Sunday Happy

Walking around the neighborhood yesterday morning in a big heavy sweater, I noticed that there is color touching a lot of trees and that there is even brightly colored leaves falling to the ground. This is the weekend to really enjoy the last bit of summer cause fall about to burst. I know its technically summer for a few more weeks, but I gauge the season by food cravings and extra curricular activities.  I bought my first winter squash (a butternut) this week, roasted it whole and then ate the whole thing, and then stared to knit a new hat for the mr.  It was all fantastic and all fall like and I am now happy to trade in tomatoes for all the root veggies, I am ready. Are you?

Progress on the house. I spent a few days meticulously cleaning up and sanding exposed wooden beams in one of the bedrooms (they look so good) This while I battled a ear infection that I treated by stuffing large amounts of garlic infused coconut oil into my ear and walked around smelling like dinner and oozing oil from my head. All the fun stuff happens to me no? But I am feeling much much better now so I can stop complaining so much. And no more shoving ear phones into these ears. Pretty sure that is why I got the infection in the first place.

The mr has been doing everything and testing out all the electrical.  And guess what, ever freaking thing works! We now have lights in each room, even a light in the windowless bathroom we use ( the unfinished bathroom that is actually just a toilet on a sub floor with a door) And instead of having to run extension cords for every freaking thing, we can now use outlets! It's been a fine fine week. Little sister Barb and I even spent all of yesterday painting the upstairs. Unfortunately after so many days of pouring over color samples and finally thinking I found the color, buying the paint and getting most of the painting done, I have realized that I don't like the color. (it's a off white, but just too yellow) BALLS! The mr is being super sweet about it and telling me it's not big thing and that the walls needed a base coat anyway (no they didn't, we already primed that walls)  and that we will just repaint together and it will take no time and be great. So back to square one with the paint samples (looking for more of a greyish white). AM I crazy? Yes I am, but I would rather repaint now and be really happy with the color then waiting until we move, hate it then, and repaint around furniture and nice clean floors. That would suck even more.

Today the mr and I are going to pick out the new color, get the paint, and clean clean clean!  Empty mud bucket piles, pieces of scrap sheetrock and tools everywhere. The house is a pig pen and it's getting a little much for my liking But after a good clean, if I have some time, I will plant my butt outside on the porch with a enormous cup of coffee and read the rest of the day away. Sunday goals.

If you are interneting (is this a word? If not, I think it should be), here are a few links from the bit of interneting I did this week (didn't do to much)

-Thinking ahead. Peak Fall Foliage Dates

-A in for science and for all of us. A Lifesaving Transplant for Coral Reefs

- This will be my life someday (hopefully sooner then later) STUDIO TOUR: A QUESTION OF EAGLES.

-I grew up watching Bob Ross, such a big influence. The Real Bob Ross: Meet The Meticulous Artist Behind Those Happy Trees-

-If you know me, you know I have a thing for chairs (I have way way to many and I love the all) This book is for me. Better Sit Down For This One: An Exciting Book About The History Of Chairs

-I avoid antibacterial shit like the plague (I like me some germs) so this makes me happy. Within a year, antibacterial soaps as you know them will disappear from the market

A few pictures of the awesomeness of the week.

Have a great weekend. Hope you get a long one.

-C

Sunday Happy

Let's just hit the weather for a minute here. Snow one week and 90 freaking degrees the next. Oh Vt, you can be so cray cray, but do me a favor and stop being 90..I can't sleep, I am constantly sweating....I think I am pretty much melting, not to mention slightly bitchy.  Just be 80 with a nice cool breeze. I would like that a lot. Thanks.

The past week has been one full of the fullness that comes with owning apartment buildings. . A handful of the apartments are turning over so we have been running around dealing with repairs, cleaning, and over all property maintenance.  There has been lots of weeding, mowing, and tree cutting, you know, all sorts of fun stuff. The buildings are looking good but you should see our little fenced in yard right now. It kind of looks like a junk yard from all the shit we have been piling up for lack of time or space to deal with it all. That and we are also in the processes of getting a new work car. (the process being craigslist) , so until we do, moving stuff is on hold. Why is it so hard to find a working truck that doesn't cost a million dollars and will get us from point a to point b without falling apart and being fancy.? We pretty much just need something to haul trash and lawn mowers and the occasional toilet. Is that to much to ask? Apparently it is. (we will find something, I am just being a whine ass)

Anyway, we have managed to get to the new house this week and get the rest of the metal roofing on, a temporary gate up so now Washer can roam free, and lots and lots of nails removed from the floors.Things are still moving along. I even spent some time with the plants while the mr mowed the front lawn (We do it mullet style. Short in the front yard,long in the back) And hopefully today we will have a little time to get over there as well. I really want to harvest some rhubarb and get a few more plants into the ground before it's to late.

And hopefully you are having yourself a long and enjoyable weekend. It's pretty much summer now so it's time to do all the summer stuff that needs to be done.

Some internet stuff to keep you occupied if in need.

-I wonder what my rock collection would look like (I have a shit ton of rocks) A Kinetic Artwork that Sorts Thousands of Random River Stones by Age

-The Highly Anxious Herbivore’s Guide to Moral Vegetable Consumption.. hahaha.

-Fake banana flavor could actually be really banana flavor? The History of Banana Flavoring

-Let it roam..How to Make the Most of a Scattered Attention Span

-It's about time we know exactly whats in the food. An 'Added Sugar' Label Is On The Way For Packaged Food

-I always kind of thought smoothies were more a dessert then a meal. Ask Well: The Downside of Smoothies

-This California House Has a Vertical, Living Succulent Wall and I love it. I would be all about something like this except I live in Vt. All the plants would die.

-Scientists Are Trying to Solve the Mystery of Awe... I think it will forever be a mystery, that's why it's awe.

-These mountain are like whoa.

-I have moments where I want to whitewash the entire house. This place is inspiring (and the stairs.. love love love)

Pictures from the week.

Have a great day

-C

Sunday Happy

Holy crap, it's Easter.... Well Happy Easter to you (if you celebrate it). And if no, happy beautiful spring day. It's going to be so nice and warm and sunny today. I am really excited... spring is finally here!

This past week was epic for th house. The roof was ripped off and now the new addition is up! It all started on Monday when the mr got a phone call asking if he could go let the guys into the house(they were a day early). and three days later they were done, the walls and the roof were up!(not the roofing, we are doing that next week) It was like magic ad I couldn't be happier. The upstairs is now huge and bright. Our new bedroom space is bigger then our entire living space now. I am all like Woo hoo!

When the guys were finished, the work started for us. We had to finish knocking all the walls down and ripping up all the shit floors. It's been a hard on the body kinda week of work and every single muscle in my body is aching. (the mrs too but he doesn't complain. He is a champ) 5 years ago I was able to rip apart a house and be like " what what" the next day. Now I am like What what no.. creak creak" I am officially an old lady and now I need a break!

WE are taking a semi break today( although there might be a little framing and light cleaning might be in store) because it's Sunday and it's Easter. The family is getting together for food, fun and a egg hunt, which I am really excited about., and lots of sitting outside absorbing the warm sunshine and fresh clean springtime air. It's going to be great. I am even planning on bringing a book and passing out on the back porch at some point.

What about you, any fantastic Easter/Sunday plans? Are you going to spend the day hunting down specially hidden Easter eggs, eating lots of chocolate eggs (and carrots I hope) and hanging with loved one?. I sure hope so. And don't forget to get outside. We could all use the fresh air.

Some stuff to read if you get sick of all the jelly beans.

-Ever wonder how those magazines get those amazing photos of food? Well this article explains it all. Ceci N'Est Pas Ice Cream (Actually It's Lard And Food Coloring)

-I love spring and all the pretty bloom that comes with it. 

-I went and got avocados right after I saw this (haven't tried it yet though) HOW TO MAKE AN AVOCADO ROSE

-I was thinking about making the pup a new bed. I really like this design. (and fabric)

-Did you know that Ikea sold candy? I had no clue but here is a guide for the good and the bad. Top 10 IKEA Pick & Mix Candies You Need to Try

-One mans weed is another mans salad. How to Cook with Weeds

- I sometime think I can see a few more colors then is normal....A New Study Helps Explain Why Some People Can See So Many Colors

-These plates would make me so happy.. and not just for Easter. And these molds even though I don't need them

-Trend Alert: 8 Techno Toilets cause we all need a gadgety toilet seat(no, not really)

- Is this for real? Unicorn Kisses Seltzer Water... As a seltzer water junky, I really freaking hope so.

And a couple photos.

Happy Weekend!

-C

Sunday Happy

Happy 2016! Happy Winter! Happy Snow!(a few weeks late, but super happy for it to come at last)

So did you have a great week off, or a slower then normal week? Lots of lounging, binge watching of the Netflix and eating all the left over cookies? Or was it back to work and back to reality? We go from holiday madness to all out crazy the week after Christmas.. There are birthday parties, littles out of school that need babysitting, and work. We keep on working cause that's what we do. And remember last week how I told you I was losing my voice. Well it turned out that I lost it for the entire week. So I was a little sick and really quite which made for a weird and interesting one fore sure.. (especially babysitting without a voice. That got crazy)

And it happened again. New years. Did you party party and stay up til midnight to watch the (fill in the blank) drop? Not going to lie, the mr and I brought in the new year trying to watch tv together, but I just ended up reading. Then I actually fell asleep at 930. What can I say. I am an old lady. And no resolutions, just the average everyday, I need to do "this" or 'that' a little better/faster/cleaner or what not. Goals are what I have and there is not time line. But if you have resolutions, well good for you.

Today is actually the first day off we have taken since last Sunday.  As of now, there are a few little things we are going to work on over at the house but we are not getting into the nitty gritty of it all until we get back from our plane rides of fun in February. Last week we got the ceilings sheet rocked and the mr is now doing the tape/mud this week. (I don't even try because 1. I suck ass at it. 2. he is so good and3. he really likes doing it) I've got a butt load of paper/ bills/ things people want, to go through so this will be a good week to do that and to start whittling away at my spoon. Plus we have a lot of things that need to be done before we depart, like watching scary you tube videos of people trying to drive around Ireland on the right side of the road, figure out whether or not I can bring dried lentils in my carry on, and gather enough reading material to last me plane rides and early mornings spent drinking tea by the sea side.

So much. But not today. Today is for reading, coffee and tea,  a warm cozy sweater and most likely some ice on the old back (sheet rocking ceilings kinda sucks)

I hope your day is spend well, doing good things and being happy.

Stuff I liked on the internet this week.

- I think this could work. The Taco Cleanse Is a Thing, So 2016 Will Be the Best Year Ever

-Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions to Yourself, Please.

-I'll take this cabin , just stick it in the woods

To all you party peoples out there. Want To Avoid A Hangover? Science Has Got You Covered

-Winners & Honorable Mentions of the 2015 National Geographic Photography Competition

-The hottest food trends in 2016 according to Whole Foods and even better... Grandparents Predict the Food Trends of 2016

-These toys are the greatest!

-Keep Things Simple For A Healthy, Long Life

-If you stuck wheels on our living space now, it would kinda look like this.

And some pictures from the week.

Have a fantastic day!

-C

The WInooski House (before)

I can't believe that we have only owned this house for like a month...It feels like we have owned it forever (and that we have been working on it forever)

And before we get to crazy with it all the things, I wanted to show everyone what it looked like when we bought it. (there might have been a few things ripped out before these pictures)

As of now, we have a semi clear view of what we are doing. Fixing up windows, remodel kitchen, sanding or adding in new floors. New lighting and paint. Radiant floor heat and a wood stove.  Also going to rebuild the front porch.  The biggest project is going to be ripping of the back roof and extending the footprint out about 8 feet and the ceilings up another 12-14 inches.It's a big job, but super needed. So yeah, there is some stuff that needs to be done. A lot of work, but hey, it's what we do. And it's going to be fantastic!

So here it is and excuse the mess, we weren't expecting company

Walking in the front door. You get a good view of the kitchen a stairs. We are thinking about putting in a full length old glass door here, but haven't decided yet (what do you think)

The front door. (I am keeping all the curtains)

Living area. And I didn't pull the curtains back, but you can kind of make out the stain glass in the windows, purple ans yellow. They are so pretty.

Another side view

Now lets go to the kitchen

Super tacky, but cute.

The window area is just great. We brought the table over(its nice to have a place to sit) and at the end of the day, we just sit here. So good.

I just realized that this is the only view of the back porch that I have which is crazy because it is one of my favorite spots in the house. It extends the entire length of that back of the house and is all windows. Plus there us a door from the driveway to get in.  I'll have to get a good picture to show you later (and it is now full of trash and wood, but you know)

The door on the right is that bathroom.

As of right now, this is the only bathroom in the whole house and it's getting ripped out. We are doing a 1/2 bath downstairs (the mr wants to do a 3/4 bath and I kinda don't) and building a full bath upstairs. This space is then going to be a big ass pantry for me!!!!!

rest of the kitchen. 

So the kitchen is pretty much being gutted. We don't have exact plans for it yet, except that it has to be super functional and fantastic (and pretty).

Door to the basement and the door to the left is the bedroom off the kitchen. The doorway is being (already has been) extended and are putting in a french door situation. Something old and all windows to let the light flow.

The downstairs bedroom (Hi Nick). See that door? It's a huge closet that is going to be the 1/2 bath. And that big wall...that's the other side of the living room and its already GONE! SO this room is now dinning area that is connected to the living area. It's one big open floor plan.

Now lets go upstairs. Like that carpet? Yeah, it's pretty great.(no not really) We are ripping it out. There will be ZERO carpet in my house!

As soon as you get to the top of the stairs this bedroom (guest/room for the littles) is on the right. Yes it is tiny, but it is really cute and gets great light. There is a little closet that you can't see from this picture and we are actually going to be busting out both sides of the walls and making it a little bigger. It's kind of hard to explain, but the way the house is, there is a bunch of dead space behind those walls. We are going to create little nooks in the wall for the bed and secret a hide out.

Second room at the top of the stairs. (shared studio/office)

And remember how I said we are ripping the roof off? That will effect this room. The weird angle will be gone and it will be much much bigger with a wall of windows.

The tiny hallway between rooms (hi Washer)

Hallway closet which is going to be the bathroom upstairs. (It will go back about 9 feet and is about 9 feel wide)

Third bedroom. (our room) Kind of a weird shape but is actually really cool. And again, the wall with the angle is getting busted down, floor extended and a giant wall of windows

Oh and new hardwood throughout the upstairs.

View of the back porch. See all the window!!!!!!

And the lovely yard. Going to bring over a few bee hive, get more chickens, and get rid of most of the grass and plant all veggies and flowers. We need to re- fence (washer is great but will take off if he sees another dog) and the trees need to be taken back a bit.

That's it for now. There are so many things that we have to do,(and are already doing) I'll try and keep up with keeping you all posted on the progress!

Have a great weekend!

-C