August 17, 2014

Chocolate Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

Chocolate Cupcakes W/ Buttercream Frosting

 

I hate naps.

Hate.

I’d rather walk around like a complete zombie and wish the time away until bedtime before lying down and taking an afternoon nap.

In lieu of an afternoon snooze session I will clean the house, read a book, catch up on some serious Facebook stalking…or, I”ll bake.

Last Sunday’s choice:  made from scratch chocolate cupcakes with butter cream frosting.  This isn’t your traditional chocolate cupcake with frosting either.  I threw in almond flavoring to add just a hint of almond without being too overpowering.  They were perfect.

 

Choc Cupcakes w.buttercream frosting

 

Step 1

Cream together the butter, sugar until light and fluffy.  Add the eggs, vanilla and almond flavoring and mix well.

 

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Step 2

Add dry ingredients and mix, but not all at once.  I suggest half at a time unless you want flour all over.   Trust me.

Once dry ingredients are mixed well, add chocolate chips and stir.

 

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Step 3

Bake in 350 degree oven for 12-15 minutes.

 

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Step 4

Time for the best part – the butter cream frosting (once cupcakes are cool).  Mix together butter, vanilla and almond extract, milk and powdered sugar.

 

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Step 5

Top cupcakes with frosting using any method you prefer.  I used my Pampered Chef tool.  Love that thing.

 

Chocolate Cupcakes W/ Buttercream Frosting

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Chocolate Cupcakes W/ Buttercream Frosting

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Chocolate Cupcakes W/ Buttercream Frosting

 

 

Cheers!

 

August 8, 2014

Women of Harley: Ashley H.

Welcome to the FIRST of many Biker Bitch Features

I am beyond excited to introduce you to some of the most beautiful, confident, bad ass women I have the privilege of sharing the open road with.  I’m always intrigued to learn more about why fellow females choose to ride two-wheels..  Years ago you didn’t see women riding their own bike as often as you do now.   Why is that?  What shifted?  And what are the stories?   I love asking questions and learning more from the females that I meet out on the road.  I figure it’s high time I start sharing their stories with you as well.

 

So, without further ado – I introduce you to our very FIRST Female Feature.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen…

Meet Ashley H.

 

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1. How long have you been riding?   11 years

2. What do you ride?   2002 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200

 

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3. Does your bike have a name?   Bitch – because she’s cold blooded

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4. How many bikes have you owned and why did you choose your current model?

I have had 2 bikes. I have my current bike because it was what my Dad had when he got back into riding and then the bike my mom learned to ride on and rode for a couple years and then they gave me the chance to buy it.  The Bitch actually joined our family the day of my Junior Prom so of course I had to sit on her and ended up getting my dress all dirty!

 

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From the Left: Ashley’s sister Cathy, mom Connie and Ashley

 

5. Tell us the story behind why/when you decided to ride your own bike?  My family got me into riding. I used to ride behind my Dad and my Uncles and one day decided I wanted to try it out. Ended up with 5 guys chasing me down the driveway toward the ditch, but I didn’t let that scare me!

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6. Do you have a biker who is your inspiration?  My Dad, he is an awesome person and has taught me so much over the years. He’s one of my favorite people to ride with and even though we don’t get to do it very often, it is definitely one of my favorite Daddy/Daughter activities.  Also, before I even learned to ride, my Dad and I built a Rail Buggy together that was street legal so I could get the idea of shifting before really trying to learn to ride. He’s a pretty amazing guy!

Can I have two? My Mom is also one of my inspirations, she has always been there for me and we actually took our riders test together and got our actual motorcycle licenses at the same time!  How cool is that?  I can’t express how much these two people mean to me!

 

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Ashley and her Dad, Buddy

7. What are some of you favorite things about the biker lifestyle?   I love that the biker lifestyle is like a family! They base everything on respect and with most bikers, you know where you stand.

 

 

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Ashley and I – cheesin’

8. Give us one of your favorite two-wheeled stories. If I have to pick just one, I would say the wiener dog biker games.  There were a couple of guys that kept going through the game and decided that my sister and I should do it as well. She got on the back of my bike to be the wiener biter and we completely dumped it in front of everyone. I had a nice bruise on my back from her boot but as we were laying there laughing my buddy and brother-in-law were picking up my bike for us. I so wish someone would have gotten a picture of us laughing on the ground that day!

 

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Ashley competing in the slow ride with her bro-in-law

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9. What advice would you give other females who are thinking about riding their own?   Do it! It’s so much better than being stuck on the back of the bike!

 

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Ashley and her sister

10. There are many “Biker Codes” out there. If you had a favorite what would it be?

Respect

 

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2014 Biker Bitch Crew

 

11. Final words?  Get on your bike and ride!

 

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August 5, 2014

Weekend in Review – August 2014

Let’s see if I can be a little less wordy and little more picturey.

Yes, I made that up.

Deal.

Friday:  Rode my baby to work.  It’s always a good day when it starts on two wheels.

I had a hair appointment scheduled in Clarinda at 4:30pm, so the opportunity for 90 miles of open road on two-wheels after work?

Pure Bliss

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After my hair appointment – ( I went black, brown, red and caramel – it’s sooooo pretty – THANKS KAYLA )  I went to visit with my mom and Aunt before making the trek back to Omaha.

I LOVE riding at dusk.  Sunsets are just gorgeous.  Another 90 miles back home was just what this chick needed.

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I often get asked if I get nervous riding by myself.  And to that I say –

Oh, hell no.

I love it.  Of course, I love riding with my hubby and all my fellow Harley Sista’s, but I am totally cool riding by myself too.   I often will take off and go through a full tank of gas just me and my baby.  It’s called therapy.

And it’s glorious.

Saturday – a little gym time, some work from home, bill paying and some selfie playing (you know you do it too) while I waited for the hubs to finish working in the garage.   Check out the hair.  Like?

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Trying to master the photo in the mirror below.  ha

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Don’t judge.   Waiting for the hubs.  What’s a girl to do?  Can you see him in the background of that pic?

I also played around with my new WordSwag App

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Alright, back on track.  Once he got around we took off for Bennington to meet up with Tyree and Regeana.  They had been out riding on a Poker Run all day and we went to surprise them at the last stop.

PS – It was Regeana’s Birthday on Saturday.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, REGEANA!!

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Tyree, Me, Regeana – the BDAY girl! 🙂

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Cheers!

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Typical.

After a few drinks and dinner we headed up to Shelby and J’s (Clint’s brother) house for a block party.  Drinks, good convo, laughs and delicious cupcakes and soon we found ourselves staring at an ugly storm that has us all packed up and OUTTA there fast.

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Sunday– Coffee with my girl, Sunni.   We try to meet up once a month, however, summer got crazy busy so this was our first time meeting since May.  She has a million kids, so I’ll give her a free pass.  😉  LOVE you, Sunni.

After coffee I did a little shopping and then Tyree and I went to Chrome Lounge for a benefit concert and auction for the Pivonka Family.  Please visit the below pages to learn more about this tragedy and to help.

Pivonka Family Go Fund Me

Memorial Page

The benefit ran over the course of three days with local bands donating their time and music for the cause.  The turnout was just breathtaking.  People say there is no better support than small towns, however, I have to say that this weekend proved the Omaha Community is just as phenomenal.  I was moved to tears multiple times just seeing the love and support that was out there for this family.

I didn’t know the Pivonka’s personally. Only had seen them on occasion at Chrome Lounge and recognized their faces.  This weekend proved that this couple was loved deeply and will be missed tremendously by so many.

The music community in Omaha pulled through in the most amazing way.  Below is a screen shot of the Sunday bands alone.

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Bless you all.

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What a good way to end the weekend being surrounded by positive vibes, generous people and a room full of love.

August 4, 2014

Thoughts From The Road- Actions and Reactions

Friday I rode my baby to work.  Morning rush hour is always a little hectic, so I tend to ride a little more aggressively than normal.  Getting across 4 lanes of traffic requires it if you want out of that caged madness.

It comes as no surprise anymore when I get cut off by a cage where the driver isn’t paying attention or they mis-judged the distance between my two wheels and their four wheels.  Usually this action on their part creates a judgmental, very aggressive reaction on my part.  I am not afraid to admit that I get angry, pull up beside their window (when the opportunity allows) and yell not very nice things or wave my arm aggressively at them.   I can’t help it.

I’m a goner if I get hit.  They’ll most likely walk away.

I get pissed.

Friday morning, it happened to me crossing the Missouri River into Iowa.

I saw it happening before he actually moved into my lane.  I saw the slight shift in his direction and instinct told me to back off a bit.  He quickly realized what he had done when he actually looked into his mirror and saw my headlights.  He hesitated halfway between lanes before finally committing to continue moving into my lane.

In that instant I talked myself out of pulling up beside him and unleashing.

It happens.  People don’t look thoroughly before changing lanes.  People get distracted and move before signaling.

We ALL do it. 

Instead of my normal reaction, I made the decision to pull up beside him and look into his window to see if he’d acknowledge me.

And I am so glad I did.

Right away I could see him waving in the window and mouthing he was so sorry, his wife watching from the passenger side.

I wasn’t in danger, I saw it happening, I was able to adjust my speed and react. And even if I didn’t have time to back off, I would have had plenty of room to move over on the shoulder and get past him.

I was ok.  He was ok.

I took that moment to look directly at him, move my fingers to my eyes and back to his, he nodded and mouthed sorry again.  I gave a half smile … I mean I don’t want to be overly friendly and ruin my bad ass vibe, you know. 😉 … waved and moved along.

I could have freaked out on him.  But, what good would it have done?  He’d have either felt worse or just made a judgement call that I was a crazy chick with an attitude problem.

Sometimes our reactions are necessary and justified, and this definitely doesn’t mean I am going to react as calmly the next time.  However, there are situations, like Friday, where a little bit of reflection before acting can prove to be beneficial.

So, Cheers to you, fella for acknowledging you made a mistake.  I hope that our little moment helps you remember to always double check before switching lanes.

 

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‘Till next time.