Nova Scotia Part 1

Here they are, photos from the from the first part of our trip to Nova Scotia. I have so many pictures that I am going to do a second post of the other half of the trip. Also because I can’t fit them all on my computer at once (I need more storage) and mostly because going through the thousands of pictures that I took is taking forever. Ha!

The trip. !0 days, Me, the mr, and Barb. All camping, a new provincial park ever night. 5 am hikes, playing on the ocean floor, eating all the pumpkins (me) and roman noodles(them) and a camp fire every night. I could give you all the details bu there was just so much packed in it is hard to get it all down and really so I leave it to the pictures.. All in all, besides the chaos of getting over the boarder. (Waiting at a rest stop for a few hours for test result emails… A whole lot of ridiculousness!) It was a freaking epic trip and I cannot wait to go back!

Without further ado, part 1.

Sunday Happy

It has definitely been one of those weeks that just blew on through. I feel like we just got home from our weekend away in Maine but it’s been almost a week. It’s that mid summer vibe I guess.

So yeah, we started the week off in Maine. We drove up (or over?) the few hours and pitched the tent on Megan and the fams campsite, right behind her camper and next to the trees. It wasn’t our usual jam but not a bad place. And it really didn't matter because we were barely there. We spent most of our time exploring light houses, state parks, eating Dairy Queen (them, not me) and playing on the ocean beach. It was a fast, super fun trip. Best part was probably when the mr brought So into a giant candy store and she came out with bubbles gum tape. (remember that shit? Freaking loved it!) . Once she starting chewing it, her face lit up and she said it was the best tasting gum she had ever had AND it felt like a blanket on her tongue. And now tongue blankets are a thing.

Once we were home (we drove through the night due to heavy rains. (We didn't feel like waking up soaking wet in tent.) Once home we both kind of crashed, although the mr went on right to work. He spent the rest of the week finishing up a custom shelving job at a local pizza place. Me, I spent a good chunk of time in the studio woking on more mugs, feeding Megans cat, harvesting all the zucchini, electrocuting myself(yikes!) and thinking about back to school supplies. We also had the boys over for an evening of spaghetti eating and volley ball playing in the rain. Nothing better then playing in the rain.

Today is going to be good, if not a bit wet. The mr and I are packed and ready to go. Camping season has begun! Which state park? Well it will be the one that we can get a site in because it seems that a lot of the campgrounds are damn near full. I am not going to complain about it yet, but I really hope that we find a good spot away from all the people. I just want to in the trees, alone and quite. Is that to much to ask for? Maybe but thats ok, I’ll ask anyway. Plus its raining so hopefully that drives some people away. (I am an asshole.) Wish us luck!

Internet from the week.

-I think this is where I should live now. A Young Couple’s DIY, Totally Off-the-Grid Cabin in the New Hampshire Woods

-Why do we buy what we buy? I am just glad that buy nothing. Expect food, but I buy that to eat.

-The Complicated Future of the Handshake. I am not a fan of shaking hands or anybody touching me ever, special occasion of not.

-The bizarre botany that makes corn a fruit, a grain, and also (kind of) a vegetable

-This drives me nuts! An Explosion In Visitors Is Threatening The Very Things National Parks Try To Protect.

-The lie of “expired” food and the disastrous truth of America’s food waste problem. Haven't people learned yet that “expired” is bullshit?

-Do Different Colors of the Same Vegetable Have the Same Nutrients?

-I have noticed, have you? Luckily I don’t really buy much that comes packaged. Beware Of 'Shrinkflation,' Inflation's Devious Cousin

-Here’s Why Every Apartment You’ve Ever Rented Is Painted in “Landlord Off-White”. Ours is a semi gloss mocha white that we do floor to ceiling. but we paint well!. And doing all the apartments one color really helps not go crazy when walls need touch up. No miss matching and I think it looks good!

-The world is crazy so why not? We Regret to Inform You That Van Leeuwen’s Kraft Mac and Cheese Ice Cream Is Very Good

Pictures from the week.

Sunday Happy

The mr and I have had ourselves a very busy busy week.

Sunday afternoon we packed up the camping gear and headed for the state park. We even brought the kayaks with us. When we got to the camp site, we ditched our stuff and launched the boats for a leisurely afternoon paddle.  It was nice, but not as nice as when we woke up and brought the kayaks to watch the sun come up over the water. That was pretty freaking fantastic, especially with all the birds we got to watch. Good camping, epic kayak ride. 

And then we returned to life for the day and spent an hour waiting in a traffic jam to return bottles. I saw a new side to Winooksi that I don't think I want to see again. pooooof.

Tuesday the mr was finishing up a job so I grabbed Barb and we did a epic bike ride. I biked to her then we biked to the causeway and I bike her home then I biked back home. 5 hours on a bike, oh man was my ass numb, but it was so lovely and fun and the perfect cool breezy day for it.  Once I got home, I had just enough time to run a few errands and get food ready for dinner with  Barb and the little (So, Miley, Judah, and Coco). Spaghetti, corn. watermelon, and ice cream sandwiches, all of which made its way all over my house per usual. What are you gonna do? I can't not feed them, can I? Ha, no, I need them to help me eat all the food, especially the melons, that I have been getting from the farm and garden. They may be little, but they sure can eat. 

After spending half the morning cleaning up the previous days sticky melon mess, I then proceeded to completely trash the kitchen again while blanching, and roasting veggies. I had a few piles that needed to be dealt with before we could leave, so after dong that I then I had to clean up that big ass mess. I was doing that while the mr was ill in bed with something that might have been allergies? We are not sure, but he was not doing so good. So I cooked and cleaned and stocked my freezer and just let the mr be to get over his whatever... He needed to not be sick, to much to do. Ha. 

Lucky Thursday morning he was much better so sticking to our plan we early moring  hopped into car and drove to PA to see Dad. It drive was good except for the slow moving traffic and the something or another that we drove over that ripped a plastic cover thing(?) nearly off the bottom on the car and dragged for a the rest of the drive. Other then that, great fun. And lucky when we got there, the mr an Dad where able to scoot under the car and zip tie it back Ito place. No harm done, or so I am hoping. 

The visit was good. After waking up and walking the neighborhood and seeing a million deer, we headed to the to see my aunt Tina at here farm. Checked out her grain harvest, talked to the chicken and the solar panel fixer guys, and treasure hunted through family heirlooms. After that it was off to see grammy. Talk of peppery peppermints and her trying to get us to take her to the store to buy us beer. What  a broad, that lady. Nearly 98 and still she wants a beer. 

That night after all the visits, we went for a long bike ride then assed the F out. Woke up while it was still dark and ventured into NYC for the day. We basically just walked around for 8 hours, drinking coffee, checking out building, and galleries, got lunch, hung out near the river. Most of the time when we go to the city we have more then whatt is possible on our schedule of things to do. This time we were going to go the a few museums but it was just so nice out that we just decided to walk our butts off and just do whatever. It was a nice change. And after our feet nearly fell off, we hopped back into the car, drove a nice drive home, and passed out.

Now I am awake, still kind of  tired, my feet have a few blisters, but am going to get raring to go. I have a few too many chore that need to be done today, a garden that is overflowing form my being away, a trashed car, plus I told Erin I would cut Cocos hair this afternoon.And  I really must get to library because I am on the last pages of my last book and me without a book when I need it is not a good me. Then maaybe if I get all my shit done  enough today, I'll have a some time to just be home and chill. It was a fantastic, but long week. I am a little worn out.  Good thing I have all the coffee to drink. 

Interesting internet finds.

-Making plans for this bike ride. Lamoille Valley Rail Trail

-I am pretty sure I NEED these joggers. 

-‘We Are All Accumulating Mountains of Things’.... AAAGGGHHH! I am so glad that I hate stuff and hate shopping.

-I say it all the time. The Problem With ‘Hey Guys’

-I never want to fall this far, but I guess it's not a bad thing to know  to not land on your head, you know, just in case. How To Survive A 10,000-Foot Fall

-An unlikely fable, in which Birkenstocks become cool and double sales overnight..I wore nothing but my Birkenstocks between the age of 12-25 (year round, with socks when warranted). I love that they make vegan one now so I can wear them again!

-Got some land and want to make some money? These people will hook you up. Tentrr

-Yas oh yes I am. SO very very much. Obsessed With Cabins? You're Not Alone

When we were at my aunts farm, she showed us a funky corn fungus called corn smut... I guess some people really like to eat it... I don't know if I would be down with it, but hey, never know. 

So rad. Air Guitarists Compete For Fame And Glory At World Championships

All the pictures from the week 

Bye

-C

Sunday Happy

Short of the long... I am trashed. We just got back from a 6 1/2 hour drive from the Poconos where I now have a sweet ass new summertime home in the woods (actually not mine, but my dad just bought a house and moved there so it's pretty much mine..haha)  Summer fun time all the time long. A short few days for an initial, get to know the place and see the new house, go hiking, biking, more hiking, and basically run around and play with the dogs and the neighborhood deer, visit. It was an all out exhausting, amazing time. (I would tell you more about it, but right now my mind is mush I I am surprised Ian even type right now)  So now we are back home to maybe get a few hours of sleep and then back to the house for few hours of work. Got to get ready for the boom truck of a million pieces of sheet rock that are coming in the morning!

Now I am really, really freaking tired and need to like, for real, sleep for a bit before I keel over. Oh thanks the world for coffee cause today is going to be a couple pot of coffee kind of day. Wish me luck.

Some stuff the from the early week internet browsing.

-Not sure if I would want to stick my head in a one after all the other people have. Levitating Clouds Provide a Dreamlike Resting Place During the Festival des Architectures Vives

-I think we could be best friends. Meet a Woman Who Keeps 500 Plants in Her Brooklyn Apartment

-How to Keep Berries Fresh for Longer

-So into these Origami Bird Lights.

-I have got to try and make this mozzarella aquafaba cheese

-It's that time of year again. Canning here we come! Making Fruit Jelly Using Apples for Pectin

-A coloring cook book. Brilliant.

And a few pictures from the past few days.

Have a restful day!

-C

Iceland

OF all the places that we went on our adventure, this place was the craziest. Maybe it was because we had been traveling for a while by then and I might have been a little loopy and hungry and full of traveling endorphins , but Iceland felt more like we had traveled to a different planet. Covered in snow and ice, gigantic , jagged mountains, and barely a tree to be seen. The sun was limited,  rising around 1030am and setting around 330pm.  The landscape has a very barren, almost aggressive feel, but at the same time, really pulled me in. We only got to spend 4 days there( and they were the coldest 4 days they have had all year) but what time we did spend only made us want to go back (int he summer) to explore even more.

Our bnb wasin Hafnarfjörður,  a town outside of the big city. It isright next to a harbor with all the house build snuggled close on the hill in between rocks and boulders. The houses are so cute with a very danish feel, lots of clean edges, metal sidings, and fun colors. And the lights. Just about every house had some type of twinkly lights in there yard making the town light up like a fairy land at night. It was magical and beautiful and made me very happy.

We ended up taking a bus tour of the Golden Circle. I had never taken a bus tour before so I wasn't exactly sure of what to expect. And I am not going to lie, I am so glade we did it, the tour lady had lots of really interesting stories and facts about the country to tell us andwe wouldn't have been able to see any of what we saw if we didn't do it, but I am not a fan of the bus. Eight hours of cramped seats, cold and damp withridged time restricted... not my cup of tea, but whatever, it was still really cool.  Oh and did I mention the elves and trolls yet?   I had heard this before we went, but Icelanders believe in another dimension where mystical creatures live and that sometimes travel to this world. YES YES YES!!!!  Isn't that just freaking fantastic! On the tour, our guide was telling us all about it (she even believed in them) and how these creatures live under and in all the big rocks and boulders and those rocks and boulders cannot be moved or else you will disturb them. And not joke, there is anationalpsychicthat talks to the creatures in the matters of the roadand new building construction (are we to close to you boldermr. elf?) They take care not to disturb their natural habitats. (When I heard this I was just so happy.) All I know is thatI need to start believing in elves.

And the people. To be honest we didn't have a lot of interactionwith local Icelanders. We stayed with the sweetest couple at theairbnb we rented, but they had only been in Iceland for a year. We did talked to people, but it seemed that everyone we talked to were traveling as well. The boys we were staying withm as wel as the tour guide had mentioned that the locals were not excatly the most friendly people. Not that they were mean or anything, just maybe a little standoffish. We kind of got that feel, but whenever we needed any help, the people we dealt with were very nice, but I kinda got what everyone was saying. It's not the most jolly la la la place for people. 

Another strange part of being in Iceland was the food.  Eating was difficult and very expensive. There was a restaurantin the town, but they mostly served meat ans seafood.  There grocery store stocked very little in ways of fresh produce and what they did has was crazy freaking expensive ($6 for quart pund of carrots.. OUCH) Luckily I was able to score a bag of lentils, some apples, and a head of cabbage, so that's what I lived off for the time we were there. Next time we go, I am for sure going to be packing a checked bag full of carrots. yeah, that't what I will do.

So much, so much. I am sure I forgetting to tell you all about something I was going to tell you, but now I am just drifting in and out of all the pictures (I have so many more pictures)  and am having a hard tie concentrating.  So I will leave you with these to look. Andbefore I go, a little advice.  Next time you find yourself going to Europe, take advantage of the Icelandic layover. The place is not the cheapest, but how can you pass up a free stop in a crazy cool country. (think about it..)

Have fun times today!

-C