Concrete & Grace

New Love

2010-07-05T13:58:00.002-05:00

   I know I've been MIA, but I have found a new love!
A year ago my brother challenged me to ride a bike across Nebraska. Mind you, I hadn't ridden a bike since Junior High nor did I own a bike. So I purchased a bike and started training.
   To begin I could only make it about 8 miles with a hill that beat me everytime. It became my nemesis hill. I started to increase my mileage and some hills, thanks to my trainer(Travis, my brother). He coached me thru my gears to get up the hills. Thank you! Yet still I could barely make it up Nemesis Hill. Then winter came. So I had to switch to indoor training on a recumbent bike. Big difference! Spring came and I was able to return outside. I found my legs to be much stronger! Yet Nemesis Hill still about beat me everytime. I would mutter "you can do this, you can do this over and over until I made it up the hill, then I shouted I did IT!!!! Travis took me on a 40 mile ride about a month before BRAN was to begin. It included some big hills. Made everyone! But he really wanted to make it a 60 mile ride. The wind was blowing really hard and 40 was all I could do!
   BRAN came with the first day being 80 miles long with a hill that had to be 10 miles long. I thought that if I could make that day I could make the whole week. I made 65 miles that day, farther than I'd ever gone! Including the 10 mile hill that I pedalled the whole way up!
We battled rainy weather, winds, and hills the whole week. But on the flip side, we had the most beautiful scenery throughout the sandhills of Nebraska. I developed "saddle sores" three days into the trip, so I could only ride about 30 miles for a few days. (That was very frustrating!) But, I was able to finish the last day.
   The total mileage for the ride was 496 miles. I did 300+ miles on account of the "saddle sores"! I loved every minute of it! I felt so empowered! There were times that I was tired and sore, but all in all I'm glad I did it! There was a point in all the training that I didn't think I could do it. I was so nervous that first day! I am proud that I accepted his challenge because it gave me something to work towards. When we cycled into the SAC museum the last day it was amazing! To know that I was part of something that not everyone could do, but that I did it! I finished! Now I'm hooked and ready for the next cycling trip! Thanks Travis for the challenge! Thanks everyone for cheering me on!

P.S. I beat Nemesis Hill, it's nothing now I can sail up it with no problem!

SnOw!

2009-12-08T15:40:00.001-06:00

This is what it looks like outside my front door. We have had snow all day long! They are predicting it to snow all night too! I love the snow this time of year.

Here are a couple of pics of Christmas in our home. I didn't go all out this year. I wanted to keep things simple. Until next time, have a blessed "snowy" day!

Random Acts of Kindness

2009-11-08T09:38:00.001-06:00

I stopped by our local Alco store yesterday morning after my walk to peek at their Christmas decorations. In all my morning lovliness (no make-up, ponytail, and sweats), a gentleman came up to me and said that he noticed me walk in the store and just wanted to tell me that I was very pretty. Wow! He had to courage to come to me and say that. He, of all people, was in a wheelchair. He's probably used to others looking at him or turning the other direction as he approaches. But he sought me out to tell me the sweetest thing that I've heard in a long time. It humbled me to think that sometimes we all need to say sweet words to people we have no connection with. It, without a doubt, left me with a smile on my face and a warmth in my heart.
Instead of looking down as someone walks by we should smile and say hi or a kind word to them. Maybe they will also leave with smile on their face!

Canned!

2009-10-25T11:45:00.001-05:00

Canned out that is! Our garden gave us a bounty of produce this year! I have canned tomatoes into sauce, pizza sauce, tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, chili sauce, and salsa!

I have pickled cucumbers and jalapeno's into sweet/spicy pickles, dills, jalapeno pickles, and pickle relish. I have jellied jalapeno's and made apple butter. I have froze corn, zucchini, and rhubarb. Dried apples and zucchini too! We are set for this winter! It was nice to see the garden be put to bed for the year. I am thinking expanding next year, am I crazy?

Our Home(SlideShow)

2009-03-13T18:51:00.003-05:00

Here is a slide show of our home at Christmas time. Enjoy!

Thanks for touring our home!

Erin

MIA

2009-03-01T07:24:00.002-06:00

It has been awhile since I've posted last. So I'll try & catch up on everything. It's still winter here in Nebraska, although some days it wants to be spring! I am so ready for spring! One day we're in the 60's and the next we're in the 30's - 40's with snow showers!

It has been a long winter for Kent. He is eagerly waiting for spring to come. Construction slows down in the winter. Although he passes the time hunting. But now since hunting season is over he is ready to work! I married a guy that can't sit still for very long! He did recieve some exciting news. He drew an elk tag for next fall in Wyoming! It will be his first elk hunt and he is EXCITED!

Jack is growing! He's getting big. Although, we've noticed that he has a lot of extra skin to grow into! Jack has been naughty though. He ate a hole in my carpet. Not the new carpet, thank goodness! He has learned to lift his leg, sometimes he thinks he can do it inside(I think we're beyond that stage now). Kent taught him how to jump on the bed, so every morning I get woken up with a dog in my face. But he also thinks he can get on the furniture. I don't know if I should be scolding Jack or Kent. We can't leave shoes around either. One morning I woke up and my walking shoes were full of holes. The next morning Kent's slippers had been knawed on. At least we could save the slippers. I guess this is the wonderful world of puppy!

As for projects that I have been doing. I am still working on mom's quilt. I have it all pieced together. It just need to be quilted now. I finished a pair of flannel bloomers that I started last fall. I just finished decorating the house for spring. Since having a new/bigger house I am loving decorating for the seasons. Something I haven't been able to do for the last two years. I am finding that I need to to do a little shopping though. What little that I have is being spread throughout the house, so it looks a little sparse(if anyone know where I can get some prim bunnies let me know). I need to get started on curtains for the dining room. I have the fabric, I just need to get the inspiration for it! I have been enjoying my kitchen! I am on a sourdough kick. I made my own starter and every week I bake bread! One week I made sourdough pancakes for breakfast, yummy! Last night we had sourdough pizza crust, it turned out to be really good! Today I am going to bake some bread and maybe dog biscuits!

Well that pretty much catches me up to speed. I'll try and post some house pictures in the future so you can all see our progress! Have a great day!

Erin

Current Projects

2009-01-20T14:00:00.004-06:00

I am currently working on a quilt for my mom. We were visiting a local quilt shop, and she found this quilt. She really liked the fabric used in it. So, for Christmas I surprised her with samples of the fabric with the promise of making a quilt. This is how far I've gotten so far. My plan is to finish sewing the blocks together this weekend.

Any suggestions on decorating this toolbox for February? I know some of you have some great decorating ideas. Please share your thoughts!

Until next time, have a great day!!

Meet Jack!

2009-01-07T19:53:00.003-06:00

We have a new addition to our family! His name is Jack. We brought Jack home on Nov. 20th. He was 5 months old and full of energy. Jack has adapted well to our household. He loves Kent, digging in the trash, tormenting the cats, and Gracie! Gracie on the other hand is not exactly thrilled with him. Jack is thriving! We weren't too sure at first, he came to us at 35 pounds and hungry. He since has gained quite a bit. We don't see his bones anymore and Kent had to lengthen his collar! Jack is learning the ropes around here. Basic commands like sit, stay, becoming house trained, and some retrieving. Kent took him pheasant hunting and to the duck blind. He says he's doing well. All I know is that he comes home worn out, but ready to go again in the morning!

Welcome!

2009-01-06T11:43:00.002-06:00

Welcome to Concrete & Grace!

Why Concrete & Grace? Concrete is our business. My husband and I own and operate a concrete construction company. 5 years and running! Plus, we have a strong foundation in our faith in God. Without Him we wouldn't have had the courage to start our business.

Grace on the other hand is named for my dog, Gracie. She is very precious to me! And we all should show a little grace now and then. Eph. 2:8.

We moved to the country two years ago. Who would have thought that a towngirl like me would love it out here! It must have been that big burly husband of mine! We are in the process of remodelling the house on the property and we are almost done! When Kent first drove me by the house I thought he was nuts! He must have seen the possibilities. Actually, I think he only saw the shop! Anyway, here we are two years later. I am enjoying decorating the house and making it a cozy place to be!