Yes, I do realize that as of today it has been exactly two months and two days since my last post, but you have to forgive me! I've been really busy. And sick. And out of town. But mostly just sick. I started out the month of October with a visit from old college friends. We went to Keeneland, had dinner at Malone's, tailgated and went to the UK game and had an all around blast. It was so much fun that I barely even stopped to take pictures. I managed to get a few shots of us at Keeneland and a couple at the game, but that's about it.
Pretty much the day after everyone left to go back to their respective cities, jobs, and much calmer lives, I came down with what has been the most on going illness I've ever had. It lasted longer than my case of mono that I had last year. Up until about a week ago, I still had swollen glands and a sore throat. I am just now finally getting back to feeling 100%, just in time for the holidays!
Despite being sick as a dog, I did get to recover a little bit beach side. Every fall I have a convention for the Kentucky Ready Mix Concrete Association in Naples, FL. Because I am on the board of director's, I'm lucky enough to have an expense paid trip down south to enjoy some sun, great food and drinks, and of course spend some time with my colleagues. I won't say that I felt awesome during that week, but being sick in 80 degree weather makes it more motivating to get out of bed. At least I could take a nap on the beach. One of the days I was feeling well enough to have a frozen drink and even go paddle boarding. I did really well on the paddle board, but honestly, it was kind of boring. But here's a video if anyone wants to see my paddling expertise!
Mango daiquiris make even the sorest of throats feel better.
Who can stay in bed sick with that kind of sunset???
As for the rest of the month of October and all of November, I spent a lot of time meeting new people and not taking any pictures at all. With the exception of this one, which is now one of my favorites.
That's my little brother, Will, and he is the most important person in my life. He is what I am thankful for, because if you know me well, you can imagine what a brat I'd be without him.
On to lighter things, like cold weather cocktails. I've been in the mood to nest these days since the weather is starting to look a little more like winter and the days are so much shorter. A week or so ago, Courts came over for spiked cider that I had sitting in my fridge since Halloween. Don't worry, it was the prepackaged, premixed kind from Daily's, so it wasn't spoiled. It was pretty good considering it came from a bag, and it made me feel festive enough to put on Christmas music. And that says a lot, since I don't particularly care for Christmas. I'm an old Scrooge, what can I say? I did manage to take down my Halloween decor last weekend (goodbye, Halloween Bear!) and put up the ten to twelve pieces of Christmas decor that I own. I don't put up a tree and I don't really even put up garland, but I do have a few pieces of cherished decorations that have to go out every year.
After all of the holiday cheer I participated in this weekend, I needed a holiday beverage to go with it. I decided to make spiked hot cocoa. Don't judge me for using the powdered kind, I jazzed it up a bit. After adding some extra cream to the milk and powder, I spiked it with Bailey's and Kahlua. It was quite yummy!
Lots of marshmallows.
Generic, because that's what was in the house.
So that's pretty much all that I've been up to since the last post. Nothing too life altering. Just some nasty virus and some holiday cheer. I don't plan on doing anything but curling up in my pajamas and reading the rest of Clash of Kings, so I don't know when I'll have anything interesting to post again. But at the very least, my annual Christmas party is coming up, so there will be plenty of fun and exciting stories and pictures to share from that! Happy Holidays!
