Heart of Michigan passed tech inspection for an alternative source motorcycle. Michael made four runs and gained 4 mph on each run. He topped at 95 mph. Michael made the fastest run on the Bonneville Salt Flats with a rotary engine motorcycle. The bike handled beautifully. However...
Once he went back to tech, the officials changed their minds for the type of motorcycle he was running. Since they changed their minds, they will not allow the record to be official.
They may change their minds back and let the record stick, but until then, I told him that he has to go back next year to make it official.
I will update if the mind changing happens before he leaves.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
96 degrees
Michael wondered why his feet were hot. He thought that he needed new shoes. Then he looked at the thermometer. 96 degrees! Even if he has the best shoes, his feet will still be hot at 96 degrees!
They recommend wearing old shoes on the salt. Shoes get ruined, so an old pair gets thrown away at the end of the week.
Michael is waiting for the salt to dry and make it feel more like pavement. The drier the salt, the safer the run. It rained a bunch last Monday, so the salt needs time to dry. Many drivers are making the attempt, but it looks like Tuesday will be his first attempt.
He also did not want to hang out in line for the track in his fifty pound black leather suit (maybe not fifty pounds, but it sure is heavy). He said the other drivers put on their suits, pour a bottle of water in, and zip up. The water keeps them cooler. Hot, wet leather does not sound like a good combination to me!
Michael is also an official red neck! He pours the sun block on, but it melts off and his neck is burning! It is bright red!
I am so glad that Michael is there, but I miss his cooking. For those of you who know me, I do not cook. My three favorite words are "dinner is ready." I have been whining for weeks that I have to cook for two weeks while he is gone. I am a great salad maker, so I have been dining on Farm Market lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, corn on the cob, broccoli, blackberries and peaches. I have had some wonderful dinners, but it is still not the same as Michael's incredible cooking.
More later!
They recommend wearing old shoes on the salt. Shoes get ruined, so an old pair gets thrown away at the end of the week.
Michael is waiting for the salt to dry and make it feel more like pavement. The drier the salt, the safer the run. It rained a bunch last Monday, so the salt needs time to dry. Many drivers are making the attempt, but it looks like Tuesday will be his first attempt.
He also did not want to hang out in line for the track in his fifty pound black leather suit (maybe not fifty pounds, but it sure is heavy). He said the other drivers put on their suits, pour a bottle of water in, and zip up. The water keeps them cooler. Hot, wet leather does not sound like a good combination to me!
Michael is also an official red neck! He pours the sun block on, but it melts off and his neck is burning! It is bright red!
I am so glad that Michael is there, but I miss his cooking. For those of you who know me, I do not cook. My three favorite words are "dinner is ready." I have been whining for weeks that I have to cook for two weeks while he is gone. I am a great salad maker, so I have been dining on Farm Market lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, corn on the cob, broccoli, blackberries and peaches. I have had some wonderful dinners, but it is still not the same as Michael's incredible cooking.
More later!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
RE 5 Passed Tech Inspection
After a few hour wait, the RE 5 passed tech inspection. Many motorcycles are from professional racing teams and they did not pass inspection. Michael's one little tool box and a few spare parts put him in the running with the big boys! Michael is so excited!
He hopes to make a run tomorrow.
Today, I got to hang out in the rain at the Suttons Bay Farm Market. It has rained every Saturday for weeks. What happened to summer? It was 95 degrees in Bonneville today. What a difference 1800 miles can make!
More later...
He hopes to make a run tomorrow.
Today, I got to hang out in the rain at the Suttons Bay Farm Market. It has rained every Saturday for weeks. What happened to summer? It was 95 degrees in Bonneville today. What a difference 1800 miles can make!
More later...
Friday, August 28, 2009
Sheep Bottoms
When Michael told me about the sheep running, I did not hear the part about the sheep bottoms. Along with the running sheep, there were sheep already at the feeding station. It was covered, with small holes for them to feed, so all Michael could see were sheep bottoms sticking out of the holes. He was going too fast to take a picture, so you just have to imagine a feeding station of sheep bottoms.
More tomorrow!
More tomorrow!
RE 5 at the Salt
Michael was gate guard all day. While Michael was gate guarding, he spent the day watching the dog of one of the race prep men. Buddy the dog spent most of the day in his master's trailer. Michael was not his master, so Buddy did not want to play with him. It also could be the heat. It was 93 degrees a few hours ago.
Michael just told me that the Suzuki RE 5 is at the salt and ready for tech inspection. The RE 5 motorcycle is so rare, that almost everyone who came to the flats stopped to look at it today. Michael said there was always at least 2 or 3 people admiring the bike at the same time. He is ready to race!
More tomorrow. Heat at the Flats and rain in Traverse City, again. There has been so much rain and it has been on Saturday for weeks! Rain rain go away!
I forgot a great story. As Michael was driving through Wyoming, he saw a flock of sheep running full speed ahead. He could not figure out what they were doing until he saw their owner on a tractor, dumping food. They were a long way away, but knew the sound of the tractor meant food and they were going to get it, fast! You had to be there...
Michael just told me that the Suzuki RE 5 is at the salt and ready for tech inspection. The RE 5 motorcycle is so rare, that almost everyone who came to the flats stopped to look at it today. Michael said there was always at least 2 or 3 people admiring the bike at the same time. He is ready to race!
More tomorrow. Heat at the Flats and rain in Traverse City, again. There has been so much rain and it has been on Saturday for weeks! Rain rain go away!
I forgot a great story. As Michael was driving through Wyoming, he saw a flock of sheep running full speed ahead. He could not figure out what they were doing until he saw their owner on a tractor, dumping food. They were a long way away, but knew the sound of the tractor meant food and they were going to get it, fast! You had to be there...
Thursday, August 27, 2009
He is there!
Michael arrived at the Bonneville Salt Flats an hour ago. He is ready to go to the meetings, get tech inspection over and run the bike!
Official opening is Sunday, so he will have time to see old friends and help the Bubb Racing Team prepare for their record run. He works with them when he is not preparing his motorcycle. They go really, really, really fast - over 300 mph! Too fast for me!
Official opening is Sunday, so he will have time to see old friends and help the Bubb Racing Team prepare for their record run. He works with them when he is not preparing his motorcycle. They go really, really, really fast - over 300 mph! Too fast for me!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Camping in Cheyenne and Home Grown Tomatoes
Michael is snoozing in Cheyenne at another campground. You know you are out west when you have bbq for dinner at the campground and it is the best dinner in town. He said it was great! The corn on the cob was double the size of Michigan corn. Wonder why?
One more day to Bonneville!
I picked our first large tomato tonight, right off the vine, right outside our kitchen door. I was going to use half, but once I took a bite, I put the whole tomato in my salad. Poor choice. That wonderful, eat alone tomato got covered in other salad stuff and the flavor disappeared. Next tomato is all alone!See you at the Elberta Farm Market tomorrow!
The cows are loose
Michael is driving through Nebraska. When he looked to the side of the highway, he noticed that the cows were loose. They were eating their way through the corn fields! I wonder how the farmer will react when he notices that they are missing, then finds them with a belly full of corn.
The black and white cows in Iowa are now brown and white cows in Nebraska. What color will the Wyoming cows be?
One more day to Bonneville! More later...
The black and white cows in Iowa are now brown and white cows in Nebraska. What color will the Wyoming cows be?
One more day to Bonneville! More later...
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
What to do with the extra root beer extract
For you root beer cookie lovers, Michael puts a little extra root beer extract in the bottle, to make sure that you have enough for the cookies and the frosting. I try to give our clients suggestions on what they can do with the extra root beer extract. Sometimes, I forget to tell them. Since we have had requests for suggestions, and my great client friend Susi asked on the blog, here goes...
You can get a bottle of vanilla cream soda and put a few drops of the remaining extract in the bottle. You will have a great bottle of root beer! The number of drops depends on the degree of flavor that you like your root beer.
I have not tried this, but you can also pour some extract over french vanilla ice cream and make a new version of the root beer float, only without the float!
The extra extract does not have to be refrigerated. It can hang out in the cupboard or pantry with the rest of the extracts.
Hope this helps!
You can get a bottle of vanilla cream soda and put a few drops of the remaining extract in the bottle. You will have a great bottle of root beer! The number of drops depends on the degree of flavor that you like your root beer.
I have not tried this, but you can also pour some extract over french vanilla ice cream and make a new version of the root beer float, only without the float!
The extra extract does not have to be refrigerated. It can hang out in the cupboard or pantry with the rest of the extracts.
Hope this helps!
Bonneville or Bust!
If you cannot see it closely enough, I will explain.One of Michael's loves is motorcycle racing.
Michael is on his way to the Bonneville Salt Flats
to attempt a world land speed record on this motorcycle.
If you have never seen the World's Fastest Indian, I suggest you rent it.
It is a great movie!
Michael saw this movie and decided to go to Bonneville two years ago,
just to see the events.
He was hooked!
Now he will be one of the racers,
instead of just one of the observers.
The race team is called Heart of Michigan.
Since Michael is Executive Director of Miss Heart of Michigan,
we thought it would be a great team title.
He is in Illinois, eight hours into the trip to Bonneville.
He has two more days to get there.
I am staying home, holding down the fort
and going to the Farmers Markets.
I will also be at Castle Farms for their
Annual Craft Show on Labor Day weekend.
If you get some time and want to play, come see me!
I will update daily with Michael's progress.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Great Clients!!!
I was so excited to talk about our Farm Market dinner that I neglected to tell you about our great clients.
My greatest distance client bought local maple syrup from me today. She lives in Honolulu! I love Hawaii. I took my nieces to Hawaii for their high school graduation present. We had such a nice time. It is great talking to clients to see where they are visiting from. I am sure that Honolulu wins the prize for the greatest distance.
Just as I was packing the car to leave the Leland Farm Market today, a very handsome boy walked up to the almost empty table (there were only a few cookie mixes left - everything else was in the car). He smiled at me and said that I was the lady with the pumpkin pancake mixes. I smiled back and said yes. I then told him that I had them in the car just waiting for him. When his family joined him, we were able to get him his pumpkin pancake mixes and talk about their home town. Their home town of Napoleon just happens to be twenty minutes from my home town of Jackson. Thirty years ago, my grandmother had a restaurant in the little town of Napoleon, so we talked about what building lives there now. We also found out that the father works just across the street from the Subway restaurant where my 81 year old mother works. He remembered my mother! Next time he goes into Subway, he can say that he saw me. She will be surprised!
Michael got to enjoy time with two beautiful girls with pink tops and pink headbands at the Elberta market today. They taste tested a root beer cookie, then chose the best sample for their mother so she could enjoy a sample, too. What sweet girls!
A few weeks ago, a couple stopped at the Frankfort market. I knew the woman looked familiar, but I could not place her. After a few minutes conversation, we found that I graduated with her sister. A few minutes later, we found out that we grew up less than a mile apart from each other. When you lived in my farming community, a mile apart was a close neighbor! Not only was she familiar, she was close neighbor familiar!
Michael just received a phone call from a very happy client. They loved the Mega Mint cookies! At least four people in the background also let Michael know how much they loved the cookies. They are ready to place a great big order for Christmas gifts. What a great idea!
Back to packing the cars for tomorrow's markets! See you there!
My greatest distance client bought local maple syrup from me today. She lives in Honolulu! I love Hawaii. I took my nieces to Hawaii for their high school graduation present. We had such a nice time. It is great talking to clients to see where they are visiting from. I am sure that Honolulu wins the prize for the greatest distance.
Just as I was packing the car to leave the Leland Farm Market today, a very handsome boy walked up to the almost empty table (there were only a few cookie mixes left - everything else was in the car). He smiled at me and said that I was the lady with the pumpkin pancake mixes. I smiled back and said yes. I then told him that I had them in the car just waiting for him. When his family joined him, we were able to get him his pumpkin pancake mixes and talk about their home town. Their home town of Napoleon just happens to be twenty minutes from my home town of Jackson. Thirty years ago, my grandmother had a restaurant in the little town of Napoleon, so we talked about what building lives there now. We also found out that the father works just across the street from the Subway restaurant where my 81 year old mother works. He remembered my mother! Next time he goes into Subway, he can say that he saw me. She will be surprised!
Michael got to enjoy time with two beautiful girls with pink tops and pink headbands at the Elberta market today. They taste tested a root beer cookie, then chose the best sample for their mother so she could enjoy a sample, too. What sweet girls!
A few weeks ago, a couple stopped at the Frankfort market. I knew the woman looked familiar, but I could not place her. After a few minutes conversation, we found that I graduated with her sister. A few minutes later, we found out that we grew up less than a mile apart from each other. When you lived in my farming community, a mile apart was a close neighbor! Not only was she familiar, she was close neighbor familiar!
Michael just received a phone call from a very happy client. They loved the Mega Mint cookies! At least four people in the background also let Michael know how much they loved the cookies. They are ready to place a great big order for Christmas gifts. What a great idea!
Back to packing the cars for tomorrow's markets! See you there!
support your local farm markets
After a great day at the Farm Markets, Michael and I had a wonderful dinner. Everything but the ham was purchased at the Farm Market. We had a great salad with five kinds of fresh lettuce, cucumber, carrots, broccoli and the first tomato from our very own tomato plant that Michael purchased at the market in the spring. I could not resist a fresh loaf of bread bought at the market to complement the dinner. We also have fresh corn on the cob and yellow beans in the fridge for tomorrow's dinner. Michael came home with fresh blueberries to make crunch and I have a bag of apples for him to make apple crisp! Yum!
It is so much fun to come home with so much fresh, picked that morning produce. Besides tasting incredible (the fresh cucumber reminded me of my childhood - my father grew so many cucumbers in his garden), we were able to add to our local economy. When it is all added up, the Farm Markets bring in needed income for the local farmers and vendors. What a way to kick start the economy, right at home.
If you have a Farm Market in your area, I urge you to visit. Once you go, you will get hooked. Fresh, local is the best!
See you at the markets tomorrow and Saturday!
It is so much fun to come home with so much fresh, picked that morning produce. Besides tasting incredible (the fresh cucumber reminded me of my childhood - my father grew so many cucumbers in his garden), we were able to add to our local economy. When it is all added up, the Farm Markets bring in needed income for the local farmers and vendors. What a way to kick start the economy, right at home.
If you have a Farm Market in your area, I urge you to visit. Once you go, you will get hooked. Fresh, local is the best!
See you at the markets tomorrow and Saturday!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
college scholarships and world land speed records
If you have not heard about Michael's other interests,
here is a quick synopsis of a few things that he loves...
Michael is the Executive Director of Miss Heart of Michigan,
which is a preliminary scholarship pageant
for Miss Michigan and Miss America.
Miss Heart 2007 (Ashlee Baracy) won Miss Michigan in 2008
and was top ten at Miss America this year.
Miss Heart 2008 (Rebecca Ransom) got married today!
Miss Heart 2009 (Katie LaRoche) was First Runner Up at Miss Michigan 2009.
These young ladies are the best of the best.
We are so proud to be a part of Miss Heart.
If you want to keep up with the adventures of Katie and the contestants,
go to our website, www.missheartofmichigan.org
You will find daily updates on the blog.
A portion of all Creekside Grains sales goes to Miss Heart.
By purchasing mixes from Creekside Grains,
you are supporting small business and young women!
If you are interested in donating to the Miss Heart scholarship fund,
all donations are appreciated and are tax deductible.
Because of a very generous donation this year,
the winner of Miss Heart of Michigan 2010
will receive a $10,000 scholarship!
Michael is also a motorcycle racer.
In two weeks, he will be going to the Bonneville Salt Flats
to pursue the world land speed record
for alternative power source motorcycles.
While Michael is in Bonneville,
I will be at Castle Farms
on Labor Day weekend for their annual Craft Show.
If you have some spare time and want to enjoy northern Michigan, come visit us!
I will be posting daily updates of his adventure on this blog.
Stay tuned...
here is a quick synopsis of a few things that he loves...
Michael is the Executive Director of Miss Heart of Michigan,
which is a preliminary scholarship pageant
for Miss Michigan and Miss America.
Miss Heart 2007 (Ashlee Baracy) won Miss Michigan in 2008
and was top ten at Miss America this year.
Miss Heart 2008 (Rebecca Ransom) got married today!
Miss Heart 2009 (Katie LaRoche) was First Runner Up at Miss Michigan 2009.
These young ladies are the best of the best.
We are so proud to be a part of Miss Heart.
If you want to keep up with the adventures of Katie and the contestants,
go to our website, www.missheartofmichigan.org
You will find daily updates on the blog.
A portion of all Creekside Grains sales goes to Miss Heart.
By purchasing mixes from Creekside Grains,
you are supporting small business and young women!
If you are interested in donating to the Miss Heart scholarship fund,
all donations are appreciated and are tax deductible.
Because of a very generous donation this year,
the winner of Miss Heart of Michigan 2010
will receive a $10,000 scholarship!
Michael is also a motorcycle racer.
In two weeks, he will be going to the Bonneville Salt Flats
to pursue the world land speed record
for alternative power source motorcycles.
While Michael is in Bonneville,
I will be at Castle Farms
on Labor Day weekend for their annual Craft Show.
If you have some spare time and want to enjoy northern Michigan, come visit us!
I will be posting daily updates of his adventure on this blog.
Stay tuned...
Monday, August 10, 2009
Blackberries in the rain
Unless they are waterproof (which I do not know, because I do not have one), I would think that electronic Blackberries do not like the rain. However, my back yard blackberries LOVE the rain! They are so beautiful when they are covered with drops of water.
This morning, I got out my umbrella, strolled to the back yard and spent thirty minutes picking the most wonderful blackberries in the rain. They are so pretty to look at and wonderful to eat!
It looks like the rains will end tonight. We should have a beautiful week to enjoy all of the farm markets. Stop by and see us!
This morning, I got out my umbrella, strolled to the back yard and spent thirty minutes picking the most wonderful blackberries in the rain. They are so pretty to look at and wonderful to eat!
It looks like the rains will end tonight. We should have a beautiful week to enjoy all of the farm markets. Stop by and see us!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
What it Takes
This morning, Michael and I could not go to the farm markets. The wind howled and the rains came down. Even our neighborhood teenage rooster did not start crowing until 7:30 AM. He must have stayed inside until it lightened up outside.
Michael took the spare time to gather supplies and prepare more mixes.
He went to our supplier and bought 250 pounds of flour, 200 pounds of sugar, 50 pounds of brown sugar, 50 pounds of oatmeal and 50 pounds of chocolate chips.
When Michael was paying the bill, the clerk asked what he was doing with all of those items. He said that he makes chocolate chip cookies for all of his friends on rainy days! She gave him quite the "look."
Altogether, the supplies made sixty gallons of Creekside Grains mixes, just for you to bake on rainy days!
Michael took the spare time to gather supplies and prepare more mixes.
He went to our supplier and bought 250 pounds of flour, 200 pounds of sugar, 50 pounds of brown sugar, 50 pounds of oatmeal and 50 pounds of chocolate chips.
When Michael was paying the bill, the clerk asked what he was doing with all of those items. He said that he makes chocolate chip cookies for all of his friends on rainy days! She gave him quite the "look."
Altogether, the supplies made sixty gallons of Creekside Grains mixes, just for you to bake on rainy days!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Blackberry
I have tons of blackberries...not the modern kind, but the kind that I walk into the back yard and pick! They are wonderful on my Cheerios in the morning!
Last year, Michael would buy new bushes and plant them, without saying anything to me. I never noticed that the bushes were taking over that area of the yard. When I walked into the back yard a few weeks ago, I was shocked at the number of berries that were waiting to be picked! They are so good!
Give me old fashioned blackberries over the new electronic version any day!
Last year, Michael would buy new bushes and plant them, without saying anything to me. I never noticed that the bushes were taking over that area of the yard. When I walked into the back yard a few weeks ago, I was shocked at the number of berries that were waiting to be picked! They are so good!
Give me old fashioned blackberries over the new electronic version any day!
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