Sunday Happy

Happy last day of February! Add a rapidly meting snow pack with 40 degree temaptures and we got ourselves a bonafide spring going on. Haha. I am not fooled. I have lived in this state my whole life. This is just a tease. I fully expect another snow storm and frigid temperatures to return again soon. But is sure is nice to have the windows open in the house for a little while!

Another week. More of the same stuff. Went for a little hike with the mr and then another with Megan, Barb, and So. I dived head on into 2020 paperwork for all of our favorite duty as Americans…Taxes. (😑), and Paul came over and sat on my back porch while I shaved his head. I worked, I read a book, I ran a lot. And that is about it.

Today the mr and I are going somewhere to walk the woods and have a car picnic lunch. After that I have a few house chores I need to get done. The littles (Miley, Judah, and Emerson) are going to be staying with us for the week while their mom has surgery so we are getting ready for that. I guess I probably should go grocery shopping as well. They eat a lot. Wish us luck!

The past week of interneting.

-Spring Weather Lore. I have heard a few of these. Vermonters talk about the weather a lot.

-I am not a marathoner but I run 4-5 miles everyday. It is crazy how spot on this is about runners, or what I think about a least. (I am not a badminton player so I wouldn’t know) What Marathoners (and Badminton Players) Think About

-5 Techniques for Mastering Your Spice Cabinet. Use all the spices!

-These pictures are so freaking sweet and amazing. Photographers Make Kids' Wildest Dreams Come To Life

-Will Regenerative Agriculture Change How We Grocery Shop?

-I did not know a yellow penguin even existed. I love it. A Rare Yellow Penguin Has Been Photographed for the First Time on a South Georgia Island

-I do all of these so I agree. 5 Cleaning Habits You Should Start Immediately

-We’re having trouble recognizing each other in masks, and it’s getting awkward. And even weirder is having met someone in the past year an not knowing what they actually look like.

-Is the Western way of raising kids weird? Hahaha, yeah but I didn't say it!

Pictures from the week

-C

Sunday Happy

This past week just seemed like one big shit show.

Stupid shit like multiple trips with multiple hours logged at AT&T store (3 mornings of my life and still, STILL, they have not fixed the problem!!!!) Long doctors appointments, crazy people all over the news.. It just was not the best week, you know?

It wasn't all bad. Barb and I got out for a nice hike in the woods, I cleaned up my studio and got a good handle on reclaiming clay. Painted some hearts, read books, drank a lot of coffee, and I finally took the Christmas tree down. I always get a little sad because I love the tree but I alway love how the house feels so big (even though the tree was not that big) once it is down. Oh and the needles… They were EVERYWHERE! I think I vacuumed 5 different times yesterday and still I was finding needles and probably will be finding them until sometime next Christmas.

Then the mr had been on a big remodeling job so he had been gone all day every day so we haven’t seen much of each other which had been kind of sucky. But I think that that job is almost over and we can run away. HAHA, but maybe for real? Anyway…

We are going to start out the week right. Today the only real plan is for the mr and I to spend the day together and go for good hike. Not sure yet where, but it is going to away, like a good while away. We both just need to get out of here, be around some trees, drink lots of coffee, and not deal with anything for a little while.

Stuff from the internet from the week.

-Stressed? Try screaming. Noted.

-This Is How Long You Should Keep Your Holiday Decorations Up, According to Dolly Parton. That is a long time but whatever floats your boat.

-Get out of your head and “Listen to a Random Forest”

-21 Truly Upsetting Vintage Recipes. Why was everything molded?

-Why Is it So Hard to Design a Good Can Opener? I have had few can openers in my day and not all are good. Some really hurt the wrist while others just plan old suck.

-Viennetta, the Fanciest Dessert of the ’90s, Is Back. Like, OMG! I remember these and wanted one so bad but were not a fancy cake family, we were a ice cream sandwich family..

-So awesome. These New LEGO Sets Are Perfect for People Who Can’t Keep Plants Alive

- You're Not Crazy: There IS a Difference Between Morton's and Diamond Crystal. There are so many different salts and it can really screw up a dish if you are not careful.

-The stairs, the arches, the bath tub.. Love this house!

A couple of pictures from the week.

-C

Sunday Happy

Two things that really worth noting for me this week. First, the mr and I went and cut down our Christmas tree!!! Always one of the best days of the year. Into the Green Mountain National Forest we hiked, found our tree, cut it down, and dragged it out. Well the mr actually carried it on he shoulder for about 1.5 miles. (He didi’t want help.) We got the tree home, immediately put it up and wrapped it in lights and I just sat there, with the tree smelling all tree like and I was so happy.

Second, I realized that I like Taylor Swift. Like really love her new album. So that happened.

Now it is safe to say my week was better then the last. How could it not be when you have a freaking tree covered in lights in your living room. I got a lot of stuff done that I have been needing to, I glazed some pots, sold some pots, and organized then trashed my studio(yes in that order). I am slightly freaking out about getting all the “things” done before Christmas as usual but I guess it wouldn’t feel like Christmas if I wasn’t low key bugging about something. And honestly I’m actually less buggy then most years so progress!

Some other good things From the week included a few Christmas light drives which I must say are oh so excellent this year. People really stepping up their light game fr sure. I made So her birthday cake and then Barb, the mr and I went over to Megans and we all stood outside, sang her happy birthday, and did the cake thing on the front porch because well Covid and all. She was surprised and so cute and it was great. Eight years old, I can barely believe it. It was also Justins Birthday but adults just don’t matter as much but happy birthday to him too. Haha. And what else. Oh, not my news, but the mr took barb to cut down her very first Christmas tree in an undisclosed location (like the side of the road, but I was told it was all good and so on and so forth) and then he found her and took her to buy a car. FINALLY!!! Now the mr doesn’t have to drive her ass around anymore and she can go get groceries and not starve to death.

And that is all I can recall because honestly this week I have spent as much time as I could just reading. I went to the library and took out like 15 books. Things might be shutting down again and I do not, can not, go without something to read at all times. It makes me agitated and cranky. So I stocked up and that is my truth.

Back to Sunday. Start of a new week. Today the mr and I are going for a drive to drop some pots off, maybe take a hike while we are out, and I have a few things I need to finish up at the studio.. Other then that, not much. I might make a few more paper snowflakes to hang from the ceiling and I need to get my crafting basket ready for tomorrow when I go to Barbs and help her decorate the loft and tree, but yeah, thats it. Now if it would just freaking snow a shit ton, that would be great.

What I looked at on the world wide web.

-Winter blues? Listen to Oprah, she knows best. How to Be Happier in January Than in July

-Also check out Martha. She was (and is) one bad ass lady. Living Just Turned 30, But Martha's Reach Remains Limitless

-Staying safe this winter means a lot of time outside. Here’s how to stay warm. Frost bite is not fun.

-Not that you need an excuse, but This Is Your Brain On Holiday Rom-Coms. It’s good for you.

-Why is it so hard to predict the weather? Live in VT. No one ever really knows what the weather is going to do, even while it is happening.

-A theory that can help explain why time seems to move slowly

-I ever back to these yearly book lists all the time. NPR’s Book Concierge

-Do you have a clutter room? I do not and would bash my head on the wall if there was a room of clutter. IT hurts to just think about it, but that is me. Don’t Worry, You’re Not the Only One With a Clutter Room In Your Home

-Imagine A World Without Movie Theaters… How do you feel about this? Personally, I haven’t been to a theater in years. I hate them, but it still seems sad.

Pictures from the week.

-C

Sunday Happy

July. My least favorite month of the year. Why? Basically because it is hot. All the time. And I hate it. I am already dreading the week ahead for the mere fact that we are suppose to have another nasty heat wave. I can’t. I just really can’t. I already know I am going to be miserable and unproductive and physically sick. So I am planning on just spending most of my time in the basement. Hmpf, I am going to be such a crank ass next week. Preemptive sorry if you end up having to talk to me. Your best bet would just to wait until August. I’ll be better then.

The week was good. Lots of stuff all over. I worked in the studio a good bunch, went to dinner at moms, did a bike ride with barb and a couple of hikes with the mr. We had the little over for dinner and basically just talked about how cool I am. (the coolest!) And I looked on while the mr and Barb did their thing with spray paint, the side of our building, and a message to the world. I also weeded the garden in vain, picked up farm share, and ate 3 zucchini a day. That is one of the few redeeming things about July. All the food. But otherwise, I still hate it.

Today the mr and I are going on a little afternoon date. I saw a new outdoor sculpture park that I want to check out so we are packing lunch and heading there (hope no one else is!) After that we are going to do a little creative research on natural playgrounds and how to incroporate weather shelters so we going to scout out some playgrounds. Then we might even do the thing that we have been saying we are going to do for a few months now….buy new phones. Meh. But probably not because I really really just don’t want to deal with it. I can handle not being able to hear people talking or having random texts appearing days after they are sent. It is the mr. He kinda really needs a working phone. So maybe.

Internet links from the week.

-I have heard the joke a million times about corona babies but it sounds like it might actually be the other way around. Women Are Delaying Having Kids Because of the Pandemic

-Why Answering A Text Message Feels So Exhausting Right Now, According To Experts. Right now yes, but I think I have always had a hard time responding to well, anyone. My brain is not made to interact with others.

-VT plastic bag ban and composting law is now in effect!!! Need help understanding? Check this. Department of Environmental Conservation.

-I want to be as cool as Oumi Janta. I could watch her skate all day. And now I think I need to get me some roller-skates.

-The tragic legacy behind the famous ‘Into the Wild’ bus.

-These are pretty cool. LEGO’s New Art Kits Are Meant to Hang On Your Wall.

-How knitting became cool. Um, it has always been cool but if more people are doing it now, well heck yeah.

-I don’t think I blend my spices enough so this is great advice. Blend the Hell Out of Your Spices

-Kanye West Announces 2020 Presidential Run. Well why the fuck not?

-I just asked the mr this a couple weeks ago. I feel validated. It's Not Just You, There Actually Are A Lot More Chipmunks Out There

Pictures from the week

-C

Sunday Happy

Can you actually believe that it is May? It still seems unreal to me. But you know what is so real right now? Spring. IT is so so so amazing out, like the best. Some rainy days and some sunshine and warmth, green stuff everywhere. Flowers, cut grass, gardening..I have been pretty stinking happy.

Another week gone by week. So many walks, hikes, and bike ride.(The mr and I are the officially the family outdoor motivators. Who doesn’t want to hang out with us?) Our first walk of the week was with Barb, Cam, and Jackson. We strolled to the lake, screwed around for a while, Jack meditated on driftwood in the water then fell in. Went back to the house where I proceeded to give Jackson my first haircut of the week and I did an ok job, especially because I was actually fixing the hack job of a cut he tried to give himself. Ha. The next day I went over to Erins and proceeded to give the second haircut of the week to Coco. That went alight, I just gave him a cookie and hacked away. Again, not bad considering he was fidgeting and kind of screaming at me the whole time.

After that the week was full of more hiking, another round of cupcake baking this time with So Bean, paperwork up the butt, and research on tires and cellphones. Blah. I hate shopping research. Oh and the parking lot. Need an idea for something to do with some littles, Find a vacant parking lot, get a bouncy ball, and let it rip. The mr and I took Judah and Coco to the empty school lot and spent almost an hour chasing around a freaking tiny bouncy ball. It was the highlight of all our week. That and the long phone conversation I had with a cop about Mark. Mark is officially a college grad (I know, CRAZY!) And has basically been hired to be a state trooper (so many Super Trooper jokes) She called just to talk about what kind of person he is and to make sure he hasn’t murdered anyone. To bad I told her he is just a fucker and should not be hired to police ANYBODY HA! Just kidding, I made him sound even better then he really is. HAHAHA.

So yeah, other then that, nothing to crazy. Just staying sane with lots of running, biking, a little work in the studio, gardening, and making sick playlists on Spotify. Oh, and I gave my third haircut of the week to myself. I was in the kitchen cutting up rhubarb with the kitchen scissors and the urge hit. Gathered my hair into a bunch and just snipped a few haggard inches off… Not my best work but I don’t really give a shit. 😁

Today the mr and I are leaving super early for a hiking/fishing excursion, then we are going to check out Shannon and her mans house that is under construction. We need to make it back in town to do a few errands and to go check on the littles. Plus I really want to spend at least an hour in the backyard getting all the dirt under my fingernails. Going to cram as much stuff into the day as we can.

Interent links from the week.

-The Man Who Runs 365 Marathons a Year. I don’t know about a complete marathon, but I get it. I can’t stop either.

-How I stumbled on this???? Whoa Diddy, whoa.

-I really appreciate a good shelve. GETTING YOUR SHELVES TOGETHER.

-Passive homes are way cool. A Passive House Primer, Ultra-Energy Efficiency Edition

-What To Do When People Don't Practice Social Distancing. Screaming “Stay the fuck away” might not be the right move.

-I guess I am a person that wants a bean bag chair now. The Original Bean Bag Chair

-And here I thought I was fancy with my empty milk carton house.These downloadable architecture projects let kids build their own cities and skyscrapers

-This weird trick can make an onion taste like an apple. What do you think of that!?

-Art out of nature. Stones, Leaves, and Shells Whorl in Hypnotic Land Art by Jon Foreman

-SNL Nails What It’s Like to Grocery Shop Right Now. Dasini Water. SO TRUE!

Pictures from the week.