Shop Local KY- store now open!

Exciting news for all of you in Lexington!  Shop Local KY has opened a local store at 208 Woodland Ave!  There hours are Wednesday-Saturday 11:00AM- 6:00PM

Get over there and check out all that they have to offer.  I know I can't wait to get over there and stock up on some things myself.  I figured I'd use this as an opportunity to share one of my favorite t-shirts I've purchased from them so far.  You can find the t-shirt at this link and you can see me wearing it here below.

Happy Shopping!!!

Southwestern Sausage and Bean Dip

It's that time again!  The weekend and the early part of this week have been beautiful in the Bluegrass.  Our C-A-T-S are 2-0 after going down to Columbia and beating the Gamecocks and are ready to come back home and defend our turf against visiting Florida this Saturday.  What better way to gear up for the game than one of our favorite Kentucky traditions- TAILGATING!!!

I have just the recipe for your upcoming tailgate.  I made this for some friends that I had over this past weekend and they absolutely LOVED IT!  It's quick and easy and will leave everyone at your tailgate happy.  Check it out!

Southwestern Sausage & Black Bean Dip 3/4 lb sausage, cooked and crumbled (I used the entire 1 lb. package) 6oz cream cheese, softened 3/4 cup plain greek yogurt 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese 1 can Rotel tomatoes, drained 1 can black beans, drained Mix together and pour in baking dish. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, or until bubly. Serve with tortilla chips and/or fritos.

If you try it, send me a Tweet (@getluckynky) or leave a comment below and tell me how you liked it.

And don't forget to head over to Plain Chicken for some more fun recipes just like this one.  I enjoy their blog a lot!

Weekend Fun

Looking for something to do this weekend?  There are lots of exciting ways to have fun in our beautiful city this week.  Here are a few suggestions.  I hope to see you out and about enjoying some of these fun things this weekend too!

Oktoberfest at Christ the King Cathedral.

http://www.ctkoktoberfest.com/

ScareFest at Lexington Center

http://scarefestcon.com/

Talon Winery Fall Farm Fest

http://www.talonwine.com/

Evan's Orchard Apple Festival

http://www.evansorchard.com/Evans-Orchard-Farm-News.php

New Beginnings

I always find the start of a new season a chance to push the reset button.  It always seems like a good time to begin again with whatever your current goals may be.  This is especially a good time for those of you who are teachers, parents of school aged children,  or students yourself.  Now that we are settling back into the routine of a new school year, it is a perfect time to create positive new habits.

I'm trying to make more time to bake, do arts and crafts, and read.  Those things seem to give me a bit of a break from the hectic pace of my every day life.  I've also begun a new workout program that will take me through 14 weeks of work towards a much fitter and healthier state.  It also has given me the chance to get more organized about things in my life and really get everything back to a manageable state.

What are some things you are hoping to hit the reset button on this fall?  How are you planning to improve things in your life that you may not have been doing as well at over the last little bit?  Leave me comments below.  I love to be inspired by others goals!  I'll keep you posted on how I am doing in meeting and keeping my new commitments as well.

Also- how about our Kentucky Wildcats season opener this past weekend?  I hope this is the great start to a new beginning for #StoopsTroops too!  Go Cats!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

As I mentioned in my post the other day, I am very much excited about fall.  In order to hold me over until the pumpkin spice latte debuts next week, I decided to get my fall baking started.  I found this great recipe for pumpkin chocolate chip cookies!

They small amount of pumpkin puree in the recipe was the perfect amount to give it a nice orange color and nice flavor, and makes them moist and chewy without taking on the cake like quality of a lot of baked goods made with pumpkin.  It's a quick and easy recipe that I will definitely be revisiting throughout the fall.  I shared them with friends and it got across the board rave reviews!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies 

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup sugar
• ⅓ cup pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1¾ cup flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp allspice
• ½ tsp salt
• 1½ cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

1.  Cream butter and sugars together until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add pumpkin puree and vanilla, stir until combined. In a separate bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt. Slowly add to pumpkin mixture. Fold in chocolate chips.

2.  Refrigerate dough for a half hour or more before baking.

3.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

4.  Scoop balls of dough onto a baking sheet. Bake for 9-10 minutes, until the edges are firm. Remove from oven, and let set on the baking sheet for about 5-10 minutes, before removing to a wire rack.

5.  Once completely cool store in an air tight container.

Happy Baking!  Leave some comments or Tweet me @getluckynky with your comments and questions and pictures of your cookies!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Today the US Open Tennis tournament starts.   As a lifelong avid tennis fan, this along with the impending Labor Day holiday are my yearly signal that fall is upon us.  Fall has always been my most favorite season.  I love the changing of the leaves and the crisp fall air.  There are so many things that I look forward to every fall.  Baking anything and everything with pumpkin.  Drinking pumpkin spice lattes.  Fall meet at Keeneland and football games.  Visits to Evans Orchard, Oktoberfest celebrations, taking in hikes while admiring the beautiful colors of the leaves.  This year will bring even more excitement with the Breeder's Cup and Breeders Cup Festival finding it's 2015 home right here in Lexington.  There are so many things to love about living in Central Kentucky year round, but especially in fall.  I can't wait to savour every last moment of all of them once again this year.  What are some of your favorite fall traditions and/or recipes?  Please let me know in the comments below and stay tuned for more adventures!