Sunday Happy

That there is the Shasta and the mr's new obsession . When we brought it home last we said that we would not even think about touching it until maybe later this winter. Well guess  what, he has already started ripping some of the siding off to reframe it and re side it and yada yada yada. Later inter my ass, but I should have known. Just as long as we get the bathroom done!

Yes, finally we have started to redo the downstairs bathroom. It's the last (besides the basement) place in the house that needs to be done. It' taken so long because we have been in a impasse about having a shower in there. The mr has to have one. Me, well I kind of think it's a waste of space.. But what can I say, I gave in and we are sticking a shower in there and I am ok with it, mainly because I get full say in what happens with the rest of remodel. There is going to be gold paint everywhere.

It was Miley Lu's tenth birthday this past week, as well as Grammy Stems ninety-seventh. We didn't get to see Gram, although we did talk to her.(If you are reading this Dad, she was not happy you made her eat her ice cream in a hot car. It melted all over he pants) We had Miley's birthday party at my house and did a cake with balloons and super shitty music dance party.(I am working on her musical taste but you can only do so much for a ten year old who is starting to like cute boys and boy band garbage)

Four day heat wave followed by sixties has tossed by body through a loop. I might have got a little something making me feel a little crummy or my body is just still a little confused as to what the fuck is going on.  Either way, I am done with the drastic fluctuation in temperatures. Just be and stay fall, ok , thanks. Anyway, that was the week that and I went a little crazy and bought a shopping cart full of seltzer waters because when they are 40 cents that is what you do. Oh, and the computer. Still using barbs, but I need to give it back to her today. I guess that means I really need to figure my shit out in the next couple days. The mr is going for an iPad (much cheaper then another computer ) but me, I need a real computer.  Blah, I really don't want to deal with it.

Ah Sunday. It's Alex'x birthday today so we are going over to Megan's to  have a birthday lunch party and then maybe am birthday. After that definitely a nap and some reading all cozied up on the couch with a big soft blanket and hot beverages. A nice fall afternoon. And is it time to  bust out some tasteful Halloween decorations? I think so.

What was on the world wide web this week.

-I am all about the falling fruit (I call it roadside fruit) The mr had this idea years ago. He is going to love this and be pissed because it was his idea.. Forage with the Falling Fruit Map

- What every American needs to know about Puerto Rico’s hurricane disaster It's a lot and we need to know.

-I have been thinking about all the things that I want to see in the world and that I better do it soon before they are gone. These Breathtaking Natural Wonders No Longer Exist

-The Evolutionary Event That Gave You Pumpkins and Squash. Thank you evolution, thank you. 

- When apples are cheap I stock up. How to Store Apples to Retain that Fresh-Picked Flavor

-This was a good read. WOMEN AREN'T NAGS—WE'RE JUST FED UP. Emotional labor is for real.

-Just one more great thin g to come out of Vermont. 40 Years Of Athletic Support: Happy Anniversary To The Sports Bra

-ELON MUSK'S MARS COLONIZATION PLAN NOW INCLUDES INTERCITY ROCKET TRAVEL. So people need to ne rockets around places now? Not a fan. 

-Raw or cooked veggies How about a some of both! Does Cooking Boost Nutrients in Tomatoes and Spinach?

-10 Tips For Living Minimally Longterm. Really good tips. 

Pictures from the week.

Sunday Happy

Yawn, stretch, throw on some pants and back to it.

But it's taking a whole lot of will power to get up and go. It's just too perfect out to do much of anything. Is it weird that I love this cold and rainy weather? These are the days that I can spend all day in a ball of blankets on the couch next to a window looking out with hot beverages and good books.. I will get there soon, but not today. We started tiling the bathroom wall yesterday and need to finish it, along with he rest of the house.

This week flew by fast. It included a very quick foliage drive(stopped by a river so the mr could fly fish),  Barbara turning 17 while watching her field hockey game, a tiny little baby that fell in love with me and wants me to be it's new mommy, and the scraping and painting of so much everything. I think the highlight was when the 17 year old Barb stopped by the house to bring us coffee, hung out with us, and lent me her sweater that I love but probably won't ever get a chance to wear cause all I wear are grubby, paint stained clothes. But none the less, it was great and maybe I'll just wear the sweater to bed.  And the colors. Every time I walk out of the house and see all the trees, all the colors...it just blows my mind. So good.

Other then that, not much else. I am giving myself a political detox for a few days before i barf, eating lots of roasted celeriac and missing my kitchen. I can't freaking wait to spend all day cooking in baking in my kitchen. I can't freakin wait!

And now I got to find those pants.

Internet for the looking.

-Everyone Should Make Time for Daydreaming. I do me a lot of it.

-The Difference Between Pepitas and the Seeds from Your Halloween Pumpkin

-6 Things You Need To Know About Cycling On The Sidewalk. I sometimes bike the sidewalk, but only when I have to and very slowly.

- Maybe this is the reason I hate wearing shoes. ABSORB EARTH’S FREE FLOWING ELECTRONS THROUGH THE SOLES OF YOUR FEET(EARTHING)

-Read this book this week. One of my new favorite books. It changed the way I look at the world, especially trees.

-Forget Tomayto/Tomahto: The Real Debate Is, Should It Be Refrigerated?  II never do unless it's 100% necessary

-feel like this is a close representation of my knitting basket. A Mass of Tangled Red Yarn Unravels from a Loom to Overtake a Brazilian Chapel

-What Tree Is that has been a frequent question. Trees With Leaves - A Deciduous Tree Leaf Key

-Speaking of trees, I would live in this tree house.The tree alone is pretty amazing.

- A little preemptive in looking, but I told myself I that I get to buy knew sheets and duvet cover when we move into the house (I am a linens slut) This bed set is looking good, although can't go wrong with these either.

And pictures.

Have a great day.

-C

Pumpkin Donuts with Chocolate Glaze

As a reward to ourselves for finishing the floor laying week (what a freaking week, I will share some pictures soon) I stayed home for a little while yesterday morning and made some donuts for the mr ( I got to bake and do a little knitting and he got donuts.) Initially I was gonna make a cake, had it on my agenda for a cake at some point this week, but last minutes I felt the need to use my unused donut pan. I think it was a good call. Donuts don't require as much pumpkin puree.  I roasted a pumpkin a few days ago for the purpose of baking a cake with it but have slowly eaten most of it (on accident) so that there was just enough left to make the donuts. I have no willpower when it comes to roasted squash, I can't stop eating it.

Anyway,  I had me a mighty fine morning of trashing the kitchen, using my pretty mixing bowls, basking in the glory of the residual heat coming from the oven, and making the house smell all nice and fall spicy. And now there are donuts in the house with lots of sprinkles and only the mr to eat them. He really really likes them, like a lot. (me "don't eat all those f*ing donuts dude, save some for later!")

Another reason donuts were a good call, they are easy to share. Maybe I should go drop off a few to a friend. Any takers?

The donut stuff. Flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt are in that bowl. Then we have pumpkin puree(homemade or canned) soy milk(or any milk), brown sugar, cinnamon, oil, and apple cider vinegar

All the wet stuff gets mixed together and the dry stuff plus the cinnamon gets whisked together too.

Wet into dry and mixed until combined.

Scoop batter into well greased donut pan and don't do what I did and overfill (I always forget not to overfill). My fist batch came out a little bit bigger the expected with holes. No biggie.

Once pan is filled,  pan goes into preheated oven. Bake until golden perfection (about 15-18 minutes or until a tester comes out clean)

Slightly overflown donuts cooked to all the goodness and popped out of the pan to cool on a cooling rack.

Glaze stuff. Powdered sugar, cocoa powder, a pinch of salt, a splash of vanilla, and a bit of soy milk....Mix it all together and that's that.

Completely cooled donuts (very important to be completely cooled) go heads down into the bowl of glaze.

All glazed and looking good but I think somethings missing.....

Oh yeah, sprinkles.

Pumpkin, chocolate, sprinkles. BOOM!!!

Happy Friday!!!!

---

 Pumpkin Donuts with Chocolate Glaze

makes 10 donuts

For donuts

• 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup soy milk (any milk works)
• 3 tablespoons neutral oil like canola
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

For the glaze

• 7 heaping tablespoons powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons soy milk
• splash vanilla
• pinch of salt
• sprinkles!!!!...optional

Preheat oven to 350

In a big bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and baking soda, salt, and the cinnamon. In a separate bowl mix together the pumpkin puree, sugar, soy milk, oil and the apple cider vinegar. Dump the wet mixture into the dry and mix until combined.

Ready the donut pan by really making sure it is well grease. Fill each donut mold about a 3/4 way full. I use a spoon but you could transfer that batter to a piping bag if you want. Place pan into oven and bake for 15-18 minutes or until the donuts are golden brown and a fork stabbed into one comes out clean. Pop donuts out of mold and let cool completely on a cooling rack.

Note. I have one pan that does 6 at a time. I had to wash, dry and re-grease the panto bake all the donuts.

Once donuts are cooled, gather the glaze ingredients. In a shallow bowl whisk together the sugar, cocoa, and salt. Add in a splash of vanilla and then the soy. Mix together until a glossy not to thick but not to thin consistency . If its too thick, add in another splash of milk, to think, more powdered sugar.

To glaze, take each donut and place face down in glaze and give it a little twirl.  Remove and place back on cooling rack (glaze size up) and cover with sprinkles. (optional)

Then eat the donuts

Any uneaten can be placed in airtight container for 2-3 days or can be stuck into freezer.

Sunday Happy

New baby, lots and lots of littles, and laying the flooring. Never a dull moment over here.

Erin finally popped and pushed out a humongous adorable little human (Emersion Reed Scott... I call him murder) so while she has been doing that and hanging out in the hospital, her littles have been my littles. Needless to say, my house got trashed, my fridge is empty, and all the printer paper is gone. We ate all the beans and apples in the house. Spent after schooldays drawing and making weird shaped out of scrap wood and nails while the mr and I worked.  Not to take away from my sister pushing out a gigantic human from her body, but hell, my body/mind are fried. Taking the littles is easy (feed them, let them loose on Nick, homework, watch Malcom in the middle, brush teeth, bed) but laying floor is hard. Lots and lots of tiny pieces of floor that need to be hammered and bent and fanagled. So many nails, nailing for hours and having all the pressure of not nailing into the radiant heat tubing. My body has contoured into a semi permanent bent shape and red tubes are floating over my closed eyelids.  The mr on his hands and knees for hours with so many slivers... It's fucking painful. But we love it (the floor) and the bit of pain is worth it. As for the littles, the are so awesome. They can stay with us forever. Oh yeah, and my Dad has made his way back tot he state where he left all of his children for a visit so we have been doing all that family stuff too. If only I could figure out how to get paid for being with my family.(we could do a reality tv show but I don't think America could handle that)

I am cooking food, I just haven't had a lot of time to like clean dishes, make things pretty, and catch good enough light to take pictures but I am hoping to get a little time to make an epic cake this coming week. I want to bake plus I want to start a project and see it finished within a few hours. I miss posting recipes and and I think everyone around me needs some cake. So look for that (thinking some kind of pumpkin chocolate situation)

And as for today, the littles are back home with their mother so the mr and I are going to floor some more until our bodies give out then drive into the mountains for a well earned visual spectacular of color. And coffee. So much coffee.

Just for a laugh... Judah says to us the first time we went up to the hospital to see his mom and new baby bro ."holy haha. Look guys look. He is eating moms nipples." He couldn't stop laughing. That kid, oh boy is he awesome. He also said that the baby makes sounds like a big fart. I agree.

Internet stuff I found during my late night browsing sessions.

-Dude, I might just have to move to Japan. Japan Wants to Reward You for Safe Driving—with Coffee

-HOW VANILLA BECAME THE WORLD'S FAVORITE FLAVOR..is it yours?

-Into all of these hammocks. 5 Hammock Hybrids for Extreme Relaxation

-To the insurance company that doesn't want to renew our house insurance policy because of our garden looks like we lack "pride of ownership" (for real what they said) Eight Reasons NOT to Clean Up in the Garden

-Ah, love this house.

-Do You Wish Time Would Slow Down? Yes, yes I do

-We are keeping the downstairs all white and light and bright. Inspirations

- “Extreme bees, extreme people.” Six Scientists, 1,000 Miles, One Prize: The Arctic Bumblebee

-This is fantastic. To bad I didn't know this hack in art school. Ingenious Hack for Sketching with Two Point Perspective Using an Elastic String

-I have blown up a few carrots in the microwave in my day. Snap, Crackle, Kale: The Science Of Why Veggies Spark In The Microwave

And a few pics.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

-C

Sunday Happy

That's right, it's October. Another month, another season. Jeeze time, slow the f down!

The week was another jammed packed crazy fest.  We picked up 800sqft of flooring(that sucked moving) and bought more paint (pure freaking white). We finished laying all the tubing for the radiant floor heating, the radiators are painted, in place, and plumbed.  The plumbers are coming tomorrow to give us a new boilers o we can use all these new heating devices. There were two birthday parties,(happy birthday Miley Lu and Alex) a day at the pumpkin patch and drawing flowers, and the constant running back a forth between hardware stores. I had the birthday boy over for breakfast and asked him what he wanted me to make him. Anything, and he chose eggs bacon and toast. I made the eggs and toast but was not willing to cook the bacon. Bad aunt maybe, but I wasn't about to stink up my house with that. Just no. So I gave him chocolate chips and sprinkles instead. He was happy. Oh and my little (by giant) brother came home for the first time for the weekend from the military college dressed in military garb and looking all beefy and smart. Crazy what a month away from home will do to a person. I think he is much cooler now.(but don't tell him that)

Maybe one of the best parts of the week.....Found my vintage yellow fridge! Oh how I love the craigslist. The mr and I went and picked it up yesterday. Had to load the heavy as hell fridge on top of the Volvo and drive 20 miles. It was terrifying . I thought the fridge was going to go barreling off onto the hood of the car or tip over and roll away. But we made it and now we are proud owners of a vintage yellow frigidaire fridge. It's all sorts of fantastic.

So yeah, I am really tired today and feeling a little lousy this morning. I think I need to take it easy today, I can feel this turning into full on sick if I don't catch it now. The mr and I need to clean up at the house and get ready for the plumbers, but other then that. Me and the couch are going to be friends today. Coffee, book, sleep. Sounds like a plan.

My internet finds from the week.

-Something I think about way too much. Now — And The Physics Of Time

-HOW A PERUVIAN FARMER IS GROWING 180 KINDS OF POTATOES

 -The FDA Is Finally Going to Update the Term ‘Healthy...Finally

-WE should all know this because we should The top 7 ways a trip to Mars could kill you, illustrated

-The Sweet Emotional Life of Bees.This is true of most people too.

-I reek of garlic All. The. Time. Finally, Here's Some Good News About Garlic Breath

-Ever wonder about take out containers? Chinese Food Delivery Containers, Explained

-Our Robot Overlords Are Now Delivering Pizza, And Cooking It On The Go. Or just make your own at home, but this is still kinda cool.

-The 11 Varieties of Winter Squash You Need to Know Cause its squash season

-The night comes sooner now so I can get outside to see the stars before my bedtime. A Meteor Shower and 8 More Can’t-Miss Sky Events in October

And the weeks pictures.

Bye.

-C