot weather and tolerate more dryness than many of the other flowers in the garden. I started with one plant from a nursery in town and now we have them all over the gardens. The trick is to collect the pods that form from each bloom and then ( this is really hard) toss them in the garden wherever you wish to see them the following year.




As you can see from the photo I took just this morning of the plant in front of the Rose Cottage - they are prolific bloomers. An added bonus is that they honey bees love them! They open up at dusk and the fragrance of honey and lemon fills the whole property. As soon as the sun gets high in the sky they close up. And this repeats all season long until the first frost.

I collect the pods and give them out to any guest who wants them. Believe me there is plenty to go around! In fact if you are in the neighborhood this fall just stop by and we will give you one.

JANE AUSTEN FESTIVAL 30 Jul 2012, 12:30 pm

JANE AUSTEN FESTIVAL 2012

This year's Jane Austen Festival at Locust Grove Historic Home is better than ever.

Each year activities, lectures and demonstrations are added. This year one very popular class called "Dressing Mr. Darcy" showed the layers of clothing a fashionable gentleman had to wear during the Regency period. Many vendors participating with wares such as teapots and teas and fabrics of the period set up on the front lawn of the 1790 Locust Grove.

SPRING TIME CLASSES IN AND AROUND LOUISVILLE 20 Mar 2012, 10:10 am

THINKING OF CHICKENS AND MUSHROOMS

BACKYARD CHICKEN CLASS
For several years I have been wishing that I had enough space for a few chickens on the property. In Louisville you can have up to 6 chickens in residential areas. You don't need much space and you don't even need to have a rooster...neighbors appreicate the lack of early morning crowing I'm sure.

And the quality of the eggs is so superior to store bought. I buy the eggs we use here at the Inn from Whole Foods and they are cage free. And when the local farmer's market opens each spring through fall we can get organic eggs from area farmers.

There is a class at Foxhollow Farm March 31 from 9:00am to Noon
Learn everything you need to know about backyard chicken keeping from the expert - Fresh Starts Steve Paradis. Cost is $15 and to register call 502-241-9674.


MOREL MUSHROOM RETREAT
I must say we don't do mushrooms very often for breakfast...most guests like their mushrooms later in the day! But when we cook special event dinners here, then we can get into recipes using organic wild mushrooms. I am not knowledgable enough to pick my own though.

So I was very excited to see information on a Morel Mushroom Retreat coming up Saturday, April 21. The sixth annual retreat is a day long program which includes two full vegetarian meals, a wildflower walk, farm tour and discussion of mushroom cultivation. Plus particpants get to take home recipes and mushrooms!
To register go to this website: www.ForestRetreats.net

THE 1937 FLOOD IN LOUISVILLE 19 Jan 2012, 1:10 pm

Seventy five years ago this month much of Louisville was under water. Torrential rains caused the Ohio River to rise to levels it had not reached before or since. In Louisville 175,000 people had to be evacuated to higher ground. The west side of the city was hit the hardest and that was where most people lived at that time. My grandmother told of being boated to the Highlands from their home in the west end. Many houses, businesses and hotels were never rebuilt. One whole area near Butchertown on the river is now empty and a park.

Most of Jefferson County was rural at that time, but quickly built up after the flood when people moved to the areas that were safe from flooding.
It is fascinating to see the pictures of familiar buildings under water. Of the major metropolitan areas in the country Louisville was hit the hardest.

Several events will give a in depth look at the time and impact of the Great Flood.
Historian Rick Bell author of " The Great Flood of 1937, Rising Waters, Soaring Spirits", will give one lecture at the Water Tower on River Road at 2pm on Sunday January 22 and another at 6pm Tuesday January 25 at the Filson Historical Society on South Third Street. Both Lectures are free.

Also, there will be a Photo Exhibit at the Ekstrom Library on the University of Louisville campus. And opening reception is January 26 from 5pm to 7pm and historian Robert Reid will talk at 6pm on the impact of the flood . The exhibit will run 9am to 5pm weekdays through March 9.