Happy 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. 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.
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) 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, into the washer it went. (the washer is in the basement too) 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) 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. Should I start a new book or binge watch Fuller House? (can I take more family drama?) 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? 40 Words For Emotions You’ve Felt, But Couldn’t 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 ‘MapleApple’
-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’s ‘Cravings’ and the Search for Cookbook Credibility
And some pictures.
Not to much is going on here, just trying to enjoy the last bits of summer, while secretly saying to myself that I am ok for the hot weather to be gone, for summer to pitter out and let the cooler weather roll in. Bring on the sweaters, apples, and root veggies (and maybe a little more couch cuddling and a new tv show to sink my teeth into while knitting). And I have already noticed a few trees giving away some colorful leave. Foliage season… the best time of year (minus all the annoying leaf peepers) But before we get to ahead of ourselves, we have the other time of the year coming up.. Back to school!! I myself am not really effected by this,other then all the littles in my life are going back, which means less babysitting (happy!/Sad) And let’s not mention all the back to school supplies I am drooling over. Trapper keepers, watercolors and cool new backpacks. The kiddos are all getting ready with their new sneakers, crisp, empty notebooks, and a fancy new sweater. Me, I am just being jealous, hoping maybe one of them will give me one of their extra cool new pencils with the removable eraser. Maybe once everything ends up on clearance, I’ll buy myself a new composition notebook. You know, the ones where you can color all the white parts in with a bright pink neon marker. A customized badass notebook Those are my favorite.
So besides all that, here are some eventful things from the my life this week in list form.
got some husk cherries to make something special. and ate them all. Need to get more (more to eat, and more to make something with to share..maybe)
Starting knitting the mr his annual new winter hat (going with a grey watch cap)
Painted a ceiling gold
scratched my face on a raspberry bush
went to my family reunion, came home and found 2 white hairs on the top of my head (no joke)
Had two other awesome websites mention my recipes this week!!! (Food52 and feedfeed)
made a few jars of pickles
Discovered Reading Rainbow is now on Netflix.(my childhood right there)
Yeah, that’s about sums it up.
But here, have some internet stuff to check out.
-I think I need this entire bed set to be happy.
-And I want to do this to a set of sheet too!
-Totally into this house, especially the toilet on the door.
Not sure if this is for real, but it’t pretty freaking funny. Lady Gaga Threatening Legal Action Over Breast Milk Ice Cream Flavor ‘Royal Baby Gaga’
– I think I should get me some goats. Goats May Be Unwelcome In Zimbabwe’s Capital, But D.C. Loves Them
-The Duo Coffee Steeper. This might be fantastic.. Someone buy one and let me know how it works.
–Soothing Spaces… I like
-Watch This Hilarious Parody of Artisanal Food Makers
-I love The Purl Bee. Another project that I have to make.
And some photos from the week.
This past week my dad has been in town to spend some time with the family. Besides going about my normal life, every day I have been with at least one, if not a bunch of my siblings and or father (Aaaaaaahhhhh!!!). Spending as much time as I have with them this week has made me realize how much I love them, and how crazy they are. I am happy to have spent all this time with everybody, but am very much excited to have a day to myself, because again, they are all f ing crazy.
But today is not a reclusive day.
Today is our annual Stem family reunion. We all get together, immediate and extended, at my uncles cabin, up in the sticks of Vermont and gossip, hike around, eat, and try not to drive our 94 year old grams completely cray. It’s one of the highlights of my summer.
So now, before heading out, I am trying to figure out what exactly I have for ingredients to throw together some type of peach situation… so I gots to get to that. And of course the coffee. I need the coffee, and lots of it.
Hope you folks are living up the end of summer!!!
Here is some internet fun stuff.
-This is so great I want to draw on my walls now
-The world we live in. Could Sexting Help Your Relationship?
– I love these cabins, the pictures are beautiful
-Another place I could totally live in
– Why is the world so beautiful.A theoretical physicist searches for the design behind nature’s beauty.
–These or these I can’t decide
-I love maps. Lithuanian Artist Makes Incredibly Detailed Paper Cuts Of City Maps
-Only in VT. One Vermont Ballet Group Is Mixing Dance With Cows In ‘Farm To Ballet’
And some pictures from the week
Wowzers…Is it for real Memorial day weekend? Where has all the time gone? Let’s talk about a week gone by fast. My brain is on complete overdrive and I am having a hard time keeping it from exploding…SO MUCH TO DO! (Not bad stuff, just a lot of stuff) But lo, that’s life right? There is always a lots of “stuff” to do, but today I am going to try and let that stuff chill and maybe give myself a few hours of coffee, (so much coffee) reading a book in the sunshine, gardening, and just some overall chillin.
Hopefully.
And hopefully you party people out there will be able to do a little of the same, or at least the chillin part. It is a 3 day weekend after all (not for us, but whatever)
Some internet fun finds.
-Sleeping in a loft that I have to crawl to get to the bed… this Gallery of Gorgeous Attic Bedrooms makes me so jealous..
-This new startup wants to sell you ugly fruit and veggies. I still don’t get it, it’s not ugly, its awesome.
-So cool and reminds me of my late brother in law. Wet Fold Origami Technique Gives Wavy Personality to Paper Animals by Artist Hoang Tien Quyet
-Could this be my new home? And I love a good plant lady. BURSTING WITH PLANTS, A 1910 PORTLAND FOURSQUARE FOR A FLORIST AND BARISTA
-Its so weird how try this is. Going, Going, Gone: 30+ Items That Are Disappearing from Our Homes
-We are doing this is the humongus pot hole in front of our house(we want to anyway) Treats in the Streets: Artist Jim Bachor Fills Potholes with Ice Cream Mosaics
-Holy shit is this the mister. 5 Conditions That Afflict the Reluctant Dishwasher. (1 and 2 really hit the nail)
A few photos from the weekGoodbye fiddleheads…. Hello ferns
On our way to a geo catch…. And note clothing options for 2 in the afternoon. I am much fond of that little guy wearing a rain jacket without a shirt in when its sunny and 80 degrees. And a pink poke dot bath robe.. I mean, it’s so the cool thing to do.
We didn’t find the geo, but we found this gigantic mushroom. Just as cool, maybe even cooler.
I love brick and there is one street in all of burlington (that I know of) that has brick sidewalks. I like to walk down it a lot.
Nurse lady making food… I compare this to a big foot sighting. I have heard stories that she cooks,but have never actually witnessed it myself. (Just kidding….kinda)
Happy long weekend! (if you are lucky to have one!)
-C
Yesterday I spent the entire day (ok maybe not the entire day), but a the better part of the afternoon defrosting my freezer. Sure, I do the occasional chip chop here and there, just enough from around the freezer door so it will close, but ever few months I notice that everything in the fridge is not staying cold and that the freezer is not freezing stuff. Thats when I know its for real time to defrost. So a few days ago when I noticed my bananas were turing to liquid in the freezer, I knew it what I had to do….Completely empty the fridge and melt/hack away the 2-4 inches of ice build up that accumulated. It is such a freaking pain in the ass.So on this defrosting day, I took all the stuff from the freezer, stuck it in a cooler, and the rest of the stuff, which is basically all veggies, I just tossed on the table. As I am hacking away with a metal spatual, a wooden spoon, and a constant rotation of pots of boiling water, I was thinking about dinner. I figured I might as well just eat up as much of the veggies as I could, you know, so I didn’t have to put them back in the fridge. And also, I was getting pretty annoyed because this particular defrosting session was taking way longer the anticipated, which made making dinner seem like another pain in the ass. I figured I might as well just eat everything that is already out on the table, which pretty much narrowed down the “whats for dinner” conversations because it was already all over the place. And so dinner was a humongo salad for me, and for the mister, I made him a monster of a veggie sandwich. (my salad was exactly the same stuff as the sandwich, minus the bagel) Easy, fast, super duper yummy, pretty and piled so high with tons of veggies that the fridge is pretty much empty now.
Look at the is beast. I don’t call it a monster sandwich for nothing.
The stuff included in this monster veggie sandwich..
Romaine lettuce, tomato, avocado for there is not real sandwich without them. Thinly sliced radishes, cucumber,a and onion for nice crispy crunch. Shredded beets, carrots, and purple cabbage to give more crunch and a bit of sweetness. Then of course there needs to be something pickled, so I used banana peppers cause they are the SHIT!! And lastly some hummus for a nice creamy finish (plus a bit of protein) and yellow mustard because mustard on everything is just right. Heres to a mountain if goodness that is no longer in the fridge! Served with a another mountain of roasted parsnips and carrots (more stuff from the fridge) and a tall glass of iced tea.
Lucky that today is farm share pick up cause the fridge is pretty much on empty.
Yea it’s Thursday!!!!
-C
A Monster Veggie Sandwich
Note. This is just a guide.. Feel free to use whatever veggies you fancy.
Either a bagel, 2 slices of bread, or a big chunk of baguette (use a gluten free bread if you want or need too)
Hummus- Homemade or store bought
Mustard
Something pickled like pickles, banana peppers , jalapeños or all three
Lettuce, spinach or some kind of leafy green
Tomato
Avocado
Onion
Radishes
Cucumber
Shredded Carrots
Shredded Beets
Shredded Cabbage
To assemble. Ready your bread.. Toast if you want, and stick it on a plate
On either side, smear the hummus and the mustard.
Pick a side, start to stack by evenly disrupting veggies on top of veggies. Place the second piece of bread on top and giving a little smooth to keep it together.
And go at it. Cut in half or don’t. Have a napkin or a long sleeve ready to wipe your face.
And that’s how I know that this is a winner. As an awesome aunt, when I have any of my nieces or nephews, I feel the need to make something special for dinner, something that the kiddos might not get very often, but also keep it on he healthy side. I have 2 littles for the night which gives me the perfect opportunity for a trash food recipe. You know trash food, things like boxed mac and cheese, beefaroni in a can, or, in this case, sloppy joes.
Sloppy yes, trashy, not so much. These are made with beans and bulgur. No meat.
And I figured it is nice enough out that I can make the kiddos some messy food and then just bring them out back and hose them off… I mean, why not right?
The stuff… We start with onion and green pepper, chopped into pieces. Black beans, bulgur, can crushed tomatoes. Chili powder, garlic powder, a bit o apple cider vinegar (which I forgot to picture) ,and some salt and pepper. Oh and cheese if you want… Plus a bun of some sort is necessary. Toss the chopped onion and peppers into a deep skillet or pot with a drizzle of oil. Cook on medium heat until tender and toss in the spices. Give a stir. Add in the beans, bulgur, and tomato, a splash of vinegar. Stir it all up, cover, and let simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the bulgur has absorbed the liquid and is nice and tender.
If you are a bun toaster… toast while waiting. If not, just get the buns ready And Then dump a good heaping pile right onto a bun. Add some cheese, or not..and eat with wild abandonment, making sure to get as much on your face as you get in you mouth.
Fantastic Friday!! Live it up.
-C
Black Bean and Bulgur Sloppy Joes
2 cups or 1 can cooked black beans
1 16 oz can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup bulgur
1/2 cup water
1 small onion
1 green pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
salt and pepper
a splash of apple cider vinegar
olive oil
4-6 burger or bulky buns
cheese (optional)
Dice the onion and the pepper and toss with a drizzle of olive oil into a large skillet. Sauté on medium heat until veggies become tender. Add in the spices, stir in and let cook for a minutes, then add in the beans, the tomato,water and the bugler. Cover skillet and let simmer until bugler becomes soft.
When the slop is ready, either toasted or not, scoop a generous portions onto buns. If so inclined, add some cheese.
Eat with hands… Sloppy is good.
Spicy, crispy cauliflower… um yes please. I really like cauliflower. The mister loves it, or at least likes it better than any other vegetable. So when he asked for spicy cauliflower, well yea I am going to make it because I am so nice and really, could I say no to a veggie request? (I might have said no if it involved deep frying) Also, I found fresh cauliflower on sale! ($2.25) I don’t usually cook fresh cauliflower, but I figured at that price, it wouldn’t be bad to cook a head. (If I am cooking cauliflower, which I do a lot, I just use frozen….casue it be waaaay cheaper)
Fresh, cheap and requested veggies….those are must makes. And the mister was happy with I handed him the plate of oh so lovely looking crispy crunchy loveliness. (I kind of like to make him happy…sometimes)
The stuff. Cauliflower, chopped and broken into pieces. Corn meal mixed with salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder, and because I made this for the mister, parmesan cheese. And in the green bowl, srirsachi and a little oil. The cauliflower gets a coat of the hot sauce and then tossed around in the corn meal mixture. Handling as little as possible, place coated pieces on a lightly oiled baking sheet and stick those suckers in the oven for about a half hour, taking them out and flipping half way.And take them out of the oven when pieces tuned golden brown, stik them on a plate, and serve immediately.
A bit of spice, a bit of crispy , a lot a yum. Serve with some crunchy veggies, maybe a squeeze of lemon and definitely some type of avocado situation.
A beer would be lovely too!
Have a fantastic weekend!
-C
Spicy Crispy baked Cauliflower
1 head cauliflower, chopped or broken into florets
1/2 cup corn meal
3-4 tablespoon sriracha or your favorite hot sauce
1 tablespoon olive or coconut oil
salt and pepper
Any seasonings you might like (garlic or onion powder, parmesan cheese, national yeast…. whatever floats your boat)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
In a bowl, mix together sriracha and oil. In a separate bowl, mix salt, pepper, any seasonings you might like, and corn meal. Take cauliflower and toss in sauce to coat. Remove from sauce and toss around in cornmeal mixture till fully coated, but try not to hand too much so the coating doesn’t come off. Place pieces on a lightly oiled baking sheet and stick into oven. Bake for about 15 minutes, remove and flip pieces. Back into the oven for another 15-20 minutes (depending on you crispy preference) Remove when golden brown (or darker if you like) and serve immediately.
Cucumber, celery, and carrots are great accompaniments.. also a little mashed avocado or guacamole is much appreciated.
THE LOVELY CRAZY
August 11, 2016 by maximios • Blog
Happy 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. 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.
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) 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, into the washer it went. (the washer is in the basement too) 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) 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. Should I start a new book or binge watch Fuller House? (can I take more family drama?) 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? 40 Words For Emotions You’ve Felt, But Couldn’t 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 ‘MapleApple’
-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’s ‘Cravings’ and the Search for Cookbook Credibility
And some pictures.
Not to much is going on here, just trying to enjoy the last bits of summer, while secretly saying to myself that I am ok for the hot weather to be gone, for summer to pitter out and let the cooler weather roll in. Bring on the sweaters, apples, and root veggies (and maybe a little more couch cuddling and a new tv show to sink my teeth into while knitting). And I have already noticed a few trees giving away some colorful leave. Foliage season… the best time of year (minus all the annoying leaf peepers) But before we get to ahead of ourselves, we have the other time of the year coming up.. Back to school!! I myself am not really effected by this,other then all the littles in my life are going back, which means less babysitting (happy!/Sad) And let’s not mention all the back to school supplies I am drooling over. Trapper keepers, watercolors and cool new backpacks. The kiddos are all getting ready with their new sneakers, crisp, empty notebooks, and a fancy new sweater. Me, I am just being jealous, hoping maybe one of them will give me one of their extra cool new pencils with the removable eraser. Maybe once everything ends up on clearance, I’ll buy myself a new composition notebook. You know, the ones where you can color all the white parts in with a bright pink neon marker. A customized badass notebook Those are my favorite.
So besides all that, here are some eventful things from the my life this week in list form.
Yeah, that’s about sums it up.
But here, have some internet stuff to check out.
-I think I need this entire bed set to be happy.
-And I want to do this to a set of sheet too!
-Totally into this house, especially the toilet on the door.
Not sure if this is for real, but it’t pretty freaking funny. Lady Gaga Threatening Legal Action Over Breast Milk Ice Cream Flavor ‘Royal Baby Gaga’
– I think I should get me some goats. Goats May Be Unwelcome In Zimbabwe’s Capital, But D.C. Loves Them
-The Duo Coffee Steeper. This might be fantastic.. Someone buy one and let me know how it works.
–Soothing Spaces… I like
-Watch This Hilarious Parody of Artisanal Food Makers
-I love The Purl Bee. Another project that I have to make.
And some photos from the week.
This past week my dad has been in town to spend some time with the family. Besides going about my normal life, every day I have been with at least one, if not a bunch of my siblings and or father (Aaaaaaahhhhh!!!). Spending as much time as I have with them this week has made me realize how much I love them, and how crazy they are. I am happy to have spent all this time with everybody, but am very much excited to have a day to myself, because again, they are all f ing crazy.
But today is not a reclusive day.
Today is our annual Stem family reunion. We all get together, immediate and extended, at my uncles cabin, up in the sticks of Vermont and gossip, hike around, eat, and try not to drive our 94 year old grams completely cray. It’s one of the highlights of my summer.
So now, before heading out, I am trying to figure out what exactly I have for ingredients to throw together some type of peach situation… so I gots to get to that. And of course the coffee. I need the coffee, and lots of it.
Hope you folks are living up the end of summer!!!
Here is some internet fun stuff.
-This is so great I want to draw on my walls now
-The world we live in. Could Sexting Help Your Relationship?
– I love these cabins, the pictures are beautiful
-Another place I could totally live in
– Why is the world so beautiful. A theoretical physicist searches for the design behind nature’s beauty.
–These or these I can’t decide
-I love maps. Lithuanian Artist Makes Incredibly Detailed Paper Cuts Of City Maps
-Only in VT. One Vermont Ballet Group Is Mixing Dance With Cows In ‘Farm To Ballet’
And some pictures from the week
Hopefully.
And hopefully you party people out there will be able to do a little of the same, or at least the chillin part. It is a 3 day weekend after all (not for us, but whatever)
Some internet fun finds.
-Sleeping in a loft that I have to crawl to get to the bed… this Gallery of Gorgeous Attic Bedrooms makes me so jealous..
-This new startup wants to sell you ugly fruit and veggies. I still don’t get it, it’s not ugly, its awesome.
-So cool and reminds me of my late brother in law. Wet Fold Origami Technique Gives Wavy Personality to Paper Animals by Artist Hoang Tien Quyet
-Could this be my new home? And I love a good plant lady. BURSTING WITH PLANTS, A 1910 PORTLAND FOURSQUARE FOR A FLORIST AND BARISTA
-Its so weird how try this is. Going, Going, Gone: 30+ Items That Are Disappearing from Our Homes
-We are doing this is the humongus pot hole in front of our house(we want to anyway) Treats in the Streets: Artist Jim Bachor Fills Potholes with Ice Cream Mosaics
-Holy shit is this the mister. 5 Conditions That Afflict the Reluctant Dishwasher. (1 and 2 really hit the nail)
A few photos from the week
Goodbye fiddleheads…. Hello ferns
Happy long weekend! (if you are lucky to have one!)
-C
Yesterday I spent the entire day (ok maybe not the entire day), but a the better part of the afternoon defrosting my freezer. Sure, I do the occasional chip chop here and there, just enough from around the freezer door so it will close, but ever few months I notice that everything in the fridge is not staying cold and that the freezer is not freezing stuff. Thats when I know its for real time to defrost. So a few days ago when I noticed my bananas were turing to liquid in the freezer, I knew it what I had to do….Completely empty the fridge and melt/hack away the 2-4 inches of ice build up that accumulated. It is such a freaking pain in the ass.So on this defrosting day, I took all the stuff from the freezer, stuck it in a cooler, and the rest of the stuff, which is basically all veggies, I just tossed on the table. As I am hacking away with a metal spatual, a wooden spoon, and a constant rotation of pots of boiling water, I was thinking about dinner. I figured I might as well just eat up as much of the veggies as I could, you know, so I didn’t have to put them back in the fridge. And also, I was getting pretty annoyed because this particular defrosting session was taking way longer the anticipated, which made making dinner seem like another pain in the ass. I figured I might as well just eat everything that is already out on the table, which pretty much narrowed down the “whats for dinner” conversations because it was already all over the place. And so dinner was a humongo salad for me, and for the mister, I made him a monster of a veggie sandwich. (my salad was exactly the same stuff as the sandwich, minus the bagel) Easy, fast, super duper yummy, pretty and piled so high with tons of veggies that the fridge is pretty much empty now.
Look at the is beast. I don’t call it a monster sandwich for nothing.
The stuff included in this monster veggie sandwich..
Romaine lettuce, tomato, avocado for there is not real sandwich without them. Thinly sliced radishes, cucumber,a and onion for nice crispy crunch. Shredded beets, carrots, and purple cabbage to give more crunch and a bit of sweetness. Then of course there needs to be something pickled, so I used banana peppers cause they are the SHIT!! And lastly some hummus for a nice creamy finish (plus a bit of protein) and yellow mustard because mustard on everything is just right. Heres to a mountain if goodness that is no longer in the fridge! Served with a another mountain of roasted parsnips and carrots (more stuff from the fridge) and a tall glass of iced tea.
Lucky that today is farm share pick up cause the fridge is pretty much on empty.
Yea it’s Thursday!!!!
-C
A Monster Veggie Sandwich
Note. This is just a guide.. Feel free to use whatever veggies you fancy.
To assemble. Ready your bread.. Toast if you want, and stick it on a plate
On either side, smear the hummus and the mustard.
Pick a side, start to stack by evenly disrupting veggies on top of veggies. Place the second piece of bread on top and giving a little smooth to keep it together.
And go at it. Cut in half or don’t. Have a napkin or a long sleeve ready to wipe your face.
Sloppy yes, trashy, not so much. These are made with beans and bulgur. No meat.
And I figured it is nice enough out that I can make the kiddos some messy food and then just bring them out back and hose them off… I mean, why not right?
If you are a bun toaster… toast while waiting. If not, just get the buns ready
And Then dump a good heaping pile right onto a bun. Add some cheese, or not..and eat with wild abandonment, making sure to get as much on your face as you get in you mouth.
Fantastic Friday!! Live it up.
-C
Black Bean and Bulgur Sloppy Joes
Dice the onion and the pepper and toss with a drizzle of olive oil into a large skillet. Sauté on medium heat until veggies become tender. Add in the spices, stir in and let cook for a minutes, then add in the beans, the tomato,water and the bugler. Cover skillet and let simmer until bugler becomes soft.
When the slop is ready, either toasted or not, scoop a generous portions onto buns. If so inclined, add some cheese.
Eat with hands… Sloppy is good.
Fresh, cheap and requested veggies….those are must makes. And the mister was happy with I handed him the plate of oh so lovely looking crispy crunchy loveliness. (I kind of like to make him happy…sometimes)
A bit of spice, a bit of crispy , a lot a yum. Serve with some crunchy veggies, maybe a squeeze of lemon and definitely some type of avocado situation.
A beer would be lovely too!
Have a fantastic weekend!
-C
Spicy Crispy baked Cauliflower
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
In a bowl, mix together sriracha and oil. In a separate bowl, mix salt, pepper, any seasonings you might like, and corn meal. Take cauliflower and toss in sauce to coat. Remove from sauce and toss around in cornmeal mixture till fully coated, but try not to hand too much so the coating doesn’t come off. Place pieces on a lightly oiled baking sheet and stick into oven. Bake for about 15 minutes, remove and flip pieces. Back into the oven for another 15-20 minutes (depending on you crispy preference) Remove when golden brown (or darker if you like) and serve immediately.
Cucumber, celery, and carrots are great accompaniments.. also a little mashed avocado or guacamole is much appreciated.