Sunday Happy

 Hey there people. How's your weekend going? Did you have yourself a very merry Christmas full of all things happy? Are you spending the weekend chilling out or have you already tossed the tree and are now in the process of vacuuming up needles that will linger for the next 3 months? (Our tree stays until new years)

Christmas was good over here (even if it was near tropical). Lots of fun family fun. Ice skating, dinner, secret santa swap (I got the best set of vintage pyres mixing bowls.. thanks Barb!). The mr and I did our traditional stockings ( I got him fly fishing stuff and fruit smelling markers. He got me a bunch of apples and a wood caving book with tools and wood to carve me me some spoons!!!) We did a little relaxing, i did a bunch of baking, and everyone was pretty happy. All 22 of us were together at the same time (minus my dad.... we missed my dad) and not a single fight or accidental kick to the face or crying over broken toys. It was pretty great.

But here is the question on everyone's mind. Who got a hover board?

Then comes the aftermath. I spent yesterday kinda half cleaning form the Christmas mess and half napping while hacking my lungs out. We were suppose to go to my nephews b day party, but I felt like crap and completely lost my voice. Whenever I did try to talk nothing came out and my vocal cords felt like they were set on fire.  And I was not about to walk into a room of littles and people that want to talk. No on list of things I could handle. (Being able to cry fro help when kids are beating you up is key to survival) So no party and no talking from me. But the mr, he couldn't stop talking and asking me questions.(which I responded through eye rolls and thumbs) I think he really enjoys me being quite. So yeah, I am stupid sick. I'm not sure if this is a crash and burn sicky or I just picked something up from one of the littles who bring home their nastys. Whatever it is, I need to kick it today cause tomorrow we are starting to sheet rock the ceiling at the new house. (sheet rocking ceilings totally sucks ass!)  And the holidays are not over and I am trying to ride the rest of the week on the holiday high, hopefully unsick. Got to get my party pants on for New Years (my party pants are my pj pants) We are gonna have a movie marathon and probably fall asleep on the couch by 10, Go us! 2016 what! Can't even right now.

Some interesting internet stuff.

- This  ingredient weight chart from King Arthur Flour is very helpful in the kitchen

-I love seeing other people studios. This pottery studio is very pretty. And I could live in this one.

- This is fantastic. France will soon require supermarkets to donate all unsold food

-Still don't believe that these paintings are in fact painting.

I want to make these paper jewels. (not as Christmas decorations)

-10 Food Science Lessons Worth Learning

-Am I a psychopath? Maybe. People Who Like Coffee Are More Likely To Be Psychopaths

- Pizza Farm with Nick Offerman- hahaha.

-Tree Counter Is Astonished By How Many Trees There Are. .and still wants to plant a trillion trees!

-Airbnb... Spending way yo much time looking at little Irish cottages to stay in.

And some pictures.

Have a fantastic day... Spend lots of time relaxing and doing you!

-C

Popped Quinoa Chocolate Crunch Bark

My family is big. And my family is crazy. This makes for interesting gift giving.Over the years as we have all gotten older and started having littles, our gift giving has evolved. We use to buy each other presents, but then that got a little to intense and expensive. Then we started coming up withweird gift games where we had to buy 10 things made out of wood or glass and did a kind of white elephant things, which was fun, but we all ended up with wooden spoons and shot glasses.  Or the stockings. We did stockings for a few years where we all stuffed something into each of the stockings, but that got kinda lame when everyone started stuffing packs of gum into them....It was getting to be kinda ridiculous. So this year we decided to give secret Santa a try. The deal is that the 9 older siblings drew names and then the 9 cousins drew names, all with a spending limit of $25. It works out for the best because the littles get to have a little fun and participate, and the adults don't have to go and blow stupid money for kinda stupid shit.  Everyone is responsible for one persons gift of happiness..... And they better make it good!

But one of the things that I love about Christmas is making all the little something. One year I made them each a veggie shaped pillow, and another they each got a hand made box. (I love to give handmade gifts.)So this year I still wanted to give each of the littles a little something too. And not anything to crazy, just something small. And now that we are not stuffing stockings with gum, I figured it wouldn't hurt to give them each a little candy.  They all like chocolate so chocolate it was.  And to zaz it up a little, I popped some quinoa to add some crunch and dear I say, a bit of healthy protein, to the candy. ( sneaky sneaky)

And bonus. this bark can be made in like 5 minutes (1/2 hour to cool) . Wrapped into little wax paper packages with a cute little string, its a super simple, easy, but sweet gift that almost anyone would enjoy (even if you make it and give it to yourself)  And no, you don't have to make it specifically for the holidays, this is just a great little bit of chocolate snack that can be made whenever you damn well please to make it!

The stuff. Chocolate chips (milk, semi sweet, dark, or a mixture) and uncooked quinoa.

Popped quinoa. Fun stuff. Working in small batched,  all you need to do is stick the a layer of uncooked quinoa into a heavy bottom pot, turn heat onto high, grab a spoon and mix the quinoa constantly until it starts to pop. (The seeds will pop up, but as long as you pot is big, they should stay inside) When it starts popping, turn heat down to medium low and continue to stir until the quinoa is golden brown and stops popping as frequently. Don't over pop it our else you will burn it!

Dump the popped quinoa into a holding vessel and pop some more.

Now melt the chocolate. I used the double boiler method (pot of simmering water and a glass bowl) but if you have a microwave, go ahead ans use it.(chocolate in a glass bowl, microwave for 30 second intervals until melted)

Either way you choose, just melt down the chocolate until nice and silky smooth.

Mix the popped quinoa into the melted chocolate...

Then scrap onto a wax paper lined baking sheet and spread out to about 1/4-1/2 inch thick.

Place in the fridge to set up

Once the chocolate has harden, break that shit apart! Big pieces, little pieces. All up to you.

And do what your going to do with it. (wrapped in wax paper with a sting looks so nice if you giving it as a gift)

So simple, so good, so the perfect heartfelt, maybe a little last minutes, gift. Or just a nice little sweet snack with a healthy little kick to it.

And I probably won't be posting until after the holiday so...

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, blah!!!!!

Bye!

-C

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Popped Quinoa Chocolate Crunch Bark

makes 3 cups of bark

• 2 cups chocolate chips (any kind you like)
• 1 cup dried quinoa

To pop quinoa, add enough quinoa to cover the bottom of a heavy bottom pot. Turn heat on high and slowly stir the quinoa until it starts to pop. Once it's popping, turn down to low and continue to stir until all the quinoa is nice and golden brown and the popping isn't as frequent. Dump the quinoa into a bowl ans continue on until you have popped all of it.

To melt chocolate, either use a double boiler (glass boil on top a low boiling pot of water. Add chocolate to bowl and mix until melted) Or use the microwave. (Heat in glass bowl at 30 second intervals until melted)

Combine the popped quinoa to the melted chocolate, mix until combined then pour out onto a wax paper lined baking sheet. Spread the chocolate to about 1/4 inch to a 1/2 inch thick with a spatula and place in he fridge to set.

Once chocolate is hard, remove from fridge and break into chunks.

And eat, share, and save a little for later.

Store whatever uneaten candy away from heat.

Make Your Own Snow.... Wax paper Snowflakes

I think of myself as a problem solver. I see a problem and I look for a solution. And not to sound like a broken record, but the problem that I am having now is that it is winter here in Vermont, but you wouldn't know it cause it's 50 degrees and there is no f-ing snow. Yes, this is a problem for me. I don't think its just me, everything around here is acting weird.  My plants are not going into winter mode and are starting to droop and be sad. My fall allergies are coming back, plants are starting to bud again, Washer is shedding like crazy, and my snowshoes have not left the barn. It's just weird and it makes me sad.Vermont is suppose to be cold ans snowy right now. Sure, there are people that might like this wonky weather, think they are getting a little extra treat, but not me. NOT ME!  So this is the problem. And the solution that I have come up with, short of moving, is to cover all the windows with wax paper snowflakes.

See. Problem solver.

We have been spending a good amount of time over at the new house working away so this is where I decided to plaster my flakes. In between cleaning up pieces of broken wall and moving 500 lb bags of trash out of the house, I sat down at the little table, plugged in the Christmas lights, turned on some Christmas music, and totally zoned out. Sipping coffee and sniping away..it felt so right. And the results were quite good if I do say so myself. A window full of flakes that made me smile. Maybe the snow gods will see my effort and grace us with a huge ass storm. Wouldn't that be so lovely!

All you need to make some flakes is

• wax paper (mine is slightly tan because it's not bleached)
• scissors
• tape

Optional things

• glitter/glue
• paint/brush
• Christmas music
• A hot beverage such as coffee or cocoa

Note. Why wax, well wax paper is really thin and makes cutting through all the folds easy. It also lets light shine through rather nicely and best part, the wax keeps the paper from getting soggy and gross from window condensation. But if you want, use paper. I don't mind.

This is how learned to make a snowflake... Start with a square piece of wax paper (any size you like) and fold it in half on the diagonal. Then fold that in half at the point.  And fold old again at the point. One more time after that. (from start to finish, 4 folds) You end up with a little dart like triangle with a little extra point at the top. Cut that extra bit off.

And snip away.. It can be thought-out or random (I like random snips)  Just make sure that you don't cut off all the folded paper parts cause that is what is holding it together.

Now for the most exciting part. Open (very gently) and see your snowflake creation.

Note. This is important to remember.. No snowflake is the same, and no snowflake is ugly.

Now tape the flake to where ever it should land (the window)

Stand back and enjoy all of the snow you can handle. I have gotten to one window, just 10 more to go!

This one is my favorite.

Happy weekend full of snow!

-C

(mini snow storm!)

Gingerbread Woodland Creatures (Cookies)

I had me a little over the weekend and we had so much fun. We had a dance party, sang Christmas songs, made paper trees, and made cookies. It was a much more of a fun day then I had planned ans expected. (Christmas themed fun day.. uh, yeah!)

But the thing was I wasn't planning on making cookies. Wait scratch that, I was planning on cookies on Friday and asked her mom what kind of cookie we should make.  And by Saturday, I had decided that I had way to much crap to do and didn't have time to make cookies. The little was going to spend the day with me doing errands and maybe a little work stuff.  But that morning, when dropped off at 730 am, the first thing she said to me was "we are making gingerbread cookies today" in the most tiny little sleepy voice.  Not a "are we gong to?", she was saying it as a fact. (her mother must have told her) So yeah, after that, I had to make the cookies. (I am not a monster) And because I now had to make cookies, I just said screw it to everything else I was going to do. I figured I might as well just roll with it and dance to jingle bell rock all day long.

About the cookies. These gingerbread cookies are everything I think a gingerbread should be. Sweet and spicy, dense and crisp, (but not hard) There is a slight snap, but not a tooth breaking snap and as you eat it, the middle of the cookie gets a little softer. They are the best paired with coffee or tea. Words that I have heard describe these cookies are; "fantastic" Oh my God" and "Fucking Amazing". So I am pretty sure that these are a winning cookie.

And sure, we could have made gingerbread people, but really, why make little weird shaped people when you can make a squirrel and a mouse. (step outside of the gingerbread box and make all kinds of shapes!) And although I love me a good neon colored sprinkle situation, I really got into using more natural looking things to decorate. But again, the shape and decor of your cookie is all up to you. 

Note.. Awesome cookie cutters came from IKEA.

The stuff. We have flour, baking soda and powder,and some salt. For the spices we are using ginger (or course) cinnamon, and cracked pepper (for a little extra kick). Also have a bowl with brown sugar, molasses, oil, a splash of vanilla and two chia seed "eggs".

Whisk (or sift) together the flour with all the spices, the baking soda and powder and the salt.

And mix together the oil, chia eggs and vanilla with the molasses and brown sugar.

Look at that cutie... doing all the work.

Mix the dry into the wet like so.

Mix as much as you can with a wooden spoon and when you the spoon stops working, use your hands and form the dough into a large disk.  Wrap it in wax paper (or plastic) and stick it in the fridge for a little while to rest ans evenly distribute all the moisture.

When you are ready for cookies, remove the dough from the fridge ans let it warm up for a few minutes. then take it and roll it out to about 1/2 inch.  And pretty sure you know how to use a cookie cutter so cut some cookies.

A baking sheet of pre -baked creatures going into the oven.

After about 8-10 minutes, the cookies are a little poofy, a little more golden brown, and a lot of super good smelling lovely.

Now if you want, decorate your cookies! (you don't HAVE to, but you should)
 I used white chocolate chips, tiny chocolate chips, dried cranberries and chopped almonds. And for the glaze, just powdered sugar and lemon juice. But use whatever you want.

The creatures..

And my favorite, the porcupine ! (I totally made this one)

-Happy Tuesday!

-C

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Gingerbread Woodland Creatures

Makes about 2 dozen (depending in your cookie cutter sizes)

• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 heaping teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 heaping teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 chia or flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground chia or flax seeds with 6 tablespoons warm water)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup neutral flavored oil (like veggie or canola)
• splash of vanilla extract
• Things to decorate with like chopped almonds, raisins, frosting, chocolate chips.. whatever you want

Grab yourself a big bowl and add in the sugar, molasses, oil, vanilla, and the chia eggs. Mix until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour with the all the spices, baking soda and powder, and the salt.  Dump dry into wet and mix with a wooden spoon until a dough form. When yu can no longer mix with spoon, use your hands and knead the dough into a large disk.  Wrap in wax paper or plastic, ans stick in the fridge for at least and hour, or up to 3 days.

When you are ready to make the cookies, remove dough from fridge and let it sit and warm up a little bit so it;s not so stiff and much easier to roll out.

Preheat oven to 350

Working in one big batch or cutting dough half, roll the dough until it's about 1/2 inch thick. Take your cookie cutters of your preferred shape and cut as many out as you can. Place cookies onto a baking sheet and bake between 8-11 minutes or until the cookies have slightly rising and the cookies are just starting to brown. .

Note... Using a cookie cutter with small intricate pieces, the edges might get a little crisper then the middle faster. So just keep your eye out for those.

Remove from sheet and place on a cooling rack.

And decorate, using whatever you want and as much as you want.

Sunday Happy

I am so confused. Is it December and almost Christmas or did I somehow sleep through it and its actually April and Easter.? If you tell me it's Easter, I'll probably believe you.

BUM!!! I am not a hater but man do I freaking HATE HATE this weather. And no, not just because I want a white Christmas, which I do, but because I love winter. I love the cold weather, the fresh crisp air, the quiteness, and the feeling the world takes on after a particularly large dump of snow. Not to mention the fact that I haven't gotten to enjoy much of my finest winter wardrobe (big baggy knit sweaters, or my happy green winter boots.) So so sad, but I have faith that winter will happen soon and all will be right with the world.

This past week was a good one. The mr turned a big number (lets say thirty something), We did a little birthday dinner here and another one there. He made grilled cheese sandwiches one night and buttered noodles another. The littles got to sing him the happy birthday song and eat strawberry ice cream. (and those same littles were eating my popcorn garland off of my tree. Monsters!) We went for a really pretty, kinda eire hike and a drive through the mountains. I made blondies and pickled crackers and we made a trip to Costco where every giant row of food had a person handing out a candy of some sort. (He came home and found melted chocolate in his sweater pocket)  It was a great week and an interesting week of food for him for sure.  I on the other hand.. I think I have eaten my weight in carrots and kale and am now glowing more orange then ever.

But it's Sunday guys! Time for... well today I am probably working all day, but whatever. It's good work, like new house work (I'll give you more of an update later this week) and It's not time sensitive work so I can go at my own slow pace, bring a thermos of coffee, maybe a break time book or a doodle pad and pencils. It will be fun and when I get home I will feel accomplished and ready for a quite night on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn watching either Home Alone 1 and/or 2 or The Santa Clause, We shall see!

How about you? You got any fantastic plans? Are you going to spend half the day on amazon trying to find that thing, at the price that ships on that day? Or is it the Easter eggs that need to be hidden? Well whatever you are doing today, make sure to take some time to yourself and relax., cause it's Sunday and we all need it.

Some fun and interesting stuff from the lovely world wide web.

-I love Danish architecture and this little cottage..swoon

-And all of these rooms.

-I really like this room divider/mirror thing.

-Pretty freaking cool. Beehive Fences in East Africa Protect Farms from Elephants

-Hows your baloney detector? What Makes People Susceptible To Pseudo-Profound 'Baloney'?

-The Art of Natural Dyeing + 6 Colors to Start With...On my list of things to do.

-SUGAR!!! A Complete Visual Guide to 11 Different Kinds of Sugar

-These embroidered leaves are so pretty.

-I have been thinking about the kitchen floor at the noosk house and what to do. All the Different Ways You Can Ease the Transition Between Two Floor Treatments

-I need one of each of these chairs.

-Don't understand the weather. Me wither. El Niño, explained: A guide to the biggest weather story of 2015

And some pictures from the past week.