September 13, 2015

Weekend in Review | September 11-13, 2015

Friday

A little dinner and VFC Fights with friends at Stir Cove.  Hello fall weather and sweatshirts!  It was chilly!

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Clint loves taking selfies with me.  Adores it, y’all!

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An easy, breezy Friday eve!

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Saturday

Full leathers, Harley time, Girlfriends, Memorial Poker Run and a whopping 352 miles round trip for this girl.  It was a legit day on the bike!

Stop 1: Emerson, IA

Our stop in Emerson was to support Sara at her first annual JunkFest.  Check her out at SW Iowa Primitives, Antiques and Furniture.  It was also Emerson Days and they just so happened to be lining up for the big parade while we were there.   We contemplated jumping in on it, but sadly we had to get rolling before the parade actually started.  But, that didn’t stop us from first getting distracted by big shiny firetrucks, apparently.  Good thing the Fire Chief in town is fellow biker sister, Liz.  🙂

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Stop 1.5: Villisca to pick up Tina and on to Stop 2: Clarinda to sign up for the Shane Scroggs Memorial Poker Run.   Shane is a Clarinda native who passed away far too soon.   His family started this Poker Run in his name 6 years ago and all donations go to Scholarship Funds for Clarinda graduates.

This is also where we met up with a few more sista’s before hitting the road!

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Stop 3: Hayloft, Grant, IA

 Can’t be on the bike without Tootsie Pops.  It’s a rule, folks.   A Jordan Rule.

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Stop 4: Huffy’s, Anita, IA

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Stop 5: Marne, IA

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Stop 5.5: Avoca for Fuel

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Stop 6: The Back Forty, Macedonia, IA

Where the staffing was short and two of our Biker B’s hopped in to help.

#onceabartenderalwaysabartender

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Nice work, Liz and Tyree!

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We hung out at this stop for quite a while.   Food was the common denominator.

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And becoming SnapChat friends was critical.

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This stop is where some of the gals bounced.  Some to Missouri Valley, one to CB and the other to Omaha.   The rest of us motored on to…

Stop 7: Stanton, IA and then on to Stop 8/9: Clarinda, IA

Final Poker Hand Drawing:

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This guy rode his bike the entire Poker Run Route: 180 Miles.

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There were three men total.  One guy make it 130 miles.   One made the whole run but bounced home instead of coming back to the bar.  Can you imagine?!  That is a lot of miles… but for such a great cause.   Good money was raised.

The last group event of the night was a loop through Clarinda led by Shane’s brother in the truck he and his dad were rebuilding 6 years ago.   Cars, bikes, loud pipes through the town of Clarinda.

A very touching tribute and tradition.

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Then it was back to the bowling alley to leather up for the chilly and dark 90 mile road back home.

But, not before a butt shot and Ski trying to steal Liz’s bike.

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Those silly girls…

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Back to Omaha and in my driveway by 10:30pm.   352 miles and 14 hours of awesome.  Night riding remains some of my favorite times to get out there.   Your senses come alive.

It’s exhilarating.

Sunday

A lazy day.   Lash appointment, grocery store and an entire afternoon sitting in my back yard reading, blogging, enjoying the fire my husband has started and love from this guy:

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Yet another perfect weekend.

Cheers!

September 10, 2015

4 Years Strong

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

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4 Years Strong

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

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We partied like straight up Rock Stars!

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

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

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

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

year 4

Professional Photography by Brittany of Gulizia Design

September 9, 2015

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

↓ Girls, Girls, Girls  

What a day …

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with all these girls

❤

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

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🙂

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 giant, noteworthy, 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…

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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!

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

Brace yourselves for this awesomeness.

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Oh, NO you DIDN’T!

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Oh, YES you DID!

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ya Betta Recognize!

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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.

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❤

Road 0.0

The Riverside Inn | Riverton, IA

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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! 🙂

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Cocktails…

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Selfies

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And more…

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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!

❤

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Emerald Isle | Imogene, IA

Ah.. the home of little beers.

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🙂

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

Exhibit A

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Exhibit B

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Exhibit C

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Exhibit D

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Exhibit E

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Exhibit F

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Time to MOVE…

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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.

↓       ↓

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

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

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Alright, Alright, Alright.  

We still have TWO more official stops! 

Let’s go!

The Hood | Silver City, IA

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The C-Town Crew!

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

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How cute is this photo?

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Cheese!

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Here comes Marcy!

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

❤

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Let’s MOVE!

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: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)

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And long drawn out good-byes.

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(Adopted) Sister Love

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Marcy naughtiness

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Final gab sessions

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Parking lot split

OUCH!

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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.

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Lighthouse | Council Bluffs, IA

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

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Lighthouse 32hahaha… Love you, Jess

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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

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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.

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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
September 8, 2015

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.

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Oh me, oh my.  Come to mama.

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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.
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  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.
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  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.

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ENJOY!

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