Thrifty Mama

Almanzo 100

My husband, me, and some friends rode in the Almanzo 100 this weekend. A free 100 mile unsupported gravel race.

My goal was to finish, which I did, so I’m proud. I’m also amazed. No one in our group got any flats, broke any chains, or sustained any injuries. We all finished, and although weary tired and hungry, we were all smiling.

According to my computer (official times aren’t yet posted) we finished with a rolling time of just under 9 hours (total 11.5 hours with stops) We rode almost 110 miles due to a wrong turn and a course re-route at one of the river crossings and we climbed 7,000 feet. My husband cleared every hill on his single speed.

I’m sore here and there and I have matching bruises on the outside of each thigh in addition to some road rash on my shin, but otherwise I feel great.

These are the kind of events I like to participate it!

My daughter and I made fairy doors for her grandma’s for Mother’s Day. The kids painted pots and planted flowers at the Farmer’s Market this morning as well. We snuck over to my moms this afternoon and left her this surprise.

DIY Garden Friend Door.

It’s finally stopped snowing and I can start cleaning up my yard. I’ve been itching to add a little fairy/gnome door to the side of our front steps.

I have an old wooden room divider that my purple clematis thinks is a lattice and that little door will look really cool lost in the vines.

Here’s how I did it, pretty simple.

I found some large dry woodchips from my yard and glued the edges together with hot glue. I glued the 2 pieces across to make it look more “doory.” I wrapped some bits of twine around the edges for some gnome flair.

Then, I flipped it over and stapled a metal mini flagpole (used to mark gas lines in yards) to it so I can stick it into the ground instead of affixing it to the house or steps.

I used a couple items from around the house and some pinecones and birch bark from the neighborhood to decorate.

We had already gathered up all the supplies, so it was a pretty quick and simple project.