And all of a sudden the world is green and it is mazing and magical. The best time of the year, when all the cool and wet weather pays off with sunshine and flowers and the greenest greens. No longer freezing and it is yet to be too freaking hot. Spring spring SPRING. It is not lost on me. I take it, I suck it up, I appreciate it all. Even the cray cray rain storms. What a time, what a time.
Last week we started off Sunday going to see some jumping fish. We packed our lunches, grabbed the camera, drove the 2 hours to the river and sat around watching and waiting. Sadly we saw no jumping fish. And that was that in case you were wondering. One of these years we will see it.
The rest of the week has been a little crazy. In between work and chores and life stuff, just about every day we have had anywhere between 2-4 littles. What for their parents needed a sitter or a ride here and there cause their car broke down. Or just some aunt and uncle hang time because who doesn%u2019t want to hang with us? So beside the mr finish off the trophies for the Lund Family Fund Raiser, me working the pug mill at the studio, or us trying to trade off the car in hopes that we both can get where we need to go in time for getting there. (Oh man the car thing, that is a whole other beast.) Yeah, it%u2019s been busy and hectic. On the bright side we have spent a lot of the time running around outside, drawing, and eating. A few little highlights. One of the nights So was feeling a little sick and Coco was feeling mean and wouldn’t let her nap on the couch so she ended up dragging a bunch of pillows into the pantry and falling asleep. It just made sense. Then there was Judah with his mad drawing skills drawing me pictures of vegetables (amazing) then farting with his armpits. And Miley, with her tude and phone. Getting her to hang out and just be sweet was nice. And Coco. That freaking little. Always happy, always eating, always causing trouble. Loves to run into the garden and jump all over the couch covered in peanut butter. (that is the baby, not me. ha) We found him a three wheeler. His legs might be too short but we will figure it out. It is gonna be a fun summer!
After the week long little marathon that ended with sticky littles eating pancakes (and being dangerously low on maple syrup), thrift store shopping (I scored the best new photo piece), and stopping in on my maybe future new bike(???), I came home and cleaned the crap out of everything. It never fails to amaze me how gross kids can be. The toilet alone, well, lets not go there.
Today, as it is Mothers Day and all, I am going to be a dutiful daughter and go see my Mama. Right now (at the wee early hour of 5 am, I%u2019m about to pop some bread and then a cake into the oven as offerings. We are going over around lunch so I%u2019m going make focaccia grilled cheeses (with the fresh bread) and hand over the blueberry cake that she loves. Then hopefully just spend a couple hours drinking lots of coffee and chilling on the porch.
Look at me, I am such a good daughter.
Links of interest on the internet.
–Yes, I’m In School for Nutrition. No, I Don’t Want to Hear About Your Diet. I feel this. Sometimes people feel like they need to tell me everything they eat, for approval or something. And I actually don%u2019t mind talking about what people eat. I’ll even make suggestions about foods that I like to eat or ways to prepare certain things but I stay away from telling people what not to eat%u2026 (people always assume I am going to tell them to not eat meat. I say, I do me. You do you.)
-I don%u2019t know how may times I have seen Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure. This should be good. PlusI totally have a thing for Keanu Reeves. Bill & Ted are embarking on a third excellent adventure next year
–How Weeds Help Fight Climate Change. Weeds are not the problem friends. The chemicals that people use to get rid of them are!
-If you are interested in VT State Parks, here its the list of all the parks opening days. Can%u2019t wait for CAMPING!!!
-Did you go through an Arizona iced tea phase? I had a very brief stint with the green tea%u2026 I can%u2019t even imagine drinking one now. The Dream of the %u201990s Is Alive in AriZona Iced Tea
–An Interview With A Man Who Eats Leftover Food From Strangers’ Plates In Restaurants. I think this is awesome and have much respect.
-A question the I didn%u2019t know I wanted answered until I read this article. Why do cats%u2014and so many other animals%u2014look like they%u2019re wearing socks?
-I get all sorts of feels when I see pandas. MY favorite favorite animal growing up. I carried a pink polka dotted panda around with me for years. SO many panda things. So this is fantastic and I hope to visit one day and hug me a panda (with pink polka dots) China%u2019s new panda park will be three times bigger than Yellowstone
–I have heard and seen some crazy fights in the past in places we have lived. A good few actually. It is never a comfortable thing but sadly, we got used to it. Listening to My Neighbors Fight
-Mothers Have Been Complaining About Mother%u2019s Day Breakfast in Bed for More than Half a Century. Why Does It Go On?. I am a strict, NO FOOD! in bed person. It just have zero desire to eat in bed so breakfast in bed sounds terrible to me. Plus I am awake at 430 every morning and I don%u2019t eat for a few hours after I wake up. It just wouldn%u2019t work.
And pictures from the week.
First off, the Happiest Day to all the mothers out there. You are great and make the world possible so thank you for that. Take care today to you. We are all better off when you are happy or to quote a sign hanging in my moms kitchen..When Momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.
Whoa did we spend a lot of time outside this week. The mr upin the trees cutting them down. Weeding out gardens and cleaning up lawns. So many trips to the wood chipping plant to get ride of all the wood. My arms have been sore all week and it’s mostly from hauling large chunks of wood to the truck. That and all the dirt moving. 6 yards of dirt dropped off to fill up our raised beds. The garden is on it’s way to being a real garden and I couldn’t be any happier. First time in my life where I have had a yard with a garden to do what I please. It’s freaking amazing. And now I am struggling with what to plant. I know that I will get a butt load of veggies form the farm but what do I want more of? Lots of greens are on their way and we need to have tomatoes but do I do an entire bed of carrots and beets? If so where while the husk cherries go?. And the pumpkins, should we just plant them out front? (the mr wants to turn the front lawn into a pumpkin patch. I am not entirely sure that is a good idea) So many things to consider.
Sunday has got me busy. I want to finish planting what needs planting, the laundry is backed up a few loads so I need to get on that and I have a mess of paperwork that I need to get through. Good day for it though cause it looks like a chilly rain today so hanging out on the back porch with my pile of crap won’t be so bad. At least there will be lots of coffee.
Internet whatnots
-Checked the pollen count when my face blew up, snot running, and itching my eyes out. Allergies, blah.
-Garden planting takes some planning. An In-Depth Companion Planting Guide
-I don’t know why I have never thought to add color to bread dough. On my list of things to do this week. HOW TO MAKE MARBLED RAINBOW TOAST
–New York Times Puzzles. I like to play sudoku and the mini.
–What Is Avocado Hand? I guess that it is a real thing so watch yourself.
-Feeling stresses? Thinking About Happy Memories Can Shut Down Your Body%u2019s Stress Response
–Here’s What Michelle Obama Thinks About Trump’s School Lunch Rules. Oh Michelle, I miss you.
–See the Awesome March of the Milky Way Across the Night Sky
%u00a0-The mr has always said her wanted some type of hot tub or sauna. I could get down with something like this. A Mirrored Golden Egg Sauna is Hatched in Sweden
–Vermont Legislature Votes to Legalize Marijuana. I mean it’s about time.
Pictures from the week.
What a week. Was it summer where you %u00a0are this week as well? I mean jeez, talk about one extreme to another. Oh well, at least the world has turned green, the winter stuff is completely out of sight and I found the box that contained all of my shorts and summery clothes (pants and long sleeves in 90 degrees is just gross)%u00a0 And honestly, it’s been great. In between work, chores and just plan old being busy, we have manage to get a few bike rides and long walks in. Plus all the veggie starts are doing great, the flowers are coming up everywhere and life just has a little bit more of a relaxed feeling. So what if my allergies are turning my face into big red puff or that the past few night have been so hot that the act of sitting has caused me to break a sweat. I’ll take it.
Oh and I can’t forget%u2026.%u00a0
Happy Mother’s Day ladies!!!!
Here I give you a few thing from the internet this week …
– I didn’t believe they were paintings at first. Hyper-realistic Cactus Paintings that Bristle with Detail by Kwang-Ho Lee
-I’ll take any one of these%u00a0The 5 Fanciest French Press Coffeemakers We Could Find
-Love love the floors in This house.
-Spending a bit of time making summer camping plans here…Vermont State Parks. I can’t wait to get the tent out!
%u00a0-I think this should be happening everywhere.%u00a0Recycled Drinking Water: Getting Past the Yuck Factor
– And there is this.%u00a0ABC Brings Muppets Back To Prime Time As News Emerges About Fall Shows
And that, here are a few pictures from the week.
%u00a0My boys. I long socks and sneakers%u2026 these guys know cool.%u00a0Took the super cutie cuties out for an ice cream cone.Our first bike ride picnic down on the waterfront. I love bike ride picnics!So many succulents. I didn’t actually buy any because I need to stop being a plant whore.I have made a batch of this stuff evey day this week. I can’t stop eating it, it’s like eating summer. So good
Have a wonderful day and to all that it applies to…
Happy Moms Day!
-C
It’s Mother’s Day weekend which means that you and I and everyone out there should feel the slightest bit obligated to at least do a little something nice for your mom for the mere fact that you were borned. And really what better way to celebrate mom than with food%u2026 It really is the least that you can do. (I think mom’s also like flowers and cards and handmade pasta necklaces) My mom is defiantly about the food. (she has had her fair share or pasta necklaces) %u00a0A many years back on Mother’s day, this sweet little girl (me) made her mother a special %u00a0breakfast treat%u2026blueberry scones. And ever since that day, for every freaking holiday, birthday, whatever day, my mother requests (demands) a batch of those scones. She is always saying that these are her favorite treat and that no one has ever made them as good as I do. (I guess that just reiterates that I am her number 1 child)
And for the last few months my mom has been up my butt, trying to get me to make her some. Not going to lie, I have been saying I’ll get her a batch, but for some reason, I haven’t gotten around to making them. So two birds here.. Make the scones and she gets off my back for a least a little while (a month.. maybe 2) and I give her a fantastic Mothers day gift that I know she will love.
So here they are , oh mother of mine. Blueberry scones!
The stuff. Flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. A bit of sugar, vanilla, buttermilk, and butter (use vegan butter and nut milk if you want to make them vegan) And of course we need the blueberries which can be fresh or frozen. I usually use fresh, but the store I stopped at only had really big containers of fresh that were like $1000 dollars a piece and the organic frozen happen to be on super sale. So you know, the cheap in me won that battle.%u00a0So into the bowl goes all the dry stuff; flour, baking powder and soda, salt, and the sugar. Give it a good whisk.
Now for my special trick for a perfectly distributed cold butter in a pastry. Freeze your butter and grate it!
With a large wholed grater, grate the frozen butter directly into the bowl with the dry, stoping a few times to toss the butter chunks around so you don’t end up with a huge pile of grated butter. When it’s all grated, gently toss around so the butter is evenly distributed.%u00a0Now dump the blueberries into the flour mixture. Toss them around to give them a coat of flour. Add in the buttermilk and vanilla and give a little mix until liquid is absorbed. We are trying to handle the dough as little as possible.Turn mixture onto counter. It’s very loose, but thats what it should look like. Very gently and with as little handling as possible, gather dough up, knead a few times till everything %u00a0just comes together. Press dough into a disk that is roughly an inch thick%u2026. and it doesn’t need to be perfect.%u00a0Cut the disk into even sized pieces. Do 6 big, 8 normal, maybe even 10 smaller. Whatever size you like. (I did 8) Place the scones onto a baking sheet, using a spatula to transfer, and sprinkle the tops with a little bit of sugar. Into a preheated oven for about 20 minutes.And when the scones look all nice and browned and a tester comes out clean. remove and either serve right away warm, preferably with huge cup of coffee or tea, or stick on a rack to cool before storing in %u00a0air tight container.
Perfect to serve as a breakfast pastry, at brunch, or even as a dessert. A nice little treat for a special lady. (dudes can eat them too)%u00a0
Happy Mothers Day Mom! Thanks for having me!
And Happy Weekend!!!
-C
Blueberry Scones%u00a0
2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar plus%u00a02 tablespoons %u00a0to sprinkle on top
1 %u00a0teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted %u00a0butter frozen or really cold (use non dairy butter like Earth Balance for vegan)
1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1 teaspoon %u00a0vanilla%u00a0
%u00a03/4 cup buttermilk (use non dairy milk for vegan)
Preheat oven t0 400 degrees
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Take the frozen butter and grate directly into flour mixture, tossing around to evenly disrupted. Add in blueberries and toss around till coated with flour, then lastly, add vanilla to buttermilk and mix into mixture until just barely coming together. Turn mixture out onto counter and with your hands, knead mixture a few times until it forms a solid dough. Shape into a disk and smoosh down until about an inch thick. Cut into 6-10 triangles %u00a0and place on a non greases baking sheet and sprinkle tops with remaining sugar. Stick into oven and bake for 20 minutes or until tops start turning a golden brown and a tester in the middle of a scone comes out clean.%u00a0
Remove from baking sheet and serve warm or let cool on a rack.
Mom gets first dibs, and if she is willing to share, eat one yourself with%u00a0your face.%u00a0
I don’t know if I have bitched enough about it, but I only have one window in my living space. And as much as I love love love our little tiny loft, I am a person who needs the sun. So when I am home I spend a lot of time siting in front of the window.%u00a0 Over the past few weeks I have been doing a lot of watercolor painting in front of that window and somehow %u00a0between drawings of carrots and %u00a0vintage fans, I ended up making these marbled window stained glass hoops. And I am glade I did because these little watercolor gems really do make a big impact on my one source of sunlight. Even when the day is kind of gray and gloomy, having these in the window make the light seem brighter and happy.%u00a0
We can all use a bright happy window.
So this project is really easy and fast. I recommend that if you are going to go to the trouble (it’s really no trouble) of making one, you might as well make 2 or 5. I actually made a bunch (think Mothers day or Easter presents) and ended up only keeping a s couple. I am going to have to make a few more soon.
You will need-
Watercolors%u00a0
water
paintbrush
Sketch paper*
A pan or tray with a bit of water%u00a0
Embroidery Circles * (As many as you want to make)
*Notes
-I tried to use a few different types of paper and found that the sketch works the best. Watercolor paper was a bit to thick and printer paper just kept ripping.
-You can buy embroidery circles at any craft store and they usually have a good variety of sizes. Use the sizes that you like.
Take a piece(s) of paper a little bit bigger then the hoop you are working with and stick it into a pan or tray of water. Let it sit there for a few minutes until the paper is completely soaked.Take the wet paper and, oh so gently, crumple into a ball. This part can be a little tricky. You want to make as many creases as possible without ripping that paper. (I ripped a few pieces) I found that if I folded that paper a few time, then crumpled that it was less likely to rip.
Uncrumple the paper and lay it gently onto the inner part of the hoop. Now the fun part. Go to town with the watercolors. I used 2 colors per piece, but you could do 1 or 3, or more. When applying the color, use big gentle strokes and let the colors kind of meld together. Watch as all the crumple veins soak up the paint. Try using different dilutions of color. I applied some color on thinly and some on the thicker side. But really, you can’t go wrong, just keep applying paint until you are happy. I stopped a few times and held it up to%u00a0the window just to see what it looked like. When it looked good, I was done.
When you are happy with the colors, let the paper dry for a while on the hoop %u00a0until it is not longer super wet. I would say about an hour or so, but if you stick it near the heater, it might dry faster. (Just don’t stick it in the oven while you are making bread like I did with one.. It just ended up setting on fire. Oops)
Once its pretty much dry, take the outer ring of the hoop and gently place around the inner hoop and tighten. Being super careful, trim the extra paper from the back of the hoop.
Place your pieces in a window and watch them glow. %u00a0Yow now have a happy window.
A few month ago I read an article about NYC seltzer water (which I have still yet to have) and fell in love with those super cool glass seltzer bottles. (I really want to get my hands on a few). In the article, there was the mention of egg creams. Now at first I was kind of disgusted because who the hell drinks eggs, but then after doing super duper internet research (google) I found that egg creams are not actual egg.. It’s pretty much just bubbly chocolate milk.
Yesterday I was thinking of a non alcoholic beverage that people that are opting out of the alcohol can drink, something maybe a bit different and fun and I had that brain spark.. Egg creams! And I just so happen to be babysitting a gaggle of littles for the day and who better to serve a fun non alcohol drink too! (after that, save all he alcohol for me!) It was perfect cause these littles are down for anything with chocolate and it just so happened to be one of those littles birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUDAH BUG!) .so special party drinks were in order.
Here is how the egg creams when down. I made the chocolate syrup. The kids all loved it and where sticking there fingers in it. Then I assembled the egg creams. All the kids took a glass, drank some, and took off. I found 1/2empty cups of drinks around the house. But here is the thing. When I asked if they liked it, two said yes.,one said it was weird but good, and one little ran away from me with the bag of chocolate quinoa bark ! brought. (I didn’t run after her) The mr came by a few hours later and tried some of the dregs of one and he wasn’t into it at all , but then again he hates chocolate milk and it was sitting around for a while. So the verdict …. not sure.%u00a0 Kids like it if they like chocolate milk but treat it like they would treat any drink (drink half and abandon the rest). Adults could totally get into it if there is some nostalgia behind it or maybe a shot of vodka added.%u00a0 So yeah. I think anyone that is interested should definitely try it. And if you do, let me know. I am very curious what people think.
Oh, and to make the afternoon that much more interesting, I am currently still suffering from laryngitis (hahaha) So yesterday was some fun stuff.%u00a0
The stuff for the chocolate syrup. Cocoa powder, sugar, water, a pinch of salt and a little splash of vanilla. And for the actual egg cream.. milk (a plain plant, nut, or animal) and strawberry flavored seltzer water. (if you don’t like strawberry use any flavor or plain)
To make the syrup, combine the cocoa, sugar, water, vanilla and salt into a sauce pan and bring to a boil while whisking continuously. Keep whisking until sauce starts to thicken then remove from heat and pour into a jar and let cool.
Now for the egg cream assembly
Syrup goes into glass.
Milk into syrup and mix it all around.
Give it another little whirl with a spoon or straw and if you want a more bubbly head, blow into the straw(works the best!)
and get down to business.
HAPPY NEW YEARS!
-C
For the chocolate syrup (makes enough for a few egg creams but the syrup is good for anything calling for chocolate)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
pinch of salt
splash of vanilla extract
Stuff for one egg cream
1 cup cold strawberry flavored seltzer (can use plain or any flavor that you like)
1/2 cup cold, plan flavored milk (plant, nut or animal)
4-5 tablespoons chocolate syrup
To make the syrup, combine the cocoa, sugar, water, vanilla and salt into a sauce pan and bring to a boil while whisking continuously. turn heat down a little and keep whisking for another 2-3 minutes until sauce starts to thicken. Remove from heat and pour into a jar and let cool.
In a glass that holds are least 16 oz, add in the milk and the chocolate syrup. Mix together (can be shaken or stirred) then pour in about 1 cup of the seltzer water. Give the drink a good mix with a spoon and serve it on up. A straw is recommended to blow bubbles into drink!
Note.. I am aware that there are a few different ways to prepare an egg cream so if you know of a way that is better (milk in last. seltzer mixed with chocolate syrup..). then do it your way!
This time of year, there are so many reasons for popsicles, but I think that main reason is that%u00a0I don’t want to willingly turn on the oven for any amount of time. It’s just to f-ing hot.
Lately, it’s been hot. And humid. And gross. Just way%u00a0too hot to make anything in the oven.%u00a0So when I grabbed the rhubarb out of the fridge, knowing that if I didn’t use it soon it would go bad, I immediately thought to make pie. Then I was like,” hell no, not going to happen. I need to freeze this shit”. And freeze it I did..into the greatest, slightly sweet, slightly tart, bright pink popsicles of happiness. They are really the perfect little frozen treat. Not overly sweet and sticky, have a lot a fresh clean flavor, and takes the edge off of the super summer heat and humidity, even if only for a few minutes.%u00a0
I love popsicles.%u00a0
But sadly this is probably the last rhubarb for the season (Or maybe the second to last..I think I saw some for sale at the coop a few days ago)
So get it while you can and make these%u00a0popsicles!%u00a0
The stuff. Rhubarb, a lime and a little bit of honey (or any sweetener you like). Plus you are going to need some water, but I bet you have some of that on hand.
Chop the rhubarb into inch chunks and toss into a big pot with the water. Stick on the stove and bring to a boil then turn heat to low and let simmer.%u00a0
Once the rhubarb is so soft that it falls apart, remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.
With a fine mesh stainer, strain juice into a large jar or bowl.%u00a0
Now you have the juice for the popsicles and the left over rhubarb stuff%u00a0is the%u00a0rhubarb butter.
Place the%u00a0rhubarb butter into a jar, adding a little honey(or whatever)%u00a0if you want and eat with anything and everything%u00a0%u00a0(%u00a0I’ve been adding%u00a0%u00a0it to the mr’s%u00a0yogurt and just%u00a0eating it with a spoon)
And now add the juice of the%u00a0lime%u00a0to the rhubarb juice and add a little honey or whatever%u00a0sweetness to taste.
And add the rhubarb juice to your popsicle molds and stick in the freezer with sticks tops or wait two hours and add wooden sticks.
When frozen, run the mold under a little hot water and pop those suckers out.
A two for one deal here. And timed perfectly. You%u00a0%u00a0have the rhubarb butter%u00a0to eat while%u00a0you wait%u00a0for the popsicles to freeze.%u00a0So smart
Happy Tuesday.. Keep it cool!
-C
makes 6%u00a04oz popsicles and about a cup of jam
3 cups chopped rhubarb
2 1/2 cups water
1 lime
Anywhere from 4%u00a0tablespoons honey (2 for popsicles and 2 for jam)
Chop the rhubarb into inch ish chunks and stick into a big pot with water. Turn on high heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn heat to low and simmer until the rhubarb is so soft its falling apart. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes. Take a big jug or bowl with a fine mesh strainer,strain the liquid from the solids. You can use a wooden spoon to stir around to help get the juice flowing. Place remaining solids into a jar and add as little or as much or as little honey (any sweetener you like) and give it a stir. Thats your jam
Now for the popsicles. Add the juice of the lime and a tablespoon or two of honey (or whatever sweeteners you like) and mix around. Pour into popsicle molds and stick into freezer.Know your mold.. if you need to insert a stick, do so after about 2 hours.%u00a0
When pops are frozen, remove from mold and eat your heart out.
WHAT WHAT..It’s. Sunday already? That happened.%u00a0
I guess starting off %u00a0last Monday pretty much a sleepless zombie didn’t help, plus for some reason, the world became super hot again and that sent me over the edge. Once I get the taste for cool crisp weather, anything warm and hot makes me crazy. I felt almost ill all week from the heat. But I think (it really must be) the end of that weather. Next week is all about the low 70’s with cold nights! Oh man, it’s going to fantastic!
Yup, last week was a busy one, but we did manage to get in some fun. Wild apple picking (HARD CIDER), a little hike,%u00a0and we did spend a fare amount of time at the garden. (which is on it’s was out). We are trying to go every day cause we are still picking tomatoes, zucchinis, peppers and a few other things.%u00a0%u00a0The flowers are still growing and the kale and chard are doing great, but you can just tell that this time next week, the tomatoes will be no more. The last zucchini is going to be picked, and as for the kale and chard. I am just goojg to harvest it all and eat it all to my face cause we are being kicked out of the garen plot by the end of the month. This makes me sad, but at least I have all of my house plants to surround my self with.%u00a0And honestly, not going to the garden all the time, I’ll have more time to sit on my butt and read and knit. (I am already falling behind on my knitting projects)
Anyway, today is definitely %u00a0going to be a me day. Tomorrow is the kick off for family birthday party season, which means I will be spending my weekends making lot s of cakes and going to a bunch of littles birthday parties. Fun times, but crazy. One a week for the next 6 months%u2026%u2026I am already tired.
Coffee. That’s all I need to get me through. Lots and lots of coffee.%u00a0
Interent stuff to check out.
-This is a fantastic movable kitchen
-I have a%u00a0thing forold door knobs(there%u00a0are all over my house)
-Lovely green things
-The Great Grain Debate.%u00a0Is soaking really worth it?
-New Mythical Cut Paper Collages by Artist Morgana Wallace
–Uh no shit.%u00a0It’s Time To Get Serious About Reducing Food Waste, Feds Say%u00a0
– Until I get the cookbook.%u00a0IN THE KITCHEN WITH: MIYOKO SCHINNER%u2019S VEGAN CHOCOLATE CAKE, BROWNIES AND BUTTER-LESS BUTTER.
-Go Ahead, Give Your Toddler A Kitchen Knife%u00a0
First official week of summer plus #popsicleweek means we all have to make popsicles. It is not a option, it’s a must. The question is what kind of popsicles to make.
Well here you go, I got one for you right here. Pineapple, cucumber, spinach popsicles.%u00a0I highly, highly recommend them because they are amazing and you and everyone will love them.%u00a0No joke. I had two littles tell me that they are the best popsicles they have ever eaten. Then Koko damn near ate my hand off when I was trying to slow the baby down while he was eating his so he didn’t get brain freeze. After he finished off his popsicle, he turned around and went after his brothers popsicle. It was crazy. Screaming, green faced, baby charging after a popsicle. It was like an animal planet episode.%u00a0
%u00a0And so there you have it, all the littles we into them, the mr was into his, and me, I might eaten one or two and maybe I was licking all of them in between taking pictures. Ha. And big plus, unlike a lot of popsicles,%u00a0there is no extra shit in these, like no added sugar. And there is veggies in them.%u00a0They are basically an all around, eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, or dessert popsicle.%u00a0%u00a0How can you even go wrong with that.%u00a0
You can’t.
Now it’s popsicle time!
The stuff. Fresh pineapple, fresh spinach, a cucumber, and a lime. That’s it, nothing else.%u00a0
Pineapple and juice from lime into the blender. Blend until smooth.
Add in the cucumber, blend until smooth%u00a0
Last but not least, add in spinach, blend until smooth.
Bright green goodness. And that’s pretty much it. And really, you could just stick it all into blender at once, I just blended the ingredients one by one for the sake of the pictures.
Pour that goodness into popsicles mold and either stick th sticks in now if they don’t sink or wait about an half hour after they have been in the freezer, just don’t forget the sticks (I almost did).
Mid freeze stick sticking.
Once they are frozen and when it’s feeding time,%u00a0%u00a0you pop them out of the mold and feed the people. Watch your fingers.%u00a0
Happy summer, Happy #popsicleweek
-C
Make 8 3.5 onze popsicles%u00a0
2 1/2 cups fresh pineapple*
1 Lebanese %u00a0cucumber (or half of an English cucumber)
3 large handfuls of spinach%u00a0
Juice of a lime
*Note. You can use frozen pineapple, just thaw it out so it starts to release some of it’s juices. That way you don’t need to add water to the blender to blend everything up.%u00a0
Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour puree into popsicle molds and stick into freezer. After about 1/2 hour, remove from freezer and stick the popsicle sticks into the molds. Place popsicles back into freezer until completely frozen (about 4-6 hours)%u00a0
I know we are losing an hour of life today, but I am really excited about daylight savings (it’s today if you forgot so set you clocks forward) It just makes the world seem, well, brighter, but also signals the start of spring and all the good things that come with it, like green stuff, and warmer weather. I can’t wait until we get some warm weather again. I need it bad. The cabin fever is setting in.
The week stared out with a bang. A water leak in the pantry that sent me into a nervous breakdown (don’t worry, it was a stupid bathtub mistake) a slip and fall hard on my ass,%u00a0 pulling out the sewing machine only to found out it was broken and spent like 2 hours taking it apart an trying to fix it (I somewhat fixed it). Then I left my shoes next to my locker at the gym and someone ended up throwing them into the trash. (ok, I get that they might look like garbage, but really?)%u00a0 The mr has been dealing with faulty heater at one of the apartments all week so he has been a stress case too.%u00a0 But it wasn’t all bad. Things did get accomplished, we saw just about everyone in my family at least once, and found a couple cool light fixtures for the house. We will call this week a draw.
Today calls for lots of coffee, a book, a blanket, and a nap. I want to try to take it easy today. I hope the same for you too.
Interesting internet from the week.
-Don’t complain about the price of cashews. The Way Cashews Grow Is Mildly Shocking If You%u2019ve Never Seen It Before
–Maybe You, Too, Could Become A Super Memorizer. But me, probably not.
-I looked up when the new season of Broad City is. Found this. Abbi and Ilana freak out about Trump in new Broad City promo. Gold.
-Planning some new adventures for summer.
-Total solar eclipse and The Path Through the United States. Planning on being in it somewhere
–The Earth Has Oceans And Continents: How Weird Is That?. It is kinda weird.
-My pots get used daily and are stained as f*ck. Why Enameled Cast Iron Discolors (& How to Fix It)
–What Kind of Sleeper Are You? I am strong morning.
-All of our rooms are white and bright, but I wonder. Really digging the dark.
-Getting ready for seeds this week. PLANTING DATES CALCULATOR
A few pictures….. It was one of those weeks that I didn’t grab for my camera much.
It is getting oh so much nicer out yeah? Springing and such, well kind of. Still a wee bit chillier then it should be around here but still, it is spring and I am taking it.
And with the spring, I feel the itch, the itch to spend all of my free time outside. Out doing things that are not inside because I spent the last 7 long months inside way too much. I needed to be outside as much as possible and as it gets even nicer and warmer and garden temperature-able, I am basically going to be living outside.
Bring in sesame noodles. Super fast, super easy, super duper in every way. Make a big old batch and eat now, eat later, eat hot or eat cold. Everyone loves them, they love you, etc. etc%u2026 A perfect meal to have in rotation when you know that you are not going to have or want to spend much time cooking in the kitchen because you will be outside playing in the dirt and soaking up the sun. And think about all the picnics and BBQ%u2019s to come. These suckers are fantastic to have at any outdoor eating event. They are even peanut free so you can safely bring them to potlucks and such and don%u2019t have to worry about accidentally kill a peanut allergy person. And you can make them gluten free as well if you sub in your favorite gluten free pasta. These noodles, I am telling you. They are a winner in every way.
So with out further ado, the noodles!
The stuff. Spaghetti noodles, tahini, a few cloves of garlic, some toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, red wine vinegar, honey (used whatever sweetener you like), red pepper flakes, tasted sesame seeds some cabbage, half a red onion and a carrot.
Get pasta cooking. Boil water, drop noodles in, you know the drill. Cook as long as the the noodles need cooking, just make sure to not over cook them cause soggy noodles are nasty.
Chop, shred and julienne the cabage, onion and carrot. Nice and thin.
Mince the heck out of the garlic. Or use a garlic press if you want.
Now make the sauce. Add the minced garlic, along with the soy, sesame oil, vinegar, sweetener, and chili flakes to the bowl with the tahini. Mix, mix, mix until it is all incorporated and not lumpy. And that is that.
Noodles should be done by now so strain them out.
Add the prepared veggies to a big bowl.
Add in the cooked noodles
Cover with sauce and toss all around until all the noodles are coated and delicious. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and a pinch or so more of pepper flakes.
And then it is time. Eating time.
Happy spring!
-C
serves 3-6
3/4 lb (3/4 of a package) of your favorite spaghetti noodles (or linguine or similar noodle)
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
1/4 cup soy (low sodium if you have it and gluten free tamari if needed)
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons tahini
2-4 teaspoons red chili flakes
1-2 teaspoons sweetener of choice (maple, honey, or brown sugar)
4-5 cloves garlic
1-2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
about a 1/4 head of cabbage
a carrot
small red onion
Bring a pot of water to a boiling cook the noodles as directed on package. You want them al dente, cooked all the way, but barely. No soggy noodles. (unless you like them soggy)
In the mean time, shred the cabbage, julienne the carrot (or shred it) and slice the onion so very thinly. Place into a large bowl. Now mince garlic and place into a bowl along with the soy, sweetener, vinegar, tahini, sesame oil and a teaspoon or two (more for spicier) of chili flakes and whisk until completely incorporated. Taste and adjust if needed. Add more tahini for more body, more sweetener if needed or more hot pepper flakes for more spice.
Once noodles are cooked, drain and place into large bowl along with the shredded and julienned veggies. Pour in the sauce and toss it all around until all the noodles are covered. Sprinkle in the toasted sesame seeds and a small pinch more of the red pepper flakes.
Eat. Eat warm, room temp, or cold. They are delicious any way.
Any left overs just stick in fridge. Can be reheated or not. Also, you can make the sauce and the noodles a few day ahead of time of when you want to have the dish Just mix the sauce with the noodles when you are about to serve them%u2026 So simple!
It used to be that if I got hungry after dinner I would cut up a piece of fruit and a carrot for a snack, but when the mister started to eat my snack, I figured I should just cut up a few pieces to share.
Then it turned into a thing.
Now just about every night I make us (us sometimes includes a few littles) a after dinner smorgasbord of fruits and veggies that I stick on the coffee table for us to pick at while we are chillin out for the night. It’s fantastic…. I mean, who wouldn’t love a big plate of cut up apple, pear, broccoli, strawberries, and carrots. I use whatever fruit and veggies that I have in the house and usually whatever is in season. (Woo Ha for watermelon season!) And not only is it a super fresh, guilt free, no pressure snack, it also keeps us from eating a bunch of crap throughout the night.
And the little love it too. They have now come to request a smorgasbord whenever I am around (and now ask their mom for smorgasbords now too) Maybe it’s the fact that it’s a big plate of food that they grab at without someone nagging them to eat, or maybe they just like to say the word smorgasbord. Whatever it is, the littles are eating a good portion of fruits and veggies….. and loving it.
Look at me instilling good habits into the littles…Finally My sisters can stop blaming me for the bad stuff (no I did not teach them to say that) but blame me for this.
I am so good!
-C
Pick at least 2 fruits, anything from apples, kiwi, and oranges to bananas, cantaloupe and strawberries. (the more variety the better)
Pick at least one veggie (carrots are the best, sweet peppers, cucumbers, broccoli and cauliflower florets are great too)
a little bowl of cinnamon for dipping (optional)
Wash and cut up your selection and stick on a plate. Place where everyone can reach. Much and crunch until gone or stick any left overs in fridge for breakfast.
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
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!
The trees are on fire, the sky has been lighting up like a masterpiece and the temperatures have been on the cooler, crisper side. I am one lucky lady to be living in such a beautiful place. If you don’t know the awesomeness of fall in Vermont, you should put it on your life list cause it’s amazing and will bring you so many good feelings.%u00a0
Another super productive week for the books.%u00a0We finished laying all the hardwood downstairs then went straight to tiling the bathroom which was awesome cause it was my first real tiling project and now that floor is down too. But man did it do a number on me. The one thing the mr always bitches about are his knees, and now I now why. Kneeling on anything, especially cement board, for 5 hours pretty much will kill your shit. I might be a little whinny, but crap on a shoe do my knees hurt. (now I am done complaining) What else……..Oh yeah, a large quantities of construction waste was brought to the dump that has bee accumulating in large piles in the back yard..(that was fun) I invented a new sport, storage unit parkor (I am really good at climbing and jumping around packed storage units), and got to see the new little monster baby while doing it. Then my little brother came over for a while to help carry the cast iron bathtub from the backyard to the upstairs. (thanks Paul!)%u00a0 I even made a point during the week to stay home for just enough time to made donuts with sprinkles while I sat in front of the oven knitting cause I was freezing my ass off. And I ate 2 roasted pumpkins, an acorn squash, and a sweet potato this week. Feeling pretty good about life.
So I don’t know about today. We might or might not work. We may or may not run away to the woods.(I need to be with the trees for a while) Most likely both. But one thing is for sure, I will be icing my knees. And drinking a butt load of coffee. And eating the butternut squash I picked it yesterday. I am a winter squash addict.
The things I clicked on and reading doing the internet this week.
-Have you noticed the crazy moon lately? How to See the Hunter%u2019s Supermoon This Weekend
– How We Got %u2018Bark%u2019 for Dogs, %u2018Quack%u2019 for Ducks, and Other Words for Animal Sounds
-A classic pencil is so underrated. Trace The Remarkable History Of The Humble Pencil
-%u00a0Incredible Origami Animals.. Like super incredible
-Lots of sweetbread, muffins, and all sorts of baking things in my future. The Best Way to Store Quick Breads and Muffins
-This guy tasted a shit load of butter for his Fancy Butter Taste Test
–Photo Of An Elephant Snuggling An Ostrich because it made me smile and is really freaking cute
– Check out this This Triangular House.. Its pretty crazy cool
–Can We Trust the Cooking Methods on the Back of the Bag? Question everything!
–Bob Dylan Wins Nobel Prize, Redefining Boundaries of Literature.His words are beautiful.
The week in some picture
House update.. Check it out! Our entire upstairs is wires, the plumbing is ran, (not hooked up to anything yet) and completely insulated. It’s freaking sea foam green crazy up there.%u00a0
%u00a0Now the next big step up hear is sheetrock! That’s going to be a bitch of a week, but for the mean timewe have left the upstairs alone because we are waiting to get a rough inspection from the city. And so we get to enjoy the green for just a bit longer.
For now we have ventured back down stairs. A few unseen things have been done likethe re- supportingof the floor with beams in the basement and running all the water lines and elecrrical from upstairs to the basement. We started tackling the clean up of the windows, there has beenlots of sheetrock patching and mudding and adding in light switched and outlets to all the boxes. And recently we have decided that we are going to either rip up the wide softwood downstairs and patch in oak or, if we cant find the right flooring to match, we are going to re-floor the entire downstairs, you know, just to make things a little harder on ourselves.
So yeah, this is where we are at. It’s all smooth sailing from here!
Everyone is asking how that house is going so I figured an update was in order.
Around the beginning of March we hired a guy (with another guy that was like 80 years old) to remove the back roof and to frame out the addition. We were planning on doing it ourselves but when it came down to it, it was going to take to long and was not something that I was entirely comfortable doing. It was still winter out, I have never removed a roof, and it just seemed like it was better to just have someone that does it all the time do it. And oh am I glade we did. These guys were awesome and a little nuts. We had a start date for a Tuesday, but on Monday morning, the mr gets a phone call from the head guy asking if he was going to go to the house and let him in. “Of course, I’ll be there at 8 tomorrow” said the mr.%u00a0 “No, we are here right now” said the roof ripper off man. “Ok, be right over” and the mr rushes over to the house. When he gets there, the guys were already in the house. The had claimed onto the roof and started ripping it off from the outside.
And then two days later , the roof was gone and the skeleton of the addition was up.%u00a0 It was fantastic and amazing and we were so excited. SO worth hiring it out!!!!
Our next move was the roof,(to keep out the snow ans rain) which those guys ended up came back and throwing on for us. That was another job we were planning on doing, but when the mr crawled onto the roof to measure for materials, he came back down and said to me”hell no. not doing it” (He is terribly afraid of heights)
After the roof went up, we still had a lot of demo to do. It took us a few days to finish removing the rest of the walls and all the layers of flooring. Then it got really freaking cold out so we boarded off the upstairs with insulation and did some stuff downstairs.
We were on a good roll, getting shit done, about to start framing, then the shittest shit ever happened and Sean died. We didn’t go back over to the house for like 2 weeks. (shit head, you were suppose to help us) We lost all motivation and I was in no state to be doing any work that required power tools or crow bars.( I probably would have cut a hand off or accidentally set the house on fire) So yeah, no house work. But over these past 2 weeks we have slowly gotten back into the swing of things. We have cleaned up the upstairs, framed out all the wall and are moving right along. Next is windows, (which is now more just a matter of picking some we like and ordering them) running all the electrical, plumping the bathroom, insulation the ceiling and walls, then getting an inspection! But that will be a breeze…. haha.
So that’s what’s been going on in the house. Fun fun fun!
Hopefully I will have another update on other parts of the house for you guys soon!
-C
I never can really tell how I honestly feel about halloween. I love fall, I love pumpkins and cider, but thats fall ,not halloween.%u00a0%u00a0I love to see all the happy little littles running around being super cute. all jacked up on way to much sugar.%u00a0%u00a0And %u00a0I know when I was a kid I was all about it. I mean, what kid doesn’t get jazzed to run around, dressed up (I was alway a black cat),%u00a0with a pillowcase full of candy all night long? That is just magic.%u00a0But as an adult, I haven’t really done too much. Sure I help wit the costumes of the littles and sometime I hand out candy, but where we live now, it’s not possible to give out candy. And the littles, they go do stuff with there friends, not there old lady aunt.%u00a0And I guess me and the mr could dress up and go to a party or something, but %u00a0honestly, we are not really party people%u2026. So yeah, don’t know. I think when I finally have my own kids It will be more fun.%u00a0But whatever, at least I can do a little decorating.
For as long as I have been as adult with my own living place, I have really gotten into holiday decoataing. But here is the thing. I like my decor to be minimalistic,%u00a0not to over the top, or super cheesy. (although I really do like when other people go super overboard and cheesy) But no, you won’t find a 20 foot blow up of a witch or severed hands in my front lawn.(maybe a few dead mice, but thats the cat, not me)%u00a0And I like to make my decorations. I even like to get some littles in one it, cause hand made kiddo decorations are the best.%u00a0
These bats are the perfect bit of halloween decoration. I made a ton of them a few years back and lost them, so I just whipped up a new strand.%u00a0Fast and easy to make, are not overly crazy or gory, and can be hung anywhere. An yeah, making them with a few littles is fun, but you don’t need them. I made them all on my lonesome%u2026. Oh me..
Anyway, to the bat mobile (garland)!
The bat stuff
2-3 pieces of Black card stock (construction paper %u00a0is fine, but will the color will fade over time)
scissors
pencil
needle and thread*
clear tape or tacks (not shown.. to hang bats)
Note. You can use embroidery floss instead of thread, but the thread is much more visible and you are going to need a tapestry needle.%u00a0
Take a piece of paper and fold in half, either length or width wise.( If you do lenght wise, you can cut out a few more bats per piece of a paper, width wise, the bats wings are longer.. up to you, do it both ways if you want)%u00a0
Outline a bat.
Bats are all jagged %u00a0lines.. nothing too complicated so I figured a stencil is not needed. If you really need a stencil, I can email you one…
Cut out bat and open up.
See, easy. And now you have a bat. If you do not like the exact way it looks, fold in again and cut a little more, but don’t get to picky, you have many more to cut.
Now make yourself a %u00a0bat army. As many or as few as you like. I think 12 is a good number. If you want, take the first bat that you cut out and use that as a stencil. Me, actually just free form cut the guys, so none of them look the same.
Bats are ready, now thread you needle.%u00a0%u00a0Don’t cut the end loose or tie the two ends together.
Fold bats back flat and thread them through the upper portion of the wings.%u00a0%u00a0Do that to all your bats.. and make sure that you are threading them on all the dame direction (if you care)
Once all the bats are threaded on. remove needle and tape the end of the thread. Space the bats out evenly or however you like, and hoe ever far apart you like, and cut thread of spool. Tape that end off too.
And hang them%u2026.%u00a0Most of my bats stay where I placed them, but a couple wanted to slide around on the thread, so I just stuck a tiny piece of tape on the inside of the wing over the thread to stop that.
They can fly threw the air%u2026.
Or drape on the wall.%u00a0
Any way, these bats are freaking bad ass and the coolest!
Happy Holiday Decorating!%u00a0
-C
I am one of those people that when traveling, likes to pick up a cool rock%u00a0or piece of %u00a0driftwood to being home as a momento of my trip. %u00a0Over the years I have gathered an%u00a0extensive%u00a0rock collection and have%u00a0many baskets %u00a0of%u00a0he coolest pieces of drift wood.%u00a0
And I am also a lady that likes to wear a necklace, except I am very much not into metals (gold, silver) or anything %u00a0fancy. Up until about a year ago I had a smooth piece of amber about the size of an apricot%u00a0that the mr. got me a long time ago, but sadly that broke and I have been on the hunt for something %u00a0pretty and%u00a0something special to make my new necklace.
A couple weeks ago, I was playing with the rocks and driftwood ( a little and I were building rock towers while she wacked me %u00a0with a large piece of wood)%u00a0when I%u00a0got that “ah ha” moment and few things crossed my mind.%u00a0%u00a01. My future children will only be allowed to play with big baskets of rocks and driftwood cause they make the best toys. 2. I know I can’t, but I%u00a0%u00a0kind of want to %u00a0wack her back, and 3. I want that%u00a0chunk of pretty driftwood that I got %u00a0from a beach off the coast or Washington (we LOVE Washington)%u00a0around my neck.%u00a0
And so I made a awesome driftwood necklace.%u00a0
You should too.
The stuff you’ll need
A cool ass piece of driftwood that you want to wear on you neck (make sure it’s smooth or else you may end up with a sliver)
some hemp or cord the length you want you necklace plus%u00a0a%u00a0few extra inches
a cool button
a drill and a 3/8 (a small) bit
This project is going to take you all of about 5 minutes%u2026 so hold on tight.
Hole in wood%u2026.hemp%u00a0through hole…
Make a loop and knot on one end and sting the button and knot it onto the other end. Trim away excess hemp.
To neck.%u00a0
Oh man, we are AWESOME!
Happy Friday!
-C
My flowers are coming up, I have packed away my winter jacket, and I haven’t worn anything but sandals for the past week. Plus yesterday I made the first batch of sun tea and saw my first hot air balloon of the season (which lead to a heated discussion with the mister about how hot air balloons take flight. We were both kinda right, but me more than him)So yeah, %u00a0it’s for real%u2026 Winter is gone and spring has sprung, or more like spring sprung then bounced cause now it’s basically summer weather. Not complaining, but I hope we get a least a few more weeks of pleasant, not hot and humid weather.%u00a0
Anyway. Sun tea, one of my favorite summer time drinks. Made by infusing regular old teas with water by using the almighty power of sun.
Why do we want to make iced tea this way instead of just using boiling water? Well you can still do that, but sun tea makes a more mellow, lovely, and I find, more sweeter tea. It brings out more complex flavors that you don’t get with the boiling water method. %u00a0And it’s nice to know that it took zero effort on my part to make the drink (not that boiling water takes that much effort, but still)
It can be made with any variety %u00a0of teas, infused with other fresh herbs, dried spices, or even chunks of fruit. You can also make the teas and add flavors after the infusing is over. Have fun and play with flavor combos.
A few of my%u00a0favorite sun tea%u00a0combinations
Any mellow black tea like orange pekoe or english breakfast with a few springs of mint
Chamomile and mint%u00a0
Green with a fruity tea, like blueberry or pomegranate
Lemon Zinger with a few springs of Rosemary
These are just a few of the endless possible flavors. And you don’t have to get fancy with it either, you can totally use plain old lipton tea bags (I still do that too)
Now harness the sunshine and feel awesome and fancy by making some tea!
Woo Hoo Wednesday!
-C
SUN TEA
%u00a0What you’ll need
Tea- Either bags or loose leaf
Water- Preferably Filtered
A glass jar with a lid
Sunshine
I %u00a0use a ratio of 1 tea bag or 1 tablespoon loose leaf tea per 2 cups of water. And I usually make my teas in half gallon ball jars so I use 4-5 teabags or tablespoons of tea. (makes just enough tea for 4-6 tall glasses, depending on you glass size) %u00a0If it’s a mint tea, I usually use a little less because I find that mint teas can become to strong and bitter so I %u00a0use 3 teas bags or tablespoons of loose.
Directions
Place tea loose or bags into jar. Fill with water, leaving about an inch for tea expansion, place lid on tight, and stick in the sun for anywhere between 3-5 hours %u00a0(depending on how strong you like your tea). When tea is infused to your liking, remove teabags or strain the loose tea and stick into the fridge to chill. Serve as is %u00a0in a drinking vessel with a few ice cubes and add sweetener if that’s what you do.
Drink within a day or two, then rinse jar and make a new batch!
Are you a frozen popsicle? Did you make any popsicles or a pair of those frozen pants that I am seeing all over the news? I should have made frozen pants.. maybe next time. Done and done, the polar vortex had come and gone and I am hoping that is stay up up and away for thirst of the winter. My nose and butt have nearly frozen off this week. Give me temps in the teens and I will be all set thank you very much.
The week was a week as any week could be as weekly as can be. Does that make sense? Not really but kinda. Nothing new, cold as fuck, but still kind of nice. I didn%u2019t do much in the way of work besides a little paper work and worked at the studio. Honestly, I spent a good amount of time this week reading and trying not to freeze (for someone trying not to freeze, I sure did go outside a lot). The mr did his usual running around all day everyday. Things have been a little harder since the truck is kind of dead and now we are down to the one car, a car the is not meant for totting around toilets so we have some car stuff to deal with. Sunday we did make it outside for a few hours of some fantastic snow shoeing and tree hugging. Basically throughout the week we did lunches, one with my mom, So, and Megan, one with Barb. The mr made a new jacket rack by the front door, glued more doll heads on cars, and placed frozen hands all over the neighborhoods. We didn%u2019t see the littles very much as they were all busy, too busy for us, but whatever. (I miss them%u2026sad face) And yesterday we took Barb on a snack shopping trip, went to the mall (fist time in like 5 years) and watched Barb contemplate a soft pretzel or not (she just got a lemonade). A weekly week week. See what I mean?
Today the mr and I are suppose to go in such of an ice castle. That is the plan, well that and make the bed with clean sheets because it%u2019s Sunday. I%u2019ll let you know how it turns out. (The sheets always turn out A+.)
Interent from the week.
–Think this polar vortex was cold? It should have been colder. Yup, that little snap was nothing and that is not a good thing.
-Science things. The surprising science of why ice is so slippery
–So You%u2019re Saying My Seltzer Is Not Made of Crushed Up Bliss. What a bummer.
-This is the best tassel wall hanging I have ever seen. Maybe I will actually make it. DIY Tassel Wall Hanging
–Beyonc%u00e9’s Offering a Lifetime Supply of Concert Tickets to 1 Winner Who Goes Vegan But what about the already vegan folks?
-I think anyone living in Vermont could tell you cell service sucks. One Man’s Quest To Prove Vermont Has Terrible Cell Service
–Life goals for next project.Guy Documents 14 Years Of Excavating His Basement With RC Toys
-Thank you Macauley Culkin. Color Of The Month: Coral? Peach? Salmon? Fuck. Get Me The Swatches.
–Irresistible Baby Houseplants. They are so cute. I want them all.
-This is really awesome, just not sure how it%u2019s gonna work out because babies are well, they be babies, but If I worked for the state with a baby, this would make me very happy. Vermont to Allow State Workers to Bring Their Infants to Work.
And some pictures from the week.
I can’t stop eating these. They are like little balls of crack and I am an addict.
Frozen peanut butter grapes%u2026 I mean, I just can’t stop.
So you say you have never frozen your grapes? Well you should. It’s the only way I like to eat them anymore. %u00a0I was never a huge grape fan, but one day long ago, I discovered the wonder that is the frozen grape and it is amazing, Now whenever grapes are on sale at the grocery store, I buy way to many and end up filling our tiny little freezer with jars and bowls of grapes. %u00a0Then whenever the mister goes to grab the bag of %u00a0frozen peas for his sore back or knees, there is almost always a frozen grape avalanche. Why I don’t put a lid on those containers is even a mystery to me. %u00a0Oh, now I remember.. I want easy access.Oopen the freezer, grab a few grapes, and go on my way%u2026 not having a lid to take off makes the process a little easier.
Then one day, the frozen grape game turned into something else, something a little more decadent and even more addicting. Where it came from, I do not know. Maybe it’s some subconscious throwback to a childhood full of peanut butter and grape jelly sandwiches, or maybe it’s just that fact that I think peanut butter can pretty much go with anything. But no matter why, I started dipping those frozen grapes into peanut butter and never looked back. And now when I have grapes, it’s all I want to eat.
I am warning you now, once you start making these, watch out, because before you know it, you will develop a frozen grape addiction too. And littles.. they are as easily %u00a0addicted to these as well. I have seen kids that hate grapes go totally bonkers for these. %u00a0Just so you know.
The stuff %u00a0you will need.%u00a0Washed and drained fresh grapes (green or red. I usually use red but the green were half the price and the red ones didn’t taste very grapie*) Creamy peanut butter, skewers, and a little bit of cinnamon or cocoa powder (optional)
*Note. When you are the store, try %u00a0before you buy. You know what I mean, eat a few while shopping aground. I say this because not all grape are created equal. Some taste way better than others. I have bought grapes before that didn’t taste like anything or that have really tough skins, and those just piss me off, so eating a few will guarantee that your money is being well spent and that the grapes won’t disappoint you.
Ok, so now let’s make these bad boys.
Simple simple. Two grapes per skewer (or toothpick) Lay on a wax paper covered dish or pan and stick them in the freezer until frozen. When the grapes are frozen, melt peanut butter. Take a big glob and stick in a tall skinny cup or bowl and stick in the microwave or heat in a sauce pan and then transfer to a tall skinny vessel. %u00a0Take frozen skewed grapes and, one skewer at a time, dip in the peanut butter. Cover with as much or as little of the peanut butter as you want and place on wax paper. If you are feeling feisty, add a sprinkle or cinnamon or even a dash of cocoa powder. Or, this may seem a little crazy, but garlic powder is so F*ing good.(it’s worth at least giving it a try) When all grapes are dipped, place back into freezer for another 10 minutes or so to let the peanut butter set up a bit.
Whenever your ready%u2026 Eat. And be so happy. And always keep a back stock of frozen grapes in the freezer. They are the best.
Keep it realz.
-C
Peanut Butter Freezer Grapes
the quantity is up to you, but I recommend making a shit ton!
Creamy Peanut butter (I use organic creamy from Trader Joes, or natural skippy)
Green or Red Grapes
Cinnamon and or cocoa powder (Optional)
Toothpicks or skewers
Wash grapes and skewer 2 grapes onto a stick. Place on a flat surface and stick into the freezer until frozen, which usually takes about an hour.
Once grapes are frozen, stick a big glob of peanut butter into a tall skinny vessel (Like a juice cup or a 4%u00a0oz ball jar) and warm to a liquid constancy in the microwave (about 30-45 seconds) or if you don’t have a microwave, stick in a sauce pan, warm on stove, and pour into a glass (what I do)
Remove frozen grapes from freezer and dip into melted peanut butter. Place on a wax paper line tray or pan and sprinkle with cinnamon and or cocoa powder, or not, or a few (whatever you want) and stick back into freezer for another 10 minutes.
Eat as many as you want%u2026 Make so many because you will become addicted!
The bounty of spring is upon us. Asparagus is everywhere and I have been embracing it.. smelly pee and all.%u00a0 And along with all my spring veggies and smells, %u00a0I have grabbing for more springy spices. I go through seasonal spice kicks, like cinnamon and ginger in the fall, curries and chills in the winter. And for spring, I am big on sumac. If you haven’t heard of it or tasted it, it kind of taste like a tangy salty lemon..without actually having any salt. And its a really pretty, a bright red, almost purple color. I use it on a lot of things, especially veggies and bean dishes, sometimes as a lemon replacer, but mostly to add another level of tangy flavor.%u00a0It’s fantastic, really great for all those springy time dishes. Nice and bright!
%u00a0This dish is perfect made and eaten right away, but it’s one of those dishes that tastes even better the day after. Also it’s good and safe to serve room temperature. (think lunch box or a picnic!) And did I mention healthy? Protein packed quinoa and the lean green asparagus, I mean come on. You won’t feel an ounce of guilt for eating a hugmongo bowl of this stuff because you should, so it’s totally ok.
Eat away!%u00a0
The stuff of the stuff. Quinoa and asparagus for the base. Sumac, lemon, garlic, onion, salt and pepper and a little splash of oil for the dressing.%u00a0
Note. Sumac is not always the easiest spice to find. I know that its available online (what isn’t) and that some health food store or herbal apothecaries carry it, but i have ye tot see it at a conventional supermarket. And once you find it, buy a good amount cause you will also fall in love with it and use it on everything.%u00a0
%u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0Start by making the dressing. You want to have it sit for at least 10 minutes. It will be perfect by the time the quinoa is done. Mince the garlic, dice the onion and juice the lemon. Stick it all into a jar with the sumac, a pinch of salt and pepper and about a teaspoons worth of olive oil. Stick a lid on the jar and shake shake shake. and let it sit.
Now you should make the quinoa.. Water and quinoa go into pot, high heat until boiling, %u00a0topped with a lid and set to simmer for about 15 minutes.%u00a0
When the quinoa is simmering, cook up the asparagus. Add a drizzle of oil, to a pan and a few splashes of water. Place trimmed and chopped asparagus to pan and sprinkle with salt. Cook on medium heat for about 8 minutes, or until cooked but still has a nice crunch to it. Take off heat and add the dressing to pan. %u00a0Let it sit and marinate for a few minutes.When the quinoa is tender, fluff with a fork and add to the skillet with the asparagus and dressing. Toss around to make sure all the quinoa gets dressed. Take a taste.. does it need a little salt and pepper? Add a pinch if it does.Pile into a bowl, add a bit of cracked pepper.. and eat.
Or%u2026 Idea! Make this dish and pack it into a jar. Maybe grab a baguette and some hummus os some other %u00a0tasty foods and take yourself and a friend out for a picnic.%u00a0
So much good .
Keep it real yo
-C
Quinoa and Asparagus with Sumac Dressing
serves 3-4 %u00a0as a side dish or 2 as a main meal.%u00a0
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
8-10 asparagus%u00a0
olive oil
For the Dressing
1 tablespoon sumac
1/2 small red onion
2-3 cloves garlic
Juice of 1 jumbo lemon or 2 small lemons
2 teaspoons olive oil
salt and pepper
Start but making the dressing. Mince the garlic and finely dice the onion. Place in a %u00a0jar with the sumac, the juice of the lemon, a pinch of salt and pepper, and a little splash of oil. Top the jar and shake the crap out of it for a minute. Let sit and meld. (This dressing can be made ahead of time and is fantastic on all sorts of everything)
In a large pot, add water, quinoa and a spindle of salt. Bring to a boil, cover , and reduce heat to simmer. Let cook for about 15 minutes or until water has completely absorbed. %u00a0When the quinoa gets going, trim the woody parts of the asparagus and chop the remain asparagus into inch long pieces. Toss into a lightly oiled skillet with a few splashes of water, sprinkle with salt and put on medium heat for about 8 minutes, or until asparagus is cooked, but still crispy. Take off heat and add the sumac dressing. Once the quinoa is done, fluff it with a fork and toss it with the sumac dressed asparagus. Scoop into a bowl, add some cracked pepper. Bring food to face and eat.%u00a0
Any leftover? This dish is fantastic serves cold or at room temperature.
This has been the week of broken things. My immersion blender broke. 2 of the 4 new bowls I bought were smashed. The hand mixer broke while I was making frosting (F**CK). The steam mop is finally completely broken and the mister smashed the screen on his phone. All in a weeks time. Oh, and not broken, but the front end of my car got stuck in a muddy sink hole. It took five badass farmers to help me push it out. It was crazy, but thankfully the car and I survived. But’s it cool. I can replace all that crap and my arms are getting a great workout now that I have to hand mix everything and hand wassh the floor on my hands and knees. ( I do it like a beast!) Because what I really am having a hard time with is that it is nearly April and still have most of my winter clothes out. I just want to but the boots away and get my chaco sandals out. It’s getting a bit ridiculous if you ask me.
Things I tell myself to keep from losing my shit
20 degrees.. That’t tropical compared to the -30 we were having
I will be bitching about how hot it is in just a few short months so try to enjoy the cold now.
Hopefully most of the mosquito population all dies this winter %u00a0and only enough %u00a0survive to be eaten by things that eat them
Because it still so cold, its ok to spend an entire day at home in my pjs baking cookies and bread and %u00a0binge watching Kimmy Schmidt.%u00a0
See.. there is a bright side.
Here is some cool internet stuff form the week
-Love this house and will some someday have plants in every nook and crank of my home.%u00a0PEEK INSIDE WORLD%u2019S END FARM + SAIPUA PLANT SALE
-I am ready to move into a tree, if only for a little while. This one would work for me
-I looked before I read. and didn’t realize what I was seeing.%u00a0Behold! The Cosmos Created From The Contents Of A Kitchen
-The Most Effective Alarm Clock Ever Brews Your Morning Joe%u00a0If only it came in jumbo size.
-I love/ hate this story. I get so excited for the produce that is marked down because its not perfect. If people realize how silly it is to look for “perfection in food” %u00a0then I won’t get awesome stuff for cheap.%u00a0Think Nobody Wants To Buy Ugly Fruits And Veggies? Think Again
And here are a few life pictures%u00a0
WHAT WHAT!!! The first sign of green that I have seen in the neighborhood.%u00a0
This little came over and hung out with me. I gave him a muffin and a bowl of “Carrot Chips” (really thinly sliced carrots) He at a few bites of the muffin but ate %u00a0all the carrots and wanted more%u2026%u2026 I love him!
Oh the old man trash dog. His butt hair is finally starting to grow back after he chewed himself a big hot spot.%u00a0I love this pattern for a driveway.%u00a0
March 29, 2011. Yeah sure we were in California, but still, we were camping outside.
COME ON SPRING!!!!And who doesn’t love a pineapple, or 4?%u00a0
Have a fantastic Day!
We are looking at a high in the 30’s here in VT.. WA HOO!
-C
I don’t think I need to tell anyone about how weird the past few weeks of weather have been, so I will just leave it alone because we don’t need to keep thinking about how stupid cold it is outside or that the next week is only suppose to get worse. Booooo, but oh well. More time for cooking, reading, and trolling the internet (I have spent a little more time then usual getting sucked into the world-wide web.) Beacause I have been spending a little more time interneting, I have added an addition to %u00a0my usual happy bits, %u00a0a%u00a0few links that I have stumbled upon that I think are cool and of things that I want or want to make%u2026 Cool internet stuff%u2026..a bit of internet happy.%u00a0
So I recently discovered that I can waste a good amount of time on pintrest, especially looking at interiors and architecture and clothes (which I found really weird, but with one pin, an open can of worms%u2026Dangerous stuff). I have a long way to go before I have nearly as many pins as other folk, but I am getting a good a start. Check out my boards…
I smiled so much when I read %u00a0 this%u00a0article.%u00a0%u00a0 %u00a0So sweet and are some of the coolest tattoos %u00a0ever.
The original nomad.%u00a0I am not a hot tub person (it makes me feel like I am being cooked..) But I might be able to get into one of these when doing some camping.
I practically started salivating when I saw%u00a0this%u00a0falafel.%u00a0 I am so going to make it%u00a0for a special mister and me dinner!
I don’t have any big kitchen utensils%u2026 like a kitchen aid or a panini grill, and for now, I am ok with that, but I really want this waffle iron. I could so use the crap out of it.
So that’s some internet stuff and here are a few life moments%u2026..
I got to%u00a0hang out with my little sister for the first time in like a month%u2026 She is just so busy being busy. I guess high school,play practices and boys and friends can fill up ones time at 15%u2026 but I miss her so much! I was very excited that she was able to hang out with me this week. %u00a0What did we do? Well we spent most of out time together taking pictures of her in my glasses, making food and then taking pictures of her eating food. %u00a0(She is eating whipped carob moose%u2026 like one should eat it) A fantastic day of silliness.%u00a0
I have been feeling like I might be fighting off an illness so I have been eating this Turmeric Ginger Garlic Carrot soup%u00a0which I have been adding cabbage and topping with these pickled heart beet, all week long. So tasty and full of so much good.
%u00a0Oh yeah. Me, the mister, my sister, and her lovely little little went to Ikea this week. (the littles first international trip!!! Over the border and into Montreal) And of course at the end of any good shopping trip there is some type of food%u2026. She %u00a0was so excited for the hot dog and frozen yogurt cone at check out. Champion food eater this one is.
And what’s not to love about pretty flowers (primrose)%u2026..Sadly this is not a current picture. I need to get me some color today.%u00a0
Which leaves me with my goals for the day..
Get 2 new library books (and return the huge stack by the door)
Make something tasty good for dinner and prep food for the week
clean bathroom and change sheets
buy flowers
Take a nap
Hope you all have a great day and the%u00a0most splendid week!
Stay warm!
-C
There is a joke about Vermonters, that all we talk about is the weather. Well, it’s kind of true. But to our defense, we get a lot of weather, and it’s always changing and intense and both lovely and crazy and all over. So yeah, we talk. A lot, about the weather. And on that topic, I am trying so hard not to complain, but%u00a0honestly, I am getting a little sick, both physically and mentally from all of these %u00a0super, to freaking cold temperatures. Yesterday the high was 0 ( which was at like 2 in the morning) %u00a0and factor in the windchill, the temp stayed at like 25 below. It f**king sucks. I can’t %u00a0stay outside for too long or else I will probably die. The dog %u00a0is having a hard time making it around the block before he gets ice paws, and the mister, well he even started wearing gloves (he wears a sweater all winter and never gets cold%u2026..he is officially cold)
%u00a0And not only is the cold keeping us all indoors, but its making us all borderline sick. We both have been fighting something for the past few week. The headaches, stuffy nose, chest congestions. The puppy is getting super dry skin and gave himself a hot spot. BLAh!! Ok, enough! No more complaining
Because %u00a0I do really love the winter and all the pretty snow!!!!
But we are feeling kind of sick so to make us feel oh so much better, a fantastic, super tasty, healing, good for me, good for you, soup. Turmeric ginger carrot%u2026 oh man. Made with lots of ginger, turmeric and garlic and finished with a drizzle of raw honey. This soup is exactly what we need. All ingredients scream.. FEEL GOOD, BE WARM AND COZY! Almost everything in it has antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties. The veggies are hearty and heathy and just eating soup helps to keep hydrated. And the best part..it tastes so freaking amazing.%u00a0
So whether %u00a0you are feeling a little mah, or just a little hungry.%u2026this soup is where it’s at!
Lots of chopped up carrots, a small onion, a little bit of cauliflower I had left over and a small beet. If you don’t have the cauliflower and or a beet, just use %u00a0ares pepper or another 2 carrots.. no biggy.%u00a0
Then we have the fresh ginger ( you can use powdered) turmeric and garlic. %u00a0All the good healthy spicy and yummy stuff.%u00a0
I accidentally spilled the turmeric on the counter..but it kind of looks like I might have done it on purpose%u2026 yeah, let’s go with that. %u00a0Chop the garlic and he ginger into %u00a0 %u00a0chunksAnd toss into the pot to warm and activate. Just a little toasty toast.%u00a0
And the veggies are roasted and tender and smell so good. %u00a0It took a lot of will power to not eat the whole pan right there.
I added the roasted veggies and 3 cups water straight into my pot %u00a0with the spices because I used an emulsion blender. If you are using normal blender, add the veggies, the toasted spices and the water to the blender and blend until smooth. Then transfer to a pot.
Pretty much all blended together%u2026.(I left a few big chunks in there to snack on while I was waiting to eat serve%u2026I was really hungry) and let to simmer for a little longer…
And now ladle into a bowl and get ready for a fantastic finish%u2026 drizzle a spoonful of raw honey into soup%u2026%u2026.so so good. You could add the honey before serving, but heating it kills all the good antibacterial stuff so that’s why we wait.%u00a0Then %u00a0I sprinkle some chopped kale and chives. (do it if you want, but not necessary)
Now enjoy. Let the warmth wash over you and feel all those good spices helping to fight the good fight to keep you well and all the yummy to satisfy your hunger.
And lets hope for some warm (above 0!!) weather!
-C
Turmeric Ginger%u00a0Carrot Soup
Ingredients
5 large carrots
1 small onion
1 small beet*
quarter head cabbage ( or a cup of frozen)*
2-3 teaspoons %u00a0turmeric%u00a0
2-3 tablespoons fresh %u00a0ginger (1/2 teaspoon if using powdered)
4-6 cloves garlic
salt pepper
raw honey (omit if vegan)
* If you don’t have or want to use beet and or the cauliflower, you can use a red pepper, a small sweet potato, or just use a few more carrots.%u00a0
Chop all veggies into similar sized chunks and toss into a lightly oiled pan or on a baking sheet and sprinkle with salt. %u00a0Stick in oven at 425 for about 30 minutes or until all veggies are fork tender.%u00a0
In a large soup pot or dutch oven, toss chopped garlic, ginger and the turmeric and place on medium heat for a few minutes to activate the spices. Add the roasted veggies and 3 cups water to pot (if using emulsion blender) and blend until smooth. If using a blender, add the toasted spices, roasted veggie and 3 cups water and blend until smooth then transfer to a large pot or dutch oven. Add salt and pepper to taste. Turn heat down to%u00a0%u00a0simmer and let cook for an addition 10 minutes.%u00a0
When ready to serve, ladle soup into bowl and drizzle a spoonful of raw honey into soup. Garnish with fresh chopped kale, chives, cabbage or whatever you want. (or nothing is good too)
It hasn’t stopped snowing, the temperature is dropping fast (it’s getting to the point the dog doesn’t even want to be outside) and the mister is busy hand shoveling three long driveways. So I figured that in between all the laundry folding, plant watering , and all around sitting on my butt %u00a0that I am doing %u00a0INSIDE, that %u00a0I would be so super nice and crank the stove up and make my love some cookies.I love making cookies, especially when I have chores to do. I think part of it is that cookies are baked in batches which breaks up the chores and gives a sort of rhythm to things. Plus everything is nice when the house smells like cookies. %u00a0I was going to make chocolate chocolate chocolate cookies, but realized that I didn’t have cocoa powder, so I went with fresh cranberries (I just scored a pound of organic cranberries for 89 cents!) coconut flakes and chocolate chips. Plus I wanted to make them oatmeal because the mister likes oatmeal and oatmeal makes the cookies a little more hardy. (We need hardy when the temperature dips below zero)The verdict%u2026.. chewy, soft, slightly sweet oatmeal, bittersweet chocolate, nutty floral coconut, and the zing and pop of the fresh cranberries. He told me to hide them%u2026 hide so he will stop eating them%u2026.. because they be amazing!
The base of this cookie%u2026.We are using regular old fashion oats and flour. %u00a0Salt, baking soda and baking powder. %u00a0Vanilla, chia seeds in hot water, coconut oil %u00a0white and brown sugar%u2026. You know, all the cookie stuff.%u00a0 Then all the goodness.. Chocolate chips, coconut flakes, and fresh cranberries. Goodness.Oh yeah, and they are vegan%u2026if that matters to you.Warm%u00a0the coconut oil and mix with the white and brown sugars. Then add the chia seeds soaked in hot water. %u00a0Stir until nice and silky smooth.In goes some more stuff.%u00a0%u00a0I just dumped all the dry right on in that bowl and mixed it up nice and nice.Chopped the fresh cranberries into chunks%u2026 One at a time%u2026%u2026Just kidding, I actually laid a cutting board on top of the cranberries, applied a little pressure and sliced through the cranberries.. Does that make sense? I hope so, because its is much easier and faster and the cranberries don’t all roll away.The chopped cranberries, coconut flakes and the chocolate chips go in to be mix all up.%u00a0I used my hands to form the balls and gave%u00a0each mound a little smoosh, but not completely flat. %u00a0Then into a preheated 375 degree oven for about 13-15 minutes or until a nice golden brown.A cup of hot coffee and a plate of warm cookies%u2026 I am the nicest, right! (After his nice cookie rest I proceeded %u00a0to do a little nagging, so the day evened out)So today is probably a great day for everyone to make cookies. It’s freezing out, %u00a0its saturday and well, just cause. You might even be looking for a great recipe to make for that big party your going to.You should make these cookies.%u00a0Have a Fantastic Weekend!!!-C
Preheat oven to 375To start, take the chia seed and soak them in the 4 tablespoon hot water for a few minutes. Then in a large bowl, mix together the white and brown sugar with warmed coconut oil. Add in the gelled chia seeds and vanilla and stir until silky and combined. (the warm chia seeds will help everything mix together nicely)%u00a0Now mix in all the dry. I start with the oats, dump on flour, toss in the baking powder and soda and salt. Mix until fully combines. If the dough seems to dry, add in another tablespoon or two of hot water.%u00a0Chop the fresh cranberries into halves or smaller and dump them, the coconut and chocolate chips into the bowl of dough and mix.Using a scoop, spoons, or your hands, make little balls and place on a cookie sheet, giving each ball a little smoosh. Into the oven for 13-15 minutes or until golden brown.Remove and cool on rack.Eat a few and hide the rest for later.
I can’t stop eating these. They are like little balls of crack and I am an addict.
The stuff %u00a0you will need.%u00a0Washed and drained fresh grapes (green or red. I usually use red but the green were half the price and the red ones didn’t taste very grapie*) Creamy peanut butter, skewers, and a little bit of cinnamon or cocoa powder (optional)
When the grapes are frozen, melt peanut butter. Take a big glob and stick in a tall skinny cup or bowl and stick in the microwave or heat in a sauce pan and then transfer to a tall skinny vessel. %u00a0Take frozen skewed grapes and, one skewer at a time, dip in the peanut butter. Cover with as much or as little of the peanut butter as you want and place on wax paper. If you are feeling feisty, add a sprinkle or cinnamon or even a dash of cocoa powder. Or, this may seem a little crazy, but garlic powder is so F*ing good.(it’s worth at least giving it a try) When all grapes are dipped, place back into freezer for another 10 minutes or so to let the peanut butter set up a bit.
Whenever your ready%u2026 Eat. And be so happy. And always keep a back stock of frozen grapes in the freezer. They are the best.
The bounty of spring is upon us. Asparagus is everywhere and I have been embracing it.. smelly pee and all.%u00a0 And along with all my spring veggies and smells, %u00a0I have grabbing for more springy spices. I go through seasonal spice kicks, like cinnamon and ginger in the fall, curries and chills in the winter. And for spring, I am big on sumac. If you haven’t heard of it or tasted it, it kind of taste like a tangy salty lemon..without actually having any salt. And its a really pretty, a bright red, almost purple color. I use it on a lot of things, especially veggies and bean dishes, sometimes as a lemon replacer, but mostly to add another level of tangy flavor.%u00a0It’s fantastic, really great for all those springy time dishes. Nice and bright!
The stuff of the stuff. Quinoa and asparagus for the base. Sumac, lemon, garlic, onion, salt and pepper and a little splash of oil for the dressing.%u00a0
%u00a0 %u00a0 %u00a0
Start by making the dressing. You want to have it sit for at least 10 minutes. It will be perfect by the time the quinoa is done. Mince the garlic, dice the onion and juice the lemon. Stick it all into a jar with the sumac, a pinch of salt and pepper and about a teaspoons worth of olive oil. Stick a lid on the jar and shake shake shake. and let it sit.
When the quinoa is simmering, cook up the asparagus. Add a drizzle of oil, to a pan and a few splashes of water. Place trimmed and chopped asparagus to pan and sprinkle with salt. Cook on medium heat for about 8 minutes, or until cooked but still has a nice crunch to it. Take off heat and add the dressing to pan. %u00a0Let it sit and marinate for a few minutes.
When the quinoa is tender, fluff with a fork and add to the skillet with the asparagus and dressing. Toss around to make sure all the quinoa gets dressed. Take a taste.. does it need a little salt and pepper? Add a pinch if it does.
Pile into a bowl, add a bit of cracked pepper.. and eat.
This has been the week of broken things. My immersion blender broke. 2 of the 4 new bowls I bought were smashed. The hand mixer broke while I was making frosting (F**CK). The steam mop is finally completely broken and the mister smashed the screen on his phone. All in a weeks time. Oh, and not broken, but the front end of my car got stuck in a muddy sink hole. It took five badass farmers to help me push it out. It was crazy, but thankfully the car and I survived. But’s it cool. I can replace all that crap and my arms are getting a great workout now that I have to hand mix everything and hand wassh the floor on my hands and knees. ( I do it like a beast!) Because what I really am having a hard time with is that it is nearly April and still have most of my winter clothes out. I just want to but the boots away and get my chaco sandals out. It’s getting a bit ridiculous if you ask me.
WHAT WHAT!!! The first sign of green that I have seen in the neighborhood.%u00a0
This little came over and hung out with me. I gave him a muffin and a bowl of “Carrot Chips” (really thinly sliced carrots) He at a few bites of the muffin but ate %u00a0all the carrots and wanted more%u2026%u2026 I love him!
Oh the old man trash dog. His butt hair is finally starting to grow back after he chewed himself a big hot spot.%u00a0
I love this pattern for a driveway.%u00a0
March 29, 2011. Yeah sure we were in California, but still, we were camping outside.
And who doesn’t love a pineapple, or 4?%u00a0
I don’t think I need to tell anyone about how weird the past few weeks of weather have been, so I will just leave it alone because we don’t need to keep thinking about how stupid cold it is outside or that the next week is only suppose to get worse. Booooo, but oh well. More time for cooking, reading, and trolling the internet (I have spent a little more time then usual getting sucked into the world-wide web.) Beacause I have been spending a little more time interneting, I have added an addition to %u00a0my usual happy bits, %u00a0a%u00a0few links that I have stumbled upon that I think are cool and of things that I want or want to make%u2026 Cool internet stuff%u2026..a bit of internet happy.%u00a0
I got to%u00a0hang out with my little sister for the first time in like a month%u2026 She is just so busy being busy. I guess high school,play practices and boys and friends can fill up ones time at 15%u2026 but I miss her so much! I was very excited that she was able to hang out with me this week. %u00a0What did we do? Well we spent most of out time together taking pictures of her in my glasses, making food and then taking pictures of her eating food. %u00a0(She is eating whipped carob moose%u2026 like one should eat it) A fantastic day of silliness.%u00a0
I have been feeling like I might be fighting off an illness so I have been eating this Turmeric Ginger Garlic Carrot soup%u00a0which I have been adding cabbage and topping with these pickled heart beet, all week long. So tasty and full of so much good.
%u00a0Oh yeah. Me, the mister, my sister, and her lovely little little went to Ikea this week. (the littles first international trip!!! Over the border and into Montreal) And of course at the end of any good shopping trip there is some type of food%u2026. She %u00a0was so excited for the hot dog and frozen yogurt cone at check out. Champion food eater this one is.
And what’s not to love about pretty flowers (primrose)%u2026..Sadly this is not a current picture. I need to get me some color today.%u00a0
There is a joke about Vermonters, that all we talk about is the weather. Well, it’s kind of true. But to our defense, we get a lot of weather, and it’s always changing and intense and both lovely and crazy and all over. So yeah, we talk. A lot, about the weather. And on that topic, I am trying so hard not to complain, but%u00a0honestly, I am getting a little sick, both physically and mentally from all of these %u00a0super, to freaking cold temperatures. Yesterday the high was 0 ( which was at like 2 in the morning) %u00a0and factor in the windchill, the temp stayed at like 25 below. It f**king sucks. I can’t %u00a0stay outside for too long or else I will probably die. The dog %u00a0is having a hard time making it around the block before he gets ice paws, and the mister, well he even started wearing gloves (he wears a sweater all winter and never gets cold%u2026..he is officially cold)
I accidentally spilled the turmeric on the counter..but it kind of looks like I might have done it on purpose%u2026 yeah, let’s go with that. %u00a0Chop the garlic and he ginger into %u00a0 %u00a0chunks
And toss into the pot to warm and activate. Just a little toasty toast.%u00a0
And the veggies are roasted and tender and smell so good. %u00a0It took a lot of will power to not eat the whole pan right there.
I added the roasted veggies and 3 cups water straight into my pot %u00a0with the spices because I used an emulsion blender. If you are using normal blender, add the veggies, the toasted spices and the water to the blender and blend until smooth. Then transfer to a pot.
Pretty much all blended together%u2026.(I left a few big chunks in there to snack on while I was waiting to eat serve%u2026I was really hungry) and let to simmer for a little longer…
THE LOVELY CRAZY
October 18, 2019 by maximios • Blog
And all of a sudden the world is green and it is mazing and magical. The best time of the year, when all the cool and wet weather pays off with sunshine and flowers and the greenest greens. No longer freezing and it is yet to be too freaking hot. Spring spring SPRING. It is not lost on me. I take it, I suck it up, I appreciate it all. Even the cray cray rain storms. What a time, what a time.
Last week we started off Sunday going to see some jumping fish. We packed our lunches, grabbed the camera, drove the 2 hours to the river and sat around watching and waiting. Sadly we saw no jumping fish. And that was that in case you were wondering. One of these years we will see it.
The rest of the week has been a little crazy. In between work and chores and life stuff, just about every day we have had anywhere between 2-4 littles. What for their parents needed a sitter or a ride here and there cause their car broke down. Or just some aunt and uncle hang time because who doesn%u2019t want to hang with us? So beside the mr finish off the trophies for the Lund Family Fund Raiser, me working the pug mill at the studio, or us trying to trade off the car in hopes that we both can get where we need to go in time for getting there. (Oh man the car thing, that is a whole other beast.) Yeah, it%u2019s been busy and hectic. On the bright side we have spent a lot of the time running around outside, drawing, and eating. A few little highlights. One of the nights So was feeling a little sick and Coco was feeling mean and wouldn’t let her nap on the couch so she ended up dragging a bunch of pillows into the pantry and falling asleep. It just made sense. Then there was Judah with his mad drawing skills drawing me pictures of vegetables (amazing) then farting with his armpits. And Miley, with her tude and phone. Getting her to hang out and just be sweet was nice. And Coco. That freaking little. Always happy, always eating, always causing trouble. Loves to run into the garden and jump all over the couch covered in peanut butter. (that is the baby, not me. ha) We found him a three wheeler. His legs might be too short but we will figure it out. It is gonna be a fun summer!
After the week long little marathon that ended with sticky littles eating pancakes (and being dangerously low on maple syrup), thrift store shopping (I scored the best new photo piece), and stopping in on my maybe future new bike(???), I came home and cleaned the crap out of everything. It never fails to amaze me how gross kids can be. The toilet alone, well, lets not go there.
Today, as it is Mothers Day and all, I am going to be a dutiful daughter and go see my Mama. Right now (at the wee early hour of 5 am, I%u2019m about to pop some bread and then a cake into the oven as offerings. We are going over around lunch so I%u2019m going make focaccia grilled cheeses (with the fresh bread) and hand over the blueberry cake that she loves. Then hopefully just spend a couple hours drinking lots of coffee and chilling on the porch.
Look at me, I am such a good daughter.
Links of interest on the internet.
–Yes, I’m In School for Nutrition. No, I Don’t Want to Hear About Your Diet. I feel this. Sometimes people feel like they need to tell me everything they eat, for approval or something. And I actually don%u2019t mind talking about what people eat. I’ll even make suggestions about foods that I like to eat or ways to prepare certain things but I stay away from telling people what not to eat%u2026 (people always assume I am going to tell them to not eat meat. I say, I do me. You do you.)
-I don%u2019t know how may times I have seen Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure. This should be good. PlusI totally have a thing for Keanu Reeves. Bill & Ted are embarking on a third excellent adventure next year
–How Weeds Help Fight Climate Change. Weeds are not the problem friends. The chemicals that people use to get rid of them are!
-If you are interested in VT State Parks, here its the list of all the parks opening days. Can%u2019t wait for CAMPING!!!
-Did you go through an Arizona iced tea phase? I had a very brief stint with the green tea%u2026 I can%u2019t even imagine drinking one now. The Dream of the %u201990s Is Alive in AriZona Iced Tea
–An Interview With A Man Who Eats Leftover Food From Strangers’ Plates In Restaurants. I think this is awesome and have much respect.
-A question the I didn%u2019t know I wanted answered until I read this article. Why do cats%u2014and so many other animals%u2014look like they%u2019re wearing socks?
-I get all sorts of feels when I see pandas. MY favorite favorite animal growing up. I carried a pink polka dotted panda around with me for years. SO many panda things. So this is fantastic and I hope to visit one day and hug me a panda (with pink polka dots) China%u2019s new panda park will be three times bigger than Yellowstone
–I have heard and seen some crazy fights in the past in places we have lived. A good few actually. It is never a comfortable thing but sadly, we got used to it. Listening to My Neighbors Fight
-Mothers Have Been Complaining About Mother%u2019s Day Breakfast in Bed for More than Half a Century. Why Does It Go On?. I am a strict, NO FOOD! in bed person. It just have zero desire to eat in bed so breakfast in bed sounds terrible to me. Plus I am awake at 430 every morning and I don%u2019t eat for a few hours after I wake up. It just wouldn%u2019t work.
And pictures from the week.
First off, the Happiest Day to all the mothers out there. You are great and make the world possible so thank you for that. Take care today to you. We are all better off when you are happy or to quote a sign hanging in my moms kitchen..When Momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.
Whoa did we spend a lot of time outside this week. The mr upin the trees cutting them down. Weeding out gardens and cleaning up lawns. So many trips to the wood chipping plant to get ride of all the wood. My arms have been sore all week and it’s mostly from hauling large chunks of wood to the truck. That and all the dirt moving. 6 yards of dirt dropped off to fill up our raised beds. The garden is on it’s way to being a real garden and I couldn’t be any happier. First time in my life where I have had a yard with a garden to do what I please. It’s freaking amazing. And now I am struggling with what to plant. I know that I will get a butt load of veggies form the farm but what do I want more of? Lots of greens are on their way and we need to have tomatoes but do I do an entire bed of carrots and beets? If so where while the husk cherries go?. And the pumpkins, should we just plant them out front? (the mr wants to turn the front lawn into a pumpkin patch. I am not entirely sure that is a good idea) So many things to consider.
Sunday has got me busy. I want to finish planting what needs planting, the laundry is backed up a few loads so I need to get on that and I have a mess of paperwork that I need to get through. Good day for it though cause it looks like a chilly rain today so hanging out on the back porch with my pile of crap won’t be so bad. At least there will be lots of coffee.
Internet whatnots
-Checked the pollen count when my face blew up, snot running, and itching my eyes out. Allergies, blah.
-Garden planting takes some planning. An In-Depth Companion Planting Guide
-I don’t know why I have never thought to add color to bread dough. On my list of things to do this week. HOW TO MAKE MARBLED RAINBOW TOAST
–New York Times Puzzles. I like to play sudoku and the mini.
–What Is Avocado Hand? I guess that it is a real thing so watch yourself.
-Feeling stresses? Thinking About Happy Memories Can Shut Down Your Body%u2019s Stress Response
–Here’s What Michelle Obama Thinks About Trump’s School Lunch Rules. Oh Michelle, I miss you.
–See the Awesome March of the Milky Way Across the Night Sky
%u00a0-The mr has always said her wanted some type of hot tub or sauna. I could get down with something like this. A Mirrored Golden Egg Sauna is Hatched in Sweden
–Vermont Legislature Votes to Legalize Marijuana. I mean it’s about time.
Pictures from the week.
Oh and I can’t forget%u2026.%u00a0
Happy Mother’s Day ladies!!!!
Here I give you a few thing from the internet this week …
– I didn’t believe they were paintings at first. Hyper-realistic Cactus Paintings that Bristle with Detail by Kwang-Ho Lee
-I’ll take any one of these%u00a0The 5 Fanciest French Press Coffeemakers We Could Find
-Love love the floors in This house.
-Spending a bit of time making summer camping plans here…Vermont State Parks. I can’t wait to get the tent out!
%u00a0-I think this should be happening everywhere.%u00a0Recycled Drinking Water: Getting Past the Yuck Factor
– And there is this.%u00a0ABC Brings Muppets Back To Prime Time As News Emerges About Fall Shows
And that, here are a few pictures from the week.
Have a wonderful day and to all that it applies to…
Happy Moms Day!
-C
And for the last few months my mom has been up my butt, trying to get me to make her some. Not going to lie, I have been saying I’ll get her a batch, but for some reason, I haven’t gotten around to making them. So two birds here.. Make the scones and she gets off my back for a least a little while (a month.. maybe 2) and I give her a fantastic Mothers day gift that I know she will love.
So here they are , oh mother of mine. Blueberry scones!
Now for my special trick for a perfectly distributed cold butter in a pastry. Freeze your butter and grate it!
With a large wholed grater, grate the frozen butter directly into the bowl with the dry, stoping a few times to toss the butter chunks around so you don’t end up with a huge pile of grated butter. When it’s all grated, gently toss around so the butter is evenly distributed.%u00a0
Now dump the blueberries into the flour mixture. Toss them around to give them a coat of flour. Add in the buttermilk and vanilla and give a little mix until liquid is absorbed. We are trying to handle the dough as little as possible.
Turn mixture onto counter. It’s very loose, but thats what it should look like. 
Very gently and with as little handling as possible, gather dough up, knead a few times till everything %u00a0just comes together. Press dough into a disk that is roughly an inch thick%u2026. and it doesn’t need to be perfect.%u00a0
Cut the disk into even sized pieces. Do 6 big, 8 normal, maybe even 10 smaller. Whatever size you like. (I did 8) Place the scones onto a baking sheet, using a spatula to transfer, and sprinkle the tops with a little bit of sugar. Into a preheated oven for about 20 minutes.
And when the scones look all nice and browned and a tester comes out clean. remove and either serve right away warm, preferably with huge cup of coffee or tea, or stick on a rack to cool before storing in %u00a0air tight container.
Perfect to serve as a breakfast pastry, at brunch, or even as a dessert. A nice little treat for a special lady. (dudes can eat them too)%u00a0
Happy Mothers Day Mom! Thanks for having me!
And Happy Weekend!!!
-C
Blueberry Scones%u00a0
Preheat oven t0 400 degrees
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Take the frozen butter and grate directly into flour mixture, tossing around to evenly disrupted. Add in blueberries and toss around till coated with flour, then lastly, add vanilla to buttermilk and mix into mixture until just barely coming together. Turn mixture out onto counter and with your hands, knead mixture a few times until it forms a solid dough. Shape into a disk and smoosh down until about an inch thick. Cut into 6-10 triangles %u00a0and place on a non greases baking sheet and sprinkle tops with remaining sugar. Stick into oven and bake for 20 minutes or until tops start turning a golden brown and a tester in the middle of a scone comes out clean.%u00a0
Remove from baking sheet and serve warm or let cool on a rack.
Mom gets first dibs, and if she is willing to share, eat one yourself with%u00a0your face.%u00a0
We can all use a bright happy window.
You will need-
*Notes
Once its pretty much dry, take the outer ring of the hoop and gently place around the inner hoop and tighten. Being super careful, trim the extra paper from the back of the hoop.
Place your pieces in a window and watch them glow. %u00a0Yow now have a happy window.
-C