The week started off a okay because camping and camping is camping and is always good. We went to Branbury State Park which is right in between Lake Dunmore and the Green Mountain National Forest. We didn%u2019t bring kayaks because we wanted to spend most of the time hiking plus I can%u2019t get wet and be outside in these temperatures%u2026. I will freeze to death. After a nice drive of foliage peeping, we got to the park, picked our site, made tea, and as we were setting up, the mr somehow knocked over his cup and covered his socked foot in boiling hot water. Blisters, big nasty ones, formed right away, but he championed on. Even managed to hike around all afternoon which in hindsight was not the smartest because his sandals were digging into the burns. But he survived and we camped on. He fished, I read, we ate dinner, watched the fire, crawled into the tent, and listened as the rain began. Woke up at the usual time in a slight puddle (it rained hard) tossed the wet stuff into the car, and headed on home to tend to wounds and the business of life.
The rest of the week, well, not going to lie, has kind of sucked for reasons that I am not going to get into. But let%u2019s just say that sometime people can really fucking suck. The shit show has been mostly affecting the mr but the stress is palpable. On top of dealing with our usual life stuff, he has been making so many phone calls, dealing with unhelpful people, driving back and forth long distances on a moments notice. I have been trying to make things easier on him by not being a pain in the ass, making him pumpkin bread and wearing strips on prints and all the bright colors. I think the outfit might have been lost on him, but it made me happy. And he liked the pumpkin bread so that was a win.
Anyway, even as things are kind of shitty, there was still some good things, like having dinner with my mom and Paul, farm share a plenty, and harvesting the scarlet runner beans (the prettiest bean ever!). I got into the studio to glaze my ceramic pumpkins and ghosts with Barb (I dropped a pumpkin and smashed it. That was after I cut my hand open an hour before. Good times) and I saved a kiln from being misfired which I patted myself on the back for. We also stopped over and hung with littles for a hot minute just because we missed them and then made the realization that we just need to get the hell out of here for a while. Fresh places, fresh faces, you know?
Back to Sunday. As of right now we are camping tonight. Suppose to go to Coolidge State Park in the heart of the peak of the foliage with lots and lots of hiking to be had. Hopefully there isn%u2019t more shitty shit that will prevent us from taking off. I will probably lose it if we don%u2019t go and end up running away into the woods anyways. Then maybe someone will find me in a week of two. Yeah, at least a week of staying away from the crazy cray cray. But it would be nice to take the mr with me. He needs the break more then I do.
Internet from the week
-Dressing up for Halloween? Here is some inspiration. 8 Sexy Outdoor-Themed Halloween Costumes. Sexy Matterhorn%u2026.Done.
–California’s massive power outage is a wake-up call for the whole country. Is this going to be a new normal? Shit is getting real, for real.
-Noodle art is cool. Meet the Illustrator Who Turns Noodle Soup Into Art
-There is a whole lot of snow meatless meats these days and it can be confusing. Everything You’ve Ever Wondered About Meatless Meat, Explained
–It’s so much more than cooking. I felt like I cold have wrote this article%u2026.. Soooo much more then cooking.
–Why You Never See Your Friends Anymore. Real life.
-Beans or soup. Soup or beans. Why not both? When You’re Cooking Dried Beans, You’re Already Halfway to Soup
–Water Bottles Have Long Been the Unexpected Status Symbols of High School. For real. I was part of the colored Nalgene wave%u2026. Blue with a yellow top and covered in Phish stickers because that was how I rolled.
-Eat them all, except the ones that are not edible. The Ultimate Guide to Winter Squash (for Your Front Stoop & Your%u00a0Stew!)
–The 4 Ingredients That Make Up the Perfect Reading Space. I agree but would add one more%u2026.quite!
Pictures from the week.
It%u2019s officially fall and officially fantastic. All of my sweaters are so happy to see me, and me them. So are the sweatpants and the socks. They are here for me to keep me all cozy and warm. Nothing like coming home on a cold dreary day and throwing on a big chunky sweater, a oversized pair of soft sweatpants, and thick wool socks. Add a cup of hot tea, a good book, and a lap blanket and heading out tp sit on the front porch and breathing in all that fresh fall air. So good. So freaking good.
Last Sunday camp was at Gifford State Park. Another Vermont gem. So pretty, so quite, the colors starting to show in the trees. We went for a nice hike into a forest of old growth trees, then launched out the kayaks on a nearby pond and paddles around for awhile. Back to the campsite for lentils and zucchini then the mr fired up some wood and we watched the sun set behind the golden trees. Laid under a sky full of the brightest stars and watching the trees whip around and listened to the wind blow hard and wild all night long. It was dang near perfect. And after the morning coffee making and tent taking down, off into the week we went.
Back in town we got back to it as per usual. The this and that of life. I made gallons of applesauce, fed Barb and went on a tea and pumpkin run (fall essentials). Went over to Moms for dinner and so the mr could fix her sink. I harvesting the last bits of summer from the garden then went to Costco to find a Christmas tree??? (They had them set up right next to the bathing suits and halloween candy. %ud83e%udd37%ud83c%udffb%u200d%u2640%ufe0f) We did some more stuff that needed doing. Looked at land in the wilds of Vermont (found a piece but there were offers on it already. So bummed) I worked the studio, picked up farm share, and I worried about the mr after he stabbed himself in the eye with a screwdriver and almost lost the eyeball. Then we had the boys sleep over Friday for Mileys birthday so she could have a sleep over with her friends at her house. We made pizza, went to the park, and all cuddled up in pile of blankets while they watched a weird cartoon something that I paid zero attention to and I read and kind of fell asleep. The next day after pancakes we dropped the off, the mr and I did the chores and then went back over for a little family party for the birthday lady. The mr made spaghetti, Miley and I decorated her cake, then they ate the pasta, then the cake, and then the mr and I peaced out to come home. Straight up, I was feeling way over stimulated from days of human interaction. So I pretty much passed the F out when we got home. I love my family but jeez can they make a lady tired.
Sunday for reals and I am feeling ready. Today is suppose to be another fantastic day, slightly on the chilly side maybe but not raining so that is good. We are heading out for one of the few camps we have left for the year. Zack Pond Woods. A little pond with a couple of undeveloped designated campsites. It is first come, first to use so we are super hoping that we get there and there will be a place available to set up for the night. If not, we might have to boogie over to a campground near by that we have already been too. But I am feeling like there might not be a ton of people trying to camp out on a Sunday night when it is suppose to get into the 30%u2019s overnight and maybe rain the morning. I am ok with all that, especially if that means other people aren%u2019t and leave us be. HA.
Anyway, hope you all are having a grand old weekend and taking in all the fall and focusing on eating all the apples and pumpkins. We know your priorities!
Links to things that I read and looked at n the internet this week.
-Today is National Coffee day!!!!! Everywhere You Can Get Free Coffee for National Coffee Day
–You%u2019ll Be Shocked by How Much Food Americans Waste Each%u00a0Year. Sadly, I was not shocked.
-Fall medicinal shopping list. These to make a syrup for cold and flu, and this for everything. Get it before you need it (and it%u2019s out of stock)
–Tree-Poaching Is On the Rise. What the fuckers. Also, so sad for trees and for the people.
-If telling people a little more gets them to recycle, well tell them what they want to hear! This simple tweak could drastically raise our pathetic recycling rates
–Vegans are more than what they do not eat. Hear Hear!!!!
-Did you know? Peanuts Aren’t Real Nuts (And More Essential Nut Info). Especially good to know when allergies are involved
–Is corn a fruit, a vegetable, or a grain? What were you thinking?
-IF you are going to smoke weed around people, you have to share it. No way around it unless you are an asshole. HA. How to politely smoke weed
–Why Millennials Are Suddenly So Obsessed With Houseplants. I grew up with a million house plants so thats one reason, but also I need real living things around me to feel good feels.
Pictures from the week
It%u2019s official. Summertime is here. Take it all in and enjoy it because that%u2019s what we need to do. Before it is gone again.
The week has been good. Besides the usual work and stuff, we have spent a lot of time with our people and trying to do things outside everyday. There was an afternoon of Barb and Coco where we went to the beach to find drift wood and throw rocks. Megan and So came over for lunch and teeth wiggling (her two from teeth a loose!! (Sophias, not Megans)) another afternoon. We stopped over to Erins to see the painting mess and Coco drawings all over the walls. The mr and I went for a little hike that took us out under bridges to a graffiti wonderland. That was unexpected and very cool.
Then there is thing that has been on my mind for the past few days. One night in the middle of the week, the mr and I both woke up to a terrifying screaming noice. Like something was dying, killing something, or some creature was about to suck out my soul. It definitely was not anything human. It freaked me out so much that I didn’t want to get out of bed to look out the window because I thought whatever was making the noice would see me awake and come kill me or some shit. So I laid in bed until it stopped then was worried it stopped because I didn%u2019t know where it went%u2026. CREEPY AS FUCK! And it happened again Friday night. So I am officially scared that the hell moth in opening up in my back yard. Or it could be a fox. Not sure. I%u2019ll let you know either way. But until I figure it out, I am going to freshen up my Buffy the Vampire Slayer knowledge. Just in case.
Other then that, the rest of the week was a success. The mr finished off the beautiful cedar outdoor table, I picked up farm share and cleaned out my home studio. At the BCA Studio, the kids summer camps started so working there was a bit different. Instead of loading kilns, I was doing clay things with kids. Just got to say, after working all Friday with others peoples kids, hanging out with just Judah that night was pretty much the best. Being around other peoples (not in my family) kids really makes me realize just how cool my littles are. I mean, how cool is it that while I was at work, Judah helped the mr fix a roof? All for a slushy and my home made pizza and just wanted to hang out and draw? That%u2019s a cool kid.
Yesteraday was just a gem. I woke up, did a few things before the sun even came up then sat on the front porch, drank my coffee and read. I even was able to go to the grocery store and cleaned out the pantry before Judah even woke up. (He ended up sleeping over Friday.). I then made pancakes for the boys, harvested greens, and played with the sprinkler. We then picked up Coco to go walk by the waterfront, throw rocks, and of course go down the slide a million times. All this before lunch. After we dropped the little back off, we came home and just hung out. Went for a bike ride, the mr secured the tree from the blowing winds and worked on the treehouse. I cleaned and puttered. The only crappy part was while I was putting away dishes I stabbed a fork under my finger nail. The prong went in deep and it bled like crazy. AGH. I would have rather cut my finger off. And now I have a swollen, still bleeding sometimes, very painful finger that has my heartbeat throbbing in it. But the rest of the day, and evening, besides the pain, was relaxing and lovely.
Today is suppose to be another wonderful day and we are hoping to enjoy it as much as the day will let us. I am going bike to the gym then come home and hop into car with the mr and drive away for the day. Where we are going, not exactly sure. Just out of town, into some of the world. Windows down, wind in my hair, tunes on the radio, coffee in my cup, and a lovely love by my side. Things are good.
Interesting internet. Take a look.
–How to lucid dream, and why you’d want to. I think I really started to think about controlling my dreams I might freak out go crazy.
–How important is seasonal eating? It is important to me for so many reasons. Biggest reason, I try to grow as much as I eat and the seasons depict that. Not a lot of fresh tomatoes coming Vermont in the winter.
-The terrifying screaming might be this? Red Fox Sounds.
–Whatever Happened to #Vanlife? Well, Things Are Changing. Van life is not just for the surfer dudes anymore.
–No Matter the Hack, Some Kitchen Tasks Will Always Be a Pain in the Ass. HERE HERE!! But here is a hack for garlic%u2026.just eat the freaking skin. No peeling. HA
-These are some kickass vinyl floors.
-Why wouldn%u2019t pants like good tunes. Good vibrations. It just makes sense. Music For Plants Is Real (Even If The Science Isn’t)
–What’s the Difference Between Sparkling Water and Seltzer? I needed to double check.
-Give me a good, healthy life, over a really long life. Human Lives Might Be Long Enough Already
Pictures from the week.
Hey hey hey! Happy Sunday. Hope you are finding yourself happy and relaxed and enjoying all the good things the world is giving us. Like coffee and green things. All the coffee, all the green things for sure.
Another week that came and left and now it%u2019s May. MAY! Can you even? The time, where does it all go? (an existential question for you) Our week (and time) started off with a chilly wet jaunt to a river. We were going to go out to the kingdom to watch the salmon jump out of the river but it was just to dang cold and rainy so we decided to hold off on it. But we did make our way to a river near by so the mr could officially toss in a fly line into some water. I guess fishing season started a week or two back but we have had so much rain that it has not been great for fishing, or being outside much for that matter. Anyway, he got a few casts in so he is happy.
Wet and raw weather wise was the way of the weather this week. We did have a few breaks of sun which lead to an impromptu afternoon hike just because the sun came out. It was fantastic, or started off that way. Up and down and around the woods to the very flooded lake. Half the way through the hike we ended up at a boardwalk that had a little water coverage, which was fine because someone placed nice big rocks to pass over. Or so I thought. A few steps in and the bridge gave away and into the lake I went. Just my feet and up my legs a bit, but yeah. I just stood there in shock for what seemed like minutes but eventually made my way to the other side of the bridge, drenched boots and all. The rest of the hike was soggy, but hey, I was outside and there was sun and I wasn%u2019t freezing cold so yeah. Could have been worse. It could have been the mr who went in and I really really would not want to have had to deal with him hiking back with drenched feet. Now if my hiking boats would dry out. That would be great.
Other then our little outdoor adventures, the week went the way the weeks does with work and all. The mr running around frantic, having doors, making room for giant ass wood slabs in the barn, wheeling and dealing.
Friday was all day studio work. Lots and lots of pugging clay. While I was at work the mr picked up littles (Miley, So, and Judah) and they all came to the studio to pick me up. It is always a great way to get people to listen and leave the studio when they are suppose to when a bunch of kids rush in and start demanding food. People, at least the clay people, are scared of hungry little kids. Ha. Off we all went, me covered head to tow in clay. Found out in the car that Judah was sick (so sad) so he went home and it turned into a girls night sleep over. Pizza, soup, and peanut butter sandwiches for dinner. We went walking/piggyback riding, the mr and Miley played with the new wood brander which included fire and hot metal. The mr took them to the store to pick out ice cream while I tried to clean myself up, they came back ,ate lots of ice cream, then showered and brushed hair without arguments. They picked out movies without fighting (movies about ballerinas and singing animals) and happily curled up together on the floor. Me being me with no attention span or energy left skipped the movies and went to bed. When I went to wake them up the next morning, I found out that they had woke up (or never went to sleep) in the middle of the night to draw and do yoga? Yeah, I don%u2019t exactly know what went on. What I do know is my yoga mat was upstairs and I remember waking up in the middle of the night to sounds of the wall being kicked a bunch, and there were drawings of crazy things and colored pencils everywhere that were not there when I left them the night before. Hey, if that is what they want to do in the middle of the night, more power to them.
After pancakes and cartoons, the ladies and the mr spent the morning going through a million awesome shells. I guess someone had massive shell collection and gave it over to the mr. Neither of us are really shell people, I mean a few cool ones, but this collection was INSANE. SO we gave them all to the littles. And gave the littles a boxes to bring home to their siblings. They can have all the shells, we are good here.
We dropped girls off, ran around doing errands, then came home and I putz in the yard before going about cleaning the house. Lots of dirt and mud and sticky shit on everything. I just don%u2019t know where it comes from. Well I do actually. And it%u2019s mostly not me so yeah.
Today the mr and I actually are heading out to the kingdom. We need to see some fish jump. A few hours back and forth will give me time for some open window car rid air and reading if it doesn%u2019t make me puke. Picnic lunch by the river and afternoon road coffee. Hopefully we get home in time for me to spend at least a good few hours in the garden to ooh and awe at the stuff that is starting to pop out of the ground and maybe figure out if it%u2019s a perennial I planted or just a weed. Good thing I like weeds too or else I would be terribly disappointed a lot of the time.
Have a few extra minutes? Take a look at some interesting internet from the week.
–The Obamas Are Making a Kids%u2019 Food Show on Netflix. Oh HELL YEAH! And I am not a kid but I am gonna watch it.
-What a great business/environmentally awesome/ logical/ just plain right idea. Toronto Restaurant Fights Waste By Chopping Menu Prices Till Food Is Gone
-Some serious boldness. Bold Line Drawings Layered on Top of Deconstructed Images of Fruit, Flowers, and Animals in Tattoos by Mattia Mambo.
–Rise of the Lady Backpack. Purse. Please. Back packs are the best, but to be honest, I mostly stick to nothing, just my wallet and keys in a pocket. Back pack for biking and hiking and a tote bag for the groceries, the library, or the occasional kitting project. Simple.
-I struggle hard with my OCD cleaning. I sometime wish I had the ability to let things be mess, but then again%u2026. The Unbridled Joy of (Occasionally) Letting Your Room Get Really, Really Messy
–What Comes After a Rut? Take the good with the bad and all the craziness that is the ebb and flow of life.
– Why the Kentucky Derby is a 145-year-old celebration of hats. Now imagine if people went around wearing those hats all the time. The world would be a better place.
-Maine, you so smart. Maine just banned Styrofoam food containers
–How to be assertive without being called a bitch. Why are women always considered bitches? Well I am anyway%u2026.
-I love this and only wish I was ablate %u201cGramp%u201d when my grandparents were alive. ‘Gramping’ Is the Latest Travel Trend Grandparents Need to Know About
And some pictures from the week.
What a busy week.
Sunday we spent that day getting our tree which was an experience to say the least. Up in the Green Mountain National Forest, there was 2 feet of snow in places, and it ws freezing pouring rain. It was freaking miserable and I was so so so cold. It was the fastest we have ever picked a tree. We didn’t even hike in to the woods very far. We were drenched and cold (did I say that already) so it was a %u201c find a tree and get the F out of there before we die%u201d type of deal. But we did it, found a snow laden tree, cut it down, dragged it out, wrapped it up in a sheet of plastic (not recommended) and got it on the car before we froze. In the end, we came home with a pretty nice, normal sized tree which we in turn cut to the cutest little tree. Short and fat and a little on the lithe side. Absolute perfection.
And the week was off. Started with a b-day party for So who turned 6 . Baked her a cake but her being so awesome helped me frost and decorate it like a professional. It was also the unofficial start of the mr%u2019s birthday week which means all week I have had to be extra special nice, not nag too much about all the extra coffee cups lying around and to not say anything about the amount of cheese he is eating. I am doing my best but not bitching about the dirty cups has proven to be very much difficult. Ha
Beside it being the mr%u2019s birthday week, we have been busy. I have been running into the studio a lot. Unloading a few kilns, loading them up and trying to get some of my own work done before the holidays. There has been some annoying work and apartment stuff that has had to be dealt with, tire troubles, the mr%u2019s lingering illness. But all is good. And we have had the littles over a few extra times this week for food (always food) and snow flake making. Barb came over to eat. I baked special breakfast scones to smell the good smells and basically tried to stay sane and warm. Oh, and I have been listening to all the Christmas music because yes!
Friday night we had a birthday party for the mr, the kick off of his birthday weekend. I spent the day working then came home really fast to finish making whoopie pies (perfect party dessert). Dinner was grilled cheese and chunky veggie soup because it%u2019s tradition and because the mr really likes to make grilled cheeses. Everyone in the house, kids running around, Christmas tree lit, music playing. We sure do know how to have a good time. And with that my house was trashed, All the dishes dirty, Coco drew all over the floor with crayons, and there was little bits of whoopie pie all over the house. It was very successful and everyone and the mr most importantly, were happy.
Yesterday instead of spending the day cleaning (because it is the mr%u2019s birthday weekend remember. But I did get a 1/2 hour while he had to run out to vacuum up the cake ) we went for a little drive to see the giant middle finger sculpture and get out of the house. Then the littles came back over for a sleep over. Pizza, left over whoopie pies, and stringing popcorn while we watched home alone. (there is popcorn EVERYWHERE!) A perfect birthday slumber party for a 36 year old if I do say so myself. Ha ha But oy, the mess is getting dangerous. There is a serious day of cleaning going on in the near future for sure.
Today is the mr%u2019s birthday eve. Not sure what we are doing today or tomorrow for that matter, but I do know we will have some fun. The littles are still a sleep so I am going to skip on over to the gym until someone wakes up and tells me to come back. Last night Miley and I rolled out a cinnamon bun sitiation so I am baking them off as we speak for them to eat when they do decide to wake up. Hopefully by the time I get back they will be fed and ready to do something. Or not. It all depends on how late they really stayed up (I told them they could stay up and watch Nailed It when I went to bed. I am pretty sure they were up til at least midnight, if not later) So who knows, maybe they will all still be asleep when I get back. And then, well, I%u2019ll just start vacuuming.
Morning Update.. Just got back from gym. Littles are still asleep. Time to vacuum.
Some internet surfing from the week.
-Trying to save some money? Pretty simple place to start is to cook your own food. Simply Abundant Living %u2013 Frugal Food edition
–If you’re an average American, you’ll live to be 78.6 years old. Vermonters have a year or two more%u2026 Good to know where I stand in life I guess.
-Fucking idiot.. Trump, Noted Garbage Enthusiast, Wants Kids to Be Free to Eat More Garbage
–How to Eat Dinner in Bed Like an Absolute%u00a0Champion. And with this I say HELL NO. I am 100% against food in bed. But that be me.
–Dear Internet: Goats In Sweaters Are Cuter Than Kittens In Mittens There are some pretty rad goats pictured here.
– I am in love with this SUNDERLAND QUILTED CAR COAT.
–Now if this cup was a bottomless magic cup I would be all about it. Ember Temperature Controlled Mug
–MEET GEORGES STORE.. All the pretty light fixtures and colors. So nice.
-What does grade B ketchup look and taste like? 12 weird science facts to share with your family this holiday
–Geometric Animals Come to Life in DIY Lamp Kits by OWL. I%u2019ll take the rhino please and thanks.
Pictures from the week.
Walking around the neighborhood yesterday morning in a big heavy sweater, I noticed that there is color touching a lot of trees and that there is even brightly colored leaves falling to the ground. This is the weekend to really enjoy the last bit of summer cause fall about to burst. I know its technically summer for a few more weeks, but I gauge the season by food cravings and extra curricular activities.%u00a0 I bought my first winter squash (a butternut) this week, roasted it whole and then ate the whole thing, and then stared to knit a new hat for the mr.%u00a0 It was all fantastic and all fall like and I am now happy to trade in tomatoes for all the root veggies, I am ready. Are you?
Progress on the house. I spent a few days meticulously cleaning up and sanding exposed wooden beams in one of the bedrooms (they look so good) This while I battled a ear infection that I treated by stuffing large amounts of garlic infused coconut oil into my ear and walked around smelling like dinner and oozing oil from my head. All the fun stuff happens to me no? But I am feeling much much better now so I can stop complaining so much. And no more shoving ear phones into these ears. Pretty sure that is why I got the infection in the first place.
The mr has been doing everything and testing out all the electrical.%u00a0 And guess what, ever freaking thing works! We now have lights in each room, even a light in the windowless bathroom we use ( the unfinished bathroom that is actually just a toilet on a sub floor with a door) And instead of having to run extension cords for every freaking thing, we can now use outlets! It’s been a fine fine week. Little sister Barb and I even spent all of yesterday painting the upstairs. Unfortunately after so many days of pouring over color samples and finally thinking I found the color, buying the paint and getting most of the painting done, I have realized that I don’t like the color. (it’s a off white, but just too yellow) BALLS! The mr is being super sweet about it and telling me it’s not big thing and that the walls needed a base coat anyway (no they didn’t, we already primed that walls)%u00a0 and that we will just repaint together and it will take no time and be great. So back to square one with the paint samples (looking for more of a greyish white). AM I crazy? Yes I am, but I would rather repaint now and be really happy with the color then waiting until we move, hate it then, and repaint around furniture and nice clean floors. That would suck even more.
Today the mr and I are going to pick out the new color, get the paint, and clean clean clean!%u00a0 Empty mud bucket piles, pieces of scrap sheetrock and tools everywhere.%u00a0The house is a pig pen and it’s getting a little much for my liking But after a good clean, if I have some time, I will plant my butt outside on the porch with a enormous cup of coffee and read the rest of the day away. Sunday goals.
If you are interneting (is this a word? If not, I think it should be), here are a few links from the bit of interneting I did this week (didn’t do to much)
-Thinking ahead. Peak Fall Foliage Dates
-A in for science and for all of us. A Lifesaving Transplant for Coral Reefs
– This will be my life someday (hopefully sooner then later) STUDIO TOUR: A QUESTION OF EAGLES.
-I grew up watching Bob Ross, such a big influence. The Real Bob Ross: Meet The Meticulous Artist Behind Those Happy Trees–
-If you know me, you know I have a thing for chairs (I have way way to many and I love the all) This book is for me. Better Sit Down For This One: An Exciting Book About The History Of Chairs
-I avoid antibacterial shit like the plague (I like me some germs) so this makes me happy. Within a year, antibacterial soaps as you know them will disappear from the market
A few pictures of the awesomeness of the week.
Have a great weekend. Hope you get a long one.
-C
%u00a0Happy Spring people! Aren’t you so excited? I know I am. The daffodils are starting to pop up, the birds are out like crazy with their churp churping and there is a hint of buds grazing all the tree. We are in for warmer weather, fresh green spring veggies, and lots of mud… I mean, what’s not to be happy about. (there are things but we don’t need to talk about them right now)
Yesterday the mr and I finished ripping up all the floor stuff (I managed not to hurt myself until the very last piece and stuck a nail into my hand) and then traveled the city looking at all the windows in all the stores. Window shopping is such a pain in the ass. If you never have to do it, don’t. But we have to and we need to make some decisions like now because this week a bunch of men are making their way over to the new house with their saws and hammers and a big dumpster and are going to cut the back roof off. I am so excited! The addition is going up and the best part is we decided it was just to much for the two of us to do so we hired out the hardest part. We don’t have to tear it down or frame it up anymore and oh does this make me happy. I was not to into the idea of me and the mr ripping of the roof ourselves. The mr, sure he knows what he is doing, but me, I would have probably taken the whole house down.
Anyway, going to be doing house stuff until we can’t which I am ok with because I am really starting to feel crazy and am ready to move.%u00a0 I know it’s still a few months away but I have this weird feeling that I can’t really stop and chill until we are in the new house and I am relaxing there.. so we better get on it.%u00a0
And I can’t forget the cake. I need to make us a bunny with lots and lots of jelly beans.
Internet browsing from me to you.
-I think I might just spend my day making these. DIY GIANT ORIGAMI BUNNIES!
-My new house crush.
Pasta Hair packages are so cool. Creative Packaging Design Turns Pasta Into Hair
It works. Smart Tip: Peel an Entire Head of Garlic in 10 Seconds
-These 27 Solutions Could Help The U.S. Slash Food Waste
-Not Happy With the Candidates? Try Out a New Country. I know I have threatened to move if things go south around here.
-Of course this make all the sense. Greenery (or Even Photos of Trees) Can Make Us Happier
–LUSHNA VILLA: TINY SHELTERS FOR GLAMPING Yes! The mr and I will be making something like this for sure.
-My someday CARIBBEAN Home.
-I am really into (at the moment)%u00a0 using light colored wood in fun ways at the house..Even thinking about plywood floors……we will see.
-More then just a great actor with an amazing voice. -Morgan Freeman Changed His 124 Acre Ranch Into A Bee Sanctuary To Help Save The Bees
And a few pics from the week.
Have a great weekend and again, Happy Spring!
-C
Funny story. Our basement floods a little every year in the spring. I think that a lot of people around here have slight problem with basement water, the houses being so old and all. So when earlier this week we had a massive thaw and a bunch of rain, the mr preemptively set up the sub pump to keep the water away. All day he was checking the pump and all day it poured butthe basement stayed dry. He turned it off that night after it had stopped raining. We woke up to the most beautiful bright blue sky, the temperature so warm that I didn’t need to wear a jacket and to 3 inches of water in the basement. STUPID!!!!! But that happened and yeah. The mr spent a good few hours moving all of our stuff, (we store a lot of stuff in the basement) shop vac-ing and pumping up the water .He did such a good job that it was almost like it never happened. The only really wet thing was a big laundry basket of stuff. I wanted to wash itasap so it wouldn’t mold so when I got home,%u00a0 into the washer it went. (the washer is in the basement too)%u00a0 Go to change the load to the dryer and guess what.. the mr took the washer machine house out of the main drain to use it for the shop vac, and no, we forgot to stick the hose back in. We re-flooded the mother F-ing basement!!!!!AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
But it’s kinda funny right?
Anyway the week has been heavy on the crazy. My Dad has been here so we have been spending a lot of time with the family doing family things all week. Over at the house we have pretty much gutted the kitchen (anyone want free kitchen cabinets?) and the mr is almost done muding the first floor. Once that happens we can move in (Just kidding… not even close) but we are well on our way. And the next project we tackle is going to be fun fun (rip the roof off!)
And the father of mine is leaving today, (which makes me a little sad)%u00a0 I have no kiddos in my care, the water from the basement is pretty much gone and I don’t want to do a damn thing that involves work. It’s a down day for sure. No people, no fuss. I have a new book on hold at the library, although I am kinda torn.%u00a0 Should I start a new book or binge watch Fuller House? (can I take more family drama?)%u00a0 Have you watched it yet? Do me a favor if you have, let me know if it’s going to ruin the Tanner family for me.
Hoping your day, as well as mine, is gong to be a good one!
Interesting internet stuff from the week.
-Are you a open broiler or a closed broiler. I am neither.. my broiler is the bottom draw of the stove and doesn’t work unless pushed in. Can You Leave the Oven Door Closed While Broiling?
I was planning on making pita bread this week and just happen to stumble upon this article. The 7 Rules of Perfect Pita Bread
-Holding a bag of enough powdered caffeine to kill several people… whoa. Caffeine For Sale: The Hidden Trade Of The World’s Favorite Stimulant
-What is the word for finally getting words for all he emotions I felt but couldn’t explain? %u00a0 40 Words For Emotions You%u2019ve Felt, But Couldn%u2019t Explain
-I know!!!!!. ARTISANAL WATER IS OUT OF CONTROL AND STUPID
-This article really hit home for me. To Anyone Who Thinks They’re Falling Behind In Life
-A tree inside.. yes, I would like one in every room please.
-I love cool (well done) street art.. Quirky New Chalk Characters on the Streets of Ann Arbor by David Zinn
-Maybe next knitting project Knit Fruits and Veggies by %u2018MapleApple%u2019
-I am not going to lie.. I love Chrissy Teigen and although I probably won”t cook any of the food in her book, I am still looking forward to giving it a read. Chrissy Teigen%u2019s %u2018Cravings%u2019 and the Search for Cookbook Credibility
THE LOVELY CRAZY
November 8, 2019 by maximios • Blog
The week started off a okay because camping and camping is camping and is always good. We went to Branbury State Park which is right in between Lake Dunmore and the Green Mountain National Forest. We didn%u2019t bring kayaks because we wanted to spend most of the time hiking plus I can%u2019t get wet and be outside in these temperatures%u2026. I will freeze to death. After a nice drive of foliage peeping, we got to the park, picked our site, made tea, and as we were setting up, the mr somehow knocked over his cup and covered his socked foot in boiling hot water. Blisters, big nasty ones, formed right away, but he championed on. Even managed to hike around all afternoon which in hindsight was not the smartest because his sandals were digging into the burns. But he survived and we camped on. He fished, I read, we ate dinner, watched the fire, crawled into the tent, and listened as the rain began. Woke up at the usual time in a slight puddle (it rained hard) tossed the wet stuff into the car, and headed on home to tend to wounds and the business of life.
The rest of the week, well, not going to lie, has kind of sucked for reasons that I am not going to get into. But let%u2019s just say that sometime people can really fucking suck. The shit show has been mostly affecting the mr but the stress is palpable. On top of dealing with our usual life stuff, he has been making so many phone calls, dealing with unhelpful people, driving back and forth long distances on a moments notice. I have been trying to make things easier on him by not being a pain in the ass, making him pumpkin bread and wearing strips on prints and all the bright colors. I think the outfit might have been lost on him, but it made me happy. And he liked the pumpkin bread so that was a win.
Anyway, even as things are kind of shitty, there was still some good things, like having dinner with my mom and Paul, farm share a plenty, and harvesting the scarlet runner beans (the prettiest bean ever!). I got into the studio to glaze my ceramic pumpkins and ghosts with Barb (I dropped a pumpkin and smashed it. That was after I cut my hand open an hour before. Good times) and I saved a kiln from being misfired which I patted myself on the back for. We also stopped over and hung with littles for a hot minute just because we missed them and then made the realization that we just need to get the hell out of here for a while. Fresh places, fresh faces, you know?
Back to Sunday. As of right now we are camping tonight. Suppose to go to Coolidge State Park in the heart of the peak of the foliage with lots and lots of hiking to be had. Hopefully there isn%u2019t more shitty shit that will prevent us from taking off. I will probably lose it if we don%u2019t go and end up running away into the woods anyways. Then maybe someone will find me in a week of two. Yeah, at least a week of staying away from the crazy cray cray. But it would be nice to take the mr with me. He needs the break more then I do.
Internet from the week
-Dressing up for Halloween? Here is some inspiration. 8 Sexy Outdoor-Themed Halloween Costumes. Sexy Matterhorn%u2026.Done.
–California’s massive power outage is a wake-up call for the whole country. Is this going to be a new normal? Shit is getting real, for real.
-Noodle art is cool. Meet the Illustrator Who Turns Noodle Soup Into Art
-There is a whole lot of snow meatless meats these days and it can be confusing. Everything You’ve Ever Wondered About Meatless Meat, Explained
–It’s so much more than cooking. I felt like I cold have wrote this article%u2026.. Soooo much more then cooking.
–Why You Never See Your Friends Anymore. Real life.
-Beans or soup. Soup or beans. Why not both? When You’re Cooking Dried Beans, You’re Already Halfway to Soup
–Water Bottles Have Long Been the Unexpected Status Symbols of High School. For real. I was part of the colored Nalgene wave%u2026. Blue with a yellow top and covered in Phish stickers because that was how I rolled.
-Eat them all, except the ones that are not edible. The Ultimate Guide to Winter Squash (for Your Front Stoop & Your%u00a0Stew!)
–The 4 Ingredients That Make Up the Perfect Reading Space. I agree but would add one more%u2026.quite!
Pictures from the week.
It%u2019s officially fall and officially fantastic. All of my sweaters are so happy to see me, and me them. So are the sweatpants and the socks. They are here for me to keep me all cozy and warm. Nothing like coming home on a cold dreary day and throwing on a big chunky sweater, a oversized pair of soft sweatpants, and thick wool socks. Add a cup of hot tea, a good book, and a lap blanket and heading out tp sit on the front porch and breathing in all that fresh fall air. So good. So freaking good.
Last Sunday camp was at Gifford State Park. Another Vermont gem. So pretty, so quite, the colors starting to show in the trees. We went for a nice hike into a forest of old growth trees, then launched out the kayaks on a nearby pond and paddles around for awhile. Back to the campsite for lentils and zucchini then the mr fired up some wood and we watched the sun set behind the golden trees. Laid under a sky full of the brightest stars and watching the trees whip around and listened to the wind blow hard and wild all night long. It was dang near perfect. And after the morning coffee making and tent taking down, off into the week we went.
Back in town we got back to it as per usual. The this and that of life. I made gallons of applesauce, fed Barb and went on a tea and pumpkin run (fall essentials). Went over to Moms for dinner and so the mr could fix her sink. I harvesting the last bits of summer from the garden then went to Costco to find a Christmas tree??? (They had them set up right next to the bathing suits and halloween candy. %ud83e%udd37%ud83c%udffb%u200d%u2640%ufe0f) We did some more stuff that needed doing. Looked at land in the wilds of Vermont (found a piece but there were offers on it already. So bummed) I worked the studio, picked up farm share, and I worried about the mr after he stabbed himself in the eye with a screwdriver and almost lost the eyeball. Then we had the boys sleep over Friday for Mileys birthday so she could have a sleep over with her friends at her house. We made pizza, went to the park, and all cuddled up in pile of blankets while they watched a weird cartoon something that I paid zero attention to and I read and kind of fell asleep. The next day after pancakes we dropped the off, the mr and I did the chores and then went back over for a little family party for the birthday lady. The mr made spaghetti, Miley and I decorated her cake, then they ate the pasta, then the cake, and then the mr and I peaced out to come home. Straight up, I was feeling way over stimulated from days of human interaction. So I pretty much passed the F out when we got home. I love my family but jeez can they make a lady tired.
Sunday for reals and I am feeling ready. Today is suppose to be another fantastic day, slightly on the chilly side maybe but not raining so that is good. We are heading out for one of the few camps we have left for the year. Zack Pond Woods. A little pond with a couple of undeveloped designated campsites. It is first come, first to use so we are super hoping that we get there and there will be a place available to set up for the night. If not, we might have to boogie over to a campground near by that we have already been too. But I am feeling like there might not be a ton of people trying to camp out on a Sunday night when it is suppose to get into the 30%u2019s overnight and maybe rain the morning. I am ok with all that, especially if that means other people aren%u2019t and leave us be. HA.
Anyway, hope you all are having a grand old weekend and taking in all the fall and focusing on eating all the apples and pumpkins. We know your priorities!
Links to things that I read and looked at n the internet this week.
-Today is National Coffee day!!!!! Everywhere You Can Get Free Coffee for National Coffee Day
–You%u2019ll Be Shocked by How Much Food Americans Waste Each%u00a0Year. Sadly, I was not shocked.
-Fall medicinal shopping list. These to make a syrup for cold and flu, and this for everything. Get it before you need it (and it%u2019s out of stock)
–Tree-Poaching Is On the Rise. What the fuckers. Also, so sad for trees and for the people.
-If telling people a little more gets them to recycle, well tell them what they want to hear! This simple tweak could drastically raise our pathetic recycling rates
–Vegans are more than what they do not eat. Hear Hear!!!!
-Did you know? Peanuts Aren’t Real Nuts (And More Essential Nut Info). Especially good to know when allergies are involved
–Is corn a fruit, a vegetable, or a grain? What were you thinking?
-IF you are going to smoke weed around people, you have to share it. No way around it unless you are an asshole. HA. How to politely smoke weed
–Why Millennials Are Suddenly So Obsessed With Houseplants. I grew up with a million house plants so thats one reason, but also I need real living things around me to feel good feels.
Pictures from the week
It%u2019s official. Summertime is here. Take it all in and enjoy it because that%u2019s what we need to do. Before it is gone again.
The week has been good. Besides the usual work and stuff, we have spent a lot of time with our people and trying to do things outside everyday. There was an afternoon of Barb and Coco where we went to the beach to find drift wood and throw rocks. Megan and So came over for lunch and teeth wiggling (her two from teeth a loose!! (Sophias, not Megans)) another afternoon. We stopped over to Erins to see the painting mess and Coco drawings all over the walls. The mr and I went for a little hike that took us out under bridges to a graffiti wonderland. That was unexpected and very cool.
Then there is thing that has been on my mind for the past few days. One night in the middle of the week, the mr and I both woke up to a terrifying screaming noice. Like something was dying, killing something, or some creature was about to suck out my soul. It definitely was not anything human. It freaked me out so much that I didn’t want to get out of bed to look out the window because I thought whatever was making the noice would see me awake and come kill me or some shit. So I laid in bed until it stopped then was worried it stopped because I didn%u2019t know where it went%u2026. CREEPY AS FUCK! And it happened again Friday night. So I am officially scared that the hell moth in opening up in my back yard. Or it could be a fox. Not sure. I%u2019ll let you know either way. But until I figure it out, I am going to freshen up my Buffy the Vampire Slayer knowledge. Just in case.
Other then that, the rest of the week was a success. The mr finished off the beautiful cedar outdoor table, I picked up farm share and cleaned out my home studio. At the BCA Studio, the kids summer camps started so working there was a bit different. Instead of loading kilns, I was doing clay things with kids. Just got to say, after working all Friday with others peoples kids, hanging out with just Judah that night was pretty much the best. Being around other peoples (not in my family) kids really makes me realize just how cool my littles are. I mean, how cool is it that while I was at work, Judah helped the mr fix a roof? All for a slushy and my home made pizza and just wanted to hang out and draw? That%u2019s a cool kid.
Yesteraday was just a gem. I woke up, did a few things before the sun even came up then sat on the front porch, drank my coffee and read. I even was able to go to the grocery store and cleaned out the pantry before Judah even woke up. (He ended up sleeping over Friday.). I then made pancakes for the boys, harvested greens, and played with the sprinkler. We then picked up Coco to go walk by the waterfront, throw rocks, and of course go down the slide a million times. All this before lunch. After we dropped the little back off, we came home and just hung out. Went for a bike ride, the mr secured the tree from the blowing winds and worked on the treehouse. I cleaned and puttered. The only crappy part was while I was putting away dishes I stabbed a fork under my finger nail. The prong went in deep and it bled like crazy. AGH. I would have rather cut my finger off. And now I have a swollen, still bleeding sometimes, very painful finger that has my heartbeat throbbing in it. But the rest of the day, and evening, besides the pain, was relaxing and lovely.
Today is suppose to be another wonderful day and we are hoping to enjoy it as much as the day will let us. I am going bike to the gym then come home and hop into car with the mr and drive away for the day. Where we are going, not exactly sure. Just out of town, into some of the world. Windows down, wind in my hair, tunes on the radio, coffee in my cup, and a lovely love by my side. Things are good.
Interesting internet. Take a look.
–How to lucid dream, and why you’d want to. I think I really started to think about controlling my dreams I might freak out go crazy.
–How important is seasonal eating? It is important to me for so many reasons. Biggest reason, I try to grow as much as I eat and the seasons depict that. Not a lot of fresh tomatoes coming Vermont in the winter.
-The terrifying screaming might be this? Red Fox Sounds.
–Whatever Happened to #Vanlife? Well, Things Are Changing. Van life is not just for the surfer dudes anymore.
–No Matter the Hack, Some Kitchen Tasks Will Always Be a Pain in the Ass. HERE HERE!! But here is a hack for garlic%u2026.just eat the freaking skin. No peeling. HA
-These are some kickass vinyl floors.
-Why wouldn%u2019t pants like good tunes. Good vibrations. It just makes sense. Music For Plants Is Real (Even If The Science Isn’t)
–What’s the Difference Between Sparkling Water and Seltzer? I needed to double check.
-Give me a good, healthy life, over a really long life. Human Lives Might Be Long Enough Already
Pictures from the week.
Hey hey hey! Happy Sunday. Hope you are finding yourself happy and relaxed and enjoying all the good things the world is giving us. Like coffee and green things. All the coffee, all the green things for sure.
Another week that came and left and now it%u2019s May. MAY! Can you even? The time, where does it all go? (an existential question for you) Our week (and time) started off with a chilly wet jaunt to a river. We were going to go out to the kingdom to watch the salmon jump out of the river but it was just to dang cold and rainy so we decided to hold off on it. But we did make our way to a river near by so the mr could officially toss in a fly line into some water. I guess fishing season started a week or two back but we have had so much rain that it has not been great for fishing, or being outside much for that matter. Anyway, he got a few casts in so he is happy.
Wet and raw weather wise was the way of the weather this week. We did have a few breaks of sun which lead to an impromptu afternoon hike just because the sun came out. It was fantastic, or started off that way. Up and down and around the woods to the very flooded lake. Half the way through the hike we ended up at a boardwalk that had a little water coverage, which was fine because someone placed nice big rocks to pass over. Or so I thought. A few steps in and the bridge gave away and into the lake I went. Just my feet and up my legs a bit, but yeah. I just stood there in shock for what seemed like minutes but eventually made my way to the other side of the bridge, drenched boots and all. The rest of the hike was soggy, but hey, I was outside and there was sun and I wasn%u2019t freezing cold so yeah. Could have been worse. It could have been the mr who went in and I really really would not want to have had to deal with him hiking back with drenched feet. Now if my hiking boats would dry out. That would be great.
Other then our little outdoor adventures, the week went the way the weeks does with work and all. The mr running around frantic, having doors, making room for giant ass wood slabs in the barn, wheeling and dealing.
Friday was all day studio work. Lots and lots of pugging clay. While I was at work the mr picked up littles (Miley, So, and Judah) and they all came to the studio to pick me up. It is always a great way to get people to listen and leave the studio when they are suppose to when a bunch of kids rush in and start demanding food. People, at least the clay people, are scared of hungry little kids. Ha. Off we all went, me covered head to tow in clay. Found out in the car that Judah was sick (so sad) so he went home and it turned into a girls night sleep over. Pizza, soup, and peanut butter sandwiches for dinner. We went walking/piggyback riding, the mr and Miley played with the new wood brander which included fire and hot metal. The mr took them to the store to pick out ice cream while I tried to clean myself up, they came back ,ate lots of ice cream, then showered and brushed hair without arguments. They picked out movies without fighting (movies about ballerinas and singing animals) and happily curled up together on the floor. Me being me with no attention span or energy left skipped the movies and went to bed. When I went to wake them up the next morning, I found out that they had woke up (or never went to sleep) in the middle of the night to draw and do yoga? Yeah, I don%u2019t exactly know what went on. What I do know is my yoga mat was upstairs and I remember waking up in the middle of the night to sounds of the wall being kicked a bunch, and there were drawings of crazy things and colored pencils everywhere that were not there when I left them the night before. Hey, if that is what they want to do in the middle of the night, more power to them.
After pancakes and cartoons, the ladies and the mr spent the morning going through a million awesome shells. I guess someone had massive shell collection and gave it over to the mr. Neither of us are really shell people, I mean a few cool ones, but this collection was INSANE. SO we gave them all to the littles. And gave the littles a boxes to bring home to their siblings. They can have all the shells, we are good here.
We dropped girls off, ran around doing errands, then came home and I putz in the yard before going about cleaning the house. Lots of dirt and mud and sticky shit on everything. I just don%u2019t know where it comes from. Well I do actually. And it%u2019s mostly not me so yeah.
Today the mr and I actually are heading out to the kingdom. We need to see some fish jump. A few hours back and forth will give me time for some open window car rid air and reading if it doesn%u2019t make me puke. Picnic lunch by the river and afternoon road coffee. Hopefully we get home in time for me to spend at least a good few hours in the garden to ooh and awe at the stuff that is starting to pop out of the ground and maybe figure out if it%u2019s a perennial I planted or just a weed. Good thing I like weeds too or else I would be terribly disappointed a lot of the time.
Have a few extra minutes? Take a look at some interesting internet from the week.
–The Obamas Are Making a Kids%u2019 Food Show on Netflix. Oh HELL YEAH! And I am not a kid but I am gonna watch it.
-What a great business/environmentally awesome/ logical/ just plain right idea. Toronto Restaurant Fights Waste By Chopping Menu Prices Till Food Is Gone
-Some serious boldness. Bold Line Drawings Layered on Top of Deconstructed Images of Fruit, Flowers, and Animals in Tattoos by Mattia Mambo.
–Rise of the Lady Backpack. Purse. Please. Back packs are the best, but to be honest, I mostly stick to nothing, just my wallet and keys in a pocket. Back pack for biking and hiking and a tote bag for the groceries, the library, or the occasional kitting project. Simple.
-I struggle hard with my OCD cleaning. I sometime wish I had the ability to let things be mess, but then again%u2026. The Unbridled Joy of (Occasionally) Letting Your Room Get Really, Really Messy
–What Comes After a Rut? Take the good with the bad and all the craziness that is the ebb and flow of life.
– Why the Kentucky Derby is a 145-year-old celebration of hats. Now imagine if people went around wearing those hats all the time. The world would be a better place.
-Maine, you so smart. Maine just banned Styrofoam food containers
–How to be assertive without being called a bitch. Why are women always considered bitches? Well I am anyway%u2026.
-I love this and only wish I was ablate %u201cGramp%u201d when my grandparents were alive. ‘Gramping’ Is the Latest Travel Trend Grandparents Need to Know About
And some pictures from the week.
What a busy week.
Sunday we spent that day getting our tree which was an experience to say the least. Up in the Green Mountain National Forest, there was 2 feet of snow in places, and it ws freezing pouring rain. It was freaking miserable and I was so so so cold. It was the fastest we have ever picked a tree. We didn’t even hike in to the woods very far. We were drenched and cold (did I say that already) so it was a %u201c find a tree and get the F out of there before we die%u201d type of deal. But we did it, found a snow laden tree, cut it down, dragged it out, wrapped it up in a sheet of plastic (not recommended) and got it on the car before we froze. In the end, we came home with a pretty nice, normal sized tree which we in turn cut to the cutest little tree. Short and fat and a little on the lithe side. Absolute perfection.
And the week was off. Started with a b-day party for So who turned 6 . Baked her a cake but her being so awesome helped me frost and decorate it like a professional. It was also the unofficial start of the mr%u2019s birthday week which means all week I have had to be extra special nice, not nag too much about all the extra coffee cups lying around and to not say anything about the amount of cheese he is eating. I am doing my best but not bitching about the dirty cups has proven to be very much difficult. Ha
Beside it being the mr%u2019s birthday week, we have been busy. I have been running into the studio a lot. Unloading a few kilns, loading them up and trying to get some of my own work done before the holidays. There has been some annoying work and apartment stuff that has had to be dealt with, tire troubles, the mr%u2019s lingering illness. But all is good. And we have had the littles over a few extra times this week for food (always food) and snow flake making. Barb came over to eat. I baked special breakfast scones to smell the good smells and basically tried to stay sane and warm. Oh, and I have been listening to all the Christmas music because yes!
Friday night we had a birthday party for the mr, the kick off of his birthday weekend. I spent the day working then came home really fast to finish making whoopie pies (perfect party dessert). Dinner was grilled cheese and chunky veggie soup because it%u2019s tradition and because the mr really likes to make grilled cheeses. Everyone in the house, kids running around, Christmas tree lit, music playing. We sure do know how to have a good time. And with that my house was trashed, All the dishes dirty, Coco drew all over the floor with crayons, and there was little bits of whoopie pie all over the house. It was very successful and everyone and the mr most importantly, were happy.
Yesterday instead of spending the day cleaning (because it is the mr%u2019s birthday weekend remember. But I did get a 1/2 hour while he had to run out to vacuum up the cake ) we went for a little drive to see the giant middle finger sculpture and get out of the house. Then the littles came back over for a sleep over. Pizza, left over whoopie pies, and stringing popcorn while we watched home alone. (there is popcorn EVERYWHERE!) A perfect birthday slumber party for a 36 year old if I do say so myself. Ha ha But oy, the mess is getting dangerous. There is a serious day of cleaning going on in the near future for sure.
Today is the mr%u2019s birthday eve. Not sure what we are doing today or tomorrow for that matter, but I do know we will have some fun. The littles are still a sleep so I am going to skip on over to the gym until someone wakes up and tells me to come back. Last night Miley and I rolled out a cinnamon bun sitiation so I am baking them off as we speak for them to eat when they do decide to wake up. Hopefully by the time I get back they will be fed and ready to do something. Or not. It all depends on how late they really stayed up (I told them they could stay up and watch Nailed It when I went to bed. I am pretty sure they were up til at least midnight, if not later) So who knows, maybe they will all still be asleep when I get back. And then, well, I%u2019ll just start vacuuming.
Morning Update.. Just got back from gym. Littles are still asleep. Time to vacuum.
Some internet surfing from the week.
-Trying to save some money? Pretty simple place to start is to cook your own food. Simply Abundant Living %u2013 Frugal Food edition
–If you’re an average American, you’ll live to be 78.6 years old. Vermonters have a year or two more%u2026 Good to know where I stand in life I guess.
-Fucking idiot.. Trump, Noted Garbage Enthusiast, Wants Kids to Be Free to Eat More Garbage
–How to Eat Dinner in Bed Like an Absolute%u00a0Champion. And with this I say HELL NO. I am 100% against food in bed. But that be me.
–Dear Internet: Goats In Sweaters Are Cuter Than Kittens In Mittens There are some pretty rad goats pictured here.
– I am in love with this SUNDERLAND QUILTED CAR COAT.
–Now if this cup was a bottomless magic cup I would be all about it. Ember Temperature Controlled Mug
–MEET GEORGES STORE.. All the pretty light fixtures and colors. So nice.
-What does grade B ketchup look and taste like? 12 weird science facts to share with your family this holiday
–Geometric Animals Come to Life in DIY Lamp Kits by OWL. I%u2019ll take the rhino please and thanks.
Pictures from the week.
Walking around the neighborhood yesterday morning in a big heavy sweater, I noticed that there is color touching a lot of trees and that there is even brightly colored leaves falling to the ground. This is the weekend to really enjoy the last bit of summer cause fall about to burst. I know its technically summer for a few more weeks, but I gauge the season by food cravings and extra curricular activities.%u00a0 I bought my first winter squash (a butternut) this week, roasted it whole and then ate the whole thing, and then stared to knit a new hat for the mr.%u00a0 It was all fantastic and all fall like and I am now happy to trade in tomatoes for all the root veggies, I am ready. Are you?
Progress on the house. I spent a few days meticulously cleaning up and sanding exposed wooden beams in one of the bedrooms (they look so good) This while I battled a ear infection that I treated by stuffing large amounts of garlic infused coconut oil into my ear and walked around smelling like dinner and oozing oil from my head. All the fun stuff happens to me no? But I am feeling much much better now so I can stop complaining so much. And no more shoving ear phones into these ears. Pretty sure that is why I got the infection in the first place.
The mr has been doing everything and testing out all the electrical.%u00a0 And guess what, ever freaking thing works! We now have lights in each room, even a light in the windowless bathroom we use ( the unfinished bathroom that is actually just a toilet on a sub floor with a door) And instead of having to run extension cords for every freaking thing, we can now use outlets! It’s been a fine fine week. Little sister Barb and I even spent all of yesterday painting the upstairs. Unfortunately after so many days of pouring over color samples and finally thinking I found the color, buying the paint and getting most of the painting done, I have realized that I don’t like the color. (it’s a off white, but just too yellow) BALLS! The mr is being super sweet about it and telling me it’s not big thing and that the walls needed a base coat anyway (no they didn’t, we already primed that walls)%u00a0 and that we will just repaint together and it will take no time and be great. So back to square one with the paint samples (looking for more of a greyish white). AM I crazy? Yes I am, but I would rather repaint now and be really happy with the color then waiting until we move, hate it then, and repaint around furniture and nice clean floors. That would suck even more.
Today the mr and I are going to pick out the new color, get the paint, and clean clean clean!%u00a0 Empty mud bucket piles, pieces of scrap sheetrock and tools everywhere.%u00a0The house is a pig pen and it’s getting a little much for my liking But after a good clean, if I have some time, I will plant my butt outside on the porch with a enormous cup of coffee and read the rest of the day away. Sunday goals.
If you are interneting (is this a word? If not, I think it should be), here are a few links from the bit of interneting I did this week (didn’t do to much)
-Thinking ahead. Peak Fall Foliage Dates
-A in for science and for all of us. A Lifesaving Transplant for Coral Reefs
– This will be my life someday (hopefully sooner then later) STUDIO TOUR: A QUESTION OF EAGLES.
-I grew up watching Bob Ross, such a big influence. The Real Bob Ross: Meet The Meticulous Artist Behind Those Happy Trees–
-If you know me, you know I have a thing for chairs (I have way way to many and I love the all) This book is for me. Better Sit Down For This One: An Exciting Book About The History Of Chairs
-I avoid antibacterial shit like the plague (I like me some germs) so this makes me happy. Within a year, antibacterial soaps as you know them will disappear from the market
A few pictures of the awesomeness of the week.
Have a great weekend. Hope you get a long one.
-C
%u00a0Happy Spring people! Aren’t you so excited? I know I am. The daffodils are starting to pop up, the birds are out like crazy with their churp churping and there is a hint of buds grazing all the tree. We are in for warmer weather, fresh green spring veggies, and lots of mud… I mean, what’s not to be happy about. (there are things but we don’t need to talk about them right now)
Yesterday the mr and I finished ripping up all the floor stuff (I managed not to hurt myself until the very last piece and stuck a nail into my hand) and then traveled the city looking at all the windows in all the stores. Window shopping is such a pain in the ass. If you never have to do it, don’t. But we have to and we need to make some decisions like now because this week a bunch of men are making their way over to the new house with their saws and hammers and a big dumpster and are going to cut the back roof off. I am so excited! The addition is going up and the best part is we decided it was just to much for the two of us to do so we hired out the hardest part. We don’t have to tear it down or frame it up anymore and oh does this make me happy. I was not to into the idea of me and the mr ripping of the roof ourselves. The mr, sure he knows what he is doing, but me, I would have probably taken the whole house down.
Anyway, going to be doing house stuff until we can’t which I am ok with because I am really starting to feel crazy and am ready to move.%u00a0 I know it’s still a few months away but I have this weird feeling that I can’t really stop and chill until we are in the new house and I am relaxing there.. so we better get on it.%u00a0
And I can’t forget the cake. I need to make us a bunny with lots and lots of jelly beans.
Internet browsing from me to you.
-I think I might just spend my day making these. DIY GIANT ORIGAMI BUNNIES!
-My new house crush.
Pasta Hair packages are so cool. Creative Packaging Design Turns Pasta Into Hair
It works. Smart Tip: Peel an Entire Head of Garlic in 10 Seconds
-These 27 Solutions Could Help The U.S. Slash Food Waste
-Not Happy With the Candidates? Try Out a New Country. I know I have threatened to move if things go south around here.
-Of course this make all the sense. Greenery (or Even Photos of Trees) Can Make Us Happier
–LUSHNA VILLA: TINY SHELTERS FOR GLAMPING Yes! The mr and I will be making something like this for sure.
-My someday CARIBBEAN Home.
-I am really into (at the moment)%u00a0 using light colored wood in fun ways at the house..Even thinking about plywood floors……we will see.
-More then just a great actor with an amazing voice. -Morgan Freeman Changed His 124 Acre Ranch Into A Bee Sanctuary To Help Save The Bees
And a few pics from the week.
Have a great weekend and again, Happy Spring!
-C
Funny story. Our basement floods a little every year in the spring. I think that a lot of people around here have slight problem with basement water, the houses being so old and all. So when earlier this week we had a massive thaw and a bunch of rain, the mr preemptively set up the sub pump to keep the water away. All day he was checking the pump and all day it poured butthe basement stayed dry. He turned it off that night after it had stopped raining. We woke up to the most beautiful bright blue sky, the temperature so warm that I didn’t need to wear a jacket and to 3 inches of water in the basement. STUPID!!!!! But that happened and yeah. The mr spent a good few hours moving all of our stuff, (we store a lot of stuff in the basement) shop vac-ing and pumping up the water .He did such a good job that it was almost like it never happened. The only really wet thing was a big laundry basket of stuff. I wanted to wash itasap so it wouldn’t mold so when I got home,%u00a0 into the washer it went. (the washer is in the basement too)%u00a0 Go to change the load to the dryer and guess what.. the mr took the washer machine house out of the main drain to use it for the shop vac, and no, we forgot to stick the hose back in. We re-flooded the mother F-ing basement!!!!!AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
But it’s kinda funny right?
Anyway the week has been heavy on the crazy. My Dad has been here so we have been spending a lot of time with the family doing family things all week. Over at the house we have pretty much gutted the kitchen (anyone want free kitchen cabinets?) and the mr is almost done muding the first floor. Once that happens we can move in (Just kidding… not even close) but we are well on our way. And the next project we tackle is going to be fun fun (rip the roof off!)
And the father of mine is leaving today, (which makes me a little sad)%u00a0 I have no kiddos in my care, the water from the basement is pretty much gone and I don’t want to do a damn thing that involves work. It’s a down day for sure. No people, no fuss. I have a new book on hold at the library, although I am kinda torn.%u00a0 Should I start a new book or binge watch Fuller House? (can I take more family drama?)%u00a0 Have you watched it yet? Do me a favor if you have, let me know if it’s going to ruin the Tanner family for me.
Hoping your day, as well as mine, is gong to be a good one!
Interesting internet stuff from the week.
-Are you a open broiler or a closed broiler. I am neither.. my broiler is the bottom draw of the stove and doesn’t work unless pushed in. Can You Leave the Oven Door Closed While Broiling?
I was planning on making pita bread this week and just happen to stumble upon this article. The 7 Rules of Perfect Pita Bread
-Holding a bag of enough powdered caffeine to kill several people… whoa. Caffeine For Sale: The Hidden Trade Of The World’s Favorite Stimulant
-What is the word for finally getting words for all he emotions I felt but couldn’t explain? %u00a0 40 Words For Emotions You%u2019ve Felt, But Couldn%u2019t Explain
-I know!!!!!. ARTISANAL WATER IS OUT OF CONTROL AND STUPID
-This article really hit home for me. To Anyone Who Thinks They’re Falling Behind In Life
-A tree inside.. yes, I would like one in every room please.
-I love cool (well done) street art.. Quirky New Chalk Characters on the Streets of Ann Arbor by David Zinn
-Maybe next knitting project Knit Fruits and Veggies by %u2018MapleApple%u2019
-I am not going to lie.. I love Chrissy Teigen and although I probably won”t cook any of the food in her book, I am still looking forward to giving it a read. Chrissy Teigen%u2019s %u2018Cravings%u2019 and the Search for Cookbook Credibility
And some pictures.