Hold your horses (and a delightful Virgin Mint Julep Recipe) April 14 2026

barefoot little girl with spring dress and cowgirl had sitting on swing with stuffed toy horse

By Elizabeth Ritchie Sherrill

The magical stage of life we're in.

I love that my children still enjoy bedtime books. Last summer, we were gifted a set of Little House on the Prairie books, and a few chapters of pioneer days became our bedtime routine until we worked our way through the series. There was something special about reading to our children about what life for families used to look like. Especially reading about children their own age and the hardships they faced. Waking up each morning with frost on your blankets? Eating a potato, if that, each day for months? They could hardly believe it. “But they are KIDS!”

In the later books, you really get a sense that you have watched these pioneer children grow, and you meet Laura’s future husband. My 8- and 10-year-old daughters loved reading those chapters. They giggled when we, the readers, knew he was interested in dating Laura, but Laura only had eyes for his beautiful horses and was innocently oblivious to anything beyond childhood wonder. It makes me look at my kids and appreciate how lucky we are, and the magical stage of life we are in.

We most recently finished the Black Stallion Returns and unanimously closed the book with a budding interest in horses, much like Laura. The following weekend, we all watched Secretariat and talked about famous horses and races. We cheered at that movie like we were watching it happen live, and naturally, I teared up like I do at most underdog films, especially when it’s based on a true story.

I’m so glad that I seemed to have timed this interest just right with the Kentucky Derby approaching. We are already planning a Derby watch party complete with Heath's Cheese Straws, finger sandwiches, and virgin mint juleps. A brand new celebration for us that may just become a new tradition.

Now, to find the perfect hat!

little girl with cowgirl hat on swing under lush tree with stuffed toy horse barefoot little girl in frilly summer dress with cowgirl hat on swing with stuffed toy horse little girl with cowgirl hat on swing hugging stuffed toy kentucky derby horse

Virgin Mint Julep Recipe

From Salt & Baker

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 cups ginger ale
  • 8 sprigs mint leaves — plus more for serving

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. In a small saucepan bring the water, sugar, and mint leaves to boil over medium high heat, stirring frequently. You want the sugar to be completely dissolved.
  2. Let the simple syrup cool completely. Pour the simple syrup through a fine mesh strainer to remove the mint leaves.
  3. Fill cups with crushed ice and pour ½ cup of ginger ale into each cup, pour in ¼ cup of the mint simple syrup to each cup. Stir and top with additional mint sprigs if you’d like.