Sunday Happy

This week has been pretty fantastic. The weather here could stay like this forever and I would be happy. Warm days, cold night, sunshine. We have fully embraced it all. The mr finally fixed his brakes on his bike so we have been riding our bikes everywhere, for work and play. I don't mind doing chores when you get to bike around to do them. We have gone to a few rivers for fishing/ reading time. We even took a long ass drive out to the Kingdom to see our friend Jess's new farm (we got to see it but not her. It's ok thought because we plan on going up again really soon with our overalls and shovels and upper arm strength) Spending time outside really makes this lady here feel all sorts of good.

A huge step this week. We finally replaced the glass in the front door!!!! It's been about a year since I smashed it out with a 2x4. We went a long time without fixing because I would have probably just smashed it again anyway. But we are finally done with the outside of the house and hopefully with any more 2x4's and the door was the last step. And holy moly all the light. It's like the door is wide open. The mr made the comment that the new glass makes him feel like an adult now. I totally agree. No more plywood front door. Glass is class!

More little things are happening around the house and we are starting to get things ready for fall/winter here and at he other houses. It's the in between time where we could not do anything for a little while and then in two months get slammed with snow or something and all those little things that we should have done now are now big things that are going to suck ass doing then. You get what I mean?  So we are thinking about all those things and probably going to start doing them.

The week was also the start of school for all the littles so we tried to see everyone one last time before school starts and it's all homework and sports and friends. We had dinners, played in the sand, and worked on our pasta sauce faces.. All the good stuff for the last days of summer. We also moved the bees from the house to the loft for the winter (see, winter stuff has begun). The mr has plans of indoor hives and I am just going to let him do his thing just as long as the bees are not flying around inside the house. And on that note, Jeff (my dad) is coming to town this week and I gots to clean the shit out of the loft and weed wack and bring over some toilet paper and towels and make it habitable for people again. I have been slacking over there lately. My pottery wheel is in the middle if the room and there is a nice layer of dust on on the clean dishes. Dust, clay, and bees. He is going to have a blast.

I am really embracing the cold wet day we are suppose to have. I am going to do a few chores that I have been avoiding like cleaning out the spare closet (it's full of sewing stuff, glitter, and who knows what else) maybe finally unpack my clothes and hang those up, maybe start knitting a hat? Whatever I do, I am looking forward to just kind of having a home day with my socks, cozy sweater, and never ending supply of coffee.

What I saw on the internet this week.

-After Harvey, Are Epic Rains the New Normal? There are more and more large scale natural disasters happening every year and we need to figure out how to deal with it now.

-The Rise Of Mock Meat: How Its Story Reflects America's Ever-Changing Values.   I am not a fan of store bought mock meat, it ishighly processed. Beans for me please.

-The Color Factory is on my list of places to go the next time I am in CA. BALLOON BATH BY GERONIMO BALLOONS AT COLOR FACTORY

-I think most of us can relate. Stress = zit. The Science of How Your Feelings Affect Your Face

-Drink Seltzer, Live Forever. Social media is not your soul, don't forget that.

-THIS MAP REVEALS THE BEST PLACES TO WATCH THE LEAVES CHANGE THIS FALL. Lucky me I just have to wait a few more weeks.

-I love bird photography.  Winners and Honorable Mentions of the 2017 Bird Photographer of the Year

-What happens when you play with your food. Tiny Toast Art.

-Amazon Prime Will Now Deliver Wine to Your Door in One Hour. Amazon is taking over the world. But an hour for wine is not bad.

A few pictures from the week

Have a great long weekend!

Plum Cake

This summer I have gotten like 5 lbs of blackberries, a humongo bowl of raspberries, so so so many pears, and lots of random veggies, all from my neighbors and their gardens We live in a very giving and generous neighborhood. And it helps that they can't possible eat all that they grow and that I am always willing to take it off their hands (and put it into my mouth) In return we have given out rhubarb and jars of honey and overall charm and smiles. (the charm and smiles are on the mr to give out)

The other day on a walk, the mr and I saw this sign outside of a neighbors house. Plums, please take some! Well pull my arm, I guess I will have too, because the sign said please right? Anyway, these little plums, not sure what kind they are, but they are so good. Sweet and bite sized and pretty. I ate a few then decided that I needed to share my shared plums and went about making a cake to stick those said share plums into.

I made the cake, invited my mom and a couple of sibs over. Mom didn't come but Barb and Paul did so they got the cake, Well they got half the cake, the mr ate the rest. I was told that this cake is one of the best. I bet it is when you used share plums because sharing is caring and sharing cake is all that good stuff.

The stuff. A bowl with flour, baking soda baking powder, and slat. Then you have brown sugar, coconut oil. vanilla extract, soy milk, and a little apple cider vinegar. And plums of course.

Once you have started preheating the oven, cut your plums in half and remove the pit.The best way to do this is to run the knife along the pit all the way around the plum and then twist to break in half. Pop the pit out with you finger.

Set plums aside while mixing cake

Warmed coconut oil, brown sugar, and vanilla all get mixed together into a smooth consistency then dumped into the bowl of dry stuff.

Soy milk and vinegar get added and mixed in.

Cake batter ready to go.

Batter gets poured into a very well greased cake pan and the plums get placed, cut side down,right on top. A sprinkle of sugar to top it off is not a bad idea.

Into the oven it goes to turn to cake!

Pulled from the oven looking so nice. Let the cake cool completely in the pan before taking it out. Hot cake is hard to handle!

And as soon as you get it out of the pan you can start eating.

Enjoy the last bits of summer. Share if you can!

-C

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Plum Cake

Makes a 12 inch cake

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking sods
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup coconut oil (warmed so it's liquid)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup soy milk
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 12-14 small plums (the plums I used where golf ball sized so you might need less for larger plums)
• 1 tablespoon white sugar

Preheat oven to 350

Start by slicing the plums in half and removing the pits. Set them aside. Hint. for slicing, the best way to do this is to run the knife along the pit all the way around the plum and then twist the plum in half. Pop the pit out with you finger or spoon.

In a large bowl, whisk together the salt baking soda and powder, and salt . In a smaller bowl mix together the coconut oil, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Pour the wet into the dry and add in half the milk, mix together, then the rest of the milk and apple cider vinegar. Mix until all incorporated and smooth.

Pour batter into a well greased 12 inch round cake pan.  (If you don't have that a 9x9 square pan will work) Smooth out the top then grab your sliced plums and stick them, cut side down, on top. Give each plum a little push into the batter so it half submerged. Sprinkle the top with white sugar and pop into the oven

Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a fork or toothpick stuck int he middle comes out clean.

Remove and let cool completely in cake pan, it's easier to remove the cake when it is not hot.
And once it's cool, remove cake gently and ta-da. Cake time

Sunday Happy

The other day I went into my closet and spent a few minutes refreshing my mind on all of my sweaters and socks, just so I know what I still have going on for warmth. I have even been wearing a few of those sweaters and socks in the mornings. I grab a sweater, a throw blanket, a book, and go sit on the front porch, with coffee of course, and watch the sun come up. I know it's still summer and all and we always get a hot week or two come September but this cool weather has been just the shit and I am loving every minute of it.

This week has been pretty mellow. My gym closed for the week so my daily routines have been all kinds of fucked up. If you know me well enough you know that if I don't go to the gym or get a really good bought of exercise in my day, I am kind of a crazy ball of crazy. So that has thrown me off a bit but bike rides, kayaking, internet yoga, and just running around has kept me from going completely nuts. Then there was eclipses day. The mr and I spent the afternoon playing by the river, him fishing, me picking up rocks and just soaking up all the crazy vibes coming down on us and casting weird shadows. Very cool and now I am very excited for 2024 (total eclipses right here in VT) We had the little's for a day and we (more me) decided we needed to have a fire in the yard so we could roast marshmallows. I didn't have graham crackers for s'mores but give a kid a bowl of chocolate chips and sprinkles for dipping gooey marshmallows and they are all good. The garden and farm, if you didn't read my previous post, are giving out whatever they got, which is a hole heck of a lot. The goldenrod is in it's prime, and the mosquitoes are only really out at night. Ah, all the good and it's really really good.

And bees. We got a new hive this week from one of the mr's friends. Not a large colony but looking healthy and happy here with us so now we have to get the new ladies ready for winter. 

Today the mr and I are looking to get a few more things done around the house. The mr is making furniture out back, I am attempting to fold an origami type lamp shade situation for the dinning room light fixture (it's the last light fixture we need in the house!) and probably going to spend a good chunk of time with garden and yard work. There are two very lovely little pine trees planted right in the middle of the yard and I have been doing some research and think I might be able to move them more to the back of the yard. So I might start that process today, we shall see

What I spent time looking at on the internet.

-Didn't get to see the eclipse or excited for more? Here is a list of eclipses and all the info you need to see them for the next twelve years.

-Harvesting Salt By Hand Is Making A Comeback In France. Pretty cool.

-A lot can be said in (or on) a cake. This Buttercream Kills Fascists

-To Get Calcium, Navajos Burn Juniper Branches To Eat The Ash. I take calcium supplements, maybe I should try this.

-There is still plenty of summer left. How to Make Ice Cream Without Dairy

-The mr wants a house boat. I could live in this house boat.    

-It's all about balance and enjoying life. How to Have Your Health Food and Love It, Too.

-See the Most Colorful Places on Earth. It's amazing to see so much color in nature.

-“Crown Shyness” Where Trees Avoid Touching

-This could be really good for a lot of people. A New Clinical Trial Shows Potential Long-Term Relief From Peanut Allergies

And pictures from the week.

Bye

-C

Summer Bounty with Lentils Salad

All at once is how it goes. The garden is all star fantastic and just won't quit.  I find myself picking 4-6 cucumbers and the same in squash every morning. The tomatoes plant are a freaking jungle and there are so so so many tomatoes, all just about to ripen. The kale is doing it's thing, growing big and green and I pick a few handfuls a day. And then there are all the beets and carrots and cabbage,chard, and kidney beans. It's big, and prolific and amazing. I am much proud of myself for growing a shit load of awesomeness.

And then there is the farm share. I get all my garden stuff times 10. Tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, kale. Not to mention the corn, onion, carrots, and herbs and all the flowers. The food keeps on coming.  I live in a house, with a big kitchen, with lots of counter and a full sized fridge, yet I still don't have a place for it all. The squash overflow has now made it's way to the dinning room. But I am not complaining.

The new rule that I have instated in the house. Every meal must contain at least two tomatoes, a cucumber, and some kale. Want a snack, grab a zucchini. You thirsty? well eat a cucumber. No joke. I get a little stressed out about how much food is around that needs to be eaten or canned, but that is good stress. I am on the lookout for a chest freezer to help with the stress. I promised myself that I would have one by now so I need to get on that asap.

Summer harvest. This is the time of year that I gain a few pounds. It's a zucchini tomato belly for sure.

And this salad. I am a huge fan of the B.A.S (big ass salad). A big ass bowl of all the goodness from farm and garden plus some lentil protein and a little good avocado fat. Fresh and clean and delicious. Makes you feel all good when you eat it.  So go for it. Eat yourself a B.A.S. you wont regret it.

The stuff. Cucumbers (that is a white cucumber and it's really tasty) tomatoes, some kale, parsley, and cilantro. Also need some onion, cooked lentils, and at least half an avocado. Salt. pepper, and red wine vinegar for the finish.

Kale. parsley, and cilantro get a good rough chop and then tossed into a big ass bowl.

Cucumber, onion, and tomatoes get their turn next and chopped into mouth sized pieces. Into the bowl as well.

Top it all with cooked lentil, some avocado, and a glug glug of vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.

Toss it all around.

Now all you need is a fork.

All the summertime in a bowl. Here's to summer bellies!

-C

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Summer Bounty with Lentils Salad

• 2 cucumbers
• 2 small or 1 large tomato
• 1/2 of an onion
• 1 cup cooked lentil
• 1/2 an avocado
• 3-4 large kale leaves
• handful fresh cilantro
• handful fresh parsley
• red wine vinegar
• salt and pepper

First off, grab a really big bowl. Take herbs and kale and chop into small pieces. Place in bowl. Next dice up you onion, tomato, and cucumbers into mouth sized pieces and toss those into bowl. Dump the cooked lentils on top of that and dice the avocado (I used half but you can use whole one) into little pieces and through that on too. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper and a glug (about a table spoon or two) of vinegar.

Now mix until all combines. Taste and if needed, add more salt, pepper, and/or vinegar.

Now its done. Grab a fork and eat to your face.

Sunday Happy

 I am kind of unprepared for August. Not that there is really anything to prepare for, I just can't believe that it's almost here. This summer is blowing by so fast and I don't feel like we have done any summer time fun stuff. I need to get on that like soon before it's to late and I am all like apple picking and knitting. We need to get our summer on!

The week was good. More things got done work wise and life wise. We are getting down the nitty gritty and I just want it all to be done. A few more things and we are going to call it. (like the stairs. We have not front stairs anymore)I think that highlight of the week was when the littles came over for dinner and Judah learned how to fart with his arms. He spent most of his time arm farting and laughing at himself. It was fantastic. I am trying too think about what else happened this week but my head is a bit foggy. I either have a really bad sinus infection or my brain is about to blow up, either way I am tired and feeling crappy.

Feeling like shit means that today I just need to take it easy, drink lots of water and rest. A nice chill day. I am down with that.

Internet from the week.

-What it is really like to life off grid( in a warmer climate) Here's What It's Like to Live in the Woods, Off the Grid

-I wonder if space bread taste any good. 3, 2, 1 ... Bake Off! The Mission To Make Bread In Space

-Does Your Family's Century-Old Pyrex Still Rule The Kitchen? Pyrex for it all.

-Love this cottage. A Petite Farmhouse, Hidden Within A Beautiful Garden, In Oakland

-Are Avocados Actually About to Get Cheaper?! I hope so. I haven't been willing to pay the nearly 2 bucks a pop for one so we have been avocadoless for a while now.

-Scientists Have Created a Food They Believe Can Alleviate World Hunger

-Food news about meatless burgers and eating a donut.

-Life ideas.  How I Started a Small Suburban Farm

-Maybe don't use sponges. Your kitchen sponge harbors zillions of microbes. Cleaning it could make things worse

Pictures from the week

Happy weekend

-C