We so look forward to the first Saturday in May, and the fun in Louisville in the couple days before. And this year, no rain in the forecast!!

We took Kayla and JR to their first Derby. Not only are they terrific traveling companions, but they really got into the spirit. We landed Thursday afternoon after a very smooth flight. I so appreciate a very smooth flight! Anne and Scoot scooped us all right up. So good to see them both again. And it’s off to lunch at Doc Crow’s.

I’m not sure what JR’s sandwich was called, but I know it had a burger, pulled pork and something else towering inside a burger bun. I also don’t know how he managed it, but manage he did. That’s a young man with a good appetite.

Then it’s off to the hotel to unpack, chill out before the night’s festivities. Since I was coming off either a nasty cold or seasonal allergies, I took a nap. Then roused to change for Club Night, hosted by the perennially fabulous York Sisters, Tonya and Tammie, who founded and run Unbridled.

Great venue, big bar, comfy seating, music. And best of all, familiar faces. One of the best things about this weekend is reconnecting with what’s become our Derby family. We have a table upstairs, and there’s a buffet, another bar, and a dance floor. Eat a little, drink a little, and it doesn’t take long before that dance floor’s put to use. All girls at this point, and I join in that fun.

Back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep as Friday is a big day for all.

Anne picks up Kayla and me at ten, and Scott will gather our men shortly for their Oaks Day at Churchill Downs. BW has my bet on the Oaks race—Lilies for the Fillies. Spoiler alert—my losing streak on this race held once again.

The rest of us are off for mani pedis, at the lovely Bourbon and Blush. Fun place, happy energy, and we leave with pretty fingers and toes.

Lunch is at Guacamole, so that calls for a margarita. They have a whole menu of them. I planned to go for a traditional, but our server insists I try one of the fancier ones. I’m glad I listened! Relaxed and fueled up we head to Rhodes for a little shopping. It’s always nice to see Beth, whom I’ve worked with there for years.

I score what will be one of my favorite easy summer dresses—with pockets!—a scarf that’ll work very well as a wrap for my gala dress, and a bit more.

Back to the hotel where Anne tells me the owners of Bridleberry Leather Tack want to gift me  one of their fabulous bags. Who am I to say no to that? Their selection is simply gorgeous. No way to go wrong here. Now I have what will surely be my plane bag when we go to Italy this summer. And on many other trips in years to come, as the quality of the craftsmanship is as gorgeous as the style. These bags are beautifully made.

I will absolutely treasure this gift, and put it to excellent use.

Up to the room to take a few breaths. JR texts Kayla some pictures, and our men look sharp!

Time to fiddle with makeup, hair. Then men arrive. Won some, lost some, and had fun doing it. BW reports that JR caught onto the betting protocol quickly. I’d expect no less.

We all glam up. Kayla looks just lovely in her pink gown (with jewelry borrowed from Nana’s Treasure Box). JR’s pink tie is a perfect match.

Anne’s arrives, also glam, and it’s time for some photos before we go down, meet up with Scott and make our way to the ballroom. Red Carpet first. Kayla and JR have that first experience, and handle it with style.

People to greet, people to hug, and doesn’t everyone look fabulous! As always, I have to check out the silent auction items. Lots and lots, and it’s all for charity. Blessings in a Backpack is one of the main organizations, and one I’m always happy to contribute to.

Get a drink, get our table. As the powers that be decided to change the hours on Oaks Day, with the big race late in the evening, the clever York sisters have a big screen where the race will stream, and a loaded buffet as a plated meal just won’t work as well.

We’re seated with the lovely and talented Danica McKellar and her husband. BW was a huge fan of her Winnie in The Wonder years. She’s entertained me many times with holiday movies during my wrapping marathons.

The always incredible Crashers get the music going. It’s a wonder to me they’re also able to back the variety of music stars—country, pop, rock—who headline the night.

Meanwhile, I’m watching my bids—don’t want to leave empty handed. We walk down to the Photo Booth for some silly fun. On the way a we see the other activities provided. Karaoke—and the obviously well lubricated duo singing are flat on every single note. Just makes it more fun! And Silent Disco. So you see people with headphones bopping, boogying in silence.   

I win my auction item—what it is, I’ll keep to myself for now as it’s a gift.

Definitely time for bed. The Big Day is only hours away.

Up and at ‘em. Time to get pretty. I’ve gone with a fascinator this year, and discovered it doesn’t want to stay in place. So I make use of one of the pretty hat pins the clever Kat made me. Works like a charm!

Kayla went pink again, and with her straw hat and trailing ribbon is pretty as a cupcake. The men look handsome and ready. My dress is so, so comfortable, shoes, too, which is a kind of miracle. Since the forecast warned of a very cool day, I’ve brought a topper. And I need it.

And here’s Scott to drive us. It’s always a smooth ride with Scott at the wheel. There’s already a good crowd and we wind our way through, then up to our floor. Happy to see Kim, our long time server. Sorry Amy, another long time server, had a conflict. As always, I have to go out on the terrace and just look. It’s such a beautiful track. I’m so happy to be here again, and to be able to share it with my girl and her boy.

Place my first bet, settle in. I’ve already decided on my Derby horses. I pick one for each family member as well as for me. We bet, take pictures, bet some more. I start out in the hole, but that’s going to change. And it does.

Lots of people to see, take pics with. Danica and her husband are at our table today, too. Lots to talk about. She’s just delightful.

And love to see all the finery, the clever or gorgeous hats. And best, to watch those magnificent horses run. Especially when one of mine comes in!!

The day whizzes by, and it’s time to bet the big one. I bet on a gray, of course, but on a number of others. Including for Jason and me, Golden Tempo, as his trainer would be the first female trainer to win the Derby.

Logan’s horse scratched, so I pick another for him and me. Great White suits him.

The energy rises, it just buzzes. We all crowd out onto the terrace. Time for My Old Kentucky Home. Almost before you can blink, they’re loading the horses in the gate. And just before he was loaded, Great White spooks, throws his jockey and flips. Fortunately, neither horse nor rider were injured. But again, Logan’s scratched, and no time to pick another for him.

And they’re off. I always forget who I bet on, what number to watch because, God, they’re just magnificent. And the sound, a wall of sound from the thunder of hooves to the roar of the crowd.

But I do see the horse, back of the pack, weaving its way up, and up, and up. Honestly I started rooting for him before I realized—#19, Golden Tempo! He weaves, weaves, passing horse after horse, and comes neck-and-neck with the favorite who has the lead. The riders of these two horses happen to be brothers. And at the finish line, #19, by a neck!!

Cheers, applause. A hell of a race. Seriously breathtaking.

And when I check, I see I bet, across the board, at 23 to 1. A very nice payoff for Jason and me! And as I’d also put a bet on the favorite, across the board. A little something for me and Logan’s Lauren.

We stay till the last race, saying goodbye to Derby family, and home we go. Anne delivers pizza, which is perfect!

Sleep like the dead. Wake up, pack, organize, dress, and off to the airport. More goodbyes to Scott and Anne, and hope to see them both next year.

A smooth ride home, unpack, and pretty much crash.

A pretty much perfect derby weekend—though Louisville? Maybe a little warmer next year.

I had my second shingles shot scheduled for Monday afternoon. And unlike the first, which was nothing, this one put me in a coma for two days! LOL. Slept, slept, slept.

Then, speaking of hats, it was Girls Night Out in Boonsboro. So much fun, and this year the theme was hats, with a contest Kayla and I judged. Such creativity and cleverness. We just couldn’t pick one, so Natoma at Gifts, who set this up, let us award smaller prizes for second, third and honorable mention.

I wish we could have awarded everyone, as they all deserved it.

Now I have some time for regular routine. Then!! It’s Girl Spa Week.

Nora

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Nora also sent some photos to give an update on the garden: