Happy Halloween !

HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!!

Just a quick post to wish you all a safe and Happy Halloween! But don't bother coming to our house for trick or treat - we'll be on our Harley broom and where else, but ON THE ROAD! I hope to be able to post a photo or two from our trip so be sure to check back in.

See you later !

How I Spent My Monday Afternoon

This is how I spent my Monday afternoon. Early voting was a new experience for me but since we will finally be hitting the road to use up some of D's vacation days next week, it was something I wanted to do. So I sat in line at the local court house for about an hour before they called my number. At least our county kindly provided benches and chairs in the hallway and we didn't have to stand outside in the cold. But I do think they are a little over-whelmed by the number of people wanting to vote early. There were only two voting stations in a cramped room that was probably a converted storage closet along with about half a dozen poll workers sorting the ballots. So my electoral duty is complete, now I just have to convince D to make the time to complete his too!

Our weekend included dinner out at a new place for us. Baxter Station in Louisville is a favorite of friend B. She ordered the Red Beans and Rice with Sausage and my D was jealous. Even though she kindly shared, he's already planning our next meal there so he can order it too!

I didn't get her D in the photo but congratulations are in order for the happy couple! Rumors of a beach wedding in a few days are circulating the neighborhood!

Plans are in the works for our upcoming vacation so the Harley is spending some time at the local dealership for some warranty issues before we leave. We are carefully watching the weather before we decide if we are riding or hauling it in the trailer. On a short trip Sunday I was able to find some pretty trees for a new header photograph. With the dry fall, the colors are sometimes hard to find.

Have a good week everyone - and vote early if you can! I'm voting for warmer weather for next week!

Mid Week Update

I actually do get some projects done and not just write about them. My sister had a birthday awhile back and now that she has received her present I'll post a photo to prove that I really did complete it. And I'm happy to say that she loves it. Now she's a really nice person and probably would say that even if she didn't, but I'll believe her anyway!

Now to go on to works in progress, here is the table runner I finished piecing last night. I'll probably keep this one for myself since it is nice and long and fits my dining room table nicely. It is adapted from a quilt in Heather Mulder Peterson's book, "Let The Good Times Roll". The fabric is Birchwood Lane by Holly Taylor for Moda. J has an order in for one too and it is in the works. It will be a different pattern though and brighter colors. And yes, those are my toes in the photo. I guess I need to put some flannel on a wall so I can stick projects up to look at or photograph them instead of spreading them out on the floor.

Now how about a smile for little J. He is getting so big! He defintely fills his car seat up more than the last time I saw him! His mama sent these pics today just in time to make the blog!

Love this photo! Hey Texas niece, looks like the family trait that you and J's Daddy shared is still a force to reckon with! (I'm predicting another lefty here though!) The quilt J is laying on is one my mother made for her one and only grandson. It features embroidered doggies on each block and is put together with brown and white polka dot fabric. J's Daddy had this on his bed for several years until I put it away as a keepsake for his son. Here it is! Looks like he's enjoying it! Some quilts are just meant to be put to use.

A Race Day in the Bluegrass

It wouldn't be a weekend without a road trip! Saturday we hopped on the Harley to follow M & R toward Lexington, Ky and points nearby.

Perhaps you've heard of the Kentucky Castle. Near Versailles, KY it was originally built by a wealthy developer as a gift to his wife, but they divorced before it was completed. Evidently there was a lot of controversy surrounding it and the fire that eventually mostly destroyed it. But now someone is working to rebuild it as a tourist attraction/bed and breakfast. This was the view as we drove by. You can see why the neighbors have had their reservations about the project especially since it doesn't really fit in with the beautiful horse farm atmosphere of the surrounding community.

The Fall Race Meet is on at Keeneland. None of us had been to the Lexington racetrack and none us are really into horse racing, but it was the plan to check it out and maybe watch a race or two. We had no idea that everyone else in the state had the same idea. Evidently when there is a big UK football game later in the evening, the genteel folks of the Bluegrass State put on their best outfits, high heels and sometimes hats and go to the races.

But although under dressed, we paid our $3.00 admission and braved our way through the crowds to check out one of the races.
These ladies even brought their parasols to keep the bright fall sunshine from shining in their eyes.
Just for fun, R placed four bets and one of her horses was a winner! She won $3.60 ! Let's see, $6.00 admission for the two of them, $8.00 bet, and $3.60 won. An hour of fun only cost them $10.40!
Here's her winning horse. Surprising that with as many people as were there, we still were able to find standing room right near the winner's circle.
We finished off the trip with a scenic ride home. It was a beautiful day and we saw some beautiful horse country and parts of Kentucky that we'd not traveled before. I was not successful in getting many good photos though. I guess my fingers were too slow in the chilly air!

Today, D and I headed over to Bethlehem for Autumn on the River Days. We walked through the small arts and crafts fair and around the little town.
The worst part was that we had to park in a dusty field. Fortunately most of the dust blew off the bike as we drove home. But I don't think D enjoyed looking at any of the displays because he was worried about cleaning the bike! Have a great week everyone. I'll be back again soon!

The Kitchen Caper - C.S.I.

The Culprit
The scene of the crime.

How I Spent My Day Off...

Okay - you probably know that every day is a day off for me. But spending some time with B when she has a day off is a day off for both of us.

First stop, the movie theatre to see "The Secret Life of Bees" I rarely go to the movies. It just something I never think to do unless there is a new movie out that sounds really appealing. This is one of those. I love the book and the movie did not disappoint. If you have a chance this is a movie to make the effort to see. But bring the tissues - you've been warned!

After a quick bite to eat at the new Cricket's Cafe (no website found - but cute place with nice sandwiches) we headed down the road to a local farm that sells pumpkins. The weather is very fall-like today, so it was a good day for B to finally pick hers out.

This little bucket calf along with the goats in the background were loving all the extra attention.
And you know neither B nor I can pass up a cute kitten. This one was especially purry and loving. It's a good thing they weren't giving her away!
We've got some new neighbors who've moved in across the street so I decided to make some pumpkin bread as a welcome gift. Since I've got this cool Williams-Sonoma pan, I like to use it whenever I've got the chance. The recipe for this one was from Libby's :

LIBBY'S PUMPKIN BREAD

3 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. each nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon
1 1/2 c. each granulated sugar and packed brown sugar
1 c. oil
2 c. canned pumpkin
4 eggs
1 c. each raisins and nuts (optional)
Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Add the sugars, mixing well.
Mix dry ingredients with the oil and pumpkin, stirring until well combined.
Add eggs, one at a time, blending thoroughly. Pour into 2 greased and floured 9 1/2 x 5 1/4-inch loaf pans.
Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes. Remove from pans. Place on wire rack to cool.

Changes I made were to cut the recipe in half and to use half whole wheat flour. Then I made a orange juice and sugar glaze to dress it up. Looks pretty good doesn't it ! Hope is tastes good too, afterall the last thing I want is to scare the new neighbors!

Have a great weekend everyone!

JUST AS I FINISHED WRITING THIS POST, I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE, LOOK OVER TO THE TABLE WHERE THE PUMPKIN BREAD IS STILL SITTING AFTER IT'S PHOTO SESSION AND WHAT DO I SEE BUT BEAMER LICKING THE PRETTY TOP OF THE BREAD!!!! SO - NO GIFT TODAY TO THE NEW NEIGHBORS:( I AM THINKING OF EXCHANGING MY EXPENSIVE REGISTERED BENGAL HOUSE CAT FOR A LITTLE BLACK AND WHITE FARM CAT!!!!!!!!!!!

The Best Kind of Re-run!

Sometimes it feels like these blogs are just re-runs, especially when we've traveled to the same destinations several times this year. Don't get me wrong - we totally enjoy our motorcycle rides especially when we've been blessed with another beautiful day to enjoy the sights and good company. Today we tested the limits of B & D's comfort on their smaller motorcycle. Either they will give up riding with us (which would make us very sad) or they will end up buying a bigger bike! Or maybe by next spring, they will have forgotten their numb bottoms and again venture out with their crazy neighbors!

We were in search of fall colors today. After almost a 200 mile round trip we determined that it's not quite peak here yet so this is as close as we could find. We might have to do another search next weekend!

Crafty news of the week. I've been working on secret projects again so check back for photos at a later date. Beamer is inspecting my newest venture. One second he was trying to figure out why I would take a photo of my knitting and the next he was attacking the needles!
I've managed to finish a scarf and one dish cloth. This is the second dish cloth. Now you girls all know what will be in your Christmas stockings! My friend, T, from aerobics has been helping me recall the knitting skills I learned about 45 years ago. (Boy, does that make me feel old!) She has been kind enough to tutor me and a couple of other friends. It's been fun getting together with this little "knitting club"!

Yesterday was our subdivision picnic. As usual there was more than enough good food. I made pumpkin cupcakes and decorated with my favorite fall candy. The recipe can be found here on Williams-Sonoma's website, only I used a regular cream cheese frosting. With so much food there, several of these are still residing in my fridge. I think one is calling my name right now!


As we arrived home this evening, we were greeted by a hot air balloon passing over our neighborhood. I'm sure these folks were enjoying their peaceful ride on a beautiful fall day!
Have a beautiful fall week everyone!

PS: Grandpa actually spent a couple of days in St. L for work related stuff and didn't even take his camera to get a photo of baby J! He does report that he is getting to be quite a big boy and still the cutest baby in MO! I'm not sure if I'll be able to last until Thanksgiving!

Weather Not Wasted!

It is done! The deck project that has been put on hold for motorcycle riding priority and cooler weather is now complete. D finished up the last of the lighting last evening and now we can officially enjoy the fruits of his labors (mine too, for what it was worth!). The lighting looks much better "in person" but you get the idea.
Another project completed was this goofy little zipper bag I made to match the Chocolate Lollipop bag I made B a few weeks ago. I used this wonderful tutorial I found on Thimbleanna's blog. There will probably be more of these made in the future. Also in the finished column is the Halloween table topper. Other crafty things of note - a knitting refresher course courtesy of a friend met at aerobics class. I'm note sure how much knitting I will do because I'm not sure if I really need another hobby! But I appreciate her help and it was fun getting together with the other novice knitters.

The weather here in Southern Indiana has been beautiful this past week and weekend. Of course we had to get out on the bike and enjoy the best riding conditions of the year. The cool mornings, cloudless skies and warm afternoons can not be wasted!

Saturday we recruited M and R for a road trip to Glendale, KY. We enjoyed a nice lunch at the Whistlestop Restaurant and then some shopping at the cute little shops. R and I posed with one of the guys - no wait that's a scarecrow!

Comfortable seating for waiting husbands makes them happy and shopping soooo much more pleasant!
I love fall and all the decorations put out on display by the merchants!
A few weeks ago we joined one of the local H.O.G. chapters. Today was the first time we had gone on one of their regular rides. We rode almost 200 miles total as we wound our way to Rough River Lake lodge for lunch and back. There were 22 bikes with about 30 or so riders and spouses. We had a great time getting to know some of the members and riding some new, for us, roads.
This is the pretty view off the deck of the Lodge restaurant. Lunch was a buffet with locally raised catfish, fried chicken, turkey and roast beef and all the trimmings. We did NOT go away hungry!Tonight we made one last ice cream run to Chillers. We had lots of company as it was the last day of business for them until next Spring. It's not so hard to give up summer when you've got such a beautiful fall day to enjoy! I hope you were able to enjoy your weekend!

Now You Know...

Oops! I really did not forget your birthday!

You know I called you even though you had to call me back on your lunch break. And you know that I still have intentions to find an appropriate belated birthday card! And now you will know that I am working on your birthday present and hope to get it done this weekend. You know from past birthdays that rarely have I gotten a birthday card or present off on time (but I guess that is a common trait!) You probably know that I have tried to post some photos of loved ones on their birthdays. So now you know that I finally got that done! But you probably don't know how much you mean to me, Big Sis! Happy Birthday Hugs! Thanks for all you do! Love ya!

(For the rest of you - the photo above was taken on the Kansas farmhouse front porch where we grew up. I still have my little dress - it is aqua/blue with little pink flowers. I think K's dress was pink and white. I imagine our mother made them as she did many of our dresses. It looks as if Mama got a little carried away with the scissors when she was trimming our bangs doesn't it! We always had farm cats but always one was a favorite. I don't remember this one's name but he bears a striking resemblence to "Irving" the miracle cat who several years later survived a Kansas winter in a snowbank somewhere and returned home several months later very grateful for his warm farmhouse home. This is one of my favorite old photos!)