New Bathroom Curtain

I've been wanting to replace the bathroom curtain since we moved in to our house, over two years ago. But in my defense, it's hard to know how to match anything to red velvet wallpaper.

Seams to Me by Anna Maria Horner

I mostly just look through sewing books for fun, but this shower curtain inspired me.

The pattern is red velvet, how very Twin Peaks.

Super basic, it's just torn fabric strips sewn on muslin. It's just the right amount of light, just kitschy enough, and just the right colors.

But it's pretty hard to get a decent photo of anything in a bathroom.

A Return to Winter Bicycling

The thought of waiting to ride our new wheels until the snow disappears seemed absurd to me when I was having the Dreamcycle rebuilt. We live  a mile high in the Rocky Mountains, so it can stay icy well into spring, and snow during the month of June isn't alarming to anyone other than tourists. 

After reading about studded snow tires and feeling pretty overwhelmed by choices (Riding in snow? Packed snow? Ice? Plowed winter streets? Snowy ruts? Snow covered ice? I couldn't find an all-of-the-above option.), I decided to take the leap and put a whole lot of trust in our local bike shop. I mean, it just makes sense to use what other locals like to use in the winter, right? After listening to Pete (the extremely patient and knowledgable local bike shop owner) explain the different options for studded snow tires, I agreed to get some Kenda Klondike XT snow tires on the new ride, and asked him to please order them before I changed my mind.

Riding in winter isn't new to me, so I've found myself somewhat surprised to be having this "Should I ride in winter?!" battle with myself. But of course, there is a big difference between me winter riding now versus when I was in my 20s:

I'm no longer riding solo.

What am I thinking? Putting this adorable precious child on the back of my bike in 20º F temps in the heart of winter? A snapshot of my inner dialogue:

• Teach your kid that weather doesn't have to determine our outdoor fun.
• Teach your kid that bicycling is safe (when done correctly).
• Teach your kid that we don't have to drive everywhere just because it's winter or we have a lot to bring along with us.
• Be honest about what's important to you as an individual, and a mother.

On the flip side, I'm telling myself:

• Don't wreck, or you'll never get her on the bike again.
• Don't let her get cold and uncomfortable, or you'll never get her on the bike again.
• Don't wreck, or you'll never get her on the bike again.
• Is this safe? Why are you doing this? No really, why is bicycling so important?!
• Don't wreck, or you'll never get her on the bike again.

You get the point. But seriously, I wouldn't be riding in the winter if I didn't feel like this was a safe choice for me and my kid. And I've been thinking and rethinking how to keep us both safe and comfortable, but especially how to keep my small passenger safe and comfortable during her first serious encounters with winter bicycling.

Coming soon: How to keep your small passenger safe and comfortable during her first serious encounters with winter bicycling!

Amazing Bike Bucket

Do you ever wish you had a durable and waterproof pannier? Do you also wish it would cost a handful of change (rather than a couple hundred bucks)? Meet the bike bucket:

(photo from 2005, my bike has changed a bit)

I was using extra bungie straps in the early 2000s because I was a student and would haul huge loads of books with me daily. Two straps made the bucket (& me) feel more secure.

I have a 3-4 of these buckets, the total cost was about $5 since I had extra buckets and bungie cords already. If you need square or rectangular buckets ask friends with cats (cat litter comes in these sometimes), restaurants, or grocery store bakeries (sometimes food comes in these, like mayo or cake icing). These buckets are great for hauling just about anything, keep the contents 100% dry, and will even survive a bicycle wreck without spilling the contents (guess how I know?).  I still use them, but they aren't a permanent fixture on my bike like they used to be. 

A big thanks to my BFF, Jody, for pointing this tutorial out to me 10+ years ago.