Author Archives: kathousekelli70

Guerilla? Or Just an Outlaw

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Jesse James was one of the most famous or infamous outlaws of the American west – robbing stage coaches, banks, trains, and leader of the James-Younger gang.

Why am I talking about Jesse James you might ask? And where does the guerilla bit come into it?

Well, once upon a time, in a land far far away….lol, no simple really. Jesse and his brother Frank James were confederate guerrilla's (also known as bushwackers). Road Runner, fellow Okie when we are there, requested a Jesse James guerrilla shirt.

With eyebrows slightly raised, of course I accepted the challenge and had him send me a picture. (As seen below)

 

Not hard really, finally found fabric that would drape nicely in the required grey, a simple black bias binding should work and found some studs that could replicate the trim.

It came time in the book to get onto this one and so I fiddled around with a pattern and created the very simple oversized guerilla shirt with slanted rounded pockets. Ta dah! Road Runner's guerilla shirt.

(Hmm they could actually have had more slant on the pockets now seeing it on the mannequin, noticeable when it's laying flat)

These shirts with their pockets shaped like that apparently made for ease of carrying extra ammo and accessibility to it. (so I've heard)

Personally I'm thinking that if you are galloping around on a horse at break neck speed you might lose it but then I thought about the drape of the fabric and figured it might well stay put due to the weight of the ammo.

The guerrilla shirts were often made by wives or sweethearts, some were elaborately embroidered, some plain, some with a placket and collar, made from various fabrics and patterns. According to civil war websites the shirts originated in Missouri but were similarly worn down through Texas.

Here are some more examples worn by the Duvall brothers and Bloody Bill Anderson.

 

All very different indeed!

And the whole guerrilla story with William C Quantrill and Bloody Bill Anderson is a tale for another day.

Cheers

Kat xo

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_James#Quantrill.27s_Raiders

http://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=/journals/civil_war_history/v058/58.2.beilein.pdf

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/the-guerrilla-shirt.26529/

 

La Adelita

Posted on by kathousekelli70

I think I've spoken about the Adelita's in the past. They were women of folk lore, the Mexican women who fought for the revolution and relates well to the 1911 era and Wild Bunch.

I present to you the 'Adelita' skirt, a Mexican style skirt in bright colourful fabrics, trimmed with coordinating ribbon and braids. Only limited by imagination it can be finished in plain colours, whites, day of the dead fabrics, florals anything your heart desires.

Here is Trixie with her skirt, fashioned from all cotton fabrics.

 

Colour your world!

Cheers

Kat xo

 

Change of Sport

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Last week before New Year we took some time out with the “kids” and went for a round of Putt Putt golf.

 

We had lunch at the tavern first and then hit the watercourse for some fun.

Well for 4 rather competitive players it was always going to be interesting from the outset.

 

It was a race at the start between Jack and Nick, Curstin and I later regaining a little (not really for me) with a 'hole in one' each.

 

We continued along the course completing silly putting requirements….

 

…and taking silly photos.

 

Jack soon took the lead, much to our disgust, shooting a total of '6 hole in one's' for the course.

 

The final result? 1st Jack, 2nd Curstin, 3rd Nick and yes, me, last. If I can smash it I'm fine, putting has never been my strong point.

A great day out. 🙂

Kat xo

 

 

Australian Outback Spectacular

Posted on by kathousekelli70

New Years Day and we went to the Australian Outback Spectacular, High Country Legends Show.

If you live in Australia or QLD or visit, then you really should at some stage take in one of the dinner shows, as it was shall we say, “spectacular”!

 

Now having been to the Dixie Stampede in Branson, Missouri our expectations were a little high but we were pleasantly surprised. It cannot be compared to the Dixie Stampede as they are both different shows but when you look at efficiency of service, food and entertainment as a whole, then the Aussie's faired equally.

A three course meal started with Roasted Pumpkin Soup, beautiful piece of rump steak, gravy, mashed potato, carrots, beans, corn and a roll finished with apple pie, cream and salted caramel sauce. Drink choices were water, lemonade, beer, and red or white wine.

Pre entertainment as we waited in the Brumby Bar was Reg singing Australian hits from through the years and then Bluey organising people by the colour of your hat band whether you were going to barrack for (blue) Bogong High Plains or (red) Warrego Station. So off to Warrego we went.

 

The show was great. Worked around a team from Warrego Station travelling to the high country down in Southern NSW and VIC for a camp draft, it was filled with Aussie humour, singing, trick riders, and stories about Tom Kruse who ran the mail contract through to Birdsville in 1947-1963, May Wirth who at 7 was sold to a circus, Bluey and his border collie dog Boof and the legend of the stagecoach to Omeo in the Victorian Alps.

The special effects were awesome, especially as they continued what was happening in the arena onto the (wall) big screen wih beautiful film footage and back into the arena again.

 

Congratulations R M Williams and the whole Outback Spectacular team, an awesome production!

You aren't supposed to take photos apparently even though it says in one spot on the internet, without flash. I truly couldn't help myself especially with the final piece and the Australian flag.

 

Cheers from down under

Kat xo

P.S. In the camp draft events etc, Warrego Station won! Go QLD.

 

http://outbackspectacular.com.au/the-show/high-country-legends/the-stories.aspx

http://www.rmwilliams.com.au/rm-the-man/RM_TheMan.html

 

What’s in a New Year?

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Jack and I wish all our family and friends, near and far, a wonderful, happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! May 2016 bring you all the joy and blessings you deserve.

 

We spent New Year's Eve at Ripley with some of the Queensland cowboys and my little one – shooting 4 stages, enjoying dinner and drinks afterwards with a few ringing in the New Year with a black powder salute.

 

Our New Year will hold a healthier Jackaroo, more travel and living each day to the fullest. You never know what's around the corner so make each and every day count – 365 days for 365 new memories.

Use them wisely 😉

Love to you all

Kat xo

 

It’s Christmas!

Posted on by kathousekelli70

“……it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Everywhere you go….” Hello friends, family, near and far!

Yes, it's Christmas Day here in Aus.

“…..here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus lane….” Well he's already been to many across half the world now and making his rounds. Hope you get everything you wish for.

The past couple of days in preparation for Christmas has been spent, deciding on the table fare, attempting some sort of decoration for a house that's not yours and making gingerbread cookies!

 

Who said you can't do Christmas anywhere?!

“…..I'll be home for Christmas…..” And yes you can make it anywhere the heart is.

This Christmas is filled with walking the dog, a beaut shortbread, chocolate and fruit mince pie breakfast, not much lunch and having Leisl, Curstin and Nick round for dinner.

 

This years dinner a non traditional Aussie Christmas but with all the Aussie flavours. Bikkies and cheese, pulled pork sliders, zucchini and salmon bruschetta, lamb cutlets with dips, and jelly (jello) stars with Christmas pud and ice cream! Yeah …. bring on the fat guts! Lol!

“…and so this is Christmas, another year over….a new one's just begun….a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year….”

Cheers to you and yours, be kind to one another, love to the fullest

Kat xo

 

Bundaberg – Beer, Rum and Friends

Posted on by kathousekelli70

It would be remiss of us to visit Bundy (slang for Bundaberg) without making a trip to the Bundaberg Distilling Company, home to Bundy Bear and Australia's famous Bundaberg Rum.

 

We are staying at my good friends Tania and Stephen and whilst they were working on the Friday I took Jack to the Distillery, past the site of a house fire (hmmm was in Wyoming the next one I was near……I promise I had nothing to do with them, just spotted them both times!!), Bargara to the beach and lastly, the Bundaberg Ginger Beer factory.

 

The distillery was great and the interactive self guided tour we took was sensational. When I last visited in 2010 this didn't exist!

The Bundaberg Rum story actually starts in 1888 when a surplus of molasses was turned into rum. We saw the beginnings of the immigrant Chemist, George Hurt's application, initially to CSR Sugar, ended up landing on managements desk at Milliquin Sugar Refinery. How fortunate they were and in 1949 he gained employment with the company.

 

George Hurt's work – of course along with many others since – was instrumental in the manufacturing of and improving the flavour of the famous Bundy Rum.

 

Did you know? That in World War II it was our American friends that decided Bundy rum was good with cola, and so began the Rum and Coke as a pre mixed drink.

 

I was so impressed with the 'Recovery Road' rum bottles, an initiative dreamed up by the BDC marketing team after the floods in 2013. Rum bottles labelled to honour 171 flood affected streets and a bottle given to every resident in those streets, the rest? sold to consumers and funds raised went back into the community.

 

Exceptional work!

 

Next, we made a brief visit to the Brewhouse aka Bargara Brewing Company and did the usual tasting pallet. They also do some great little pizzas here and is going to be a good spot for weekend lunches.

 

Paid a visit to Bert Hinkler's house in the botanical gardens. An avid aviator, Bert made a few world records, was a Sqn Leader and his English home was eventually moved from Southhampton, England – piece by piece – and reconstructed in its current location in the Bundaberg botanical gardens in honour and recognition of his time in the aviation industry.

 

Then came the rains, sampling of beers, trying to take selfies and enjoying great company.

Bundy it was good seeing ya again!

Kat xo

13 Dec

….it's been a hectic and interesting week and a half since this weekend. Thanks for being patient. Xo

 

You know you’re in Australia when…..

Posted on by kathousekelli70

You come across places like 'Jackass Creek', see oversized kangaroos, and where a 'pie n Coke' can have multiple meanings.

The great Aussie tradition of a pie and Coke – the tradies smoko, the halftime footy lunch, the hangover remedy (remember that one Dad!?!), or just a bloody good idea for an unhealthier version of a lunchtime stop when you have a pie shop staring you in the face!

Normally paired with a splash of 'dead horse' (slang for tomato sauce/ketchup), this Aussie delicacy is favoured by most. I went for the steak and mushroom variety while Jack took in a curried steak.

 

I must say Beefy's of Gympie, outstanding!

Cheers

Kat xo

10th December, 2015 (WordPress still thinks I'm in the States and its yesterday, so sorry if any confusion)

http://beefys.com.au/beefys-gympie/

 

Down Time

Posted on by kathousekelli70

It's been a casual last couple of weeks as we've made our way back up the coast, tripping around from Canberra, Grafton and to the Gold Coast.

Our stay in Lawrence with Paddlewheel and Emerald saw us participating in a demonstration shoot promoting Single Action. Jack and I wish them well in their endeavours for setting up a new club in Grafton and hope it gets some excellent attendance.

We looked after the pups – Bundy and Coke – while they were way for a couple of days.

 

Jack and I took some time out and visited the little town of Maclean (the biggest little Scottish town outside of Scotland) where every telegraph pole is painted with various tartans. Here we had fish and chips at the recommended Hooked on Seafood before taking a quick trip up the road into Yamba.

 

Got back into some sewing that week and feeling like I'm back on track.

From here it was on to the Gold Coast and our hosts Dug Deeper and Trixie. Saturday we shot the Christmas shoot with the Gold Coast Gamblers and had a fabulous dinner. Chatting and laughing ensued late into the night. (Sacré Bleu! I have no pictures!)

This week has been appointments, phone calls to awesome friends (great catch up Sod! xo), fabric sourcing, sewing of a fabulous teal and white B-Western costume, 2 shirts and a corset! And yes, you can fit all that into 3 days! 🙂

Here we have arrived into Thursday and an early start to get the car serviced before heading to Bundaberg. A weekend catch up with friends…..the kegs are primed…..and I don't know if Jack realises what he is in for when Tania and I get together! Lol!

Have a ripper of a day!

Kat xo

 

Australian Nationals 2015

Posted on by kathousekelli70

A quick trip to Harrington, catching up with an old friend from school (Heidi was the cool friend with red gym boots!) and we made the trek south again to Newcastle staying another fun filled night with a certain little princess sporting her new Frozen dance skirt.

Monday we headed to the range and over the next few days got stuck into 'building' in the bunkhouse. We finished lining it with timber panels, beading, installing shelving and a new corner to the existing, sort-of-a-shelf. We made and installed coat racks, cutting 3 from the old one and making another 5.

The sewing machine also came in handy for hemming curtains for the window, dressing room and showers.

 

We got the guns back into our hands and got the muscle memory happening and seemed reasonably happy with a practice. Things were looking okay.

Come Thursday the campers are definitely rolling in and the fun is beginning, side matches and Warm Up match were held on a particularly warm Friday! 42C/108F

Beers, catch ups and posse marshal walk through was done and dusted.

94 shooters fronted up Saturday and Sunday with, thankfully, cooler and sensible shooting weather days. 6 stages held each day. Movement, reloads, and good stage design.

Don't know what it was though but with only 2 clean shooters for the match, the rest of us had too many misses!

However, we had a great Posse and paired up with Posse 4 we had as much fun as you could get! Posse 3 and 4 – myself, Jackaroo/Ricochet, Chuckwagon and my Margarita Sista Pearl Starr, Gopher, Squints, Kitty Pearl and Sidewinder Sam, Dam Sam, Walker, Tom Mix, Henry Moon, S.O.B., Hoodoo Brown, Tin Star, Black Jack, Holy Ollie, and Sodbuster – if I have it right. (First time I haven't taken a photo of our posse list so I did get it right)

Saturday night we had the shindig and gambling.

 

Then Sunday it was all over bar the shouting. Jack finished 1st in Senior and 6th overall. I finished 1st in Lady Wrangler, 2nd Lady and 8th overall. There was 1 rank point and 0.07sec between Jack and I.

Above photo's courtesy of S.Sedger.

A big congratulations to RC Shot and Jazzi Jess, Men's and Ladies Overall Champions for this years 2015 Australian National Championship!

Congrats!

Kat xo