Sunday Happy

I finally got rid of the last of the Christmas tree needles just in time to replace them with glitter for the next few months.. It is my own fault. I didn’t HAVE TO use glitter on a giant ass heart that I made for the mr, but I sure as heck wanted too. (I redact my statement… I HAD TO) It’s ok though because glitter happens and you just gotta deal with it.

The week was the week. Nothing out of the normal. Nothing overly exciting. Valentines day was nice. The mr covered all the windows with little heart and besides the giant heart I made, I also made the mr a heart cake and heart bread and all his food for the day was basically in the shape of a heart. And we went snow shoeing where we might have almost stole a dog. Maggie was her name and she showed up out of nowhere on the trail which was out in the middle of nowhere. Hiked with us for a while, took off, and showed back up on our way out of the woods. Obviously she lived someplace close by and she did have a collar on (that is how we knew her name) but gosh, she was so sweet. She even walked us to our car and got in like she was ready to go home. Ugh, it hurts my soul a little. I miss having a dog. Who I really miss is Washer. Oh boy, here I am feeling all sad and shit…..But the snow shoeing was amazing! Haha

Anyway, a mellow week. And now it’s the second half of February so it basically going to be spring soon and mellow won’t be staying mellow for long so I am going appreciate it for now, although I am getting little antsy for when I can finally pull out my sandals and open all the windows in the house and dirt. I am getting ahead of myself here. That is still a month or 3 away. But it is on my mind.

The mr and I don’ t have any big plans for the day other then dropping in on the littles and maybe going out for coffee with Barb. We have a few chores that need done so we will probably do those…… Whoo hoooo!

As usual, some links to read if you feel like perusing the Internet.

-Not going to lie, I completely see his point. Why Thomas Keller Thinks Farm-to-Table Is Absurd. I want the carrots from the farmer that is in love with his carrots too.

-Totally my type of home. . Life in This Verdant Home in Vietnam Is a Walk in the Park

-Here's why ultra-processed foods are so bad for your health. So so bad.

-Baking fantastical things is not as easy at it might seem on the T.V. The Only Way I Got Through a ‘Great British Baking Show’ Challenge Was By Cheating

-I must make a fantastic pie soon. Dazzling Gradients and Geometric Designs Baked into New Pies and Tarts

-Got questions, here are some answers. Your Questions About Plastic Waste, Answered

-Genius. And the best feature is that it craps every last bit out of the jar.. This New Pump Will Help You Put Peanut Butter on Everything Without a Knife

-These Surreal Guesthouses with Impossible Staircases Have Alice in Wonderland Vibes. I think more like the movie Labyrinth and then I think of David Bowie in tight tights……

-Please Don't Let Your Tiny Dog Blow Away in the Wind. Real life problems.

-He climbs without any rops or harnesses. The guy is crazy. And amazing. A documentary I will watch. Free Solo.

And pictures from the wee

-C

Sunday Happy

Are you a frozen popsicle? Did you make any popsicles or a pair of those frozen pants that I am seeing all over the news? I should have made frozen pants.. maybe next time. Done and done, the polar vortex had come and gone and I am hoping that is stay up up and away for thirst of the winter. My nose and butt have nearly frozen off this week. Give me temps in the teens and I will be all set thank you very much.

The week was a week as any week could be as weekly as can be. Does that make sense? Not really but kinda. Nothing new, cold as fuck, but still kind of nice. I didn’t do much in the way of work besides a little paper work and worked at the studio. Honestly, I spent a good amount of time this week reading and trying not to freeze (for someone trying not to freeze, I sure did go outside a lot). The mr did his usual running around all day everyday. Things have been a little harder since the truck is kind of dead and now we are down to the one car, a car the is not meant for totting around toilets so we have some car stuff to deal with. Sunday we did make it outside for a few hours of some fantastic snow shoeing and tree hugging. Basically throughout the week we did lunches, one with my mom, So, and Megan, one with Barb. The mr made a new jacket rack by the front door, glued more doll heads on cars, and placed frozen hands all over the neighborhoods. We didn’t see the littles very much as they were all busy, too busy for us, but whatever. (I miss them…sad face) And yesterday we took Barb on a snack shopping trip, went to the mall (fist time in like 5 years) and watched Barb contemplate a soft pretzel or not (she just got a lemonade). A weekly week week. See what I mean?

Today the mr and I are suppose to go in such of an ice castle. That is the plan, well that and make the bed with clean sheets because it’s Sunday. I’ll let you know how it turns out. (The sheets always turn out A+.)

Interent from the week.

-Think this polar vortex was cold? It should have been colder. Yup, that little snap was nothing and that is not a good thing.

-Science things. The surprising science of why ice is so slippery

-So You’re Saying My Seltzer Is Not Made of Crushed Up Bliss. What a bummer.

-This is the best tassel wall hanging I have ever seen. Maybe I will actually make it. DIY Tassel Wall Hanging

-Beyoncé's Offering a Lifetime Supply of Concert Tickets to 1 Winner Who Goes Vegan But what about the already vegan folks?

-I think anyone living in Vermont could tell you cell service sucks. One Man's Quest To Prove Vermont Has Terrible Cell Service

-Life goals for next project. Guy Documents 14 Years Of Excavating His Basement With RC Toys

-Thank you Macauley Culkin. Color Of The Month: Coral? Peach? Salmon? Fuck. Get Me The Swatches.

-Irresistible Baby Houseplants. They are so cute. I want them all.

-This is really awesome, just not sure how it’s gonna work out because babies are well, they be babies, but If I worked for the state with a baby, this would make me very happy. Vermont to Allow State Workers to Bring Their Infants to Work.

And some pictures from the week.

-C

Sunday Happy

Mid January and I love it. Yes I know it is coldest part of the winter and still dark early and people are still crashing over the holidays, but this time of year always makes me feel like the world is all for me. Even the cold, the super cold that is scaring most people inside, well I love that too. Crisp and clean and oh so beautiful. I’ll take this freezing cold any day over being hot. I am a winter lady here through and through.

This past week had been busy busy. Mark and Paul turned 21(Happy Birthday BROS!) and had a little birthday party, alcohol free, but with 2 cakes. Drove out to the North East Kingdom in a freaking snow storm to see some of the mr’s family. We went and made dinner with the littles then watched Miley play her saxaphone in the sixth grade band concert. I finally got to pick up farm share. (I went through more then half my stock of frozen garden veggies over the past week which is sad because I have been rationing them and hoped the chest freezer of veggies would last a little longer..Oh well) The mr spent half a day creating ice sculptured on the porch. We did some work and dealt with annoying things. All this while I have barely been able to move my neck. I think the drive to Rhode Island last weekend started off a tweak in my neck the has turned into a pinch nerve or something and I have been spending more then too much time in pain with either a ice pack or hot water bottle propped up on my neck. It has sucked and still really does. I can’t wait for the day when it doesn’t hurt. It’s gonna be amazing.

Jeff Dad came into town for a long postponed weekend. We did dinner at Megans, I made soup and so much bread. Then yesterday the whole family came over for the postponed Christmas with Dad. Sure I had no tree, and there was no Christmas music or anything, but it was super fun. The kids were all behaving and being nice to each other, probably because they were not all cracked out on sugar. I fixed a bunch of food and it was all eaten. We all exchanged presents. Jackson stuffed his shirt with my squash. Good time. And my house got trashed which was a-ok because it was cleaning day anyways.

And to is Sunday again already. In a few hours the mr and I are zipping, if that is what a 4 hour drive is called, down to Rhode Island again for the afternoon and then zipping that 4 hours back. Excited to see family, not excited to sit in the car for 8 hours. My brain and neck already hurt thinking about the drive.

And then I am taking tomorrow off and doing nothing, or as close to nothing as possible.

Interenting from the internet.

-Have you watched and started to “tidy” your life? My life is pretty tidy so I am good on that but it seems eveywhere I go I am hearing people talking about it. Marie Kondo and the fantasy of a tidy life, explained

-Who knew those little demons were actually helping to grow the rainforest. How termites help rainforests survive climate change

-I never use measuring devices when cooking and even sometimes when I bake (as long as I am not writing a recipe) It really is a lot less dishes and hassle to use the old eyeballs. Your Life Will Change When You Learn to Eyeball Measurements

-I have thought about this on multiple occasions and the song always changes. What’s the last song you want to hear before you die?

-ISLAND: A Cast of Colorful Creatures Pop, Quiver, and Hiccup in a Charming Stop Motion Animation. Only watch if you want to smile.

-How Much Junk Am I Consuming Online Every Day?. People average 12 hours a day…That shit is crazy! I feel pretty good about my 1ish hour of digital anything a day. If you want to stop, read. How to go on a low-information diet

-Good time of year to get all the shut eye you need. Why do people need to sleep?

-Why Costco? 27-Pound Bucket of Macaroni and Cheese and  Costco’s Giant Tubs of Nutella

-Don’t Reply to Your Emails. Ok. I won’t.

-I didn't know I wanted a net in my house until now. 10 Homes With Nets to Make You Feel Like a Kid Again

Pictures from the week.

Sunday

What a week. What a year. So much has happened and is happening and is about happen. I guess that is the nature of life and time and all that good stuff.

The week started off fantastic. On Sunday the mr and I grabbed Judah, Emerson, and Barb, piled into the car, and went for a light drive. We walked around a light filled park, drove some more, then ended up at, of all places in this world, Burger King. And they loved it (I packed my own dinner because I do not, will not, eat at almost any place that the littles prefer) Funny, I don’t know if I have ever been inside of a Burger King before, and if I have, it was long before I had a choice in what I ate. Again, they loved it, even though it was trash food, they got their crowns. Coco cheered just about every French Fry that went into his mouth, and the mr got to use Burger King coupons that he had hiding in his pocket (that is basically why we ended up there) It was a fantastic evening and is now going to be a Christmas Eve eve tradition. Light drive with dinner (never Burger King again thank you very much)

After we dropped them off at home, we went home and that is when the mr succumbed to it. IT being the stomach flu. That was fun.

Christmas Eve the mr was an ill man so I forged it alone. With the help of all the Christmas music I could handle, I baked a bunch, prepared the house for the next day when the family came over. I cut up all the fruits and veggies, wrapped the few little presents I had, did bills and a bunch laundry, ran to the grocery store. My mom stopped by and brought me a lemon tree because just because. I just was so freaking productive. And best part, it SNOWED, like a good amount. What I thought was going to be a completely snow free Christmas turned into the most magical snow ever. Christmas Eve afternoon, Big fat fluffy flakes covering the world. I bundled myself up and walked around the neighborhood just taking it all in. It truly was the best Christmas Eve snow ever. And after a full on day of resting , the mr was feeling a bit better so that was good. And then both to bed by 7 because thats our life these days.

Christmas morning had all the right stuff. Woke up and watched the sun rise while drinking a butload of coffee. The house was all clean and glittery and the ltree lights were on and the ground glittered with the fresh snow. After the mr woke up and was feeling a little worse for ware but ok, we bundled up and went for a little stroll on the beach. We usually go for a hike but I was not trying to push the mr too hard. The beach, oh man, was that amazing. The water was still, the snow was like diamonds, and the air was crisp and clean. Not a sound to be heard other then the lapping of water. It was so good. We left before I decided to stay forever and because the mr thought he could walk on ice and ended up with a his foot in a foot of water so we headed on home to meet the hoard of family. Just about everyone came (minus Ryan and the girls and Anthony.. we missed them all) ate food, did a little gift exchange thing (I got some sweet new house plants), plastered Jackson with a very nice shade of lipstick that might have been called whore red, and had a Happy Birthday celebration for Cameron because it’s was Christmas, but it really was his birthday.

Then for the saddest part. We got the news that our uncle had passed away.

Oh Uncle Seth. He had been sick for a while now with Parkinson’s disease, but the past month or so it got so bad. His death was not unexpected but never the less it was not any less painful. My only uncle, the guy who gave me my first car, the man who built a cabin from nothing in the woods and turned it into a place that you could only imagine (or see in a design magazine) A man who taught (he was as professor at RISD), loved the world, loved to travel, loved his work, was so fierce in emotion. SO many little qualities that I saw in him, I see in me. ( I feel like I get a lot of who I am from my dad and my uncle and aunt) The world lost a great man, I lost a great uncle. He is and will always be loved and I know I was just lucky to have been able to have him as an uncle. It is still hard, I don’t think I have fully processed it still, It is kind of a not quite real feeling. Just an overall heaviness that has settled in on my mind and heart. It is so hard to loose any family, but especially hard when they were so full of life and had so much to give to the world. Agh. The words are not even close to adequate here, the full measure of him as a person not explained. To put it simply, he was an amazing, loving and generous person. I am so going to miss him, his creativity, his lust for life. And what I am going to miss most is his hugs and smiles and overall presences in my life. RIP Seth. You really were a fucking awesome uncle.

We got word of the funeral on Wednesday (which was also Anthonys 17th birthday….So old! I stopped by to see him and give him a big hug. Didn’t want a party or cake this year so I owe him granola bars.) and were in the car driving down to RI by Thursday morning. Shannon, Megan, the mr, and me, all packed into the car and off we went. A small family funeral which was very beautiful and full of love, then food with the family. Not a long stay, but we are all going back down next weekend for Seths memorial celebration bash.

We got home and it hit hard. I started to feel kind of crappy (sick wise) and have been feeling blue ever since. Driving to RI really kicked the mr down again. He was so good, no complaining about anything, not the cranked up car heat or driving straight while us ladies spent the entire time talking of childhood memories. He didn’t even put on the music. And by the time we came back home, the guy was sick again, or maybe never was not sick, but he has been down for the count ever since.

So yesterday we did a few morning chores together like got rid of the recycling and retuned amazon stuff to UPS, but by afternoon the mr was out. So I cleaned house, made another ice cream cake for Judah, and did more and more laundry. Another one of those feeling super productive days. Weird, but I am starting to see a pattern here. When the mr is really sick, I get a lot done. I think it’s mainly because. a) I want to stay away from him as to not get sick too. b) I am afraid that if I do get sick none of what needs to be done will get done so I need to do it fast. And c) I don’t have to worry about what he needs to do, it’s all me. Ha.

Today is Judah’s birthday. Nine years old! What an age to be. So basically I am going to the gym then coming home to do a few things and finish making his cake, then heading over to his house for a birthday dinner celebration. I told him and his sister I would go over early and give them haircuts (the boys hair is so long it covers his eyes, He looks cool, but if you can’t see, well looking cool isn’t gonna get you anywhere). It’s gonna be fun.

Goodness, is that it. The end of another year. Hard to wrap my head around so I am just going to ease on in to 2019. Low key and cool. Just like me. Ha.

Happy New Years Friends! Be safe. Be happy. Be good. Be kind.

Interent links from the week

-Just Admit It, You’re in a Bad Mood. All the lead up to Christmas then BAM, its over. Gets me every time.

-I am defintially one of those people who likes to bake when I am feeling anxious. The Rise of Anxiety Baking. Cookies are my favorite to bake too.

-Speakig of cookies. When 'Cookiers' Take Holiday Cookie Decorating To A Whole New Level. I had no idea there was a cookie cutter factory in Vt. I must see this place!

-Who doesn’t love a good tree picture? Black and White Photographs Capture the Striking Appearance of Bare Trees Against Snow-Filled Landscapes

-Explorer completes historic Antarctic trek. Some people do crazy things that make me jealous. Not that I want to ski Antarctica, but something crazy would be cool.

-How did I not know until now that there was a monthly round up of trucks spilling shit. We all need this information. This month in overturned trucks: Cash, Christmas trees, cooking oil

-How A Little Science And A Lot Of Shady Advertising Boosted Yeast's Popularity. I have never eaten a yeast cake, but I eat a shit load of nutritional yeast. MY favorite is a spoonful in the mouth where it gets stuck in my teeth and the roof of my mouth. For real.

-I am going to get a scale sometime soon. I just need to find the right one for the right price (free or very cheap at the thrift store) Until then, this is handy. Weight Conversions for Flour, Sugar, and Other Common Baking Ingredients

-This is something that I have wondered about. I am really happy that it doesn’t get wasted. We Finally Know What Happens to the Leftover Cake on the Great British Bake Off

-The year vegan junk food went mainstream. Yup. Just cause it’s vegan doesn’t mean it is good for you.

And pictures from the week.

Sunday Happy

I am good. You good? Hopefully not super crazy and feeling stressed about holiday stuff? Don’t let it get you. It is suppose to be fun and happy so take a few minutes and just do you. No stress.

Monday was the mr’s actual birthday and we celebrated by taking a day trip out to the North East Kingdom to explore and see some nature. Got lunch, checked out a cool hardware store, blasted the heat in the car, and drank a lot of coffee. Came home and made lasagna and went to bed kind of early. I was a nice end to his birthday week. Until next time.

The rest of the week was up and down. We were suppose to go the PA to visit Dad this weekend with Meg but the plans got canceled when someone (Justin) got the flu. We ran around trying to get a bunch of stuff done, stressing out, but then once we knew we weren't going, well we still have been running around trying to get a bunch of stuff done. Or better yet, running around yes, but also a couple of those day we spent siting around for hours (HOURS!!!!!) on hold trying to figure out our heath insurances. That was the worst. I don’t know how many times I almost threw my phone against the wall (many). All part of being an adult right? Blah. The waiting time did give me a chance to tackle the Christmas cards I have been working on for a few weeks now so that was good.

What else.. I woke up the other night to pee, tried to get out of bed but got caught in the blankets and fell, almost smashing my head against the radiator. The mr freaked, turned on the light and found me just lying there. It was a rough fall and I am still feeling it all over. On a different note, I finally got a new broom which might just be the highlight of my week. It was actually a 2 pack with a dustpan and sweeps like a champ. The old broom was so bad that I stopped using it because I swear sweeping with it just left a streak of more dirt. Yeah for new broom!

Yesterday was a blast. The first annual cookie house contraction day (now a annual tradition). I would say gingerbread house, but I used sugar cookies instead because I know the littles and it was the right thing to do. I woke up early, baked off all the pieces, gathered a ton of candy and had people bring some too, and off we went. Miley, Judah, So, Alex, Coco, and Barb, plus me, the mr, and Megan. Enough to build a village. Got everyone well fed before construction (Mac and cheese and pb and J) and got to work. Construction might not have gone as smoothly as I hopped (canned frosting doesn’t work as well as the sugar glue I made) but we figured it out. And once the houses were up, it was one big plume of sugar. Frosting and candy everywhere. There was so much sugar that I swear I was getting contact sugar high from all the littles. But the houses, they were coming out so awesome. I was truly impressed. Most of the houses stayed upright, but there were a couple the might have had a little too much candy (definitely Miley’s) and had the roof collapse. All good though because she just starting to eat it and well, yeah. After the doses of sugar the littles ran circles around the house, and then left. I stayed and spent the rest of the day scraping sugar off of every surface in the house wishing that I had bought a steam mop with that broom. (I used to have one and it broke but it was amazing and that is all I want for Christmas now)

Today the mr and I are commuted to finishing all the Christmas cards, getting them addressed, and sending them out TOMORROW. I plan on going to the gym and grocery store this morning but then hunkering down for the rest of the day, listening to Christmas music and getting them done. They need to be done. We are way late on sending them out this year. Oops.

Internet from the week.

-Santa Is Nothing but Stress for Families Who Don’t Believe in Him. I remember when I stopped believing in Santa.. sad day. And now with all the littles, some believe and some don’t. it is hard to keep their little mouths shut.

-Not everything needs to come in pill form. See the diverse ingredients in traditional Chinese apothecaries

-How freaking badass. Horse-Riding Librarians Were the Great Depression’s Bookmobiles

-Why People Wait 10 Days to Do Something That Takes 10 Minutes. I never ever procrastinate cleaning. It’s just not worth it. And I am crazy.

-How best to harness the power of garlic in your everyday cooking. So many ways to use one simple ingredient and it can turn any dish from one thing to another.

-Never!!!! I Bought My Live Christmas Tree on Amazon — Here's How It Went.

-Google's 10 Most Searched Foods in 2018. Keto is a big deal huh? Me, I for sure googled romaine a few times.

-Why is the night sky dark? It’s all about the stars.

-If I have kids, wooden blocks are all I will have for toys, well those and a basket of river rocks and lots and lots of art supplies. But no plastic and NOTHING that needs to be plugged into anything or needs batteries. How Melissa & Doug captured the toy market, one wooden block at a time

-It’s Time to Stop Calling Foods ‘Crack. Agreed

Pictures from the week