Sunday Happy

Every morning before I head out for my run, I play the weather guessing game.I step outside and feel the air and declare the temperature. This week I have been getting really good. All in the mid to upper 30’s, one morning it was 30. Bellow freezing which is fucking cold and I love it! I don’t know if it is a Vermont thing or a me thing but every time it is just about freezing I think,'“If it were to precipitate right now it would be snow?” Do you do that too? I have got snow on the brain, can you tell?

The week started off with hiking and camping at Little River. Our last camping adventure for the year. It was great thought, a nice cool but not freezing day. The colors were still popping and there wasn’t a shit ton of people around. The park was pretty much empty. So we did our hiking, made food, hung by the fire, and crawled into the tent for the last time. Woke up to a bit of rain, went for my early morning walk, then packed up and came home.

The rest if the week went. I picked the last of the flowers and chard from the garden, moved all the houseplants inside, picked up the last summer farm share, and worked a lot in both studios. Nothing too exciting.

Now back to Sunday. No camping and I am sad about it, although it is pouring rain at the moment and if we were to be going, it would probably suck…Nah, who am I kidding, I would’ve loved it anyway but that’s a moot point. So what am I going to do today? I think I am going to the studio to glaze some shit and probably going to take myself out to the woods somewhere and hike about for a little while. Then later tonight we are taking the two boys (Coco and Judah) out for trick or treating because Halloween and all. That should be fun, especially because Judah decided to dress uo as Nick. Fake beard and all. It’s gonna be some funny shit!

Internet from the week.

-I actually think about this a lot. The Joy & Opportunity Of Dropping A Routine. I live in a routine and when I step away from it…Its pretty great. Sometimes.

-How an 1880s train carriage became a contemporary living space in Dungeness. Cool cool

-Did food taste better 50 years ago? Can we even know?

-I sleep with a very very loud snorer. And occasionally kicker. How to Share a Bed With a Partner—& Actually Get a Good Night's Sleep

-I am always in the kitchen when people are over so there is never a place to hide! How to Get Guests Outta Your Kitchen (Please).

-People can be really stupid. Check Out These Hilarious One-Star Reviews of National Parks

-We Tested 6 Methods for Storing Mushrooms and Found a Clear Winner. I need a paper bag.

-Visible Mending Isn’t Just for Clothes, and I Think It Should Become the Next Big Home Decor Trend. I am all about this. Take my couch. It is amazing but is very tattered and needs mending ever now and then. I don’t hide it cause the mend is pretty too!

-Hundreds of Ceramic Marine Creatures Radiate in Gradients to Show the Effects of Coral Bleaching

Pictures from the week.

Sunday Happy

I am ready, ready for summer to be over. It was so nice for a few days. Not hot, cool nights, but then it started to get hot again and I started to get real bitchy again so yeah, done with it. Plus I am really craving apples. 🍎🍏🍎

We had a good start to the week with a great camp adventure. Sure it rained a whole bunch but we knew that going in so we were prepared. Rain jackets, a canopy to put over the picnic tables, extra clothes. And really, most of the day it wasn’t pouring to badly and hiking around in the woods, the rain doesn’t get you ad bad. We did decide not to bring the kayaks because I wasn’t feeling lightning and water, but hey, that is just me. And we were able to have a nice big warm fire after dinner thanks to the mr been smart and good with flames and wood. It was great and perfect timing too because once we crawled into the tent for the night, well that was when the rain really started to come down. But again, no worries, we started dry.

And we woke up, still a little rain coming down, made coffee, tossed everything into the car and headed back to the rest of the week.

What did we do? Nothing much different then all the rest if the weeks. Hung with Barb, Had the littles over for food and play and then had a girls afternoon where Barb, Miley, and I made cookies and cakes for the upcoming weekend. I have been harvesting lots of goodies from the garden, pickling and freezing all the zucchini, and watching my pumpkin rapidly grow bigger and bigger. I thew some pots, but things have been drying really slow so that means studio stuff slows down too. And thats about sums it up I guess.

Today is the annual Stem family get together. (We didi’t do it last year cause, well you know.) After I spend the morning doing some chores we are heading up to Belvedere to the cabin and hanging with my people. Camping there too. I am really excited to see my family, see the Dad, and also see them in the comforts of the woods in the middle of nowhere so I can run away if need be. And its great that we have camping built in to the day. It is one of my favorite places to camp so it will be good, even if it is suppose to thunderstorm all afternoon. We are getting use to camping in the rain.

Internet from the week

-August 8 Is One Of The Luckiest Days Of The Year. And it’s today! So should I play the lottery?

-Summertime And Vacationing Isn't Easy. Blame It On Climate Change. And blame that on humans.

-Basically the only time I wear a bra is when I am running and that is only because I don’t have pockets in my shorts to shove my phone into it (in the winter I have pockets so no need for the bra). It acts more like a pocket than anything else. HA! Why So Many Women Are Turning Their Backs On The Bra

-Yes to all of these. Designers on Holiday: Modern, Minimalist Tents, Cabins, Guest Houses, and More

-We Tried 9 Ways to Shuck Corn (and Really Get the Silk Off!) and Found a Clear Winner. How do you shuck corn? And does the silk really bother you? I don’t care if there is a few strands but that is me.

-I take a lot of pictures but I also don’t take a lot of pictures. Sometime I just don’t want to it is going to interferes with me being present. To Remember The Moment, Try Taking Fewer Photos

-Homeownership can bring out the worst in you. There is a lot to think about when owning a home.

-Just like antibacterial shit, hand sanitizer kits the bad and the good. You might be overusing hand sanitizer

--A Serendipitous Photo Captures an Acrobatic Goose Contorting Its Body to Fly Upside Down

Pictures from the week

Sunday Happy

Happy August! Best month of the summer because it is starting to feel cooler out at times (Yay for morning sweaters!!), the tomatoes and eggplants are growing with vigor, and well, it means summer is coming to an end and fall will be here soon. Whoop whoop!

The week went. We stared with a sunny camp day. Took the kayaks out, set up the tent, went for a hike, and while we were out we had a passing rain cloud dumped a ton of rain, while the sky was still blue, all over our camp site. No big deal except we didn't have the rain fly on the tent (again, the sky was blue) so the inside of the of the tent and all of our stuff got soaked and whatever, we dealt with it because that is what you do. Anyway, we dried out as much as we could then sat by the fire, ate camp soup, then crawled into the wet tent. Woke up, tossed it all into the truck and headed out.

Back in town life went on pretty much as usual, although the mr couldn't eat for the entire day (medical test stuff) so he was a real right treat to deal with. But we did the stuff we do and then some. The mr then had his doctors thing the following day and then ate all the food (and stopped being an asshole) so that was good. Beside all that jazz, I had lunch with Barb and hung out with Meg and So. I threw lots of pot, picked a lot of zucchini, and watched as my tower of beans grew to enormous heights. We went on a few more walk, jaunts, and the such and enjoyed the cooler weather as much as we could. And after watching it grow grow grow, my bean tower fell over. The weight of it snapped one of the sticks so the mr and I had to rig it up with rope and more wood. It is the craziest my beans have ever gotten.

Yesterday, spur of the moment, the mr and I dragged a tired little Coco out for ice cream. We tossed him in a wagon, walked to town, ordered him a cone, and held his hair back while he silently and intensely ate it. Then the sugar kicked in and he was wagon surfing all the way home. Highlight of the week. HA!

Today after a few morning chores we are heading out again. It is suppose to rain all afternoon and night so we are going into camping prepared for it. (Gonna set up the rain fly asap!). I have no problem hiking and playing in the rain but I am not a big fan of being drenched while sleeping. Hopefully it isn’t a complete washout!

Internet from the week.

-When Masks Become Trash. I live in a relatively clean state and I still see masks all over the place. It pisses me off a whole lot.

-I guess I am a super hero cause I sweat A LOT. Why Sweat Is A Human Superpower

-30 Things You Should Know About Veggies by the Time You’re 30. Veggie knowledge to know at any age.

-How Big Beverage poured empty promises down our throats. So much liquid in so many bottles! I sometimes feel guilty about buying seltzer now and then. But that is all I will buy. All those crazy drinks, I don’t get it.

-If the Hardiest Species Are Boiled Alive, What Happens to Humans? I count myself a lucky one. Here in Vt we haven’t had the crazy heat like the rest if the country. I don’t think, no I know I couldn’t handle it. Shit is real friends and that shit is bad.

-If I were to win an Olympic medal I think bronze would be the one I would want to win. Top three but don’t have to worry about always being the #1 or the one that was almost #1. Yeah, bronze seems good. Why Bronze Medalists Are Likely Happier Than Those Who Win Silver

-Spending a lot of time planning for a trip here!

-Who Actually Buys a Gold Toilet?. You ask me ans I would say an asshole.

-Thousands of Fresh and Artificial Flowers Overrun an Abandoned Convenience Store in a Small Michigan Town. 😁

Pictures from the week

Sunday Happy

Well we did it, made it to a new year. And now here we go!

The week between Christmas and New Years is always a weird one. I think I need to start treating the time as time off and not time I need to feel crazy and try and do as much shit as I can. So next year I’ll do that. Anyway it was a busy but good The mr and I did a lot of house projects like shelf building in the basement and linen closet and cleaning light fixtures .The mr started a new bathroom remodel job and I have been setting myself up to get a bunch of pots done in the next few weeks (All the hearts for Valentines Day!) all the while trying not to bug out much over that fact that with a new year comes new taxes. Why the heck can’t I stop thinking about them!?! I really just want to get that shit done and out of my head sooner then later. I am trying to be organized and think ahead like a good, responsible adult. BLAH. But what I did do which only took like a year was, we FINALLY bought new phones! It got to the point that the mr’s phone completely broke and he was interacting with people through his email on the iPad. So I did it, just bought them. He immediately stuck his sim into it and has been rocking it out. Me, well mine is still wrapped in plastic in the box because I am lame like that. Plus I am waiting for the case to come in the mail. But mostly I don’t care enough yet. (Although it will be nice to use the camera. The camera on my phone now is busted and won’t focus. if you can tell.)

Besides all of that we also had the littles over for a little birthday party for Judah (HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY!). He and the mr played with his new tools, engaged In some games of chess with Coco while Miley completely ignored us all and I made French fries, salad, and an ice cream cake. His mother brought the sushi (I don’t mess around with raw fish)! And we finished it all off with some wiggle dancing with Barb because what is a party without some wiggle dancing?

I am not a huge giver of a shit when it comes to New Years so NYE we just did whatever. I did try to watch a movie with the mr, but I just ended up falling asleep and was in bed by 930. New Years Day we took the day and went for a nice long drive out to the NEK and just spent time not doing. That was nice.

And then it was Saturday and it snowed and I was happy. Like really happy. I was even so happy to shovel out the driveway and smiled while I scrapped the ice of the car windshield because I really just like a cold snowy winter. You know? And then I started on my cleaning binge, took little breaks of snow time walks, went into the woods with the mr and Barb so they could get some snow time, and started packing up the Christmas decorations. It is all down except for the tree. All the ornaments are packed away but I left the lights up. One or two more days. I just love having a light wrapped tree in the house! (It is finally starting to drop needles so it won’t last long)

Today is day 2 of a weekend cleaning binge. First off though, me and Barb are going to go for a nice snowy hike and then maybe hit up a grocery store for food. But after that I am thinking today is the day I clear out my closet and just get rid of everything! (I really don’t have a lot of clothes but I stopped folding things and just started shoving things into the shelves few months back and now it looks a hot mess and I have basically not changed from the same 3 outfits for the past couple months). I need to remember what clothes I have and maybe even wear some of them! That and I might finally pull out the winter comforter but don’t tell the mr! I don’t want him to get his hopes up just incase I change my mind. (I hate the heavy comforter but he LOVES IT and I am trying to be nice.)

And that is it.

Happy New Year!

Internet from the week.

-Wow, what a trip to do this. Should I? Nope, It enough for me to just look at random pictures of myself and think how freaking young I was. The Photographer Who Set Out to Watch Herself Age.

-10 Things Nobody Tells You About Clutter (and How to Get Rid of It). Clutter sucks ad that we all know.

-I am not one for trends but I am on board with most of these. 21 Kitchen Design Trends We Predict Will Be Huge for 2021

-Liking this, especially the see through roof part. This Prefab Cabin Is Like Three Houses In One

-The only real way to detox your body. Water, but read for yourself.

-I have learned over there years that taking the time to organize and pack things nicely really is huge for when it comes time to pull it out again next year…. And ALWAYS wrap your lights! ORGANIZE AND STORE YOUR CHRISTMAS DECOR LIKE A PRO!

-The Weirdest Lies We Told as Children. I used to tell people my Dad was the drummer in the Beatles. More a misunderstanding then a lie though because he looked like George Harrison, played the drums in a band, and they covered a few Beatles songs..

-So cool.Sleeping Whales: Photographer Reveals What Whales Look Like When They Snooze

-Elementary School Kids Design the Christmas Lights in This Scottish Town. All towns should have their kids d this. I love it so much.

-Yurts, Igloos And Pop-Up Domes: How Safe Is 'Outside' Restaurant Dining This Winter?. I wonder. It seems like people thing if they eat inside of an outside structure, that it is not inside? The logic confuses me a bit.

And some pictures from the week.

-C

Sunday Happy

Where did all the snow go? It was so lovely for a good part of the week and then bam, woke up and it was gone. And way to freaking warm. BOOOO. That was even worse then no snow. It just needs to snow and stay put and stop being warm. I hate global warming. So. Much.

The week was good, if not a bit hectic. Started off with the mr and I going over to the loft and having Christmas craft time and decorated her tree. I brought her all of my old ornaments and we made yarn garland and listen to Christmas music and it was just the best. And now Gigi has a brand new tree full of all the toys she could possible want to climb and destroy. She was chewing on the lights even before they were on the tree so yeah, not worries at all…

After that it was a good few days of me being busy busy, trying to finishing up some pots and dropping pieces off to people who bought them. I am getting ready for the last little push before Christmas and am trying to not let it stress me out.

Thursday, December 10th. One of my favorite days of the year because it is the day the mr was born. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVE! Because of COVID we didn’t do his traditional grilled cheese party which was sad (next year its on!) but we did have a lovely day. He woke up to strong man and a balloon (plus all his favorite breakfast things). Then after a lazy morning we drove to a little mountain and climbed it in the snow. After that he went off to do some plant stuff while I made a cake and lasagna. Barb and him then came home and we had dinner, cake to the tune of KPOP singers singing happy birthday in Korean, and ended the day watching Home Alone and me falling asleep on the couch. All in all, I think he had a good day.

And that is it. Not much else other then us trying to finish and get the last of the Christmas cards made and out in the mail. That and I bit a hole in my tongue (it was brutal) and have developed a very curious, if not concerning squeak in my big toe. Feels and sounds like walking on snow…. Yup. And that is that. Just busy busy and maybe a little boring. And old? Haha, a little.

Today involves a mad dash to the studio to glaze the for the last time before Christmas. After that, the mr and I are going to go for a drive/hike somewhere and then maybe come home and finally put the decorations on the tree. We have been slacking hard on tree decoctions this year. The rest of the house looks A+, but there is something so magical about a tree with just lights so I haven’t felt the need to decorate it. But I finally want to so tonight, we will, maybe.

Internet things from the week.

-The Danger of Assuming That Family Time Is Dispensable. Because it is not. Damn, I miss my family, but we need keep each other safe. And think of how awesome the next safe family gathering will be… We might even all be nice to each other or a while. HA, yeah right.

-Welcome to Our Museum of Smells. Do you have a specific smell? I have so many but top of my head is nag champa incense.. The mr had stuffed a giant box in his closet in his dorm room so all his closes smell like it. Now I associate that smell to him. That a saw dust. Ha.

-Handy when you are shit out _____. A Quick Guide to Ingredient Substitutions

-Canada’s little known Emerald Isle. As so as I read this, I starting planning a trip. (Next year maybe?)

-Utah Wanted All the Tourists. Then It Got Them. I have defiantly noticed how many more people are everywhere outside when just last year there was nobody. And I do worry about all the parks, state and national. It can be a lot of wear and tear and then you have the assholes who trash the places… Don’t be an asshole.

-I’m So Over Brands. And sexy Colonial Sanders.. WTF?

-More info on outdoor socialization How To Retain Your Heat And Stay Upbeat While Socializing In Winter

-Simple and beautiful and I want to live here. A Young Couple’s DIY, Totally Off-the-Grid Cabin in the New Hampshire Woods

-Drake Is About to Launch a Candle Company. Of course he is.

-Oh how I loved the Ikea catalogs..Sad but it’s ok, its better for the environment. 'Emotional But Rational': Ikea Discontinues Its Long-Running Catalog

Pictures from the week.

-C