Simple Joys of the Week, October 14th (Late) Edition

So sorry for the delay, ya'll! I'm back in Kentucky and our trip has been so jam-packed thus far, that this is the first chance I've gotten to actually sit down and write about it! But wow, it's amazing to be back in the bluegrass. I had almost forgotten how unbelievably beautiful Kentucky is--and how connected I feel to the state. It's like coming home, in a way...

So what has brought me joy this past week? All things KY :) Read on for the details!

Hear: Country music

OMG, another thing I had forgotten about KY? How amazing the country music radio stations are! It's wonderful to be able to turn on the radio and find a number of stations playing all my country music faves--we heard 3 different Garth Brooks songs in just 1 hour in the car yesterday! It's fab. Just another thing that has made me realize how much I miss the real south sometimes. Plus, everyone here is SO nice! If you can't tell, it's been great to be back :)

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Taste: Atomic Cafe (Lexington, KY)

I know, you wouldn't think that Lexington would be an amazing Caribbean food destination, but it is! Granted, it may have been the fabulous company that made this meal extra-enjoyable, but it really was delicious and I ate until I was completely stuffed. Then, add on the rehearsal dinner at Woodford Reserve last night and the number of delicious desserts that I've had since we've been here, and I'd say my tummy has been a happy camper on this trip :) 

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Laura and I drinking out of "nose" cups I gave her years ago...

See: Great friends!

There is NOTHING better than visiting with your soul-mate friends, and I've been extremely happy being able to do so on this trip. I've laughed more in the past 48 hours than I have in the past month combined, and it has been unbelievable reminiscing, talking, and bonding with some of my besties. I feel so lucky to have such amazing friends in my life, and feel even luckier when I'm able to spend time with them :)

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Touch: Cool, crisp Kentucky breeze

The weather here = perfection. Sure, it's been a little on the cool side, but it's been sunny, breezy, and just perfectly KY to me. We went out to the wedding site for the rehearsal yesterday, and I was completely taken aback by the utter beauty of KY farmland. Rolling green hills, black and white picket fences, clear blue skies, and majestic horses cover the countryside. It sounds cliche, but cliches are cliches for a reason--they're real! I can't wait to sit outside for the wedding ceremony in a few hours--it's an amazingly picturesque spot for a wedding and I'm so excited to be able to be there for it.

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Smell: Woodford Reserve Bourbon brewing...

Let me get one thing clear--I don't like Bourbon, or  really any liquors for that matter--but we got a tour of the Woodford Reserve Distillery at the rehearsal dinner last night and it was really cool. The smell of the wheat meal, cornmeal, and yeast brewing (?) was actually a pretty good aroma, and it was very cool to see how it all works. I have to say, it was a sensory pleasure to smell, even if I didn't like the taste!

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Since we only have another 30-hours or so in Kentucky, I'm going to get off of here and enjoy them, but I'll share more pictures when I get back :)

Have a glorious weekend! And if you have a chance, take a minute to look back on what brought you simple, sensory joy this past week...

Namaste,
Mary Catherine