Sunday Happy

Welcome fall, I have been waiting for you. Now please stay.

We started last week  with a picnic lunch at the state house then driving to the middle of the woods and checking out a piece of land then made our way over to our campsite. Went for a nice long hike, the mr did a little fishing, and I saw more amazing mushrooms then I was able to take pictures of. Then back to the camp site we went. I always bring along a book that I am pretty into for camping (because that is what one does while camping) but this time I grabbed a new book from the library right before we left. And well shit, was I ever so surprised that is was more or a less a smutty graphic romance novel and so because I am not really into that crap, I was bookless and felt kind of lost. Goof. But it really wasn't so bad, the mr kept me company and I found an old newspaper to use as my morning reading so there was that.  And I went and returned that book when we got home and got some books that were not so smutty.

Then we had  dinner at Sha na na's with Paul, Barb, and my Mom. I made a salad with lots and lots of corn in it. Huge hit that Paul has requested that I make him that exact salad for his birthday that is in like 5 months, because I guess I can't make him a salad any time before that? Ha. My family.. weirdos. 

And then I went and done it.  I dropped the fucking blender on my big toe and it pretty much ruined my life. (but not really)  My toe swelled up turned a nice shade of bright red and the nail, slowly but surely, turned completely black, and I was barely able to walk for like 2 days. It was tough goings for a while  there and I almost performed my own medical treatment involving a lighter and a paperclip but the mr was not having it and in the end, my nail just started falling off anyways so you know, not so bad anymore. And that is enough about my gross toe.

Mid week was the same as usual. This is that, work, me hobbling around and listening to way way way too much  of the supreme court hearings on NPR, which just made me mad but I did it anyway. There was farm share, so many garden tomatoes, cooking all those garden tomatoes, freezing and eating all the garden tomatoes. My garden is getting to that point where I am starting to rip stuff out. I was going to do a fall planing but the little fuck of a rabbit that is living somewhere close keeps eating everything so I am just going to call it for the season. No more new plants, I'll just get all my kale at the farm. But that rabbit, he needs to get his shit together and find a new place to live next year cause I am getting sick of his attitude. I yell at him but he just keeps come back and taking what he wants. Not cool rabbit, not cool.  

 And after 2 years of research and saving money, I finally got a new camera!!! My old one finally is dead so I needed to do it. I have barely used the new one, only for a couple hours because I am scared I am going to break it (haha, but really) or cover it in bread dough (which will eventually happen). Annnnnd we finally got a new tent! I am very much excited about that. We even named her (yes, it is a she tent) Marigold because thats the color she is.  A new camera and a new tent, all in one week. That was very mentally draining.  I'll  still buy groceries and toilet paper, but thats as much I can handle for a good long while. 

Littles came over for dinner on Friday. Miley started field hockey so we had the just the boys for a while. The mr ands Judah played soccer (Judah won) while me and Coco sat in lawn chairs with a giant bowl of cantaloupe. Every time one of the boys scored a goal he would get up and walk the bowl over to them for a snack score. It was pretty freaking amazingly cute. Then when Miley got home, I made pizza (in the shape of a W for Judah be cause he was a WINNER) and was some how conned into letting the mr and Miley go to the store and come back with 3 apples and a giant bag of sour patch kids. I ate an apple, they all ate candy. 

Woke up early yesterday morning and I was cold. YES, COLD! And it was amazing and I was so excited because I wasn't hot. I threw on a sweater, socks, and a hat and the mr and I went on to paint the outside of one of our houses for a good part of the day. Then home I went to scrub the paint off my body, run to Costco to get the Judah his new glasses ans a hot dog, then back home to scrub clean the house. (if you haven't caught on by now, Saturday evenings are my "clean the shit out of the house" days)  L

Today we are off for more land exploring and camping adventure. I am so excited, first to see some more land  because maybe some of this land will be what we are looking for and might be our land! And secondly because camping in cooler weather is the best. We can actually sit near the fire, want to sit near the fire, without sweating our asses off.  I got my knitting, a book (a good book), and tea bags galore. An extra blanket, the long underwear and socks, and even a pair of mittens and a hat are packed. It is going to be fantastic. 

 Time I invested in internet looking

- Plastic is terrible and this is where it is all going.  THE GREAT PACIFIC GARBAGE PATCH  which leads us to  Scientists get ready to begin Great Pacific Garbage Patch cleanup.

-SO lets all try to use a hell of a lot less plastic, yea?.  6 Doable Ways People Are Going Plastic-Free

-What are the smartest animals in the world and how do we know? We know cause we be smat too.  

-Have you ever seen a praying mantis? I have ans they are pretty crazy. It's Praying Mantis Mating Season: Here's What You Need To Know

-Pink and green swoon. A COLORFUL HOME WITH HEART.

-This Start-Up Will Get Rid of All Your Ex's Sh*t For You SO I guess no more trashcan fires full of clothing and pictures?

-Wouldn't to be nice to not be aware, but better yet, just not to be stressed at all.. Can You Be Blissfully Unaware of Your Own Stress?

-Can You Eat Something That Has Freezer Burn? Here's What the USDA Says.

-Why are Americans obsessed with front lawns? Good question.

And of course pictures from the week.

Sunday Happy

And it's September which means that I can talk all I want about how excited for fall I am. Because I am very very excited. Apples, pumpkins, sweaters, cozy blankets, darker evenings. And no more humidity! Ha, jokes on us, it suppose to be stupid hot and humid again all next week. WHY!!! But after that it's gonna get cool right, cause eI can't take the heat anymore. 

The week started off by giving Miley a hair trim and Coco his first ever hair cut. He could have cared less about it but I think it  might have traumatized me and his mother more. He looks like a completely different kid now. And  so old. I miss the curls, but I think he looks  really good. Maybe I should go into the hair cutting business? Yeah, maybe that's just what I will do. Then the next day, with littles all fresh and trimmed we went  for a picnic walk on the last day of summer. This was when the mr decided to make the nastiest sandwich he could (Cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Apple Jacks, veggies straws, pickles, mustard, and ketchup on white) just to gross the kids out. They had bagels with just cream cheese. We had the intentions of walking to a playground, but due to the heat almost killing use we only made it to a green park where the mr ate the nasty sandwich and actually liked it, Miley read, and Coco and Judah  rolled around in the grass like dogs. . We then decided ice cream because duh, and  instead of buying individual ice cream cones, bought a half gallon and I just let the 4 of them go to town and eat as much of the ice cream as they could. I figured to hot to walk it home and also last summertime hurrah. They got through just about the whole thing. 

Work wise, we have spent most of the week, going back and forth with paint colors for one of the houses because we are crazy and spend way way to much time on colors.  We have a million gallons of a color that we are not super excited about but in the end, saving at least $700 bucks in paint, well we finally decided to just go with it.  It is Mint green, but it is  growing on me. I think we can make it look cool. No, I know we can. You just wait and see.

Then there is the new addition of the cat door for Only. We installed it in the back of the house so he will stop sitting on the front porch meowing like he is starving to death and we won't let him in the house. Our neighbors think we are terrible. But what they don't know is that he is allowed to do whatever he wants. Eats a whole hell of a lot, but is just a really really mouthy cat. But yeah, we would like him to start meowing at the back door instead. Hence cat door. 

And Barb came over for dinner and tattoo drawing. She wants a tattoo bad. I am ok with it, as long as she waits a while and listens to exactly what I tell her. Ha.  Megan and So  came the next day so So could tell me all about her fist few days of kindergarten and to have lunch. And to make a bedtime box, which in fact, has been used by other littles for bedtime. Kindergarten is really making her smart that one.  

On Friday afternoon we went to the fair. And whoa shit it has been like 15 years since the last time I went to one.  We kind of had too because we had free tickets even though I am not a fair person by any means. I don't like crowds, I don't like rides, I don't like playing games for toys, but it was actually pretty cool to see the animals. 4H and blue ribbon carrots and big ass pumpkins.  All the farm animals were very cute and the giraffe.. a little out of place, but cool non the less. My biggest thing though was where did it live? I know the farm animals all came from farms around the state and the animals were taken care of, but the giraffe. It made me kind of sad. I am just hoping it gets to go back to a good home too. And after the animals we  did do the walk through around the rides and it was cool to see all the rides and colors and such, but after that I had to go. An hour was all I could handle.

The studio is closed for the weekend so I didn't have to work. Instead the littles came over for a sleep over. We watched a movie then I went to bed and they stay up all night watching whatever. Woke them up to squeeze bottles full of colored pancake batter to make crazy pancake and then after Judah got enough of beating the shit out of the mr, we went to the farm, picked flowers, climbed trees and played tether ball. The weather was spot on too, nice and cool and crisp.  It was a fanatic morning.

And then I went home and spent the afternoon cleaning the littles ick and processing the new pile of tomatoes and squash that have started to overflow (again) on the counter. This time of year, it's like having a part time job just keeping up with all the veggies, which is not a complaint, just an observations of my life. 

Today, after a quick bike ride to the gym and library this morning, the mr and I are grabbing the camping stuff and taking off for the day and night. It's Labor Day tomorrow so we have to camp tonight. That is what we are all suppose to do, right? 

Internet finding that I found this week. 

-This is where we are staying tonight. New Discovery Stage Park. I am very excited, neither of us have ever been to this park before. 

-Goats Like It When You Smile at Them, Extremely Heartwarming Study Says. I mean, who doesn't prefer a smile. 

-Got to know what to look for up there this month.  Can't-Miss Sky Events in September

-The forest beekeepers of Zanzibar. I couldn't imagine having to climb a tree to get to a hive. These folks are awesome.

-Aagghh  Pesticides. Son of a bitch. What You Need to Know About the Massive Times Pesticide Report.

- 5 Proven Benefits Of Play. We all need to play more!

-When the mr and I first started dating, we used to stay up all night and watch this show, It is one my top three favorite shows  of all time. Mr Tastee is a classic. The Adventures of Pete and Pete’s Mr. Tastee Episode Is the Perfect Ode to Summer

 -I was thinking about fainting recently (on a very hot day), like wondering if I did faint, if I would go down gradually or hard and fast and bash my head open. I think about these things.  Fainting Is a Pretty Weird Thing for a Body to Do

-No more excuses. You are or you are not. Ha A Sociologist Finds Vegans Are Too Open to ‘Free Riders’

-Why you can smell rain—even though it's odorless. But is it really?

All the pictures from the week.

Have a great long weekend!

-C

Sunday Happy

My brain is pretty much a puddle so excuse the mess I am about to make with my words.

The week started off with  Barb. We took her out for her graduation breakfast present. And not going to lie, I was shocked. We ate at this place the mr and I used to go to, at least once a week, when I was in high school (the place I would skip class and go eat). It's been a while sense we have been there and  the prices have doubled, if not tripled. Whoa dude, 14 bucks for some eggs, that shit was crazy. But besides shocking prices, we had a good time. And then the rest of the week was some work, the mr in the tree house and  him bringing me homa me a lilac purple cast iron sink he found at the dump because he knows me so well. The sink is beautiful and will go into our not yet to own, farmhouse. 

I ended up missed farm share pick up because, um I actually, I don't remember why. But there was a reason and that I can't think of. And really, I don't care to try to remember if there was much of anything else worth mentioning from the week.. Oh wait, I think we saw Megan and Sophia and had dinner with Jeff. And that's why I missed farm share. And we also had dinner with Shannon and got to check out he garden. She would be mad if I failed to mention her and her garden and how great they both are looking these days. Ha. 

Then there was Friday. The mr and I spent an entire afternoon driving to pick up more lumber for a job and a little extra for the tree house.. It was a very VERY hot. very long drive (4 hours back and forth). The mr was in truck, me  in the car which has great air conintioning, but because the mr had none in the truck, I decided I was going to suffer too. Might not have the best idea because when we got home I was so miserable. I might have said some very mean things, but it wasn't my fault. This is what happens, I am like a gremlin, except it's not water or food that turns me into beast, it is humid hotness. Watch the fuck out!

Saturday started off good. Went to the gym, loaded a glaze kiln at the studio, cleaned the house, backed up the camping stuff, then off we went to the family cabin in Belvedere.  Things were good, spent a good amount of time with the old man, the sisters and all the little, ate some food, set up the tent, had a a fire. As for the temperature, the weren't so bad. We were good and we were ready for their first night of camping. The mr, me , Miley, and Judah, all in one tent. Erin and Coco in another. We were killing it, thick foam to lay on, a fan, headlamps and books. Tired and ready for bed, we all piled in, and then the lighting started. At first it was a just the normal heat lighting, a little bit here and there, but then it started to thunder, and sprinkle.... And after about an hour of slightly scared littles, they finally fell asleep. Me, not so much because of the lightning. It was lighting up the sky every few minutes, plus the sprinkles turned a steady rain. SO I lay awake, feeling the drip drip drip, hoping that it was just a small passing storm. It wasn't. The sky was lighting up like a strobe, I have never in my life seen such a lighting storm, and it was constant.  The thunder shook the sky, Miley woke and and freaked, the wind picked up, and the rain. Oh the rain. Flash flood in the field, tent filling with water. We had to wake up Judah because he of course was sleeping through it all, and prepare ourselves. The mr was going to go rescue Erin and Coco  and get them to her car and I was going to get the kids to our  car and drive and all drive  back to the cabin  So we got prepared, kids screw shitless, reminding them to run, but watch out for the tent lines, and get to the car as fast as they could. We were ready, I had my phone light, the car key in hand, unzipped and were instantly drenched . The littles ran, careful of the tent lines, but me, I tripped, fell face first, dropped my phone and keys in the now lake. Yup, I was the one to trip. But I recovered, lucky to see the key, grab my drenched phone, and we all made it to the car. The mr, he got the baby and Erin to her car. Long story short, our car got kind of stuck in the field, Erin had to drive her car to ours so we could toss the kids in and they drove over to the cabin. The mr and I, we walked it, wet to the soul, just hoping the lighting would not strike us dead.  We made it alive, 2 am in the morning, wet and awake. Not a bad first time camping for the littles. 

I did not sleep. The littles and Erin ended up sleeping in the middle of the kitchen floor, the mr on the couch, and I just sat there, watching the most magical, freaky storm I have ever seen. Then once everyone started to wake up, I pounded a few cups of coffee and had a decent morning. Breakfast, a fun trip the the river, hung out with the old man, had some lunch. Left the cabin a little while ago and now I am home, barely functional and so fucking hot. I am only keeping my brain from melting out of my ears by sitting in the doorway of the basement with the fan on me and drinking my 8th cup of coffee for the day. All in all, a pretty good weekend. The stuff of great memories. Now I need to go catch the cat and force him to drink some water so he doesn't die and then go check on the mr. Even though it is 100 degrees, he is working in the tree house so I get the fan by the basement all to myself. 

Some internet to look at while melting away. 

-Coldest Place on Earth Found—Here's How. Take me there!

- How to Save A Dish That's Too Spicy (or Sweet, or Salty, or Rich) Good to know when if you need to know

-Pot Glossary: Cannabis Terms For Vermonters because you know. 

-These pictures are calling my name..Frozen Bubble Formations and Shards of Snow Captured in Alaska’s Swamps and Ponds by Ryota Kajita

-Have you eaten meat lately and then gotten sick? Don't worry, I got you, pretty much all the recipes on the site are vegan.  Red Meat Allergies Caused By Tick Bites Are On The Rise

-How To Find The Summer Constellations Summer stars are the best

-We need to stop with the fucking plastic already. China Has Refused To Recycle The West's Plastics. What Now?

-What Are the Best Canisters for Keeping Coffee Extra Fresh? I keep my beans in a glass, rubber sealed canister with little ducks with blue ribbons around their necks on it... It makes me happy 

-Excessive Daydreaming Might Be a Form of Mental Illness. Uh oh. 

-First off, these two are so cute, and secondly, I only new half of these words. I feel old. Nick Offerman and Kiersey Clemons Teach You Millennial Slang

Pictures from the week. I have a ton of pictures from the cabin, but I don't feel like looking at all of them right now so I'll probably just post some in a day or two.  Also, I think I want to start a photo series of barb eating. I mean, right?

Sunday Happy

When a 18 month old stacks dinosaurs and animals better then you, you know he is destined for greatness... or just really good at stacking. Haha

What a week. Miley graduated 5th grade and holy shit I can't believe she is gonna be a middle schooler. Then  the next day Barb went and  graduated  from high school and double holy shit I can't believe she is going to be a college kid. Everyone is getting so old so fast, including me! Besides those two having graduations, all the rest of the littles are done school for the summer so things are all summer vibes up in here. To top it off, it suppose to be like 90 degrees and super humid today and tomorrow so I guess that’s one way to start summer. (Blah, I hate humidity, but what we gonna do? I think I shall find me a sprinkler) Other then spending a lot of time trying to sit still in school gyms on uncomfortable plastic chairs or wooden bleachers, the mr and I have been busy as usual. Nothing new. Hung with the Little’s, did this and that and ran all over town. The mr started building the tree house. I picked the first bunch of radishes and lots of greens from the garden.  And then yesterday, it happened.  I found it.... A coffee table! It was pretty much  exactly what I have been looking for.  And why I found it  was more or less a fluke. The mr and I were out doing chores and one of the places we were going to wasn’t open yet so we swing by the goodwill, just to kill time.  (good will was the mr's idea.. he wants credit)  And low and behold, my table was waiting right there for me. And it’s a beaut, vintage mid century piece that is is perfect condition and it was  cheap as hell.  Meant to be! So good, so good.  Not even summer yet and I have knocked one thing off my bucket  list. It feels so good to finally have coffee table. I feel like more of an adult already, like I have accomplished the un-accomplishable and now I  can take  on the world and do and find anything!  (These feelings are very much illogical but they are my  feelings non the less.) 

And now it's Sunday. Not going to lie, it’s been a trying morning. My computer has not been behaving and I actually thought it was broken for a while, but I got it to start to  kind of work. But I needed  an update which took like 2 hours, but now my computer seems to be fine. But I am still afraid  because I have dealt with computer sudden death and it’s a terrible so I am weary at the moment, but what can I do?  I am just going hope for all the best and back it all up today. (reminder to all... back up yo shit!)   Pat on the back for me though cause while I was waiting for the computer to update, I had time to check in with the dad because today is Father’s Day and I didn't forget! I am such a good daughter and deserve an plaque or some shit. 

As for the rest of the day, I got some projects that I am working on, some wood/clay things and such. And I'll probably read a lot because again, the humidity and I am shit when it gets like this.  I think if I don't melt away into a puddle, I'll be a success. But I might even go try and find that sprinkler that is out there waiting for me.

Internet stuff from the week. 

-I have talked about it before, I am #1 example of hangry. How Hunger Pangs Can Make Nice People 'Hangry'

-What turns bees into killer bees? It can make killer fruit flies too. Don't science them into anything other then gone. 

-To Rinse Or Not To Rinse: How Washing Some Foods Can Help You Avoid Illness Good to know and share.

-Why Every American Should Care About the Farm Bill. We ALL really should care, even if you are a hundred percent self suitable.. its about the lives of the people around you too. 

-Who doesn't love a good sunset/sunrise picture. 21 Gorgeous Sunrise and Sunset Photos

-6 Multi-use Flowers that Do Double Duty Never thought to set sunflower stalks n fire. Door idea

-Book recommendations are always welcomed. 9 New Books About Nature & Hiking That You Should Add To Your Summer Reading List

-Cyclo Knitter: A Bicycle-Based Machine That Knits a Scarf in Five Minutes I kind of want to make a bike like this for myself. It's pretty freaking sweet.

-So Your Garlic (and Onion) Grew a Sprout. Can You Still Use It? 

-My Mom Won’t Stop Giving Our Kid Sweets It's always my sisters with the nieces and nephews that are sweet pushers. Me, I push the carrots.

Pictures from the week 

Sunday Happy

The ladies are home in their hive, living the life that bees live. We have a great view of them from the window on the porch and when you are just sitting there quite, you can hear them buzzing. It's a great spot if you want to just sit there and watch them. (without getting mosquito bites)  Bees, in and out, doing their little flight dance up into the sky. It's mesmerizing. 

The week was good, if not a little hectic. The last week of May always is. It is time for apartment turn overs so we had few people moving out and in, plus the mr has been doing side work all week and has been crazy all out all day, everyday. So things have been busy. But we still managed to get in dinner at Shannons, a evening on Mills river, and even a nice bike ride. Then there are my new garden woes. I have been spending more time then I really want to around the garden, keeping the slugs away because the cooper strip doesn't do shit, (I am now hand picking the fuckers and sticking them in a bowl of water. The birds love it) and getting an insane amounts of mosquito bites. I don't think I have ever been bitten on the face as much as I have been in he past week. And I have noticed that bubmble bees have made a home under one of the raised beds which also sucks because it 's right where I walk and I have almost collapsed there spot. I wish I could get them to move so I don't accidentally kill them so I am going to do a little research and see what I can do. Plus squirrels. I hate them right now and that is about as much as I can do or say on that subject. Anyway, On top of the garden and all the running around for people and life,  I mowed the lawn, cleaned the car, adjusted the kitchen cabinets, and got rid of a bunch of shit. We are so, what can I say,  productive? Or is it, In need of a vacation?  So soon, so soon. The van life is calling our names.....

Today is got a lot going for it. It is suppose to be beautiful, I have a stack of books, some wood to carve, some canvas to paint. My bike tires are still inflated and haven't popped yet (I really need new tires) so I am definitely going for a bike ride, and maybe the mr and I will adventure to do some picnicking while I read and he fishes. A well needed take it easy day. 

The world of the wide web.

-Um, yes. I have listened to this many many times. Weezer Covers Toto's 'Africa,'

-Read This Story and Get Happier. Oh, well ok. Doesn't hurt, right? 

-Going to do some wild foraging for stuff to make some stuff, like medicinal stuff. Guide to Making Tinctures

-YOU'VE NEVER SEEN WAVES LIKE THIS BEFORE. Erie and beautiful.

-I want it but have no need for it. Maybe get it and save for a later house? Fabulous vintage square bathtub

 -The Pits: An Endearing Short Film Follows a Lonely Avocado Searching NYC for its Other Half The music makes it great.

-If only I didn't already live here. VERMONT WILL PAY YOU $10,000 TO MOVE THERE AND WORK FROM HOME

-Naked-Eye Asteroid and More Can't-Miss Sky Events in June

-I follow a lot of plant people and I must say that those are my favorite pictures, but I am a crazy plant lady so.... Plant People Are Rarely Bullies”: The Leafy, Zen Corner of the Internet That Is Plant Instagram

-You, Too, Can Make a Fancy-Schmancy Pie Crust. I think I am gonna give it a go this week, or maybe next week. I'll wait for fresh peaches.

Pictures from the week

-C