God Is Good...

Yesterday my boss offered me the Director of Marketing position!  

After one month of being Manager, Research and Projects, I could not be more thrilled, shocked and excited!  Being recruted to Temple Economic Development Corporation (website redesign is first order of business) was an answered prayer but this opportunity reveals how generous our God is and how he delights in answering prayers in bigger and better ways than we can imagine! I picture God looking down on me thinking oh child you think this is it, just wait, I am not done.  Thanks be to God and all of those who prayed, encouraged and supported me.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 27: 14

Lexington, KY October 8-10

 In all of Neal's Kentucky adventures in the last 2.5 years he has not made it to Lexington.  Since he is getting married there in May, we though it might be a good thing for him to put his stamp of approval on the "Horse Capital of the World."  So we spent the weekend in the Bluegrass Region!  A few wedding related appointments were scheduled  to justify the trip and move along in the planning process, but we managed to work in a few highlights that involved bourbon and horses!   

First stop Woodford Reserve Distillery, Kentucky Fried Chicken! 

 Second stop,Woodford Reserve Distillery.  If you find yourself in the Lexington area, please please please make the 25 minute drive to Versailles to visit the distillery.  You can thank me later, it is awesome and quaint and a part of what makes Kentucky, well Kentucky! 

The ABC's of bourbon:

A: 95% of bourbon is made in Kentucky but to be bourbon it doesn't have to made in Kentucky, just made in America. 

B. Has to be aged in a new charred oak Barrel

C. Has to consist of at least 51% Corn

The day we were at Woodford, it was a perfect autumn afternoon, it seemed like everyday the colors of the leaves were more intense.

Sour Mash

Copper Pots

Aging Warehouse

All Woodford Reserve is aged for 6-8 years.  This warehouse is the only aging warehouse for Woodford.  Each barrel is worth $9,000.

Every good tour ends with a tasting!

From Woodford, we drove back to Lexington passing spectacular horse farms.  The kind of farms where the horse barns are just as nice or nicer than the residential homes.

 Third stop, Keeneland Race Track.  As luck would have it the fall meets at Keeneland opened the same weekend.  This was my first Keeneland experience! Our yuppie alter eagos soon appeared as Buffy and Calloway enjoyed the races.

After the races we, Buffmeister and Calloway,  rememebered an article from Garden and Gun, referencing many local dining options in Lexington (article here).  From the list we chose Dudley's on Short for dinner.  We shared two short plates and one appetizer, we highly recommend the Country Ham Gritters, delicious, fried grits and ham! 

We can't wait to share the city with all of guests in May!

PS: The official Neal Carlton aka Calloway stamp of approval was given!



Got it Going On

When you google "Got it Going on" you get the result 1. Someone with good luck or 2.
a really hot girl that has an excellent figure, a lot of class, and an extreamely friendly demeanor. I think both apply! haha.

What I really mean is there is have a lot going on with life.  N has been traveling for work or having his "man" weekends then on the weekends he is in town, I am not.  My weekend was spent in New Orleans with a fabulous group of ladies celebrating our dear friend, Erin, and her final days of bachlorette life.  IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!  During girl weekends I always say "why we don't do this more often?"  Hopefully this will be a more regular occurance. 

Most of the group had been to New Orleans several times and a few even spent their college years at Tulane.  For our mixed group we wanted to hit the hightlights of the City for the first timers and then enjoy the less touristy hot spots since we had some semi "locals" leading the way.  Friday night we kicked it off on Bourbon Street, as always it was debauchury and interesting people watching at it's fullest. 

Our hotel, Country Inn & Suites, had a excellent breakfast so Saturday we started off the day with the most important meal.  Then ventured out to enjoy the beautiful weather. 

Over looking Jackson Square

Jackson Square was full of life and entertainment.  We stopped for lunch at Muriel's .  Muriel's has a rich history which includes ghosts, a se'ance room, and the only public balcony overlooking Jackson Square.  Fredrico, our waiter, was EXTREMELY eager to share with us all the details and even give a tour.



Fredrico in action.

 

Se'ance

After the"tour" we shopped around French Market and watched a random swing dance competition taking place. 

Social

 After a little rest and relax back at CI&S  we went uptown for dinner at Jacques Imo's.  Jacques Imo's  has become one of the hottest food tickets in town, known for its eclectic mix of Creole and Cajun specialties.  A must have is the alligator cheesecake, it is a savory dish served as an appetizer...Delish!  After dinner we enjoyed a few high class cocktails at The Club (every drink is $2.00) then on to Gold Rush for some dancing. 


Realizing I am to old and don't know the song!

The dance moves continued through the wee hours of the morning, then an early departure to Chicago left me a run down but I would do it all over againg this weekend!

  Can't wait till the wedding on New Years Eve!!!!

I'mTired

As I sit here drinking my second Diet Dr. Pepper (ddp) of the day, after having coffee this morning, it appears my new work week schedule is catching up with me.  One of the compromises I had to make with my new job is a longer commute, which is really not bad, it just requires getting up earlier.  A normal person would accomodate the change by going to bed earlier..cough, hint, nudge...Elizabeth be normal.

GO TO BED EARLIER.

I wish I could be doing this:



Sunday afternoon nap.

 Since my commute is longer, I spend more time/money at the gas station.  Today I drove off with the cap still on the top of my car..more evidence I'm tired.  Luckily Auto Zone was not to far away, $7.00 dollars=new gas cap.  So here it is folks, a grand announcement....my name is Elizabeth and have a problem going to bed early, in that I can't seem to do it but i always wish i had.

SIDENOTE: Is anyone else concerned about how much aspertame they are consuming? Two ddp's a day adds up!

True Love.

A lot of love talk is taking place, but nothing as adorable as this video.

ENJOY. 

August 27, 2011=PermaSmile

Salado Creek, Salado, TX

Let's Go to Luckenbach, Texas

We spent Saturday in Luckenbach, Texas touring by bike in the Ring of Fire ride put on by Red Licorice Events.  We logged 65 miles total, Neal rode 42 and I settled for 23.  My intent was to ride 26 but I got a little confused going out of the gate (we were running late so I didn't start with the group).  My mistake was the first turn out of the start instead of turning left to ride the little ring (13 miles), I turned right.  This meant I was on the big ring (42 miles).  The 10.5 miles I peddled on the big ring were the most difficult I have ever ridden.  Here's what goes through ones mind when they are unfamiliar roads in the Texas Hill Country with temperatures rising to 100 degrees.

                                I am going to sell this bike.

                                Why am I out here again?

                                I could run faster than I going right now.

                               Am I going to right way? Where is everyone?

The first aid station was at mile 10.5.  This is where I realized my mistake and there was NO WAY IN H*** that I was riding 31.5 more miles.  Luckily another rider realized the big ring was out of her league and she had already called a ride back to the little ring.  She looked at my face and kindly asked if I wanted to ride (in a car) back to the little ring.  I wanted to kiss her!  The little ring was much more my speed, dare I say, enjoyable!   I will keep my bike, but we are now  frienemies. 

This guy rode 55 miles with his dog on his bike.  He said they have ridin over 4,000 miles together.  After the race he was getting a characture drawn of him holding the dog.  I overheard him say that the dog has separation anxiety..um odd? yes.

Post race beer and enjoying the local entertainment.  The quality of the photos is not stellar, I dropped my camera in the dirt which caused lens errors, dang it.  So all the photos are from Neal's blackberry camera.

We made some new friends and might have finally found a club to join.  When we lived in D.C. and were members of D.C. Tri, we were training, racing or volunteering at a race almost every weekend.  Since moving to Austin, let just say notsomuch.  

It was a great way to spend the day! Totally worth getting up at 5:30am on a weekend.