Today we went to the State Capitol Building and then onto the Oklahoma History Centre. A full day, reckon we walked 6kms (almost 9miles at a guess) at least!

I love the architecture of a lot of buildings here and this fits that category! Of course everything is detailed and big, but I love it.

The walk leading up to the Capitol is paved with remembrance bricks, a time capsule to be opened in 2075 and paved stars like the common seal. Each star paving has a little bit of Oklahoma history in it. I didn't take photos of all of them but the ones we really liked the history of and of course I had to include the one that says 'the play Oklahoma first opens on Broadway 1943'!!

And a stone replica/monument of the Great Seal.

This is Chief Allen Wright aka Kilihote.

The State Capitol building houses the most gorgeous pieces of art I have seen for some time, Michaelangelo eat your heart out, the paintings in the four corners of the domed building are truly amazing, marble floors and stair cases everywhere.

Now there is one piece that at first took me aback as it wasn't in keeping with all the other beautiful “traditional style” paintings we had seen. It's called Beyond The Centennial, the Artist, Carlos Tello. It adorns the end wall in the Hall of Governors and represents 17 pieces of Oklahoma history and future history. Very clever and it is gorgeous colours.

This is the Governors hall, you can just see the painting at the end.

….and this is the mural.

You can walk anywhere through the building and see Senators and their staff going about their business, very accessible. Looks like you can make an appointment and go see them anytime, all in one place. The Senate and House of Reps rooms, well just their entry's are magnificent as you will see in some of the photos.

The Governor and the Lieutenant Governor offices.

The Senate Chamber

The House of Representatives

In the marble floor is the Oklahoma Common Seal and above you can see the grandeur of the dome which was only added some 85 years after!

There were all sorts of interesting paintings about influential people in the state, the plains and areas surrounding and of course cowboys and cowgirls.

This is Jack standing beside a copy bronze of the one mounted on the top of the Capitol. The Indian warrior carrying an Osage shield.

The final and current state flag was adopted by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Martin Trapp on March 25, 1925.

A young Shawnee native, Louise Fluke, an art student, designed the flag choosing the sky blue background to represent loyalty and devotion. The rawhide shield decorated with 6 crosses to symbolise stars, representing warfare when justified. The lower half fringed with 7 eagle feathers. A peace pipe and crossed olive branch, representing a love of peace by a united people. This is her original entry into the flag competition in 1925.

Outside at the back of the State Capitol building you will find a bronze statue called 'Spirit of the Wind' in an area which opens out onto beautiful lawn, with paths that lead you to the Tribal Flag Plaza. Here each tribe has a flag erected in honour of the Native Americans.

So there you have a tiny piece of history and view into the Oklahoma State Capitol building.

After taking over 400 hundred photos today they won't all be on here or Facebook but will definitely post some more there!

I'm calling it a night, will give you some info regarding the Oklahoma History Centre tomorrow.

Night! Kat xo

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It's been a busy day of sewing but more about that later.

Tomorrow is 'Tourist Tuesday' so stay tuned for where we go in downtown Oklahoma tomorrow.

Ciao!

Kat

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Thought I would do quick little burst of history seeing as we travel this short stretch of historic highway every time we go out to the range.

To get to the OKC Gun Club and the Territorial Marshal's we actually travel on the Route 66 passing legendary points such as 'Pop's' and 'Arcadia Round Barn' and also a marker signifying Washington Irvings Camp.

Today on our way back from the club picnic (and I mean the whole club, all disciplines – like we've never seen before!) and being such a beautiful day we stopped and read the marker.

Near this particular marker in 1832 Washington Irving and a troop of US Rangers were camped. Apparently hunting wild horses and was written in his book “Ringing the Wild Horse” where he describes the event.

(Photo from website, I didn't get to take a picture)

Next to the Round Barn. Was built in 1898, the owners William and Myra Odor. It is 60 feet in diameter and 45 feet high, the only true round barn as most are hexagonal or octagonal. Originally planned as a barn for livestock and hay, Mr Odor's fellow workers convinced him to upgrade the upper floor to be used for dances etc. Obviously it decayed over time and in 1992 it was a project of restoration for a retired builder named Luther “Luke” Robison.

We couldn't go upstairs today to check out the inside of the roof as there was a private function.

Then we past Pop's with its iconic soda pop bottle out front. I will have to wait until a Tuesday night skeet night at the range before I can get a night time picture of it lit up in all it's neon glory!

Oh and it's half price burgers Tuesdays as well! Yay!

For more info about Arcadia and it's historic landmarks click on the links below.

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM7F7V_Washington_Irvings_Camp_Arcadia_OK

http://www.arcadiaroundbarn.com/Round_Barn_Website/HISTORY.html

http://route66.com/38.0.html

Cheers Jack n Kat xo

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Last night we had four wonderful friends over for dinner. Nothing much out of the ordinary you might say BUT I'm still trying to work out a fancy oven and all.

Not one to do things by halves, although keeping it fairly simple, I decided cake would need to be had with coffee after dinner.

Inspired by my daughters new Kitchen Maid and knowing that mine is packed in storage 😦 I thought I would see how my Ninja would tackle the job – having only been used for Margarita slushies prior to this.

Having got everything organised it was time to give it a whirl and see if it would mix effectively and whola! It did! Ha ha ha, who needs a kitchen maid now! (She says with an evil laugh)

Now to test the oven, thank goodness it has a timer on it as I get distracted easily and could have forgotten about it when doing a heap of things at once. This timer doesn't let you forget either it will just keep beeping until you get there to turn it off. (Maybe I had that before but hadn't used it?!)

Now I had to disappoint Melody when she asked about how I 'made' the icing…..I didn't! It was a Betty Crocker one, whip it up a bit and spread it on. Must say it did taste pretty damn good and one could be forgiven to think it was home made. Sprinkle a bit of cinnamon sugar on and it's done!

So you may ask, what the hell did you have for the rest of the dinner? Ummm forgot to get pics of everything laid out and with guests enjoying it. We had chicken involtini (can't get veal here so had to improvise) – chicken with eggplant and capsicum/red peppers rolled up in it, seasoned sweet potato, corn, peas, dinner rolls. Chicken turned out perfect, sweet potato could have been a little crisper but all in all it worked!

It was a perfect clear evening, just divine, great company and look forward to many more.

Happy cooking (and eating!) Kat xo

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For all young and not so young women who may have ever been inclined to become a pilot, then this Museum is a must see when you visit Oklahoma! This blog especially for you my 'Royal Australian Airforce Pilot to be' Miss Curstin Prentice.

This museum located at the Will Rogers Airport houses the largest collection of artefacts and material dedicated to women pilots not only in the USA but makes mention of other women being the first in their country and yes Australia is featured with our very own Millicent Bryant and the more famous Nancy Bird-Walton.

The wall of wings is beautiful the floor has the representative mark of the “99's” pin (minus the propellor) and the stained glass detail done like clouds is a gorgeous dedication.

There is a lot on Amelia Earhart, WWII WASP, the “Powder Puff Derby” and much much more.

In 1911, Harriet Quimby became the first ever licensed woman pilot in the USA and was well known for her cameo like appearance and her purple satin flying suits. She became known as the 'Dresden China Aviatrix'.

The “99's” were founded in 1929. The name of the organisation came about from the number of licensed women pilots who first joined as a group. (Therefore an original 99 women out of 129 then registered women pilots?) others joined the club as they became registered.

They created a gorgeous pin as well that was made by Tiffany's no less, with an order of 25 minimum they could get gold plated ones without diamonds for $3 and with diamonds for $6 each 'if the ladies were in a spending mood'!

The first air race derby participated in took a total of 9 days. It was dubbed the “Powder Puff Derby” by Will Rogers, obviously known to be humorous, is said to have caught the ladies looking in their compact mirrors prior to the race. 20 women participated, some finished, some were lost due to illnesses, engine difficulties and even a death from carbon monoxide poisoning. (Marvel Mosson if I'm correct)

They flew from Santa Monica in California ending in Cleveland, Ohio.

A few of the women went on to design appropriate women's flying clothing, like flying suits, jackets and luggage (Amelia Earhart) and the “Foltz-Up” (Edith Foltz), a skirt that folded up into a tunic top whilst flying and then could be quickly converted back to a skirt over your britches when you disembarked from the plane!

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We took our guests on a little visit downtown today to the Land Run Monument, a bronze representation of the Land Run on April 22, 1889. Twenty five years in the making, the monument was finished for the centennial.

They are very impressive and incredibly detailed, would recommend to go see it if you are ever in Oklahoma City. This gives you an idea of the size of the horses and men – here I present to you 'Three Men and a Statue'. Haa!

The monument winds across the embankment taking in the Bricktown Canal as a feature to the monument, where the horses are rearing up to the fronting water crossing. There are even hoof prints made in the path and at the waters edge to give it further authenticity.

Each rider also has in their hands the flag to use for staking their plot and their party isn't without the dog trying to bite the wagon wheels as it rolls along or the jackrabbit jumping out of the way as the horses thunder through.

I think the concensus by all was a true work of art and glad we went down there. I'll be going again!

For more information about Land Run click on the link below.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Rush_of_1889

For more information about the monument click on the other link.

http://www.okc.gov/landrun/

Cheers! Kat

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It has been another sensational “Land Run” catching up with friends of old, Facebook friends now met and meeting some terrific new cowboys and cowgirls I am happy to say I've met and are now friends.

Posse 1 – we had a great mix of people, everyone helping and working, this time with a number of lady shooters and did we have some fun.

Here is our posse photo and I'll let you know who they all were.

From left to right at back is: Snootfuller, Silver Sam, Prospector, Major Forsyth, Jackaroo, Prairie Drifter, Kathouse Kelli, Calamity Jake, Broncho Red, Oklahoma Outlaw, Trooper Tyree

Middle left to right (starting just below Jackaroo): Bitterroot Jim, Black Jack Rodes, Stonewall, Trent

Front from left to right is: Ricochet Ron, Idaho Sue, Lucinda Tincup, Pinky Jo, Marshal'ette Halloway, Chocktaw Jim, High Plains Smokey, Sagebrush Kate, Marshal Mayhem, Just Enuff Jean and Rock Candy

We had a number of people from our posse that placed in their categories!!

Maj. Forsyth, Jackaroo, Broncho Red, High Plains Smokey, Black Jack Rodes, Just Enuff Jean, Marshal Mayhem, Marshal'ette Halloway, Lucinda Tincup, Idaho Sue and myself. Trooper Tyree shot clean and my apologies to anyone in our Posse that I may have missed in the recognition.

Now Jack finished 6th in his category, if it was a big category they placed more than just to 3rd. Now I know he wasn't too happy and probably won't be for putting his picture in here but I'm proud of him, so it's in!

So for my first time shooting a Wild Bunch side match I won Ladies Traditional (but just quietly I think I was in fact the only one shooting ladies traditional, so come on ladies come play!) I also picked up 2nd in Lady Wrangler to our great friend 'Missouri Mae' (who finished 1st Lady Wrangler and 1st Lady overall!) Side matches, won – Ladies Rimfire Rifle, Pocket Pistol, and Trail Walk AND Best Dressed Woman for the evening. Woo hoo!

Now while we are talking awards etc here, I must make mention that our fellow Australians also placed in their categories, 'Rooster Cockburn' 4th and 'Constable Nelson' 1st and coming 2nd overall. 42 people of the 354 shooters shot clean, and these pair were part of those. Well done!!

Night, Kat xo

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Here we go, storms a comin'!! But we have fired up the barbie (the grill) for the visitors, along with spuds and salad.

We have cooked with success! Smells great, looks good and the air is warm.

We are eating outside, I need to get a lantern for the table and some fairy lights strung up! It's a little dark given the clouds rolling in. Good times!!

Cheers, Kat xo

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Since I finished cleaning the house and am home alone I thought I would do a quick blog whilst I recline on the sun lounge in the warm breeze…jealous yet?

For those that have been wanting to see a bit of the house (Pammy) and despite the bedroom walls still being – cringe – lavender! here are some pics of the little abode.

So you got to see the guest bedroom the other day so I won't bore you with that one again. The pic below is study, hall entry, bathroom and laundry.

Next we have the kitchen from a couple of angles, dining room and lounge room.

And here we have the master bedroom and ensuite.

And of course, ready for the summer, although think it may get a little warm!!! It does stay really cool in the house though so will be very comfortable.

Don't tell the boss, ssshhh relaxing with a beer on the sun lounge. Whoops, doorbell, Constable Nelson aka Trooper has arrived!!

Cheers Kat! Xo

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