SPINDLETOP HALL & FARM

SPINDLETOP HALL & FARM
LEXINGTON,KY


I have exciting news! The Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau (they are non-profit) just purchased cookbooks to give as gifts to various dignitaries and business people that come to Lexington. I hope they will consider it as a promotional tool for the 2010 World Equestrian Games. Patricia Knight, Vice President of Finance and Operations said, "Visitors love things like this."

I want to start doing a blog on some of the people and places that contributed recipes to my cookbook. After all, it would never have been possible with out all these wonderful people.

Speaking of Lexington… I received a recipe from Historic Spindletop Hall

The History of Spindletop Hall & Farm

On November 13, 1925, Miles Frank Yount struck oil at the Spindletop field in Beaumont, Texas. The fields produced over 340,000 barrels of oil an acre per year, pumping in excess of 50 million barrels within 5 years. Miles Frank and wife Pansy established a stable of American Saddle bred horses, quickly becoming recognized as a leader in the industry.

Spindletop Hall & Farm was established in 1935 on 800 acres of land in Lexington, KY. When completed, the mansion housed 40 rooms and over 45,000 square feet of floor space.

Spindletop Hall’s Award-winning Chef Ed Valente contributed an amazing recipe, “Sweet Potato, Sorghum, & Bourbon Pie.” He and his culinary team provide a variety of menus to cater to every taste – from regional cuisine to casual fare to five-star gourmet dining.

If you are in the Lexington area, you must visit and dine at beautiful Spindletop Hall and if you want the recipe, you will have to buy a copy of “Favorite Recipes of Kentucky Celebrities."

FAVORITE COOKBOOK !!!!

FAVORITE COOKBOOK !!!!

Leigh Landini Wright, who does the TASTE Section for the Paducah Sun recently did a story on her very favorite cookbook. She told of a student (at the school where she does Public Relations) who made a homemade cookbook as a gift for her.

This story brought back some very special memories. When my son was young, our family was very involved in church. One day after church, he ask me for a copy of my Chocolate Brownie Pie, which was his very favorite recipe. He said he could not tell me why.

On the following Mother’s Day, he gave me a homemade cookbook with all the favorite recipes of his bible class. It was made of blue construction paper with the title “COOKBOOK” printed in large letters with a crayon. In his eagerness to put it together, the recipes were stapled in up-side-down.

The cookbook is now very old, the construction paper is faded, and the pages are stained with chocolate and butter. However, each time I open it the cookbook brings a smile to my face. It brings back memories of a young child so loving and caring. A young child so eager to show his love. It truly is my VERY FAVORITE COOKBOOK.

I used the cookbook this Christmas holiday to make the traditional 3 pies. One for our dinner and 2 that I always make for my niece and nephew as part of their Christmas presents. It is still the Family Favorite.

Thanks to Leigh for bringing back such good memories.

I would also like to thank Leigh for doing several stories on the my cookbook “Favorite Recipes of Kentucky Celebrities.” I know she has so many request from various contributors. I really appreciated her including the cookbook.

Also if you have not yet seen this, check out the December Issue of “Paducah Life” and the January issue of “Kentucky Living” Magazines, as they both did stories on the cookbook.

WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR!!!!

God’s blessings,

Pam Whinnery

WORLD PREMIERE “ SPY ”

WORLD PREMIERE “ SPY ”
WITH BEN CURTIS

The new cookbook I am working on is well under way. “Favorite Recipes of Tennessee Celebrities” has over 100 recipes including Flatt and Scruggs (sent by family members), George S. Curtis (He wrote music score for Austin Powers Movie), Tom T. Hall, Hannah Montana and her father.

I am having so much fun doing this. It has been an opportunity to meet and exchange e-mails with so many wonderful people. Sometimes there are some very nice surprises. I have been exchanging e-mails with Ben Curtis (The Dell Kid), who is from Chattanooga.

He is starring with Vincent Pastore and Frank Vincent (Both from Sopranos) in the new movie Spy. Ben was so gracious to offer us tickets to the New York Premiere. We would love to go, however New York is a long way from Kentucky. I am still very appreciative of the offer.

Now to all the wonderful people who have contributed recipes, purchased a cookbook to help with a numerous fundraisers, and those who just happen to stop by to read this blog, I wish you a very blessed Christmas and New Year. Thank you for all your help and God’s blessings.

CANDIDATES FOR 2010 ELECTION: KENTUCKY U.S. SENATOR

CANDIDATES FOR 2010 KENTUCKY U.S. SENATOR

GUESS WHICH CANDIDATE DID NOT SEND A RECIPE FOR THE NEW KENTUCKY CELEBRITY COOKBOOK!

Three months ago, I attended the Fancy Farm Picnic. All four of the candidates running for Senator in 2010 were there and gave speeches.

It had so much fun! I did a blog on the picnic, as I am working on 2 more cookbooks, another one for Kentucky, and one on Celebrities from Tennessee.

I wanted recipes from each of the candidates. I had an opportunity to speak with each of them and their staff. They all promised to send recipes. The staff ask me to send them reminders, which I did.

I really wanted recipes from each of them as I had recipes in the first cookbook from Senator Mitch McConnell, Governor Steve Beshear, and all of the Kentucky U. S. Representatives.

Here are the results:

Attorney General Jack Conway and his wife Elizabeth sent a recipe for “Pork, Chicken, and Sausage Jambalaya

Secretary of State Trey Grayson sent a recipe that his wife makes. Nancy Grayson’s Artichoke Dip

Lt. Governor Dan Mongiardo likes to cook and sent a recipe with Venison. Dr. Dan’s Deerly Loved Lasagna

And Dr. Ron Paul son of former Presidential Candidate Rand Paul… Well! We are still waiting.

Probably no one politically connected reads this blog, but if they did, it would be interesting to hear some comments on why they think he and his staff promised to send a recipe and did not follow through.

It is a minor thing, but the cookbooks are used as fundraisers for non-profit organizations and it would have been encouraging to know that all the candidates followed through on their promises. Especially since, we were not asking for money or political favors.

I HAVE FAITH! I THINK HE WILL COME

THROUGH WITH A RECIPE!

28TH ANNUAL KENTUCKY DEPT. OF LIBRARIES BOOK FAIR

28TH ANNUAL KENTUCKY DEPT. OF LIBRARIES BOOK FAIR

I was one of 200 authors invited to participate in the Kentucky Department of Libraries Book Fair, which was held in the capital city of Frankfort.

For the official numbers here goes:

Top sellers for individual titles include: Burch, Hatter and Hughes, James Archambeault, Senator George McGovern, Silas House, Gary West, Tori Murden McClure, Barbara Napier, Allan Eckert, David Dick, Sallie Clay Lanham with Rebecca D. Bolton and Mary Nash Cox, PAMELA WHINNERY, Joy Perrine, Phyllis George, Chester Zoeller and Mark Wayne Adams.

We had $141,000 in sales---very very good in light of this year’s economy.
3900 patrons attended.
Of the 523 titles offered for sale, nearly 7300 books were sold.

The Director Connie Crowe sent this information to me.


As this was a new adventure for me, I knew it would be fun.

However, it was more enjoyable, because Connie Crowe was so helpful and patient in answering my numerous questions. I did try to tell as many people with committee tags and Member at Large tags, etc. how much I appreciated her help and that I thought she did a great job. They all told me she was a Saint.

And the volunteers!!! I can’t say enough about how much I appreciated their checking on me and the other authors numerous times. They were wonderful.

THE BOOK FAIR IS A FUNDRAISER FOR LIBRARY SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS FOR STATE LIBRARIES. I CONSIDERED IT A PRIVILEGE TO BE A PART OF THIS ACTIVITY.

ART, ARTISTS, & AUTHORS

ART, ARTISTS, & AUTHORS

When: November 14th, 2009
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
What: Lower Town Second Saturday
Where: Lower Town Art Galleries

Come experience this first-time event, “Art, Artist, & Authors,” during Lower Town’s Second Saturday gallery walk, and get that special someone the perfect gift for the holidays!

What a great opportunity to purchase unique, original artwork and books signed by the artist and /or author. Stroll from gallery to gallery to meet and talk with the various artist and authors. Questions? Contact Stefanie Graves 270-908-0755 or Pam Whinnery 270-554-5332

Kijsa Housman Studio, 444 N. 8th Street, artist Kijsa Housman
Author: Tracy Buchanan, “Flutterbies”

Cowango Studio, 517 N 8th Street, artists Stefanie Graves and David Lucht
Author: Berry Craig, “True Tales of Old-Time Kentucky Politics: Bombast, Bourbon & Burgoo”

Judeen’s Art Studio:, 720 Harrison Street, artist Judeen Theis
Authors: Pam Whinnery, “Favorite Recipes of Kentucky Celebrities”
Angie Wyatt, “Timmy the Tractor, His Hay Day”

Pinecone Studio, 419 N. 7th Street, artist Char Downs
Authors: Char Downs and Jay Siska, “Then & Now, Lower Town, Paducah”

Gallery 5, 803 Madison Street, artist William Renzulli
Authors: William Renzulli, “Have I Told You Today That I Love You: A father's words to his children”
Patience Renzulli, Mama Pajama Tells A Story: Writings About Dogs & Their Servants

Mentor House: Paulette Mentor, 332 N. 6th Street, artist Paulette Mentor
Authors: Ro Morse, "100 Things to Enjoy in Historic Paducah", "Ro”s Simple Pleasures”
Ann Watkins, “Reclaiming the Art of Child Training Toward a Biblical Approach”

Etcetera, 320 N. 6th Street, owners, Johanna & Allen Rhodes
Author: Cliff Gill, “Doin' Time for a Living: The story of a Kentucky Jail”
Clay Campbell, “Guitars, Bar's & a Prodigal Son”

The Egg and I, 335 N. 6th Street, artist, Carol Gabany
Author: Steve G. Gabany, Ph.D., "Historic Architecture of Paducah and McCracken County"

Stornaway House Gallery, 513 N.6th Street, artists Carolyn & Wil MacKay
Author: John Robertson, “Paducah, a Pictorial History”

Bryerpatch Studio, 502 N. 5th Street, artist Caryl Fallert
Author: Caryl Fallert, a variety of quilting how-to books

2009 KDLA BOOKFAIR, FRANKFORT, KY

The date of the 2009 Kentucky Book Fair is November 7th at the Frankfort Convention Center, 405 Mero Street, Frankfort, KY. Hours are 9 to 4:30 p.m.

Admission is free.

The list of authors attending the 2009 Kentucky Book Fair is now available at their:

website

www.kybookfair.com

The exciting news is my cookbook "Favorite Recipes of Kentucky Celebrities" has been selected for the bookfair. With nearly 200 authors selected, it is one of only 5 cookbooks chosen.

If you are going to the book fair I will be in Row 7 Table 33b.

Other Paducah authors: Tracey Bucanhan, Cliff Gill, & Molly Harper.