Halloween Fun: Spirit Ball in Old Lousiville

Old Louisville is one of the most splendid residential neighborhoods in the entire country. With tree-lined streets and imposing turn of the century mansions that can transport a visitor back in time. Viewing its seven major kinds of architecture, one can see gargoyles, chameleons, serpents and swans, turrets and towers.

In addition a variety of wrought-iron fences, hand-carved doors, stained-glass windows can be seen; as well as hidden balconies, secluded courtyards, and secret passageways made from terra-cotta, glazed brick, tile, marble and stone.

According to legend, many of Old Louisville's mansions, buildings and churches are inhabited by a variety of ghosts, mostly friendly.Locals are convinced that a young girl with black hair haunts the neighborhood to this day. Although she died 90 years ago, it is said that she still waits for her betrothed on the steps of the First Church of Christ Science, only three blocks from where I live.

And on the next street east of me, is the "phantom of Brook Street", a young girl attacked and murdered by two vagrants in the very home where she was employed. Although that home was demolished years ago, it is said her ghost comes to work daily. Other ghosts, such as the Widow Hoag and the Iceboy can be seen from time to time lurking in the shadows.

Old Louisville's third annual Spirit Ball was held in the opulent Conrad Caldwell Mansion last night, October 24th, from 8:00 pm until midnight. A one-of-a-kind masquerade ball to celebrate Halloween, the event included wonderful gourmet food and plentiful libations. Participants dressed in their best Halloween garb and enjoyed a night of dancing and spooky fun.

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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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Fruit Cobbler idea from the Scone Lady

The Scone Lady has become a trusted supplier of scone and cookie mix for me. I happened to try out a sample she left a year or so ago, and it was so fabulous that I began using her mixes. She frequently sends me updates on her products, new and old, and I order from her what I think my guests would like. I just received this email from her this morning with a great idea for cobbler. It's almost fall and so cobbler is a delicious addition to our fall morning breakfast. I am definitely going to try this! You can contact the Scone lady here.

Fruit Cobblers

Funny how we all have our preferred fruit desserts. For me, apple crisp is usually fall dessert of choice--although I do occasionally change that to blueberry or peach, or apple cranberry crisp. So, when I was asked to make a cobbler, I actually had to go look up the definition of a "cobbler". A fruit filling topped with a "biscuit-like" crust. . .hmmm. . .sounds like scones to me! Time to experiment (good thing I have a willing in-house guinea pig!) Follow your favorite fruit cobbler recipe, but rather than make a biscuit crust, top it with scone dough. I've used Indian Chai (on peach), and Cinnamon Streusel (on blueberry-peach). I did have to play a little with baking time--and settled on baking at 350 degrees for (at least) 25-45 minutes--until the scones are baked completely through and the filling is fork tender and thickened. Check it at 25 minutes, and continue to add time until both scones and filling are baked. The times vary significantly, depending on whether you are starting with frozen or fresh fruit, and frozen or fresh dough. This is one case where I do think it is easier to work from "fresh" scone dough, rather than frozen--but it does work either way (The Scone Lady).

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Doctor's Inn fabulous Chili

Chili Con Carne Authentique 

from  Room At The Table Cookbook. 

(Recipe created at Doctor's Inn Bed and Breakfast, Berea Ky)

Prep: 20 minutes

Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

1 cup chopped onion

2 Tablespoons oil

11/2 lb. ground beef

1 garlic clove, minced

1 Tablespoon salt

2 cups tomato sauce

2 cups whole tomatoes

1 cup water

3 Tablespoons Chili powder

1 Tablespoon ground Cumin

1/4 teaspoon hot sauce

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 ounce unsweetened baking chocolate

1/4-1/2 cup Sherry

1-3 cans red Kidney Beans

Instructions

Saute onion in oil until translucent and tender. Add beef, garlic, and salt. Cook until meat is browned. Add tomato sauce, tomatoes, water, Chili Powder, Cumin, hot sauce, black pepper, and chocolate. Cover and simmer for 21/2 hours, adding more water if necessary. Stir frequently. Add Sherry in last 30 minutes of cooking. Add Kidney Beans.

First Louisville International Film Festival: October 1-4, 2009

The first Louisville International Film Festival is due to open in Louisville this year on October 1st. With 200 entries already secured, it will run until October 4th and feature thirty five films of all lengths and styles. Competing for prizes the films, which are from all over the world, will be screened at several local venues including the Kennedy Center and the Mohammad Ali Center in Downtown Louisville.

Most of the films will have fairly large budgets and bring in some well-known directors and stars. Of eight non-competing films at the festival, one of them: "The Burning Plain", stars Charlize Theron, Jenifer Lawrence and Kim Basinger. Guillermo Arriaga, who wrote the screenplays for "21Grams" and "Babel" is the director. Two of the film's stars, Theron and Lawrence, will attend the festival. (pictured is Charlize Theron)

The ghosts of Old Louisville

Old Louisville, located in the nation's 16th largest city, is the third largest historic preservation area and has the largest collection of Victorian mansions in the country. It's streets are lined with beautiful late 18th and early 19th century mansions. A National Preservation District, Old Louisville has more than 1,400 homes in a forty-eight block area.

These grand homes, built in seven major architectural styles of centuries past, sit along miles of tree lined streets, courts and avenues. According to legend, many of Old Louisville's mansions, buildings and churches are inhabited by a variety of ghosts, mostly friendly.

Locals are convinced that a young girl with black hair haunts the neighborhood to this day. Although she died 90 years ago, it is said that she still waits for her betrothed on the steps of the First Church of Christ Science, only three blocks from where I live.

And on the next street east of me, is the "phantom of Brook Street", a young girl attacked and murdered by two vagrants in the very home where she was employed. Although that home was demolished years ago, it is said her ghost comes to work daily. Other ghosts, such as the Widow Hoag and the Iceboy can be seen from time to time lurking in the shadows.

Get in the spirit, come take a tour of this beautiful, ghostly neighborhood and experience it for yourself. And while you're here, spend the night in our beautiful bed and breakfast, in the heart of Old Louisville
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How to make fabulous scones from a mix

I didn't even know there was such a thing. I'd seen mixes for just about every other kind of baked goods; but never had I ever seen a mix for scones. That is , until I met the Victorian scone lady. She called me one day, when she was in town for a trade show. She had brought some samples of her mixes, which she intended to drop off at the local bed and breakfasts.

She stopped by later and left a small bag, which sat on the shelf next to the nuts and raisins for weeks. Then, one day a guest ask if I would make some scones for breakfast. I decided to use the dried cherries in the cupboard. When I opened it, out fell the bag of scone mix, right into my mixing bowl.. This had to be a "sign" , I thought.

The bag made 6 scones and had a recipe for mixing & baking, and directions for freezing. "You freeze the cut out dough, not the finished scone". I read the directions, mixed in some dried cherries and baked the scones, all six of them. When they were done, I slathered some lemon curd on one of them and popped it in my mouth. It was absolutely the best scone I'd ever tasted! Not dry, not tasteless, not doughy, but fabulous. "Scone mixes from Victorian House Scones http://victorianhousescones.com/ taste like home made...[all you do is ]add butter and buttermilk to the mix, and bake".

I had made hundreds of scones from scratch, but never tasted any better than Victorian House Scones. After trying the first one, I went right to the phone and ordered several big bags of their mix. To find out how good they are for yourself, click on the link above and see what they have to offer.
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