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

To the last week of the year. Can you even? It’s like all the things happened and at the same time, nothing. Almost like a time warp that I still have yet to wrap my head but I think I am done trying and am just going to move forward from here. A new year. 2021! It’s gonna be good!

The week started off a little hectic. I was finishing up pottery things and dropping of pots all over town. Then grocery shopping ….I had a few things I needed to pick up to get through the week and when I Went out it was a freaking shit show. I think it was more crazy this year cause people were stocking up to spend times at home (quarantining) so yeah, it traumatized me a bit. Then Barb came over and we baked like mad women. So many cookies and muffins and we made them tiny so it looked like a million cookies! After that is was basically just trying to wrap my head around the fact that is is the end of the year, that Christmas was a days away, and that all the snow melted. That pissed me off more then anything.

Then it was Christmas which was weird but good. First off, it was SO freaking HOT. I think it go to like 65 degrees. There was no snow, lots of rain, and it was just not good. My morning run turned into a mud run and I looked like I fell into the pond. But what are you gonna do? I embraced it and wore sandals for the day and walked around the neighborhood taking selfies with all the lawn blowup Christmas things and sent them to my siblings… IT was freaking hilarious. So up until couple weeks ago the family was not going to see each other but I had the greatest idea to all meet at a big parking lot on Christmas. Because it was so freaking darn hot out, we ended up at a park, no jackets or hats, all huddled under a awning because it was kind of raining. But whatever, we made it work and for what it was, it was fantastic. I brought all the cookies to share, we exchanged secret Santa gifts, and the littles ran around burning off their sugar highs. Again, it was weird, and nothing like our usual Christmases but kind of exactly the same. It was the first time we all have been together since like March so it was great. And next Christmas everyone will come back to my house and trash it and I will be missing a park Christmas! HA! Oh, and before I forget HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CAMERON who didn't want to get out of bed to come so I didn’t get to see him..anyways.

Christmas night the mr and I went home, exchanged our stockings (he made me the best most beautiful huge cutting board that I am going to have hard time using cause it is so pretty) and I made him a ceramic slice of pizza and got him old man vitamins that are in the form of candy so he will take them. Then I basically passed out and that was that.

Then Saturday we went and said hi to Anthony because it was his birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY Anthony!) and then I spent the rest of the day in a foggy weirdness that was the day after Christmas.

Today the mr and I are starting on one of the Christmas presents he gave me… Shelving in the basement and in the linen closet!!! He set up all the tools, got the wood, we measured it all out, and now all that it needs is to be cut and put together! This is the best present ever!. (Every year I ask for shelves of some kind. It has turned into a thing) After that I Am sure I will spend the rest of the day organizing what is going on the shelves (a lot o f camping stuff) and cleaning up the mess that is sure to come from the mr going in and out the back door to cut wood. And I don’t even care cause SHELVES!

Internet from the week

-No New New Years' Resolutions. Are people even doing that anymore?

-This Foldable, $23K Tiny Cabin Pops Up in Less Than 3 Hours And it actually seems like legit.

-This is me Most people would be happy to never shake your hand again

-I just explained this to the littles the other day. What is a solstice? And other questions about the shortest day of the year, answered

-The Great Bicycle Boom of 2020. I couldn’t find a bike this summer and I even got my old shitty bike stolen so yeah, people are riding bikes which is pretty cool. (Stolen bike is not cool)

-The Absolute Best Way to Make Peanut Butter

-2020 In The Kitchen: The Year We Spent Making, Baking, Frying And Trying. It was all about the kitchen!

-A house that knows my soul. Lovely, Dark, and Deep: An 1800s Victorian House in Nebraska, Restored Down to the Doorknobs

-I need new shoes that are not running shoes or sandals and I miss my clogs. Maybe if these go on sale..

And a few pictures from the week..

Sunday Happy

Can you even believe it’s the week of Thanksgiving? Like really, it is. I know right? And yeah, it might be a little more low key and quiet and maybe even non existent this year, but hey, if missing a big family gathering (we are skipping our big family thanksgiving) will keep more people from getting sick, well then I say that is oh so fine by me. We will just float the holiday until we can all safely be together. Thanksgiving in April. Maybe we will make it a new yearly thing. Here’s to new traditions!

Another week past and not a whole heck of a lot happened of interest. The mr and I have been busy with lots of little things that need to be done around the house and the other houses and life. I have been trying to get a good chunk of glazing done so I have stuff stocked for selling and the mr has been riding around town with the scooter (the truck in in the shop) fixing things and doing whatever he does when he doesn't have a big project going on, all the while staying away from all the people, like way away. I did go for a walk with Megan and So in the woods and the mr, Barb, and I also took the littles for a nice walk because outdoors in fine and we need to hang with the littles, but other then that, no peoples. Oh, and we (fyi, Barb is basically always part of “we”. She basically lives with us now) took Gigi to the vets to get spayed. Another to do checked off the list.

And it snowed a little and it made me happy. I also picked up farm share and got 2 gigantic stocks of Brussels sprouts which is always a good thing, and I repotted a bunch of house plants that need replanting.

Wow, when I read that back to myself….. 😬

Sunday again. Happens every week. The mr and I are taking a drive to go walk some property that I am probably way to optimistic about, but damn, we need to get land before everyone buys it all up! This chunk looks oh so pretty and nice and hard to get to and has all the trees. At the very least, we are going to walk around in the woods for a little while so there’s that. And as far as for when I get home and have the rest of the afternoon to do whatever, welp I think it is time to bust out the Christmas decorations! It’s happening. I am excited!

Internet from the week.

-Are you sending baked goods in the mail? This is a good guide to have if you are. A Comprehensive Guide to Sending Baked Goods in the Mail.

-Yes. This is awesome. This Company Will Send a Cardboard Cutout of You To Your Family’s Holiday Dinner

-Sedentary Pandemic Life Is Bad for Our Happiness. I know that sedentary anytime is bad for my happiness.If I don’t exercise everyday I am a monster! And go course it important that people take care of themselves and do what they need to do but sometimes you have to push yourself a little to get up and move. It will always make you feel better!

-How have I gone through 34+ years of life and have yet to live in a treehouse? This is a change I need to make. This one would done just fine.

-Or maybe I skip the “House” all together and just start sleeping in trees. On Sleeping in the Largest Organism on Earth

-Ever Wonder Why Crying Sometimes Makes You Feel Better? Experts Explain the Science. I am not a crier unless I am so so angry. An angry crier. Maybe I should try and cry more?

-A Case for Using Your “Good Stuff” This Season. I never understand when people have “good” or “special” things that they never use. What is the point? I would much rather use that special thing(s) and if they get broken or ruined, well at least it was used.

- My top 3 all time favorite shows ever is having reunion! 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' reunion!

-REVERSIBLE HOUSE SHOES. I really like theses!

-How the Covid-19 pandemic hit the cut-flower chain. Oh the flowers, and every other crop. Stupid COVID. Barb and I were planning on going to Denmark in the spring to bike around the tulip farms… Not happening now. Let hope for Spring 2022!

Pictures from the week.

-C

Sunday Happy

Well another week has blown on by. A week that started off in summer and has returned to it’s rightful season of winter. IT got really freaking warm there for a couple of days and it really confused the heck out of my body. I kept putting on sweaters and hats just to have to take them off. But at least I got to wear my sandals once more before they go away for the next 5 months. Oh Vermont. There is a saying here that if you don’t like the weather, well just wait 10 minutes. And that is a truth.

Other then being completely engrossed in weather related things, political craziness, and freaking out a little about how the COVID numbers are climbing hard and fast around here, the week was not crazy eventful although Shannon did turn 40. HAPPY BIRTHDAY B”OTCH! And now ! am a sister with a sister that is 40. 😳 The mr and I celebrated with her by bringing her presents and taking her old ass for a walk. No big party cause well, you know COVID, but I think seeing me was party enough for her. HA

What else? Oh, the mr got out the old chainsaw and cut down a giant (already dead) tree that was about fall on one of our houses so that was good. We went to the beach with Barb, I made some clay Christmas trees while procrastinating all the glazing work I need to do, and spent a good amount of time going through and getting rid of shit. I am at a point in my life where I just want to own nothing which is exactly the opposite of the mr who is becoming more and more of a hoarder as he gets older. I told him no more but we might need to leave in separate houses soon.I can’t stand stuff!

And back to Sunday. Today the mr and I have plans to pack a lunch and take off, find a quiet place to eat, and maybe go for a hike if it is not raining by then. After that I should come home and do all the stupid shit I need to do, but you know, we will see how I am feeling. I know I am gonna make a big pot of soup so maybe while I am making soup I will make a list of the stupid shit, plus all the things that I need to do in the coming week. That’s it. I will organize and make soup. Sounds a-okay to me.

What the internet showed me this week

-What America’s First Ad Hoc COVID Memorials Look Like. They are starting to pop up, and they are only getting bigger.

-Skip Thanksgiving. Yup. We are all doing it. And it sucks but you know what, is a few hours of, lets face it, mostly bickering, worth maybe getting someone sick?

-Why do Americans like it to be 72 degrees inside? I HATE this so much. keep it 60 friends and grab a freaking sweater if you are cold. Jeez

-Not only is she a badass, she is also so right about Buffys love life. This lady, she understands the world. Stacey Abrams Can Fight Voter Suppression and Talk Buffy the Vampire Slayer at the Same Time

-Why Britney Spears’s fans are convinced she’s being held captive. Not the first or even the fith time I have heard this. I am starting to think it might be true too!

-Please do not use that piece of glass to cut things. Thanks! Your Glass Cutting Board Is for DISPLAY ONLY

-These photographs are everything. I actually saw a piece years ago very similar to these and they it has stuck with me. Birds, they are magnificent. BLACK SUN: Amorphous Flocks of Starlings Swell Above the Danish Marshlands

-Time for a new knitting project.

-The Cider-Sipping, Mitten-Wearing Guide To 2020 Holiday Movies. I know you want to know.

-I didn’t know that this was a known thing. Why Germans love getting naked in public.

Sunday Happy

Just the other night the mr and I were having the conversations about doing the heater checks in all the apartments, what the plans are going to be for the holidays, and all the end of the year things that need to be done before, well the end of the year. It was a weird conversation because were did the year even go? 2020 flying on by through a shit storm and we are not slowing down.

Another great week that began with more fantastic hiking and camping. We were at one of my favorite places, Groton Forest, ans lucky not a whole heck of a lot of people were there. Our hikes were beyond gorgeous,the air was cool, it was quiet and calm, and the sky was clear. Just a solid A+ camp.

Then we slept, woke up, broke down camp and came home. Every week we come home is hard. The mr and I could live in the woods forever! Life goals.

The rest of the week went as usual. The mr off doing all the work he always is doing plus talking to plumbers, plaining wood with Judah, selling (and sold) Barbs car, and was getting in as much fall scootering as he could before the thing needs to be stored away for winter. Me, same same. Studio stuff. Did some glazing, made more things, trying to get super ready for the holiday season and have a good stock of stuff to sell.

Not much really in the way fo eventfulness maybe besides me and Miley made a cake for shits and giggles then had dinner with Barb. Or that the mr and I filled out our ballets and I went and dropped them off at city hall. We also took the boys for a bike/walk. I picked up my second to last farm share for the summer (winter share starts in November) Oh, and I broke my freaking favorite eating fork. I have been eaten almost all my meals with this fork for like 10 years and it was truly a fantastic fork, perfect weight, perfect angle, perfect sharp tines. So that shook me. But I’ll be ok.

Today the mr and I are heading out for our second to last camp. Already sad about it but I am trying to not think about it too much. I want to just enjoy all the trees ans colors and go for a good hike and sit by a nice fire and go to sleep on the ground. All the good things.

Internet to read if you are so inclined.

-The mr and I had this conversation a few months back. It is pretty interesting to heat and see what others think too We Asked Americans How They Feel About The U.S. Flag. It Got Interesting.

-This Kitchen.. 2 different stoves and a wood fireplace!

-I am going to be one with the cracked teeth, I have jaw problems as it is ans I don’t remember the last time I have’t clenched my jaw. Oh wait, I think it was sometime in 2016. Sleepless Nights, Hair Loss And Cracked Teeth: Pandemic Stress Takes Its Toll

-Why social media makes you feel so old. So so old.

-I never put my vintage pyrex into the oven because I am always afraid of it exploding (it has happened before and has stayed with me) What You Really Need to Know About Exploding Glass Bakeware

-How to Survive 5 Extreme Weather Scenarios. We have been caught in some pretty extreme weather. I guess we are lucky to be alive. HA!

-Ad ode to the fork. The Rise of the Fork

-What’s the Weirdest Place You’ve Taken a Call Lately?. If you haven’t talked on the phone while you are on the toilet, well then, where are yo talking from?

-Chairs. PLEASE, HAVE A SEAT.

-Kill Your Gas Stove. I have come to terms with the fact that that next time I need a new stove or am building a new kitchen, no more gas. Induction it will be.

Pictures from the week

-C