I am good. You good? Hopefully not super crazy and feeling stressed about holiday stuff? Don’t let it get you. It is suppose to be fun and happy so take a few minutes and just do you. No stress.
Monday was the mr’s actual birthday and we celebrated by taking a day trip out to the North East Kingdom to explore and see some nature. Got lunch, checked out a cool hardware store, blasted the heat in the car, and drank a lot of coffee. Came home and made lasagna and went to bed kind of early. I was a nice end to his birthday week. Until next time.
The rest of the week was up and down. We were suppose to go the PA to visit Dad this weekend with Meg but the plans got canceled when someone (Justin) got the flu. We ran around trying to get a bunch of stuff done, stressing out, but then once we knew we weren’t going, well we still have been running around trying to get a bunch of stuff done. Or better yet, running around yes, but also a couple of those day we spent siting around for hours (HOURS!!!!!) on hold trying to figure out our heath insurances. That was the worst. I don’t know how many times I almost threw my phone against the wall (many). All part of being an adult right? Blah. The waiting time did give me a chance to tackle the Christmas cards I have been working on for a few weeks now so that was good.
What else.. I woke up the other night to pee, tried to get out of bed but got caught in the blankets and fell, almost smashing my head against the radiator. The mr freaked, turned on the light and found me just lying there. It was a rough fall and I am still feeling it all over. On a different note, I finally got a new broom which might just be the highlight of my week. It was actually a 2 pack with a dustpan and sweeps like a champ. The old broom was so bad that I stopped using it because I swear sweeping with it just left a streak of more dirt. Yeah for new broom!
Yesterday was a blast. The first annual cookie house contraction day (now a annual tradition). I would say gingerbread house, but I used sugar cookies instead because I know the littles and it was the right thing to do. I woke up early, baked off all the pieces, gathered a ton of candy and had people bring some too, and off we went. Miley, Judah, So, Alex, Coco, and Barb, plus me, the mr, and Megan. Enough to build a village. Got everyone well fed before construction (Mac and cheese and pb and J) and got to work. Construction might not have gone as smoothly as I hopped (canned frosting doesn’t work as well as the sugar glue I made) but we figured it out. And once the houses were up, it was one big plume of sugar. Frosting and candy everywhere. There was so much sugar that I swear I was getting contact sugar high from all the littles. But the houses, they were coming out so awesome. I was truly impressed. Most of the houses stayed upright, but there were a couple the might have had a little too much candy (definitely Miley’s) and had the roof collapse. All good though because she just starting to eat it and well, yeah. After the doses of sugar the littles ran circles around the house, and then left. I stayed and spent the rest of the day scraping sugar off of every surface in the house wishing that I had bought a steam mop with that broom. (I used to have one and it broke but it was amazing and that is all I want for Christmas now)
Today the mr and I are commuted to finishing all the Christmas cards, getting them addressed, and sending them out TOMORROW. I plan on going to the gym and grocery store this morning but then hunkering down for the rest of the day, listening to Christmas music and getting them done. They need to be done. We are way late on sending them out this year. Oops.
Internet from the week.
–Santa Is Nothing but Stress for Families Who Don’t Believe in Him. I remember when I stopped believing in Santa.. sad day. And now with all the littles, some believe and some don’t. it is hard to keep their little mouths shut.
–Not everything needs to come in pill form.See the diverse ingredients in traditional Chinese apothecaries
-How freaking badass. Horse-Riding Librarians Were the Great Depression’s Bookmobiles
-Why People Wait 10 Days to Do Something That Takes 10 Minutes. I never ever procrastinate cleaning. It’s just not worth it. And I am crazy.
–How best to harness the power of garlic in your everyday cooking. So many ways to use one simple ingredient and it can turn any dish from one thing to another.
-Never!!!! I Bought My Live Christmas Tree on Amazon — Here’s How It Went.
–Google’s 10 Most Searched Foods in 2018. Keto is a big deal huh? Me, I for sure googled romaine a few times.
–Why is the night sky dark? It’s all about the stars.
-If I have kids, wooden blocks are all I will have for toys, well those and a basket of river rocks and lots and lots of art supplies. But no plastic and NOTHING that needs to be plugged into anything or needs batteries. How Melissa & Doug captured the toy market, one wooden block at a time
–It’s Time to Stop Calling Foods ‘Crack. Agreed
Pictures from the week
I am kind of sick right now. A chest cold thing and maybe e coli from all the romaine. Plus my arm hurts a shit ton from kind of dropping a 500 pound cast iron sink on it. Oh and I spilt boiling hot water on my leg and burn the shit out of myself, and I grabbed a falling cactus which got a hand full of prickers stuck into it. Plus I am still feeling all sorts of sad about Only. I guess you could say I am not at my finest right now. But this time nest week, I am sure I will be radiant and gleeful. HAHA. (But I sure do hope so.)
The past two weeks have been a blur. Only getting sick and then having to put him down took it all right out of me. Dealing with him being so sick and then the week after him being gone…just so shitty. But there was good stuff too.. There was lots of snow that made me so so happy. Shannon had a pizza birthday party. The family did the annual pre -Thanksgiving Thanksgiving, which the mr and I only spent a short time at because we had to bring Only to the vets. There were dinners with the littles, more snow, cold weather, work stuff, broom shopping, heavy cast iron sink moving. There was stuff.
Then we did a little Thnaksgiving on actual Thanksgiving with Erin and the littles. We played board games (well, they did, I was cooking), made Christmas decorations, listened to Christmas music and danced a little. I made tofu lasagna, mac and cheese, potatoes, and bread. And of course there were veggies and fruit, but yea, starch bomb. But that is what the littles wanted. I am nothing but accommodating. Quite, low key, and everyone was happy. It was a just what I needed.
And then the day after Thanksgiving was Erins birthday so the littles came over again and we made her a cake and they slept over and we watched more Christmas movies and ate pancakes for breakfast all the while I was feeling like garbage. So after we brought them home, I kind of curled in on myself. I can’t deal with being sick.
So today the mr and I are going to keep it a low key day, probably just putz around the house, maybe hang the Christmas lights outside, read a lot, drink lots and lots of hot tea (and coffee). I don’t want to get any sicker then I am so I need to kick it. That’s the goal for the day Get un-sick!
Some stuff from the internet that I looked at that you can look at too.
-I asked the mr if he could ever do a fake tree. He hesitated but said no. (the hesitation shocked me) I could never get a fake tree, or scratch that. I must always have the main tree be real. Having extra fake trees is ok. Hking in the woods to cut our tree down is probably one of my favorite things ever. Real all the way. Real And Fake Christmas Tree Sellers Fight For American Hearts And Minds.
–Reading Fiction Makes You a Little Nicer. With all the reading I do, should I be nicer. Ha
-We must ACT NOW! It isn’t a freaking joke. Shit is already hitting the fan. Climate impacts grow, and U.S. must act, says new report
–Sweet Potatoes: It’s A Thin Line Between Love And Hate. Sweet potatoes are amazing. I can’t understand how some people hate them. They just haven’t had it roasted with cumin and chili powder or covered in tahini.
-Can Anyone Save PBR? The beer that conquered Brooklyn is on the brink of extinction. I know a lot of people who will be so sad if PBR goes away. (the mr for sure)
–Why Does It Seem Like Everyone Is Getting Sick from Salad? Another reason to eat as local as you can. (although more then half my food is local but I am still convinced I got E coli form the romaine… I need my own farm to grow ALL my own food!)
-Holiday crafting is the best. I am working on something like this.
–Breathing Through the Nose May Offer Unique Brain Benefits. To smell all the smells.
-I am really feeling these shoes…but I will never buy them because I don’t buy shoes. But someone needs to get a pair.
-Oh, The Places You’ll Go: Toilet Signs Try To Help
Pictures from the past two weeks. There are not a lot because I pretty much didn’t take any pictures for a week.
The thing with having an abundance of squash in the house, and having the abundance keep growing (we get a lot of squashes at farm share) is that I need to cook just about every meal with said abundance, which I am totally on happy to do. I welcome all the squash. I am excited about all the squash. I could eat al the squash all day, everyday. And I do. But that is me. The mr and the others the I sometimes cook for, they are not as squash crazy as me and get sick of plain old roasted squash so I am trying to change it up and make new and interesting things out of the squash so no one gets bored with it.
Yes, I know stuffing an acorn squash is hardly a new idea, but this squash is not stuffed with the usual rice and stuff, it stuffed with lots of black beans and cumin and chili powder spiced cauliflower (and a few other things). The combination of all the flavors with the acorn squash really hit all the right spots for a tasty, not boring squash meal. It is a brilliant combination of flavors that even the not so keen on squash person will love.
That is my opinion of course but it will be your opinion too after you make and eat these. We will brilliant together.
To the stuffed squash.
The stuff. An acorn squash, some cauliflower, cooked black beans, an onion, and a few kale leaves. Also need some cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. salsa, and olive oil.
Start by cutting the squash in half and scooping out all the seeds.
Place the squash open side down on a baking sheet or in a skillet lightly oiled and then stick into a hot oven to roast.
After the squash goes in, dice up the onion and cauliflower into small little pieces.
Place the chopped stuff onto a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and toss with the cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Get that into the oven too.
Roasted, and ready. Stop, do not eat it all, but you might want too, it is so freaking good.
And once this guy in fork tender, its ready as well.
Scoop out a bit of the cooked squash from each side making the well bigger. More room to stuff.
Get everything together. Chop the kale, grab a bowl.
The black beans, salsa, scooped out cooked squash go into bowl. Add in the roasted cauliflower and onion and the chopped kale and mix.
Now stuff each side. Get as much in as you can, mound it as high as you can and place back into oven to bake for a little bit longer.
Cooked and slightly crispy in all the right ways.
These stuffed suckers are everything we all wanted and didn’t know we needed. Fantastic, and all the more when serves with extra salsa, sliced avocado, and a wedge of lime.
Go get at it.
Bye!
-C
Makes 2 stuffed halves. This recipe is very easy to fiddle with and can easily be double or tripled.
1 medium sized acorn squash
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans
1/4 head of cauliflower (about 2 cups chopped before roasting)
a small onion
a few kale leaves
1/4 cup thick and chunky salsa
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon chili pepper
salt and pepper
olive oil
Avocado, lime, extra salsa (optional)
Preheat oven to 400
Slice acorn squash in half and scoop out all the seeds. (seeds can be roasted). Place both halves cut side down on a lightly oiled baking sheet or oven safe skillet and place in oven to roast for about 30-35 minutes or until the squash is fork tender.
Once squash is in oven, dice the onion and cauliflower into small pieces and place on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and toss together with the cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Place into oven along with the squash. Roast for 15-20 minutes or until the cauliflower is lightly browned and tender.
When the cauliflower is roasted and squash is cooked, get all the rest of the ingredients ready. Dice up the kale . Take each side of squash and scoop out about an inch more of cooked squash, leaving a good sized well. Place cooked squash into a bowl and kind of mash it up. Add in the beans, the salsa, the kale, and the roasted cauliflower and onions. Season with salt and pepper and mix it all up. Take filling and fill the squashes, stuffing as much as you can in and mounding it on top. Place the halves back onto baking sheet or skillet and place back into oven for 10-15 minutes until nice and browned and slightly crispy on top. Pull from oven and serve. Although not necessary, extra salsa, avocado, a lime are much appreciated.
Are you so excited that it is spring? I know I am. But I am also realistic and know that even though it is “officially” spring, it is not going feel like spring here for a little while. There are still a few more weeks of potential snow storms and cold weather and then there is mud season before we really get to spring and things growing and green. And plus there are still plenty of roots to finish up before we get into all the fresh spring veggies. You can’t plant broccoli and pea into frozen snow covered soil.
I love me some root veggies, they are some of my favorite, although like every year around this time I am starting to tire of them. But what are you going to do? Stop complaining and stuff them into a spring roll with some lighter veggies and enjoy while you can because once the roots are gone, they are gone (until the fall).
These spring rolls are good, I mean really really good. The combination of the roasted roots with a fresh tangy mixture of crispy crunchy veggies and fresh ginger and soy and they are just really good. When I made these, it was still vey cold outside so I even went an extra step and baked the rolls to give them a little crispiness to the wrapper because crispy warm food is kind of nice when its cold out. Because it is still cold out.
Happy Spring!!!
The stuff. For roots we are using beet, celeriac, parsnip, and carrot. Then we need onion, kale, cabbage, garlic, fresh ginger and rice spring roll wrapper. Also some sesame seeds, soy or tamari, apple cider vinegar, and a little oil or avocado oil.
First thing to do is get the roots roasting. Cut the roots into !/4 inch thick disks and place right onto a lightly oiled baking sheet then stick into the oven to roast until browned and tender.
As soon as the roots are in the oven, chop the kale nice and small. Thinly slice the onion and the cabbage and mince and grate the ginger and garlic. Cute the carrot into very thin matchsticks.
Toss it all into a bowl and mix with the soy and the vinegar… (this mixture is so very very good.. might just be a salad here soon)
Don’t be gentle, toss with your hands. You can lick then after too.
Roasted and cooled roots get a nice matchstick chop so they fit into the rolls.
About time for assembly time. Damp wrapper with a pile of the cabbage, kale, carrot, onion mixture and a few pieces of each of the roots topped with a sprinkle of sesame. Oh so pretty all waiting to be wrapped up.
Fold sides over, fold bottom up, and roll nice and tight. Easy peasy.
Place the rolls on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Lightly brush each roll with a little oil as well and stick them into the oven. After 10 minutes, flip them over was bake for 8 or so minutes more until both sides are lightly crisp.
And the they be done. Eat right away and serve with extra soy sauce.
See, we are still happy to eat our roots. And spring veggies will be here before you know it.
-C
make 6-8 spring rolls
1 beet
1 parsnip
a small bulb of celeriac (celery root)
1 carrot
1/4 head of cabbage
1 small red onion
2-3 kale leaves
1 tablespoon soy or tamari
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
tablespoon oil
about 2tablespoons sesame seeds
6-8 rice spring roll wrappers
Preheat oven to 400.
Slice the parsnip, celery root, and beet into 1/4 inch thick disks and place on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, flip, then bake for 10 or so more minutes or until the veggies are browned and tender.
When the roots are in the oven, thinly slice the cabbage and onion and toss into a bowl. Chop the kale into small pieces and thinly slice the carrot into matchsticks about 2-3 inches long. Place it all into the bowl with the grated ginger, minced garlic, vinegar and soy sauce. Toss it all around and let it sit while the other veggies are roasting.
Once the roots have cooked, remove form oven and let cool. Keep oven on. When they are cool enough to handle, slice the disks into matchsticks 2-3 inches long.
Time to assemble. Grab all the veggies
Take a shallow dish that can hold a little water and is big enough for a wrapper to fit and add warm water to it.
Keep your baking sheet from the veggies close and lightly oil it again.
Place a wrapper in warm water then place on a wet surface. (keep surface slightly wet or the wrapper will stick) Add a good pinch or so or the cabbage/kale/carrot veggie mix into the center of the wrapper then add a few of each of the matchstick roots on top. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and then roll. Once rolled, place on baking sheet.
When all the rolls are made, lightly brush the tops with oil and place into the oven and bake foe 10-15 minutes, flipping half way through
Remove from oven when each slide is lightly crispy and serve right away, preferably with more soy sauce to dip in.
Ah winter. Warm and sunny one day, then bam, snow and wind and bitter bitter cold. Why you got to be so fickle winter?
I shoveled quite a bit this week. We didn’t get as much snow as some, but.we got enough to keep me busy.. The world is now heavy with fluffy (although it’s pretty heavy now) white. With all the snow we were able to go for a nice long winter hike AND we went snow showing which was fantastic and beautiful and was a great little end of winter treat. Now my hope is that we were going to finish up winter with this last hurrah this week (another storm is a’comin). One more week is fine, I can handle one more week of really cold and snow and ice because it will all of a sudden be spring. Then we can finally put the boots away and I can uncover my bike that I prematurely brought out into the world and is now a bike icicle (a bicycle.. haha) I can make it one more week, I think I kind of have too.
Besides the snow the rest of the week stuff went mostly well. As always there was work, littles, and a grocery cart full of cabbage, although I did break my freaking camera. I first I thought I just smashed the lense but there is definitely something broken it the body. How it happened? I got the strap caught on a handle while I was taking pictures and it kind of tugged/yanked out of my hand and smashed into the wheel of the kitchen island. So son of a bitch I have to get a new camera. But hey we got new tooth brushes and we all know that new tooth brush day is always a fine day.
Friday night we went out on the town and hit up the opening night of Mileys play Mary Poppins. First off, Miley was awesome and did a fantastic job. Secondly, holy crap was that torture. I totally and completely understand that the play was more for the kids, and like the mr said, we were there to watch the kids learn and have fun, but 3 hours of sitting in plastic chairs with grumpy littles and not being able to even hear a word the kids were sayings… It was rough and it kind of kicked my ass. Yes, an elementary school play kicked my ass. But jeez, 3 hours…I guess I am not one for the theater.
It’s Sunday and I am feeling fine. The house is clean, I washed my hair last night so I don’t have to do it today, and I have a good book to keep me reading throughout the day. I am contepletaing weather or not to play around in the kitchen and maybe start making some bagels?… If not today, this week for sure. I might just settle for a good long walk, coffee, and reading all day long. That would make me pleased as punch. Hopefully your day will make you pleased as ouch too.
Internet reading from the week.
–The Science of How Your Diet Affects Your Mental Health. Of course it does and in so many many ways.
–I heard on tv or something that the Unicorn is Scotlands national animal. I didn’t believe it but it’s true. Why is the Unicorn Scotland’s national animal?
-Tennessee ‘Natural’ Burial Ground Will Offer A Simpler Farewell — Casket Optional. Talking about what’s good after death isn’t always fun, but you know, it’s gonna happen some day. This place sounds just about right although I don’t want to be buried in Tennessee, I want my own VT natural burial ground.
-This is my kind of tiny house.
-I am partial to the dumpsters. Haha. But really, kinda of into this. In Britain’s Playgrounds, ‘Bringing in Risk’ to Build Resilience
-I watched Even Stevens when I was in middle school and had a little crush on Shia LaBeouf. This biopic should be interesting. to say the least..Shia LaBeouf’s Hollywood Comeback Begins with a Movie About Shia Labeouf
–Miniature Faux Fur Landscapes
-Do you hate it our love it? I very much love it. We Know (Some) People Hate Cilantro, but Why?
-I played (and won) a shit ton of Jenga in college. Meet Leslie Scott: The Woman Who Invented Jenga
–IKEA Made the “Fast Food of the Future” and It Includes Vegan Hotdogs Crickets and carrots and green buns for the win.
Pictures from the week.
What time is it really? Do you play that game when it’s Daylight Savings? For the past week I have been walking around saying it’s 4, but it really it’s going to be 5 in a few days. So yeah, a little confusing because I can do that to things. But these year I have been proactive about the change and going to bed a little earlier ever night (we spent an evening laying in bed, cause we couldn’t fall asleep so early, looking up obscure meanings of words and things about birds. Did you know that a bunch of flamingos is called a flamboyance? Sometimes I hate the internet, but sometime, sometimes it is full of magic.) and waking up a little earlier (me, not the mr) And even better, we officially lost our hour yesterday, like I set the clocks forward when I woke up(the mr was confused all day but mostly went along with it). I wanted to get it out of the way so that today can be normal and I can stop thinking about the clock. Look at me, I am so smart, or maybe just really weird, but whateva, I am one (hour) up on everyone.
The week had been pretty full and fun.. There was and has been lots of snow falling and melting and falling again. I have loved it all because warm snow days are like the best. On one of those nice days we took the littles and Barb and climbed a little mountain. (You know when you walk to the top of a mountain and see a snow penis? No,well its pretty freaking fantastic, especially when you have two littles with you. There was no shortage of wiener jokes for the rest of the day) The mr made Coco a sweet ass toddler bed and now he is sleeping in his own bed like a toddler boss. We found the last remaining light fixture needed for the bathroom and put that it, and now the house is completely done, except for wanting to start all over again. (we need to find a new shitty house to fix). I got a bunch of chores done, cleaned a bunch more, and every day getting a little more pumped about spring and outside and all the things I need to do outside once the ground thaws. I can’t wait to play in the dirt!.
Then a couple days ago the mr took me on a driving adventure that ended up at an outdoor church in the middle of nowhere to pick up some free church pews. And to see all the geese flying home. But church pews, yeah that was interesting. I didn’t really want them, but the mr was all about them and has some ideas for them. (cutting in half and sanding) SO we loaded up the truck and drove an hour with large cross incrusted pews sticking out of the. truck bed. (The things we end up doing.) As for the pews, they are cool, but I really don’t think I need a church pew in the house, way to clunky and it just doesn’t seem right.
As I said before, we lost our hour yesterday so the day was a little wonky. Ate lunch at 1 but dinner at 5 but it was really 12 and really 6 but went to bed at 8 and his clock said 4 but mine said 5, but who’s 5 were we talking about. Yeah, it was confusing but we got through it, mostly because we didn’t have anything time sensitive going on. During the day the mr and I each ended up with a little. The boys went and did some wood shop stuff and us loadies stayed here and went over her play lines and baked cookies. Or I baked cookies and the girl watched baking shows and ate cookie dough. And then I washed my hair, ate dinner and went to bed.
So today.. my brain is good but my body is still adjusting to time so I already know that I am going to need a nap today, hell, I might even just go back to bed for a little while (no, I probably won’t) Then I am going to strip the sheets and blanket and I am going to make the bed with the spring sheets and blankets because time change means it is basically spring which means I should probably get out my shorts and mud boots and get on it. But that is all after the nap, and the million cups of coffee I will be drinking today. But spring guys!!!!
Interesting internet that interested me.
-Are you a fan or do you hate the time changing? One Hundred Years Later, the Madness of Daylight Saving Time Endures
–For a Brief, Brief Moment Ketchup Was Green. I just had a conversation with the littles about the colored ketchup.. they didn’t believe me.
–We are getting closer and starting to prepare… are you? Companion Vegetable and Herb Planting in Raised Rows
–The Joyful Dancing Boys of Instagram. Amazing. These little dudes remind me of my nephew Jackson when he was a little… The kids could dance like no other..and then cry whe he messed up. SO cute.
-I always wondered why the hell you can’t recycle the cartons and try to avoid them as much as possible. I hate not being able to recycle, it makes me mad. In The Recycling World, Why Are Some Cartons Such A Problem?
-LEGO Goes Green With Sustainable Bricks Made From Sugar. So can you eat them?
-I could see us needing this pretty soon because living in a van…. This Solar Energy System Is Perfect For #VanLife
-How cool would it be to see wild flamingos, they are so pretty. Florida’s Long-Lost Wild Flamingos Were Hiding In Plain Sight
-More fantastic terms for groups or flock of birds.
–These shoes... I really want these shoes.
And pictures from the week.
Another week come and gone. The month of February is already flying by and I would be lying if I said I cared, because I kind of don’t. It’s not that I am not appreciative of every day and all that good stuff, but I am, and more so everyone around me, are in the midst of some serious winter crazy. It happens, and I accept it, but I just want to open all windows, stop having to wear all the layers, sleep under a tree, and get away from all the people. I could do all that now, but then I would be really cold , so I wait, and I deal with all the crazy. At least I like winter weather and have been able to escape outside when I need to. But I think that hardest part for me right now it food. I miss freshy fresh food. This is probably my slimmest month for food, which is basically all roots. I have gone through pretty much all of my back stock of frozen and canned stuff from last summer. I have already gone through all my farm share which is basically all roots and hasn’t had much for greens lately and probably won’t for another few weeks. I am starting to really crave the fresh stuff, more greens, beans, tomatoes, eggplants, you know, the spring and summer stuff. Yeah sure I can go buy that food at the grocery store, but it is all out of season and would probably taste like shit so I will settle for bitching a little here and wait for the good stuff to be more in season. That is the natural thing to do.
Enough of the bitching because it really hasn’t been a bad week. The mr and I went for a little hike in the woods which was just so very very nice. Did a bit of babysitting of just the baby. (he is obsessed with his Woody and Jessie calls.. so dang cute) We hung out with the bigger littles and talked lofted bed building, and my mom and Barb came over to eat the cutest little heart jam hand pies. The mr got his new mud hawk which he now carries around the house everywhere with him and has also been bringing home more and more tools to add to the collection on the back porch (aka, the wooden spoon carving work shop) He is now officially obsessed.
The Olympics started and I have sound myself on more then one occasion watching the people do the craziest of things.(are you watching?) I never used to really care but I don’t know, I found myself a little more interested this year, especially in the figure skating. Those athletes are beasts. How the heck they do what they do it is beyond me. I guess that is why we watch them right?
I was talking last week about how I wanted to start painting everything. Well I haven’t painted everything, but I did paint the kids rooms cave a really dark blue. I am really excited to finish painting all the stars and set the room up more for the kids and also so that the mr and I can use it a bit too. House projects.. I am trying to not get myself to deep into anything right now, at least until I can open the windows to air out the fumes. (paint fumes are not joke)
I am not are whats going on today. The mr is running around, doing some landlord stuff, some moving , some shaking. (That guy, I tell you, he is always doing something for someone else. He really is a gem of a person.) Me, I might lend a hand too, but I really just want to keep on painting the room, do laundry, take a walk into the woods, and nap. Or drink all the coffee in the world, embrace the crazy stirring inside of me, and see where I end up. Maybe I’ll go take a crack at some figurer skating.. hahaha. I don’t not need to spend the day in the hospital.
A few internet links from the week.
-If you are watching the Olympics ice skaters and have no idea how it is possible and what the hell is going on. Figure skating jumps, explained
-These are some cray cray potties. Japanese-Designed Public Restrooms in the Shape of Fish, Crabs, Tree Stumps
-Everyone pees in the shower. If you say you don’t, I don’t believe you. Is it OK to Pee in the Shower?
–Space X sent a cute red Tesla Roadster into space. Here’s what’ll probably happen to it. Car accidents happen, even in space.
North Korea’s Cheer Squad. Whoa ladies, whoa.
–Eating Leafy Greens Each Day Tied to Sharper Memory, Slower Decline. I eat more greens in a week then the average person does in a year. I will never loss my mind!!!!
-I am not a barque of roses type of girl, but I know that a lot of people are. But do you ever wonder Why Do We Give Roses On Valentine’s Day?
–Why Your Brain Clings To False Beliefs (Even When It Knows Better)
–Sorry, I’m a Mammal: A History of Women & Body Hair // RAZOR BURN: A Brief History of How We Got Tricked Into Shaving. Lucky me, I was not tricked although it does piss some people off.
–FABRIC IN THE WIND. Something about billowing fabrics makes things slow down and gives me some feelings.
Pictures from the week
I woke up this morning with a very vvid recollection of the dream I was having. In it I was the inventor of a thing called The Fire Stick, which essentially was a fishing pole with fire on the end that you stick in water( know, it makes no sense ) and it somehow propels you around. In the dream, I was using my Fire Stick to cruise down a river on a makeshift raft because I was fleeing something and I needed to leave by water. Thats it, but I know in my dream I was damn proud of my Fire Stick. Dream me is very strange and scares me a little.
The mr and I have no big projects going on right now so he is doing a bunch of side work and I am doing little things around the house plus trying to get through the taxes (I am procarsinationg so hard) I am getting a touch of cabin/spring cleaning fever and am starting to think about running away or repainting all the walls… which is crazy because it hasn’t been more then a year since I last painted. So I guess that leaves running away. Ha. What I really need to do is build a shit ton of shelves and reorganize the closets, but that takes measuring and buying wood and power tools and the mr so it will have to wait. ( I have to sweet talk him into having a shelf making day with me.. I would do it alone, but it will be much easier and nicer if he helps) And the running away part, well we are working on that part too.
Other then my crazy, the week has been pretty good. The mr got me another new power tool (I am returning the scroll saw in favor of band saw) The back porch has unofficially turned into a wood carving studio. And not just for me, the mr is really into wood carving right now too. We even braved negative temperatures to walk around on the beach to find cool pieces of drift wood to make spoons out of. (he gets pretty jazzed about stuff and there is not stopping him) Before that freezing cold returned there was a day where we were able to walk the wold without jackets and that was the day we took Shannon out for a walk. That lady just got a new hip and already she is walking better then I can. Maybe I will get myself a new hip too. Or new knees. I could be unstoppable.
Qui came over for a vegan banana bread baking how to, which got me thinking that I should start teaching vegan baking. Then Barb came over for chili and a dance party party, and then we had the little over for a sleep over and all around house trashing. I don’t know how they do it, but those littles make the biggest mess out of nothing. And they are sticky and gross and even surface needs to be wipes after they leave.
We did treat ourselves to a little culture and went to the Shelburne Museum to check out the Sweet Tooth art exhibit. It was cool, but not exactly what I was expecting. It was only a small room with a handful of pieces and I wanted more, and bigger and more, like the giant ring pops. Those were cool. I want a room full of giant candy, but no candy wrappers. The wrappers freak me out. But the next exhibit I am really interested in seeing too. It’s a puppet exhibit and that’s got be be some kind of fantastic.
Are you super bowling today? Yesterday the mr and I ran into the grocery store and it was packed with people, with shopping carts all full of chips and beer and garbage food. It was kind of crazy. We figured it was all for the football game. Then we started to blame everything that was annoying on the football game. It’s nice to have a reason for it all. This football game day thing always makes me feel like it is a holiday that I am not celebrating and I am ok with that.
So no football here today, just keeping it easy, maybe getting out into some woods at some point then maybe some reading or Netflixing some Grace and Franky. Keeping it low on this non holiday day. People be crazy and I want to stay away from them. Plus I have the Fire Stick to think about. Haha.
Stuff from the internet that I read this week.
–The ‘IKEA Effect’ — And Getting Kids To Eat Their Veggies. Eat what you make and be proud of it, veggies and all.
-Things we should all know. Why Dogs Have Floppy Ears: An Animated Tale
–It’s Reportedly Becoming ‘Normal’ to See Whole Foods Employees Cry at Work. I think I cried a little when I worked at Heathy Living.
-I have had a conversation with the littles about what shape carrot tastes better (when they are cut into chips) Does Chopping Change Your Vegetables?
-Interesting planned, one that I think humans should leave alone. It’s enough to destroy one plant, lets stay away from the others. Pictures of Mars
–The Many Questions We Have About These Cookbook Covers. When I saw this, all I could think was douche bags. If anyone came up behind me while I was chopping anything, well there might be a unintentional stabbing.
-I don’t know if I ever will do this, but I really like the idea. HOW TO MAKE A LARGE SCALE (PATCHWORK) DIY RUG
-This is no Why Procrastination is Good for You
–What to Do When You Worry Yourself Awake. Do your worrying during the day.
–Axe-Throwing Bars: Why Mixing Weapons And Beer Is Surprisingly Good Business. But is it? Got to keep the hipsters happy. I guess it is kind of like really big darts, which I could totally get behind, but there is some real potential for some crazy shit to happen.
THE LOVELY CRAZY
December 21, 2018 by maximios • Blog
I am good. You good? Hopefully not super crazy and feeling stressed about holiday stuff? Don’t let it get you. It is suppose to be fun and happy so take a few minutes and just do you. No stress.
Monday was the mr’s actual birthday and we celebrated by taking a day trip out to the North East Kingdom to explore and see some nature. Got lunch, checked out a cool hardware store, blasted the heat in the car, and drank a lot of coffee. Came home and made lasagna and went to bed kind of early. I was a nice end to his birthday week. Until next time.
The rest of the week was up and down. We were suppose to go the PA to visit Dad this weekend with Meg but the plans got canceled when someone (Justin) got the flu. We ran around trying to get a bunch of stuff done, stressing out, but then once we knew we weren’t going, well we still have been running around trying to get a bunch of stuff done. Or better yet, running around yes, but also a couple of those day we spent siting around for hours (HOURS!!!!!) on hold trying to figure out our heath insurances. That was the worst. I don’t know how many times I almost threw my phone against the wall (many). All part of being an adult right? Blah. The waiting time did give me a chance to tackle the Christmas cards I have been working on for a few weeks now so that was good.
What else.. I woke up the other night to pee, tried to get out of bed but got caught in the blankets and fell, almost smashing my head against the radiator. The mr freaked, turned on the light and found me just lying there. It was a rough fall and I am still feeling it all over. On a different note, I finally got a new broom which might just be the highlight of my week. It was actually a 2 pack with a dustpan and sweeps like a champ. The old broom was so bad that I stopped using it because I swear sweeping with it just left a streak of more dirt. Yeah for new broom!
Yesterday was a blast. The first annual cookie house contraction day (now a annual tradition). I would say gingerbread house, but I used sugar cookies instead because I know the littles and it was the right thing to do. I woke up early, baked off all the pieces, gathered a ton of candy and had people bring some too, and off we went. Miley, Judah, So, Alex, Coco, and Barb, plus me, the mr, and Megan. Enough to build a village. Got everyone well fed before construction (Mac and cheese and pb and J) and got to work. Construction might not have gone as smoothly as I hopped (canned frosting doesn’t work as well as the sugar glue I made) but we figured it out. And once the houses were up, it was one big plume of sugar. Frosting and candy everywhere. There was so much sugar that I swear I was getting contact sugar high from all the littles. But the houses, they were coming out so awesome. I was truly impressed. Most of the houses stayed upright, but there were a couple the might have had a little too much candy (definitely Miley’s) and had the roof collapse. All good though because she just starting to eat it and well, yeah. After the doses of sugar the littles ran circles around the house, and then left. I stayed and spent the rest of the day scraping sugar off of every surface in the house wishing that I had bought a steam mop with that broom. (I used to have one and it broke but it was amazing and that is all I want for Christmas now)
Today the mr and I are commuted to finishing all the Christmas cards, getting them addressed, and sending them out TOMORROW. I plan on going to the gym and grocery store this morning but then hunkering down for the rest of the day, listening to Christmas music and getting them done. They need to be done. We are way late on sending them out this year. Oops.
Internet from the week.
–Santa Is Nothing but Stress for Families Who Don’t Believe in Him. I remember when I stopped believing in Santa.. sad day. And now with all the littles, some believe and some don’t. it is hard to keep their little mouths shut.
–Not everything needs to come in pill form. See the diverse ingredients in traditional Chinese apothecaries
-How freaking badass. Horse-Riding Librarians Were the Great Depression’s Bookmobiles
-Why People Wait 10 Days to Do Something That Takes 10 Minutes. I never ever procrastinate cleaning. It’s just not worth it. And I am crazy.
–How best to harness the power of garlic in your everyday cooking. So many ways to use one simple ingredient and it can turn any dish from one thing to another.
-Never!!!! I Bought My Live Christmas Tree on Amazon — Here’s How It Went.
–Google’s 10 Most Searched Foods in 2018. Keto is a big deal huh? Me, I for sure googled romaine a few times.
–Why is the night sky dark? It’s all about the stars.
-If I have kids, wooden blocks are all I will have for toys, well those and a basket of river rocks and lots and lots of art supplies. But no plastic and NOTHING that needs to be plugged into anything or needs batteries. How Melissa & Doug captured the toy market, one wooden block at a time
–It’s Time to Stop Calling Foods ‘Crack. Agreed
Pictures from the week
I am kind of sick right now. A chest cold thing and maybe e coli from all the romaine. Plus my arm hurts a shit ton from kind of dropping a 500 pound cast iron sink on it. Oh and I spilt boiling hot water on my leg and burn the shit out of myself, and I grabbed a falling cactus which got a hand full of prickers stuck into it. Plus I am still feeling all sorts of sad about Only. I guess you could say I am not at my finest right now. But this time nest week, I am sure I will be radiant and gleeful. HAHA. (But I sure do hope so.)
The past two weeks have been a blur. Only getting sick and then having to put him down took it all right out of me. Dealing with him being so sick and then the week after him being gone…just so shitty. But there was good stuff too.. There was lots of snow that made me so so happy. Shannon had a pizza birthday party. The family did the annual pre -Thanksgiving Thanksgiving, which the mr and I only spent a short time at because we had to bring Only to the vets. There were dinners with the littles, more snow, cold weather, work stuff, broom shopping, heavy cast iron sink moving. There was stuff.
Then we did a little Thnaksgiving on actual Thanksgiving with Erin and the littles. We played board games (well, they did, I was cooking), made Christmas decorations, listened to Christmas music and danced a little. I made tofu lasagna, mac and cheese, potatoes, and bread. And of course there were veggies and fruit, but yea, starch bomb. But that is what the littles wanted. I am nothing but accommodating. Quite, low key, and everyone was happy. It was a just what I needed.
And then the day after Thanksgiving was Erins birthday so the littles came over again and we made her a cake and they slept over and we watched more Christmas movies and ate pancakes for breakfast all the while I was feeling like garbage. So after we brought them home, I kind of curled in on myself. I can’t deal with being sick.
So today the mr and I are going to keep it a low key day, probably just putz around the house, maybe hang the Christmas lights outside, read a lot, drink lots and lots of hot tea (and coffee). I don’t want to get any sicker then I am so I need to kick it. That’s the goal for the day Get un-sick!
Some stuff from the internet that I looked at that you can look at too.
-I asked the mr if he could ever do a fake tree. He hesitated but said no. (the hesitation shocked me) I could never get a fake tree, or scratch that. I must always have the main tree be real. Having extra fake trees is ok. Hking in the woods to cut our tree down is probably one of my favorite things ever. Real all the way. Real And Fake Christmas Tree Sellers Fight For American Hearts And Minds.
–Reading Fiction Makes You a Little Nicer. With all the reading I do, should I be nicer. Ha
-We must ACT NOW! It isn’t a freaking joke. Shit is already hitting the fan. Climate impacts grow, and U.S. must act, says new report
–Sweet Potatoes: It’s A Thin Line Between Love And Hate. Sweet potatoes are amazing. I can’t understand how some people hate them. They just haven’t had it roasted with cumin and chili powder or covered in tahini.
-Can Anyone Save PBR? The beer that conquered Brooklyn is on the brink of extinction. I know a lot of people who will be so sad if PBR goes away. (the mr for sure)
–Why Does It Seem Like Everyone Is Getting Sick from Salad? Another reason to eat as local as you can. (although more then half my food is local but I am still convinced I got E coli form the romaine… I need my own farm to grow ALL my own food!)
-Holiday crafting is the best. I am working on something like this.
–Breathing Through the Nose May Offer Unique Brain Benefits. To smell all the smells.
-I am really feeling these shoes…but I will never buy them because I don’t buy shoes. But someone needs to get a pair.
-Oh, The Places You’ll Go: Toilet Signs Try To Help
Pictures from the past two weeks. There are not a lot because I pretty much didn’t take any pictures for a week.
The thing with having an abundance of squash in the house, and having the abundance keep growing (we get a lot of squashes at farm share) is that I need to cook just about every meal with said abundance, which I am totally on happy to do. I welcome all the squash. I am excited about all the squash. I could eat al the squash all day, everyday. And I do. But that is me. The mr and the others the I sometimes cook for, they are not as squash crazy as me and get sick of plain old roasted squash so I am trying to change it up and make new and interesting things out of the squash so no one gets bored with it.
Yes, I know stuffing an acorn squash is hardly a new idea, but this squash is not stuffed with the usual rice and stuff, it stuffed with lots of black beans and cumin and chili powder spiced cauliflower (and a few other things). The combination of all the flavors with the acorn squash really hit all the right spots for a tasty, not boring squash meal. It is a brilliant combination of flavors that even the not so keen on squash person will love.
That is my opinion of course but it will be your opinion too after you make and eat these. We will brilliant together.
To the stuffed squash.
The stuff. An acorn squash, some cauliflower, cooked black beans, an onion, and a few kale leaves. Also need some cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. salsa, and olive oil.
Start by cutting the squash in half and scooping out all the seeds.
Place the squash open side down on a baking sheet or in a skillet lightly oiled and then stick into a hot oven to roast.
After the squash goes in, dice up the onion and cauliflower into small little pieces.
Place the chopped stuff onto a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and toss with the cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Get that into the oven too.
Roasted, and ready. Stop, do not eat it all, but you might want too, it is so freaking good.
And once this guy in fork tender, its ready as well.
Scoop out a bit of the cooked squash from each side making the well bigger. More room to stuff.
Get everything together. Chop the kale, grab a bowl.
The black beans, salsa, scooped out cooked squash go into bowl. Add in the roasted cauliflower and onion and the chopped kale and mix.
Now stuff each side. Get as much in as you can, mound it as high as you can and place back into oven to bake for a little bit longer.
Cooked and slightly crispy in all the right ways.
These stuffed suckers are everything we all wanted and didn’t know we needed. Fantastic, and all the more when serves with extra salsa, sliced avocado, and a wedge of lime.
Go get at it.
Bye!
-C
Makes 2 stuffed halves. This recipe is very easy to fiddle with and can easily be double or tripled.
1 medium sized acorn squash
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans
1/4 head of cauliflower (about 2 cups chopped before roasting)
a small onion
a few kale leaves
1/4 cup thick and chunky salsa
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon chili pepper
salt and pepper
olive oil
Avocado, lime, extra salsa (optional)
Preheat oven to 400
Slice acorn squash in half and scoop out all the seeds. (seeds can be roasted). Place both halves cut side down on a lightly oiled baking sheet or oven safe skillet and place in oven to roast for about 30-35 minutes or until the squash is fork tender.
Once squash is in oven, dice the onion and cauliflower into small pieces and place on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and toss together with the cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Place into oven along with the squash. Roast for 15-20 minutes or until the cauliflower is lightly browned and tender.
When the cauliflower is roasted and squash is cooked, get all the rest of the ingredients ready. Dice up the kale . Take each side of squash and scoop out about an inch more of cooked squash, leaving a good sized well. Place cooked squash into a bowl and kind of mash it up. Add in the beans, the salsa, the kale, and the roasted cauliflower and onions. Season with salt and pepper and mix it all up. Take filling and fill the squashes, stuffing as much as you can in and mounding it on top. Place the halves back onto baking sheet or skillet and place back into oven for 10-15 minutes until nice and browned and slightly crispy on top. Pull from oven and serve. Although not necessary, extra salsa, avocado, a lime are much appreciated.
Are you so excited that it is spring? I know I am. But I am also realistic and know that even though it is “officially” spring, it is not going feel like spring here for a little while. There are still a few more weeks of potential snow storms and cold weather and then there is mud season before we really get to spring and things growing and green. And plus there are still plenty of roots to finish up before we get into all the fresh spring veggies. You can’t plant broccoli and pea into frozen snow covered soil.
I love me some root veggies, they are some of my favorite, although like every year around this time I am starting to tire of them. But what are you going to do? Stop complaining and stuff them into a spring roll with some lighter veggies and enjoy while you can because once the roots are gone, they are gone (until the fall).
These spring rolls are good, I mean really really good. The combination of the roasted roots with a fresh tangy mixture of crispy crunchy veggies and fresh ginger and soy and they are just really good. When I made these, it was still vey cold outside so I even went an extra step and baked the rolls to give them a little crispiness to the wrapper because crispy warm food is kind of nice when its cold out. Because it is still cold out.
Happy Spring!!!
The stuff. For roots we are using beet, celeriac, parsnip, and carrot. Then we need onion, kale, cabbage, garlic, fresh ginger and rice spring roll wrapper. Also some sesame seeds, soy or tamari, apple cider vinegar, and a little oil or avocado oil.
First thing to do is get the roots roasting. Cut the roots into !/4 inch thick disks and place right onto a lightly oiled baking sheet then stick into the oven to roast until browned and tender.
As soon as the roots are in the oven, chop the kale nice and small. Thinly slice the onion and the cabbage and mince and grate the ginger and garlic. Cute the carrot into very thin matchsticks.
Toss it all into a bowl and mix with the soy and the vinegar… (this mixture is so very very good.. might just be a salad here soon)
Don’t be gentle, toss with your hands. You can lick then after too.
Roasted and cooled roots get a nice matchstick chop so they fit into the rolls.
About time for assembly time. Damp wrapper with a pile of the cabbage, kale, carrot, onion mixture and a few pieces of each of the roots topped with a sprinkle of sesame. Oh so pretty all waiting to be wrapped up.
Fold sides over, fold bottom up, and roll nice and tight. Easy peasy.
Place the rolls on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Lightly brush each roll with a little oil as well and stick them into the oven. After 10 minutes, flip them over was bake for 8 or so minutes more until both sides are lightly crisp.
And the they be done. Eat right away and serve with extra soy sauce.
See, we are still happy to eat our roots. And spring veggies will be here before you know it.
-C
make 6-8 spring rolls
Preheat oven to 400.
Slice the parsnip, celery root, and beet into 1/4 inch thick disks and place on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, flip, then bake for 10 or so more minutes or until the veggies are browned and tender.
When the roots are in the oven, thinly slice the cabbage and onion and toss into a bowl. Chop the kale into small pieces and thinly slice the carrot into matchsticks about 2-3 inches long. Place it all into the bowl with the grated ginger, minced garlic, vinegar and soy sauce. Toss it all around and let it sit while the other veggies are roasting.
Once the roots have cooked, remove form oven and let cool. Keep oven on. When they are cool enough to handle, slice the disks into matchsticks 2-3 inches long.
Time to assemble. Grab all the veggies
Take a shallow dish that can hold a little water and is big enough for a wrapper to fit and add warm water to it.
Keep your baking sheet from the veggies close and lightly oil it again.
Place a wrapper in warm water then place on a wet surface. (keep surface slightly wet or the wrapper will stick) Add a good pinch or so or the cabbage/kale/carrot veggie mix into the center of the wrapper then add a few of each of the matchstick roots on top. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and then roll. Once rolled, place on baking sheet.
When all the rolls are made, lightly brush the tops with oil and place into the oven and bake foe 10-15 minutes, flipping half way through
Remove from oven when each slide is lightly crispy and serve right away, preferably with more soy sauce to dip in.
Ah winter. Warm and sunny one day, then bam, snow and wind and bitter bitter cold. Why you got to be so fickle winter?
I shoveled quite a bit this week. We didn’t get as much snow as some, but.we got enough to keep me busy.. The world is now heavy with fluffy (although it’s pretty heavy now) white. With all the snow we were able to go for a nice long winter hike AND we went snow showing which was fantastic and beautiful and was a great little end of winter treat. Now my hope is that we were going to finish up winter with this last hurrah this week (another storm is a’comin). One more week is fine, I can handle one more week of really cold and snow and ice because it will all of a sudden be spring. Then we can finally put the boots away and I can uncover my bike that I prematurely brought out into the world and is now a bike icicle (a bicycle.. haha) I can make it one more week, I think I kind of have too.
Besides the snow the rest of the week stuff went mostly well. As always there was work, littles, and a grocery cart full of cabbage, although I did break my freaking camera. I first I thought I just smashed the lense but there is definitely something broken it the body. How it happened? I got the strap caught on a handle while I was taking pictures and it kind of tugged/yanked out of my hand and smashed into the wheel of the kitchen island. So son of a bitch I have to get a new camera. But hey we got new tooth brushes and we all know that new tooth brush day is always a fine day.
Friday night we went out on the town and hit up the opening night of Mileys play Mary Poppins. First off, Miley was awesome and did a fantastic job. Secondly, holy crap was that torture. I totally and completely understand that the play was more for the kids, and like the mr said, we were there to watch the kids learn and have fun, but 3 hours of sitting in plastic chairs with grumpy littles and not being able to even hear a word the kids were sayings… It was rough and it kind of kicked my ass. Yes, an elementary school play kicked my ass. But jeez, 3 hours…I guess I am not one for the theater.
It’s Sunday and I am feeling fine. The house is clean, I washed my hair last night so I don’t have to do it today, and I have a good book to keep me reading throughout the day. I am contepletaing weather or not to play around in the kitchen and maybe start making some bagels?… If not today, this week for sure. I might just settle for a good long walk, coffee, and reading all day long. That would make me pleased as punch. Hopefully your day will make you pleased as ouch too.
Internet reading from the week.
–The Science of How Your Diet Affects Your Mental Health. Of course it does and in so many many ways.
–I heard on tv or something that the Unicorn is Scotlands national animal. I didn’t believe it but it’s true. Why is the Unicorn Scotland’s national animal?
-Tennessee ‘Natural’ Burial Ground Will Offer A Simpler Farewell — Casket Optional. Talking about what’s good after death isn’t always fun, but you know, it’s gonna happen some day. This place sounds just about right although I don’t want to be buried in Tennessee, I want my own VT natural burial ground.
-This is my kind of tiny house.
-I am partial to the dumpsters. Haha. But really, kinda of into this. In Britain’s Playgrounds, ‘Bringing in Risk’ to Build Resilience
-I watched Even Stevens when I was in middle school and had a little crush on Shia LaBeouf. This biopic should be interesting. to say the least..Shia LaBeouf’s Hollywood Comeback Begins with a Movie About Shia Labeouf
–Miniature Faux Fur Landscapes
-Do you hate it our love it? I very much love it. We Know (Some) People Hate Cilantro, but Why?
-I played (and won) a shit ton of Jenga in college. Meet Leslie Scott: The Woman Who Invented Jenga
–IKEA Made the “Fast Food of the Future” and It Includes Vegan Hotdogs Crickets and carrots and green buns for the win.
Pictures from the week.
What time is it really? Do you play that game when it’s Daylight Savings? For the past week I have been walking around saying it’s 4, but it really it’s going to be 5 in a few days. So yeah, a little confusing because I can do that to things. But these year I have been proactive about the change and going to bed a little earlier ever night (we spent an evening laying in bed, cause we couldn’t fall asleep so early, looking up obscure meanings of words and things about birds. Did you know that a bunch of flamingos is called a flamboyance? Sometimes I hate the internet, but sometime, sometimes it is full of magic.) and waking up a little earlier (me, not the mr) And even better, we officially lost our hour yesterday, like I set the clocks forward when I woke up(the mr was confused all day but mostly went along with it). I wanted to get it out of the way so that today can be normal and I can stop thinking about the clock. Look at me, I am so smart, or maybe just really weird, but whateva, I am one (hour) up on everyone.
The week had been pretty full and fun.. There was and has been lots of snow falling and melting and falling again. I have loved it all because warm snow days are like the best. On one of those nice days we took the littles and Barb and climbed a little mountain. (You know when you walk to the top of a mountain and see a snow penis? No,well its pretty freaking fantastic, especially when you have two littles with you. There was no shortage of wiener jokes for the rest of the day) The mr made Coco a sweet ass toddler bed and now he is sleeping in his own bed like a toddler boss. We found the last remaining light fixture needed for the bathroom and put that it, and now the house is completely done, except for wanting to start all over again. (we need to find a new shitty house to fix). I got a bunch of chores done, cleaned a bunch more, and every day getting a little more pumped about spring and outside and all the things I need to do outside once the ground thaws. I can’t wait to play in the dirt!.
Then a couple days ago the mr took me on a driving adventure that ended up at an outdoor church in the middle of nowhere to pick up some free church pews. And to see all the geese flying home. But church pews, yeah that was interesting. I didn’t really want them, but the mr was all about them and has some ideas for them. (cutting in half and sanding) SO we loaded up the truck and drove an hour with large cross incrusted pews sticking out of the. truck bed. (The things we end up doing.) As for the pews, they are cool, but I really don’t think I need a church pew in the house, way to clunky and it just doesn’t seem right.
As I said before, we lost our hour yesterday so the day was a little wonky. Ate lunch at 1 but dinner at 5 but it was really 12 and really 6 but went to bed at 8 and his clock said 4 but mine said 5, but who’s 5 were we talking about. Yeah, it was confusing but we got through it, mostly because we didn’t have anything time sensitive going on. During the day the mr and I each ended up with a little. The boys went and did some wood shop stuff and us loadies stayed here and went over her play lines and baked cookies. Or I baked cookies and the girl watched baking shows and ate cookie dough. And then I washed my hair, ate dinner and went to bed.
So today.. my brain is good but my body is still adjusting to time so I already know that I am going to need a nap today, hell, I might even just go back to bed for a little while (no, I probably won’t) Then I am going to strip the sheets and blanket and I am going to make the bed with the spring sheets and blankets because time change means it is basically spring which means I should probably get out my shorts and mud boots and get on it. But that is all after the nap, and the million cups of coffee I will be drinking today. But spring guys!!!!
Interesting internet that interested me.
-Are you a fan or do you hate the time changing? One Hundred Years Later, the Madness of Daylight Saving Time Endures
–For a Brief, Brief Moment Ketchup Was Green. I just had a conversation with the littles about the colored ketchup.. they didn’t believe me.
–We are getting closer and starting to prepare… are you? Companion Vegetable and Herb Planting in Raised Rows
–The Joyful Dancing Boys of Instagram. Amazing. These little dudes remind me of my nephew Jackson when he was a little… The kids could dance like no other..and then cry whe he messed up. SO cute.
-I always wondered why the hell you can’t recycle the cartons and try to avoid them as much as possible. I hate not being able to recycle, it makes me mad. In The Recycling World, Why Are Some Cartons Such A Problem?
-LEGO Goes Green With Sustainable Bricks Made From Sugar. So can you eat them?
-I could see us needing this pretty soon because living in a van…. This Solar Energy System Is Perfect For #VanLife
-How cool would it be to see wild flamingos, they are so pretty. Florida’s Long-Lost Wild Flamingos Were Hiding In Plain Sight
-More fantastic terms for groups or flock of birds.
–These shoes... I really want these shoes.
And pictures from the week.
Another week come and gone. The month of February is already flying by and I would be lying if I said I cared, because I kind of don’t. It’s not that I am not appreciative of every day and all that good stuff, but I am, and more so everyone around me, are in the midst of some serious winter crazy. It happens, and I accept it, but I just want to open all windows, stop having to wear all the layers, sleep under a tree, and get away from all the people. I could do all that now, but then I would be really cold , so I wait, and I deal with all the crazy. At least I like winter weather and have been able to escape outside when I need to. But I think that hardest part for me right now it food. I miss freshy fresh food. This is probably my slimmest month for food, which is basically all roots. I have gone through pretty much all of my back stock of frozen and canned stuff from last summer. I have already gone through all my farm share which is basically all roots and hasn’t had much for greens lately and probably won’t for another few weeks. I am starting to really crave the fresh stuff, more greens, beans, tomatoes, eggplants, you know, the spring and summer stuff. Yeah sure I can go buy that food at the grocery store, but it is all out of season and would probably taste like shit so I will settle for bitching a little here and wait for the good stuff to be more in season. That is the natural thing to do.
Enough of the bitching because it really hasn’t been a bad week. The mr and I went for a little hike in the woods which was just so very very nice. Did a bit of babysitting of just the baby. (he is obsessed with his Woody and Jessie calls.. so dang cute) We hung out with the bigger littles and talked lofted bed building, and my mom and Barb came over to eat the cutest little heart jam hand pies. The mr got his new mud hawk which he now carries around the house everywhere with him and has also been bringing home more and more tools to add to the collection on the back porch (aka, the wooden spoon carving work shop) He is now officially obsessed.
The Olympics started and I have sound myself on more then one occasion watching the people do the craziest of things.(are you watching?) I never used to really care but I don’t know, I found myself a little more interested this year, especially in the figure skating. Those athletes are beasts. How the heck they do what they do it is beyond me. I guess that is why we watch them right?
I was talking last week about how I wanted to start painting everything. Well I haven’t painted everything, but I did paint the kids rooms cave a really dark blue. I am really excited to finish painting all the stars and set the room up more for the kids and also so that the mr and I can use it a bit too. House projects.. I am trying to not get myself to deep into anything right now, at least until I can open the windows to air out the fumes. (paint fumes are not joke)
I am not are whats going on today. The mr is running around, doing some landlord stuff, some moving , some shaking. (That guy, I tell you, he is always doing something for someone else. He really is a gem of a person.) Me, I might lend a hand too, but I really just want to keep on painting the room, do laundry, take a walk into the woods, and nap. Or drink all the coffee in the world, embrace the crazy stirring inside of me, and see where I end up. Maybe I’ll go take a crack at some figurer skating.. hahaha. I don’t not need to spend the day in the hospital.
A few internet links from the week.
-If you are watching the Olympics ice skaters and have no idea how it is possible and what the hell is going on. Figure skating jumps, explained
-These are some cray cray potties. Japanese-Designed Public Restrooms in the Shape of Fish, Crabs, Tree Stumps
-Everyone pees in the shower. If you say you don’t, I don’t believe you. Is it OK to Pee in the Shower?
–Space X sent a cute red Tesla Roadster into space. Here’s what’ll probably happen to it. Car accidents happen, even in space.
North Korea’s Cheer Squad. Whoa ladies, whoa.
–Eating Leafy Greens Each Day Tied to Sharper Memory, Slower Decline. I eat more greens in a week then the average person does in a year. I will never loss my mind!!!!
-I am not a barque of roses type of girl, but I know that a lot of people are. But do you ever wonder Why Do We Give Roses On Valentine’s Day?
–Why Your Brain Clings To False Beliefs (Even When It Knows Better)
–Sorry, I’m a Mammal: A History of Women & Body Hair // RAZOR BURN: A Brief History of How We Got Tricked Into Shaving. Lucky me, I was not tricked although it does piss some people off.
–FABRIC IN THE WIND. Something about billowing fabrics makes things slow down and gives me some feelings.
Pictures from the week
I woke up this morning with a very vvid recollection of the dream I was having. In it I was the inventor of a thing called The Fire Stick, which essentially was a fishing pole with fire on the end that you stick in water( know, it makes no sense ) and it somehow propels you around. In the dream, I was using my Fire Stick to cruise down a river on a makeshift raft because I was fleeing something and I needed to leave by water. Thats it, but I know in my dream I was damn proud of my Fire Stick. Dream me is very strange and scares me a little.
The mr and I have no big projects going on right now so he is doing a bunch of side work and I am doing little things around the house plus trying to get through the taxes (I am procarsinationg so hard) I am getting a touch of cabin/spring cleaning fever and am starting to think about running away or repainting all the walls… which is crazy because it hasn’t been more then a year since I last painted. So I guess that leaves running away. Ha. What I really need to do is build a shit ton of shelves and reorganize the closets, but that takes measuring and buying wood and power tools and the mr so it will have to wait. ( I have to sweet talk him into having a shelf making day with me.. I would do it alone, but it will be much easier and nicer if he helps) And the running away part, well we are working on that part too.
Other then my crazy, the week has been pretty good. The mr got me another new power tool (I am returning the scroll saw in favor of band saw) The back porch has unofficially turned into a wood carving studio. And not just for me, the mr is really into wood carving right now too. We even braved negative temperatures to walk around on the beach to find cool pieces of drift wood to make spoons out of. (he gets pretty jazzed about stuff and there is not stopping him) Before that freezing cold returned there was a day where we were able to walk the wold without jackets and that was the day we took Shannon out for a walk. That lady just got a new hip and already she is walking better then I can. Maybe I will get myself a new hip too. Or new knees. I could be unstoppable.
Qui came over for a vegan banana bread baking how to, which got me thinking that I should start teaching vegan baking. Then Barb came over for chili and a dance party party, and then we had the little over for a sleep over and all around house trashing. I don’t know how they do it, but those littles make the biggest mess out of nothing. And they are sticky and gross and even surface needs to be wipes after they leave.
We did treat ourselves to a little culture and went to the Shelburne Museum to check out the Sweet Tooth art exhibit. It was cool, but not exactly what I was expecting. It was only a small room with a handful of pieces and I wanted more, and bigger and more, like the giant ring pops. Those were cool. I want a room full of giant candy, but no candy wrappers. The wrappers freak me out. But the next exhibit I am really interested in seeing too. It’s a puppet exhibit and that’s got be be some kind of fantastic.
Are you super bowling today? Yesterday the mr and I ran into the grocery store and it was packed with people, with shopping carts all full of chips and beer and garbage food. It was kind of crazy. We figured it was all for the football game. Then we started to blame everything that was annoying on the football game. It’s nice to have a reason for it all. This football game day thing always makes me feel like it is a holiday that I am not celebrating and I am ok with that.
So no football here today, just keeping it easy, maybe getting out into some woods at some point then maybe some reading or Netflixing some Grace and Franky. Keeping it low on this non holiday day. People be crazy and I want to stay away from them. Plus I have the Fire Stick to think about. Haha.
Stuff from the internet that I read this week.
–The ‘IKEA Effect’ — And Getting Kids To Eat Their Veggies. Eat what you make and be proud of it, veggies and all.
-Things we should all know. Why Dogs Have Floppy Ears: An Animated Tale
–It’s Reportedly Becoming ‘Normal’ to See Whole Foods Employees Cry at Work. I think I cried a little when I worked at Heathy Living.
-I have had a conversation with the littles about what shape carrot tastes better (when they are cut into chips) Does Chopping Change Your Vegetables?
-Interesting planned, one that I think humans should leave alone. It’s enough to destroy one plant, lets stay away from the others. Pictures of Mars
–The Many Questions We Have About These Cookbook Covers. When I saw this, all I could think was douche bags. If anyone came up behind me while I was chopping anything, well there might be a unintentional stabbing.
-I don’t know if I ever will do this, but I really like the idea. HOW TO MAKE A LARGE SCALE (PATCHWORK) DIY RUG
-This is no Why Procrastination is Good for You
–What to Do When You Worry Yourself Awake. Do your worrying during the day.
–Axe-Throwing Bars: Why Mixing Weapons And Beer Is Surprisingly Good Business. But is it? Got to keep the hipsters happy. I guess it is kind of like really big darts, which I could totally get behind, but there is some real potential for some crazy shit to happen.
Pictures from the week.