Sunday Happy

What time is it really? Do you play that game when it's Daylight Savings? For the past week I have been walking around saying it's 4, but it really it's going to be 5 in a few days. So yeah, a little confusing because I can do that to things. But these year I have been proactive about the change and going to bed a little earlier ever night  (we spent an evening laying in bed, cause we couldn't fall asleep so early, looking up obscure meanings of words and things about birds. Did you know that a bunch of flamingos is called a flamboyance? Sometimes I hate the internet, but sometime, sometimes it is full of magic.) and waking up a little earlier (me, not the mr) And even better, we officially lost our hour yesterday, like I set the clocks forward when I woke up(the mr was confused all day but mostly went along with it). I wanted to get it out of the way so that today can be normal and I can stop thinking about the clock. Look at me, I am so smart, or maybe just really weird, but whateva, I am one (hour) up on everyone. 

The week had been pretty full and fun.. There was and has been lots of snow falling and melting and falling again. I have loved it all because warm snow days are like the best. On one of those nice days we took the littles and Barb and climbed a little mountain. (You know when you walk to the top of a mountain and see a snow penis? No,well its pretty freaking fantastic, especially when you have two littles with you. There was no shortage of wiener jokes for the rest of the day) The mr made Coco a sweet ass toddler bed and now he is sleeping in his own bed like a toddler boss. We found the last remaining light fixture needed for the bathroom and put that it, and now the house is completely done, except for wanting to start all over again. (we need to find a new shitty house to fix).  I got a bunch of chores done, cleaned a bunch more, and every day getting a little more pumped about spring and outside and all the things I need to do outside once the ground thaws. I can't wait to play in the dirt!.

Then a couple days ago the mr took me on a driving adventure that ended up at an outdoor church in the middle of nowhere to pick up some free church pews. And to see all the geese flying home. But church pews, yeah that was interesting. I didn't really want them, but the mr was all about them and has some ideas for them. (cutting in half and sanding)  SO we loaded up the truck and drove an hour with large cross incrusted pews sticking out of the. truck bed. (The things we end up doing.) As for the pews, they are cool, but I really don't think I need a church pew in the house, way to clunky and it just doesn't seem right. 

As I said before, we lost our hour yesterday so the day was a little wonky. Ate lunch at 1 but dinner at 5 but it was really 12 and really 6 but went to bed at 8 and his clock said 4 but mine said 5,  but who's 5 were we talking about. Yeah, it was confusing but we got through it, mostly because we didn't have anything time sensitive going on. During the day the mr and I each ended up with a little. The boys went and did some wood shop stuff and us loadies stayed here and went over her play lines and  baked cookies. Or I baked cookies and the girl watched baking shows and ate cookie dough. And then I washed my hair, ate dinner and went to bed. 

So today.. my brain is good but my body is still adjusting to time so I already know that I am going to need a nap today, hell, I might even just go back to bed for a little while (no, I probably won't) Then I am going to strip the sheets and blanket and I am going to make the bed with the spring sheets and blankets because time change means it is basically spring which means I should probably get out my shorts and mud boots and get on it. But that is all after the nap, and the million cups of coffee I will be drinking today. But spring guys!!!! 

Interesting internet that interested me. 

-Are you a fan or do you hate the time changing? One Hundred Years Later, the Madness of Daylight Saving Time Endures

-For a Brief, Brief Moment Ketchup Was Green. I just had a conversation with the littles about the colored ketchup.. they didn't believe me. 

-We are getting closer and starting to prepare... are you?  Companion Vegetable and Herb Planting in Raised Rows

-The Joyful Dancing Boys of Instagram. Amazing. These little dudes remind me of my nephew Jackson when he was a little... The kids could dance like no other..and then cry whe he messed up. SO cute. 

-I always wondered why the hell you can't recycle the cartons and try to avoid them as much as possible. I hate not being able to recycle, it makes me mad.  In The Recycling World, Why Are Some Cartons Such A Problem?

-LEGO Goes Green With Sustainable Bricks Made From Sugar. So can you eat them?

-I could see us needing this pretty soon because living in a van.... This Solar Energy System Is Perfect For #VanLife

-How cool would it be to see wild flamingos, they are so pretty. Florida's Long-Lost Wild Flamingos Were Hiding In Plain Sight

-More fantastic terms for groups or flock of birds. 

 -These shoes... I really want these shoes. 

And pictures from the week. 

Enjoy that day!

-C

Sunday Happy

Yesterday I unpacked my summer attire. Shorts, tank tops and all my summer things. The sunscreen is out, baseball hats are ready, window fans are going in. It's still spring, but give it a week. Summer is coming on fast and it's better to be prepared.

The week was interesting to say the least. The near heatwave during the middle of the week was a kick in the face. I forgot what hot was until I was sweating just from sitting. I really hope that that little spell wasn't a preview of what the summer is going to be like. I like warm, but hot is not gonna work. Damn it global warming. I also forgot about mosquitoes but that won't happen again. SO many bites it was crazy. I felt like I was being eaten alive. Stupid mosquitoes. But besides being hot and itchy, it was as good week. Lots of things got done as usual, more painting and yard work. We have a few apartment turnovers happening in a few weeks so we have been plugging away at things over at the houses.  We need to make things all clean and pretty again. There was the day I helped the mr change the oil in the truck, (and realized I never want to do that again) and another day when the littles came over and made a 100 square hop scotch while eating an entire cantaloupe. Fun times.

Sunday doings are going to consist of some dirt moving, garbage removing,and painting. It's hard to relax when there is so much to do. But I am going to spend a little time this afternoon,when it starts raining, with the old sewing machine making pillows and watching Master or None.  And chose paint colors. We need to figure out what color to paint the front porch. That's going to be fun (or not).

Things I read on the internet this week.

-I am really really excited to hear this, it's one of my all time favorite shows. Roseanne Reboot Coming to ABC with Original Cast

-Are Farmers Markets Really as Expensive as Everyone Says? It's complicated.

-My hair has changed a bit over my life and I always kind of wondered about this. Is It True That Your Hair Changes Every 7 Years?

-Why All of America's Circus Animals Could Soon be Free. Let them be free.

-How great is this? I bet it's even better then some of the "grown up" sections. There's a for-kids-only section in today's New York Times.

-Food To Cure What Ails You: When Cookbooks Treated Meals As Medicine

- Well this happened and it's fucked. . A"doomsday" seed vault meant to outlast catastrophe was flooded because of climate change.

- Cereal falls into the desert food category in my eyes, the amount of sugar in them are crazy. . Breakfast was the most important meal of the day — until America ruined it.

-Ladybugs are pretty awesome. Ladybugs Pack Wings and Engineering Secrets in Tidy Origami Packages

- I will try anything (well not anything)to stop the crazy mosquitoes. Low-Cost, Homemade Mosquito Trap

Pictures from the week.

Have a great day.

-C

Rhubarb Poppyseed Cake

First rhubarb of the season!!! The patch in my backyard is large and wild and I am about to be swimming in humongo pink stalks of the stuff within the week. There will be rhubarb in everything.

Last year we ended up eating so much rhubarb. I didn't really have much of a game plan for it, I just ended up sticking it in everything and for the most part, it worked out great. Cakes, pies, salads, and soups. Rhubarb can find a place in anything. But for the first rhubarb of the season, I wanted to make something that was all about the rhubarb without too many other flavors to contend with.  And I wanted to make something pretty. Rhubarb cake with poppyseeds Sweet and tangy with a little earthiness, great texture, and color. A spring celebration cake if you will and made me very happy.

The mr and my sister were very much pleased with how this cake came out. (It was gone pretty much gone the next day) A cake win for sure and a good start to rhubarb in everything season.

The stuff. Rhubarb and poppyseeds. for all the flavor. Then you need flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, sugar, oil (I used coconut but I think any oil would be fine) soy milk, vanilla and a little apple cider vinegar.

Once you get the oven going, chop 2-3 stalks of rhubarb into small pieces about 1/4 inch thick until you have 1 1/2 cups. Take another stalk and cut lengthwise into thin strips for the top of the cake.

In a small bowl mix the oil, sugar, and vanilla together. Add the vinegar to the soy milk.

Whisk together all the dry, add in the poppyseeds then mix in the chopped up rhubarb to coat each piece.

The wet mixture goes into the dry along with the soy milk. Everything mixed until just combined.

Dump the mixture into a well greased pan, level off and sprinkle the top with poppyseeds . Take the thinly sliced rhubarb you reserves and lay on top any way that looks nice to you, giving in a little press into the batter so it stays put.

Now into the hot oven it goes.

And after a time in the oven you get yourself this gem of a cake.

Cooled a bit and ready for eating. A piece or two celebrate.

Rhubarb season has begun. Start it off right with cake!

-C

---

Rhubarb Poppyseed Cake

Makes a 9x9 square cake

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
•  5 tablespoons poppyseeds
• 3-4 large stalks of rhubarb (1 1/2 cups chopped and a little extra for top)
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 3/4 cup soy milk

Preheat oven to 350

Chop rhubarb into 1/4 inch chunks until you have 1 1/2 cups. Extra stalk and slice lengthwise into 4 thin strips and set aside.

In a large bowl whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and 3 tablespoons poppyseeds. In a smaller bowl mix together the sugar, oil, and vanilla extract until completely combined.  Add vinegar to soy milk. Toss the chopped rhubarb into the dry mixture and coat the rhubarb pieces. Dump the wet mixture into the dry and add in the milk. Stir together until just combined.

Dump batter into a well greased 9x9 baking pan and level off. Sprinkle the top with remaining 2 tablespoons poppyseeds then lay the thinly cut rhubarb on top anyway you think looks good to you.

Stick the cake into the oven and bake for about 45-50 minutes or until the cake tester(or fork) stuck in the middle comes out clean.

Remove, let cool, then eat at your own pace.

Sunday Happy

First off, the Happiest Day to all the mothers out there. You are great and make the world possible so thank you for that. Take care today to you. We are all better off when you are happy or to quote a sign hanging in my moms kitchen..When Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

Whoa did we spend a lot of time outside this week. The mr upin the trees cutting them down. Weeding out gardens and cleaning up lawns. So many trips to the wood chipping plant to get ride of all the wood. My arms have been sore all week and it's mostly from hauling large chunks of wood to the truck. That and all the dirt moving. 6 yards of dirt dropped off to fill up our raised beds. The garden is on it's way to being a real garden and I couldn't be any happier. First time in my life where I have had a yard with a garden to do what I please. It's freaking amazing. And now I am struggling with what to plant. I know that I will get a butt load of veggies form the farm but what do I want more of? Lots of greens are on their way and we need to have tomatoes but do I do an entire bed of carrots and beets? If so where while the husk cherries go?. And the pumpkins, should we just plant them out front? (the mr wants to turn the front lawn into a pumpkin patch. I am not entirely sure that is a good idea) So many things to consider.

Sunday has got me busy. I want to finish planting what needs planting, the laundry is backed up a few loads so I need to get on that and I have a mess of paperwork that I need to get through. Good day for it though cause it looks like a chilly rain today so hanging out on the back porch with my pile of crap won't be so bad. At least there will be lots of coffee.

Internet whatnots

-Checked the pollen count when my face blew up, snot running, and itching my eyes out. Allergies, blah.

-Garden planting takes some planning. An In-Depth Companion Planting Guide

-I don't know why I have never thought to add color to bread dough. On my list of things to do this week. HOW TO MAKE MARBLED RAINBOW TOAST

-New York Times Puzzles. I like to play sudoku and the mini.

-What Is Avocado Hand? I guess that it is a real thing so watch yourself.

-Feeling stresses? Thinking About Happy Memories Can Shut Down Your Body’s Stress Response

-Here's What Michelle Obama Thinks About Trump's School Lunch Rules. Oh Michelle, I miss you.

-See the Awesome March of the Milky Way Across the Night Sky

 -The mr has always said her wanted some type of hot tub or sauna. I could get down with something like this. A Mirrored Golden Egg Sauna is Hatched in Sweden

-Vermont Legislature Votes to Legalize Marijuana. I mean it's about time.

Pictures from the week.

Enjoy the day!

-C

Sunday Happy

Happy May! I love this month. It gets all warm (hopefully), flowers blooming, green trees and I am yet to get to super hot and cranks. Plus it's garden time!!!! Just a few more days and the 6 cubic yards of dirt are being dumped off at our house to fill up our raised beds and it's go time. All more poor seedlings are are the verge of not being good. They need to get into soil asap.

The past week has come and gone so fast. Rainy days or to cold temps have kept us from doing a lot of the outside work that we have been needing to do. (Can't paint in the rain) Fortunately there has been plenty of others things to do so we have been keeping pretty busy. Even with all the rain we have had, we did manage a good afternoon of firing up the big blow torch and shou sugi ban-ing. We finished making our raised beds, I carved a spoon (only cut myself twice) and got rid of the 5 extra cast iron radiators that have been in the back yard for a year. Also the back sun porch got a a floor to ceiling paint job and now we are waiting for it all to dry.  Busy as always, but it's been good to see so much get done.

Sunday doings. The back porch should be dry by today so I am hoping that I can spend some of the day. setting it up with comfy seating and then take a afternoon nap back there. Anything else we are doing today is kind of a wait and see deal...It all depends on the weather.

What I read on the internet that might be of some interest to you.

-The birds are crazy around our house, chirping away all day, all night. It's pretty fantastic. I think I might be turning into a birder. This helps. Guide to North American Birds

- I hope this doesn't happen to me. Why Taste Buds Dull As We Age.

-Buildings and Stars Cut into Blackout Curtains..... These are so cool.

-This happened. A Man Ordered an Airline’s Gluten-Free ‘Meal’ — and Got a Single Banana With a Knife and Fork.

-Do you ever talk to yourself? I do. It's usually me reciting lists of things I need to do or swearing lots of swears to make me feel better. (swearing out load, even to yourself when you are made will make you feel better) The Perks of Talking to Yourself

-If you are awake at night. Spring Meteor Shower and 6 More Sky Events in May

-THIS IS HOW MAPLE SYRUP GETS MADE, AND WHAT THE NEW GRADING SYSTEM MEANS

-I like blue. Crayola Gives The People What They Want: A New Blue Crayon

-This alone makes me want to go back to Copenhagen. Friendly Giants Built From Recycled Wood Hidden in the Forests of Copenhagen

-I hope we spend some good time in the Vt State Parks this summer. Can't wait for camping!

Pictures from the week

Have a great day!

-C