Here she isssss, Miss Swoopy Frame Mixteeeeee

I had an appointment this morning and since I biked there I didn't hear the mazillion calls from The Baker.  Fortunately I checked my phone before heading in to see the doc.  He'd found this bike was on CL and he was on his way to pick it up.  (Damn I love CL!) He told me it was exactly the bike I'd been wanting for eons - orange and swoopy.   Not only did he get there before anyone else but the price was quite good for Denver, a high-bike-price town.

By the time he got back to town (it was in a far away 'burb) I was at work so he brought it by my office.  These are the only pics I have as the bike's on the repair stand at the moment. 

Because he rocks, he cleaned and repacked everything that needed cleaning and repacking.  He straightened the fenders and fixed the rear light.  It needs new tires, new grips, new saddle, cables, rack replaced, front generator light replaced and the wheels could use truing.   I think I might replace the handlebars as well.  They're original, but I love the look and feel of a flatter, rounded bar.  We'll see once I get on her for a ride.

More pics after the jump!

Squee!!!!!!!

Ever since coming across this photo a couple of years ago I've been lusting for a swoopy mixte and as of earlier today, I have one!  Pictures to come.........................

Tofu Anyone?

One of the very few sources of protein B1 will eat is tofu IF, and only if, it's been sauted in olive oil and lightly salted.  So we tend to eat it fairly regularly.  I'm not a huge tofu fan and prefer it Asian style over pretty much anything else.  Last night was a typical tofu stir fry with quinoa at our house.  Quick, easy and really yummy!

Bike Flowers

Two years ago while on RAGBRAI one of our overnight hosts had the most amazing flower garden.  When I asked her about it she just laughed and said her neighbor was responsible.  Our host despised gardening and her neighbor had done everything to both yards.  So when the neighbor got home I wondered over to ask her for a tour.  After over an hour of learning about each individual plant, including a story about how several came to her, she asked for my address and promised to send me some plants and seeds.  Sure enough, about two months later I got a box containing several flower seeds and one lily start.  I'd especially admired this tiny candy lily which she got while on a bike tour several years before!  How cool that she passed along a flower that she herself got while biking!

This, along with the other flowers she sent (which aren't blooming yet), will always be known as the bike flowers. 

So Much Cooler than the Electric Slide

OK, *anything* is cooler than the Electric Slide.  I'm "stealing" this from Adore Vintage (which I adore!)  I think I might just loop this all day long! Happy 41st to me!!! 

An Extremely Lovely Sunday Ride

This week's Lovely Sunday Ride, and entry into LGRAB round 3,  featured the Highland's Neighborhood of Denver.  The townsite of Highland was laid out in December 1858 by William Larimer, Jr., who the previous month had founded Denver City.  In 1859 the Highland town company formed, and a Platte River bridge was planned to connect to Auraria and Denver. The Rocky Mountain News noted:

"No more handsome location for residences can be found than on the highlands of Highland, on the opposite side of the river from and overlooking Auraria and Denver, and a vast extent of surrounding territory."

After the May 1864 flood wiped out parts of Denver, new people moved up the hill to the west. The Fifteenth Street Bridge made the western hills accessible and as the years passed streetcars made the area even easier to reach.

From my house to Highland Park, where we met, it was approximately seven miles, only the last two or so were straight up hill so it wasn't bad at all.  We meandered through the neighborhood for about an hour...

The First Pie

I didn't get a chance to celebrate this occasion with a post because I was hitting the road for a ten-hour drive with the kids in tow, minus The Baker, early the next morning.  The Baker was kind enough to invite company for dinner that night.  Maude love him!  He loves to entertain even when it's not the most practical time to do so.  Somehow I managed to adapt and  have a good time, despite the stress of having to pack for three and mentally prepare for the trek.  I think it had something to do with cold beers.

Pizza number one in the oven....