Showing posts with label gallery house. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gallery house. Show all posts

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Derby Weekend

It's Thursday and the official beginning of Derby Weekend for the B&B. Our guests won't arrive until midnight but their rooms are ready. Waiting in each room is a Derby tote bag, Derby glasses, a Derby pin, a one-pound box of Louisville Cookies, a bouquet of red roses and a stocked refrigerator.

We're looking forward to meeting everyone!

psst - we'll be making Mint Juleps for you all weekend.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

What's for breakfast 4.25.09?

This morning's guests chose from:

Banana pancakes
with homemade caramel sauce



OR
Migas
and Sweet Corn Cakes





OR
Hot Oatmeal
with brown sugar, dried fruit
and 12 grain toast

AND
choice of juices

AND
coffee, tea

Thursday, April 23, 2009

A new front yard

Several weeks ago we went to the Home, Garden and Remodeling Show. While there we looked at new countertops, outdoor lighting and talked with a landscaper. You see, our front yard was just overgrown. The plants had outgrown their original spaces, and not in a good way, some plants had died and been replaced over the years, and it just looked like a hodgepodge. I had wanted to do a particular type of landscape when we moved n twelve years ago and let the landscaper talk me out of it. Well, not this time. So we went to a display at the Show and I asked,

"Can you do an edible landscape?"

Seriously, the guy looked at me like I'd just beamed down from Mars.

What's crazy about an edible landscape? Didn't Michelle Obama just dig up 1100 square feet of White House lawn for a kitchen garden? My philosophy is if you're going to plant it and take care of it, you should be able to eat it.

So, not being able to find anyone to design this for us, we just decided to take matters into our own hands and design it ourselves. It's not quite done yet, but it's close. Some plants we kept, some we moved.



The front line, which once was shrubs, is now alternating red Double Knock Out Roses (OK, so you can't eat those) and currants. Around the statue birdbath is rhubarb, and to the side are three half high blueberries. Behind the metal sculpture is a semi-drawf Bartlett pear.


The dwarf red maple is from the original landscape plan and we love that tree. It took a little damage from the ice storm, but has recovered and looks to be fine. A red Double Knock Out rose is on the corner. If you aren't familiar with Knock Out roses, they are the roses that are planted in the right of way at a lot of Metro intersections. In other words, they don't require much attention and bloom like crazy. Here's a closeup.


So, now I think we're going to add some Rosemary. And I'm looking everywhere for a gooseberry bush. Every nursery center seems to be sold out for the season. If you find a couple, let me know. And I want big plants.

"Kitty TV"




So, we've always referred to the dining room window as the "Kitty TV."
"Why", you ask?





Well there are all sorts of interesting things to look at out there.

Here, a squirrel is enjoying some leftover toast from a Gallery House breakfast. (12 grain toast)


Bye Nat and Maxine

Nat and Maxine had a fabulous time visiting friends in Louisville. It was hard to keep up with all the places they were going. I remember that one day was a "bourbon tour" thru Bardstown - the Bourbon Capital of the World - with a stop at Heaven Hill, Jim Beam and lunch at the Old Talbot Tavern. They enjoyed Mayan Cafe for dinner, and Maxine even let everyone talk her into trying the lima beans. Seriously if you're ever in Louisville, have dinner at the Mayan Cafe and get the lima beans. Even if you don't like vegetables, get the lima beans. And if you don't like lima beans, be sure to get the lima beans. Trust me.

Soon Maxine will be the proud new owner of this umbrella. She saw mine, and had to order one. And would you believe it - two days before they were scheduled to leave town, a catalog comes in and that marvelous umbrella was on sale. "Meant to be!"

Nat and Maxine even attended the Taste of Derby Festival. And evening of food and (ahem) beverages from all of Louisville's best. Gallery House participated with our Louisville Cookies which were quite a hit! Taste of Derby Festival is a fundraiser for Dare to Care. You should attend next year! It's a great event for a great cause.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Louisville Stoneware

If you're a keen observer you may have noticed that all the pictures of the breakfasts are on Louisville Stoneware plates. We have the Pear pattern which was originally called Harvest and is reportedly the oldest Louisville Stoneware pattern.


I won a service for 8, years and years ago in a cooking contest, and we've added to the set over time. Louisville Stoneware is handmade and hand painted - perfect for Gallery House! We do enjoy using these special dishes for our visitors to Louisville.

The Louisville stoneware factory is open for tours Monday thru Friday 10:30am and 1:30pm for $7 per person.

A family celebration

Several members of the Meeks family stayed with us while in Louisville to celebrate a QuinceaƱera! Congratulations senorita.

What's for breakfast 4.4.09?

Guests chose from:
Migas
Sweet corn cakes

OR


Stuffed French Toast
with oranges and kiwi
and candied orange peel




OR
Hot oatmeal
with brown sugar, almonds and dried fruit
with 12 grain toast

AND
choice of juices

AND
Coffee or Tea

Friday, April 3, 2009

A full house! What's for breakfast 4.3.09?

A full house last night meant early morning cooking for me. Fortunately I love to cook.

Gallery House guests' chose from the following menu this morning:


Spinach frittata
Smoky potatoes
12 grain toast




OR



Pecan waffles with sliced bananas
and real maple syrup




OR



Hot oatmeal
with brown sugar, dried fruit and milk
12 grain toast



AND
choice of juices

AND
Coffee or tea

Sunday, March 29, 2009

What's for breakfast 3.29.09?

Gallery House guests' chose from:

Governor's eggs
cinnamon apples

OR
Lemon pancakes with blueberries
and blueberry syrup
(PS - we picked the blueberries ourselves!)



OR
Hot oatmeal
with brown sugar, almonds and dried fruit

AND
Choice of juices

AND
coffee or tea

Friday, March 27, 2009

Pie. The hubby likes pie.


Gordon does love some pie. Pretty much any kind of pie.

He asked for Apple.

I felt like making Cherry Berry.




He didn't mind. :)



Cherry Berry Pie
1 pound bag of frozen sweet pitted cherries, thawed, juice reserved
1 pound bag of frozen mixed berries, thawed, juice reserved
In a saucepan combine:
3/4 cup sugar
reserved juice + enough water to equal 1 cup
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
Cook juice mixture until very thick. Combine with cherries and berries. Turn into prepared pie crust and top with top crust. Cut slits into top crust to let steam escape. Bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

What's for breakfast 3.19.09?

This morning's menu includes guests' choice of:

Migas with salsa fresca
Sweet corn cakes

OR

Homemade pancakes
Cinnamon Apples
with real maple syrup

OR

Hot oatmeal
Brown sugar, almonds and dried fruit

AND
choice of orange, grape or apple juice

AND
Coffee or tea