The Exquisiteness of Kentucky Never Seems To Let Me Down, Even When It’s Weighted Down By Ice

My comfy lovely chair.  Would you want to leave it on a cold day?

For those who don’t know me well, I am a fair weather gal.  While most people express displeasure at extreme heat and humidity, I LOVE IT!  For me, heat is a superlative time for PT (a run) and lounging under a tree.  So you can imagine how I feel about this time of the year.  I tend to drink too much coffee and stay curled up in my favorite chair with either a book or a crochet hook.  The idea of walking out onto crunchy ice covered grass and a slippery sidewalk is beyond absurd to me.  

I feel very Kentuckian in these boots.

However, I am a pretty awesome wife.  Wink. Wink.  So, when my awesome hubby asked to see pictures of our drooping pine trees I agreed to brave the ice and head out into our yard.  BURRRR!!!!  I stepped into my Muck Boots, slipped on my bulky cozy white terry cloth robe, and headed out the front door to enter the land of ice.  I’m sure I looked ridiculous, but let me tell you I was warm and comfy!

Before I even pulled the front door close, I was captivated.  Praise God for another breathtaking view from my porch.   

I've never paid attention to ice on plants before today. Trust me.
I'll be taking many more ice hikes!

Ice on Chach's precious pines.

Our poor droopey pine trees.

The orange on the pine needles caught my attention.  

More sluggish looking trees.

 

Simply awesome.

Drink lots of coffee and stay warm folks!

Clouded Skies

EEEK!  Its been a while.

Obviously, from all my previous posts and the name of the blog I LOVE Kentucky!  There is something very precious about the land, the people and the skies.  I often get very transfixed on the sight of little things; from the red cardinals, to the weeds on the side of the road.  But there is one thing that ALWAYS captures my attention and that is the sky.  I drive the boys to and from school along back roads and more the once I've pulled the car over, sat on the hood and just stared.  I leave my phone, my camera, and my head clutter in the car and just gaze on God’s awesome creation.  Yes, I get funny looks.  No, I honestly don’t care, because for one small moment in my life I feel no worries, no troubles.  It’s just me, the sky and God; that is a powerful feeling.

One piece of advice though, on cold mornings like today bring a towel or a blankie.  The car hood was cold and I froze my tooshie off!  

--The ThaiMex Kentuckian

Good Morning Bambi

The past couple of mornings Jet, my youngest bundle of energy, has sworn up and down that he sees deer out by the pound.  But every time Jaden, the oldest bundle of energy, and I get to the window we do not see anything.  This morning Jet got ready for school quickly, pulled a chair up to the living room window and waited.  “They’re out there.  I know it,” he kept repeating.  I think he is going to be quite the hunter; patience and determination are great qualities for hunters. 

Jaden and I were brushing our teeth when we heard “there are four of them!  I told you they were out there.”    Jaden and I ran to the window with toothpaste dripping off our chins.  Jaden shouted, toothpaste flying everywhere, “get the gun!”  It was a joyful sight and tremendously serene to sit and gaze upon those beautiful and tasty animals.  The deer were very very hard to see.  I saw one right away, but the others I had to search for. 

Jaden ran, got the laptop and started looking up facts about deer.  Jet boasted proudly, “I told you they were there.”  It was a full five minutes before it dawned on me to get the camera. 

I was so excited that I didn't adjust the settings on my camera; so the pictures aren't great.  I crept quietly onto the porch.  After the first flash three of the deer ran off.  The one in the picture is the only one who stuck around to stare at me.  Then Luna, the diva dog, ruined everything!!!!  She charged out of the house and off the porch.  The deer ran off and silly Luna freaked out, ran back up the porch and stood behind me; so much for a guard dog!

I love Kentucky mornings!

Chasing Turkey Vultures Has Its Rewards

Okay, there are these massive birds in Kentucky call turkey vultures.  I have no idea how these ugly birds can get off the ground, but they do and I am intrigued by them.  They caught my attention about a month ago when I saw a couple lift a large cat off the road and carry it about 5 feet.  Talk about team work!  Don't worry, the cat was not alive it was "road kill".  There seems to be a lot of that around here, but you'll have to take my word on that because I don't plan to take pictures of road kill.  SMILE  I have been carrying my camera around with me in hopes I can catch a glimpse of these large scavengers on camera.  Unfortunately, these little/big guys are smart.  They fly off before you can even get with in 50 feet of them.  I'm thinking of tying a roast around my neck and go off searching for them.  Although, I have a feeling there could be some hazards in this idea..

Yesterday I spotted the turkey vultures in a pasture so I did what any curious crazy woman would do, I slammed my car into park and jumped out of the car.  Please remember I live in the sticks. I HIGHLY recommend you do NOT practice this if you drive on the 95 in Virginia or the 5 or 15 in Cali.  You might get a free white coat and a long stay in a padded room.  I had a feeling the turkey vultures would flee so I started snapping pictures as soon as I was out of the car.  As expected, they flew away and I hung my head in defeat as I walked back to the car planning my next tactic should I come across them again.  I am pretty stubborn and I will get a picture of turkey vultures!!!

This morning I popped my SD card into my laptop and I couldn't believe my eyes.  I didn't catch any good shots of the vultures, but there were these magnificent clouds that sneaked into the shots.  I had no idea they were there yesterday.  I was so fixated on the vultures I missed those beautiful creations.  Sometimes accidents are blissful!

I could seriously get lost in the Kentucky skies.  Have I ever told you how much I LOVE living in Kentucky?!

Gunny's Sweet Weenies A.K.A. Man Candy

This is the number one requested dish for the Nuntavongs to bring to birthday, holiday and office parties.  The hubby and I first had these sweet little pieces of perfection a little over 5 years ago.  Thank you Sabrina Rocke for introducing us.  I can not think of any dish that tops this one.  It is always the first one to be devoured at parties.

I did NOT make up this recipe.  I have, however, nearly perfected it.  So here you go peeps.  Take out a pen and paper and write this down.  Your party guest will be very thankful!

By the way, there is absolutely NOTHING healthy about these sweet little things; so enjoy!

Ingredients: 1 package of cocktail weenies, 1 package of bacon and lots of brown sugar

1. Cut bacon into thirds (lengthwise).

2. Separate the bacon and toss it in a bowl with some of the brown sugar. Set it out on a counter for at least 30 minutes. This step isn't necessary, but it makes it easier to roll the weenie in the bacon.

3. Line a cookie sheet with two layers of foil paper.  Makes for a super easy clean up!

4. Put some brown sugar on a plate. Coat both sides of a piece of bacon and then roll a cock tail weenie with it.  Repeat until all the weenies are wrapped and placed on the cookie sheet

5. Sprinkle brown sugar on weenies.  Don't over do it.

6.  Cook weenies at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

7.  Take weenies out of oven and pour out the bacon fat.

8. Cook weenies for 15-20 more minutes until they are golden brown.

9. Take weenies out of oven and turn them over.  Generously sprinkle brown sugar on them.

10. Broil at 500 degrees for 3-5 minutes.  WATCH them.  Every broiler works differently.  Pull them out when the brown sugar starts to bubble, BUT BEFORE they turn black...it happens quickly.


The weenies should be crunchy, sweet and salty.  ENJOY

What Color is "Yella"?

I am a mother to two very energetic and lively boys; that is about all they have in common.  My oldest son, Jaden, is extremely intelligent, but the only thing on his mind is video games, comic books and lasagna.  He could careless about what he learned at school. His favorite classes are "library and lunch".  Jet differs in that he has a great desire to learn new things in school and to be the very best in his class.  He comes home daily and shows me his "happy face" and the "nice job" written on his paper by his teacher.  Jet loves to come home and tell me everything he learned; from gray squirrels don't hibernate to George Washington was our first president.

Recently, when I picked Jet up from school he looked very perplexed. I asked him what the matter was and he said "I just don't know. I don't think I'm the smartest in the class anymore"  I replied, "What don't you know?  Why would you think that?"  He walked away lost in thought.  He finally returned and told me what was on his mind, "Mommy, what color is "yella"?  The boy at school keeps asking for the "yella" crayon.  I don't know what color it is."

Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE living in Kentucky?

--The ThaiMex Kentuckian

Things I learned today.

Learned Thing #1 -- Doing 100 Bosu Ball Burpies w/ shoulder presses, push ups and alternating lunges (its all combined into one exercise...very cool) was NOT a well thought out plan on days you are planning to paint a ceiling and edging. My shoulders and arms were shaking so bad. :)


Learned Thing #2 -- Climbing a tree in Muck Boots is also NOT a well thought out plan.


Learned Thing #3 -- It is much easier to climb a tree than it is to get down from the tree. Did I mention I was wearing Muck Boots?


Learned Thing #4 -- Never listen to a 5 year old who says "Mom, just jump. I do it all the time!" Did I mention my workout to day? My quads gave out on my landing. 


Learned Thing #5 -- Never curse in front of your 5 year old. He will tell the neighbor exactly what you said. "My Mom said sh$t when she fell on her face." Geeze kid. 


Learned Thing #6 -- Next time wait until my Ninja Husband is home to climb the tree and let him do the pruning.

Learning never ends.  

--The ThaiMex Kentuckian