The ol' homestead

Making dollhouse pot holders

Here is the basic rundown on those dollhouse potholders that I told you about. I made 4 different designs and they turned out very cute!

First, cut the pieces

Sew your pieces together...

Then get some of this and cut out around your potholder...

Cut a backing the same size and make your own bias to match...

Attach your bias and iron out...

Then get to cookin'!

*I have answered each question individually about the heating batting but thought I would post this so everyone knows there is such a thing to use. It is a mylar batting called Insul-Bright, it keeps the potholder thin and light weight like regular cotton, Warm and Natural batting. Just FYI - the mylar batting is not safe in the microwave. I've never microwaved a hot pad, but you just never know. I only use one layer of the batting and I put the more shiny side facing the back.                 Super great huh? I bought mine at a local quilting shop, but I have heard you can get it at larger fabric chain stores.

3 day bike run

   We have made it back from our 3 day excursion and enjoyed every minute of it. We decided since rain would be traveling up from the East, that that would be the direction we would travel (there is no reasoning in this) We dropped down in the state and tried to tour the Amish community but because of road construction on a bridge and an unexpected detour, we did not get to tour that area and just enjoyed the surrounding views instead. On that first day the weather was beautiful and we felt one with the land. We rode for many many miles, just soaking up the scenery. As we passed through McAlester, we stopped in for supper at a little famous italian eating place called Pete's Place. It sure was good food (but we DID NOT try the lamb fries) We rode most of the day and stopped in Talihina for the night. As the ground was damp and cold (as we thought it would be) we opted to rent a little cabin and cranked up some heat because we ran into a little rain towards the end of the first day and we were gettin' chilly. Warmth -Oh Heaven!

On day 2, we saddled up and rode into the vast unknown. Okay, we really didn't, but we did start off on the Talimena drive on a warm misty morning -all for about 15 minutes, and then rain set in, for ALL DAY. The Ouchita Mountains were absolutly wonderful and I managed to get several pictures taken before the clouds and rain moved in. So we rode about 100 miles that day in rain, but was able to get rain gear and that helped alot too. Looking out at the valley's and mountains just makes you want to pack your stuff and become a mountain man I'm telling you. On day 3 we packed and left for home. Rode all day but it was really warm and we stopped for rest quite often, as riding 3 days straight was starting to wear on us a little. We loved it though and did much better than we thought we might.

Starting out on the Talimena Drive...

It started out very warm and sunny....

Beautiful clouds washed over us..

Soon clouds and mist moved in....

This "cloud" dropped a couple inches of rain on us

Everyone's got a story if you just ask. The story of this bride was that she was waiting in a lodge bathroom when I came upon her and we visited and she was telling me about her gown she sewed and worked on for 7 years -before she ever met the man she would marry.
Awesome story!

On one stop, I visited with a troop of Boy Scouts who had just hiked back up from the valley where they spent the night. They were on a 25 mile hike. Every young boys dream.

Frontier Man shakin' off the cold and suckin up the mountains.... he is a frontier man after all.

Because of rain, we used better judgement and rented this little cabin -SWEET!

Many, many miles from my view...

Yes, we are as cold as we look as we had just rode in 50 miles of rain ... but it was so worth it. On this stop we met a biker from Tyler Tx, who had a 2009 BMW bike that he had already put 32,000 miles on it!

On day 3, packing the bike the morning we left for home

Yes, the famous Pam's Hateful Hussy Diner, never seen a hateful hussy though!

We had some rain, met good people, ate great food and we had a blast. We can't wait for the next 8 years is here so we can do it again!

To blog

          We all know how giddish (giddish? is that even a word)  I become whenever I talk about my Frontier Mans Harley, leather, smart smelling cologne, or Lord help me, Those. Long. Legs.But I want to share with you why I started this blog (almost 3 years ago!)  I didn't do it because I wanted to be well known out there in blog land. Lord knows I will never be homestead blogger of the week, month, or year. I realize what I have to say sometimes is not conservative enough for those that believe their strict way of life is the only way of life ( I beg of you'all that think this way "please forgive my lustingness of my husband". Amen. ) But I find that I am happiest when I am straightforward in my truth about my thoughts, such as my twitterpation with Frontier Mans black leather chaps..... ..... or the fact I love a good margarita when the mood strikes me (note: good ) and I also have a strange love relationship with Frontier Mans Harley, as long as he is on it, and wearing black leather chaps.... ohhh, did I say that again??? Lord have mercy!!! See what I mean? Thats the problem, I say what I feel, especially when it comes to my favoite subjects. Like sewing, and cooking, and bread-making, and Frontier Man, and well... you get the picture. I started this blog because I like to talk about my life here on the homestead. I blog because it makes me feel good. If you are dropping in because our local Garvin County News Star actaully had an article of me, in all my glorious cooking splendor, I am glad you did and rest assured, it really is a family friendly site.... except maybe for that chaps thing, ya know.

And then there was rain...

Freddie n' Fannie

Additions to the bike

Well good morning. It sure was a nice day yesterday, and today is suppose to be 80! Wow, is that nice or what. Frontier Man rode the bike to work today. Can you say...black leather. Oh I have missed you leather.... where have you been all Winter....come to momma.

Sorry bout that, uh, as I was sayin', Frontier Man was not about to pass up on such a nice ride today, even if it had to be split up by work. We have made a few improvements on the bike and last night Frontier Man made the changes. Can you spot them?

Here they are:

New, bigger windshield... check out the new curvy style.

New Mustang vintage wide sport touring seat...

After we got it all changed out we went for a little ride, and let me tell you my bum was in hog heaven! That Mustang seat makes all the difference in the world. I literally wanted to kiss that seat when we got off. It not only makes for a cushier ride, but it absorbes all those spine jarring dips in pot holes (not that there are much of those around) 

After we put the seats on, then the leather saddle bags looked faded and weathered. So I took them in and re-conditioned them with a good rub down with mink oil.

All we like on the up-grade now is the 2-up shocks and we can hit the pavement for the coast now (or at least the county line)

Really don't have a long trip planned out yet, but there is one coming on this bad mammajamma... I can feel it.

The Two Wolves

Struttin' his stuff...

Here is my Beep Beep -that's my tom's name.

Isn't he GRAND!? Thats his mate in the background, he likes to strut for her.....

first he struts this way, then he turnsand struts that way, then he spits pft pft pft, all for her, to impress her (I am not sure if it impresses her or not, but it does me, I think he is grand!)

He also likes to fight with himself in the reflection of Big Misses car....

and chase Little Miss round the house....

and impress the hunters out by the road...

just because he can, and because...

 he is grand. Did I mention that already?

my cow damaged cruiser

Well, here it is folks..... my poor car!

Waitin' to hear from the adjuster today..........

10 Reasons to LOVE Whole Wheat

10 Reasons to LOVE

Whole Wheat

1. It’s more nutritious, providing several more minerals, vitamins (18 more to be exact!), and natural photochemicals than white flour.

2. Relax! It has More B Vitamins which are known to help with nerves & stress.

3. Get cleaned out. Whole wheat provides more fiber, preventing constipation & diverticulosis. The American Dietetic Association recommends 20-35 grams daily, the average American consumes only 12 grams.

4. Lose weight and keep it off! Whole wheat has a lot of fiber which has almost no calories, keeps you fuller for longer, absorbs 3x it’s weight in water, cuts absorption of calories, cleans out impurities, requires more chewing, and takes 1/2 as much to fill you up and takes longer to digest.

5. Reduces your risk of colon cancer & other diseases.

6. Lowers blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and risk of adult on set Diabetes.

7. Cheaper! It will lower your food costs by at 30% to 50%!

8. Lowers doctor visits, bills, & medications.

9. Lowers Dentist Bills by cutting down on tooth decay.

10. Eating Whole Wheat keeps your body both emotionally and physically used to wheat.