2012 BBB Rally

Our last motorcycle trip of the year took us to the Blues, Bikes & BBQ motorcycle rally in Fayetteville, AR. It's an easy two gas stop trip that we have been making for several years. We made it down to Dickson street to walk around, went to a car show and then spent most of our time at the Pig Trail HD dealership in Rogers where there were alot of vendors, music and LOTS of biker stuff going on.

2012 Walnut Valley Festival

For this year's bluegrass festival, I set my tent up on Monday next to my friend, Karen's RV and left it there until I could get off work later in the week. My friend, Angelique, drove in from NM and we headed out to the festival on Thursday. As it always does this time of year, the rain moved in that afternoon, stayed throughout the night, drizzled all of Friday and it was cold. But in all, the rain didn't stop me from having a good time. I just layered more clothes, put on my rainboots, knitted in my tent at night by the lantern light and by Saturday the skies cleared and we really got to take full advantage of the many band acts, bicycle ride around the campground and roam around the campgrounds at night. I'm already looking forward to next year's festival.
The Festival

The Campsite

The Knitting

Good Friends, Good Times

Taormina Circle Vest

The pattern for this vest was very poorly written with errors and vague instructions. I started over at least six times but since it was a birthday gift for my BFF, Laura, I was persistent and figured it out. There are also other posts on Ravelry that address some of the errors. Anyhow - I was pleased with the end result and she looks fabulous in it! I substituted 3 skeins of Berroco's Remix, a 100% recycled fiber yarn of nylon, cotton, acrylic, silk and linen.

DIY: Badge Necklace

A friend of mine inspired me to make my own badge necklace using wax linen thread, beads and a clasp. I just doubled the thread and tied knots before and after the beads securing them into place. I even had enough leftover beads in the package to make a matching wrap bracelet.

Labor Day Oklahoma Weekend

We spent the holiday weekend riding with friends to a campout at Lake Murray in Ardmore, Oklahoma. With temps in the 100's, we changed our non-airconditioned cabin reservations to a motel in town and rode out to the lake in the afternoons, explored the Arbuckle mountains and Turner Falls park. Just like a summer postcard at the lake, we swimmed in the clear aqua/green water in our denim jean shorts. Saying goodbye to summer and the warm riding months always leaves me feeling a little sad.

DIY: Redneck Wine Glass

The "Redneck" wine glasses are all the rage but before you go out and pay up to $25 for one at a retail store or craft fair I will let you in on a little secret. I went to Hobby Lobby and bought the mason jar (wide mouth & jelly pictured) and glass candlestick for under 5 bucks. Glue with a clear adhesive and you'll save yourself a bundle.
Caution: These are not dishwasher-safe. The heat will melt the adhesive so be sure to hand wash.

Biker Black Citron

The easy stockinette pattern makes the Citron shawl the perfect traveling companion. I worked on it some in Sturgis and finished it on the drive back home. The perfect color - black - goes with everything for a lightweight cover-up from biker to work to church and all things in between.

Rodeo Bike Games

It was a party day out at the 101 Club starting with the blues music of Nobody's Business, some BBQ and our own family of friends rodeo biker games. The guys laid out the course and ran their bikes through slow races, barrel races, balloon tosses, and ended the games with the not so classy wienner bite. We had great audience participation from those cheering from the sidelines to the women who volunteered to ride on the back of all the bikes. So much fun in true biker style with event t-shirts and trophies for the winners.

Riding the Black Hills

Andy's Trail Rides provided us with a different way to experience the Black Hills - on four legs! Andy guided us up the mountain at over 7,000 feet through the pines and at times at a full gallop -- that was way too much fun. We saw many deer along the way and were amazed at how loud the wind sounded at such heights. It was an amazing 3 hour ride that I wish could've lasted a lot longer and unlike any ordinary trail ride. My girl, Becky, was a trooper in her boots and spurs but I don't think I will ever be able to convince her - or my husband - to join me on a longer trail riding experience in the future.

Sturgis Rally 2012

Here we are once again for our 14th Rally Week in Sturgis, SD. A place I don't think I will ever get tired of. This year, I decided to leave my Harley at home and haul husband's bike with my Jeep. I will miss riding the Black Hills but it's all good and I'll just be content to be a passenger this go around.

More ReCreating with Mike

Mike worked in one more class for about 15 of us before going back to Sweden. We spent the morning making a garden tower out of vases, plates and assorted glassware and then a rustic sign from wood at the barn and photo letters of signs she photographed during her stay in the states. How special is that? She asked us to come up with a word. While many chose words like, Blessed, Peace, Family, Welcome and family last names, my word was something much more simple. Hey, it's festive and will be a great addition to my patio. Follow her repurposed creations at reCreate Design Company.

Sugar Skull T-tube

Found this great day of the dead skull t-shirt in New Mexico. Got it in XL so that I could make it into a long summer (tube) top. Sewed the sides with waist shaping and added a casing at top for the elastic.

Pumpkin Citron

The pumpkin Citron is off the needles. The alpaca/silk yarn is soft and shiny and the pattern design hugs the shoulders perfectly. I love it so much I'm going to gift it away. I can always knit another one for myself.

Day Trip'n

What better way to spend one-on-one time with an old friend visiting from Sweden than going on a day road trip. Although Mike grew up here, I'm sure it's been a long time since she fully got to experience small town America. Abilene, Kansas is my favorite destination (a short hour and half drive) allowing us time to catch up, shop and indulge in Mexican food. She said it was a day that fed her soul -- mine too.

FireKeeper Golf Course

After 4 hours of sleep, Pattie, Laurie and I got up early to tee off at the casino golf course at 8:00 a.m. By choice, so that we would beat the 100 degree heat. The course was beautiful and I would say one of the best golf destinations we've had. Everyone we came across was very friendly and accomodating. After a pretty good game in four quick hours we had cheeseburgers at the club house and headed back home. I would definitely like to play this course again.

Prairie Band Casino & Resort

My golf buds and I were looking for a quick golf destination and we found that in a two hour road trip to Topeka. First we had to stop for Mexican food and margaritas in Abilene getting us to the casino and the hot tubs around 10 p.m. Then plenty of time to do a little gambling on house money and hit the pillow by 2:00 a.m.

reCreate at Round Barn Ranch

My good high school friend, Michael, is visiting from Sweden. She is a well-known crafter and has a great blog. She is staying with her sister who runs the Round Barn Ranch in Derby and tonight Mike hosted a night of crafting her repurposed notebooks out of children's books from Sweden at the Ranch. Keep an eye out for another DIY craft night in a couple of weeks.

Shawl Knitting

Beautiful alpaca fingering yarn from Twist Yarn Shop. Every intention of knitting an intricate shawl pattern. But still love the easy pattern of Citron. So it's another Citron in the shade of Pumpkin.

Second Santa Fe Shrug

I had planned to get two of these completed before my trip to Santa Fe but just ran out of time. This one for Laura to remind us of our trip made from Mountain Colors Half Crepe in Hummingbird.

Turquoise from Santa Fe

I find the best jewelry in Santa Fe. I can offset the cost of a nice pair of Native American Indian earrings (top) by making my own necklace to match. There are several bead shops on and around the Square so I purchased a very affordable strand of turquoise nuggets at Jackalope, strung them, added closures and had enough beads to make an additional pair of earrings. So Santa Fe.