Will it be Hockey or Horses?

In case you haven't seen the news lately, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are coming to town. They arrive in Lexington this afternoon and will stay at the home of a friend (theirs, not mine -- a former US Ambassador to Great Britain) who owns a horse farm in neighboring Versailles. If you are unfamiliar with this neck of the woods, I feel compelled to share that in spite of the classy-ness of this particular town, we in KY pronounce it Vur-sales.

Anyway, why is the Queen in Kentucky? Tomorrow is Derby Day 133! I love this time of year here. It seems to evoke a formality that is becoming more and more rare. The radio ads shift from commercials for boats and RVs to ads for men's fine clothiers and boutiques featuring originally designed ladies hats. Chefs are interviewed about mint juleps and traditional recipes served at events leading up to tomorrow's first jewel in the Triple Crown and of course, everyone wants to know which celebrities will walk down the red carpet at Churchill Downs. The Queen trumps them all (you have to feel a twinge of pity for the Prince -- though by now I'm sure he's used to walking in her shadow).

The big concern now is whether NBC will pre-empt the pre-race festivities coverage for the NHL playoffs when Kentucky's most famous guest ever makes her appearance. We'll just have to tune in around 4PM EST tomorrow to find out.

On a personal note, I feel badly that I haven't posted any 'new' photos of Ellie in a while, but last night Mom sent me some from her 'Grandma Weekend' so I'll post those below.

Grandma got to go to play group on Friday morning and meet some of Ellie's little friends!