January 3.  I stopped at Craft(s) Gallery's show tonight for Sean Garrison's work "The Fruits of Rashness."  I love going in that place, the smell of the room, the interesting things I find and the owners Karen and David are such an amazing addition to downtown Louisville.  The artwork was beautiful, colorful, whimsical-almost cartoon-like in the best possible way.  I ran into a couple of artists and friends at the reception, good neighbors and met some new people.    I also bought a belt I have been obsessing over.  I normally don't get that crazy about things but I kept coming back to this belt.  Just a tiny moment of weakness and it's mine, and I absolutely love it.

Off to the Monkey Wrench for a drink and a goodbye for Rebecca leaving to the below freezing tundra of Wisconsin.  I love going to the Wrench despite the bittersweet occasion of the night.  The place has gone through a major overhaul recently from the decor to the menu.  I love the new menu, but tonight was just a beer and a goodbye.  I'm sure I will be back for dinner in the coming weeks as I am sure Rebecca will be back in the Bluegrass state someday.  I will miss that girl.

 

Craft(s) Gallery, 572 S. Fourth St.  Sean Garrison's “The Fruits of Rashness.” runs through Jan. 31

The Monkey Wrench  1025 Barret Ave.

Jan 2.   Who moves to Wisconsin at the beginning of January?  The temperature in Louisville right now according to weather.com is 19 but feels like 6 which is downright balmy compared to negative 5 in Madison WI.  I went to a pre-farewell dinner for the wife (soon to be wifecicle) moving to Wisconsin in two days.  We sat at the corner of the bar at Dragon Kings Daughter.   I tend to be a creature of habit in ordering food and nine out of ten times get my favorites.  At DKD, ten out of ten times I get the ginger miso soup.  It is the perfect thing for this cold January night though I will order that soup in 100 degree weather.  It's spicy and gingery and perfect.  I get the basic salad, tomato, mozzarella, avocado, and ginger dressing and I round the whole thing out with warm sake.  The company was outstanding, the occasion bittersweet and the food, as usual, was amazing.

January 1, 2014

A new year begins with a messy house from an amazing dinner and multiple empty bottles and glasses (and honestly a slight champagne headache.)  The first order of the day was to erase the effects of the night before, putting the house back together, ridding myself of said headache with some food, and a mid afternoon nap.

Cleaning is much easier if it's done right away, but as the night was calling, everything was saved for the morning.  I had purchased a set of candles from Celebrations on Fourth St waiting for a good excuse to burn them.  The smells of last nights' dinner and alcohol seemed like the perfect occasion.  I am a fan of this pack of four hand poured beeswax votives by Rosy Rings in Honey Tobacco.    Smokey and masculine and easily masking the sins of the previous night. 

My favorite way to rid the other effects of the previous night is a good mid afternoon brunch.  We picked up a friend and headed to North End Cafe.  North End was packed and the wait was spent running in to several friends and acquaintances and catching up until seats opened at the bar.  The best remedy:  Bloody Mary, Mimosa, copious amounts of water, lots of laughter and good eats usually does the trick.  Jon and I are creatures of habit at North End and order everything ala carte.  Jon has a biscuit topped with two local eggs over medium and smothered in mushroom vegetarian gravy.  I get my two local eggs over medium, veggie sausage and the best cornmeal pancake and then I usually finish off Jon's breakfast.  Everytime.  Always good.  Always does the trick. 

The new year is off to a great start, home full of love, naps taken, dogs cuddled, stomachs filled- all is good-and the house smells amazing!

Celebrations
536 S. Fourth St
Louisville KY 40202

North End Cafe
1722 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville KY 40206

La Vida Local loves Louisville and is so in love with Southern Indiana.  La Vida Local supports local business wherever I land.  This blog is my commitment to shopping and showcasing the amazing local businesses that enrich my life daily.  A year of documenting a lifestyle as a small business owner and small business supporter.