4 Years Strong

It’s pretty darn awesome being married to this guy.

wedding

.

4 Years Strong

image

.

I would re-do this day over and over again.

image

.

We partied like straight up Rock Stars!

image

.

So here’s a cheers to the boys who managed to walk in a straight line down the aisle…

image

.

Cheers to the girls for… well, also walking in a straight line down the aisle…

image

.

And, Cheers to us for knowing how to throw one helluva party.

 party

MomAlb2

party3

.

Cheers to many more years of laughter, adventure and love.

year 4

Professional Photography by Brittany of Gulizia Design

10th Annual B!tch Run | July 25th, 2015

↓ Girls, Girls, Girls  

What a day …

19

with all these girls

And to think that it all started from these two minds.

4

🙂

So, how on earth do I even begin wrapping up an entire days worth of photos into one post?   This is the main reason why it has taken me darn near two months to even start this entry.  Do I make multiple posts?  Do I make one giant one?  And what photos of the over 450 do I share with you fine people?

You feeling my dilemma here?

And so, it was decided.   This giantnoteworthy, epic day is going to be wrapped up into one GIANT, beautiful, powerful, kick-ass post featuring some equally beautiful, powerful, kick-ass women.

Here we go…

6

The Hard Luck Saloon | Council Bluffs, IA

The Hard Luck served as our meetup point.  The start of Bloody Mary’s, shirt exchanges and pre-run group photos.  Because rain, of course.

.7

37

11:45am | Kickstands up.  Time to start the day.

81

.

83

Nothing hotter than THAT view right there.

Hey ladies. ❤

The Wild’s | Bartlett, IA

Where the drinks were cold, conversations started flowing, people loosened up and epic gift giving was had.

Wilds 7

.

Wilds 26

.

Wilds 33

.

59

Wilds 23

.

54

.

Now, why on earth they wanted to pick up my butt is beyond me.

65

But it served as the perfect opportunity for the girls to give me the most thoughtful, hilarious, absolutely PERFECT gift of all time.  Sneaky little sisters, I tell ya!

66

.

I’m just going to allow the photos to do the talking from here on out.

Brace yourselves for this awesomeness.

67

Oh, NO you DIDN’T!

69

Oh, YES you DID!

Wilds 0.0

ya Betta Recognize!

72

The Story.   Around the 4th of July I found a photo of this jacket on the good ol’ Internet and posted it on my Harleys & Heels page reminiscing about my Junior High years when I actually DID have this exact jacket.  Fringe and all.   Who knew that a few of these girls (I believe Tracy was the mastermind in getting this all going – LOVE you, doll) would pull off searching, finding, buying and organizing a group card.

Best, sistas, EVER.

And with that… we moved on.

74

Road 0.0

The Riverside Inn | Riverton, IA

Riverton 15.

Riverton 11

.

Riverton 10

Kayla, Sara and Jess were the Jeep crew.

Fortunately, soon after this photo, they were able to take the Freedom Panels out!  It wouldn’t be a B run without a little rain! 🙂

Riverton 20

Cocktails…

Riverton 12

Selfies

Riverton 16

And more…

Riverton 3

.

Riverton was a short and sweet stop.  Enough for a couple cocktails and a little ruckus before leaving this quaint little town.  What kind of ruckus you ask?  Click here.

On to Shenandoah, IA where we caused a mild curiosity amongst the local PD.  I think we counted three drive-by’s?  I promise, we were on our best behavior.

All those women on two wheels? 

Ya, I’d do a few drive-by’s myself!

image

.

image

Fuel 2

.Fuel 5

Emerald Isle | Imogene, IA

Ah.. the home of little beers.

Imogene 27

🙂

These little guys are the reason and excuse for all remaining photos to come.

Exhibit A

Imogene 10

Exhibit B

Imogene 24

Exhibit C

Imogene 13

Exhibit D

Imogene 20

Exhibit E

Imogene 14

Exhibit F

Imogene 9

.

.

imogene 35

.

Imogene 6

.Imogene 50

.

Imogene 40

.Imogene 22

.

Time to MOVE…

image

.

.

Emerson 15

Harley’s Bar and Grill | Emerson, IA

Click on the below photo to see what 30 Biker Chicks do when they roll into town…

Trust me.  Click on it.

↓       ↓

 Emerson 1

Ha.  See now, aren’t you so glad you did?  Thanks, Jenny for the tunes.

Emerson was full of shenanigans… and cuddles… and selfies...

Emerson 6

.

Emerson 32

Emerson 11

.

Emerson 21

.

Emerson 33

.

Emerson 26

.

Emerson 12

.

Emerson 37

.

Emerson 40

.

emerson

Emerson 17

.Emerson 13

.

Emerson 41

Alright, Alright, Alright.  

We still have TWO more official stops! 

Let’s go!

The Hood | Silver City, IA

 Silver City 29

.

Silver City 33

The C-Town Crew!

Jessica, Tina, Me, Kayla, Jenn and Jenny.

Silver City 11

How cute is this photo?

Silver City 31

Cheese!

Silver City 17

Here comes Marcy!

Silver City 2

Always and forever the Free Spirit.  We can all learn a little about LIVING from this one.

Silver City 18

Let’s MOVE!

Silver City 25

:p

The Backroom Lounge | Lake Ohana, IA

This was the last “official” stop before folks dropped off and went on with their evenings.

BackRoom 19There was a lot of “hugging”

BackRoom 20And wardrobe assistance (with cheesers)

BackRoom 35 BackRoom 40

And long drawn out good-byes.

BackRoom 22

(Adopted) Sister Love

BackRoom 32

Marcy naughtiness

BackRoom 42

Final gab sessions

BackRoom 41

Parking lot split

OUCH!

BackRoom 34

And final group hugs.

Oh, did you think that was it?

You are clearly mistaken…

Who will be the last (wo)man standing?!

Let’s move.

.

Lighthouse | Council Bluffs, IA

 Lighthouse 43 Lighthouse 46

I think it is very safe to say we all are having a grand ol’ time, ya?

Lighthouse 5

  Lighthouse 37

Lighthouse 32hahaha… Love you, Jess

Lighthouse 2

Lighthouse 4

Tyree sang a pretty fab duet with this fine gentleman.

I smell Grammy.

Oh, no.  No no no… Not done yet!  Hang with me. We are moving on to the…

LAST STOP

21st Saloon | Omaha, NE

21st 0

YES!  That is IT!

Food, Water, Feet Up.  The End to a pretty fab day.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

July 25th, 2015

A Day to Remember with some of the BEST girls you could ever meet.

image

Until next time…

Cheers!

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Professional Photos 

Fun Photos

  • The Girls

Service

  • The Hardluck
  • The Wild’s
  • Riverside Inn
  • Emerald Isle
  • Harley’s Bar & Grill
  • The Hood
  • The Backroom Lounge
  • Lighthouse Inn
  • 21st Saloon

Shirts

  • My Girls Ink

Apple Pie Bars with Salted Caramel Drizzle

Say hello to these little slices of Heaven, recipe compliments of Sally’s Baking Addiction.

Apple Pie Bars

Buttery shortbread base underneath a juicy layer of cinnamon coated apples topped with a struesel topping is enough to have you singing…

and then you gotta go and add a SALTED CARAMEL topping?

I’ve Died.

image

Oh me, oh my.  Come to mama.

image

The list looks a little daunting.  Don’t be scared.  It really was no big deal to whip up three batches of these beauties.

Wait, what?  

THREE?

I sent one over to our neighbor, Carol, who fell and broke her leg a few weeks back.   I sent another one over to neighbor Harold, who if you read my blog last night, you know is one of the coolest old cats you could meet.

The other one got snacked on by myself and the hubs before disappearing from my work break room this AM.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

Ingredients:

SHORTBREAD CRUST

  • 1/2 cup butter, melted (I used salted, but my disclaimer is to leave out the 1/4 tsp, salt below if you do)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp salt (only if you used unsalted butter)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

APPLE FILLING

  • 2 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced (I used fresh picked apples, which were fairly small.  Make sure to double up in size)
  • 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

STREUSEL

  • 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

HOMEMADE SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE

  • 1 cup  granulated sugar
  • 6 Tablespoons salted butter, cut up into small chunks
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon salt (careful to not overdo it)

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 300. Grease an 8-inch baking pan and set aside.
  2. Crust: Stir the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt together in a medium bowl. Add the flour and stir until everything is combined. Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes while you prepare the filling and streusel.
  3. Apple filling: Combine the sliced apples, flour, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a large bowl until all of the apples are evenly coated. Set aside.
  4. Streusel: Whisk the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour together in a medium bowl. Cut in the chilled butter with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
  5. Remove the crust from the oven, and turn the oven up to 350. Evenly layer the apples on top of the warm crust.  Sprinkle the apple layer with streusel and bake for 30–35 minutes or until the streusel is golden brown.
    1. image
  6. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for at least 20 minutes at room temperature
  7. Caramel topping:
    1. Heat granulated sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly with a high heat resistant rubber spatula.
    2. Sugar will form clumps and eventually melt into a thick brown liquid as you continue to stir. Stir, stir, stir!  Do not burn!
    3. Once sugar is completely melted, immediately add the butter. Watch out! The caramel will bubble rapidly when the butter is added.
    4. Stir the butter into the caramel until it is completely melted, about 2-3 minutes.
    5. Very slowly, drizzle in 1/2 cup of heavy cream while stirring. Again, watch out!
    6. Allow the mixture to boil for 1 minute. It will rise in the pan as it boils.
    7. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of salt. Allow to cool down before using.
      1. image
  8. Once bars are cool, cut to desired size, pour cooled salted caramel sauce on top. These apple pie bars can be enjoyed warm, at room temperature, or even cold.

image

.

image

ENJOY!

image

Labor Day Weekend | 2015

image

Three. Day. Weekend.   It’s like music to my ears.  Or was, anyway.   How does it always go by so fast?  Sigh…. and thus we begin our “Working for The Weekend” grind again.

Friday started with a Harley ride to work, as those opportunities are rare.  Being a girl, in a professional work environment, with 20 miles between home and work plus the need for gym attire, Harley attire, work attire… blah blah blah.  You get the picture.

Friday was a jeans day, with a fun Division meeting for the first two hours of my day (complete with t-shirt design competition), a few hours of work and an hour of Wellness Promotion (shameless plug for my fitness classes I start offering to staff on the 14th too)

😉

image

FAW (Friday After Work) I was able to meet up with my girl Heidi for an impromptu early evening ride to Waterloo for some cocktails, live music and girl talk.   It was the perfect Friday night.

image

Saturday

Clint was in C-town doing more Pirtlefest preps, so I decided to take on a few projects around the house.

Project A: Choose a new front door color.

image

.

An early morning trip to Home Depot and I was well on my way.

image

.

… with the Iowa game on and dogs monitoring my work, of course.

image.

image

Before | After

image

I am in love!

imageChamp digs it too.

image

.

I’d love to change the hardware and light fixture above the door as well, but maybe another day.

In between coats of primer and paint I also spent a great deal of time trimming up all of the rose bushes and random crap growing in front of our house (Project B).

…And by trimming, I actually mean cutting down.

Oops.

Have I mentioned I hate clutter?  Guess that transfers outside too.   I hate rose bushes.

Project C: String patio lights over our unfinished back patio.

:p

image

Earlier this summer, Clint and company poured a sidewalk and half of our patio in the back.   It wasn’t intentionally done this way, but measurements were a little off… NBD.   Eventually it will extend to where the dog houses are and curve back around.  Our fire pit (which is sitting on top of the ground for now) will go in the middle.

I thought patio lights would look sweet over the top of this, so did a little mock-up, made a trip to Target for lights and started stringing.

So, how about a little math?

$48 of lights +  secure starting point +  connecting point for the four strands + a little too tight of a stretch on the last strand = a big glassy mess.

Just add it to my pile of trash for the weekend.

image

Nightfall came quickly so the dogs and I had to call it a night.  Clearly they were exhausted after all that work.

.

Sunday

An insanely humid morning equaled a less than enthusiastic start to my day.  5 miles sounded daunting in that heat, so I pulled out my witty tank to garner some laughs out on the trail.   I always wave/nod/acknowledge anyone I meet while out on the trail, so figured adding a laugh would help keep me going, if not them too.

Side Note: Please excuse me while I hop on my soap box for a sec.  I rarely wear this tank, along with a few other “wordy” tanks due to how low they sit on the chest.  I have to roll it into my sports bra a gagillion times to get it pulled up.   I think showing the girls while working out is just weird.  I know – this is probably all just me as I find boobs annoying (anyone feeling awkward yet) but I just find it a little odd to have cleavage showing when at the gym, running, teaching a group x class, etc.   Are we there to get a helluva workout in, or to get looked at?  Mmmmhmmm… that is all.    *Hopping off my personal opinion soapbox.

image

 .

After my long and disgustingly hot run, I hopped in an ice cold shower… hello happiness… and then Clint and I stupidly (influenced by my stupidity) went back out in the 100 degree heat for a ride to Lake Ohana.

image

A few ice cold brews and we made our way back to Omaha.   Moonshine was producing, which is a very manual project, so you can’t leave it unattended for long without risk of ruining an entire batch.  Not cool.

image.

We ended the night with fire grilled grub and a few more beers.  Pretty great Sunday, if you ask me!

imageThat fire pit sure works great sitting awkwardly out of the ground.  🙂

MONDAY | Labor Day

image

Clint was gracious enough to bring an entire grocery bag full of apples back with him from Clarinda, so I filled up my day with baking.

Three batches of Apple Pie Bars with Salted Caramel (all made from scratch) and a large batch of Apple Crisp smelled up my kitchen.   One batch went to our neighbor, Carol, who broke her leg a few weeks back.  Another batch went to our neighbor, Harold, who hands-down, might be the coolest cat you could meet.  He is an older gentleman, with a love of old cars, rolled white t-shirt sleeves and strategically combed and slicked back hair.  Harold and Clint have become quite the garage companions when talking old cars and tinkering on old trucks.

image

Recipe coming soon!

Another hot-as-hell evening short run followed by dinner and blogging has me thinking bed time soon.   Back to the daily grind tomorrow!

image

Hope you all had a wonderful three day weekend with family, friends and doing whatever the heck you wanted to do!

Cheers!