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What a Trip!
Ponderings of that #KyTravelGal

Discover “Agritourism” in Kentuckiana

5/7/2020

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We have all just recently gone through the life experience of going to the grocery store to shop for items to purchase, but find they are unavailable on our store shelves. This may have caused you to have given more thought to our food supply than maybe ever before. We are understanding more about the term “supply chain” and where our goods come from. Many of us have considered planting our own gardens now to become more self sufficient. And if that seems too daunting and intimidating, or until you get good at it, another alternative is to consider our local producers.

When Kentuckiana opens up again and we are free to travel to local attractions, maybe you will have a new appreciation for our local producers and what you can learn from them by visiting their location for events, tours, and purchasing local products.

What is Agritourism?

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The Kentucky Department of Agriculture shares the definition of agritourism and the impact in Kentucky on their Kentucky Farms are Fun website. Agritourism is defined as "The act of visiting a working farm or any agricultural, horticultural, or agribusiness operations for the purpose of enjoyment, education or active involvement in the activities of the farm or operation."

Why is agritourism important to local tourism?Agritourism offers an opportunity to build relationships between the agricultural community and the local tourism industry by incorporating tour groups, educating school children and hosting civic events. This increases rural economic development dollars in areas with agritourism venues. The ultimate goal of an agritourism venue is to increase net farm income by filling customer needs for education and recreation on the farm.
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Why is agritourism important to all Kentucky citizens?Today most Kentuckians have no direct connection to farm life, even in rural areas. Agritourism gives people an opportunity to better understand the skill and hard work that go into producing the food and fiber we all enjoy. It's also a chance for great food and clean country fun at destinations that are close to home.

Baby Steps Back Out in the World of Local Tourism

PictureGallrein Farms
The first thing that comes to mind to check out are local farmers markets. This link is a great way to search for what is available in your area and you can refine your search by category of products that interest you. Not only are they a good source of locally grown produce, you will find meat and poultry producers as well as custom craftspeople. And when you have the opportunity to speak to these vendors in a convenient location, they will gladly tell you if they welcome people to their site for a closer look. 

Check with your local farmers market, as many of them have lists available for you to pre-order and have safe pick up procedures in place while we are coming out of this COVID-19 time of shelter-in-place. You can learn more about markets that are operating successfully with CDC guidelines in place here.

If after you have taken that baby step and you are feeling more comfortable to venture out, we have plenty of beauty and agricultural resources to take in.

Maybe you will be up for a local orchard visit like to Gallrein Farms. They offer many seasonal products, activities, and events for the whole family. And I would love to go to their annual Sweet Corn Festival. There are some great farms and orchards where you can pick your own and you can find them here. And another way to introduce agriculture to your children is through interaction with animals. Reach out to Farmer Steve's Children's Barnyard for more information.

And don’t forget that when we can dine in restaurants again, we have many farm to table restaurants that deserve our patronage. Such as Freight House in Paducah, Local Feed in Georgetown, Barn8 in Goshen, as well as others listed here to support local farmers.

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Local Feed

Kentuckiana is the new Paris, France

Well Kentucky has locally produced wine and cheese just like France, so when it comes to a staycation, how do you beat that? A visit to Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese, not only gives you access to their specialty cheeses, they have onsite Airbnb options. How cool is that? They are a great testimony to local food producers. Boone Creek Creamery is another local producer of cheese that offers tours of their cheese making process, where you can buy their products. And then there are farm tours at Goat Milk Stuff which is a great agri-experience for the whole family and they have some great goat cheeses to offer as well as other food products to tantalize your taste buds.

And what fun it would be to pair that with your favorite local wine. You can find a map on our website here of our local wineries. And you can learn more about the sweetness scale here.
Another resource for winery details can be found on the Kentucky Farms are Fun Website here.
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Kenny's Farmhouse Cheese
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Kentucky Proud

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LM Sugarbush
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Lavender Hills of Kentucky
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Prayer Mountain Farms
Kentucky is rich with products both edible and not, that you can enjoy and learn more about. Establish and connect with your local supply chains. Not only made in America, but made in Kentuckiana supporting your local communities.
One of the earliest agri-events of the year is the Annual Maple Syrup Festival in Southern Indiana where you can learn about how it is produced and have a tasty delight of your own to take home with you. And from there many other seasonal events to follow.
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Any mushroom lovers out there? I ordered the sampler from Prayer Mountain Farms. And they distribute locally as well. I also hope to be able to attend the Mountain Mushroom Festival next year in the early spring. 

What about honey? Find local honey bee related products here.

Lavender? Learn the many wonderful ways to enjoy lavender at the Lavender Hills of Kentucky And events they offer here. A great stress reliever.

Provided events remain as scheduled you can look forward to the Kentucky Wool Festival this fall. Scheduled for October 2-4, 2020. You can familiarize yourself with the vendors from last year’s event here. Video overview here.
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I hope that one thing we all have learned as a result of travel restrictions and social distancing  is that the simple things of life have great value. While not all the possibilities in Kentuckiana have been mentioned here, I hope you are inspired to raise your awareness of what is all around us that can add vitality to our lives. Show some love to local agritourism while we come out of an experience that has made me appreciate more of what is right in our own backyard to experience. Start planning your outings today. 

More resources for Agritourism agencies can be found here. If you have a great agritourism experience in Kentuckiana to share please share it on social media with the hashtag #kytravel

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Lynette Marie Smith is the Director of Design and Marketing for Kentucky Travel Guide. She has been involved in highlighting tourism and economic development promotion on the local level since 1989
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Doing Derby Week Differently

4/29/2020

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It's still going to be the 1st Saturday in May

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It's Derby week - or it should be.  I've seen the social media posts and memes...you probably have too - It's Derby Week in Kentucky - check on your friends...we are not OK.  It feels so strange not to have the city a buzz with activity, fireworks, balloon glow and races, parades, chow wagons and of course Churchill Downs opening and all of the wonderful racing events there and the Derby Museum simply packed full of visitors and people.  I know that these things have been postponed until September, it will be so different, and hot...really, really hot! 

I thought that since we are still probably feeling the void of such a historic and momentous week, I'd share a few things that we can do to still take advantage of the weekend and maybe, do things a little differently, from the safety of our homes and neighborhoods.  We can still have fun, drink a Mint Julep, get dressed up, check in with each other and take a trip down memory lane of Derby's past.   

Live Virtual Events


PictureLouisville Tourism offers a great variety of Derby Themed Zoom Backgrounds like the one above.
There are a few LIVE virtual events that will allow those of us whom are really missing all the festivities on the 1st weekend in May, but in a little different way this year.  From friends and family that are hosting their own LIVE zoom parties to local Louisville groups working hard to bring the party to you from the comfort of your home, there is plenty that you can do to get plugged in and connected with other Kentuckians and Derby fans that want to celebrate our traditional Derby weekend. ​ You can even download a Virtual Meeting Background from our friends at Louisville Tourism - HERE. 

Oaks Night In
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Oaks Night In is the Perfect option for those whom are going to really be missing all of the Derby Eve events, like the Barnstable Brown Derby Eve event to Unbridled Eve and many more. I'm super excited about this event which begins at 4 p.m. on Friday May 1st. This is the first of it's kind red carpet virtual affair and will be a great way to party down...home style.  Join host Randy Blevins and co-hosts Tawana Bain and Angie Fenton as they chat it up with various celeb guests and chefs.  Monte with "Say Yes to the Dress" will be critiquing the #showushowyouderby videos which will be a hoot! For those of you in Louisville, you can checkout participating restaurants at www.oaksnightin.com and select "derbyeats" for help with your spread. Or check out my family recipes for my favorite Derby weekend fare below. 
Join in the fun and get the total scoop HERE. 
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Get the complete schedule and details for Oaks Night In at www.oaksnightin.com
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Virtual KYDerby at Home Party
This is a great first of it's kind event that will take place on Saturday, May 2 from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. with a day-long virtual #KyDerbyAtHome party and Churchill Downs, who will match up to $1 MILLION of COVID-19 relief donations. The day starts with a LIVE Virtual tour of Churchill Downs at 9 a.m. and offers lots of other great things from Kid's Arts & Crafts to LIVE Cocktail crafting during the day.  Starting April 30th you can visit KentuckyDerby.com to donate and support the relief effort.  Find all the details and the complete schedule HERE. 

Live TV Broadcast on Saturday May 2nd
Just because Derby Day 146 is delayed until the 1st Saturday in September (that just doesn't sound right), you can join the Derby Delay Celebration from home. NBC will be broadcasting a VIRTUAL running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2 from 3-6 p.m. EST. Called the "The Kentucky Derby: Triple Crown Showdown," they will run a computer simulated version which will include the past 13 Triple Crown winners and use data algorithms, and historical handicapping information about each horse to determine the probability of their potential finishing positions.  Get more information and details on how you can be part of the Delayed Derby Day fun as well as how you can help contribute to the relief fun HERE.
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Photo credit Michael Clevenger & Michael Goodwin & the Courier Journal (May 4, 2019 Kentucky Derby)

Recipes for your perfect Delayed Derby Day

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When I was growing up, Derby Day was always a big family affair. I grew up in Lexington and my parents never went to Derby while I was living at home, but the day would start early non-the-less.  My mom would pull out all the stops, from decorations, to homemade bourbon balls and a spread that would feed an army, all centered around her amazing Kentucky Burgoo.  We played games, stayed close to the television and always had a Horse pot drawing for each race with the Kentucky Derby having the biggest ante's for each pull.  It was always a super fun day, even in the rain and one I looked forward to and hold memories that will last a lifetime.  I wanted to share with you my family's recipes for: Kentucky Bibb Lettuce Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing, Sondra's Kentucky Burgoo, Grandmother Edith's Derby Pie and of course a classic Mint Julep exactly as my mama made them.  She was an amazing soul that lived for family get togethers and a great excuse to party.  This Julep's for you Mamma (Sondra) - I miss you every day! 


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Take a walk down memory lane

As we reflect on what Derby Day, weekend, week and month means to us and are looking to a way to remember the fun times we've had and look forward to the Delayed Derby festivities in August and September, we can use some of the time to recall some of our favorite memories through storytelling and picture memory books.  I have a half century of memories, even though I don't recall so far back.  The memories I've made over the years include many different Derby Days, but most all good. I've had Derby Days spent at parties with family, friends and sometimes both. I've been to Derby Weekend fundraisers like the Hillbilly Outfield which raises money each year for the Make a Wish Foundation.  I have celebrated Derby at Churchill Downs (both in the infield, in the stands and int the really good seats), at Keeneland, at Prairie Meadows in Iowa and once at a wedding of a family member, also in Iowa.  I've also spent times at home, with just me and the kids.  All of them hold special memories.  A few years back, I ran the Triple Crown of Running as well as the Derby Half Marathon.  Talk about a huge accomplishment for this gal, I ran each race solo, I trained solo and for the big half marathon, my oldest daughter happened to be visiting from college (USC in Columbia) and she was there at the start and at the finish. That was a real amazing mom-daughter moment.  She went on to run her own half marathon a few months later in South Carolina.  I put together a poster of some of my personal favorite moments, just to remind me that even though Derby Day 146 won't be running this weekend, as Kentuckians and Derby Fans everywhere, we will Get Through this Together and are all #TeamKentucky at Derby time. You can do something similar on a platform like Canva or just tape printed photos on a piece of poster board for your own walk down memory lane where you can hold some of your favorite memories close at hand.  

As we all learn to navigate these really weird and tough times, I encourage you to try things that you haven't tried before or have been wanting to try, step out of your box while #healthyathome. Here are a few hashtags you can use to share your Delayed Derby weekend with the world:
#showushowyouderby
#oaksnightin
#wederby
#kyderbyathome
#derbydelay
#kyadventuresfromhome
​Can't wait to see what you come up with! Comment below to share your favorite Derby memory, Event, Food and Drink! We want to know! Love to all - stay safe, stay sane and #derbyathome this year!
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Celebrate Earth Day's 50th with these great tips!

4/20/2020

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This year - April 22, 2020, will be a milestone for the annual Earth Day as it celebrates its 50th year! The very first Earth Day back in 1970 sparked the passage in the U.S. of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts, as well as the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.  With the current Covid-19 Social Distancing, many of the annual events have been cancelled or postponed.  We thought we'd give you a few ideas that you can use to both celebrate and enjoy this commemorative day of building awareness and taking action to keep our planet clean and safe for future generations.

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  According to the official site, www.earthday.org, the theme for this year's Earth Day 2020 is climate action.  While they share it is an enormous challenge, they let us know that there are also vast opportunities to take action on climate change and they feel it's the most pressing topic for the 50th anniversary. "Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable."  They tell us that while the Coronavirus pandemic may force us all to celebrate in a new way of social distancing, it doesn't have to force us to keep our voices down.  Through the power of digital media, we are more connected than ever!  

How you can be part of the solution this year

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On April 22, you can join in for 24 hours of action via global digital mobilization that will contribute to drive actions both big and small, give diverse voices a platform and help to call for bold action for people and the planet.  How can we do this? We can fill the digital landscape with global conversations, calls to action, performances, video teachings and more! Earth Day is going DIGITAL!  Here's where you can get plugged in:  Visit earthday.org on April 22 to take part in livestreamed discussions, a global digital surge, and 24 hours of actions that you can take, right now and from wherever you are! Use #EARTHDAY2020 on social media platforms. You can download the social media toolkit with graphics like this one here. 

Fun activities you can do while social distancing

Even though we are needing to practice social distancing and many of our favorite Earth Day celebrations have been cancelled or postponed, there are many things we can do in our own backyards or neighborhoods to be part of the movement. (Our friends at the Louisville Zoo have rescheduled their monthly Party for the Planet for the entire month of July as the Month-Long Celebration of the Earth - get more information on that event here.) 
​Here are a few ideas that you can use to get inspired to make the most of your Earth Day action plan!
  • Clean up your yard, neighborhood, school or local park! Grab those trash bags and pick up litter and dispose of trash and things that can be recycled appropriately.  Better yet - challenge your family, friends and neighbors to do the same and post photos of your experiences.
  • Earth Day is a great day to plant a tree! While many avenues to receive free trees are on hold right now, home and garden centers at essential stores like Walmart and Lowes are still open and they all sell trees.  You can also find a local garden center that will help you with curbside delivery.  Here is a great resource on all things trees including how to choose and plant the best fit for your yard - Trees Are Good has you covered!
  • Make a kitchen garden herb pot.  I love using fresh herbs in my cooking and now is a great time to create a mini container garden.  There are so many things you can use - recycled coffee cans, a small canvas laundry hamper or even an upcycled canvas shoe organizer. Just fill with a good planting mixture and pop in your favorite herbs. You can pick them up at the same places mentioned above. ​
  • Go on a nature scavenger hunt or host a nature scavenger hunt online with your family and friends.  Use a online printable to get ideas here or see how many things you can find that start with each letter of the alphabet. You can set a time limit and snap a photo of your found items and the one who has the most alphabet items within the time limit is the big winner! ​

Fine Dining for our feathered friends!
Future Fowl Fine Dining coming soon!
  • Build a bird feeder - Kentucky Style!  I am always a huge fan of upcycling and Bourbon!  Here is a project that caught my eye that one of my friends on social media posted using an upcycled Willett Pot Still bourbon bottle.  What a great idea!  My friend, Michael Spurlock, a local musician, author and Detroit Style Pizza aficionado, has been kind enough to make and share his exact instructions with us!  I'm really excited, because as you can see, I do have a bottle from my bourbon stash that I'm working on so it can become a bird's fine dining experience! Find the complete printable instructions ​here.  Also, check out Michael's book My Old Kentucky Hug on Amazon.  It's a great pictorial of 44 Kentucky Distilleries, 15 bars and restaurants and a sample of self-guided tour itineraries by region, on and off the bourbon trail! Get it here. Curious about Detroit Style Pizza? Check his other book out here. 

Cool On-Line and Virtual Activities 

There are several things you can do it the weather isn't cooperating, or if you just want to extend your celebrations after dark.  Here are a couple of suggestions:
  • Watch a One Earth movie together with family.  This is a great activity if it rains or just to round out your Earth Day fun.  Check out One Earth Film Festival for their Earth Day Virtual Mini Film Fest all this week!  You can register for one or more FREE screenings and watch as a community online if you fancy that then discuss with experts via a live chat on Zoom.  
  • Another really cool way to check out the planet is EarthCam, it gives you a window to the world from your couch. Whether you are interested in looking elephants in Bali, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa or even the rolling rivers in South Carolina, you will never get bored with this amazing site!  Check it out here. They also offer mobile apps. Info on their site.
  • As mentioned above, you can visit earthday.org on April 22 to take part in real time discussions, a global digital surge, and 24 hours of actions that you can take, right now and from wherever you are! Use #EARTHDAY2020 on social media platforms.​

Overall - have fun!

No matter how you chose to celebrate and honor this year's Earth Day, remember to make it fun and share your photos of your adventures with us at #kytravel and #kyadventuresfromhome.  We love seeing your posts and content.  A special thanks to Michael Spurlock for his time and energy in creating the Willett Pot Still Bird Feeder instructions so that we can use them. I'm super excited for that project, even though it won't necessarily happen on Earth Day.  Love to all - stay safe, stay home, and most of all - stay positive!  Finally, I'll leave you with this quote from Aldo Leopold, "Conservation is the state of harmony between men and land." Love that!  Hang in there ya'll - we will get through this together!

Blessings,
Pamela

Pamela Denny is the Executive Director of Kentucky Travel Guide. She also hosts the Facebook Group - The Positivity Principle, is a proud mom of three, author, speaker, green living coach, lover of all things compassionate and advocates for #loveforward living and in all circumstances, finding that silver lining. You can email her at pamela@kytravel.com. ​
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Old Dogs Learn New Tricks #Covid-19 Fashion Lesson

4/13/2020

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And…we’re still here.  At home, some alone - what’s a girl to do?  Let me tell ya…she drags out her sewing machine and learns to make a homemade fabric face mask!  With surgical masks in such short supply and the need to save the N-95 masks for our front-line medical workers and first responders as well as the CDC’s recommendation that fabric masks are a crisis response option, when other supplies have been exhausted, many people are opting to make their own as well as share with hospitals and our front line workers. In the last week, it’s been suggested that everyone wear a protective mask when we are out picking up supplies, so I decided I’d get online and find out how to make one myself and a few extras for family and friends.  I purchased my nifty Project Runway sewing machine about 4 years ago, sadly, it’s never been out of the box, until now. TRUE STORY! 

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 I grew up as a novice seamstress – never really graduated from that, even though both of my grandmothers were excellent seamstresses, and one even made extra money “taking in sewing from people” (Grannyism). I learned on my grandmothers circa 1950 Singer, complete with knee “pedal”.  I loved that machine, I loved hanging out in her upstairs sewing room sitting on the floor by the sewing supply dresser and pulling out dozens of her sewing patterns and just dreaming of the things I wanted to make, but were probably out of my league. She was always so patient with me. I still own the dresser and it’s one of my most cherished antiques. I found this photo on-line - looks exactly like my grandmother Edith's. Those were good times!

On to the Maskapade! 

PictureI used a patterned ribbon elastic.
I think anyone could do this and you don’t have to have a machine.  Look below for instructions on how to make a quick no-sew mask, like the ones our friends at Heaven Hill Distillery are making for their employees nationwide. More on that in the next P3 blog article, until then you can check out our first interview on our new YouTube channel HERE.
If you have access to a sewing machine and are looking for easy instructions, I’ve got you covered – literally!  See instructions below or visit our YouTube channel where we’ve placed the video I watched to learn how to sew my masks in the How To section HERE. I picked up a quilters pack at Walmart in KTG colors. You can also order supplies online through JoAnn Fabric. I got lots of great help watching their video which you can access via the link above. JoAnn's website offers a coupon and will let you order and pick up curbside if there is a location in your city. Find out more by visiting them HERE. (We do not get any type of reimbursement for these recommendations). 

Here’s what you’ll need:
  • 100% cotton fabric with a tight weave – such as quilters cotton which has a high 180 thread count. 
  • 1/8” flat elastic for ear loops or ribbon if you want to just tie it behind your head.
  • Sharp fabric scissors or quilters cutter
  • Ruler
  • Pins or sewing clips
  • Sewing machine and thread
Dimensions:
Adult mask
  • Cut 1 fabric rectangle 16” x 8.5” (14” x 6.5 for a child’s mask)
  • Cut 2 pieces of elastic, 7” long (6” for a child’s mask)
  • Optional - 4 pieces of 18” ribbon if using this in place of the ear loops.

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Step 1:
  • Cut one cotton rectangle 8.5” wide by 16” long.
  • Cut two pieces of 7” flat elastic or four 18” fabric ties. 

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​Step 2:
Fold fabric in half with right side facing (patterned sides) each other on the inside and sew along the top edge, leaving a 3” opening to convert it to right side out. If you are leaving an opening to slip in a HEPA filter, iron down ¼ inch on top and bottom and sew it down for a finished seam.


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​Step 3.
Place elastic or ribbon between the layers of the mask and pin to secure, making sure to tuck them in and out of the way of the seam. Sew along each side.


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Step 4. 
​Turn the mask right side out (thru the opening). Press with a hot iron. Fold 3 evenly-spaced ½” pleats in the same direction, ironing down and pinning in place.  Carefully sew down in the direction of the pleats (top to bottom) to secure, removing the pins just before you get to them.

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Here's are some of the finished products! The photo to the right is of my daughter Ashton and myself.  She's a nursing student at UK - so you see, I have a huge WHY.  One day she might be one of those front line medical angels.  I really enjoyed getting up close and personal with my sewing machine again.  I've left it out for more projects and to make a few more masks.  A note on the HEPA filters - you can order them online or pick them up at a home supply store. Just ask Customer Service, they'll point you in the right direction.  

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How to make a quick bandana mask

Step 1 - fold each end toward the center longways.
Step 2 - fold the halves in half again towards the center longways
Step 3 - fold each of the ends towards each other, meeting in the center
Step 4 - slip the elastic over the flap and pull to the crease in the fold
Step 5 - flip it over and loop the elastics over your ears to secure.
I hope you have enjoyed this fun #kyadventuresfromhome tutorial on how to create your very own fabric mask.  Whether you have mad sewing machine skills or are more of a bandana bandit, either way, I hope that you are faring well under these challenging times.  Love to all - stay safe, stay home, and most of all - stay positive!  Finally, I'll leave you with this quote from Havelock Ellis, "All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on."  Hang in there ya'll - we will get through this together!

Blessings,
Pamela

Pamela Denny is the Executive Director of Kentucky Travel Guide. She also hosts the Facebook Group - The Positivity Principle, is a proud mom of three, author, speaker, green living coach, lover of all things compassionate and advocates for #loveforward living and in all circumstances, finding that silver lining. You can email her at pamela@kytravel.com. ​
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APRIL FOOLS! Wishing this were all a bad joke...

4/1/2020

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I don’t know about you, but I really wished as I put my head on my pillow last night that I’d wake up this morning to all media avenues announcing APRIL FOOLS!  You can return to your life - COVID-19 is nothing more than a bad April Fools joke!  Unfortunately, the opposite was true. I awoke to learn no such luck, and actually, today, stores like Home Depot are only allowing one person in at a time.  Still no toilet paper to be found, still getting price gouged on Amazon, where my favorite brand is $26. Are you kidding me?  Maybe I should consider the washcloth method my granny used. Nah...my kids wouldn't go for that either.  Evidence of price gouging below.  This stuff best be made of silver like the lining I'm trying to find here. 
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​How quickly things are changing and evolving  – can't even keep up as we, the human race are forced to adapt to this new life of social distancing and self-imposed quarantine.  Most non-essential businesses have been forced to close and essential businesses are faced with mandating how many people can shop at a time and closing off isles that they deem not essential (are you kidding me?) in an effort to prevent the proverbial “shut-in-itis” (as my granny used to call it), shoppers from making trips to combat boredom instead of the “only when you must go out” recommendation from our extremely popular Governor Andy Beshear.
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​Gov. Beshear’s daily COVID-19 news conferences (shown above) have become a regular on-line get-together as people across the commonwealth (like myself) and our fellow Kentuckians that are currently residing outside of the state, plug in to social media (Facebook) each afternoon at 5pm to hear daily updates, get encouragement and post comments and questions as well as offer encouragement for one another, including the Governor.  You can watch by visiting the Governor’s Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/GovAndyBeshear.  From what I gather as told to me by my friends outside of the state, Kentucky is getting a great reputation for our efforts and  collaboration to “flatten the curve” of this horrible disease.  I don’t know about you, but I’ve never in my life seen such overwhelming support for our Governor – he’s become a bit of a celebrity and rightly so.  You can even buy Kentucky COVID-19 shout out gear where they promise that all profits will be donated to the #TeamKentucky fund.  I ordered one for myself and you can pick up one for yourself and loved ones here: https://kentucky-covid-fundraiser.teespring.com/.  I ordered the "We're Gonna Get Through This." even though I really wanted a "We Can't Be Doing That" - I just think that's funny stuff, maybe next time.
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​Every few days I'll be sharing my #healthyathome Pamela’s Positivity Ponderings or 3Ps, just a few thoughts and insights as to how things look from my (now) home office window - with a silver lining perspective.  I’d love to hear from you on what you are doing to stay sane, spread joy and what I call #loveforward living (from a distance, since “We can’t be doing that”). Send me photos, recipes, ramblings and just really good stuff. 

In honor of National Walking Day (April 1, 2020) - here's a little inspiration to keep the little ones busy, or in my case, finding creative outlets for myself to show the world that I am thinking of them – from a safe social distance of course, and maybe even my college kids, furloughed at home, and my high school senior who is missing certain rights of passage (another #healthyathome 3Ps subject), will join in the fun. Maybe all of our windows and doors will wake up Monday morning with a story to tell of #kyadventuresfromhome and #teamkentucky lifestyle.  
Kentucky Home Art has become a thing.  This surely makes my daily walks so much more enjoyable.  From sidewalk chalk art full of rainbows and friendly teddy bears in windows to decorated windows and doors full of love and encouragement, this just completely warms my heart! From left to right above - my friend Tracey Weber-Dominck's kids have been busy. Check out all the cool things they are doing here: https://www.facebook.com/tracey.weberdominick.  Jon@emilys_dad3 really knows how to spread love with this beautiful heartfelt window display.  I found both the Team KY rainbow hearts and the "We will get through this together" stained glass art by Miranda Mook - @thecalligraphyowl both on Instagram under #teamkentucky.  If you take a stroll at night, you may see homes lit up with green - in honor of those that have lost their lives to COVID-19.  Let's see who will take up the challenge this week(end) and adorn your windows and doors for your passersby - use our new #kyadventuresfromhome tag and of course all of the ones our #DandyAndy suggests: #togetherky #teamkentucky #patriot #healthyathome.

Love to all - stay safe, stay home, and most of all - stay positive! We Are in this Together...and in a few weeks - I'll have the T-Shirt to prove it!  (future 3Ps post coming).  One last thing I'll leave you with, in the words of Brian Tracy,  "You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you."  Roll with the changes, ya'll. 

Blessings,
Pamela

Pamela Denny is the Executive Director of Kentucky Travel Guide. She also hosts the Facebook Group - The Positivity Principle, is a proud mom of three, author, speaker, green living coach, lover of all things compassionate and advocates for #loveforward living and in all circumstances, finding that silver lining. You can email her at pamela@kytravel.com. 
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PHOTO CONTEST

12/16/2019

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Share Your Location Travel Photos With Us 
​
We at Kentucky Travel Guide are always looking for ways to connect with those who love the great state of Kentucky, what it has to offer and ways to share those unique experiences with others.

One way to get a unique experience is to see it from someone elses perspective. For that reason we are inviting submissions to our Kentucky Travel Guide 2020 Photo Contest.


Deadline for photo entries will be November 30, 2020. And all votes will be tallied on December 1, 2020. We will have 5 categories to accept entries. One for each region of our publication.

The most popular image in each category, as voted on through our social media pages, will be featured in our 2021 Kentucky Travel Guide Edition.

​Can't wait to see all the fantastic images you will capture from your unique perspective and share. See link to official rules below.

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SEE CONTEST RULES
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Recipe for Freight House Beer Cheese

9/5/2019

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Is there anything better than homemade beer cheese? We think NOT!  We picked up this great recipe while eating at the Freight House in Paducah, Kentucky during our last visit.  Here is the recipe:

Freight House Beer Cheese

Ingredients:
  • 32 ounce block of sharp cheddar cheese
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 TBS smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 8 to 12 oz lager or pilsner beer (no "lite" beer)
​ 
Step 1:
Grate the cheese on the medium side of a box grater.  Pulse garlic cloves in a food processor 3 or 4 times until they're chopped into small bits, but not a paste.

Step 2:
Add the cheese, cayenne, paprika, and salt.  Pulse 3 or 4 times or until just combined.

Step 3:
With food processor running, slowly pour the beer through the chute until cheese mixture is smooth and creamy, using more beer for a drier aged cheese, less for one that is more moist.  (Be careful not to over-mix or the spread may separate).

Serve cold with raw veggies, crackers or pretzels.  ENJOY!   
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Road Trippin' to Paducah - A UNESCO Creative City!

8/15/2019

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 What a trip! ​ Our Executive Director shares her fun on the road in Paducah
I have the wonderful blessing to be able to travel around this beautiful Bluegrass Commonwealth and one of my favorite city's to visit is Paducah.  If you don't know, Paducah is located in the Southwestern section of the state.  In the KTG terms, we call it Western Waterlands, and it's situated right along the Ohio River.  It's a beautiful place full of rich history, engaging attractions and a haven for creative thinkers and doers.  It's one of nine Creative Cities in the United States, designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 

​Once there, you can walk along the Wall to Wall Mural that borders the Ohio River at the edge of town. It was named Trip Advisor's Most Popular Tourist Attraction in Kentucky in 2014. I love visiting it each time I'm there and the best thing is its FREE!  There are several unique museums to visit, most within walking distance of each other. 
 I visited 3 while I was there - the River Discovery Center, where I was able to see an actual replica of the Belle of Louisville; The William Clark Market House Museum, where I was greeted by a wonderful host Ms. Penny Fields, who made me feel like a rock star and loaded me up with cookbooks and other fabulous historical items to read.  Go see her and tell her that Pamela from Kentucky Travel Guide sent you.  She will take excellent care of you and you will see the most amazing things!  I never leave Paducah without a stop in the National Quilt Museum. They have rotating exhibits and this time I fell absolutely, head over heals in love with the work of Danny Amazonas.  I could spend half the day there with my mind blown by the talent of the quilters.  Simply amazing!
Are you a Top Chef Fan? Foodie? Just love good food in a great atmosphere? If so, make sure you plan to enjoy a fabulous meal the Freight House, where Chef Sara Bradley, (runner-up on season 16 of Bravo's Top Chef) can be seen expediting the line, running food, interacting with the guests and doing a lot of smiling!  This farm to table gem served up the absolute best Shrimp and Grits this S&G aficionado has ever tasted. ​Chef Sara came by to tell me it was all in the spicy pork shank broth.  In any case, it wasn't only a winner in the creative plating, but the taste would keep me driving 3 and a half hours from Louisville to find things to do in Paducah around my meal - oh and my drink.  I enjoyed an Out with the Old Fashioned.  I'm a big buttermilk pie fan and this one hit a home run!  
​Just a hop down the road a little and you can visit Purple Toad Winery.  Steve Dossey and his crew are as friendly as can be and they have a wine for every palate.  In fact, they've won tons of awards and proudly display them behind the tasting counter.  There is plenty of room for a crowd and they offer live music and events on weekends.  Check them out and grab some of the goodies they have for sale in the tasting room. I seem to bring something new home each time I'm there.  
To make it short, plan to visit Paducah in your near future!  Upcoming events for September are Epic Fall AQS Quiltweek held in September 11-14th, the Antique Tractor & Gas Engine Show during September 19-21st, the ever popular and unique Dragon Boat Festival on September 21st and the not to miss Barbecue on the River held September 26-28th.  Check out the tourism website here for more information.  for a list of all of the fabulous things to see, do and experience when you plan your next adventure in a new Kentucky hometown! 

Wherever you go - tag us on FB KYTravelGuide, Tweet us on Twitter @KYTravelGuide and #kytravel  on Instagram.  We love to share in your window to the world as you Discover Your Next Adventure! 

Author

Pamela Denny is the Executive Director of The Kentucky Travel Guide.  Her favorite thing to do is...travel and explore cool places while meeting new friends...  A former hometown chef, mother of 3 and lover of all things uniquely Kentucky, she is passionate about helping others learn about the  extraordinary adventures they can find leading from Kentucky's backroads.  Drop her a line at Pamela@kytravel.com with suggestions and find her on Instagram at #kytravelgal. 

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Let's UNPLUG!

2/28/2019

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PictureI UNPLUG TO: Restore & Reboot

Looking for a great way to give yourself a digital detox?  National Day of Unplugging (NDU) is an annual 24-hour period, running from sundown to sundown, of observing a communal digital detox.  Based on the long tradition of observing the Sabbath, or a day of rest, it's a great way to turn off the devices and spend that time in the present.  

A project of Reboot, this National Day of Unplugging is an outgrowth of the Sabbath Manifesto, an adaption of the Jewish ancestor's ritual of carving out one day per week to unwind, relax, reflect, get outdoors and connect with loved ones.  This day provides a great opportunity for all of us to join a common thread of disconnecting from our devices and connect with those things that are truly important in our lives.

While the official NDU is from sundown, March 1 to sundown, March 2, you can have your unplugged day anytime.  It doesn't have to be a whole day, you could set aside a digital free period any day you choose - think electronic free Friday nights or take time on Saturday or Sunday to stow your phones and laptops, iPads and tablets and find other ways to spend the time being present.

While I can personally remember times when I pulled the "cord" (phone was attached to the kitchen wall) into the hall closet to talk privately to friends, we have a whole generation that have lived in a time when phones and electronic devices were always available.  Instead of families talking across the table we witness kids and adults, plugged in to phones and tablets instead of interacting with each other. 

Join me in taking the pledge to UNPLUG for a while!  How will you spend that time?  Here are a few suggestions:
  • Have a party - How about an old fashioned cook-out or pot-luck? Let guests know when you send or personally extend the invitation that your intention is for this to be an "Unplugged Party" and that your intention is to have a time free from phones.  When they arrive, place phones in sleeping bags or a basket that can be picked up on their way out!  You can make your own phone sleeping bags out of paper bags and put name badges on them for each guest or for next year, you can get more information on how to order them from DNU by emailing parnters@rebooters.net. 
  • Get outside - Hike, bike ride, get a group together for a game of tennis or hoops!  You could even do this in conjunction with your party above.  Find outdoor games at a local store or make your own!  If you live in Kentucky, there are 49 state parks and a plethora of local parks and trails that don't cost a penny to enjoy.  Pack a picnic, make your own scavenger hunt and have fun seeing whom can complete their list first.  If you have kids, include them in the process of making your list.  Or do a little prep work and print out before hand: click here for ideas.   
  • Give Back - Spending your unplug time to volunteer is the gift that keeps on giving.  Check out Volunteer Match or Just Serve to find opportunities in your area. Taking advantage of that hike?  Carry used shopping bags and pick up trash along the way! 
  • Play - Take it outside for a round of golf or miniature golf.  Need something closer to home? How about a backyard game of badminton or croquet?  Looking for free options? An old fashioned game of hide and seek or tag fits the bill!  I used to love flashlight tag!  Don't let rain derail your digital detox, play indoors, putting together jig saw puzzles or pull out the board games.  You can purchase a deck of cards at the dollar store for...$1! 
  • Cook - Make a meal using a new recipe from a cookbook, bake cookies with the kids and share them with neighbors and send them along in lunches for the week to remind everyone of the great time you had unplugging!
  • Have a conversation - Talk with loved ones or kids and take turns sharing favorites (color, movie, food, animal, day, etc.).  Tell stories of how your life was way back when, or what you remember before cell phones went everywhere with us.  Use this time to connect with others and practice active listening.  Share what you love about the other people you are with and offering positive thoughts about them.  Stay away from dark subjects or negativity, this isn't the time to have "that talk", it's a time to be present and connect! 
  • Learn - Visit the library, a museum or theatre.  Pick up books and bring them home and set a time to UNPLUG every night after dinner for reading time.  Find out what's happening at the local museums in your city or nearby and use this time to check them out.  Go see a movie with the kids at a local theater or take in a live performance.  Saturday and Sunday afternoons are a great time to snag matinee tickets and family specials. 
Whatever you chose to do - be in the moment,  Enjoy your time and make it a recurring practice.  I know you will be so glad you did!  You can download a National Day of Unplugging Kit and get more ideas and background on the history of this day by visiting their website at https://www.nationaldayofunplugging.com/ or clicking here.  
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February is the month for Cherries!

2/21/2019

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February is Cherry Month - all month long!  I love cherries and can remember when I was a young girl, climbing tall ladders in my grandmother's neighbor's yard to pick the beautiful, red and sweet fruit with my mama on warm summer days.  I can't think of a single cherry treat I don't adore, and since we are in Kentucky, I thought I'd share my recipe for Bourbon Soaked Cherries, or "Drunken Cherries" as my mama used to call them.  Here's my recipe - always use a higher proof bourbon such as Four Roses Single Barrel (100 proof).  
2 Cups of fresh cherries - washed and pitted with stems on (use a cherry pitter for this, makes things easier)
1 Cup high proof, good quality Kentucky Bourbon
2/3 Cup of dark brown sugar
Optional - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 or 2 glass mason jars with lids, cleaned with hot soapy water and rinsed well.
  1. Pack pitted cherries with stems in the jar(s)
  2. Heat the bourbon until hot on the stove or in the microwave and stir in brown sugar until it is completely dissolved. 
  3. Add the vanilla (if using) and stir. 
  4. Pour the bourbon/brown sugar mixture over the hot packed cherries.
  5. Place lids on the jars and seal.
  6. Refrigerate for at least one week, up to 1 month and enjoy! 

If you make the recipe, take a photo of your process, finished product or even how you use them (Can you say - Old Fashioned?") and tag us on social media and your post will show up in our gallery!  Let us know what bourbon you used! #kytravel #kytravelguide #bourboncherries #drunkencherries #oldfashionedfromscratch #betterinthebluegrass #chicgourmet #kytravelgal #gotolouisville #fourrosesbourbon

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