From a "Monkey" to a "GORILLA"

The little bugger is finally finished.  Marie helped me put on the final touches this morning.......today the bike is wearing the title of a "Gorilla".  It started out as a 1975 Honda z50 Monkey and I turned it into an 88cc Gorilla!

So if my readers don't remember I'll refresh your memory.  I bought this bike about 3 blocks from my bar "The Pastime Saloon" in late September.....once again Marie thought I was totally nuts, but her smile was priceless when she was riding it today.  Ok, back to it......I got this running briefly after I purchased it.  I really opened up a can of worms while fixing it though.  I started fixing this and that and then I decided to do a total frame off restoration.  So here is what happened:

Day 1...

Tearing it down...

Glossy black frame...

Allis Chalmers Glossy Orange...

Glossy Aluminum Wheels...

New tires...

Getting ready to prime the tank...

Tank is primed, top coat of orange, and body filler.  I wet sanded before final top coat.

Some of my nicest body work and paint job...

Local upholster customized my seat...

Tearing the engine down to rebuild and install an 88cc kit.

Painted for the "like new" looks...

Finished...

This bike was really fun to build and even more fun to ride all over my neighborhood.  You wouldn't believe the looks I get.  Hopefully someone will buy it for that special person for Christmas.

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

Our Thanksgiving weekend provided a perfect opportunity to reflect on all of the joy we have in our lives and also to pray for continued strength through life's challenges. The weekend began with a walk on Wednesday night. We have had a break from the rain - which means it is sunny and gorgeous, but COLD!

Walking with my sweetie, Mic, and Sheila (I wanted to call her Mercedes!)

My homemade advent wreath.

CT enjoyed a Thanksgiving brew and cigar with Blake.

It was fun to make our own turkey dinner and just be home.

We enjoyed using our fancy china...I made a centerpiece to remind me of our engagement party for Mash in Chestertucky last year. And our guests were Blake and Daryl. It was delicious and fun!

Millhorn children... I believe that "slush" is my all-time favorite Thanksgiving treat. It is beautiful and so tasty/refreshing. Hope you have all exposed your sweethearts to it.

That's about it. We savored the weekend and our time together.  We gave thanks for all of our wonderful family and dreamed about the future. Hope you all feel the LOVE!! xoxox

BKG got Lifted!

1973 Honda CB500F.....next victim.

Bare Knuckle Willie is tired of all the back braking bending work that comes with turning wrenches on motorcycles!

Yesterday I decided to build a motorcycle table.....I have always wanted one and really don't want to fork out $1000 for a professional hydraulic lifted table.  So being my frugal self.....I built one out of reclaimed wood.  Last night I cut up all the pieces needed to put it together......this morning I purchased the needed nuts, bolts, and washers....tonight I assembled everthing!  It's nothing fancy...just a table that sits 30 inches high....36 inches wide and 84 inches long.  I can't wait to start working on something that I don't have to sit on a milk crate, 5 gallon bucket, or a cold concrete garage floor.

Here is the process:

piecing together.

building the 2 sides.

adding the top band.

all banded and gaining strength and stability.

an old table top being reused.

the ramp needs some fine tuning....a little jankey.

rolled right up!

nothing but some Hondas.

Eno will sit in any type of box.

Last night I came across a cowboy hat I made out of a beer carton.  I made it 3-4 years ago and never wear it.  I decided to throw it away and Eno pleaded not too.  It was way too comfortable for him to sit in for a few minutes....haha.


Willie....OUT!

Wine Tasting Comic Strip

L'art de Boire le Vin

Years ago, Leigh Ann picked up this sweet print in Paris and gave it to Connor as a Christmas gift. We have enjoyed reading it many times... and adds a lovely decor to our home (a nice little contrast for all the ship paintings). Tonight, we will recreate it - in person - for you with our very own 2011 Syrah.

Uncork.

Smell the cork. (or the literal translation from the comic is "feel the cap"...not sure what that means)

Slowly pour.

The civilized drinker mentally prepares.

Pleasure the eyes...

Pleasure the nose...

Pleasure the mouth...

...or not. Our wine taster was not fully pleased with his drink.

But, we managed to enjoy it anyway. As they say in Paris, "When the wine is drawn, you have to drink!"

I actually made Pasta Fagioli at the recommendation of Maggie.  It was SO YUMMY! And I loved her suggestion to keep the pasta separate so that it wouldn't get soggy. Of course we indulged in our guilty pleasure of watching music videos and singing while we dined. The romance never ends. :)
P.S. We love you Leigh Ann - and we think about you all the time!

A month later...

... but who's counting?  We are all too busy counting down the days to the arrival of our new baby girl Gauch. That's exciting! 
Our life continues. Fall has been cold and rainy for the most part. It looks like we will have Thanksgiving at home and then spend our Christmas holiday in Texas. So, it will be January before we know it.
Back in October, Marie did a silent retreat at St. Placid's Priory in Lacey with Aunt Pat. The theme was "Living your best life"... My revelation was that I am already living my best life! I couldn't think of one thing that I needed (other than more time in the day...and health for my loved ones). But, it was a great retreat.

We celebrated Daryl's 52nd birthday in October.

Marie made a trip to NC for mom's second cataract surgery and got to see Dad/Brad/Mags as well. It was another busy trip...full of work but also some fun. Mom and I went exploring (lead by fearless Winnie of course) on the mountain. It was gorgeous.

So glad she opted for the fashionable sunglasses!

Maggie looks like she ate a big sammich...

Uncle Brad cracked the whip and wanted me to help him in the garden. It was fun. Luckily he let me borrow some knee pads. He is a slave driver.

A favorite picture. Dad and Mom are soooo excited about their grandbaby.

The view from Dad's hospital room... Western NC is seriously the most beautiful place on earth.

 

Connor continues to make a killing in BKG... currently working on a mini-bike and the "brat" CB550.

Looks so good. This bike is gorgeous.

He did brew a beer - called MTB - that the twins and Amber originally brewed with him during Christmas 2010.
Lefty kept the vet bills rolling in - having his last saber tooth surgically removed a few weeks ago. Poor baby is now toothless...just a few little teeth left.

He took his catnip fish for comfort.

Some delicious food recommendations: Herb biscuit chicken pot pie and Blintzes with Blueberry Sauce.

Bakes up beautifully and feeds a crowd!

A great brunch item. I made this in NC for mom...and repeated it for brunch this past weekend. We were hosting a church intern for a few days... She was kindof a strange eater, so it was good to have a brunch that she enjoyed.

 We are so blessed. We will spend the next several weeks feeling THANKFUL for our wonderful families...and wishing that we had the luxury of spending unlimited time with each and every one of you!