12/12/14

The Thoroughbred Club of America

December ~ A time when we do our best around here to slow things down a bit all in the honor of friends, family, and traditions. Over the years we’ve come to know what we like best. What brings back the fond memories, what makes us the most comfortable, and what makes us the most grateful.
Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection

December is also a time to celebrate & shine. This year the Thoroughbred Club of America here in Lexington was ready to bring a fresh look to their treetops, tabletops, and time-honored traditions. I am honored that they asked me to bring that fresh look to their beautiful club for Christmas.
It was an absolute pleasure!

Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection

With my photographs & the sentimental prose of Edgar Albert Guest ~ I'm happy to share the results with you!  
 

"When Friends Drop In" 

Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection

It may be I'm old-fashioned, but the times I like the best
Are not the splendid parties with the women gaily dressed,
And the music tuned for dancing and the laughter of the throng,
With a paid comedian's antics or a hired musician's song,
But the quiet times of friendship, with the chuckles and the grin,
And the circle at the fireside when a few good friends drop in.

Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection

Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection

Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection


Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection

Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection

Though I sometimes like an opera, there's no music quite so sweet
As the singing of the neighbors that you're always glad to meet;
Oh, I know when they come calling that the fun will soon begin,
And I'm happiest those evenings when a few good friends drop in.

Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection


Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection


Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection


Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection 
Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection

Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection


Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection

There's no pomp of preparation, there's no style or shame or fuss;
We are glad to welcome callers who are glad to be with us,
And we sit around and visit or we start a merry game,
And we show them by our manner that we're mighty pleased they came,
For there's something real about it, and the yarns we love to spin,
And the time flies, Oh, so swiftly when a few good friends drop in.

Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection


Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection


Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection

Let me live my life among them, cheerful, kindly folks and true,
And I'll ask no greater glory till my time of life is through;
Let me share the love and favor of the few who know me best,
And I'll spend my time contented till my sun sinks in the west;
 

Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection



Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection


Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection


Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection

Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection


Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection


Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection


Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection

I will take what fortune sends me and the little I may win,
And be happy on those evenings when a few good friends drop in.
Edgar Albert Guest
Thoroughbred Club of America | Photo The Lisa Porter Collection

Many thanks to everyone at the Thoroughbred Club ~ I wish you all a very Merry Christmas & a joyous new year!


  Merry Christmas & thanks as well to
Joseph & Shannon Hillenmeyer for the fireside chats in the pouring rain, beautiful Christmas trees & heavenly greens!

Click to visit Hillenmeyer Christmas Shop Lexington, Kentucky
Photo | Longshadow
A very special thank you to my assistant Taylor for making the hustle & bustle so much fun! 
Photo | Lisa Porter

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10 comments:

  1. Thank you for this virtual escape not only into the heart of holidays, but into your own heart, mind and spirit. Love, laughter and friendship to you and yours this beautiful holiday season, Lisa. ox Catherine

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  2. ⛄️🌲❤️ Absolutely gorgeous!! Thoroughbred decorations, I'd say!!! Merry Christmas and congrats to you & Taylor!

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  3. Ohhhh... i spotted one of my favourite childhood books: Brighty of the Grand Canyon!

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  4. Thank you Catherine and Barbara for your kind comments & spreading more holiday cheer! Meg, I love it that you have that book! I grabbed the whole stack from a bookshelf at home. A collection of memorable reads for sure! Some more recent & some from our childhood days. The Thorndike Dictionary was my mother's when she was a school girl!

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  5. Lisa you have transformed this into a most inviting holiday space. I adore the wonderful ribbons and magnolia, the topiaries and red berry balls! Most of all the warm welcome for all!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

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  6. How pretty! I love the traditional look for Christmas - of course the setting is spectacular as well.
    Lush greenery is the key to getting the show started and you layered it all so beautifully.

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  7. Just love your decorations/photos Lisa..what a special place. The perfect spot for the words of Edgar Albert Guest...a family favourite. Happy Christmas! xx

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  8. The decorations look so traditionally beautiful. I love how you captured it all with your photos!! Simply beautiful. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas surround by loved ones.

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  9. Beautifully warm,inviting and festive! I am more than inspired. Thank you for sharing these lovely photos. This is a fabulous place. Do Susan (and Sam...and now Casey

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  10. I am so proud of what you and Taylor accomplished. I bet the Thoroughbred Club has never looked so exquisite as it does for this years Christmas Season. The poem you chose was perfect and I thank you for it's beauty and the beauty of your photos. I want to send all my best wishes to you, Barkley, Taylor and Collier for a magical Christmas. A Christmas filled with the love of your family. xox

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