It's snowing again

I cannot believe how much snow we are getting this year. It's more than any of the sixteen years that I've been here. Of course, being from Chicago and before that Detroit, I'm used to a lot of snow, but I never thought Kentucky would get that much. ..maybe a little because Louiville is situated in the northern part of the state, but certainly not this much.

I must say it's beautiful. I'm sitting in the suite on the second floor and looking out of the window. All of the magnolia trees are laden with the white, fluffy stuff and the streets, walkways and cars are barely peeking from underneathe it. It's quite cold too. Around 19 degrees and evfen colder, with the wind chill.

Fortunately, the snow hasn't kept visitors from coming to the bed and breakfast. I have three business people from London, England here who checked in last night. They flew into Chicago and what should take around a five hour drive took them ten hours. It seems they googled for directions and ended up in Detroit. They called from the road, got the right directions from Robyn and made it by ten o clock last night.

If any of you have been contemplating coming to Louisville, please don't be put off by the snow. It's beautiful and you'll love it. The city has been on alert and the streets and highways have been cleaned off. It isn't icy, just white and powdery. All the shops and restaurants are open and our bed and breakfast is ready for you, with comfy beds and wonderful gourmet breakfasts. Y'all come.

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Holiday House Tour and Festival - Louisville, Kentucky - December 5 & 6, 2009

Gargoyles, chameleons, serpents and swans ... turrets, towers, bays and gables ... wrought-iron fences, hand-carved doors, stained-glass windows ... hidden balconies, secluded courtyards, and secret passageways ... terra-cotta, glazed brick, tile, marble and stone ... Old Louisville is a feast for the eyes, and as such, Kentucky can boast one of the most splendid residential neighborhoods in the entire country. A leisurely stroll along the tree-lined streets of Old Louisville can transport a visitor back in time to an era when a man’s home truly was his castle.

Victorian Gothic abounds, as do shining examples of Richardsonian Romanesque, Queen Anne, Italianate, Chateauesque and Beaux Arts architecture, making Old Louisville the country’s largest Victorian neighborhood. As a National Preservation District, it ranks as the third largest only after Boston and Georgetown. The picturesque boulevards, streets and alleys of Old Louisville boast miles of grand mansions and comfortable dwellings, thousands in all, embellished with architectural styles and elements of centuries past from all corners of the globe.

Old Louisville has a very colorful history - mostly of local importance - and this history is kept alive and well in the many stories and anecdotes swapped in the parlors and salons of its gracious homes. First developed between the 1870s and the early 1900s, many consider the Southern Extension, as residents called it, Louisville’s first suburb. A major catalyst to its growth came in 1883 when Louisville hosted the extremely successful Southern Exposition and received international attention when then-resident Thomas Edison showcased his incandescent light bulb. When it finally closed its doors in 1887, savvy developers started to sell off the land on the newly-dubbed Saint James and Belgravia Courts, realizing that image-conscious Victorians would snatch up anything reminiscent of London aristocracy. The rich and elite poured into the posh “new” neighborhood, and residents applied the name “Old Louisville” to the district in the 1950s.

While “Urban Renewal” caused the destruction of similar neighborhoods all around the country, most of Old Louisville somehow managed to escape the wrecking ball. After a blighted period in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s, residents of Kentucky’s largest city started to realize that they had a diamond in the rough. Instead of giving in to the planned destruction of priceless examples of architecture, locals banded together and had the entire area placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Old Louisville Preservation District today includes approximately 48 blocks of the residential core bounded by Kentucky and Bloom Street to the north, and between Sixth Street and Interstate 65 to the east and west.

Aside from the festive first weekend in December, Old Louisville also puts on its finery and southern charm in the springtime, just before the Kentucky Derby in May when crystal blue skies provide the perfect backdrop for a colorful explosion of azalea, dogwood and redbud blossoms. It shines in the crisp fall air of October as well, when hundreds of thousands flock to its quaint streets for the Saint James Art Show and stroll beneath a canopy of spectacular fall colors. Since the 1970s, Old Louisville has undergone an impressive renaissance, but it is still one of the “best-kept secrets” around. About 20,000 people, representing a wide spectrum of ages, incomes, races and lifestyles, make Old Louisville their home today. This diversity, as well as the beautiful, turn-of-the-century Victorian homes and friendly residents, makes Old Louisville an exciting place to live, work and play.


For more information contact:
Old Louisville Information Center
1340 South Fourth Street
Louisville, KY 40208
(502) 635-5244
olnc at bellsouth.net


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St James Art Show in Old Louisville, Kentucky: Oct. 2, 3 & 4, 2009

The St James Art Show is one of the largest art shows in the country. Booths and tents span over blocks and blocks of Old Louisville, displaying every kind of art object and craft imaginable. Our Inn will be filled with artists, two of whom are jewelry makers who have been returning to stay with us for the past five years.

Environmental awareness at the St. James Court Art Show

In an effort to raise environmental awareness, the St. James Court Art Show patrons will have a new way to enjoy the show without transportation and parking hassles. Bicycling for Louisville will offer secure valet bicycle parking throughout the event. Patrons may leave their bicycles at the valet bicycle parking corral at 6th Street and Magnolia Street, spend the day perusing the art, and pick up their bicycles for the ride home. No lock is necessary. Bicycling for Louisville will provide the parking service at no charge, and will welcome donations.

October schedule of Tours

"Lantern Ghost Walks" at 9:00 every night starting October 4, which will include a candlelight tour of the Conrad-Caldwell House. Cost: $25 + Tax

"Old Louisville Ghost Walks" on Tuesdays through Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. and Tuesdays through Thursdays and Saturdays at 7:00 p.m. Cost: $20 + Tax

"Ghosts of Old Louisville Tours" at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings every weekend except the weekend of St. James Court Art Show. Cost: $25 + Tax

"History and Architecture Walks" at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays Cost $15 + Tax

"Mansions & Milestones Tours" on Friday and Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Cost $25 + Tax

All tours leave from the Old Louisville Visitor Center, 218 West Oak Street. For information or to make reservations (payment is required when reservations are made). (502) 637-2922

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You deserve a break: Summer Travel

Summer travel this year is all about the bargain. You might consider a trip to a lovely, historic bed and breakfast, where getting more for less could mean you have the best room at the Inn, more personal attention, and lots of extras. Most B&Bs, across the country, feeling the economic crunch, are reacting by offering discounts, valuable packages, additional services and more. It's definitely a win win situation for travelers looking for a great deal. So, now is the time to plan that great escape!

Look for Value: We're all uneasy about these economic times and a great many of us have decided to cut back, spend less and save more. But that doesn't mean we must continually deprive ourselves of the very things that can revive and recharge our batteries. We still need that occasional manicure, trip to the health club, massage or get away. This year more than ever, travelers are looking to get the best get-aways they can afford. Bed and breakfasts, all over the country, are plugging into that need by offering affordable relaxing and fun week-end packages.

Travel in the US: With airfares still fairly high, traveling in North America instead of Europe or other far away destinations is a cost effective. Leisure travelers might consider travel by car, since gas prices have remained down. Business travelers, flying into town, may find prices and amenities are to their advantage. If you wont be traveling this summer and plan your trip for sometime in January (slowest accommodations month of the year) and February (Valentine's Day), you'll find plenty of interesting and reasonable packages and things to do.

Explore Kentucky: Kentucky is rich in history,. It is jam packed with beautiful scenery and lots of towns and cities with lovely Inns, bed and breakfasts and working farm Stays to accommodate your overnight and breakfast needs. Week-end rates are a great value and most major attractions are free or minimal in price.

Plan Your Trip with the help of an innkeeper: Innkeepers are great concierges. They know the area. They can suggest ideas for sight seeing and entertainment, restaurants and can make reservations for you. They can help you get the most for your money; a popular travel trend every year.

610 Magnolia, Louisville KY: unusual restaurant, amazing food, creative chef

Located in the heart of historic Old Louisville on an out of the way side street is 610 Magnolia, from the outside, a small, unpretentious building with no indication that it is, indeed, one of the finest restaurants, and maybe the finest restaurant in Louisville. If you were to walk by during the day, you would never guess that on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, an extraordinary chef was creating extraordinary cuisine.

Offering his guests a combination of southern hospitality and urban sophistication, he has created an interior which is a simple statement in elegance with the original wooden beams along the ceiling, mullioned windows, and French doors leading to alovely garden patio. Inside the restaurant are highly polished mahogany tables, Frette linens and Riedel crystal that add up, along with the unsurpassed wine list, to a truly unique dining experience.

Chef Edward Lee has been cooking professionally for 10 years in America and Europe, training under Chef Frank Crispo in New York. At 25, he opened Clay, a successful Asian-inspired restaurant in the NoLiTa section of Manhattan. "I was the chef, the manager, the dishwasher and the host there. After five years, I was looking to rise to the next level."

He discovered 610 Magnolia eight years ago, while researching the best American restaurants. A regular customer in New York who was also a Louisville native, told him about the restaurant and its eccentric chef, Ed Garber. When Lee visited Garber during Kentucky Derby week 2001, they began a mentor-apprentice relationship that resulted in the passing of the torch from one Ed to another. Garber closed 610 Magnolia in July. Lee, in partnership with businessman Brook Smith, reopened 610 Magnolia on September 11, 2003.

610 Magnolia has reopened, in 2003, under the leadership of Edward Lee, a former innovative New York City chef who has studied under Ed Garber, the former chef and proprietor. The restaurant is now open to the public three nights a week. The restaurant focusses on New American cuisine, blending the eclectic with classical European techniques to produce a contemporary and exciting approach to dining that has always been the benchmark of 610 Magnolia. Chef Lee brings to the diners of Louisville a top tier dining experience comparable to the finest restaurants in this country.

Chef Lee believes that a true dining experience requires an entire evening. So there is only one seating nightly. "Your reserved table is yours for the whole evening,” he said. “That's what it takes to make a dinner memorable." The menu changes week-to-week depending on the seasons. The restaurant is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tables will not turn. Reservations are required. A full bar serving a small a la carte menu opens at 5:30 p.m. 610 Magnolia is also available for private events.

Photos: courtesy Dan Dry
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Kentucky and the art of equestrian sport..........Dressage Competitions

Dressage competitions are held regularly in Louisville, three of four times a year. Many of the spectators have stayed with me here at the Inn, which is very close to where the competitions are held. Dressage is the highest expression of horse training, and is considered to be the art of equestrian sport. It is used as the groundwork for all the other disciplines. Its beginnings can be traced back to the 17th century courts of Renaissance Europe and today, interest in dressage continues to grow throughout the world as a sport and a pastime. Dressage is also one of the three disciplines in competition at the Olympic Games, the other two being Jumping and Eventing.

In modern competitions, horse and rider are expected to perform from memory a series of predetermined movements, known as figures (volte, serpentine, figure of eight). The completely flat arena, measuring 60 x 20 m., is skirted by a low rail along which 12 lettered markers are placed symmetrically indicating where movements are to start, where changes of pace or lead are to occur and where the movements are to end.

In all competitions, the horse has to show three paces: walk, trot and canter as well as smooth transitions within and between these paces. Many people have seen Olympic or Grand Prix dressage on television. The horse appears to do intricate maneuvers as the ride sits almost motionless. But, dressage isn't just fancy moves with hard to pronounce names. The horses are trained to carry the rider with increasingly more ease and respond to subtle aids.aids. The horse is being taught to be supple, balanced and responsive.

A kur is a dressage test ridden to music. You are given a set of required elements and create your own test to instrumental music you choose. Some tests can be ridden in pairs or teams.The horse appears to be dancing, as with the Fresians in the video.The goal of dressage training is to develop a horse's flexibility, responsiveness to aids and balance. This makes the horse stronger and more pleasurable to ride.

If you compete you will always be competing against yourself, as well as others taking the test. The goal in competition is to always improve on your own score. The goal of dressage training is to develop a horse's flexibility, responsiveness to aids and balance. This makes the horse stronger and more pleasurable to ride. If you compete you will always be competing against yourself, as well as others taking the test. The goal in competition is to always improve on your own score.

A perfect day in Louisville

Everyone needs a break now and then. We think it's about time you did a little something for yourself...... like relaxing in a tub of luxurious bubbles, or sipping a glass of wine in front of a beautiful art deco fireplace. How about falling asleep in a huge, 4-poster, Victorian bed, snuggled under crisp, white luxury sheets and down comforter? Then, waking in the morning to the aroma of fresh baked muffins or bread, with the anticipation of a perfect day.

Now that you're rested, come on downstairs and relax in our beautiful French Toile dining room, while we pamper you with steaming cups of fresh brewed, gourmet coffee. Maybe try one of our Belgium waffles with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, or a delicious Spinach-herb Quiche. Don't get up!! Just sit and relax and imagine all the fun things we've got planned for you today, on your perfect day in Lousiville, Kentucky.

If you come, be sure to come in the springtime, when everything is in bloom, and the weather is warm and pleasant. Today, as you leave the Aleksander House, you will hop into the cab that's waiting out front. Heading toward downtown Louisville, your cabby will first take you to the Louisville Glassworks Studio, where you'll watch some of the finest glass in Louisville being blown. From there, you'll take a little tour down Market Street which is lined on either side with beautiful, 17th century buildings, restored and standing as proud reminders of Louisville's past history.

Next stop is Joe Ley's Antiques, a curious 3 story building containing fine and unusual antiques . Even if you aren't a collector, you must see this authentically, restored, 1890 schoolhouse. Filled with a vast array of antique lights, lamps, doors, mantels, fences, and gates, as well as antique toys, carousel animals, wooden clowns and handsome antique furniture, it's absolutely incredible.

Now for an incredible place for lunch! We've selected Lynn's Paradise Cafe, a quirky, independent restaurant with great food, serving everything from walnut-encrusted chicken to Mom's meatloaf, as well as a variety of soups, salads and sandwiches. Lynn's has received extensive local and national media attention, including features on television programs such as the Oprah Winfrey Show. Amazing food, and amazing decor and gifts.

Next, your cabby will take you on a scenic ride down past the Ohio river front, where our historic river boats are docked, and up through Old Louisville, the third largest preservation area in the country, with row upon row of 17th and 18th century Victorian houses. You are on your way to beautiful Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. Once there, you will step inside the world of horse racing. Stay as long as you want. Place a $2.00 bet and cheer for your horse, as he comes galloping down the track.

Time to head back to the Inn, only 14 blocks away, and take a little rest before dinner. You have reservations at Jack Frys; an amazing, intimate and romantic, american restaurant. Order the Pistachio-encrusted salmon, it's fabulous! A little wine, a scrumptious dessert, and some pleasant conversation and you're ready to head back to that 4-poster bed and collapse beneath the glistening white linens and comforter. See you in the morning!

This Old House

If you've never owned an old house (100 years or more), you probably have no idea what it's like. They are beautiful, interesting, and historic, yes. But, they also require constant and close attention and upkeep. It's an old house...Right? No one really knows who did the work on it..........the rehab, the repairs, the upgrading. Or, how well it was taken care of. Upon buying an old house you can, of course, completely restore it, including all the electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling, etc., but that is pretty pricey. And the days of finding one, in a decent location, cheap enough to off-set all the expense of restoring are pretty much over.

My house was built in 1882. It's a beautiful, 4028 square foot, Victorian, 3-story brick building with 5 bedrooms and 4 baths. I bought it nearly 15 years ago and turned it into a bed and breakfast, http://www.aleksanderhouse.com/ It is situated in the 3rd largest preservation area in the US, making it a part of America's history. I had never owned a historic home before and had no idea what I was getting myself into. Not that I have ever been sorry. I love my house, every original nook and cranny of it. But, I didn't know it would need constant attention, in order to keep it in tip top shape. Now, I am ecstatic if I get through a year with no mishaps.

I've lived though the collapse of my parlor ceiling, the cracking of water pipes which sent water trickling down out of the light fixture over my kitchen worktable, while preparing breakfast for guests, and the explosion of 7 feet of water out my water heater onto my basement floor, causing the furnace to go out in January. These are just a few situations; there have been more. Remember, if you haven't replaced all the major systems, pipes, structures, and tanks, those systems, pipes, structures, and tanks might be "ancient." I couldn't afford to do so, when I moved in, so I am having to attend to them, one at a time, as life and the B&B go on.

So, this brings me to today. We have been having severe snow and ice storms for the past 3 days. One day of snow (6-7 inches), one day of ice and sleet, and a 3rd day of more snow. How has this affected my beautiful, old historic home? Well, first of all, the strong winds and ice tore away some of the roof. This sent icy water dripping down onto my 3rd floor storeroom floor (unbeknown to me), where the carpet soaked it up and dripped it down onto the second floor ceiling. The ceiling swelled and threatened to explode water all over the back hall. Knowing what to do, I poked a hole in the middle of the swelling to let the accumulated water out. Down it came in an avalanche of dirty icy liquid....all over me and the floor. I thought I was prepared, with my pails and old bath towels, but I expected it to drip out, not rush out! Finally, I situated two large containers under two different drips and went to bed, totally unaware of the leak in the 3rd floor storeroom.

Next morning, it dawned on me that this leak wasn't coming from a pipe on the second floor; it had to have originated from the 3rd floor above, where the storeroom was . I checked the storeroom and found I was right. I placed the containers under the 3rd floor leaks, which stopped the 2nd floor leaks, and called my maintenance man at 6:30 am! He lives in the neighborhood, so he was there in a flash. (Love this guy, Richard). He confirmed my suspicions, but said, because of the ice storm, it would be too dangerous to get up on the roof, until Saturday, after the storms receded.

So I'm living with the dripping ........... and the shhhhing sound of huge branches falling from my beautiful, old Magnolia tree; branches heavy laden with ice and snow, falling one by one across the old icy, snowy front walk leading to my beautiful, old house. And here I sit, writing on my blog, away from the storm, warm, cozy, and quiet, except for the constant dripping from the ceiling in my storeroom.

CookBook Caper

(continued from sidebar: Room At The Table)
...and so the committee had to do most of the work, including raising funds for the project, testing all the recipes, styling all the photographs, and writing & editing all the copy (with a little help from our friends, the publishers). In addition, we engaged in long brainstorming and planning sessions and spent hours setting up systems and contacting & talking to potential Innkeeper participants.

We hired a photographer and a publisher.

The going wasn't always easy. As a group, we bonded, we argued, we had lunch together. We agreed, we disagreed, we had dinner together. We became adamant, we acquiesced, we traveled together. We laughed together. We cried together.

There was more togetherness than most of us were used to.

Traveling through Kentucky
......working the whole time