Sunday Happy

Today is the day, the moment of truth. The concrete counter tops that we poured a few days ago are getting un-molded, flipped, and set into place. I am so super excited and very much scared. Finally we will have a counter and we will be that much closer to a finished kitchen. But what if?  What if something happens between removing the mold and placing the counter, like what if it doesn't fit right or maybe it breaks? I shouldn't be even thinking about that. It will be great and awesome and the best freaking counter ever.  (and Ikea is only a few hours away and sell emergency counter tops)

The house. Oh have we got ourselves a little gem. All week we have been staying here, doing all our living here (minus showers, we take those at the loft) and still managing to get a bit of work done here. Working in the place you live is such a bitch.  Plus it's the holidays which makes everything not covered in tinsel and lights seem unimportant, but we are getting there. A few more weeks and I tell you, we will most likely have ourselves a pretty nearly done 98% livable house. 

Even though the house might not be perfect, we still had a the littles over for a school night sleep over where we finished decorating the tree, watched the Santa Clause, made claims on table settings and ate black beans for breakfast. That was a tough morning with -20 cold and no desire to leave the house. We might have been a few minutes late for school, but hey, I never drive in the mornings and didn't realize 20 minutes wasn't enough time to compete with the crazy ass traffic. And they might not have been late, so yeah. (I didn't ask) What else....Well have been on the hunt for doors and glass for doors and all the odds and ends that we need. Every day it seems we end up at the hardware store, the junk store, or the salvage yard looking of that one thing that may or may not exist. It is driving me nuts. The mr, he is really good at the back and forth. Me, not so much. I really wish there was a store made for just me that sold (or gave me for free) everything that I could possible need. Doors, carrots, socks. That would be great. Oh and my crock pot. It has turned into the center of our living because it's not our main source of hot food. It has been entirely new territory for me (never used a crock pot before last week) and there were a few soups that might not have so great, but I think I have got the hang of it and we have been eating hot food from the crock like champs. I'll have to share some of my soups and tips with you guys soon. (once the kitchen is done there will be sooooo many new recipes and food fun coming your way!)

So besides the counter tops today, I think I have some serious cleaning to do. The loft is a mess, the house is getting a little on the dusty side, and the pile of dirty clothes has gotten out of hand. I might drag the hamper to the loft, be domestic for the afternoon and do some chores. A little Christmas music, lots of coffee, and amazon prime last minute gift shopping. It should be an interesting afternoon to say the least.

Links brought to you by the internet.

-I want this, it would bring me so much joy. This Infinity Galaxy Puzzle Has No Beginning or End

-5 of Humanity’s Best Ideas of What Dreams Actually Are

-Lapland is on my travel bucket list. 10+ Reasons Why Lapland Is The Most Magical Place To Celebrate Christmas

-Meet The Spleen, The Strange Little Organ That Can Multiply

-Gift idea for your stinky loved ones. Shreddies flatulence filtering garments

-The mr and I are starting to plan our next cross country trip. National Parks all the way (free days are great but if you are planning on going to a lot of parks, get the pass) WHEN TO VISIT ANY US NATIONAL PARK FOR FREE IN 2017

-An Eleven-Story-Tall Tree Hugger Sprouts on the Side of a Building in Chile. Imagine painting that.....

-Food is always a good present.10 Last-Minute Recipes to Make for Homemade Food Gifts

The week in pictures.

Yes that is a giant tree monster about to eat a Christmas tree. So good.

Have a great day!

Sunday Happy

Big. Ass. Yawn. Because we need it, or at least I do.

The week started off with nice, calm sister time, the lake, and happy little littles. Then shit got crazy. From dealing with appliances (still haven't settled on a stove yet) to having to wear a stupid respirator all day everyday because I cannot deal with the off gases that come from polyurethane and now have dry skin blotches on my face, to running around painting prepping, sanding stairs... We are just plan pooped out. Now we just need to plow through the house to get it done and moved in. It's getting so close I can almost imagine it. And then we can get a little bit of our life back. That will be great. We did manage to attend the two weeks early double birthday party for So and Justin because get this, it's really sad, they are going to be in Disney Land for their actual birthdays, and so we party now for them.  What kinda bummed me out was that I didn't get to make the birthday cake.(I always make So's birthday cakes..the best birthday cakes) My sister being so nice, didn't want to ask to make it me because we are so busy so she ended up buying a cake from costco. It was crazy and huge and no one could eat a whole slice. All I had to say was maybe next year don't go to Disney Land and I will make the cake.

And now it's the week of Thanksgiving. Are you guys ready for the holidays? I wish I could say that I was but I am not, really really not.  Plus it's looking more and more like we have no idea what we are doing. Food? There isn't much in the house. (I am running dangerously low on dried beans and I already ate through most of my farm share and there isn't another pick up for a week and a half) I have not a single thing planned or pre-made, and we are not even sure where we are going yet. But hey, we got a couple days to figure it out right? As for food, well I just have to suck it up and do that major grocery shop that needs being done and get to some of the good stuff before all of it is picked through by the early prepared holiday shoppers. I will buy lots of beans and all the carrots.

As for today, well we gots a few weather sensitive things to do, like picking up all the piles of wood out in front of the house so it doesn't look like a dump and piling scrap metal into the work car before it get covered in snow .( I am so excited about snow!!) Also need to give the cat a stern talking to about hanging out in the road because apparently after 11 years of being an outdoor cat, he now decided that is where all the cool cats hang. And my favorite thing on my to do list today is....dig all the slivers out of my hands. Oh so much fun. At least I will be drinking all the coffee that I could possibly want and eating beans and carrots.  Maybe I will bake a pie too. (hahaha, but maybe)

Some of what the Internet has had this week.

-Duh. An Overlooked Weapon Against the Flu Is Also the Most Effective One

-Cool shadow art.

-I freeze my veggies in the summer and fall (my freezer is stuffed with tomatoes and peppers) anduse them all winter long. Are Frozen Fruits and Vegetables as Nutritious as Fresh?

-Grapefruit and Salt. Yum.

-I have been feeling this so bad. To Relieve Post-Election Stress, Bake And Bake Again

-The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Cure

-I guess they are all sold out, but maybe will get more in stock later. I wanted to get the mr the country clubber set.  So f-ing awesome.

-I really love this, like a lot. A Collaborative Duo Pokes Fun at Plein Air Painting Through Photographic Series

-Not gonna lie, the super chipper all the time people, well they tire me out. If You’re Annoyed by Overly Cheerful People, You’ll Like This Study

Pictures from the weeks happenings.

Happy Weekend!!!

Sunday Happy

Funny story. Our basement floods a little every year in the spring. I think that a lot of people around here have slight problem with basement water, the houses being so old and all. So when earlier this week we had a massive thaw and a bunch of rain, the mr preemptively set up the sub pump to keep the water away. All day he was checking the pump and all day it poured butthe basement stayed dry. He turned it off that night after it had stopped raining. We woke up to the most beautiful bright blue sky, the temperature so warm that I didn't need to wear a jacket and to 3 inches of water in the basement. STUPID!!!!! But that happened and yeah. The mr spent a good few hours moving all of our stuff, (we store a lot of stuff in the basement) shop vac-ing and pumping up the water .He did such a good job that it was almost like it never happened. The only really wet thing was a big laundry basket of stuff. I wanted to wash itasap so it wouldn't mold so when I got home,  into the washer it went. (the washer is in the basement too)  Go to change the load to the dryer and guess what.. the mr took the washer machine house out of the main drain to use it for the shop vac, and no, we forgot to stick the hose back in. We re-flooded the mother F-ing basement!!!!!AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

But it's kinda funny right?

Anyway the week has been heavy on the crazy. My Dad has been here so we have been spending a lot of time with the family doing family things all week. Over at the house we have pretty much gutted the kitchen (anyone want free kitchen cabinets?) and the mr is almost done muding the first floor. Once that happens we can move in (Just kidding... not even close) but we are well on our way. And the next project we tackle is going to be fun fun (rip the roof off!)

And the father of mine is leaving today, (which makes me a little sad)  I have no kiddos in my care, the water from the basement is pretty much gone and I don't want to do a damn thing that involves work. It's a down day for sure. No people, no fuss. I have a new book on hold at the library, although I am kinda torn.  Should I start a new book or binge watch Fuller House? (can I take more family drama?)  Have you watched it yet? Do me a favor if you have, let me know if it's going to ruin the Tanner family for me.

Hoping your day, as well as mine, is gong to be a good one!

Interesting internet stuff from the week.

-Are you a open broiler or a closed broiler. I am neither.. my broiler is the bottom draw of the stove and doesn't work unless pushed in. Can You Leave the Oven Door Closed While Broiling?

I was planning on making pita bread this week and just happen to stumble upon this article. The 7 Rules of Perfect Pita Bread

-Holding a bag of enough powdered caffeine to kill several people... whoa. Caffeine For Sale: The Hidden Trade Of The World's Favorite Stimulant

-What is the word for finally getting words for all he emotions I felt but couldn't explain?   40 Words For Emotions You’ve Felt, But Couldn’t Explain

-I know!!!!!. ARTISANAL WATER IS OUT OF CONTROL AND STUPID

-This article really hit home for me. To Anyone Who Thinks They're Falling Behind In Life

-A tree inside.. yes, I would like one in every room please.

-I love cool (well done) street art.. Quirky New Chalk Characters on the Streets of Ann Arbor by David Zinn

-Maybe next knitting project Knit Fruits and Veggies by ‘MapleApple’

-I am not going to lie.. I love Chrissy Teigen and although I probably won''t cook any of the food in her book, I am still looking forward to giving it a read. Chrissy Teigen’s ‘Cravings’ and the Search for Cookbook Credibility

And some pictures.

Enjoy your day.

BYE!

-C

Sunday Happy

Sunday Happy...more like crazy Sunday. I think I am about to crack with all the last minute things that we have to do before we leave. I have been such an ass, procrastinating and putting off all the details of traveling and now all of a sudden we are leaving in 2 days.

Whoa shit! So much to do.

On that note, this past week really was nuts. Full of stupid things like a day at the DMV renewing expired driving licenses and spending an afternoon at the phone store only to walk our empty handed and pissed. We actually haven't really been that bad at putting the traveling stuff off, it's just that we have been busy with the normal life too.  But yesterday we got a lot of the booking done (our credit card finally came in), and all of what we want to pack out so all we need to do now is shove it all into backpacks, figure out the car rental thing (I am confused. why? I am not sure) and chill out a little tonight

We both need to chill.

But until then, I will be drinking too much coffee, spending too much time comparing rental cars and throwing things around like a lunatic. Fun fun.. 

You guys. We are leaving in 2 DAY!!! AAAAAAHHHHI am so excited I might just pee myself!

Some if the Internet stuff that I have been looking at while I should be researching car rentals and how to translate the phrase "where's the toilet" into danish.

-United States favorites by state.. Phish, Volvos and maple syrup. Yup, that's Vermont

-I think I am going to have to make this chocolate tofu tart when we get back

-Do you use your coffee grounds? I like to de-stink smelly things with them. Your Coffee Grounds Have a Much Better Fate Than the Compost

-Top 10 most desirable Air bnb's in the world. And we are not staying in any of them.

-I am really super sad that David Bowie dies. I have always had an old man crush on him ever sense he danced around in those tight pants in Labyrinth. I guess I can still hallucinate about him. David Bowie Is Apparently a Frequent Guest Star in People’s Hallucinations

-This is good new to me. I am not the biggest fan of the LED light, it looks to white. Return of incandescent light bulbs as MIT makes them more efficient than LEDs.

-What is Flour?

-10 Things You Need to Know About Gluten-Free Baking, Cooking & Eating..

-What!! A LIFE-SIZED CARAVAN MADE FROM 215,158 LEGO BRICKS . I would live in it for sure

And just a few pictures from the week

Have a great day guys!

-C

Happy bits

I don't think I need to tell anyone about how weird the past few weeks of weather have been, so I will just leave it alone because we don't need to keep thinking about how stupid cold it is outside or that the next week is only suppose to get worse. Booooo, but oh well. More time for cooking, reading, and trolling the internet (I have spent a little more time then usual getting sucked into the world-wide web.) Beacause I have been spending a little more time interneting, I have added an addition to  my usual happy bits,  a few links that I have stumbled upon that I think are cool and of things that I want or want to make… Cool internet stuff…..a bit of internet happy. 

• So I recently discovered that I can waste a good amount of time on pintrest, especially looking at interiors and architecture and clothes (which I found really weird, but with one pin, an open can of worms…Dangerous stuff). I have a long way to go before I have nearly as many pins as other folk, but I am getting a good a start. Check out my boards...
• I smiled so much when I read   this article.    So sweet and are some of the coolest tattoos  ever.
• The original nomad. I am not a hot tub person (it makes me feel like I am being cooked..) But I might be able to get into one of these when doing some camping.
• I practically started salivating when I saw this falafel.  I am so going to make it for a special mister and me dinner!
• I don't have any big kitchen utensils… like a kitchen aid or a panini grill, and for now, I am ok with that, but I really want this waffle iron. I could so use the crap out of it.

So that's some internet stuff and here are a few life moments…..

I got to hang out with my little sister for the first time in like a month… She is just so busy being busy. I guess high school,play practices and boys and friends can fill up ones time at 15… but I miss her so much! I was very excited that she was able to hang out with me this week.  What did we do? Well we spent most of out time together taking pictures of her in my glasses, making food and then taking pictures of her eating food.  (She is eating whipped carob moose… like one should eat it) A fantastic day of silliness. 

I have been feeling like I might be fighting off an illness so I have been eating this Turmeric Ginger Garlic Carrot soup which I have been adding cabbage and topping with these pickled heart beet, all week long. So tasty and full of so much good.

 Oh yeah. Me, the mister, my sister, and her lovely little little went to Ikea this week. (the littles first international trip!!! Over the border and into Montreal) And of course at the end of any good shopping trip there is some type of food…. She  was so excited for the hot dog and frozen yogurt cone at check out. Champion food eater this one is.

And what's not to love about pretty flowers (primrose)…..Sadly this is not a current picture. I need to get me some color today. 

Which leaves me with my goals for the day..

• Get 2 new library books (and return the huge stack by the door)
• Make something tasty good for dinner and prep food for the week
• clean bathroom and change sheets
• buy flowers
• Take a nap

Hope you all have a great day and the most splendid week!

Stay warm!

-C