December in action and we are taking it at full speed. All the activities, the birthdays, the holiday celebrations%u2026 So much and I love it all, even if I feel like a crazy lady and want to run screaming from groups of people bigger the 2. I%u2019ll deal with the interactions now and just plan to spend the month of January hiding and recovering. I%u2019ll be ok.

The week started with the hunt for our Christmas tree. The Green Mountain National Forest, seventh year running, and this year did not disappoint. A fantastic hike into the woods near a beaver pond with lots of trees, snow on the ground, and no people. Exactly how I like to find our tree. And find it we did, the most perfect (too perfect?) tree. And it only took about an hour of almost cutting down like 20 other trees. Once we were positive, the mr cut it down, we said our thanks to the world, then hiked our tree out of the woods and slid it into the back of the car. Hopped in, cranked the Christmas music, and we were good to go. A perfect Christmas tree expedition.

Then life. Kind of a busy week in terms of birthdays. The beginning of the week Justin turned older by a year, then the next day Sophia did to so we partied with spaghetti, chocolate chocolate cake with tiny apples (she wanted it to be apple shaped but I just made little apples instead), and ballerina style dancing. Then there was a little lull in activities as far as birthdays where the mr and I did some stuff like work stuff, (more him then me), decorated, hung out with Barb, did the doings.

And then Friday. After an afternoon of loading kilns next to other kilns that were 2100 degrees and almost burning my face off, it was a rush to get home and prepare for the masses. Not technically the mr%u2019s birthday, but we had his annual grilled cheese and soup birthday celebration. Pretty much the whole fam at the house again. Lots of grilled cheeses sandwiches were made, so much soup was scooped (tomato and split pea per usual), and cake and ice cream concluded the night. And I only found half a grilled cheese sandwich under the couch when I was cleaning yesterday%u2026 Progress? I don%u2019t know, but there definitely was a few big dried soup puddles on the floor. But not on the couch! So there is that.

Back to Sunday. Not sure whats on the agenda for today but I have some stuff I need to do and I know that the mr has some stuff he needs to do. Plus together we have some stuff we need to do so we will see what gets done. Mostly though, I think I am shooting for a small hike, some coffee, and a chill afternoon of reading on the couch, facing the lit up Christmas tree. That would be swell.

Check out what I checked out from the internet this week.

–The Farmers’ Almanac Winter Forecast Is Here%u2014and Brrr!. Give me all the snow!!!!

-I can%u2019t imagine a life without reading. Not A Regular Reader? 4 Strategies To Make Reading A Habit

–Why Your Kid Loves the Garbage Truck So Much. I liked the cement trucks%u2026they don%u2019t stink an they spin.

-I am sorry, but this is some bullshit. Italian Artist’s Duct-Taped Bananas Are Selling for $120,000 Each

–How to Stop Making Excuses and Start Composting Already. And in Vermont, it%u2019t the law!

-Netflix is perverted. Ha! The Brands Are (Literally) Too Horny and Must Be Stopped

–Food delivery and takeout are on the rise. So are the mountains of trash they create.I like the idea of reusable metal tin. Could we get there?

–Here’s Why Your Favorite Headband Always Leaves You With a Headache. I used o wear headbands all the time, but had to stop because of the head pressure it caused.

–How Often, Really, Do You Follow This Recipe%u00a0Instruction?. Never but always. I like to add color to food, but only when it is edible and adds flavor.

-The sink that looks kind of like a mini tub%u2026. Swoon. For a Long Winter%u2019s Nap: A Manor House and a Schoolhouse in the German Countryside, Available for Stays

And pictures from the week

I love December, basically because it is a month long excuse to always be baking cookies. And listen to Christmas music. And have a lovely big ass tree in the house covered in lights and dried fruit. Plus snow if we are really lucky. December. It%u2019s a good month.

And we are getting to that time when now most of us have serious cookie making on the brain. I bet if you ask 5 people what they are planning on doing in the next few days leading up to Christmas, at least 3 of them will tell you they are making cookies because really, that is what you should be doing. That is if you like to bake. If not, then by all means, skip cookie baking.

Now what cookies to bake? Well you got to have chocolate chip, and peanut butter. Plus some no bakes and sugar cookies, but also, I think, some type of gingerbread.

These cookies are the gingerbread something. I added cardamon because I think cardamom is delicious and think everyone will think so too, And lemon because lemon goes with cardamom and ginger and lemon cardamon ginger just has a nice ring to it. Then crinkle because I didn%u2019t really want to roll out dough and cut out shapes (I was being lazy), but I wanted pretty and I am really Into the crinkle look.

These cookies were a huge hit. Not crispy like a snap, but not cakey or overly soft. A nice chew and deep in flavor. The mr was basically smuggling these cookies all day before I had a chance to really hide them and he is not a typical gingerbread lover but he told me that these cookies might just be the best cookies he has ever had. So yeah, I guess this is now my new winner gingerbread cookie recipe.

And no joke, these are probably the best smelling cookies I have ever made. I wanted to bottle up the smell and wear it on me like a teenage boy wears a new bottle of axe. Seriously, I kept sniffing my sweater all day long just to get a good hit of the smell. So good!

Now to the cookies!

The stuff. In one bowl there is flour, salt, and baking soda and powder. The other bowl is brown sugar and molasses. There there is a couple flax eggs, some oil, a lemon for it%u2019s zest, and spices of ginger, cardamon, cinnamon, and black pepper. Also powdered sugar to roll and crinkle these cookies.

Wet stuff. Sugar, molasses, flax eggs, and oil. Mix until combined.

Dry stuff. Flour, baking soda and powder, salt, and the spices. Add in the lemon zest too and whisk to combine.

Wet into dry. Grab a wooden spoon and mix until a cohesive dough forms. And yes you can give up the spoon after a minute and use your hands to complete the mixing%u2026 I did.

After dough is mixed and uniform, pop the bowl into the fridge for a little while to give he dough some time to rest. Half an hour is good and you could even leave it for a day if you wanted to, just cover it if you do.

And when the dough has had it%u2019s time, scoop, roll into balls, ans roll around and completely coat in powdered sugar.

Sugars balls of dough. Now pop them into the oven.

TA DA! Baked and all crinkly.

Let the cookies cool on a wire rack because that%u2019s how all cookie cool. And smell that delicious oh so lovely smell. It really is amazing, no?

Then onto a serving plate and now you have cookies for your mouth face.

Happiest happys of all the days to come! Now go eat cookies!

-C

makes around 2 dozen cookies

• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 tablespoon ground ginger

• 3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

• 2 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon pepper

• zest of a lemon (about 2 teaspoons)

• 3/4 cup brown sugar

• 1/4 cup molasses

• 2/3 cup neutral oil (I used canola)

• 2 flax eggs (6 tablespoon warm water mixed with 2 tablespoon ground flax seed)

• 1/2 -3/4 cup powdered sugar

To start, grab a bowl and mix together the brown sugar, molasses, oil, and flax seed eggs until completely combines. In another large bowl, whisk together the flour, all the spices (ginger, cardamon, cinnamon,and pepper), baking powder and soda, and salt. Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry and mix together until a cohesive dough forms. Place dough in fridge for about a 1/2 hour to up to a day to let dough rest for a bit. If you are going to keep in the fridge for a while, just cover it up.

When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 and measure out powdered sugar into a bowl

Remove dough from fridge and using a scoop or just eyeballing it, scoop about 2 tablespoons worth of dough. With each scoop, roll the dough into a ball and place into the bowl of the powdered sugar and roll around unit completely coated. Place ball on a baking sheet, giving it a little pat down, NOT squishing it down, just a little indent. And don%u2019t overcrowd balls, give them a little space.

When your baking sheet full, place Into hot oven and bake for 12-13 minutes or until the cookies have puffed and flattened out a bit, are golden brown on the bottoms, and the tops are all crinkly and lovely. Once cooked all the way, remove from oven and transfer cookies onto a wire rack to cool.

Then eat a warm one. Heck, eat 2 warm ones, then do what you will with the rest.

Store cooled cookies in an air tight container at room temp for 3-4 days. They can also be frozen for long term storage but why do you need to store your cookies? Jest eat them.

Hey there friends! You doing alright? You good? Just checking in because I care.

My week was good, even if it did blow on by super fast. That%u2019s the way it always goes for me. The closer to the end of the year, the faster time seems to fly. You too? Anyway. I am talking it all in, trying to stay sane and not get pulled into the crazy that can happened this time of year. Mostly just talking all the long walks I need and staying out of the way but still enjoying the ones around me. There is a balance you know. And I am not afraid to run away when I need to.

So besides the norm of life, Tuesday was the mr%u2019s actual birthday so we celebrated. Just the two of us. After breakfast and heart shaped balloons, we went for an awesome drive to an awesome hike in the national forest. Yes it was a little rainy and the ground was so icy and I fell and jammed by arm, but it was still so so so nice. The waterfalls we saw we raging and there was not another human soul around. It was superb. Then we got lunch (he got lunch, I packed my own) and we ate our food near a much smaller waterfall. After that, coffee and then home where we watched a movie and finished making Christmas cards. Lasagna for dinner (for him, I ate chili) and a little heart shaped ice cream cake I made him (I am the best), gave him his pencil painting, and then we just hung out, I fell asleep, and that was that. Delightful, calm, and just really nice to spend the day together.

Rest of the week went on. Me, I was trying to get a few projects done. Worked at the studio, watched all the lovely snow completely melt. The mr has been working away at this and that and is keeping itself more then.

Yesterday was the 2nd annual sugar cookie house decorating extravaganza. And what a blast we had. A bunch of littles, a bunch of cookies and a bunch of candy. Amazingly enough, everyone ate all there lunches and refrained from eating all the candy. The restraint and force I saw in these littles eyes%u2026Gave me hope for the future. HA. But seriously, they were so into it and everyones turned out so great. Even the mr got into it and made a house topped with marshmallows and cauliflower. And after the houses were built, everyone left and I turned up the Christmas jams, grabbed the vacuum and all the cleaning rags, and set to work. Turns out tootsie rolls smashed into the floor is not easily removed.

Today is a day of catch up and errands. The mr is trying to finish up a project he needs to send off to the world, I need to get on finishing off some more rainbows. And maybe we should do some grocery shopping. And maybe I%u2019ll take a trip to the library. Stuff to do yes, but hopefully still a semi relaxing day. Maybe it will even get cold enough and start to snow. I need a walk in the snow.

Interesting internet from the week.

-I am kind of shocked the the number is so low. Come on people, cooking is awesome and makes you awesome. The Grocery Industry Confronts a New Problem: Only 10% of Americans Love Cooking

–Winter camping is a great way to see more nature and fewer people. I am going to start working the mr to get him to agree to go soon.

– Is it crazy that I miss landlines? OR more so, I think I miss that says of no cell phones. And now with cell phones, you can%u2019t eavesdrop on other people conversations , or like legally and easily anymore. How the Loss of the Landline Is Changing Family Life

–These 3 supertrees can protect us from climate collapse. But can we protect them? Trees are everything so of course trees are part of the answer to helping the planet. Hopefully humans don%u2019t fuck them up too.

-Did you get into the %u201cfinding joy%u201d of all your shit? How did that go? Did Marie Kondo fans keep their houses tidy all year?

–Shopping Sucks Now. I have always though shopping sucks, but I agree, it sucks even more. There is just to much!

–Drink Up, Calm Down. Fancy expensive drinks for wellness%u2026. I don%u2019t know, I totally believe that food is medicine but some of the shit out there%u2026. I guess just beware and don%u2019t fall for fancy pants weird language saying miracle and shit.

-imoprtant. How To Reduce Food Waste

–Do I Really Have to Clean My Sheets Every Week? And 9 Other Things We Were Told Are Mandatory. Yes YES YES to the sheets!

-Lovely. %u2018The Bird & the Whale%u2019 Tells a Short and Sweet Tale Using Paint-on-Glass Animation

And pictures from the week.

Hey there lovely peoples. So nice of you to stop by. Hope all is well and dandy with you. Well and dandy.

Holy crap am I one tired lady. Mentally and physically but mostly mentally because it has been one of those weeks. It all started off with the mr and I both feeling like absolute crap. Sinus infections and some other fun stuff. Heads and brains super dysfunctional (although we can%u2019t blame being sick for all the dysfunction). I blame the ick on the weather and it not being spring yet. But let%u2019s not talk to much about the weather. It%u2019s a touchy subject for me right now and I just can%u2019t. Anyway, the week started slow. We got a few things done that needed doing then got ready to take off for PA to visit with my dad and go to my grandmothers funeral.

Took off mid week, the mr driving the 6ish hours down and over. A super sunny and bright day it was . One might think that sounds kind of nice but I hated it. Brightness while in a car without sunglasses makes for brain pain, at least in my case. So I had my head under a blanket for a few hours. Got to PA alright but as soon as we pulled into my dads driveway the wave of pain knocked me to my knees and I got a full fledge migraine. I haven%u2019t had one of those fun episodes in years and I can safely say that I hope to NEVER get one again. But after a night of zero restless sleep, I got up and rallied and went about the next day as half a human baking machine. Made the breakfast pancakes, some lunch, a birthday cake, cookies, my dinner, and cinnamon buns for the next morning. %u201cDon%u2019t worry%u201d my dad said. .%u201d We can go to the store and get as much flour and sugar as you will need!%u201d And so we did because I used a lot of flour.

The next morning was the funeral. Early to wake, walked the dogs, fed people buns and headed to the Catholic Church. The one my dad and his siblings went to for their entire childhood. OH boy oh boy, what a hoot. Their mother finally got them to go back one last time. HAHA. And as for me, I can say that was the first time I have ever been in a Catholic Church (for church reasons) and seen a catholic funeral. Very interesting to say the least. And I do go to hand it to the priest. He was pretty cool. Hip, sweet, not a typical catholic church man, and he kept calling my grandmother Ava instead of Eva. That got some laughs. My grandmother would have loved it.

The funeral ended and we all went to a restaurant and did the food thing with the family love fest. It was very bittersweet. Sad because of the loss but we were celebrating a freaking amazing lady and her amazing long life. Oh Grammy. She was the greatest, coolest, funniest little lady ever and I will miss her deeply. So yeah. Then after all the food we topped it off with the birthday cake I made for Teena cause it was her birthday too. My family, we packed it all in because that is how we do it.

After hugs, pictures, Shannon falling asleep in a booth, we headed back to the car and away we went, a long drive home with lots of shitty weather and bad roads. But we made it. And I even unpacked the car and managed to shower off before passing out. And a pass out was exactly what I needed and still kind of do. I told myself I would let myself sleep in a bit, but 430 came and look at me, awake.

So it%u2019s today and I must do some stuff. I%u2019m going to go to the gym for the morning, Run run run until I cannot possibly run anymore. Then I will come home and eat eat eat until I can not possible eat any more. After that it is a bunch of chores that need to be done and I need to go see the littles because I miss them. And I know I will need a nap at some point because I am feeling the even all the coffee in the world will not be enough to keep my brain afloat for a full day. Or maybe I%u2019ll just go to bed at a unreasonabley early hour. (5ish sounds good to me. Ha. But really) Yup yup, looking forward to that.

Until then.

Internet link from the online.

–Greener Childhood Associated With Happier Adulthood. NO SHIT for reals.

-My Library even lends out baking pans and garden tools! 8 Unexpected Perks of a Library Card. And I don%u2019t think the article mentions, but library cards are cool people card to. HA

–Thank a cloud today. Five reasons you shouldn’t take cloud cover for granted. OH how I love me a nice cloudy day.

-Nothing like FRESH HORSERADISH ROOT. Might be picking up a piece today to knock out my sinus crud.

–Do anxious owners make for anxious dogs? Yes. There is no question in my mind what so ever.

-I listen to a story about this article on NPR. It%u2019s really crazy how people, especially in our culture, are living to work,n to working olive. Workism Is Making Americans Miserable

–A scientist on the myth of ugly produce and food waste. Interesting, very interesting.

-I don%u2019t need a baby nursery but if I did (or ever do) I want it to look just like this. MARIGOLD%u2019S NURSERY TOUR

-What. I thought they were real. Balloon Birds by Terry Cook Mimic Their Real-Life Counterparts

–Vanuatu Has One Of The World%u2019s Strictest Plastic Bans. It%u2019s About To Get Tougher. We all (the entire world) should be getting tougher.

And some pictures from the week.

You have weeks that are great, some that are kind of crappy, and some that just seem like a waste of a week of life. Last week felt like one of those wasted weeks.Yeah I might be being a little dramatic but man, it just sucked. It started out with an unpleasantness (we will leave it at that) that consumed our every day. Nothing that I wanted or needed to get done was done, my house was turned upside down, I was tired, cranky, and feeling gross and it was cold and snowy. Just no good.

Ok, I am done complaining now.

And it’s Sunday, the start of a new week. Spring is kinda in the air, the days are longer, birds out chirping away.%u00a0 I have a new book that I have been waiting to read, a respectable, but doable list of things to do and a positive attitude towards life.%u00a0 Bad week over.

See what I saw on the internet.

–Scientists Lobbying To Restore Pluto As A Planet. As it should be.

-I bet people will want to watch it now. So weird. The Reality Show No One Was Watching

-This DIY Swing is pretty cool. Could see one or two on the porch.

–11 New Cloud Types Named%u2014First in 30 Years. And here I am trying to learn the old ones.

-Like these photos. Abstract Aerial Photographs of Southern Africa

–Cheetos Made an Easter Clothing Line That Helps You Avoid Cheetos Fingers

I don’t need any toys, but these are pretty cool. Animaze: Multifunctional Furniture that Encourages Kids to Play

–9 INCREDIBLE COUNTRIES WHERE YOU CAN LIVE FOR UNDER $1,000 A MONTH. Food for thought.

-%u00a0 I gave up TV, then qualified for Olympic marathon trials and got my PhD The things can do instead of sitting on your ass. And the last tine. Hahaha, that is what everyone says.

– Why Millennial Pink Refuses to Go Away. And these Pink Homes

A few picture taken from the week

Today is the day, the moment of truth. The concrete counter tops that we poured a few days ago are getting un-molded, flipped, and set into place. I am so super excited and very much scared. Finally we will have a counter and we will be that much closer to a finished kitchen. But what if?%u00a0 What if something happens between removing the mold and placing the counter, like what if it doesn’t fit right or maybe it breaks? I shouldn’t be even thinking about that. It will be great and awesome and the best freaking counter ever.%u00a0 (and Ikea is only a few hours away and sell emergency counter tops)

The house. Oh have we got ourselves a little gem. All week we have been staying here, doing all our living here (minus showers, we take those at the loft) and still managing to get a bit of work done here. Working in the place you live is such a bitch.%u00a0 Plus it’s the holidays which makes everything not covered in tinsel and lights seem unimportant, but we are getting there. A few more weeks and I tell you, we will most likely have ourselves a pretty nearly done 98% livable house.%u00a0

Even though the house might not be perfect, we still had a the littles over for a school night sleep over where we finished decorating the tree, watched the Santa Clause, made claims on table settings and ate black beans for breakfast. That was a tough morning with -20 cold and no desire to leave the house. We might have been a few minutes late for school, but hey, I never drive in the mornings and didn’t realize 20 minutes wasn’t enough time to compete with the crazy ass traffic. And they might not have been late, so yeah. (I didn’t ask) What else….Well have been on the hunt for doors and glass for doors and all the odds and ends that we need. Every day it seems we end up at the hardware store, the junk store, or the salvage yard looking of that one thing that may or may not exist. It is driving me nuts. The mr, he is really good at the back and forth. Me, not so much. I really wish there was a store made for just me that sold (or gave me for free) everything that I could possible need. Doors, carrots, socks. That would be great. Oh and my crock pot. It has turned into the center of our living because it’s not our main source of hot food. It has been entirely new territory for me (never used a crock pot before last week) and there were a few soups that might not have so great, but I think I have got the hang of it and we have been eating hot food from the crock like champs. I’ll have to share some of my soups and tips with you guys soon. (once the kitchen is done there will be sooooo many new recipes and food fun coming your way!)

So besides the counter tops today, I think I have some serious cleaning to do. The loft is a mess, the house is getting a little on the dusty side, and the pile of dirty clothes has gotten out of hand. I might drag the hamper to the loft, be domestic for the afternoon and do some chores. A little Christmas music, lots of coffee, and amazon prime last minute gift shopping. It should be an interesting afternoon to say the least.

Links brought to you by the internet.

-I want this, it would bring me so much joy. This Infinity Galaxy Puzzle Has No Beginning or End

–5 of Humanity%u2019s Best Ideas of What Dreams Actually Are

-Lapland is on my travel bucket list. 10+ Reasons Why Lapland Is The Most Magical Place To Celebrate Christmas

–Meet The Spleen, The Strange Little Organ That Can Multiply

-Gift idea for your stinky loved ones. Shreddies flatulence filtering garments

-The mr and I are starting to plan our next cross country trip. National Parks all the way (free days are great but if you are planning on going to a lot of parks, get the pass) WHEN TO VISIT ANY US NATIONAL PARK FOR FREE IN 2017

-An Eleven-Story-Tall Tree Hugger Sprouts on the Side of a Building in Chile. Imagine painting that…..

-Food is always a good present.10 Last-Minute Recipes to Make for Homemade Food Gifts

The week in pictures.

Yes that is a giant tree monster about to eat a Christmas tree. So good.

Have a great day!

Big. Ass. Yawn. Because we need it, or at least I do.

The week started off with nice, calm sister time, the lake, and happy little littles. Then shit got crazy. From dealing with appliances (still haven’t settled on a stove yet) to having to wear a stupid respirator all day everyday because I cannot deal with the off gases that come from polyurethane and now have dry skin blotches on my face, to running around painting prepping, sanding stairs… We are just plan pooped out. Now we just need to plow through the house to get it done and moved in. It’s getting so close I can almost imagine it. And then we can get a little bit of our life back. That will be great. We did manage to attend the two weeks early double birthday party for So and Justin because get this, it’s really sad, they are going to be in Disney Land for their actual birthdays, and so we party now for them.%u00a0 What kinda bummed me out was that I didn’t get to make the birthday cake.(I always make So’s birthday cakes..the best birthday cakes) My sister being so nice, didn’t want to ask to make it me because we are so busy so she ended up buying a cake from costco. It was crazy and huge and no one could eat a whole slice. All I had to say was maybe next year don’t go to Disney Land and I will make the cake.

And now it’s the week of Thanksgiving. Are you guys ready for the holidays? I wish I could say that I was but I am not, really really not.%u00a0 Plus it’s looking more and more like we have no idea what we are doing. Food? There isn’t much in the house. (I am running dangerously low on dried beans and I already ate through most of my farm share and there isn’t another pick up for a week and a half) I have not a single thing planned or pre-made, and we are not even sure where we are going yet. But hey, we got a couple days to figure it out right? As for food, well I just have to suck it up and do that major grocery shop that needs being done and get to some of the good stuff before all of it is picked through by the early prepared holiday shoppers. I will buy lots of beans and all the carrots.

As for today, well we gots a few weather sensitive things to do, like picking up all the piles of wood out in front of the house so it doesn’t look like a dump and piling scrap metal into the work car before it get covered in snow .( I am so excited about snow!!) Also need to give the cat a stern talking to about hanging out in the road because apparently after 11 years of being an outdoor cat, he now decided that is where all the cool cats hang. And my favorite thing on my to do list today is….dig all the slivers out of my hands. Oh so much fun. At least I will be drinking all the coffee that I could possibly want and eating beans and carrots.%u00a0 Maybe I will bake a pie too. (hahaha, but maybe)

Some of what the Internet has had this week.

-Duh. An Overlooked Weapon Against the Flu Is Also the Most Effective One

–Cool shadow art.

-I freeze my veggies in the summer and fall (my freezer is stuffed with tomatoes and peppers) anduse them all winter long. Are Frozen Fruits and Vegetables as Nutritious as Fresh?

–Grapefruit and Salt. Yum.

-I have been feeling this so bad. To Relieve Post-Election Stress, Bake And Bake Again

–The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Cure

-I guess they are all sold out, but maybe will get more in stock later. I wanted to get the mr the country clubber set.%u00a0 So f-ing awesome.

-I really love this, like a lot. A Collaborative Duo Pokes Fun at Plein Air Painting Through Photographic Series

-Not gonna lie, the super chipper all the time people, well they tire me out. If You%u2019re Annoyed by Overly Cheerful People, You%u2019ll Like This Study

Pictures from the weeks happenings.

Number one take away from the past weeks events… I can be anything I want to be, including the queen of the leprechauns or a unicorn that farts rainbows….Anything is possible. Hahaha.

But wow, that was some kind of week for all of us. Now we deal and do our part and hope for the best. Eyes open, minds, open, hearts open.

Besides the constant flow of NPR and up and down temperatures., the week has been somewhat a blur. Painting, cleaning, sanding, repeat. The trim and walls will never have so much love and care for the rest of their lives. And the painting. Remember when I painted the upstairs and decided that I hates the color and had to repaint the it? Well it happened again, only this time is was the downstairs. And funny, after realizing the white was to white and we needed to tone it down just a pinch, we ended up using he paint that we hated upstairs on the downstairs and it looks like a-mazing! Speaking of amazing, you should see the floors! The mr and I busted ass and finally got the floors, upstairs and down, sanded! .And ok, I did sand, but nothing like the mr. He used all the big crazy machines while I used my little hand sander and muscle force. (this guy I tell you, he can is a pro at everything.) So now we have the house almost perfect and we are going crazy and just need to finish it!

On of the last things to do on the list is the kitchen and the pressure is on. I am kinda freaking out over design, function, and stoves. Appliances are all like 50% off for the next 2 weeks and that means it is time to buy. The mr doesn’t really give two hoots so I have this crazy pressureto pick and choose and then spend money (credit card money) I am straight up freaking. But these are happy lady problems. I can deal with them

%u00a0I cannot go into the house today. I will go there, I will look inside, but the floors are in the sealing process and the mr is the processor so I will not step inside (plus the smell of the urethane makes me sick) So today, it’s almost like a fee day! Think we might take a trip to a book store, get some coffee, look at all the cook books, and discuss the pros and cons of stoves. Oh, and stop by Shannon’s house cause she is my sister and it’s her birthday…. Happy Birthday lady!%u00a0

And I just realized that it’s Thanksgiving next week.. I think I need to get on that.

Non political internet from my week.

-Lets not be assholes. 6 Ways Being Nice To Others Is Actually Good For You

–Absolutely Gorgeous Photos Reveal The Beauty In A Hard Life

-Been looking at these ovens.%u00a0 The slide in is great but why is it so much more expensive?

-I think I would be happy as a narwhal. Narwhals Are Craftier Than We Gave Them Credit For.

–This is your brain on nature

-A thing that is for real. Cat Yoga

-I missed it (don’t have the channel) but hopping to internet watch it soon: “Martha & Snoop%u2019s Potluck Dinner Party”

-Make sure all your plastic get in the recycling. Why Seabirds Love To Gobble Plastic Floating In The Ocean

-Why we get Earworm Songs Happens to me all day long

–Artist Charles Young%u2019s Growing Metropolis of 635 Paper Structures. Just really cool.

A few pictures from the week.

One extra hour today! Did you or are you currently sleeping it? I woke up at 4 am which was 5am yesterday so I am hoping that I am going to get in a little nap at some point. That’s what is there for right? I love the end of daylight savings, I mean, who doesn’t love an extra hour. And also I actually really enjoy that it gets dark out early. Being the old lady that I am, I don’t leave the house after 7 but I love the night sky.. Now that it’s darker out earlier, I can drink it all up and still be in bed at a reasonable old lady hour. Whoa hoo!

So I am starting to think about holiday stuff, specifically the holiday stuff that could potentially happen in the new house. Then I start to think about all the stuff that needs to be done in the house before any holiday stuff can happen and then my eyes start to bug out and my brain does a wiggle and I forget the holiday stuff and start to freak out a bit.%u00a0 Then the mr is all “one thing at at time” and “we got this” and I am all like “ok, if you say so” and I calm down. Then I start to think about how soon the holidays are and the whole thing starts over again. So basically I am driving myself crazy.
%u00a0

It’s been a long week, but some of highlights are

• Got our first winter farm share and have been eating so much celeriac and squash and parsnips
• The upstairs bathroom is all hooked up, like sink, toilet, and tub, and is looking like magic.
• The window trim is going up and all the old trims we saved has been sanded and stained and scrubbed all week long.
• The back porch is all painted and done
• A very large, rounded couch was brought home by the mr. (I can’t decide if I hate it or love it)
• I spent a good part of a day in the yard hacking away at the humongous thristle trees (they looked like trees) with a hand saw.

There has been other stuff, but right now I can’t think of it. We kinda missed Halloween. We worked all day then decided that the front porch looked to sketchy and dangerous for little kids so didn’t give out candy which really bummed out the mr cause he didn’t get any Halloween candy this year. Last night I was vacuuming the floor and found a grape.%u00a0 picked it up, gave it a little dust off and ate it. Is that weird? And I cut my hair. Just a few inches over the bathroom sink while the mr was brushing his teeth. Oh man, I think I might be losing it a bit. What I really need to do is spend some time in the kitchen . I realized that I have been so wrapped up in craziness that I haven’t gotten any l really kitchen time in a while. This week I am back to making more time for the kitchen and my camera and trying not to be so crazy. I’ll make you a salad, maybe some cookies. And soup. We have been eating a shit ton of soup.

Sunday YEA!!! Little sister Barb is coming over today and doing some helping. I was thinking we would paint, maybe even clean, but I have a feeling her help might just be to hang out, listen to the radio and dance party to every crappy song that comes on.%u00a0 harass the mr, and just make me happy. Maybe we will get to some actual work, but I won’t be caring if we don’t. But I need to clean at some point for sure cause he house is a mess right now and it’s driving me freaking nuts. Maybe that’s what I can do with my extra hour.

Stuff from the world online.

-Need to stay awake for this one. YES! Dave Chappelle is *finally* hosting %u2018SNL’ in case you were wondering if dreams come true

–A fantastic house.

-This is good because I don’t like to clean my coffee cups. It%u2019s Okay to Never Wash Your Coffee Mug

–Girl Scout cookie cereal. Really? Yup, really.

-So many different kinds. The Ultimate Ice Cream Glossary, A to Z

-I never had a cool lunch box (be sad for me) Beyond The Pail: NPR Unpacks The History Of The Lunch Box

-What the FU*K. Hitting the Elevator Door-Close Button Won%u2019t Make the Elevator Doors Close

–How Is A 1,600-Year-Old Tree Weathering California’s Drought?

-I needed to know, and now I do. How to Tell a Raven From a Crow

And speaking of birds.Shattered birds in windows

–Swearing Is Much Less Common Than It Seems…not in my family (or maybe it’s just me)

–All the pretty plants

and a few pics

Yawn, stretch, throw on some pants and back to it.

But it’s taking a whole lot of will power to get up and go. It’s just too perfect out to do much of anything. Is it weird that I love this cold and rainy weather? These are the days that I can spend all day in a ball of blankets on the couch next to a window looking out with hot beverages and good books.. I will get there soon, but not today. We started tiling the bathroom wall yesterday and need to finish it, along with he rest of the house.

This week flew by fast. It included a very quick foliage drive(stopped by a river so the mr could fly fish),%u00a0 Barbara turning 17 while watching her field hockey game, a tiny little baby that fell in love with me and wants me to be it’s new mommy, and the scraping and painting of so much everything. I think the highlight was when the 17 year old Barb stopped by the house to bring us coffee, hung out with us, and lent me her sweater that I love but probably won’t ever get a chance to wear cause all I wear are grubby, paint stained clothes. But none the less, it was great and maybe I’ll just wear the sweater to bed.%u00a0 And the colors. Every time I walk out of the house and see all the trees, all the colors…it just blows my mind. So good.

Other then that, not much else. I am giving myself a political detox for a few days before i barf, eating lots of roasted celeriac and missing my kitchen. I can’t freaking wait to spend all day cooking in baking in my kitchen. I can’t freakin wait!

And now I got to find those pants.

Internet for the looking.

–Everyone Should Make Time for Daydreaming. I do me a lot of it.

-The Difference Between Pepitas and the Seeds from Your Halloween Pumpkin

–6 Things You Need To Know About Cycling On The Sidewalk. I sometimes bike the sidewalk, but only when I have to and very slowly.

– Maybe this is the reason I hate wearing shoes. ABSORB EARTH%u2019S FREE FLOWING ELECTRONS THROUGH THE SOLES OF YOUR FEET(EARTHING)

-Read this book this week. One of my new favorite books. It changed the way I look at the world, especially trees.

-Forget Tomayto/Tomahto: The Real Debate Is, Should It Be Refrigerated?%u00a0 II never do unless it’s 100% necessary

-feel like this is a close representation of my knitting basket. A Mass of Tangled Red Yarn Unravels from a Loom to Overtake a Brazilian Chapel

-What Tree Is that has been a frequent question. Trees With Leaves – A Deciduous Tree Leaf Key

-Speaking of trees, I would live in this tree house.The tree alone is pretty amazing.

– A little preemptive in looking, but I told myself I that I get to buy knew sheets and duvet cover when we move into the house (I am a linens slut) This bed set is looking good, although can’t go wrong with these either.

And pictures.

December in action and we are taking it at full speed. All the activities, the birthdays, the holiday celebrations%u2026 So much and I love it all, even if I feel like a crazy lady and want to run screaming from groups of people bigger the 2. I%u2019ll deal with the interactions now and just plan to spend the month of January hiding and recovering. I%u2019ll be ok.

The week started with the hunt for our Christmas tree. The Green Mountain National Forest, seventh year running, and this year did not disappoint. A fantastic hike into the woods near a beaver pond with lots of trees, snow on the ground, and no people. Exactly how I like to find our tree. And find it we did, the most perfect (too perfect?) tree. And it only took about an hour of almost cutting down like 20 other trees. Once we were positive, the mr cut it down, we said our thanks to the world, then hiked our tree out of the woods and slid it into the back of the car. Hopped in, cranked the Christmas music, and we were good to go. A perfect Christmas tree expedition.

Then life. Kind of a busy week in terms of birthdays. The beginning of the week Justin turned older by a year, then the next day Sophia did to so we partied with spaghetti, chocolate chocolate cake with tiny apples (she wanted it to be apple shaped but I just made little apples instead), and ballerina style dancing. Then there was a little lull in activities as far as birthdays where the mr and I did some stuff like work stuff, (more him then me), decorated, hung out with Barb, did the doings.

And then Friday. After an afternoon of loading kilns next to other kilns that were 2100 degrees and almost burning my face off, it was a rush to get home and prepare for the masses. Not technically the mr%u2019s birthday, but we had his annual grilled cheese and soup birthday celebration. Pretty much the whole fam at the house again. Lots of grilled cheeses sandwiches were made, so much soup was scooped (tomato and split pea per usual), and cake and ice cream concluded the night. And I only found half a grilled cheese sandwich under the couch when I was cleaning yesterday%u2026 Progress? I don%u2019t know, but there definitely was a few big dried soup puddles on the floor. But not on the couch! So there is that.

Back to Sunday. Not sure whats on the agenda for today but I have some stuff I need to do and I know that the mr has some stuff he needs to do. Plus together we have some stuff we need to do so we will see what gets done. Mostly though, I think I am shooting for a small hike, some coffee, and a chill afternoon of reading on the couch, facing the lit up Christmas tree. That would be swell.

Check out what I checked out from the internet this week.

–The Farmers’ Almanac Winter Forecast Is Here%u2014and Brrr!. Give me all the snow!!!!

-I can%u2019t imagine a life without reading. Not A Regular Reader? 4 Strategies To Make Reading A Habit

–Why Your Kid Loves the Garbage Truck So Much. I liked the cement trucks%u2026they don%u2019t stink an they spin.

-I am sorry, but this is some bullshit. Italian Artist’s Duct-Taped Bananas Are Selling for $120,000 Each

–How to Stop Making Excuses and Start Composting Already. And in Vermont, it%u2019t the law!

-Netflix is perverted. Ha! The Brands Are (Literally) Too Horny and Must Be Stopped

–Food delivery and takeout are on the rise. So are the mountains of trash they create.I like the idea of reusable metal tin. Could we get there?

–Here’s Why Your Favorite Headband Always Leaves You With a Headache. I used o wear headbands all the time, but had to stop because of the head pressure it caused.

–How Often, Really, Do You Follow This Recipe%u00a0Instruction?. Never but always. I like to add color to food, but only when it is edible and adds flavor.

-The sink that looks kind of like a mini tub%u2026. Swoon. For a Long Winter%u2019s Nap: A Manor House and a Schoolhouse in the German Countryside, Available for Stays

And pictures from the week

Not just sweater weather, which it had been all week and I am LOVING IT, but it%u2019s lamp light weather too. I forgot that I had all these fantastic lights around my house and yesterday when it was dark out at 6 (it was raining so the sky was cloudy) I got to turn on a couple lamps that haven%u2019t had any action in months. It was soooo nice and cozy. This my friends, this is the best time of year!

Camping last week was great and not so great. The campground was pretty, but our fellows campers were very rawdy and loud and there was a party at the picnic pavilion that had a shitty classic rock cover band playing. The noisy people and shitty music echoed through the park for longer then anyone should have had to deal with it. But I guess that happens, especially on a long holiday weekend. And really, besides the buttheads, we had fun. We went for a nice hike through the woods and into giant fields of wildflowers and goldenrod then spent some great time in the kayaks on a nearby lake (away from all the people). Plus after eating dinner and then packing it in for the night, we didn%u2019t get soaking wet, which we could tell by the many car doors slamming and people screaming at 1am , a good few people did. Our tent stayed nice and dry inside and we even managed to stay dry when we got out of the tent and and realized it was sitting in a giant puddle. We even managed to stayed pretty dry packing up and getting on our way home, in the rain! It%u2019s because we are good at coming I guess.

Then the rest of the week came and went in a fast blur. Mostly some same. Had lunch with Barb, cleaned apartments for new tenants,, made cards for artwork, picked up farm share, and you know, other life stuff. I have been busy in the kitchen harvesting garden food and canning or freezing it as well. Trying to stock up on as much food as I can for the winter. Then the littles slept over Friday. We watched Dumb and Dumber and I fell asleep on the couch. Woke up made waffles (I was so excited to use my waffle iron. It%u2019s been too long) and sent them on their way home to be moody tweens because that is now happening.

Oh, and I can%u2019t forget about how some little shithead smashed in the back of our car. Yup, that happened too. But that is pretty much it. I think%u2026.

Now for today. Mt Auscunty State park if all goes to plan. Should be a fun one with lots of hiking and a big high tower and stuff. I know it is gonna get mighty cold tonight so I am packing my winter long underwear and a jacket, hat, and mittens. So excited!

Links to explore on the internet.

–Doctors are now prescribing houseplants to help treat anxiety and depression. Makes a whole heck of a lot of sense to me. And why not try this simple remedy before trying a bunch of drugs?

-I wasn’t;t surprised much when I read this. Junky processed food is so bad, especially if it is all you eat. .19-Year-Old Goes Blind Due to Diet of Pringles, Bread, Fries, and Processed Meats

–Lush Botanical Forms Translated Into Abstract Embroideries%u00a0. So very pretty.

-Another good reason to ditch that pessimistic attitude and to look at he bright side of things. It doesn%u2019t hurt to try. Optimists For The Win: Finding The Bright Side Might Help You Live Longer

–Why do clowns creep us out?%u00a0Because they are creepy, that is why.

-I want, no, I need this cabin. Totally Off-the-Grid Cabin in the New Hampshire Woods

–This Apple Might Be the Most Anticipated Piece of Produce in History. I heard about this apple few years ago. I wonder if it%u2019s gonna live up tp all the hype. We shall see.

-Why don%u2019t we have one of these? The Otter: The 1950s Amphibious Caravan That Time Forgot!

–Can Bullet Journaling Save You? I am a list maker in all the ways. I a ma doodler to no end. I love pretty things and I love hand writing and have a ton of sketch books but besides the occasional list of note in a sketch book, I have never really gotten into Buju. It%u2019s to time sensitive I think, for me anyway.

–Squeeze in a Quick Nap at Work with This Under-Desk Hammock. A new way to sleep on the job. HA.

Pictures from the week.

Hey there people. Happy end of March. Yes, it is true, already a quarter at the way through the year. And no, I don%u2019t know how it happened either. But so that is the way of time now isn%u2019t it.

A week, oh what a week. Not going to lie and say it as all to fanatic to start with. We have been so busy with work and other stuff. Other stuff being bills and paperwork and me trying to get the taxes done. (New rule. We just not mention taxes again until they are done). We did manage a warmish walk to with the littles to spend an hour arguing over weather they can get a king sized candy bar at the store over a lollipop (ended up with gummy worms). There was also a little wood carving, yarn weaving, library pursuing , and neighbor visiting to be had, but other then that, not much else of interest. The week just came and settled into what it was.

And then it was Friday which was a shit day. First off, it was the anniversary of Seans death so you know, already a not great day. But better yet, I Woke up at 4, stub my toe hard on the way back from the bathroom, laid in bed in pain until the throbbing subsided, went to the kitchen to start coffee. As soon as a I turned the faucet on, a little mouse ran across the counter. It took me a good minute of just staring at counter before I registered what happened and started to scream FUCK, FUCK FUCK! I woke the mr up with my profanity. Yup, a mouse in the house, munching on the a bowl of squash seeds I left on the counter. So what can you really do at 4 in the morning? Not much so I went to the gym. I then came home and started cleaning before I had to work at the studio but as I started in on cleaning, the vacuum decided to stop working. Agh. And so the cleaning ceased, I went to work, came home, ate dinner, emptied all the food from the pantry into bags and boxes, then felt all to defeated and sad to do much of anything so just crawled into bed. I figured I would just deal with it all Saturday and I just really needed the day to be over.

Yesterday was the lady, my moms, 60th birthday. Whoop whoop!!( HAPPY HAPPY TO MY MOM). I woke up, baked two cakes, two batches of focaccia, and home made mac and cheese, salad, prepared other foods, and then something for my dinner (my breath still have not recovered from the funk that is of a red onion eaten raw).There was a quick detour during the bake-a-thon to the library for the annual seed swap plus I definitely took out everything from the pantry and vacuumed and sprayed every surface and inspected every piece of food for mice disturbance. (I pretty much have the cleanest pantry ever now.) As for the rest of the house, it is still a mess. Not anything to do with mouse mess, just my Saturday, tear the house apart before I clean and put it back together, mess. While baking I starred in on my weekly clean but things happen and all of a sudden it was time for the mr and I to pack up all the food and head over to my moms house. There we finished food preparing, helped Erin decorate and clean up the house, and then lost my mind a bit. After a near breakdown due to lack of sleep, I mellowed out in time for everyone to show up while Mark and Paul were out with my mom for coffee. When they came home, Mom walked into a house full to the brim with all her kids and most of the grandkids. She was so very happy, I think%u2026.. Ha, no, she was. We then ate the dinner I spent the day slaving over, played outside, went for a walk that looked like a parade, came back for cake and ice cream and presents (everyone got her plants.), and whoa, before I knew it it was 7:30 pm and I was still awake and not in bed. Craziness. But that was it, I lost all steam. We came home to a half trashed house and I basically just assed the f out. The mr set the mouse traps. Have- a-heart, but also some not. I don%u2019t want to know. I just can%u2019t.

Today I am going to clean clean clean. Then maybe clip my toes nails, brush my hair, and get my head ready for the hectic week to come. It%u2019s going to be a full one. There is concrete pouring, the dreaded %u201cnot the be mentioned until they are done%u201d papers, I have a shit ton of stuff that needs to be glazed, seeds to start, yards to clean. It%u2019s spring. Everything needs to be done. Good thing the world has coffee. I am going to need it all.

P.S. It is official. The sandals are out. No more shoes for the next 6 months!

Here are some interesting reads from the interent this week. Read what you want.

-The most significant event in the history of earth. Thats some shit. The Day the Dinosaurs Died

–Why Do I Put Off Doing Things I Love? I know I have been guilty of doing before but I really try to use what I have, especially it is my favorite. Having shit just stashed away is pointless. Use it (whatever it is)

-I want to experience the greatness of the cherry blossom. 25 gorgeous photos of cherry blossoms

-Life we would be something with giant cats. Japanese Illustrator Imagines A World Where Humans Live Among Giant Animals

-I love airbnb but this is definitely something that has crossed my mind and kind of freaks me out. Airbnb Has a Hidden-Camera Problem. But there are cameras and hidden cameras everywhere so%u2026.

–Why Rewatching the Same Shows Is Actually Good For You. I get this. I barely watch tv, but when I do, I like to watch old shows that I have watched before. Gives me good feels and plus I don%u2019t have to pay attention. Plus. Too Much Video Streaming To Choose From? It’s Only Going To Get Worse

-Whoa dude. Yep, You Can Juice a Lemon Without Cutting It%u2014Here’s%u00a0How

–14 ways to break your plastic habit. Even doing a few of these things will make a difference.

-Awesome. KAWS Floats a Massive Inflatable Sculpture in Hong Kong%u2019s Victoria Harbour

–GREEN IN THE KITCHEN. Yes to all of them.

Pictures from the week.

December my friends. No way around it. But I am excited because I love Christmas time with all the fun christmasy things that we can do in next few weeks (there is an A Frame gingerbread village planned !). Also it%u2019s birthday season so I have already made one cake and stuck it in the freezer and only have like 10 more to make. And then there is snow, and lights, and trees%u2026 How can you not like December? Plus cookies. Need to start making cookies because what is December with cookies?

The week was good. After spending all of Sunday cleaning and putting up the Christmas lights, things went as usual with the ways of world. Tuesday Barb and I had lunch and went for a hike, just us girls, to take in nature and talk life things. She hugged trees while I deposited my knowledge that comes with my old age. HA. Later that day, Emma (the mr%u2019s sister), came over to catch up on life and teach the mr how to embroider. She was a great teacher and , I must say, the mr did a really good job being a learner. Although I was not surprised because he picks up everything so fast.

Then Thanksgiving eve. The mr gone for the day, me hanging hanging at home taking phone calls and going through the stack of papers that has been mocking me for the past few weeks. On his way home he picked up Miley so she could sleep over. We made a spaghetti dinner, she watched Nailed It Holidays and I walked her through making cinnamon star bread. The little lady kneaded, rolled, and shaped the whole thing pretty much all by herself. It was for sure a proud aunt moment for me. And then we watched Juno (I hadn%u2019t seen that movies in forever. I forgot how good it was) and I passed out. Bed for me and the mr. Miley, well I am not sure what time she actually went to bed. We let her stay up and watch whatever.

Thanksgiving day I woke up, cooked the star (Miley finished it by making and drizzling the glaze) and we just hung out until Erin and the other two littles showed up. We fed them, played them, and off they went to the Grandparents. The rest of the day was just me and the mr. We went for a nice, if not blustery cold, hike, then just putzed around the house. I read, he hung a new light fixture, then we made dinner. Being thanksgiving and all he felt the need to grill some turkey breasts and if you really want know how that went you can ask him. Me, I ate a humongous bowl of veggies and lentils and hand fulls of spinach. After an after dinner walk we crawled into bed and tried to watch a movie, but I passed (again) out and that was that.

Then the rest of the weekend has been pretty slow. Basically just hanging around the house doing little chores and some little projects. Mellow. And it has been pretty nice.

I am really excited for today. We are going to the Green Mountain Nation Forest to find us our Christmas tree!!!! My most favorite part of Christmas . And so we will head out late morning with our lunches packed, our snow pants tossed into the truck, the saw nice and sharpe, and head out into the mountains.And better yet, tt is suppose to snow later today and I am so very much hopping that we get a nice, (safe) amount of snow on our hike and tree cutting adventure. That would just be the best. YAY!

Internet links from the week, if you want to know what I know now.

-I didn’t know this about thanksgiving. And now I do. Why We Celebrate Thanksgiving On The 4th Thursday Of November

-Uh Duh, I could have told you this. Want to live longer? Surround yourself with plants

–A Brief History of Word Art, the Decor Everyone Loves to Hate. And I really REALLY hate it.

-I have been known to sit in front of the oven and watch the bread bake. Super satisfying. Here’s 36 Blissful Seconds of Bread Rising in the%u00a0Oven

–Photos of How Families Eat In The Arctic. And that is why I don%u2019t live there, it%u2019s a lot of meat.

-This makes me happy to look at. A Multicolored Library of the World%u2019s Ochre Pigments%u00a0

–Here’s To Grown-Up Siblings And The Ties That Bind. Siblings. Even when I want to punch them in the face, I still love them.

-I guess I just don%u2019t understand. Meet the $50 Strawberries That NYC%u2019s High-End Chefs Are Fawning Over

–Homemade Christmas baking is a joy %u2013 even if it is not to your taste. Agreed. Something about baking this tie of year, it is just so, well, joyful.

-On my reading list. Good Husbandry: A Memoir by Kristin Kimball. I read her first Memoir, The Dirty life, and it was A+

And pictures from the week…

Do you realize that Christmas is just a handful and a half of days away? I knew it, but like didn’t really register it. And now I am like, fa la la la fuck! We have been so busy and distracted that I haven’t really focused to much on the holiday, but at least we decorate the tree. And if I am remembering correctly, there were a few years, long ago, that the mr and I wouldn’t even start celebrating or get our tree until a few days before Christmas so if I am judging us on my past selves, well we are golden. And now we let the celebrating begin!

One of our Christmas traditions is to string popcorn while watching elf for the tree. This is a big deal night because I won’t let myself watch it until that night, but after that, I can watch it as many times that I want. (once a day) We got our tree like two weeks ago, and finally late last week we did the popcorn, watched some elf, and a few days after that we decorated, kinda.%u00a0 It was much lacking in ornaments. We had the lights, the popcorn garland, the paper chain (we made it a few years back), and the carved wooden carrots, but the bulbs we usually stick on it, I just wasn’t feeling. The tree was looking pretty good but was still lacking something. That’s when I went to my fruit bowl and grabbed an orange, a clementine and the dehydrator out of the basement over at the loft and went to work. I turned on the Christmas music (A very special Christmas, the red cover) sliced the citrus, stuck it in the dehydrator, and then, well, then I waited a good few hours. During those hours, the music was going, the house smelled up like citrus and lovely, and I felt that slight holiday tingle.

I think these orange slices are going to be a new holiday tree decorating tradition. I will probably tweak it next year ans spend the 6 hours waiting for the fruit to dry baking cookies and not pouring concrete, but maybe not.

And if you are thinking its too late to make any more holiday stuff, well you are wrong. And honestly, I might just make a sting of these slices to hang up all year long.

To make the orange slice ornaments..

All you need is..

• oranges or whatever citrus you want to use
• a sharp knife
• needle and thread or ornament hangers
• a dehydrator or a baking sheet.

The dirty work. Slice the orange about a 1/4 inch thick. Try to make all the slices the same thickness.

I am using my dehydrator so the slices go single layer onto a rack. If you are using the oven, line a baking sheet with parchment and single layer the slices. Pop those suckers into the oven at the lowest possible setting you got. Either way you do it, the slices are going to take anywhere between 5-8 hours to completely dehydrate. It all depends on how juicy your oranges are. Just keep an eye on them after the first few hours. You want them to dehydrate, not burn into crisp.

They are done when they look like so, all dried and crispy and delicate. They should feel dry to the touch.

%u00a0Once the slices have cooled off a bit, they are ready to be handled and hung. I used thread to hang my orange slices, but feel free to use whatever you want.(I was going to use ornament hangers but didn’t have any and I was not about to go buy some)

Slices of orange so pretty. They look so good with the wooden carrots, the popcorn garland, and the glittery acorns on the tree.

I definitely will be making more.

Enjoy!

-C

I love me a good tree, pretty much any tree, real or fake.%u00a0 And come December, my house if full of different little trees, of all sizes, shapes and colors. It’s my holiday thing because really, there is nothing better then a tree.

And yeah, I was feeling crafty, and maybe a little bit sad that there is no snow around here. And we still hadn’t gotten our real tree yet (but we just got it!) so I wanted to make some more little trees to make me feel better, and this time I wanted them to light up. I was also thinking that it might be nice to bring a few little tree decorations over to the new house so I have happy little trees over there while we are working. So yeah, I needed some more little trees. And I figure you do too, that’s why I am sharing this.

This is a great project to do with a few littles (they make the trees, you use the hot glue and sharp blade) or make while baking bread and watching a festive movie.%u00a0 You could even make and share with a loved one as a sweet little gift. And best part…it doesn’t need to be packed away after the holidays because trees are not just for Christmas. These are pretty little winter trees, for everyone who is awesome and likes a tree to enjoy all winter long!(even if winter hasn’t come yet)

The stuff you will need

• A piece of cardboard about 12×16 (I used an old pizza box I found in the recycling)
• assorted paper of size an color
• white tissue paper (optional)
• a strand of 20 lights (colored or white)
• a ruler
• scissors
• hot glue gun
• glue stick
• tape
• pencil
• xacto knife

Note. If you have an empty shallow box that is a good size for you, just use that. And hot glue works best, bt can be subed out with any glue, or tape for that matter (if you don’t mind seeing tape on your trees)

Start with making the cardboard box base. Measure each corner in 1 inch and cut our the corner. Repeat with all corners. Once they are allcut, fold each side at the cuts to make the sides.

Tape the corners together and now you got yourself a sallow box. (now you can make boxes for everything !!!) Set box aside

Now to make the trees. Take a piece of paper and, depending if it is already a square or not, but it into a square. (does not have to be perfect, just eyeball it)

Got your square paper, now take an edge and fold it over about 1/2 inch. And then taking you scissors and snip of the corner edge at an angle (again, not going for perfections here)

The poin is the tip that was cut, now fold the two sides together.

So you can stop here ans glue or if you want light holes…..

Unfold the paper and with a pencil, mark off where you wnt the holes (random is good). Take the xacto blade and cut little x’x over each hole.

Then push through each x with the eraser end of the pencil

Now glue the cone together using the hot glue gun.

You will have a weird tail left on the bottom of the cone, so just trim that off and any extra that needs to come off to make it stand up straight.

Ta Da!! A paper cone tree. Now make a bunch of them, all different sizes and colors (or all the same size and color.. up to you) And not all of them need to have light holes in them either, a couple non light trees are good.

Once you have made all the cone trees, grab the box base and set up the trees how you want them to be on the base

Take the trees off and mark the spots with the pencil. Grab the xacto and cut X’s into the marks.

Take your lights and push the bulbs through (there will be a extra bulbs on the underside…. it makes the box glow.)

And tape down the trees back into place

So cute!

Note.. I stuck a couple extra lights through the box that have no trees. They will be covered in a minute with snow.. So you can do the same. (if you want)

Now you check it out!!! Love it right?%u00a0 And stop here if you like, or go one more step and add some fake snow.

Before you tape down the trees, take glue stick and glue random pieces of tissue paper all over the box, leaving the lights uncovered. (I covered over the extra lights I popped through to make it look like glowing snow)

Stick trees back on.. same way with the tape (You might need to fanagle the trees a little bit to get them to stay)%u00a0 and plug it in.

This makes me happy.

Now go get some paper and start making some trees.

Have fun!

-C

It’s been a long, packed, but very fantastic week. Everyday has been full of work, chores, family, and trying to get in a least one good bike ride or walk in. %u00a0I made a%u00a0list of a few important points to mention from the past week.

• Spring is real, not an imagined season in my head. (HOORAY!!!!).%u00a0
• Banana ice cream is everyones favorite snack
• Planting things from seed and watching them grow is magic
• Riding a bike with kinda flat tires really sucks
• The little people in my family are the best most fantastic humans
• Don’t tell a 2 year that ants will bite her or you will end up caring that child around everywhere because she is afraid to walk outside (Anyone know %u00a0good therapist for a 2 year old?)

Anyways, I am hoping to take it easy today, catch up on my coffee consumption, do a bit of gardening, reading, bike riding, all without pressure or expectations. Everyone should have a day for no expectations.

Some fun internet stuff from the week.

-I need an RV or camper.%u00a0THE BRAVE // vintage rv renovation inspiration

-Who cares if not everyone is pleased, I would be if my lunch bags looked like this.%u00a0These Parents Make Lovely Lunch Bag Art. Not Everyone Is Pleased

-So lovely.%u00a0Urban Jewelry: New Lace Street Art by NeSpoon

-Alternative energy Woo Hoo!%u00a0%u00a0Tesla’s Powerwall Home Battery Wants to Make Fossil Fuels Obsolete

-I am really excited to make this%u2026 I have a feeling that I will be incorporating it into many of my recipes.%u00a0ChefSteps’ Genius Roasted Onion Cream

-Another house that I could get down with.%u00a0

And a few pictures%u2026.

The mister and the worlds biggest crayon, which is made of scraps of blue crayons from all over the world. I could totally use a big ass crayon like this.The coolest most badass 95 year old lady that I know (I know a few), Grammy Stem. And the little, getting a lift. (I could have used a lift too!)Brothers. The guy in the green is my Dad.Aftre dinner ice cream break.The sky has been on point all week longAnd made myself some veggie chips. The colors alone are delicious.

Have a great day!

-C.

%u00a0 %u00a0

Because I love beets, I love celeriac and I love to pickle things%u2026. And I love hearts. And Valentines Day is just around the corner so I though it appropriate to share these little darlings with you because even if you are not a%u00a0fan of pickled beets or celeriac, you have to admit that these are just the cutest pickles you have ever seen. I have made a batch, sitting in the fridge, awaiting some sweet little dinner date that me and the mister will have come Valentines day. Or not, we might just eat them all before hand%u2026 because everyday is like Valentines day for us! (blah, barf, but awe, we are so cute!)

This is my basic pickling recipe%u2026.I figured you will want to pickle everything and anything once you realize (if you haven’t already) how amazing pickled everything is! And how easy it is to do it yourself.

My Pickling method%u2026…

1. Choose the jar that the pickles will live in
2. Prepare and pack the stuff %u00a0that is going to be pickled into the jar%u2026 leave about and inch of head space
3. Fill the jar to the top with a half water and half vinegar solution (I usually use apple cider vinegar because I think it adds a bit of sweetness.. I don’t like to pickle with sugar)
4. If going for a crispy pickle (like green%u00a0beans or crunchy carrots)%u2026. strain liquid into a pot with a teaspoon of salt per cup of liquid and any spices* that you want to use%u00a0and bring to a boil%u00a0%u00a0Add back to jar
5. If going for a more tender pickle (like beets or celeriac), dump the liquid and the veggies into a pot with a teaspoon of salt per cup of liquid and any spices* you want to use. Bring to a boil for a few minutes, then remove and replace back into jar.
6. Place lid and stick in fridge for at least a day%u2026.(I alway cheat and end up taking a bite within the first few hours) The flavor only gets better after being in the fridge for a couple of days.

*You can spice your pickles anyway you see fit%u2026. I%u00a0like to use peppercorns, garlic, mustard seeds, celery seeds red pepper flakes. Or for a little sweeter and more fragrant pickle, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods or star anise%u2026the possibilities are endless.

Pickles are usually good for about a month, but I have never been able to keep them that long!

A little about these specific pickles%u2026…

I used one medium celeriac root, and 2 small beets. Sliced about a 1/4 inch thick and then used a cookie cutter to make the hearts. %u00a0The chosen vinegar was%u00a0apple cider, and yeah ,you must pickle both the inner and outer hearts%u2026.don’t waste the outer heart! And the spices I used were black mustard seed and peppercorns.%u00a0

And they be amazing!!!!

Have a Fantastic Weekend!! Hopefully full of %u00a0warm weather, fluffy clouds, and lots of pickles!

-C

%u00a0 %u00a0%u00a0%u00a0

Another week has flown by%u2026.whew%u2026%u2026. But it was such a good week. The mister had a birthday that I think went pretty good. We received a fair amount of snow that turned the world into a snow globe. We took our first road trip in the new car down to NYC to visit Nicks brother his girlfriend.(They were awesome..We had a great time) And now we are home. .%u2026. a lot of happy things this week.It’s kind of turned into a Nick birthday tradition for us to hike up Mount Philo. We started with a couple inches of snow and a little freezing rain at the bottom of the trail and ended at the summit hiking in a foot of snow. So beautiful. %u00a0 %u00a0%u00a0%u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0Our Christmas tree tradition. Every year after we cut our tree down, we string up the lights, pop a giant bowl of popcorn and string it up for the tree while watching Elf. I look forward to this night for weeks. We started stringing popcorn too many years ago when we were living in our first apartment. We didn’t have any ornaments or money so we just did popcorn. Then we added Elf to the tradition. How can it get better?%u00a0It’s really the highlight of the season. %u00a0%u00a0%u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0%u00a0The tree%u2026%u2026.minus the ornaments. I am still up in the air about putting anything else on it this year, I love the way it looks now.

A kitchen supply store in NYC. I could have spent the entire day in this store. There was something for everything. I walked out with nothing. It’s ok, I can always go back.

The Chelsea Market in NYC was really fun. Its located in such a sweet building with a bunch of neat little shops. We made our way there for the Etsy craft fair which was really cool. We even made it early enough for the door prizes! %u00a0And just look at these light!%u00a0%u00a0By far the best light display I have seen this year.Nick and I always joke about getting a bike with a side car%u2026..I think it was meant to be.Waking up earlier then everyone else and hitting the streets. Walking around the lower east side at 6 am on a saturday is really fascinating. The streets were almost complexity empty and there was less of a %u00a0hurry hurry energy. I got to see the sun coming up. A bowl of delicious grapes. Can make anyone happy, right.

Ahh,, and back to Sunday. I am going to clean, unpack, shovel a bit and get ready for the week. Then I am going to hang %u00a0with the puppy(I missed him) and I am also going to drink to much coffee, read and nap throughout the day. A low key kind of day. I think I kind of deserve it, and I think you deserve a day to do what you want too!

Hope you have some happy!!!

Oh, it definitely was a long week. Did a lot of holiday stuff, watched a lot of littles( got peed on) got sick and lost my voice for a couple of days.(that was fun). All sorts of good stuff. But for real, I had a great week. Here are some bits. Persimmons.,,,,,,,,,,,. Do I need to say more?

This new tea%u2026 I wasn’t sure I was going to like it but oh do I. It’s so freaking good, I have been drinking it every day. I must stock up before its gone!

Everything about getting our Christmas tree makes me happy. Every year, the mister, the dog, and I drive down to the rangers station,, get our tree tag , and hike into the Green Mountain National Forest to hunt for and cut down our Christmas tree. The tree is the thing for me. I don’t want presents, no shopping, take the food, just the tree and I will be happy. %u00a0Its our most fantastical tradition. We make is a whole day event. A nice drive, lunch, listening to Christmas music, lots of hot coffee, a long hike in the most beautiful place in the world. The perfect day.%u00a0Look at how happy this guy is. Its hunting season and we forgot his bright colors so we improvised. Yellow trash bag ribbons. His new nickname is now Trash dog. It fits him.

Watching this little. She is an amazing human being and I love love love her.. I think she might be mine. She really likes soup..

My elf candle holders I got from CB2. I wanted them so bad for years and finally the last year they sold them I bought myself these guys. I heart them

Oh you like my new milk crate show bench? Its awesome,, one of the best uses of scrap wood and milk crate that I have ever done(Yes there has been other scape wood milk crate projects) Well you are in luck..I will show you how to made it.. watch for it next week!

I love old strainers. I kind of have a thing for them. This big guy is now in my collection. Bonus, green AND purple kale%u2026.

Hanging out with my sister. I haven’t seen her for what seems like the past 4 months(she is in nursing school). This was her last day of classes %u00a0so we cleaned her house, folded laundry while listening to music and I made her dinner.We wrapped up the night by mass texting our other sisters inappropriate pictures of the elf on the shelf. It got pretty crazy. %u00a0It was such a great night. I love my sisters.

Hope you found some bits of happy this week, if not, your not doing it right.

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!!!

Holly, jolly, fa la la. It%u2019s all the holidays and are we all just so excited and happy? It%u2019s ok if you are not, but don%u2019t tell me not to be and listen to Christmas music and bake all the cookies. I am gonna do it and really try to just enjoy it all and be happy. Easier said then done for sure, but I am committed this year. I will not get grouchy. No, that will come after the holidays when the family leaves and I find food crushed into my couch cushions or pieces of candy in my plants. Then my friends, all bets are off.

The week has been fast and plentiful of plenty. Besides the stuff of normal life as usual, we did a quick dinner at Moms. Ryan came over too to bake cookies with my mom which was just to funny. (He was able to dirty up more measuring cups then I knew my mom even owned.) I have also been to the studio a few times over the week, trying to get last minute things done, sold a few rainbows, loaded a kiln. At home we have dutifully watched the amaryllis bloom, decorated the Christmas tree (about time, only took us 2 weeks), and baked things that needed baking (cookies and cakes. duh). And I picked up the last farm share of the year which has already got me dipping hard into the freezer stock of produce so I can stretch out the fresh stuff that I got. No farm pick up for 3 weeks%u2026 There is gonna be a lot of frozen zucchini happening around for sure.

And yay for us, we finally sent out all of our Christmas cards that needed to be sent and dropped off the ones that could be dropped off. There was a lot of chatting and catching up with old friends and neighbors and we got to see some pretty fantastical Christmas trees along the way. Best card drop off happened when we stopped over at Erins to hang with the littles and give them there card. Coco took it upon himself to use the card as a hat. That kid. Too freaking cute and practical to boot.

Then the rest of the week has been just same old with a little extra this and that. Yup, just living the life and trying to be present and just enjoy.

Sunday. Already and finally. The mr and I are going to get a few more things done that need doing before Christmas and the family descends.. I am going to do all the grocery shopping for actual Christmas Day, which could possible turn into a mental melt down (I have to go go Costco and I am scared of the potential for crowds of crazy people). The mr is still finishing up the build on the new stairs at the loft so my dad doesn%u2019t fall and die when he is over there, and I think we both have a thing or two we need to do without each other. I actually am all set, just waiting to pick up the ONE freaking package that I ordered online 3 weeks ago that was suppose to be shipped to the store a week ago and it is no where to be found. I order one thing, ONE THING, from the internet and it went badly. So frustrating, but oh well, what can you do. Other then that, I am going to the gym, maybe hit the library, defiantly a long ass walk either around here or preferably in some woods. And after dinner tonight, I think the plan is for a little Christmas lights drive. Got to see the lights!

Happiest Happy Merry Holidays to you all!!! Have all the relaxing and fun you possibly can.

Internet for your enjoyment.

-The $100 billion reason not to return gifts this holiday season. Or reasons to not buy anything at all!

-Dying food with food just makes sense. How to Make Natural Food Dyes

-Yes I still call them snow tires and probably always will. But this is some good information for the next time I buy snow, I mean, winter tires. Everything you thought you knew about winter tires but didn%u2019t.

-I want to live here. A Tiny Cabin in the Woods For Creative Homesteaders In Vermont

–How to Flake Gracefully. Or go a step further and just never make plans, but then you risk not having friends%u2026%u2026%ud83e%udd37%ud83c%udffb%u200d%u2640%ufe0f

-Handmade gifts wrapped in old newspaper. Best way to go. Here%u2019s Why Messily Wrapped Presents Are Sometimes Better Than Neat Ones

–Barack Obama Says Women Could Solve Many Of World’s Problems %u2014 Which Men Have Caused. He really is a smart guy. Oh how I miss him.

-I know my house is going to be getting trashed a lot this week so I am going to chill on the cleaning and do a crazy deep clean after all the holiday crazy. I already have a list going of things I want to do. 29 Things You Don%u2019t Have to Clean Until January 6

-I don%u2019t eat candy, but the mr does and he is all about sour candy, especially sour patch kids. I don%u2019t really get it, but whatever floats his (or your) boat. A formal taxonomy of sour candies

–The healing powders of food are real.15 Kitchen Herbs and Spices with Powerful Health Benefits.

Pictures from the week.

I am so happy for spring. It is my favorite season for sure. All the new, green things popping form the ground.. Warmer but not hot days, rain and sun then rain and more sun. No more winter jackets but sweaters are still good. People are in good moods. Flowers are coming out of the ground. The world is just a delight.

The week started off with a bang. I turned all of the garden beds over and did a great big yard rake and cleaning so things are looking pretty good back there right now. I repotted my tomatoes and peppers and started a bunch of greens and peas which makes me feel awesome. I think this might be the first year that I am actually on top of the planting season like I want to be. Yeh me. I also busted out the bike and went for the first ride of the year. Sure it was only a few blocks, but it was still fantastic. Now what I really need to do is give the old gal a tune up cause the chain was grinding and the tires need air and maybe new brakes? Not sure but I need to get to it, like asap because I plan on making the bike my means of transportation for the summer.

aside from all the that stuff, we also did some work, the mr did even more work (he is always working). I finished up a couple clay projects that have been lingering for a while. We went for lots of walks without jackets and I wore sandals all week. We managed a good stop by to see the littles and bring them carrot cookies. They ate all the cookies (2 dozen), beat the shit out of the mr, and managed to clean while they were doing it. We were impressed to say the least. The mr was sore from getting wacked a bunch.

Then Wednesday was Seans birthday. Would have been 30 years old%u2026Whoa. The family, friends, all of Seans friends went to the basketball court for a little pick up basketball game to celebrate and be together. It was fun, and sad, and good to see all the boys, but sad, but good. Never going get used to it. You know what I mean? Life.

Rest of the week came and went with the usual plus lots of rain and gray, but again, I was all about it because it is spring. worked at the studio on Friday where I moved all the clay in the world, got stabbed so hard by a stray pointy tool that was in slop bucket and got blood everywhere. I also managed to get so much clay in my hair and was overly praised for my height by all the studio ladies. They really appreciate my abilities at grabbing things on high shelves.

And the weekend. Yesterday we woke and basically ran out of the house to moms to borrow her truck (still haven%u2019t found a car to buy). We then drove the truck up to the greater north of Vermont and picked up all the cedar wood we need for the porch. Loaded up, drove back to the porch and unloaded all the wood. I came home for a few hours of power cleaning while the mr ran around all over some more and then back to moms for dinner. (Mom made ham, I brought my own dinner) We ate, Mom brushed my hair and then Barb breaded it which I love love and will never be able to do myself. I raided moms books (found nothing I haven%u2019t read already), searched for a missing bowl, made fun of the boys. Then I came home just in time to passed out.

Today, well today is Easter so after the gym and a few Sunday errands I need to do this morning, we are going to be doing a little easter lunch thing and an egg hunt for the littles at moms with the fam. After that I am coming home and continuing my quest for perfection in the yard, maybe tinker with the bike a bit, take a nap, read, drink all the coffee.. Looking at some sunshine and 70 degrees for the afternoon.. It%u2019s going to be a fine fine day.

And I still have not washed my hair so I need to do that. Most of the clay dried and fell out, but there still is some left%u2026.SO yeah, I need to do that today. I really hate washing my hair.

Internet links to check out.

–Fireflies Will Soon Light Up the Skies In Mesmerizing Harmony %u2014 Here’s How to See Them. I love me some fireflies, how cool would it be to see this.

– The Single Most Useful Snacking Rule I Give My Kid. I don%u2019t have my own kids, but when I have other peoples, I go by a rule like this too except my rule is you can eat veggies any time all the time.

-Want to grow your own avocado tree, here is how. Good luck.

–THE VINTAGE ROMANTIC BATH.. All the clawfoot tubs. Can%u2019t go wrong

-I am so ready. The first official %u201cStranger Things%u201d Season 3 trailer

–4 Natural Ways To Fertilize Houseplants. Now is a good time to fertilize!

-Hate the dentist? Read this and you will only hate it that much more. The Truth About Dentistry

-If ever I was to live on a house boat, this boat would be the one. And the floors in this place%u2026 swoon!

–How One Woman’s ‘Magically Delicious’ Pot Brownies Changed%u00a0History. Brownie Mary, what a lady.

-What the freaking f@ck? I am pretty sure I don%u2019t like where this could go. Neuroscientists just brought pig brain cells back to life.

Some pictures from the week

I think we are pretty much out of the clear. Yes I woke up yesterday morning to a light coating of snow on the ground, but I feel like that was it. It has got to be because I have to wash my winter jacket that is as of now, covered in dirt and concrete so it needs to be washed. And once it is washed, it is getting packed away with all of the other winter stuff. So you see, we really cannot have any more winter jacket weather because I won%u2019t have a jacket anymore. It must be sweater weather or warmer and that is that. Are you listening weather?

The week good, if not a bit hectic and all over. There was work, paper work, the %u201cmust not be mentioned%u201d and no they are not done yet but must be by next Monday or else. The mr has been running around all over town doing this and that which has been a slight pain because when he is super busy and I am busy and we only have one car and my bike needs a good tune up before it is safe%u2026 Well it makes things some what difficult. But so far we have managed and there wasn%u2019t too much arguing over car. We did manage to take a nice walk down by the lake, I also was able to sneak in a warm afternoon of clearing out the garden and picking up yard trash. The back porch is almost ready for summer living and green things are popping up all over the place making me ache for more more more. Think of it, trees with leaves. I am getting more excited every day.

Friday was a crazy day. Woke up, went to the gym with no plans other then work at the studio and having the littles over for dinner. By the time I came home I had plans to quickly make a cake before work because the littles pizza party turned into a family birthday party for Megan. So I made that cake, ran to work, moved 700lb of clay and loaded kilns. The mr picked me up with littles in tow, we ran home in time for all the family and partied partied until I kicked everyone out of the house at 7 because I was exhausted and plus Megan needed to go to Costco so she needed to leave anyway. Ha.

Yesterday, after a near sleepless night due to a racing mind, we woke up (again, to snow. BLAH), I bundled up and out we went to spend half the day pouring wet, heavy, cold concrete. I must say, pouring concrete usually isn%u2019t the worst, but yesterday, well it was. First off, we were working in very tight quarters making moving somewhat difficult.. Secondly, I was sore from all the clay moving the day before. And I was freezing. And tired, so so tired. By mid morning my fingers and toes had tuned to ice, I was covered in so much dirt and concrete, the mr was basically rolling around in dirt (reference picture above) so was trashed worse then me, but we were getting it done. The mr was brilliant and saved us so much time and hassle by coming up with a tarp and jostle concrete mixing technique so that was good. Anyway, the concrete was all poured and it is over. (Now we wait for it to set to finish porch construction) The rest of the day was short and went by with cleaning the house. I don%u2019t know how my family does it but there were sprinkles from the cake EVERYWHERE!

Today, after a quick romp to the gym, the library, the grocery store, and all the other little chores I need to do, the mr and I are going for a drive to look at a van. We need a work car. The life car is getting trashed, we have been having to get materials delivered (which costs money and stupid time) because we cannot fit wood and big stuff in the car, and it is just not practical for us to share. So van. A van for work, A van for cross country travel. A van for sanity. Hopefully this van is the one. Wish us luck.

Some stuff from the internet that you might care to look at.

-Thinking real hard about buying these Birkenstocks%u2026but not sure. Any opinions?

–Stop Asking Kids What They Want to Be When They Grow Up The question forces children to define themselves in terms of work. And really, what do you consider grown up?

-Gluten sensitive? Try sourdough. Why Some Gluten-Sensitive People Can Still Eat Sourdough Bread.

–Kitchen spices look startlingly different in the wild. So pretty

–Brown is one of my favorite colors

-Got a power drill? If yes, you also have a oven cleaner. I Cleaned My Oven with a Power Drill

–All Right. Some Cats Do Fetch. Only never fetched. That would have been beneath him. But he did respond to his name. Cats Might Not Act Like It, But They Know Their Names As Well As Dogs

-I very much like this house.

-Will Kevin Costner be my neighbor? Floating cities could ease the world%u2019s housing crunch, the UN says

–10 Things Nobody Tells You About Plywood. I love a good application of ply wood. We have plywood floor tiles in the pantry and our kitchen cabinets are plywood and they are great.

And some pictures from the week.

Holly, jolly, fa la la. It%u2019s all the holidays and are we all just so excited and happy? It%u2019s ok if you are not, but don%u2019t tell me not to be and listen to Christmas music and bake all the cookies. I am gonna do it and really try to just enjoy it all and be happy. Easier said then done for sure, but I am committed this year. I will not get grouchy. No, that will come after the holidays when the family leaves and I find food crushed into my couch cushions or pieces of candy in my plants. Then my friends, all bets are off.

The week has been fast and plentiful of plenty. Besides the stuff of normal life as usual, we did a quick dinner at Moms. Ryan came over too to bake cookies with my mom which was just to funny. (He was able to dirty up more measuring cups then I knew my mom even owned.) I have also been to the studio a few times over the week, trying to get last minute things done, sold a few rainbows, loaded a kiln. At home we have dutifully watched the amaryllis bloom, decorated the Christmas tree (about time, only took us 2 weeks), and baked things that needed baking (cookies and cakes. duh). And I picked up the last farm share of the year which has already got me dipping hard into the freezer stock of produce so I can stretch out the fresh stuff that I got. No farm pick up for 3 weeks%u2026 There is gonna be a lot of frozen zucchini happening around for sure.

And yay for us, we finally sent out all of our Christmas cards that needed to be sent and dropped off the ones that could be dropped off. There was a lot of chatting and catching up with old friends and neighbors and we got to see some pretty fantastical Christmas trees along the way. Best card drop off happened when we stopped over at Erins to hang with the littles and give them there card. Coco took it upon himself to use the card as a hat. That kid. Too freaking cute and practical to boot.

Then the rest of the week has been just same old with a little extra this and that. Yup, just living the life and trying to be present and just enjoy.

Sunday. Already and finally. The mr and I are going to get a few more things done that need doing before Christmas and the family descends.. I am going to do all the grocery shopping for actual Christmas Day, which could possible turn into a mental melt down (I have to go go Costco and I am scared of the potential for crowds of crazy people). The mr is still finishing up the build on the new stairs at the loft so my dad doesn%u2019t fall and die when he is over there, and I think we both have a thing or two we need to do without each other. I actually am all set, just waiting to pick up the ONE freaking package that I ordered online 3 weeks ago that was suppose to be shipped to the store a week ago and it is no where to be found. I order one thing, ONE THING, from the internet and it went badly. So frustrating, but oh well, what can you do. Other then that, I am going to the gym, maybe hit the library, defiantly a long ass walk either around here or preferably in some woods. And after dinner tonight, I think the plan is for a little Christmas lights drive. Got to see the lights!

Happiest Happy Merry Holidays to you all!!! Have all the relaxing and fun you possibly can.

Internet for your enjoyment.

-The $100 billion reason not to return gifts this holiday season. Or reasons to not buy anything at all!

-Dying food with food just makes sense. How to Make Natural Food Dyes

-Yes I still call them snow tires and probably always will. But this is some good information for the next time I buy snow, I mean, winter tires. Everything you thought you knew about winter tires but didn%u2019t.

-I want to live here. A Tiny Cabin in the Woods For Creative Homesteaders In Vermont

–How to Flake Gracefully. Or go a step further and just never make plans, but then you risk not having friends%u2026%u2026%ud83e%udd37%ud83c%udffb%u200d%u2640%ufe0f

-Handmade gifts wrapped in old newspaper. Best way to go. Here%u2019s Why Messily Wrapped Presents Are Sometimes Better Than Neat Ones

–Barack Obama Says Women Could Solve Many Of World’s Problems %u2014 Which Men Have Caused. He really is a smart guy. Oh how I miss him.

-I know my house is going to be getting trashed a lot this week so I am going to chill on the cleaning and do a crazy deep clean after all the holiday crazy. I already have a list going of things I want to do. 29 Things You Don%u2019t Have to Clean Until January 6

-I don%u2019t eat candy, but the mr does and he is all about sour candy, especially sour patch kids. I don%u2019t really get it, but whatever floats his (or your) boat. A formal taxonomy of sour candies

–The healing powders of food are real.15 Kitchen Herbs and Spices with Powerful Health Benefits.

Pictures from the week.

December in action and we are taking it at full speed. All the activities, the birthdays, the holiday celebrations%u2026 So much and I love it all, even if I feel like a crazy lady and want to run screaming from groups of people bigger the 2. I%u2019ll deal with the interactions now and just plan to spend the month of January hiding and recovering. I%u2019ll be ok.

The week started with the hunt for our Christmas tree. The Green Mountain National Forest, seventh year running, and this year did not disappoint. A fantastic hike into the woods near a beaver pond with lots of trees, snow on the ground, and no people. Exactly how I like to find our tree. And find it we did, the most perfect (too perfect?) tree. And it only took about an hour of almost cutting down like 20 other trees. Once we were positive, the mr cut it down, we said our thanks to the world, then hiked our tree out of the woods and slid it into the back of the car. Hopped in, cranked the Christmas music, and we were good to go. A perfect Christmas tree expedition.

Then life. Kind of a busy week in terms of birthdays. The beginning of the week Justin turned older by a year, then the next day Sophia did to so we partied with spaghetti, chocolate chocolate cake with tiny apples (she wanted it to be apple shaped but I just made little apples instead), and ballerina style dancing. Then there was a little lull in activities as far as birthdays where the mr and I did some stuff like work stuff, (more him then me), decorated, hung out with Barb, did the doings.

And then Friday. After an afternoon of loading kilns next to other kilns that were 2100 degrees and almost burning my face off, it was a rush to get home and prepare for the masses. Not technically the mr%u2019s birthday, but we had his annual grilled cheese and soup birthday celebration. Pretty much the whole fam at the house again. Lots of grilled cheeses sandwiches were made, so much soup was scooped (tomato and split pea per usual), and cake and ice cream concluded the night. And I only found half a grilled cheese sandwich under the couch when I was cleaning yesterday%u2026 Progress? I don%u2019t know, but there definitely was a few big dried soup puddles on the floor. But not on the couch! So there is that.

Back to Sunday. Not sure whats on the agenda for today but I have some stuff I need to do and I know that the mr has some stuff he needs to do. Plus together we have some stuff we need to do so we will see what gets done. Mostly though, I think I am shooting for a small hike, some coffee, and a chill afternoon of reading on the couch, facing the lit up Christmas tree. That would be swell.

Check out what I checked out from the internet this week.

–The Farmers’ Almanac Winter Forecast Is Here%u2014and Brrr!. Give me all the snow!!!!

-I can%u2019t imagine a life without reading. Not A Regular Reader? 4 Strategies To Make Reading A Habit

–Why Your Kid Loves the Garbage Truck So Much. I liked the cement trucks%u2026they don%u2019t stink an they spin.

-I am sorry, but this is some bullshit. Italian Artist’s Duct-Taped Bananas Are Selling for $120,000 Each

–How to Stop Making Excuses and Start Composting Already. And in Vermont, it%u2019t the law!

-Netflix is perverted. Ha! The Brands Are (Literally) Too Horny and Must Be Stopped

–Food delivery and takeout are on the rise. So are the mountains of trash they create.I like the idea of reusable metal tin. Could we get there?

–Here’s Why Your Favorite Headband Always Leaves You With a Headache. I used o wear headbands all the time, but had to stop because of the head pressure it caused.

–How Often, Really, Do You Follow This Recipe%u00a0Instruction?. Never but always. I like to add color to food, but only when it is edible and adds flavor.

-The sink that looks kind of like a mini tub%u2026. Swoon. For a Long Winter%u2019s Nap: A Manor House and a Schoolhouse in the German Countryside, Available for Stays

And pictures from the week

The heat is officially on in the house because well, it got kind of freezing out and also because we got some snow! So awesome and unexpected. Sure, it was only an inch and came at the exact wrong time making for a very sketchy driving situation, and also it froze all the chard in the garden I had left (I harvested it and just tossed it in the freezer for soups), but whatever. I was, and am just so happy to see it. I really do love this time of year, even if everyone else hates it.

The week started off slow. The extra hour was welcomed but also really kind of screwed with my body clock. I have been getting better throughout the week, but the first few days we changed the clock, I was waking up at like 3 am. Yes, I was going to bed at like 630, but when your tired, your tired. Anyway, besides being a little groggy, it was the usual as usual. Work stuff, getting ready for winter weather, dealing with the dealings. We had lunch with Megan, a spaghetti dinner with Judah, and I picked up the first winter farm share of the season. Lots of roots, greens, Brussels sprout, and peppers. All the best food a lady could ask for. I am also feeling like a queen with my new, permanent, gold crown in my mouth. And now I am officially sick of going to the dentist. Going to try really hard to not have to go back ever again, or at least 6 months when I am due for a clean.

Oh, and lets not forget how I busted out the new toilet brushes. Who doesn%u2019t love a fresh toilet brush? Highlight of the week. HA.

Today the mr and don%u2019t have much in the way of plans besides getting the winter tires thrown on the car and getting out of town for the afternoon for a hike. So I am going to the gym and dropping off the library books this morning, we will then deal with the car, and then off we will go, heading out to conquer a mountain. Or a small trail. I am fine with either. Just as long as we are outside.

Links from the internet for your reading and browsing enjoyment.

–Why You Should Find Time to Be Alone With Yourself. Alone time is the best. I cannot stress how important alone time for me is%u2026 I NEED IT!

-I didi%u2019t know how awesome and strong ginkgo trees were. Consider the ginkgo. These ancient trees survived the atomic bomb in Hiroshima.

-First, how is Emma Watson turning 30? Second, Yes lady. Did Emma Watson Just Coin the Next %u201cConscious Uncoupling%u201d?

-Why haven%u2019t I don%u2019t this yet? The Tangy-Sweet Pickled Fruit I Put on Absolutely%u00a0Everything

–Very Generous People Are Way Happier (and Have More Friend)

-Looking for new shoes is the worst. But I found some that are not exactly winter friendly, but maybe I can make them work? Teva%u00a0Voya Infinity Sandals. OR these appropriate footwear. I love them but jeez, I am not paying that much for a shoe.

-Give me roots, all the roots. Root, root, root for rutabaga, turnips and those other unappreciated vegetables

-This is me! %u2018It%u2019s cool to be cold%u2019: Confessions of frigid-weather fanatics

–The Cookie Sculptor. I think I need to spend more time sculpting cookies.

–Scrubbing Your House Of Bacteria Could Clear The Way For Fungus. I am a clean freak, but I don%u2019t use any chemicals whatsoever. Vinegar, water, vacuum. How that keeps the bad fungus away.

And pictures from the week.

I don%u2019t know what the hell I was just reamng about, but I woke up with Celine Dion %u201cThats the way it is%u201d stuck in my head. I am pretty sure I haven%u2019t heard that song in like 10 years so it had to have made it%u2019s way out of my deep, deep subconscious. What does it mean? And why won%u2019t it stop replaying in my awake head!

What a ear worm to have on a Sunday morning. I need to plug my headphones in and listen to something, anything. It%u2019s driving me nuts!

The past week involved our last camp of the year. We went to Little River State Park (the last place open) in the pouring rain and crazy wind and did our thing. Set up camp, hiked, made food. All drenched and loving every second of it, even the rm, who was fighting off a pretty crappy head cold. One thing that I did not love was that I was trying to dry out my soaking wet hiking boots a bit by the fire and ended up melting them. Yup, they actually melted, but lucky the mr brought extra shoes so those got me through the rest of the time. Anyway, so that was it, no more camping (due to the fact that it gets dark at 4 now and everything is closed for the season). And yes, I am sad about it. Until next year I guess, or until I convince the mr that winter camping is a good thing.

The rest of week involved me breaking and swallowing half of the second temporary crown. This time I did not bother going back for a third because my new permanent gold one goes in this week so I am just dealing for the time being. Then there was Halloween, which by hat time in the week, I was starting feel icky and sick, but still good enough for Barb to come over for dinner, watch me hand out a few handfuls of candy and walk the block in the rain. That storm was crazy with some freaky rain. The downpours were so intense at times that I though our house was going to wash away.

Not much else. I worked the studio and cut my hand open again. There was no farm share this week so I have had to go to the grocery store more then I would have liked. I cleaned the back porch off and backed away most of the summer stuff, and I found a few pairs of wool socks hiding in my closet. That was really nice. We didn%u2019t see the littles cause they were all busy being cool with their fiends and between the mr and I both feeling under the weather, we choose to not infect the masses. We thought it better to lay a little low because we are good, caring people. Ha.

Yesterday was an Ikea day. Paul and Barb both wanted to go, so go we did. Left early morning, got stuck in dumb stupid traffic, then got to Ikea just in time for everyone else in Montreal to get there too. I peed, they got hot dogs. They shopped, I shouted. I peed again, they checked out and loaded up on more hot dogs. And then home we went. Me and Barb basically sitting on top of each other because Paul bought a shelf that took up half the car but you know what, traffic did not suck, the boarder was fine, and all and all not a bad trip. Minus the smell of the hotdogs, it made me want to barf.

And then I came home, the mr ran to rescue one of our tenants, I made dinner, we went for a walk, then I went to bed. Still feeling off and was more then happy just to get underneath all the covers and sleep.

Today the mr and I are not camping, but we are going hiking, so there is that. And we plan on making soup for dinner and maybe%u2026maybe, turning the heat on tonight if we are feeling extra cold. But probably not. We might just wait til it snows.

Some links to look at from the internet.

–Is A Diet That’s Healthy For Us Also Better For The Planet? Most Of The Time, Yes. Get on board people.

-On the drive to Ikea, we got into the conversation of seltzer because it%u2019s always about seltzer. Is Seltzer Bad for You?

–This map shows how food travels from farms to your home. Some things really travel so far, it%u2019s kind of crazy. Let us all try to eat more local, yes?

–Why do people hate vegans? Why indeed.

-Keep your brain alive and healthy. 5 Daily Habits That Negatively Affect the Brain and Should Be Stopped Before the Damage Becomes Irreversible

–How Jane Fonda%u00a0Convinces Her Famous Friends to Get Arrested. I would get arrested with Jane Fonda. Hell, I Would do just about anything with Jane Fonda.

-Bulk all the way, but done right. The Problem With America%u2019s Bulk Food Bins

-Thank you Dutch science people for making the world embrace Brussel sprouts. From Culinary Dud To Stud: How Dutch Plant Breeders Built Our Brussels Sprouts Boom

-Yes please! MAKE MINE AN A-FRAME.

–I Tried the Wim Hof Method to Find Happiness Through Suffering%u00a0. I don%u2019t know, I could see this working for me. Huh.

And pictures from the week.

The idea of turning on the heat hasn%u2019t really yet occurred to me. Sure I have been a little on the chilly side, but when I am cold my mind doesn%u2019t think about turning on the house heat, it thinks I need more layers, a hot drink, and to bake a loaf of bread. That being said, after the littles came over and were complaining about how cold they were, I finally realized that yes, we don%u2019t really need to be this cold. But I still didn’t turn the heat on. (I know, I am so mean.) We have one more week until the end of the month and then maybe I will switch it on. To keep the plant alive I suppose, and so I don%u2019t turn into a popsicle too I guess.

This week started as usual, with hiking and camping. We hiked to some waterfalls that were gorgeous but the area we went to was packed with smelly (Cologne and perfume.. gross) tourist so it was a little annoying. But then we made out way up to Belvidere and set up camp outside my families cabin in the woods . That was amazing and fresh and happy. There was no going inside (locked up for the year) but the land there is the most amazing place and we just soaked up the good, hiked around some more, the mr fished, we ate, watched the sunset, had a fire, then crawled into the tent. Woke up, packed up, drove back to life and that was that.

The rest of the week was the week. It involved another trip to the dentist. Not to get my permanent crown, but to replace the temporary crown that I accidentally swallowed. Yup. So new temp crown (which already has a chip in it. No I do not eat rocks but jeez, what the heck?) until my real one goes in sometime next week. Gotta say, I am pretty sick of going to the dentist. What else? Oh, there was farm share pick up, the last summer share of the year. A little sad, but not too sad because winter share starts in a two weeks and I have a freezer fulled to the brim with food so I will survive. Oh, and the dirt pile form the mr digging under the house that was in the middle of the back yard is gone thanks to my smartly pants self. Our neighbors needed dirt for a project that they are doing around their house and instead of buying it, I had the idea that they could just take our pile, and they did! They got free dirt and we got rid of the dirt for free (we were going to rent a u Haul this week to move it all). So success was had with that and I feel all sorts of smug about it.

Any who. Friday, after spending the day loading kilns at the studio, we had the littles over for a pumpkin carving party. It tuned mostly into a throwing pumpkin seeds and guts at each other party, but it was a party involving pumpkins no less. The thing with the pumpkins that we get from the farm is that they are supper heavy and hearty and thick. Like 3 inches thick and a bitch to cut into, making it hard for the littles to actually cut. The mr and I did what we could do for the young ones but we let Barb do her own because she is old enough to almost cut a hand off. All in all the pumpkins were cut up enough and turned out great. I got most of the guts wiped up and collected the seeds to roast. Then we all lit pumpkin, walked some of the marshmallow sugar off, and the mr and I sent them to watch movies in the nook while he did whatever he did and I passed the f out. Woke up, fed them, and sent them all home. I spent the rest of my day running errands and cleaning seeds and pumpkin guts off the walls. For real. All over the house. I don%u2019t know why I still get surprised when the littles managed to do the impossible when it comes to messes. When will I learn?

And it%u2019s Sunday. And yes, we are suppose to go camping. The last hurrah of the camping season. But here is the thing. It is suppose to rain all day. So the question is..do we go anyway? I say yes but I am not so sure the mr is sold. What I am thinking is I am going to go the gym, the library, and maybe stop at the coop this morning and be home by lunch. If it is pouring, well we might rethink our plans, but a little misty rain, we can take it. Because I need this. Our last camp. I am already sad that the season is over. What I am hoping for is the weather to be wrong and that maybe we will only get a sprinkle or two and today will be the best camp ever. Wish us luck.

Weekly internet stuff.

–Hocus Pocus%u00a0Sequel. Maybe I am being skeptical, but is it going suck? Maybe it%u2019s best they just leave a good thing alone%u2026. yeah right

-What do you think about this? I am kind of intrigued to tell the truth. Anything for a tree I guess. Halloween Trees Are Having a Moment%u2014Here’s How to Pull Off the Decorating Trend at Home

–Dog People Live Longer. But Why? Dog people know why.

–What Happens to Your Body When You Take Naps Every Single Day? Naps for the win. Now I need actually start taking them more often.

-Cemeteries are always so pretty, even the ones that are tucked away, into the trees. I think I actually like those the best. Here are 7 cemeteries with views to die for.

–Science can do cool things.Artificial Leaf to Replace Petrol? Find Out How it Works!

–Brooklyn Townhouse in Pinks, Greens, and Grays. I am not usually one fore dark surroundings, but I am into this house for sure.

–Want to Reduce Your Waste? Do This First.%u00a0 Reduce. Reduce REDUCE!!!!!

–How I Got My Job: Making Custom Ceramics for Restaurants. A potters life

–Weed over booze. What Does It Mean to Be %u2018Cali Sober%u2019?

Pictures from the week

Have you ever have lice as an adult? Wait hold on, let%u2019s back up. No I don%u2019t have lice, but I a few years ago I did and whoa that was some shit. (Thats what happens when you hang with littles all the time.) This week my head starting itching like crazy so there was a minute when I thought I might have gotten them again. But I have had it checked, a few times, and it is just dry skin. From all the hats. Because it has been pretty chilly and I have been cold. So no lice, just hats and cold weather making my head itch. Phew!

Anyway, week was up and down. Started off with camping which was amazing. The drive alone down there (Cooliadge State Park) was freaking fantastic. The peak of foliage and oh boy was it peak. And then when we got to the campground, we went on a nice long hike in the most vibrant world of colors. That was a A+ hike fore sure. Then back to the campground to make fire, eat food, cuddle cause it was super duper cold (got to 33) and crawl into the tent for the night. Woke up, very cold, jumped in o the car and hit the road. Back to town we came.

Then another week of stuff. Life stuff. Not fun stuff. Very very stressful stuff. But stuff that needed dealing and is still being dealt with. Mostly the mr, but when the mr is ain%u2019t happy, ain%u2019t nobody happy (HAHA!) so it was kind of another pretty stressful week. And so that is life.

But the good is still good. I don%u2019t have lice, the world is gorgeous, we had a chilly rainy day which are some of my favorite days. I picked up second to last farm share and heavy stocked up on squash and starting knitting a new hat. I made the cutest cookie ever and went to the dentist which actually sucked but is always good to go and be responsible about dental health. Made an ice cream cake and dinner for Barb for her birthday at my moms for her family party (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!) The lady turned 20 and I can’t even. Then I made her birthday pancakes on her actual birthday and we went grocery shopping so she could run up and down the isles with the mr collecting all the packages of batteries. Because she is now 20 and needs batteries? Yeah, we will just say that was it. And napped. I took a nap this week and it was amazing. I don%u2019t think I nap enough.

Other then that, the week just flew by. Dealing with the stuff, hanging with the people, doing the work thing.

Now its Sunday and yes, we are doing it, camping. Second to last, if not the last time. Depends on if we get that rain next weekend that the weather people say we are suppose to get. So we are making tonight really count. Going to some land on a mountain out in the middle of no where. We are so in need of this, to get the heck away for the night. And it is going to be beautiful and amazing and we have a great hike planned out and there is not cell service. Winter jacket, hats and mittens, and all the blankets we can fit into the are. I am excited.

Interent links from the week.

-You can now live like Barbie. Oh freaking jeez. Barbie Malibu Dreamhouse!

–Am I Drinking Too Much Seltzer Water? Good question, one I hear all the time.

–Jesus Shoes. For real? For real.

-I want these toilets. I get these toilets. 10 Easy Pieces: Designer Toilets. Tankless toilet..what a dream!.

–Eat, Drink And Be Wary: Ex-CIA Officer Reveals How Eateries Are Key To Spycraft. Totally makes sense.

-Currently in the middle of reading this book. It is so good. Only problem is that I started reading it a few days ago and it is due back at the library in 2 days (I forgot I had it out). It is 550+ pages long and I am not sure I am going to be able to finish it before it is due back. Might have to occur some late fees for this one.

-Coffee without the beans. The day has come. Inside the Seattle Company Plotting Lab-Made %u2018Coffee%u2019 Without Beans

-Another reason to read. Reading Before Bed Might Make You Healthier and Happier

–What Does Sunny D Taste Like? My dad used to buy it when we were kids and all I can remember it tasting like was shit. I think it actually made me throw up once. I was way more a Hi-C girl.

–6.6 lb bucket of tahini%u2026.It%u2019s in my shopping cart.

Pictures from the week

The week started off a okay because camping and camping is camping and is always good. We went to Branbury State Park which is right in between Lake Dunmore and the Green Mountain National Forest. We didn%u2019t bring kayaks because we wanted to spend most of the time hiking plus I can%u2019t get wet and be outside in these temperatures%u2026. I will freeze to death. After a nice drive of foliage peeping, we got to the park, picked our site, made tea, and as we were setting up, the mr somehow knocked over his cup and covered his socked foot in boiling hot water. Blisters, big nasty ones, formed right away, but he championed on. Even managed to hike around all afternoon which in hindsight was not the smartest because his sandals were digging into the burns. But he survived and we camped on. He fished, I read, we ate dinner, watched the fire, crawled into the tent, and listened as the rain began. Woke up at the usual time in a slight puddle (it rained hard) tossed the wet stuff into the car, and headed on home to tend to wounds and the business of life.

The rest of the week, well, not going to lie, has kind of sucked for reasons that I am not going to get into. But let%u2019s just say that sometime people can really fucking suck. The shit show has been mostly affecting the mr but the stress is palpable. On top of dealing with our usual life stuff, he has been making so many phone calls, dealing with unhelpful people, driving back and forth long distances on a moments notice. I have been trying to make things easier on him by not being a pain in the ass, making him pumpkin bread and wearing strips on prints and all the bright colors. I think the outfit might have been lost on him, but it made me happy. And he liked the pumpkin bread so that was a win.

Anyway, even as things are kind of shitty, there was still some good things, like having dinner with my mom and Paul, farm share a plenty, and harvesting the scarlet runner beans (the prettiest bean ever!). I got into the studio to glaze my ceramic pumpkins and ghosts with Barb (I dropped a pumpkin and smashed it. That was after I cut my hand open an hour before. Good times) and I saved a kiln from being misfired which I patted myself on the back for. We also stopped over and hung with littles for a hot minute just because we missed them and then made the realization that we just need to get the hell out of here for a while. Fresh places, fresh faces, you know?

Back to Sunday. As of right now we are camping tonight. Suppose to go to Coolidge State Park in the heart of the peak of the foliage with lots and lots of hiking to be had. Hopefully there isn%u2019t more shitty shit that will prevent us from taking off. I will probably lose it if we don%u2019t go and end up running away into the woods anyways. Then maybe someone will find me in a week of two. Yeah, at least a week of staying away from the crazy cray cray. But it would be nice to take the mr with me. He needs the break more then I do.

Internet from the week

-Dressing up for Halloween? Here is some inspiration. 8 Sexy Outdoor-Themed Halloween Costumes. Sexy Matterhorn%u2026.Done.

–California’s massive power outage is a wake-up call for the whole country. Is this going to be a new normal? Shit is getting real, for real.

-Noodle art is cool. Meet the Illustrator Who Turns Noodle Soup Into Art

-There is a whole lot of snow meatless meats these days and it can be confusing. Everything You’ve Ever Wondered About Meatless Meat, Explained

–It’s so much more than cooking. I felt like I cold have wrote this article%u2026.. Soooo much more then cooking.

–Why You Never See Your Friends Anymore. Real life.

-Beans or soup. Soup or beans. Why not both? When You’re Cooking Dried Beans, You’re Already Halfway to Soup

–Water Bottles Have Long Been the Unexpected Status Symbols of High School. For real. I was part of the colored Nalgene wave%u2026. Blue with a yellow top and covered in Phish stickers because that was how I rolled.

-Eat them all, except the ones that are not edible. The Ultimate Guide to Winter Squash (for Your Front Stoop & Your%u00a0Stew!)

–The 4 Ingredients That Make Up the Perfect Reading Space. I agree but would add one more%u2026.quite!

Pictures from the week.

It is kind of hard to believe that it is October already. I thought I was ready, but I feel a little like I am falling behind. There is so much fall stuff to do and I need to do it all. Like hiking up all the mountains and then a lot of sitting in a pile of bright fall leaves, wrapped in blankets, wearing my coziest socks, drinking hot drinks, and reading/knitting/napping. All three at once, while the apple and pumpkin things bake and the little paper bats hanging from the ceiling sway in the breeze. Yeah, that sounds about right. And I am getting some of it done, just need to get more of it done. Especially the napping. Haha.

Last week, camping at Zack Woods Pond, was for sure, some of the best we ever have done. Before we got to the middle of nowhere that was camp, we stopped at a harvest festival and did some poking around. Found letters for all the games, a washing machine, and unicorns. Then we drove away some more and checked out a chunk of land that we want to buy but won%u2019t because it is almost unaccessible in the best of times, so yeah no, not gonna work. But the search continues. After the land we headed to the place where we were camping but got a little lost. We had to go to a nearby state park to talk to the ranger and get a hand drawn map to find the place. Well hidden to say the least, but we found it and pretty sure not many other people know about it because we didn%u2019t see a soul. It felt like we had the entire world to ourselves. And oh was it beautiful. The colors were starting to pop, the air was crisp and clean and brisk. The campsite was, well it was a small rock fire pit and trees. Perfection. After setting up the tent we took the kayaks out on the pond and paddled around in all the greatness that was there. Then we hiked around and the hung out by the fire because it was cold. Had dinner facing the pond and all the pretty trees, then the mr did a little sunset fishing. More campfire sitting and off to bed. As it got dark out a couple girls ended up having a fire or something that far away where we couldn%u2019t see them, but we know it was a couple girls because they were very LOUD. And annoying, but they only stayed for an hour or so and their echoing mouths were gone and it was back to being the most silent night and back to sleep. Then the painful part. Waking up the next morning. 33 degrees was the number of the air. We didn%u2019t complain but we did packed up really fast, jumped into the car, and blasted the heat. Cozy and warm and full of happy outdoor feelings. The best way to start a week.

Back home the days did their thing. Work, dealing with stupid stuff, me breaking everything. I dropped my camera and smashed the lens. My phone all of a sudden didn%u2019t want to work right and the battery is now basically dead. The shower head decided to break mid shower and spray water all over the freaking place. I broke a chunk of finger off pugging clay at the studio. Then the stem of my pumpkin broke off right before I broke a flower pot. All not the worst individually, but goodness gracious, give me a freaking break.. Ah hahaha. Oh well. Shit break I guess.

Other then all that, there was a 14th birthday party for Alex. I found a new cute pyrex bowl for 50 cent which made me happy. I went down to the farm mid week and picked bags and bags of parsley to freeze for the winter. Then there was actual farm share with celeriac back in rotation! I worked at the studio (the chunk of my finger is still there), did another birthday party for Coco, who is now 3, and took the littles pumpkin picking with the mr and Barb as per our tradition. They got their jack o lantern pumpkins, I got me my pie pumpkins, and we found a garden snake. A game of tether ball and that was that. I came home after dropping them off and spent the day trying to warm up because it was freezing. And yeah I know,I could turn the heat on but no, not yet. I refuse to turn the heat on for at least 3 more weeks. November 1st. Until then, all the sweaters and socks will have to do to keep me warm.

Today we are doing it, camping at Branbury State Park, even though it miiiight rain. Hoping that it holds off until at least 830 tonight (we will be in the tent by then) or maybe even until we wake up in the morning and are on our way home? That would be great. We will see, and either way it will be good. And not going is not an option. There are only 2 more weekends of camping before everything closes up and it starts to snow. Yup, before it snows. That is happening and I don%u2019t think I can convince the mr to set up the tent in the snow.

Links from the week from the internet of stuff.

-All the pretty colors! What Causes Leaves To Change Color?

-Got a garden? These are the Frost Tolerance of Vegetables. My tomatoes are caput but the chard is looking oh so fine.

–How Gen-Z Is Dealing With a Looming Climate Apocalypse. Yup, shits hitting the fan and everyone knows it,

-Kneadable erasers are the best and I guess work for more then there attended purpose. The best $1.50 I ever spent: a kneadable eraser

-Swetaer weather for sure, but what is sweater weather? What %u201cSweater Weather%u201d Is

–The Female Founders Disrupting the Vagina Economy. Of course they are not.

-Philip Pullman and his dark materials. A new book. I an SO EXCITED, I might just buy it!!! ‘The Secret Commonwealth’

–How to charge your devices the right way. I have been doing it wrong for so long.

-I am good. Actually, even better then good. I change towels pretty much every day. Here%u2019s How Often You Should Be IWashing Your Dish Towels, According to Microbiologists

-I am in love with this little place.

Pictures from the week.

Hello, hello, hey hey hey!

So how are we all doing? Enjoying all the enjoyment and taking the time to relax and be merry and all the good stuff? I sure hope so, at least for a little while at some point in your time. And now we are in the home stretch. Just a few more days and New Years. Can you even believe it? Another year gone by and into a new, shiny and fresh one. Goodbye 2019, and heeeeello 2020. Be good to us!

So the week. What a week. There was so much going on that I can%u2019t even remember it all. Besides a little bit of this and a little bit of that, there was night time light drives, long walks, a few little craft projects, food shopping hell runs (I thought I was in the clear when I didn’t have to do much of any shopping for Christmas presents but then after spending an afternoon grocery shopping a couple days before Christmas , I realized that food shopping might actually have been worse then any other store. People were ruthless and crazy and just about foaming at the mouth!). There was baking cookies, and cake, cooking food for normal consumption, cleaning and just get ready for all the holiday stuff.

Christmas Day/Camerons Birthday came. The mr and I spent a little time just the two of us in the morning, trying to take it easy (the mr was kind of sick) until the house filled up. And filled with family it did, and it was great. Food, music, a little gift exchange and then birthday cake for the birthday boy (16 like what!?) We hung out, played with new toys, Megan helped me do some dishes, and then everyone got sick of each other and were exhausted and left. (I love when they come, but I also love when they leave.%u00a0%u2665%ufe0f) Then the mr and I power cleaned for a while (the house wasn%u2019t too bad this time) before sitting dow to do our own Christmas stockings. I got him a new hatchet, some crocs (so he will stop wearing mine), made him a shrinky dink trout needle minder and stuffed some candy and kiwis in there for good measure. Me, well the mr embroidered me a napkin with so much love, carved me the most beautiful salad serving spoons, added in some crazy fruits, purple carrots, and a couple bulbs of black garlic. The napkin and spoons are amazing and my favorite, but the black garlic%u2026holy crap, that shit is AMAZING! I have limited myself to eating only a couple cloves a day, when what I really want to do is just eat it all at once. So good!

And then Anthonys birthday was the next day. Spend half of it making his cake with homemade caramel and decorating it all fancy like. Then there was his party (he is 18, wtf?!). Jeff Dad had just got into town then too so I talked to him a while, and then home we went for a little crash. Friday I spend the day doing some work and baking for Saturday and second family Christmas. It was a blink of a day because all of a sudden it was Saturday and I still had to go grocery shopping for more food and get more food ready, again. Da ja vu for real.

And so they came, again. Shannnon and I had it down and made a million mini pizzas. People were then fed and then we played, exchanged a few presents with dad, had more cake and cookies, and then they all left.. This time we were not so lucky and I was stuck with cake and sticky stuff all over the floors and light switches. The bathrooms were a disaster and the recycling/compost/ even the garbage can were over flowing. Again, not as bad as past family get togethers, but the mr and I definitely spent the rest of the night cleaning. And I still am not quite done yet. {the floors need a second moping and the rug needs another good vacuum%u2026 and some other stuff, but you don%u2019t care so why am I telling you?)

Anyway, so I am ready for a freaking break. Today I am going spend a few hours at the gym saying goodbye to the old building {last day at the current location because they built a new one) then I am going to go have coffee and bring cake to my mom, come home to make one more birthday cake for the week, and then crash. I don%u2019t want to do anything by curl up on the couch with tea, my book, which I barely have had time to even open this week, and chill the f out. One more brtihday party this week and then I am done. Hopefully this crazy storm we are suppose to get tonight will be all snow and we will end up with feet upon feet and be stuck in out own separate homes for days%u2026 One can only hope. Haha!

Links from my time on the internet.

–People Can’t Even Agree On When The Decade Ends. I never even thought about the logic. I guess it isn%u2019t really the end of a decade, is it? What are your thought?

-Speaking of decades . The Top 10 Food Trends of the Entire Decade

-This would be the perfect cabin for me to hide in.

–Are You Cleaning Your Couches Enough? I AM!

-I made the mr a needle minder with shrinky dink paper.. Don%u2019t tell me it%u2019s not magic! The Science of Shrinky Dinks

-We have a Christmas baby in out family. Not sure how he really feels about it. I know I would hate it, but that is because I like to hide on my birthday. Can%u2019t hide on Christmas. The Christmas Baby%u2019s Dilemma

–The most environmentally-friendly ways to get rid of your Christmas tree I think we are going to feed ours to some goats.

–An Expert’s Advice on Coping With Post-Holiday Depression and the Dreaded January Slump.

-It%u2019s that time of year where people often to forget to drink%u2026WATER Effects of Dehydration to Your Body

–Cabbage Is Your Next Great Vegetable Crush. Cabbage is half my diet (I for real eat a head of day). It really is the best. Cooked, raw, leaves peeled back and then dipped in mustard. The possibilities are endless and so delicious.

Pictures from the week.

Holly, jolly, fa la la. It%u2019s all the holidays and are we all just so excited and happy? It%u2019s ok if you are not, but don%u2019t tell me not to be and listen to Christmas music and bake all the cookies. I am gonna do it and really try to just enjoy it all and be happy. Easier said then done for sure, but I am committed this year. I will not get grouchy. No, that will come after the holidays when the family leaves and I find food crushed into my couch cushions or pieces of candy in my plants. Then my friends, all bets are off.

The week has been fast and plentiful of plenty. Besides the stuff of normal life as usual, we did a quick dinner at Moms. Ryan came over too to bake cookies with my mom which was just to funny. (He was able to dirty up more measuring cups then I knew my mom even owned.) I have also been to the studio a few times over the week, trying to get last minute things done, sold a few rainbows, loaded a kiln. At home we have dutifully watched the amaryllis bloom, decorated the Christmas tree (about time, only took us 2 weeks), and baked things that needed baking (cookies and cakes. duh). And I picked up the last farm share of the year which has already got me dipping hard into the freezer stock of produce so I can stretch out the fresh stuff that I got. No farm pick up for 3 weeks%u2026 There is gonna be a lot of frozen zucchini happening around for sure.

And yay for us, we finally sent out all of our Christmas cards that needed to be sent and dropped off the ones that could be dropped off. There was a lot of chatting and catching up with old friends and neighbors and we got to see some pretty fantastical Christmas trees along the way. Best card drop off happened when we stopped over at Erins to hang with the littles and give them there card. Coco took it upon himself to use the card as a hat. That kid. Too freaking cute and practical to boot.

Then the rest of the week has been just same old with a little extra this and that. Yup, just living the life and trying to be present and just enjoy.

Sunday. Already and finally. The mr and I are going to get a few more things done that need doing before Christmas and the family descends.. I am going to do all the grocery shopping for actual Christmas Day, which could possible turn into a mental melt down (I have to go go Costco and I am scared of the potential for crowds of crazy people). The mr is still finishing up the build on the new stairs at the loft so my dad doesn%u2019t fall and die when he is over there, and I think we both have a thing or two we need to do without each other. I actually am all set, just waiting to pick up the ONE freaking package that I ordered online 3 weeks ago that was suppose to be shipped to the store a week ago and it is no where to be found. I order one thing, ONE THING, from the internet and it went badly. So frustrating, but oh well, what can you do. Other then that, I am going to the gym, maybe hit the library, defiantly a long ass walk either around here or preferably in some woods. And after dinner tonight, I think the plan is for a little Christmas lights drive. Got to see the lights!

Happiest Happy Merry Holidays to you all!!! Have all the relaxing and fun you possibly can.

Internet for your enjoyment.

-The $100 billion reason not to return gifts this holiday season. Or reasons to not buy anything at all!

-Dying food with food just makes sense. How to Make Natural Food Dyes

-Yes I still call them snow tires and probably always will. But this is some good information for the next time I buy snow, I mean, winter tires. Everything you thought you knew about winter tires but didn%u2019t.

-I want to live here. A Tiny Cabin in the Woods For Creative Homesteaders In Vermont

–How to Flake Gracefully. Or go a step further and just never make plans, but then you risk not having friends%u2026%u2026%ud83e%udd37%ud83c%udffb%u200d%u2640%ufe0f

-Handmade gifts wrapped in old newspaper. Best way to go. Here%u2019s Why Messily Wrapped Presents Are Sometimes Better Than Neat Ones

–Barack Obama Says Women Could Solve Many Of World’s Problems %u2014 Which Men Have Caused. He really is a smart guy. Oh how I miss him.

-I know my house is going to be getting trashed a lot this week so I am going to chill on the cleaning and do a crazy deep clean after all the holiday crazy. I already have a list going of things I want to do. 29 Things You Don%u2019t Have to Clean Until January 6

-I don%u2019t eat candy, but the mr does and he is all about sour candy, especially sour patch kids. I don%u2019t really get it, but whatever floats his (or your) boat. A formal taxonomy of sour candies

–The healing powders of food are real.15 Kitchen Herbs and Spices with Powerful Health Benefits.

Pictures from the week.

December in action and we are taking it at full speed. All the activities, the birthdays, the holiday celebrations%u2026 So much and I love it all, even if I feel like a crazy lady and want to run screaming from groups of people bigger the 2. I%u2019ll deal with the interactions now and just plan to spend the month of January hiding and recovering. I%u2019ll be ok.

The week started with the hunt for our Christmas tree. The Green Mountain National Forest, seventh year running, and this year did not disappoint. A fantastic hike into the woods near a beaver pond with lots of trees, snow on the ground, and no people. Exactly how I like to find our tree. And find it we did, the most perfect (too perfect?) tree. And it only took about an hour of almost cutting down like 20 other trees. Once we were positive, the mr cut it down, we said our thanks to the world, then hiked our tree out of the woods and slid it into the back of the car. Hopped in, cranked the Christmas music, and we were good to go. A perfect Christmas tree expedition.

Then life. Kind of a busy week in terms of birthdays. The beginning of the week Justin turned older by a year, then the next day Sophia did to so we partied with spaghetti, chocolate chocolate cake with tiny apples (she wanted it to be apple shaped but I just made little apples instead), and ballerina style dancing. Then there was a little lull in activities as far as birthdays where the mr and I did some stuff like work stuff, (more him then me), decorated, hung out with Barb, did the doings.

And then Friday. After an afternoon of loading kilns next to other kilns that were 2100 degrees and almost burning my face off, it was a rush to get home and prepare for the masses. Not technically the mr%u2019s birthday, but we had his annual grilled cheese and soup birthday celebration. Pretty much the whole fam at the house again. Lots of grilled cheeses sandwiches were made, so much soup was scooped (tomato and split pea per usual), and cake and ice cream concluded the night. And I only found half a grilled cheese sandwich under the couch when I was cleaning yesterday%u2026 Progress? I don%u2019t know, but there definitely was a few big dried soup puddles on the floor. But not on the couch! So there is that.

Back to Sunday. Not sure whats on the agenda for today but I have some stuff I need to do and I know that the mr has some stuff he needs to do. Plus together we have some stuff we need to do so we will see what gets done. Mostly though, I think I am shooting for a small hike, some coffee, and a chill afternoon of reading on the couch, facing the lit up Christmas tree. That would be swell.

Check out what I checked out from the internet this week.

–The Farmers’ Almanac Winter Forecast Is Here%u2014and Brrr!. Give me all the snow!!!!

-I can%u2019t imagine a life without reading. Not A Regular Reader? 4 Strategies To Make Reading A Habit

–Why Your Kid Loves the Garbage Truck So Much. I liked the cement trucks%u2026they don%u2019t stink an they spin.

-I am sorry, but this is some bullshit. Italian Artist’s Duct-Taped Bananas Are Selling for $120,000 Each

–How to Stop Making Excuses and Start Composting Already. And in Vermont, it%u2019t the law!

-Netflix is perverted. Ha! The Brands Are (Literally) Too Horny and Must Be Stopped

–Food delivery and takeout are on the rise. So are the mountains of trash they create.I like the idea of reusable metal tin. Could we get there?

–Here’s Why Your Favorite Headband Always Leaves You With a Headache. I used o wear headbands all the time, but had to stop because of the head pressure it caused.

–How Often, Really, Do You Follow This Recipe%u00a0Instruction?. Never but always. I like to add color to food, but only when it is edible and adds flavor.

-The sink that looks kind of like a mini tub%u2026. Swoon. For a Long Winter%u2019s Nap: A Manor House and a Schoolhouse in the German Countryside, Available for Stays

And pictures from the week

December my friends. No way around it. But I am excited because I love Christmas time with all the fun christmasy things that we can do in next few weeks (there is an A Frame gingerbread village planned !). Also it%u2019s birthday season so I have already made one cake and stuck it in the freezer and only have like 10 more to make. And then there is snow, and lights, and trees%u2026 How can you not like December? Plus cookies. Need to start making cookies because what is December with cookies?

The week was good. After spending all of Sunday cleaning and putting up the Christmas lights, things went as usual with the ways of world. Tuesday Barb and I had lunch and went for a hike, just us girls, to take in nature and talk life things. She hugged trees while I deposited my knowledge that comes with my old age. HA. Later that day, Emma (the mr%u2019s sister), came over to catch up on life and teach the mr how to embroider. She was a great teacher and , I must say, the mr did a really good job being a learner. Although I was not surprised because he picks up everything so fast.

Then Thanksgiving eve. The mr gone for the day, me hanging hanging at home taking phone calls and going through the stack of papers that has been mocking me for the past few weeks. On his way home he picked up Miley so she could sleep over. We made a spaghetti dinner, she watched Nailed It Holidays and I walked her through making cinnamon star bread. The little lady kneaded, rolled, and shaped the whole thing pretty much all by herself. It was for sure a proud aunt moment for me. And then we watched Juno (I hadn%u2019t seen that movies in forever. I forgot how good it was) and I passed out. Bed for me and the mr. Miley, well I am not sure what time she actually went to bed. We let her stay up and watch whatever.

Thanksgiving day I woke up, cooked the star (Miley finished it by making and drizzling the glaze) and we just hung out until Erin and the other two littles showed up. We fed them, played them, and off they went to the Grandparents. The rest of the day was just me and the mr. We went for a nice, if not blustery cold, hike, then just putzed around the house. I read, he hung a new light fixture, then we made dinner. Being thanksgiving and all he felt the need to grill some turkey breasts and if you really want know how that went you can ask him. Me, I ate a humongous bowl of veggies and lentils and hand fulls of spinach. After an after dinner walk we crawled into bed and tried to watch a movie, but I passed (again) out and that was that.

Then the rest of the weekend has been pretty slow. Basically just hanging around the house doing little chores and some little projects. Mellow. And it has been pretty nice.

I am really excited for today. We are going to the Green Mountain Nation Forest to find us our Christmas tree!!!! My most favorite part of Christmas . And so we will head out late morning with our lunches packed, our snow pants tossed into the truck, the saw nice and sharpe, and head out into the mountains.And better yet, tt is suppose to snow later today and I am so very much hopping that we get a nice, (safe) amount of snow on our hike and tree cutting adventure. That would just be the best. YAY!

Internet links from the week, if you want to know what I know now.

-I didn’t know this about thanksgiving. And now I do. Why We Celebrate Thanksgiving On The 4th Thursday Of November

-Uh Duh, I could have told you this. Want to live longer? Surround yourself with plants

–A Brief History of Word Art, the Decor Everyone Loves to Hate. And I really REALLY hate it.

-I have been known to sit in front of the oven and watch the bread bake. Super satisfying. Here’s 36 Blissful Seconds of Bread Rising in the%u00a0Oven

–Photos of How Families Eat In The Arctic. And that is why I don%u2019t live there, it%u2019s a lot of meat.

-This makes me happy to look at. A Multicolored Library of the World%u2019s Ochre Pigments%u00a0

–Here’s To Grown-Up Siblings And The Ties That Bind. Siblings. Even when I want to punch them in the face, I still love them.

-I guess I just don%u2019t understand. Meet the $50 Strawberries That NYC%u2019s High-End Chefs Are Fawning Over

–Homemade Christmas baking is a joy %u2013 even if it is not to your taste. Agreed. Something about baking this tie of year, it is just so, well, joyful.

-On my reading list. Good Husbandry: A Memoir by Kristin Kimball. I read her first Memoir, The Dirty life, and it was A+

And pictures from the week…

Are you aware that it is the last week of November? I know right. Every year this happens but seriously, it%u2019s just flying by so fast.

The mr and I did the norms for the week. Went for a amazing hike in nice snow. We worked on work, the mr made paper, I cut up the paper. I spent some time with clay, works the studio, organized some stuff and watched it snow and loved every bit of it. Then it rained and got kind of sad that all the snow melted.%u2639%ufe0f We picked up farm share, had dinner with my mom and Paul, hung out with the littles for a bit, and fed Barb some soup. Nothing terribly exciting, besides feeding Barb. She makes every exciting.

And then we get to Saturday. Family thanksgiving plus is was Erin%u2019s birthday. (Happy Birthday Beotch!) Always crazy, what with every one of my family members together in my house, eating food, and hopped up on booze and sugar. The day started early with me running away to the gym to get in some sane time, then one last stop at the grocery store before heading home to finish baking and getting all the food ready. Barb came over early to help cut up veggies but really, for her and the mr to make fun of me and gossip like little old ladies. So food got prepare, then I cooked it all. (Minus the main which mom made. She made a crazy chicken thing, cooked in her oven, and brought it over. No meat gets cooked in my house.) And then the family descended on the house, hungry and crazy. Food got served/ thrown all over and for a few short minutes, everyone was sitting down all at once together. But that lasted 2 seconds, and the kids went off and I ran back to the kitchen while everyone was eating to straighten up a bit and because I don%u2019t need to see people dropping chicken bits all over. I just let them eat in peace while I hid for a few minutes in the pantry and snacked on roast Brussel sprouts, carrots and mustard.

After everyone ate, we all ran around the house, picked secret Santa names, had a massive dance party in the kitchen and did dessert and birthday cake. Erins birthday yes, but Coco got to blow out the candles. So cute, that little loving the candles and all but I am going to be watching out for him. I think he might turn into a little pyromaniac. HAHAHA. But for real. Dinner ended with everyone leaving except Barb, Megan,and So. We picked up a little but basically just sat in the pantry eating raw Brussel sprouts from the stock, with mustard of course, and talking about boys. Then they left too and the mr and I were left alone to assess the damages.

The house. Oh my, oh my. It is a FUCKING DISATSER! I know I tell you all that I spend a good chunk of time every weekend cleaning%u2026Well this time, today, all Sunday, I%u2019m a be cleaning. Cleaning the cake and ice cream and cookies crumbles all over. Cleaning up the dinner rolls behind the couch, all the ripped paper, smashed potates, food and drinks particles. Chicken bits, which everyone was super awesome about and tried not to get anywhere, are everywhere. All. Over. The house. Then the kitchen. Every single piece of silverware and then some plus at least 40 plates and bowls are waiting for cleaning. Not to mention the the pots and pans. The compost is overflowing. The recycling is a mess, and I have at least 2 laundry loads of rags and napkins and dirty towels to do. The fridge looks like a freaking bomb blew up in it with tons of half lidded containers precariously stacked on top of each other, waiting for just the right movement of the neighboring jar or the movement of the hot sauce to have it all come crashing down. Aye ya ya. But all worth it because I love my family and we had a blast. I just need to remember next time I am at one of their houses to like pee on their toilet seat or mash some frosting into their couch cushions, you know, to be fair and all.

Anyway, so today I clean and maybe try to hang up some Christmas decorations? The mr is off to do very nice things for people that might not appreciate it, but do it he is going to do (he is too good a person). Hopefully by the time he comes home later tonight, I will be done cleaning, he will be done helping for a good long while, and we can eat soup and maybe watch a movie together. Or more realistically, he watches a movie while I read and probably fall asleep on the couch. Real life.

Reads I read from the internet this week.

-A long but good read. RuPaul: The Philosopher Queen. who doesn%u2019t love RuPsul?

-I just pulled out a nice tablecloth, covered in stains mind you, but maybe i%u2019ll be able to get some of them out now. A Cheat Sheet to Get Rid of Every Type of Holiday%u00a0Stain. Or not. I don%u2019t think I care enough. HA

-This is so appealing to me especially since the mr loves his heavy comforter and I just want a light blanket with the window thrown open in 20 degree weather. The Scandinavian Sleep Secret: Mine and Yours Duvets. HE is always covering me up at night.

–The best health foods? Soup, garlic and cake. Food is healing, and if cake makes you feel better, well then cake it be.

-These cakes remind me of my 5ht grade volcano science project. I made it out of cake and whipped cream. It was awesome. Antarctic Research Takes The Cake In These Science-Inspired Confections

–Vegan man sues Burger King claiming meatless burger is cooked on same grill as meat. This is one reason I do not eat out. Oe of the last times I did eat out, there were egg shells in my scamp bled vegan tofu dish%u2026.. So yeah.

-Who doesn%u2019t love a good TV tray? A Brief History of the TV Tray

-HAve you ever raised a adolescent dog%u2026 It is crazy to say the least. Animal adolescence is filled with teen drama and peer pressure

-So there is this ti look forward to. Cockroaches Are Evolving And in the Future They can Become Impossible To Kill

–A Brief and Buttery History of Libby%u2019s Pumpkin Pie Recipe. The pie of my childhood.

And pictures from the week.

The heat is officially on in the house because well, it got kind of freezing out and also because we got some snow! So awesome and unexpected. Sure, it was only an inch and came at the exact wrong time making for a very sketchy driving situation, and also it froze all the chard in the garden I had left (I harvested it and just tossed it in the freezer for soups), but whatever. I was, and am just so happy to see it. I really do love this time of year, even if everyone else hates it.

The week started off slow. The extra hour was welcomed but also really kind of screwed with my body clock. I have been getting better throughout the week, but the first few days we changed the clock, I was waking up at like 3 am. Yes, I was going to bed at like 630, but when your tired, your tired. Anyway, besides being a little groggy, it was the usual as usual. Work stuff, getting ready for winter weather, dealing with the dealings. We had lunch with Megan, a spaghetti dinner with Judah, and I picked up the first winter farm share of the season. Lots of roots, greens, Brussels sprout, and peppers. All the best food a lady could ask for. I am also feeling like a queen with my new, permanent, gold crown in my mouth. And now I am officially sick of going to the dentist. Going to try really hard to not have to go back ever again, or at least 6 months when I am due for a clean.

Oh, and lets not forget how I busted out the new toilet brushes. Who doesn%u2019t love a fresh toilet brush? Highlight of the week. HA.

Today the mr and don%u2019t have much in the way of plans besides getting the winter tires thrown on the car and getting out of town for the afternoon for a hike. So I am going to the gym and dropping off the library books this morning, we will then deal with the car, and then off we will go, heading out to conquer a mountain. Or a small trail. I am fine with either. Just as long as we are outside.

Links from the internet for your reading and browsing enjoyment.

–Why You Should Find Time to Be Alone With Yourself. Alone time is the best. I cannot stress how important alone time for me is%u2026 I NEED IT!

-I didi%u2019t know how awesome and strong ginkgo trees were. Consider the ginkgo. These ancient trees survived the atomic bomb in Hiroshima.

-First, how is Emma Watson turning 30? Second, Yes lady. Did Emma Watson Just Coin the Next %u201cConscious Uncoupling%u201d?

-Why haven%u2019t I don%u2019t this yet? The Tangy-Sweet Pickled Fruit I Put on Absolutely%u00a0Everything

–Very Generous People Are Way Happier (and Have More Friend)

-Looking for new shoes is the worst. But I found some that are not exactly winter friendly, but maybe I can make them work? Teva%u00a0Voya Infinity Sandals. OR these appropriate footwear. I love them but jeez, I am not paying that much for a shoe.

-Give me roots, all the roots. Root, root, root for rutabaga, turnips and those other unappreciated vegetables

-This is me! %u2018It%u2019s cool to be cold%u2019: Confessions of frigid-weather fanatics

–The Cookie Sculptor. I think I need to spend more time sculpting cookies.

–Scrubbing Your House Of Bacteria Could Clear The Way For Fungus. I am a clean freak, but I don%u2019t use any chemicals whatsoever. Vinegar, water, vacuum. How that keeps the bad fungus away.

And pictures from the week.

I don%u2019t know what the hell I was just reamng about, but I woke up with Celine Dion %u201cThats the way it is%u201d stuck in my head. I am pretty sure I haven%u2019t heard that song in like 10 years so it had to have made it%u2019s way out of my deep, deep subconscious. What does it mean? And why won%u2019t it stop replaying in my awake head!

What a ear worm to have on a Sunday morning. I need to plug my headphones in and listen to something, anything. It%u2019s driving me nuts!

The past week involved our last camp of the year. We went to Little River State Park (the last place open) in the pouring rain and crazy wind and did our thing. Set up camp, hiked, made food. All drenched and loving every second of it, even the rm, who was fighting off a pretty crappy head cold. One thing that I did not love was that I was trying to dry out my soaking wet hiking boots a bit by the fire and ended up melting them. Yup, they actually melted, but lucky the mr brought extra shoes so those got me through the rest of the time. Anyway, so that was it, no more camping (due to the fact that it gets dark at 4 now and everything is closed for the season). And yes, I am sad about it. Until next year I guess, or until I convince the mr that winter camping is a good thing.

The rest of week involved me breaking and swallowing half of the second temporary crown. This time I did not bother going back for a third because my new permanent gold one goes in this week so I am just dealing for the time being. Then there was Halloween, which by hat time in the week, I was starting feel icky and sick, but still good enough for Barb to come over for dinner, watch me hand out a few handfuls of candy and walk the block in the rain. That storm was crazy with some freaky rain. The downpours were so intense at times that I though our house was going to wash away.

Not much else. I worked the studio and cut my hand open again. There was no farm share this week so I have had to go to the grocery store more then I would have liked. I cleaned the back porch off and backed away most of the summer stuff, and I found a few pairs of wool socks hiding in my closet. That was really nice. We didn%u2019t see the littles cause they were all busy being cool with their fiends and between the mr and I both feeling under the weather, we choose to not infect the masses. We thought it better to lay a little low because we are good, caring people. Ha.

Yesterday was an Ikea day. Paul and Barb both wanted to go, so go we did. Left early morning, got stuck in dumb stupid traffic, then got to Ikea just in time for everyone else in Montreal to get there too. I peed, they got hot dogs. They shopped, I shouted. I peed again, they checked out and loaded up on more hot dogs. And then home we went. Me and Barb basically sitting on top of each other because Paul bought a shelf that took up half the car but you know what, traffic did not suck, the boarder was fine, and all and all not a bad trip. Minus the smell of the hotdogs, it made me want to barf.

And then I came home, the mr ran to rescue one of our tenants, I made dinner, we went for a walk, then I went to bed. Still feeling off and was more then happy just to get underneath all the covers and sleep.

Today the mr and I are not camping, but we are going hiking, so there is that. And we plan on making soup for dinner and maybe%u2026maybe, turning the heat on tonight if we are feeling extra cold. But probably not. We might just wait til it snows.

Some links to look at from the internet.

–Is A Diet That’s Healthy For Us Also Better For The Planet? Most Of The Time, Yes. Get on board people.

-On the drive to Ikea, we got into the conversation of seltzer because it%u2019s always about seltzer. Is Seltzer Bad for You?

–This map shows how food travels from farms to your home. Some things really travel so far, it%u2019s kind of crazy. Let us all try to eat more local, yes?

–Why do people hate vegans? Why indeed.

-Keep your brain alive and healthy. 5 Daily Habits That Negatively Affect the Brain and Should Be Stopped Before the Damage Becomes Irreversible

–How Jane Fonda%u00a0Convinces Her Famous Friends to Get Arrested. I would get arrested with Jane Fonda. Hell, I Would do just about anything with Jane Fonda.

-Bulk all the way, but done right. The Problem With America%u2019s Bulk Food Bins

-Thank you Dutch science people for making the world embrace Brussel sprouts. From Culinary Dud To Stud: How Dutch Plant Breeders Built Our Brussels Sprouts Boom

-Yes please! MAKE MINE AN A-FRAME.

–I Tried the Wim Hof Method to Find Happiness Through Suffering%u00a0. I don%u2019t know, I could see this working for me. Huh.

And pictures from the week.

The idea of turning on the heat hasn%u2019t really yet occurred to me. Sure I have been a little on the chilly side, but when I am cold my mind doesn%u2019t think about turning on the house heat, it thinks I need more layers, a hot drink, and to bake a loaf of bread. That being said, after the littles came over and were complaining about how cold they were, I finally realized that yes, we don%u2019t really need to be this cold. But I still didn’t turn the heat on. (I know, I am so mean.) We have one more week until the end of the month and then maybe I will switch it on. To keep the plant alive I suppose, and so I don%u2019t turn into a popsicle too I guess.

This week started as usual, with hiking and camping. We hiked to some waterfalls that were gorgeous but the area we went to was packed with smelly (Cologne and perfume.. gross) tourist so it was a little annoying. But then we made out way up to Belvidere and set up camp outside my families cabin in the woods . That was amazing and fresh and happy. There was no going inside (locked up for the year) but the land there is the most amazing place and we just soaked up the good, hiked around some more, the mr fished, we ate, watched the sunset, had a fire, then crawled into the tent. Woke up, packed up, drove back to life and that was that.

The rest of the week was the week. It involved another trip to the dentist. Not to get my permanent crown, but to replace the temporary crown that I accidentally swallowed. Yup. So new temp crown (which already has a chip in it. No I do not eat rocks but jeez, what the heck?) until my real one goes in sometime next week. Gotta say, I am pretty sick of going to the dentist. What else? Oh, there was farm share pick up, the last summer share of the year. A little sad, but not too sad because winter share starts in a two weeks and I have a freezer fulled to the brim with food so I will survive. Oh, and the dirt pile form the mr digging under the house that was in the middle of the back yard is gone thanks to my smartly pants self. Our neighbors needed dirt for a project that they are doing around their house and instead of buying it, I had the idea that they could just take our pile, and they did! They got free dirt and we got rid of the dirt for free (we were going to rent a u Haul this week to move it all). So success was had with that and I feel all sorts of smug about it.

Any who. Friday, after spending the day loading kilns at the studio, we had the littles over for a pumpkin carving party. It tuned mostly into a throwing pumpkin seeds and guts at each other party, but it was a party involving pumpkins no less. The thing with the pumpkins that we get from the farm is that they are supper heavy and hearty and thick. Like 3 inches thick and a bitch to cut into, making it hard for the littles to actually cut. The mr and I did what we could do for the young ones but we let Barb do her own because she is old enough to almost cut a hand off. All in all the pumpkins were cut up enough and turned out great. I got most of the guts wiped up and collected the seeds to roast. Then we all lit pumpkin, walked some of the marshmallow sugar off, and the mr and I sent them to watch movies in the nook while he did whatever he did and I passed the f out. Woke up, fed them, and sent them all home. I spent the rest of my day running errands and cleaning seeds and pumpkin guts off the walls. For real. All over the house. I don%u2019t know why I still get surprised when the littles managed to do the impossible when it comes to messes. When will I learn?

And it%u2019s Sunday. And yes, we are suppose to go camping. The last hurrah of the camping season. But here is the thing. It is suppose to rain all day. So the question is..do we go anyway? I say yes but I am not so sure the mr is sold. What I am thinking is I am going to go the gym, the library, and maybe stop at the coop this morning and be home by lunch. If it is pouring, well we might rethink our plans, but a little misty rain, we can take it. Because I need this. Our last camp. I am already sad that the season is over. What I am hoping for is the weather to be wrong and that maybe we will only get a sprinkle or two and today will be the best camp ever. Wish us luck.

Weekly internet stuff.

–Hocus Pocus%u00a0Sequel. Maybe I am being skeptical, but is it going suck? Maybe it%u2019s best they just leave a good thing alone%u2026. yeah right

-What do you think about this? I am kind of intrigued to tell the truth. Anything for a tree I guess. Halloween Trees Are Having a Moment%u2014Here’s How to Pull Off the Decorating Trend at Home

–Dog People Live Longer. But Why? Dog people know why.

–What Happens to Your Body When You Take Naps Every Single Day? Naps for the win. Now I need actually start taking them more often.

-Cemeteries are always so pretty, even the ones that are tucked away, into the trees. I think I actually like those the best. Here are 7 cemeteries with views to die for.

–Science can do cool things.Artificial Leaf to Replace Petrol? Find Out How it Works!

–Brooklyn Townhouse in Pinks, Greens, and Grays. I am not usually one fore dark surroundings, but I am into this house for sure.

–Want to Reduce Your Waste? Do This First.%u00a0 Reduce. Reduce REDUCE!!!!!

–How I Got My Job: Making Custom Ceramics for Restaurants. A potters life

–Weed over booze. What Does It Mean to Be %u2018Cali Sober%u2019?

Pictures from the week

December in action and we are taking it at full speed. All the activities, the birthdays, the holiday celebrations%u2026 So much and I love it all, even if I feel like a crazy lady and want to run screaming from groups of people bigger the 2. I%u2019ll deal with the interactions now and just plan to spend the month of January hiding and recovering. I%u2019ll be ok.

The week started with the hunt for our Christmas tree. The Green Mountain National Forest, seventh year running, and this year did not disappoint. A fantastic hike into the woods near a beaver pond with lots of trees, snow on the ground, and no people. Exactly how I like to find our tree. And find it we did, the most perfect (too perfect?) tree. And it only took about an hour of almost cutting down like 20 other trees. Once we were positive, the mr cut it down, we said our thanks to the world, then hiked our tree out of the woods and slid it into the back of the car. Hopped in, cranked the Christmas music, and we were good to go. A perfect Christmas tree expedition.

Then life. Kind of a busy week in terms of birthdays. The beginning of the week Justin turned older by a year, then the next day Sophia did to so we partied with spaghetti, chocolate chocolate cake with tiny apples (she wanted it to be apple shaped but I just made little apples instead), and ballerina style dancing. Then there was a little lull in activities as far as birthdays where the mr and I did some stuff like work stuff, (more him then me), decorated, hung out with Barb, did the doings.

And then Friday. After an afternoon of loading kilns next to other kilns that were 2100 degrees and almost burning my face off, it was a rush to get home and prepare for the masses. Not technically the mr%u2019s birthday, but we had his annual grilled cheese and soup birthday celebration. Pretty much the whole fam at the house again. Lots of grilled cheeses sandwiches were made, so much soup was scooped (tomato and split pea per usual), and cake and ice cream concluded the night. And I only found half a grilled cheese sandwich under the couch when I was cleaning yesterday%u2026 Progress? I don%u2019t know, but there definitely was a few big dried soup puddles on the floor. But not on the couch! So there is that.

Back to Sunday. Not sure whats on the agenda for today but I have some stuff I need to do and I know that the mr has some stuff he needs to do. Plus together we have some stuff we need to do so we will see what gets done. Mostly though, I think I am shooting for a small hike, some coffee, and a chill afternoon of reading on the couch, facing the lit up Christmas tree. That would be swell.

Check out what I checked out from the internet this week.

–The Farmers’ Almanac Winter Forecast Is Here%u2014and Brrr!. Give me all the snow!!!!

-I can%u2019t imagine a life without reading. Not A Regular Reader? 4 Strategies To Make Reading A Habit

–Why Your Kid Loves the Garbage Truck So Much. I liked the cement trucks%u2026they don%u2019t stink an they spin.

-I am sorry, but this is some bullshit. Italian Artist’s Duct-Taped Bananas Are Selling for $120,000 Each

–How to Stop Making Excuses and Start Composting Already. And in Vermont, it%u2019t the law!

-Netflix is perverted. Ha! The Brands Are (Literally) Too Horny and Must Be Stopped

–Food delivery and takeout are on the rise. So are the mountains of trash they create.I like the idea of reusable metal tin. Could we get there?

–Here’s Why Your Favorite Headband Always Leaves You With a Headache. I used o wear headbands all the time, but had to stop because of the head pressure it caused.

–How Often, Really, Do You Follow This Recipe%u00a0Instruction?. Never but always. I like to add color to food, but only when it is edible and adds flavor.

-The sink that looks kind of like a mini tub%u2026. Swoon. For a Long Winter%u2019s Nap: A Manor House and a Schoolhouse in the German Countryside, Available for Stays

And pictures from the week

I don%u2019t know what the hell I was just reamng about, but I woke up with Celine Dion %u201cThats the way it is%u201d stuck in my head. I am pretty sure I haven%u2019t heard that song in like 10 years so it had to have made it%u2019s way out of my deep, deep subconscious. What does it mean? And why won%u2019t it stop replaying in my awake head!

What a ear worm to have on a Sunday morning. I need to plug my headphones in and listen to something, anything. It%u2019s driving me nuts!

The past week involved our last camp of the year. We went to Little River State Park (the last place open) in the pouring rain and crazy wind and did our thing. Set up camp, hiked, made food. All drenched and loving every second of it, even the rm, who was fighting off a pretty crappy head cold. One thing that I did not love was that I was trying to dry out my soaking wet hiking boots a bit by the fire and ended up melting them. Yup, they actually melted, but lucky the mr brought extra shoes so those got me through the rest of the time. Anyway, so that was it, no more camping (due to the fact that it gets dark at 4 now and everything is closed for the season). And yes, I am sad about it. Until next year I guess, or until I convince the mr that winter camping is a good thing.

The rest of week involved me breaking and swallowing half of the second temporary crown. This time I did not bother going back for a third because my new permanent gold one goes in this week so I am just dealing for the time being. Then there was Halloween, which by hat time in the week, I was starting feel icky and sick, but still good enough for Barb to come over for dinner, watch me hand out a few handfuls of candy and walk the block in the rain. That storm was crazy with some freaky rain. The downpours were so intense at times that I though our house was going to wash away.

Not much else. I worked the studio and cut my hand open again. There was no farm share this week so I have had to go to the grocery store more then I would have liked. I cleaned the back porch off and backed away most of the summer stuff, and I found a few pairs of wool socks hiding in my closet. That was really nice. We didn%u2019t see the littles cause they were all busy being cool with their fiends and between the mr and I both feeling under the weather, we choose to not infect the masses. We thought it better to lay a little low because we are good, caring people. Ha.

Yesterday was an Ikea day. Paul and Barb both wanted to go, so go we did. Left early morning, got stuck in dumb stupid traffic, then got to Ikea just in time for everyone else in Montreal to get there too. I peed, they got hot dogs. They shopped, I shouted. I peed again, they checked out and loaded up on more hot dogs. And then home we went. Me and Barb basically sitting on top of each other because Paul bought a shelf that took up half the car but you know what, traffic did not suck, the boarder was fine, and all and all not a bad trip. Minus the smell of the hotdogs, it made me want to barf.

And then I came home, the mr ran to rescue one of our tenants, I made dinner, we went for a walk, then I went to bed. Still feeling off and was more then happy just to get underneath all the covers and sleep.

Today the mr and I are not camping, but we are going hiking, so there is that. And we plan on making soup for dinner and maybe%u2026maybe, turning the heat on tonight if we are feeling extra cold. But probably not. We might just wait til it snows.

Some links to look at from the internet.

–Is A Diet That’s Healthy For Us Also Better For The Planet? Most Of The Time, Yes. Get on board people.

-On the drive to Ikea, we got into the conversation of seltzer because it%u2019s always about seltzer. Is Seltzer Bad for You?

–This map shows how food travels from farms to your home. Some things really travel so far, it%u2019s kind of crazy. Let us all try to eat more local, yes?

–Why do people hate vegans? Why indeed.

-Keep your brain alive and healthy. 5 Daily Habits That Negatively Affect the Brain and Should Be Stopped Before the Damage Becomes Irreversible

–How Jane Fonda%u00a0Convinces Her Famous Friends to Get Arrested. I would get arrested with Jane Fonda. Hell, I Would do just about anything with Jane Fonda.

-Bulk all the way, but done right. The Problem With America%u2019s Bulk Food Bins

-Thank you Dutch science people for making the world embrace Brussel sprouts. From Culinary Dud To Stud: How Dutch Plant Breeders Built Our Brussels Sprouts Boom

-Yes please! MAKE MINE AN A-FRAME.

–I Tried the Wim Hof Method to Find Happiness Through Suffering%u00a0. I don%u2019t know, I could see this working for me. Huh.

And pictures from the week.

The idea of turning on the heat hasn%u2019t really yet occurred to me. Sure I have been a little on the chilly side, but when I am cold my mind doesn%u2019t think about turning on the house heat, it thinks I need more layers, a hot drink, and to bake a loaf of bread. That being said, after the littles came over and were complaining about how cold they were, I finally realized that yes, we don%u2019t really need to be this cold. But I still didn’t turn the heat on. (I know, I am so mean.) We have one more week until the end of the month and then maybe I will switch it on. To keep the plant alive I suppose, and so I don%u2019t turn into a popsicle too I guess.

This week started as usual, with hiking and camping. We hiked to some waterfalls that were gorgeous but the area we went to was packed with smelly (Cologne and perfume.. gross) tourist so it was a little annoying. But then we made out way up to Belvidere and set up camp outside my families cabin in the woods . That was amazing and fresh and happy. There was no going inside (locked up for the year) but the land there is the most amazing place and we just soaked up the good, hiked around some more, the mr fished, we ate, watched the sunset, had a fire, then crawled into the tent. Woke up, packed up, drove back to life and that was that.

The rest of the week was the week. It involved another trip to the dentist. Not to get my permanent crown, but to replace the temporary crown that I accidentally swallowed. Yup. So new temp crown (which already has a chip in it. No I do not eat rocks but jeez, what the heck?) until my real one goes in sometime next week. Gotta say, I am pretty sick of going to the dentist. What else? Oh, there was farm share pick up, the last summer share of the year. A little sad, but not too sad because winter share starts in a two weeks and I have a freezer fulled to the brim with food so I will survive. Oh, and the dirt pile form the mr digging under the house that was in the middle of the back yard is gone thanks to my smartly pants self. Our neighbors needed dirt for a project that they are doing around their house and instead of buying it, I had the idea that they could just take our pile, and they did! They got free dirt and we got rid of the dirt for free (we were going to rent a u Haul this week to move it all). So success was had with that and I feel all sorts of smug about it.

Any who. Friday, after spending the day loading kilns at the studio, we had the littles over for a pumpkin carving party. It tuned mostly into a throwing pumpkin seeds and guts at each other party, but it was a party involving pumpkins no less. The thing with the pumpkins that we get from the farm is that they are supper heavy and hearty and thick. Like 3 inches thick and a bitch to cut into, making it hard for the littles to actually cut. The mr and I did what we could do for the young ones but we let Barb do her own because she is old enough to almost cut a hand off. All in all the pumpkins were cut up enough and turned out great. I got most of the guts wiped up and collected the seeds to roast. Then we all lit pumpkin, walked some of the marshmallow sugar off, and the mr and I sent them to watch movies in the nook while he did whatever he did and I passed the f out. Woke up, fed them, and sent them all home. I spent the rest of my day running errands and cleaning seeds and pumpkin guts off the walls. For real. All over the house. I don%u2019t know why I still get surprised when the littles managed to do the impossible when it comes to messes. When will I learn?

And it%u2019s Sunday. And yes, we are suppose to go camping. The last hurrah of the camping season. But here is the thing. It is suppose to rain all day. So the question is..do we go anyway? I say yes but I am not so sure the mr is sold. What I am thinking is I am going to go the gym, the library, and maybe stop at the coop this morning and be home by lunch. If it is pouring, well we might rethink our plans, but a little misty rain, we can take it. Because I need this. Our last camp. I am already sad that the season is over. What I am hoping for is the weather to be wrong and that maybe we will only get a sprinkle or two and today will be the best camp ever. Wish us luck.

Weekly internet stuff.

–Hocus Pocus%u00a0Sequel. Maybe I am being skeptical, but is it going suck? Maybe it%u2019s best they just leave a good thing alone%u2026. yeah right

-What do you think about this? I am kind of intrigued to tell the truth. Anything for a tree I guess. Halloween Trees Are Having a Moment%u2014Here’s How to Pull Off the Decorating Trend at Home

–Dog People Live Longer. But Why? Dog people know why.

–What Happens to Your Body When You Take Naps Every Single Day? Naps for the win. Now I need actually start taking them more often.

-Cemeteries are always so pretty, even the ones that are tucked away, into the trees. I think I actually like those the best. Here are 7 cemeteries with views to die for.

–Science can do cool things.Artificial Leaf to Replace Petrol? Find Out How it Works!

–Brooklyn Townhouse in Pinks, Greens, and Grays. I am not usually one fore dark surroundings, but I am into this house for sure.

–Want to Reduce Your Waste? Do This First.%u00a0 Reduce. Reduce REDUCE!!!!!

–How I Got My Job: Making Custom Ceramics for Restaurants. A potters life

–Weed over booze. What Does It Mean to Be %u2018Cali Sober%u2019?

Pictures from the week

Have you ever have lice as an adult? Wait hold on, let%u2019s back up. No I don%u2019t have lice, but I a few years ago I did and whoa that was some shit. (Thats what happens when you hang with littles all the time.) This week my head starting itching like crazy so there was a minute when I thought I might have gotten them again. But I have had it checked, a few times, and it is just dry skin. From all the hats. Because it has been pretty chilly and I have been cold. So no lice, just hats and cold weather making my head itch. Phew!

Anyway, week was up and down. Started off with camping which was amazing. The drive alone down there (Cooliadge State Park) was freaking fantastic. The peak of foliage and oh boy was it peak. And then when we got to the campground, we went on a nice long hike in the most vibrant world of colors. That was a A+ hike fore sure. Then back to the campground to make fire, eat food, cuddle cause it was super duper cold (got to 33) and crawl into the tent for the night. Woke up, very cold, jumped in o the car and hit the road. Back to town we came.

Then another week of stuff. Life stuff. Not fun stuff. Very very stressful stuff. But stuff that needed dealing and is still being dealt with. Mostly the mr, but when the mr is ain%u2019t happy, ain%u2019t nobody happy (HAHA!) so it was kind of another pretty stressful week. And so that is life.

But the good is still good. I don%u2019t have lice, the world is gorgeous, we had a chilly rainy day which are some of my favorite days. I picked up second to last farm share and heavy stocked up on squash and starting knitting a new hat. I made the cutest cookie ever and went to the dentist which actually sucked but is always good to go and be responsible about dental health. Made an ice cream cake and dinner for Barb for her birthday at my moms for her family party (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!) The lady turned 20 and I can’t even. Then I made her birthday pancakes on her actual birthday and we went grocery shopping so she could run up and down the isles with the mr collecting all the packages of batteries. Because she is now 20 and needs batteries? Yeah, we will just say that was it. And napped. I took a nap this week and it was amazing. I don%u2019t think I nap enough.

Other then that, the week just flew by. Dealing with the stuff, hanging with the people, doing the work thing.

Now its Sunday and yes, we are doing it, camping. Second to last, if not the last time. Depends on if we get that rain next weekend that the weather people say we are suppose to get. So we are making tonight really count. Going to some land on a mountain out in the middle of no where. We are so in need of this, to get the heck away for the night. And it is going to be beautiful and amazing and we have a great hike planned out and there is not cell service. Winter jacket, hats and mittens, and all the blankets we can fit into the are. I am excited.

Interent links from the week.

-You can now live like Barbie. Oh freaking jeez. Barbie Malibu Dreamhouse!

–Am I Drinking Too Much Seltzer Water? Good question, one I hear all the time.

–Jesus Shoes. For real? For real.

-I want these toilets. I get these toilets. 10 Easy Pieces: Designer Toilets. Tankless toilet..what a dream!.

–Eat, Drink And Be Wary: Ex-CIA Officer Reveals How Eateries Are Key To Spycraft. Totally makes sense.

-Currently in the middle of reading this book. It is so good. Only problem is that I started reading it a few days ago and it is due back at the library in 2 days (I forgot I had it out). It is 550+ pages long and I am not sure I am going to be able to finish it before it is due back. Might have to occur some late fees for this one.

-Coffee without the beans. The day has come. Inside the Seattle Company Plotting Lab-Made %u2018Coffee%u2019 Without Beans

-Another reason to read. Reading Before Bed Might Make You Healthier and Happier

–What Does Sunny D Taste Like? My dad used to buy it when we were kids and all I can remember it tasting like was shit. I think it actually made me throw up once. I was way more a Hi-C girl.

–6.6 lb bucket of tahini%u2026.It%u2019s in my shopping cart.

Pictures from the week

The week started off a okay because camping and camping is camping and is always good. We went to Branbury State Park which is right in between Lake Dunmore and the Green Mountain National Forest. We didn%u2019t bring kayaks because we wanted to spend most of the time hiking plus I can%u2019t get wet and be outside in these temperatures%u2026. I will freeze to death. After a nice drive of foliage peeping, we got to the park, picked our site, made tea, and as we were setting up, the mr somehow knocked over his cup and covered his socked foot in boiling hot water. Blisters, big nasty ones, formed right away, but he championed on. Even managed to hike around all afternoon which in hindsight was not the smartest because his sandals were digging into the burns. But he survived and we camped on. He fished, I read, we ate dinner, watched the fire, crawled into the tent, and listened as the rain began. Woke up at the usual time in a slight puddle (it rained hard) tossed the wet stuff into the car, and headed on home to tend to wounds and the business of life.

The rest of the week, well, not going to lie, has kind of sucked for reasons that I am not going to get into. But let%u2019s just say that sometime people can really fucking suck. The shit show has been mostly affecting the mr but the stress is palpable. On top of dealing with our usual life stuff, he has been making so many phone calls, dealing with unhelpful people, driving back and forth long distances on a moments notice. I have been trying to make things easier on him by not being a pain in the ass, making him pumpkin bread and wearing strips on prints and all the bright colors. I think the outfit might have been lost on him, but it made me happy. And he liked the pumpkin bread so that was a win.

Anyway, even as things are kind of shitty, there was still some good things, like having dinner with my mom and Paul, farm share a plenty, and harvesting the scarlet runner beans (the prettiest bean ever!). I got into the studio to glaze my ceramic pumpkins and ghosts with Barb (I dropped a pumpkin and smashed it. That was after I cut my hand open an hour before. Good times) and I saved a kiln from being misfired which I patted myself on the back for. We also stopped over and hung with littles for a hot minute just because we missed them and then made the realization that we just need to get the hell out of here for a while. Fresh places, fresh faces, you know?

Back to Sunday. As of right now we are camping tonight. Suppose to go to Coolidge State Park in the heart of the peak of the foliage with lots and lots of hiking to be had. Hopefully there isn%u2019t more shitty shit that will prevent us from taking off. I will probably lose it if we don%u2019t go and end up running away into the woods anyways. Then maybe someone will find me in a week of two. Yeah, at least a week of staying away from the crazy cray cray. But it would be nice to take the mr with me. He needs the break more then I do.

Internet from the week

-Dressing up for Halloween? Here is some inspiration. 8 Sexy Outdoor-Themed Halloween Costumes. Sexy Matterhorn%u2026.Done.

–California’s massive power outage is a wake-up call for the whole country. Is this going to be a new normal? Shit is getting real, for real.

-Noodle art is cool. Meet the Illustrator Who Turns Noodle Soup Into Art

-There is a whole lot of snow meatless meats these days and it can be confusing. Everything You’ve Ever Wondered About Meatless Meat, Explained

–It’s so much more than cooking. I felt like I cold have wrote this article%u2026.. Soooo much more then cooking.

–Why You Never See Your Friends Anymore. Real life.

-Beans or soup. Soup or beans. Why not both? When You’re Cooking Dried Beans, You’re Already Halfway to Soup

–Water Bottles Have Long Been the Unexpected Status Symbols of High School. For real. I was part of the colored Nalgene wave%u2026. Blue with a yellow top and covered in Phish stickers because that was how I rolled.

-Eat them all, except the ones that are not edible. The Ultimate Guide to Winter Squash (for Your Front Stoop & Your%u00a0Stew!)

–The 4 Ingredients That Make Up the Perfect Reading Space. I agree but would add one more%u2026.quite!

Pictures from the week.

It is kind of hard to believe that it is October already. I thought I was ready, but I feel a little like I am falling behind. There is so much fall stuff to do and I need to do it all. Like hiking up all the mountains and then a lot of sitting in a pile of bright fall leaves, wrapped in blankets, wearing my coziest socks, drinking hot drinks, and reading/knitting/napping. All three at once, while the apple and pumpkin things bake and the little paper bats hanging from the ceiling sway in the breeze. Yeah, that sounds about right. And I am getting some of it done, just need to get more of it done. Especially the napping. Haha.

Last week, camping at Zack Woods Pond, was for sure, some of the best we ever have done. Before we got to the middle of nowhere that was camp, we stopped at a harvest festival and did some poking around. Found letters for all the games, a washing machine, and unicorns. Then we drove away some more and checked out a chunk of land that we want to buy but won%u2019t because it is almost unaccessible in the best of times, so yeah no, not gonna work. But the search continues. After the land we headed to the place where we were camping but got a little lost. We had to go to a nearby state park to talk to the ranger and get a hand drawn map to find the place. Well hidden to say the least, but we found it and pretty sure not many other people know about it because we didn%u2019t see a soul. It felt like we had the entire world to ourselves. And oh was it beautiful. The colors were starting to pop, the air was crisp and clean and brisk. The campsite was, well it was a small rock fire pit and trees. Perfection. After setting up the tent we took the kayaks out on the pond and paddled around in all the greatness that was there. Then we hiked around and the hung out by the fire because it was cold. Had dinner facing the pond and all the pretty trees, then the mr did a little sunset fishing. More campfire sitting and off to bed. As it got dark out a couple girls ended up having a fire or something that far away where we couldn%u2019t see them, but we know it was a couple girls because they were very LOUD. And annoying, but they only stayed for an hour or so and their echoing mouths were gone and it was back to being the most silent night and back to sleep. Then the painful part. Waking up the next morning. 33 degrees was the number of the air. We didn%u2019t complain but we did packed up really fast, jumped into the car, and blasted the heat. Cozy and warm and full of happy outdoor feelings. The best way to start a week.

Back home the days did their thing. Work, dealing with stupid stuff, me breaking everything. I dropped my camera and smashed the lens. My phone all of a sudden didn%u2019t want to work right and the battery is now basically dead. The shower head decided to break mid shower and spray water all over the freaking place. I broke a chunk of finger off pugging clay at the studio. Then the stem of my pumpkin broke off right before I broke a flower pot. All not the worst individually, but goodness gracious, give me a freaking break.. Ah hahaha. Oh well. Shit break I guess.

Other then all that, there was a 14th birthday party for Alex. I found a new cute pyrex bowl for 50 cent which made me happy. I went down to the farm mid week and picked bags and bags of parsley to freeze for the winter. Then there was actual farm share with celeriac back in rotation! I worked at the studio (the chunk of my finger is still there), did another birthday party for Coco, who is now 3, and took the littles pumpkin picking with the mr and Barb as per our tradition. They got their jack o lantern pumpkins, I got me my pie pumpkins, and we found a garden snake. A game of tether ball and that was that. I came home after dropping them off and spent the day trying to warm up because it was freezing. And yeah I know,I could turn the heat on but no, not yet. I refuse to turn the heat on for at least 3 more weeks. November 1st. Until then, all the sweaters and socks will have to do to keep me warm.

Today we are doing it, camping at Branbury State Park, even though it miiiight rain. Hoping that it holds off until at least 830 tonight (we will be in the tent by then) or maybe even until we wake up in the morning and are on our way home? That would be great. We will see, and either way it will be good. And not going is not an option. There are only 2 more weekends of camping before everything closes up and it starts to snow. Yup, before it snows. That is happening and I don%u2019t think I can convince the mr to set up the tent in the snow.

Links from the week from the internet of stuff.

-All the pretty colors! What Causes Leaves To Change Color?

-Got a garden? These are the Frost Tolerance of Vegetables. My tomatoes are caput but the chard is looking oh so fine.

–How Gen-Z Is Dealing With a Looming Climate Apocalypse. Yup, shits hitting the fan and everyone knows it,

-Kneadable erasers are the best and I guess work for more then there attended purpose. The best $1.50 I ever spent: a kneadable eraser

-Swetaer weather for sure, but what is sweater weather? What %u201cSweater Weather%u201d Is

–The Female Founders Disrupting the Vagina Economy. Of course they are not.

-Philip Pullman and his dark materials. A new book. I an SO EXCITED, I might just buy it!!! ‘The Secret Commonwealth’

–How to charge your devices the right way. I have been doing it wrong for so long.

-I am good. Actually, even better then good. I change towels pretty much every day. Here%u2019s How Often You Should Be IWashing Your Dish Towels, According to Microbiologists

-I am in love with this little place.

Pictures from the week.

It%u2019s officially fall and officially fantastic. All of my sweaters are so happy to see me, and me them. So are the sweatpants and the socks. They are here for me to keep me all cozy and warm. Nothing like coming home on a cold dreary day and throwing on a big chunky sweater, a oversized pair of soft sweatpants, and thick wool socks. Add a cup of hot tea, a good book, and a lap blanket and heading out tp sit on the front porch and breathing in all that fresh fall air. So good. So freaking good.

Last Sunday camp was at Gifford State Park. Another Vermont gem. So pretty, so quite, the colors starting to show in the trees. We went for a nice hike into a forest of old growth trees, then launched out the kayaks on a nearby pond and paddles around for awhile. Back to the campsite for lentils and zucchini then the mr fired up some wood and we watched the sun set behind the golden trees. Laid under a sky full of the brightest stars and watching the trees whip around and listened to the wind blow hard and wild all night long. It was dang near perfect. And after the morning coffee making and tent taking down, off into the week we went.

Back in town we got back to it as per usual. The this and that of life. I made gallons of applesauce, fed Barb and went on a tea and pumpkin run (fall essentials). Went over to Moms for dinner and so the mr could fix her sink. I harvesting the last bits of summer from the garden then went to Costco to find a Christmas tree??? (They had them set up right next to the bathing suits and halloween candy. %ud83e%udd37%ud83c%udffb%u200d%u2640%ufe0f) We did some more stuff that needed doing. Looked at land in the wilds of Vermont (found a piece but there were offers on it already. So bummed) I worked the studio, picked up farm share, and I worried about the mr after he stabbed himself in the eye with a screwdriver and almost lost the eyeball. Then we had the boys sleep over Friday for Mileys birthday so she could have a sleep over with her friends at her house. We made pizza, went to the park, and all cuddled up in pile of blankets while they watched a weird cartoon something that I paid zero attention to and I read and kind of fell asleep. The next day after pancakes we dropped the off, the mr and I did the chores and then went back over for a little family party for the birthday lady. The mr made spaghetti, Miley and I decorated her cake, then they ate the pasta, then the cake, and then the mr and I peaced out to come home. Straight up, I was feeling way over stimulated from days of human interaction. So I pretty much passed the F out when we got home. I love my family but jeez can they make a lady tired.

Sunday for reals and I am feeling ready. Today is suppose to be another fantastic day, slightly on the chilly side maybe but not raining so that is good. We are heading out for one of the few camps we have left for the year. Zack Pond Woods. A little pond with a couple of undeveloped designated campsites. It is first come, first to use so we are super hoping that we get there and there will be a place available to set up for the night. If not, we might have to boogie over to a campground near by that we have already been too. But I am feeling like there might not be a ton of people trying to camp out on a Sunday night when it is suppose to get into the 30%u2019s overnight and maybe rain the morning. I am ok with all that, especially if that means other people aren%u2019t and leave us be. HA.

Anyway, hope you all are having a grand old weekend and taking in all the fall and focusing on eating all the apples and pumpkins. We know your priorities!

Links to things that I read and looked at n the internet this week.

-Today is National Coffee day!!!!! Everywhere You Can Get Free Coffee for National Coffee Day

–You%u2019ll Be Shocked by How Much Food Americans Waste Each%u00a0Year. Sadly, I was not shocked.

-Fall medicinal shopping list. These to make a syrup for cold and flu, and this for everything. Get it before you need it (and it%u2019s out of stock)

–Tree-Poaching Is On the Rise. What the fuckers. Also, so sad for trees and for the people.

-If telling people a little more gets them to recycle, well tell them what they want to hear! This simple tweak could drastically raise our pathetic recycling rates

–Vegans are more than what they do not eat. Hear Hear!!!!

-Did you know? Peanuts Aren’t Real Nuts (And More Essential Nut Info). Especially good to know when allergies are involved

–Is corn a fruit, a vegetable, or a grain? What were you thinking?

-IF you are going to smoke weed around people, you have to share it. No way around it unless you are an asshole. HA. How to politely smoke weed

–Why Millennials Are Suddenly So Obsessed With Houseplants. I grew up with a million house plants so thats one reason, but also I need real living things around me to feel good feels.

Pictures from the week

For the past few days the mr has been telling everyone that yesterday was the official last day of Summer. For some reason he truly thinks September first is the first day of fall. It%u2019s not true as you probably know (the last day of summer is September 22nd) but around here is sure is starting to feel a lot like fall so I%u2019ll take it.

Last weekend camping was a blast. First we headed to Maidstone, the most remote state park in Vt. Left early in the morning, stopped at a yard sale or two then drove down a very long and bumpy dirt road until we got there.. Maidstone was amazing, a big lake in the middle of nowhere off the edge of nowhere in the nowheres of the NEK. The weather was amazing, our campsite was cool with wooden stairs, the hiking was fantastic, and the loons were all loud and vociferous. And the weather, it was just perfect. Cool and partly cloudy. I got to wear a sweater while hiking and pull on my wool socks in the evening. There are few things that can top a cool night under the stars with the sound of water lapping the shore and loons making sweet loon noises all night and right now I can%u2019t think of them.

After waking up maybe a weee bit to early (I can%u2019t help it), we packed up and headed to the next park, Brighton. A pond in little town still in the middle of nowhere, although it felt more somewhere then Maidstone due to the fact that there was a store and a gas station in town. And there was an actual town. We stopped and walked around the little neighborhood and along the train tracks then we found a few little hiking trails in random places, and hiked them. The mr did some fishing, I did a lot of reading, all before we even got the the park at lunch time. Once we got there, the usual occurred with a good hike, chillin by the fire, eating food, and after being out and about all over for the past few days, we were dead beat. So we crawled into the tent as soon as the sun set and passed the F out. Woke up freezing and happy but then kind of sad. Had to get on getting on home.

Then we were home. The mr went straight away to work, I might have passed out a little bit, but then stuff needed doing so I got on that.

As far as the rest of the week, there was the last day of summer vacation surprise dinner and park play we had with the littles which was followed by first day of school. I spent a good chunk of time finishing up a bunch of rainbows (and clouds) and installed them for Art Hop next week. The floors at the apartment were sanded (the mr all the way) and are now in the process of being urethaned. I picked up farm share (I missed it last week so I was running scarily low on veggies), maintained a casual relationship with my own garden, and watched the 15 foot tall sunflower in the front yard bloom. Did this and that and ran all over. Typical stuff.

Now we are back to Sunday again and we are raring and ready. Gonna grab the camping stuff, toss the kayaks on the car, and head out. Going south this weekend to lake Bomoseem. I am very much excited. The weather looks terrific for the day, (it is suppose to rain in the middle of the night but that is totally fine) and we are just ready to be out of town for the day again. And hopefully tomorrow being labor day and all we can not do to much and just chill. Rainy and cool. Perfect weather for a blanket, a book, and hot coffee all day long. I might even get some knitting out%u2026..

Internet for you.

–The Life of a Person Who Wakes Up Really, Really Early. That%u2019s me, an extreme lark!

-If I ever need to plant grass. A Miracle No Mow Grass. Actually looks so nice and soft.

–The Difference Between Pepitas & Pumpkin%u00a0Seeds. Nope, they are not the same but kinda are?

-Could you imagine nit having a summer vacation from school? Honestly, I think I would rather have a winter vacation, or 4 smaller vacations if I had a choice I the matter. The Case For Summer Vacation

-It%u2019s back. A short cultural history of tie-dye

–On Being a Great Aunt. I am a great aunt%u2026 right? I think so anyway.

-Among other things I want to protect myself from Gwyenth. Dr. Jen Gunter Wants to Protect Your Vagina From Gwyneth Paltrow

–FOR THE CHAIR COLLECTORS OUT THERE. Love a good chair.

-We are drowning in plastic. U.S. Recycling Industry Is Struggling To Figure Out A Future Without China

–Battle of the Bubbles. I should have started a seltzer water business when I had the idea 10 years ago. Oh well.

Pictures from the week.

Hello, hello, hey hey hey!

So how are we all doing? Enjoying all the enjoyment and taking the time to relax and be merry and all the good stuff? I sure hope so, at least for a little while at some point in your time. And now we are in the home stretch. Just a few more days and New Years. Can you even believe it? Another year gone by and into a new, shiny and fresh one. Goodbye 2019, and heeeeello 2020. Be good to us!

So the week. What a week. There was so much going on that I can%u2019t even remember it all. Besides a little bit of this and a little bit of that, there was night time light drives, long walks, a few little craft projects, food shopping hell runs (I thought I was in the clear when I didn’t have to do much of any shopping for Christmas presents but then after spending an afternoon grocery shopping a couple days before Christmas , I realized that food shopping might actually have been worse then any other store. People were ruthless and crazy and just about foaming at the mouth!). There was baking cookies, and cake, cooking food for normal consumption, cleaning and just get ready for all the holiday stuff.

Christmas Day/Camerons Birthday came. The mr and I spent a little time just the two of us in the morning, trying to take it easy (the mr was kind of sick) until the house filled up. And filled with family it did, and it was great. Food, music, a little gift exchange and then birthday cake for the birthday boy (16 like what!?) We hung out, played with new toys, Megan helped me do some dishes, and then everyone got sick of each other and were exhausted and left. (I love when they come, but I also love when they leave.%u00a0%u2665%ufe0f) Then the mr and I power cleaned for a while (the house wasn%u2019t too bad this time) before sitting dow to do our own Christmas stockings. I got him a new hatchet, some crocs (so he will stop wearing mine), made him a shrinky dink trout needle minder and stuffed some candy and kiwis in there for good measure. Me, well the mr embroidered me a napkin with so much love, carved me the most beautiful salad serving spoons, added in some crazy fruits, purple carrots, and a couple bulbs of black garlic. The napkin and spoons are amazing and my favorite, but the black garlic%u2026holy crap, that shit is AMAZING! I have limited myself to eating only a couple cloves a day, when what I really want to do is just eat it all at once. So good!

And then Anthonys birthday was the next day. Spend half of it making his cake with homemade caramel and decorating it all fancy like. Then there was his party (he is 18, wtf?!). Jeff Dad had just got into town then too so I talked to him a while, and then home we went for a little crash. Friday I spend the day doing some work and baking for Saturday and second family Christmas. It was a blink of a day because all of a sudden it was Saturday and I still had to go grocery shopping for more food and get more food ready, again. Da ja vu for real.

And so they came, again. Shannnon and I had it down and made a million mini pizzas. People were then fed and then we played, exchanged a few presents with dad, had more cake and cookies, and then they all left.. This time we were not so lucky and I was stuck with cake and sticky stuff all over the floors and light switches. The bathrooms were a disaster and the recycling/compost/ even the garbage can were over flowing. Again, not as bad as past family get togethers, but the mr and I definitely spent the rest of the night cleaning. And I still am not quite done yet. {the floors need a second moping and the rug needs another good vacuum%u2026 and some other stuff, but you don%u2019t care so why am I telling you?)

Anyway, so I am ready for a freaking break. Today I am going spend a few hours at the gym saying goodbye to the old building {last day at the current location because they built a new one) then I am going to go have coffee and bring cake to my mom, come home to make one more birthday cake for the week, and then crash. I don%u2019t want to do anything by curl up on the couch with tea, my book, which I barely have had time to even open this week, and chill the f out. One more brtihday party this week and then I am done. Hopefully this crazy storm we are suppose to get tonight will be all snow and we will end up with feet upon feet and be stuck in out own separate homes for days%u2026 One can only hope. Haha!

Links from my time on the internet.

–People Can’t Even Agree On When The Decade Ends. I never even thought about the logic. I guess it isn%u2019t really the end of a decade, is it? What are your thought?

-Speaking of decades . The Top 10 Food Trends of the Entire Decade

-This would be the perfect cabin for me to hide in.

–Are You Cleaning Your Couches Enough? I AM!

-I made the mr a needle minder with shrinky dink paper.. Don%u2019t tell me it%u2019s not magic! The Science of Shrinky Dinks

-We have a Christmas baby in out family. Not sure how he really feels about it. I know I would hate it, but that is because I like to hide on my birthday. Can%u2019t hide on Christmas. The Christmas Baby%u2019s Dilemma

–The most environmentally-friendly ways to get rid of your Christmas tree I think we are going to feed ours to some goats.

–An Expert’s Advice on Coping With Post-Holiday Depression and the Dreaded January Slump.

-It%u2019s that time of year where people often to forget to drink%u2026WATER Effects of Dehydration to Your Body

–Cabbage Is Your Next Great Vegetable Crush. Cabbage is half my diet (I for real eat a head of day). It really is the best. Cooked, raw, leaves peeled back and then dipped in mustard. The possibilities are endless and so delicious.

Pictures from the week.

December in action and we are taking it at full speed. All the activities, the birthdays, the holiday celebrations%u2026 So much and I love it all, even if I feel like a crazy lady and want to run screaming from groups of people bigger the 2. I%u2019ll deal with the interactions now and just plan to spend the month of January hiding and recovering. I%u2019ll be ok.

The week started with the hunt for our Christmas tree. The Green Mountain National Forest, seventh year running, and this year did not disappoint. A fantastic hike into the woods near a beaver pond with lots of trees, snow on the ground, and no people. Exactly how I like to find our tree. And find it we did, the most perfect (too perfect?) tree. And it only took about an hour of almost cutting down like 20 other trees. Once we were positive, the mr cut it down, we said our thanks to the world, then hiked our tree out of the woods and slid it into the back of the car. Hopped in, cranked the Christmas music, and we were good to go. A perfect Christmas tree expedition.

Then life. Kind of a busy week in terms of birthdays. The beginning of the week Justin turned older by a year, then the next day Sophia did to so we partied with spaghetti, chocolate chocolate cake with tiny apples (she wanted it to be apple shaped but I just made little apples instead), and ballerina style dancing. Then there was a little lull in activities as far as birthdays where the mr and I did some stuff like work stuff, (more him then me), decorated, hung out with Barb, did the doings.

And then Friday. After an afternoon of loading kilns next to other kilns that were 2100 degrees and almost burning my face off, it was a rush to get home and prepare for the masses. Not technically the mr%u2019s birthday, but we had his annual grilled cheese and soup birthday celebration. Pretty much the whole fam at the house again. Lots of grilled cheeses sandwiches were made, so much soup was scooped (tomato and split pea per usual), and cake and ice cream concluded the night. And I only found half a grilled cheese sandwich under the couch when I was cleaning yesterday%u2026 Progress? I don%u2019t know, but there definitely was a few big dried soup puddles on the floor. But not on the couch! So there is that.

Back to Sunday. Not sure whats on the agenda for today but I have some stuff I need to do and I know that the mr has some stuff he needs to do. Plus together we have some stuff we need to do so we will see what gets done. Mostly though, I think I am shooting for a small hike, some coffee, and a chill afternoon of reading on the couch, facing the lit up Christmas tree. That would be swell.

Check out what I checked out from the internet this week.

–The Farmers’ Almanac Winter Forecast Is Here%u2014and Brrr!. Give me all the snow!!!!

-I can%u2019t imagine a life without reading. Not A Regular Reader? 4 Strategies To Make Reading A Habit

–Why Your Kid Loves the Garbage Truck So Much. I liked the cement trucks%u2026they don%u2019t stink an they spin.

-I am sorry, but this is some bullshit. Italian Artist’s Duct-Taped Bananas Are Selling for $120,000 Each

–How to Stop Making Excuses and Start Composting Already. And in Vermont, it%u2019t the law!

-Netflix is perverted. Ha! The Brands Are (Literally) Too Horny and Must Be Stopped

–Food delivery and takeout are on the rise. So are the mountains of trash they create.I like the idea of reusable metal tin. Could we get there?

–Here’s Why Your Favorite Headband Always Leaves You With a Headache. I used o wear headbands all the time, but had to stop because of the head pressure it caused.

–How Often, Really, Do You Follow This Recipe%u00a0Instruction?. Never but always. I like to add color to food, but only when it is edible and adds flavor.

-The sink that looks kind of like a mini tub%u2026. Swoon. For a Long Winter%u2019s Nap: A Manor House and a Schoolhouse in the German Countryside, Available for Stays

And pictures from the week

The heat is officially on in the house because well, it got kind of freezing out and also because we got some snow! So awesome and unexpected. Sure, it was only an inch and came at the exact wrong time making for a very sketchy driving situation, and also it froze all the chard in the garden I had left (I harvested it and just tossed it in the freezer for soups), but whatever. I was, and am just so happy to see it. I really do love this time of year, even if everyone else hates it.

The week started off slow. The extra hour was welcomed but also really kind of screwed with my body clock. I have been getting better throughout the week, but the first few days we changed the clock, I was waking up at like 3 am. Yes, I was going to bed at like 630, but when your tired, your tired. Anyway, besides being a little groggy, it was the usual as usual. Work stuff, getting ready for winter weather, dealing with the dealings. We had lunch with Megan, a spaghetti dinner with Judah, and I picked up the first winter farm share of the season. Lots of roots, greens, Brussels sprout, and peppers. All the best food a lady could ask for. I am also feeling like a queen with my new, permanent, gold crown in my mouth. And now I am officially sick of going to the dentist. Going to try really hard to not have to go back ever again, or at least 6 months when I am due for a clean.

Oh, and lets not forget how I busted out the new toilet brushes. Who doesn%u2019t love a fresh toilet brush? Highlight of the week. HA.

Today the mr and don%u2019t have much in the way of plans besides getting the winter tires thrown on the car and getting out of town for the afternoon for a hike. So I am going to the gym and dropping off the library books this morning, we will then deal with the car, and then off we will go, heading out to conquer a mountain. Or a small trail. I am fine with either. Just as long as we are outside.

Links from the internet for your reading and browsing enjoyment.

–Why You Should Find Time to Be Alone With Yourself. Alone time is the best. I cannot stress how important alone time for me is%u2026 I NEED IT!

-I didi%u2019t know how awesome and strong ginkgo trees were. Consider the ginkgo. These ancient trees survived the atomic bomb in Hiroshima.

-First, how is Emma Watson turning 30? Second, Yes lady. Did Emma Watson Just Coin the Next %u201cConscious Uncoupling%u201d?

-Why haven%u2019t I don%u2019t this yet? The Tangy-Sweet Pickled Fruit I Put on Absolutely%u00a0Everything

–Very Generous People Are Way Happier (and Have More Friend)

-Looking for new shoes is the worst. But I found some that are not exactly winter friendly, but maybe I can make them work? Teva%u00a0Voya Infinity Sandals. OR these appropriate footwear. I love them but jeez, I am not paying that much for a shoe.

-Give me roots, all the roots. Root, root, root for rutabaga, turnips and those other unappreciated vegetables

-This is me! %u2018It%u2019s cool to be cold%u2019: Confessions of frigid-weather fanatics

–The Cookie Sculptor. I think I need to spend more time sculpting cookies.

–Scrubbing Your House Of Bacteria Could Clear The Way For Fungus. I am a clean freak, but I don%u2019t use any chemicals whatsoever. Vinegar, water, vacuum. How that keeps the bad fungus away.

And pictures from the week.

I don%u2019t know what the hell I was just reamng about, but I woke up with Celine Dion %u201cThats the way it is%u201d stuck in my head. I am pretty sure I haven%u2019t heard that song in like 10 years so it had to have made it%u2019s way out of my deep, deep subconscious. What does it mean? And why won%u2019t it stop replaying in my awake head!

What a ear worm to have on a Sunday morning. I need to plug my headphones in and listen to something, anything. It%u2019s driving me nuts!

The past week involved our last camp of the year. We went to Little River State Park (the last place open) in the pouring rain and crazy wind and did our thing. Set up camp, hiked, made food. All drenched and loving every second of it, even the rm, who was fighting off a pretty crappy head cold. One thing that I did not love was that I was trying to dry out my soaking wet hiking boots a bit by the fire and ended up melting them. Yup, they actually melted, but lucky the mr brought extra shoes so those got me through the rest of the time. Anyway, so that was it, no more camping (due to the fact that it gets dark at 4 now and everything is closed for the season). And yes, I am sad about it. Until next year I guess, or until I convince the mr that winter camping is a good thing.

The rest of week involved me breaking and swallowing half of the second temporary crown. This time I did not bother going back for a third because my new permanent gold one goes in this week so I am just dealing for the time being. Then there was Halloween, which by hat time in the week, I was starting feel icky and sick, but still good enough for Barb to come over for dinner, watch me hand out a few handfuls of candy and walk the block in the rain. That storm was crazy with some freaky rain. The downpours were so intense at times that I though our house was going to wash away.

Not much else. I worked the studio and cut my hand open again. There was no farm share this week so I have had to go to the grocery store more then I would have liked. I cleaned the back porch off and backed away most of the summer stuff, and I found a few pairs of wool socks hiding in my closet. That was really nice. We didn%u2019t see the littles cause they were all busy being cool with their fiends and between the mr and I both feeling under the weather, we choose to not infect the masses. We thought it better to lay a little low because we are good, caring people. Ha.

Yesterday was an Ikea day. Paul and Barb both wanted to go, so go we did. Left early morning, got stuck in dumb stupid traffic, then got to Ikea just in time for everyone else in Montreal to get there too. I peed, they got hot dogs. They shopped, I shouted. I peed again, they checked out and loaded up on more hot dogs. And then home we went. Me and Barb basically sitting on top of each other because Paul bought a shelf that took up half the car but you know what, traffic did not suck, the boarder was fine, and all and all not a bad trip. Minus the smell of the hotdogs, it made me want to barf.

And then I came home, the mr ran to rescue one of our tenants, I made dinner, we went for a walk, then I went to bed. Still feeling off and was more then happy just to get underneath all the covers and sleep.

Today the mr and I are not camping, but we are going hiking, so there is that. And we plan on making soup for dinner and maybe%u2026maybe, turning the heat on tonight if we are feeling extra cold. But probably not. We might just wait til it snows.

Some links to look at from the internet.

–Is A Diet That’s Healthy For Us Also Better For The Planet? Most Of The Time, Yes. Get on board people.

-On the drive to Ikea, we got into the conversation of seltzer because it%u2019s always about seltzer. Is Seltzer Bad for You?

–This map shows how food travels from farms to your home. Some things really travel so far, it%u2019s kind of crazy. Let us all try to eat more local, yes?

–Why do people hate vegans? Why indeed.

-Keep your brain alive and healthy. 5 Daily Habits That Negatively Affect the Brain and Should Be Stopped Before the Damage Becomes Irreversible

–How Jane Fonda%u00a0Convinces Her Famous Friends to Get Arrested. I would get arrested with Jane Fonda. Hell, I Would do just about anything with Jane Fonda.

-Bulk all the way, but done right. The Problem With America%u2019s Bulk Food Bins

-Thank you Dutch science people for making the world embrace Brussel sprouts. From Culinary Dud To Stud: How Dutch Plant Breeders Built Our Brussels Sprouts Boom

-Yes please! MAKE MINE AN A-FRAME.

–I Tried the Wim Hof Method to Find Happiness Through Suffering%u00a0. I don%u2019t know, I could see this working for me. Huh.

And pictures from the week.

The idea of turning on the heat hasn%u2019t really yet occurred to me. Sure I have been a little on the chilly side, but when I am cold my mind doesn%u2019t think about turning on the house heat, it thinks I need more layers, a hot drink, and to bake a loaf of bread. That being said, after the littles came over and were complaining about how cold they were, I finally realized that yes, we don%u2019t really need to be this cold. But I still didn’t turn the heat on. (I know, I am so mean.) We have one more week until the end of the month and then maybe I will switch it on. To keep the plant alive I suppose, and so I don%u2019t turn into a popsicle too I guess.

This week started as usual, with hiking and camping. We hiked to some waterfalls that were gorgeous but the area we went to was packed with smelly (Cologne and perfume.. gross) tourist so it was a little annoying. But then we made out way up to Belvidere and set up camp outside my families cabin in the woods . That was amazing and fresh and happy. There was no going inside (locked up for the year) but the land there is the most amazing place and we just soaked up the good, hiked around some more, the mr fished, we ate, watched the sunset, had a fire, then crawled into the tent. Woke up, packed up, drove back to life and that was that.

The rest of the week was the week. It involved another trip to the dentist. Not to get my permanent crown, but to replace the temporary crown that I accidentally swallowed. Yup. So new temp crown (which already has a chip in it. No I do not eat rocks but jeez, what the heck?) until my real one goes in sometime next week. Gotta say, I am pretty sick of going to the dentist. What else? Oh, there was farm share pick up, the last summer share of the year. A little sad, but not too sad because winter share starts in a two weeks and I have a freezer fulled to the brim with food so I will survive. Oh, and the dirt pile form the mr digging under the house that was in the middle of the back yard is gone thanks to my smartly pants self. Our neighbors needed dirt for a project that they are doing around their house and instead of buying it, I had the idea that they could just take our pile, and they did! They got free dirt and we got rid of the dirt for free (we were going to rent a u Haul this week to move it all). So success was had with that and I feel all sorts of smug about it.

Any who. Friday, after spending the day loading kilns at the studio, we had the littles over for a pumpkin carving party. It tuned mostly into a throwing pumpkin seeds and guts at each other party, but it was a party involving pumpkins no less. The thing with the pumpkins that we get from the farm is that they are supper heavy and hearty and thick. Like 3 inches thick and a bitch to cut into, making it hard for the littles to actually cut. The mr and I did what we could do for the young ones but we let Barb do her own because she is old enough to almost cut a hand off. All in all the pumpkins were cut up enough and turned out great. I got most of the guts wiped up and collected the seeds to roast. Then we all lit pumpkin, walked some of the marshmallow sugar off, and the mr and I sent them to watch movies in the nook while he did whatever he did and I passed the f out. Woke up, fed them, and sent them all home. I spent the rest of my day running errands and cleaning seeds and pumpkin guts off the walls. For real. All over the house. I don%u2019t know why I still get surprised when the littles managed to do the impossible when it comes to messes. When will I learn?

And it%u2019s Sunday. And yes, we are suppose to go camping. The last hurrah of the camping season. But here is the thing. It is suppose to rain all day. So the question is..do we go anyway? I say yes but I am not so sure the mr is sold. What I am thinking is I am going to go the gym, the library, and maybe stop at the coop this morning and be home by lunch. If it is pouring, well we might rethink our plans, but a little misty rain, we can take it. Because I need this. Our last camp. I am already sad that the season is over. What I am hoping for is the weather to be wrong and that maybe we will only get a sprinkle or two and today will be the best camp ever. Wish us luck.

Weekly internet stuff.

–Hocus Pocus%u00a0Sequel. Maybe I am being skeptical, but is it going suck? Maybe it%u2019s best they just leave a good thing alone%u2026. yeah right

-What do you think about this? I am kind of intrigued to tell the truth. Anything for a tree I guess. Halloween Trees Are Having a Moment%u2014Here’s How to Pull Off the Decorating Trend at Home

–Dog People Live Longer. But Why? Dog people know why.

–What Happens to Your Body When You Take Naps Every Single Day? Naps for the win. Now I need actually start taking them more often.

-Cemeteries are always so pretty, even the ones that are tucked away, into the trees. I think I actually like those the best. Here are 7 cemeteries with views to die for.

–Science can do cool things.Artificial Leaf to Replace Petrol? Find Out How it Works!

–Brooklyn Townhouse in Pinks, Greens, and Grays. I am not usually one fore dark surroundings, but I am into this house for sure.

–Want to Reduce Your Waste? Do This First.%u00a0 Reduce. Reduce REDUCE!!!!!

–How I Got My Job: Making Custom Ceramics for Restaurants. A potters life

–Weed over booze. What Does It Mean to Be %u2018Cali Sober%u2019?

Pictures from the week

Have you ever have lice as an adult? Wait hold on, let%u2019s back up. No I don%u2019t have lice, but I a few years ago I did and whoa that was some shit. (Thats what happens when you hang with littles all the time.) This week my head starting itching like crazy so there was a minute when I thought I might have gotten them again. But I have had it checked, a few times, and it is just dry skin. From all the hats. Because it has been pretty chilly and I have been cold. So no lice, just hats and cold weather making my head itch. Phew!

Anyway, week was up and down. Started off with camping which was amazing. The drive alone down there (Cooliadge State Park) was freaking fantastic. The peak of foliage and oh boy was it peak. And then when we got to the campground, we went on a nice long hike in the most vibrant world of colors. That was a A+ hike fore sure. Then back to the campground to make fire, eat food, cuddle cause it was super duper cold (got to 33) and crawl into the tent for the night. Woke up, very cold, jumped in o the car and hit the road. Back to town we came.

Then another week of stuff. Life stuff. Not fun stuff. Very very stressful stuff. But stuff that needed dealing and is still being dealt with. Mostly the mr, but when the mr is ain%u2019t happy, ain%u2019t nobody happy (HAHA!) so it was kind of another pretty stressful week. And so that is life.

But the good is still good. I don%u2019t have lice, the world is gorgeous, we had a chilly rainy day which are some of my favorite days. I picked up second to last farm share and heavy stocked up on squash and starting knitting a new hat. I made the cutest cookie ever and went to the dentist which actually sucked but is always good to go and be responsible about dental health. Made an ice cream cake and dinner for Barb for her birthday at my moms for her family party (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!) The lady turned 20 and I can’t even. Then I made her birthday pancakes on her actual birthday and we went grocery shopping so she could run up and down the isles with the mr collecting all the packages of batteries. Because she is now 20 and needs batteries? Yeah, we will just say that was it. And napped. I took a nap this week and it was amazing. I don%u2019t think I nap enough.

Other then that, the week just flew by. Dealing with the stuff, hanging with the people, doing the work thing.

Now its Sunday and yes, we are doing it, camping. Second to last, if not the last time. Depends on if we get that rain next weekend that the weather people say we are suppose to get. So we are making tonight really count. Going to some land on a mountain out in the middle of no where. We are so in need of this, to get the heck away for the night. And it is going to be beautiful and amazing and we have a great hike planned out and there is not cell service. Winter jacket, hats and mittens, and all the blankets we can fit into the are. I am excited.

Interent links from the week.

-You can now live like Barbie. Oh freaking jeez. Barbie Malibu Dreamhouse!

–Am I Drinking Too Much Seltzer Water? Good question, one I hear all the time.

–Jesus Shoes. For real? For real.

-I want these toilets. I get these toilets. 10 Easy Pieces: Designer Toilets. Tankless toilet..what a dream!.

–Eat, Drink And Be Wary: Ex-CIA Officer Reveals How Eateries Are Key To Spycraft. Totally makes sense.

-Currently in the middle of reading this book. It is so good. Only problem is that I started reading it a few days ago and it is due back at the library in 2 days (I forgot I had it out). It is 550+ pages long and I am not sure I am going to be able to finish it before it is due back. Might have to occur some late fees for this one.

-Coffee without the beans. The day has come. Inside the Seattle Company Plotting Lab-Made %u2018Coffee%u2019 Without Beans

-Another reason to read. Reading Before Bed Might Make You Healthier and Happier

–What Does Sunny D Taste Like? My dad used to buy it when we were kids and all I can remember it tasting like was shit. I think it actually made me throw up once. I was way more a Hi-C girl.

–6.6 lb bucket of tahini%u2026.It%u2019s in my shopping cart.

Pictures from the week

The week started off a okay because camping and camping is camping and is always good. We went to Branbury State Park which is right in between Lake Dunmore and the Green Mountain National Forest. We didn%u2019t bring kayaks because we wanted to spend most of the time hiking plus I can%u2019t get wet and be outside in these temperatures%u2026. I will freeze to death. After a nice drive of foliage peeping, we got to the park, picked our site, made tea, and as we were setting up, the mr somehow knocked over his cup and covered his socked foot in boiling hot water. Blisters, big nasty ones, formed right away, but he championed on. Even managed to hike around all afternoon which in hindsight was not the smartest because his sandals were digging into the burns. But he survived and we camped on. He fished, I read, we ate dinner, watched the fire, crawled into the tent, and listened as the rain began. Woke up at the usual time in a slight puddle (it rained hard) tossed the wet stuff into the car, and headed on home to tend to wounds and the business of life.

The rest of the week, well, not going to lie, has kind of sucked for reasons that I am not going to get into. But let%u2019s just say that sometime people can really fucking suck. The shit show has been mostly affecting the mr but the stress is palpable. On top of dealing with our usual life stuff, he has been making so many phone calls, dealing with unhelpful people, driving back and forth long distances on a moments notice. I have been trying to make things easier on him by not being a pain in the ass, making him pumpkin bread and wearing strips on prints and all the bright colors. I think the outfit might have been lost on him, but it made me happy. And he liked the pumpkin bread so that was a win.

Anyway, even as things are kind of shitty, there was still some good things, like having dinner with my mom and Paul, farm share a plenty, and harvesting the scarlet runner beans (the prettiest bean ever!). I got into the studio to glaze my ceramic pumpkins and ghosts with Barb (I dropped a pumpkin and smashed it. That was after I cut my hand open an hour before. Good times) and I saved a kiln from being misfired which I patted myself on the back for. We also stopped over and hung with littles for a hot minute just because we missed them and then made the realization that we just need to get the hell out of here for a while. Fresh places, fresh faces, you know?

Back to Sunday. As of right now we are camping tonight. Suppose to go to Coolidge State Park in the heart of the peak of the foliage with lots and lots of hiking to be had. Hopefully there isn%u2019t more shitty shit that will prevent us from taking off. I will probably lose it if we don%u2019t go and end up running away into the woods anyways. Then maybe someone will find me in a week of two. Yeah, at least a week of staying away from the crazy cray cray. But it would be nice to take the mr with me. He needs the break more then I do.

Internet from the week

-Dressing up for Halloween? Here is some inspiration. 8 Sexy Outdoor-Themed Halloween Costumes. Sexy Matterhorn%u2026.Done.

–California’s massive power outage is a wake-up call for the whole country. Is this going to be a new normal? Shit is getting real, for real.

-Noodle art is cool. Meet the Illustrator Who Turns Noodle Soup Into Art

-There is a whole lot of snow meatless meats these days and it can be confusing. Everything You’ve Ever Wondered About Meatless Meat, Explained

–It’s so much more than cooking. I felt like I cold have wrote this article%u2026.. Soooo much more then cooking.

–Why You Never See Your Friends Anymore. Real life.

-Beans or soup. Soup or beans. Why not both? When You’re Cooking Dried Beans, You’re Already Halfway to Soup

–Water Bottles Have Long Been the Unexpected Status Symbols of High School. For real. I was part of the colored Nalgene wave%u2026. Blue with a yellow top and covered in Phish stickers because that was how I rolled.

-Eat them all, except the ones that are not edible. The Ultimate Guide to Winter Squash (for Your Front Stoop & Your%u00a0Stew!)

–The 4 Ingredients That Make Up the Perfect Reading Space. I agree but would add one more%u2026.quite!

Pictures from the week.

It is kind of hard to believe that it is October already. I thought I was ready, but I feel a little like I am falling behind. There is so much fall stuff to do and I need to do it all. Like hiking up all the mountains and then a lot of sitting in a pile of bright fall leaves, wrapped in blankets, wearing my coziest socks, drinking hot drinks, and reading/knitting/napping. All three at once, while the apple and pumpkin things bake and the little paper bats hanging from the ceiling sway in the breeze. Yeah, that sounds about right. And I am getting some of it done, just need to get more of it done. Especially the napping. Haha.

Last week, camping at Zack Woods Pond, was for sure, some of the best we ever have done. Before we got to the middle of nowhere that was camp, we stopped at a harvest festival and did some poking around. Found letters for all the games, a washing machine, and unicorns. Then we drove away some more and checked out a chunk of land that we want to buy but won%u2019t because it is almost unaccessible in the best of times, so yeah no, not gonna work. But the search continues. After the land we headed to the place where we were camping but got a little lost. We had to go to a nearby state park to talk to the ranger and get a hand drawn map to find the place. Well hidden to say the least, but we found it and pretty sure not many other people know about it because we didn%u2019t see a soul. It felt like we had the entire world to ourselves. And oh was it beautiful. The colors were starting to pop, the air was crisp and clean and brisk. The campsite was, well it was a small rock fire pit and trees. Perfection. After setting up the tent we took the kayaks out on the pond and paddled around in all the greatness that was there. Then we hiked around and the hung out by the fire because it was cold. Had dinner facing the pond and all the pretty trees, then the mr did a little sunset fishing. More campfire sitting and off to bed. As it got dark out a couple girls ended up having a fire or something that far away where we couldn%u2019t see them, but we know it was a couple girls because they were very LOUD. And annoying, but they only stayed for an hour or so and their echoing mouths were gone and it was back to being the most silent night and back to sleep. Then the painful part. Waking up the next morning. 33 degrees was the number of the air. We didn%u2019t complain but we did packed up really fast, jumped into the car, and blasted the heat. Cozy and warm and full of happy outdoor feelings. The best way to start a week.

Back home the days did their thing. Work, dealing with stupid stuff, me breaking everything. I dropped my camera and smashed the lens. My phone all of a sudden didn%u2019t want to work right and the battery is now basically dead. The shower head decided to break mid shower and spray water all over the freaking place. I broke a chunk of finger off pugging clay at the studio. Then the stem of my pumpkin broke off right before I broke a flower pot. All not the worst individually, but goodness gracious, give me a freaking break.. Ah hahaha. Oh well. Shit break I guess.

Other then all that, there was a 14th birthday party for Alex. I found a new cute pyrex bowl for 50 cent which made me happy. I went down to the farm mid week and picked bags and bags of parsley to freeze for the winter. Then there was actual farm share with celeriac back in rotation! I worked at the studio (the chunk of my finger is still there), did another birthday party for Coco, who is now 3, and took the littles pumpkin picking with the mr and Barb as per our tradition. They got their jack o lantern pumpkins, I got me my pie pumpkins, and we found a garden snake. A game of tether ball and that was that. I came home after dropping them off and spent the day trying to warm up because it was freezing. And yeah I know,I could turn the heat on but no, not yet. I refuse to turn the heat on for at least 3 more weeks. November 1st. Until then, all the sweaters and socks will have to do to keep me warm.

Today we are doing it, camping at Branbury State Park, even though it miiiight rain. Hoping that it holds off until at least 830 tonight (we will be in the tent by then) or maybe even until we wake up in the morning and are on our way home? That would be great. We will see, and either way it will be good. And not going is not an option. There are only 2 more weekends of camping before everything closes up and it starts to snow. Yup, before it snows. That is happening and I don%u2019t think I can convince the mr to set up the tent in the snow.

Links from the week from the internet of stuff.

-All the pretty colors! What Causes Leaves To Change Color?

-Got a garden? These are the Frost Tolerance of Vegetables. My tomatoes are caput but the chard is looking oh so fine.

–How Gen-Z Is Dealing With a Looming Climate Apocalypse. Yup, shits hitting the fan and everyone knows it,

-Kneadable erasers are the best and I guess work for more then there attended purpose. The best $1.50 I ever spent: a kneadable eraser

-Swetaer weather for sure, but what is sweater weather? What %u201cSweater Weather%u201d Is

–The Female Founders Disrupting the Vagina Economy. Of course they are not.

-Philip Pullman and his dark materials. A new book. I an SO EXCITED, I might just buy it!!! ‘The Secret Commonwealth’

–How to charge your devices the right way. I have been doing it wrong for so long.

-I am good. Actually, even better then good. I change towels pretty much every day. Here%u2019s How Often You Should Be IWashing Your Dish Towels, According to Microbiologists

-I am in love with this little place.

Pictures from the week.