Sunday Happy

I don’t want to sound like a whine ass but can’t it just be fall already? I am so sick of summer! Might not be the most popular opinion but like I have said many of times… I can’t stand being hot and therefore I do not like summer.

The week. Up until just a couple days ago it has been too stupid freaking hot and humid. Another heat wave and I am not having it anymore, (or at least that is what I tell myself. Not like there is anything I can do about it),, but at least we were camping. We went to Little River, hung out I the kayaks on the breezy cool reservoir, did a little hike but had to cut it short due to ongoing back pain (still) and a million tiny no see-ums flying into my eyeballs. We then went back to the campsite, made dinner, ate, sat around a very small fire (too freaking hot to rage it) and crawled into the tent. Woke up, drank the coffee and walked to the water, then packed up and headed home.

The rest of the week went by in a flash. I moved almost 100 green pieces to the studio to be fired (glazing next week is going to be a bear). We took the littles for ice cream after their first day of school (and to check out Judah’s new hair cut!) then we went and hung out with So who showed us all her halloween stuff and her mad skills at drawing with her feet. I picked up farm share. I ate an entire watermelon, and we did all the things that needed to be done, talked about some stuff that needed talking about, and made plans for the plans we have.

Last night the mr and I went up to Belvidere for a little adverntue with some of the family. We took a ride around 170 acres on a giant 4 wheeler contraption, (7 people. 5 seats. But we made it work. Only once did someone (David) fall off the back while in motion.) looked at barns and apple trees, and hung out with the coolest old lady that I have ever meet. Vermont people are the best!

Anywho, it’s Sunday. I am tires as all hell but whatever. The mr and I have the camping plans in place and I am ready to veg out mentally today. Should probably take it easy physically too cause my back is still the shit…. Or not, we will see how stupid I behave.

Internet from the week.

-The complicated reality of doing what you love. True that.

-Do you like licorice? Red or black? I don’t know many who like black but I think the mr does. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Licorice

-I have learned the hard way that stretching is key. What actually happens when you pull a muscle?

-A heart of sheep.

-Keep your muffins high. A Bakery Hack for Sky-High Muffins

- The Opposite of Toxic Positivity. Sometimes leaning into the dark is just what we need to do.

- Your poop can tell you a lot! The Poop About Your Gut Health and Personalized Nutrition-

-Don’t be an asshole when you are flying or you might just get your ass kicked. Flight attendants train in self-defense amid spike in unruly passengers

-Odd Apples: A New Photo Book Celebrates the Strange and Enchanting Fruit

Pictures from the week.

Sunday Happy

So yeah, the past week hasn’t been the greatest. I am feeling super overwhelmed with all that is going on with and inside the world and I have hit a mental wall. And I know that I am not the only one. All the things…It’s a lot. So that is where I am at right now. A stressed out mental trash can. But I am trying to be positive so yeah….😐

But the week was not all doom and gloom and anger and stress. It started with a kayak on a pond which is the best way to start a week. After the yak we set up camp, went for a hike, ate soup, then slept under the stars. Woke up and walked the darkness then drank all the coffee before heading back to town.

The rest of the week was and happened. Took Barb to the farm to pick tomatoes and flowers. Walked around a lot looking at all the summer flowers. Spent a good amount of time icing my back because I am old now and I guess sometimes the wrong movement will pinch a nerve. Also the heat and humidity that has been plaguing us has kept me cranky and not at all helped my body in any way. But even tough my back was killing me and I was hot to the point of melting I still went for a bike ride to Moms with Barb, picked up watermelon at farm share, and went for a walk with Shannon. I tried to sit at my wheel, and I did manage to trim a few pots, but other then that, the pain in the back won out so not much got done. And so it goes.

Sunday. Off to the woods. Looks like the hurricane that is hitting the east coast will not be effecting us too much until tomorrow so we are heading out for the next 24 hours which is good because I really need the quiet and peace of the trees.

Stuff from the internet from the week. Keeping it light.

-Are your houseplants actually good for the planet? Good question.

-Its just about that time of year. A Completely Delicious Guide to Popular Types of Pie

-Good way to recycle some paper. How to Make Paper Flowers in 12 Beautiful Ways.

-Someone mentioned a eating a chip butty and this is what it is. The Chip Butty Is the Deranged Nonsensical Sandwich of My Dream

-Overwhelmed with Cleaning? You Don’t Need Balance — You Need a “Tilt”. I agree, bu to actually stop, well I am going to beed therapy for that. HA!

-If you need some Beyoncé in your day. Beyoncé's Evolution

-Square pizzas…. Still with that shit? Why school lunches feel like they’re frozen in time.

-I Love Throwing My Kids’ Artwork in the Garbage While They’re Sleeping. Haha! I LOVE all the art work the little create and I have kept my favorites but sometimes a good purge is needed, and that is at my house. They don’t even live here!

-A Poetic Book Illustrated by Tiffany Bozic Explores the Vast Diversity of Trees with Childlike Curiosity ♥️♥️♥️

Pictures from the week

Sunday Happy

If you were not stupid hot this past week well then weren't you just the luckiest one. Me, I was on the verge of a god damn breakdown. SO hot and humid for so long, I seriously was losing my shit. But I am better now because the heat wave broke and I can move, breath, and think again. And what I am thinking is that summer should be over and I am 100% ready fall.

Beside the heat wave almost killing me and making me the most miserable and bitchy person in the world, the week was great. It started off with family hoopla up in Belvedere. My Dad was here, the cousins, and most of the siblings. We ran around, talked and yelled, complained about this and that, and laughed at the expense of each other. Then the mr and I, with the help of the littles, set up our tent in the field and when were were overly exhausted that night, we crawled into then tent for a little shut eye. ( I barely slept because the tent was set up by the littles and they placed in on a weird incline so I was like rolling around all night.) The next morning I woke up early and took a walk to the river with Megan, drank all of Dads coffee, packed up the tent wit the mr, and then half of us went for a long ass bike ride. By the time we were finished, I was finished and it was starting to get really hot. It was a great couple of days and it was time to go home.

And then it got even hotter and more humid. A freaking heatwave. So I did what I could to not melt or kill someone. I spent most of my time either working in the basement or laying on the kitchen floor. I dis go on a little hike by the lake with the Mr, Megan and So thinking it might be a little cooler (it was not) and then had all the littles over for an afternoon of popsicles, ice cream, and sprinkler action, but ther then that I can’t really think of to much else that was done because well my brain was fried.

But then it rained yesterday. Really hard really fast and the heat broke. Thank fucking god because I could take it anymore. So even though I spent most of the day doing chores, cutting hair, and freaking out about stupid things, I was much better then I had been all week.

I am excited for today. I am not sure if it is because we are tossing the camping shit into the car and getting out of here or if it because it is only suppose to get into the mid 70’s and with no humidity. Either one, I am here and happy for it! A day of kayaking and hiking and sleeping outside. The good stuff.

Internet from the week

-July Was The Hottest Month In Recorded Human History. Yes and now we are fucked.

-Has This Summer Felt Off to Anyone Else?, One hundred percent yes.

-Antivaxers Think Their ‘Pure’ Semen Will Skyrocket in Value. Wow. Wow, wow wow.

-One of the nephews ins moving into a dorm for the first time and let me tell you, his mama is losing her shit and buying it all. Also, his dorm is five minutes from his house and around the corner from a store if he needed to get anything. The college dorm shopping industrial complex is real

-A Great British Spraycation.

-Where there is a risk for fire well it is a no brainer. It’s Time to Cancel Campfires

-Cake season is coming upon us, especially me. At least 2 birthday cakes a month for the next 8 months! Cake Is Hard—Here Are 7 Pro Tips to Make Cake Baking Easier

-This is exactly where I should live. Completely in love. The Soot House: Conjuring the Ghosts of Old New England on Spruce Head in Maine

-Don’t Throw Out Your Olive Brine!. I always use olive brine to splash on veggies. It is delicious. Don’t Throw Out Your Olive Brine!

-Ducks, Otters, and Other Wildlife Plunge into Water in Intricate Split-View Embroideries. I want these, they are so fantastic.

Pictures from the week.

Sunday Happy

We are in the thick of it, the middle of summer. And for some reason I have yet to really feel any real summery vibe, if that makes any sense. I don’t know what it is. I am hot as hell, outside more then in, running around with little to no clothing on and have the dirtiest feet, eating all the summer veggies, and living all the summertime adventures. And yet something, some feeling that I usually feel is yet to be had. Huh. I guess there is still time but to be honest, I am already wishful for fall. (I am and will always be that person.)

The week was good. Started off with soggy camping in the Groton State Forest. Went kayaking then hiking, and then set up camp, all in a light rain. It wasn’t down pouring but everything was wet. We did out best drying out by the fire and by the time we both ate our camp lentil stew and climbed into the tent to sleep, we assed out. Then we woke up, made the coffee, busted down camp, then headed back home.

And the rest of the week flew by. Beside the the usual we took a couple of smaller hikes. I picked up farm share which is now starting to really amp up (giant tomatoes!). I picked flowers and lots of turnips from the garden and spent a lot of time hanging with Megan and So. I got pooped on by a bird and developed a gigantic blood blister on my ding-a-ling thing in my throat (uvula ?) which was gross and unnecessary. And then at the end of the week we took a long drive south to the Vermont Ceramic Store and got me 250 lbs of clay (should keep me busy for a little while). All in all, a busy, satisfying, got shit done, week.

And we are back to Sunday and back to our camping schedule. We have 2 state parks to choose from so not exactly sure where we will end up. All I know is that I have been looking forward to getting back out in the tent since we packed it up last Monday. I always wonder why we come home. I am meant to live in the woods.

Internet from the week.

-Just Say No to Peat: It’s Time to Rethink the Compost and Soil You Buy. Seriously.

-This is freaking awesome and I will be visiting it! A Skywalk Just Opened Up That Goes 100 Feet Above the Sequoia Redwoods

-Addison County Is Now Home To The Largest Anaerobic Digester In The Northeast. So How Does It Work? Fuel from poop! Vermont Proud!

-DIY Tiny Cabin on Wheels. This is one of those towable cabins that actually makes sense.

-Ask anyone that comes through my doors. Shoes off before entering or I will flip the F out! Please Don’t Wear Your Outdoor Shoes Inside My Home

-I might actually have the opposite problem….I can never find my phone. HA! But I know more people then not (just about everyone) that have this problem. Glued To Your Phone? Here's How To Rethink Your Relationship With Social Media

-If I am not into a book within the first chapter, I move on. Sometime I go back if I think it was just a wrong book, wrong time situation. But if it just seemed like shitty writing, well I’m a not gonna read it. There are far too many books that I need to read to waste my time. 6 Reasons It’s Totally OK to Give Up on a Book, According to Librarians and Podcasters

-That is a lot of words. From “5G” to “Zaddy”: Dictionary.com Adds Over 300 New Words And Definitions

-Hey You! Freeze Those Summer Green Beans. I usually get a bag or two but I have a hard time not eating them all before I get a chacne to freeze them.-

Pictures from the week.

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.