Sunday Happy

I have two questions. Is it crazy that we still have or Christmas tree up? It is just so nice and still looking as fresh as the day we cut it so I am having hard time saying goodbye to it. I did take all the ornaments off, just left on the lights, so it is kind of like a big house plant right? That is what I am telling myself because that it what it is. Once it start dropping needles or most likely, just after this week, to the goat farm. But as of now, it stays.

Anyway, my other question is, where the hell is winter? For real. When I went to bed Friday night there was a few inches of snow on the ground and when I woke up Saturday morning, it felt like freaking late spring and I barely needed to wear clothes, much less a jacket. And everyone I talked to was all, “Oooh, so nice. Love it love it , blah blah blah”. Me, I hate it. This overly warm winter shit has got to stop. It is making me sad. I need winter, real winter. And that is global warming for ya. Fuck!

Yup, that and everything else this week. I stole (but not really) a new batch of balloons from the gym (the heart finally went down). Went for a nice pre snow melt, snow hike with the mr. Made lunch for Anthony and fixed his fancy pants. But a big part of the week has been spent over at the loft, packing, cleaning, and fixing things because as of this past Friday, little miss Barb is staying there. And now my back porch is full of all the stuff I brought home that I have been meaning to bring over here for the past 3 years. Mostly books, which we have no good shelves for yet (build shelves are on my list of things to do), and a good amount if shit I have to go through again and get rid of. Agh, I hate stuff. I might just stick it all on the curb with a free sign and walk away.

I also have been trying to get into my studio as much as possible. I threw some more mugs, glazed hearts, cleaned tools. Spent time with myself and my goals for selling more pots more seriously which then kind of turned into spending time with all the paperwork that seems to be flowing in from all the other thing in the rest of our life. Because who could forget, new year means new taxes. Oh taxes. I am going to stop there and not think to much more about them for at least another couple weeks, then I will start stressing. The usual way I do it. Ha.

And now its Sunday. Currently raining and still to freaking warm but is getting colder as the day goes on which means a nice layer of ice on everything making for a crap shoot of any outdoor activities today. I really wanted to try and go or a hike but it’s not gonna happen so I will probably just go to the gym, maybe stop in and see the littles ( I haven’t anyone really this week because everyone is back at school and I have been so busy) and then veg out on the couch with my books (recurrently ready 3), coffee, and a sketch pad. Need to get these book shelves designed and built before the momnuent for the need dies and the books stay in boxes an the porch forever.

Links to things I spent time looking at on the internet.

-Feeling Artsy? Here's How Making Art Helps Your Brain. Art is life, or my life at least.

-I am a hand eater, or I mean, I eat with my hands, a lot. It is much easier then getting a sharp fork into my mouth with our stabbing myself in the face. HA. Why Food Tastes Better When You Eat With Your Hands.

-Plant based is the new buzz word. What Does ‘Plant-Based’ Actually Mean?

The Germantown Laundromat: An Eco-Minded Gathering Spot in the Hudson Valley, Mending Services IncludedI love everything about this so much!

-Me and the mr.? Meet the couple who sailed across Mongolia in a handmade cart. Yeah, I think so.

-Genius. I would totally be into this if it didn’t mean I had to interact with people. Maybe set it up blog style? Why Cookbook Clubs Should Be the New Way We Entertain

-Every time I start to bitch about the crowds of all the new people in the gym these days I stop myself because really, good for them for being there. Stop Complaining About the Gym Being Packed, Because It's More Damaging Than You Think

-Planting Trees Is Good. Eliminating Deforestation Is Better. So lets stop cutting down the trees. Yeah, thats a good idea.

-Oh shit, you never know, you might be getting some new next door neighbors. HA. Meghan And Harry 'Step Back' As Royals — What Does That Mean, Exactly?

-Oh hell no. Do Bathtubs Belong in Bedrooms? But I guess a lot op people think its a good idea..? And sure, it looks cool, but wet water in the bedroom, just seems wrong to me.

Pictures from the week.

Sunday Happy

Holly, jolly, fa la la. It’s all the holidays and are we all just so excited and happy? It’s ok if you are not, but don’t tell me not to be and listen to Christmas music and bake all the cookies. I am gonna do it and really try to just enjoy it all and be happy. Easier said then done for sure, but I am committed this year. I will not get grouchy. No, that will come after the holidays when the family leaves and I find food crushed into my couch cushions or pieces of candy in my plants. Then my friends, all bets are off.

The week has been fast and plentiful of plenty. Besides the stuff of normal life as usual, we did a quick dinner at Moms. Ryan came over too to bake cookies with my mom which was just to funny. (He was able to dirty up more measuring cups then I knew my mom even owned.) I have also been to the studio a few times over the week, trying to get last minute things done, sold a few rainbows, loaded a kiln. At home we have dutifully watched the amaryllis bloom, decorated the Christmas tree (about time, only took us 2 weeks), and baked things that needed baking (cookies and cakes. duh). And I picked up the last farm share of the year which has already got me dipping hard into the freezer stock of produce so I can stretch out the fresh stuff that I got. No farm pick up for 3 weeks… There is gonna be a lot of frozen zucchini happening around for sure.

And yay for us, we finally sent out all of our Christmas cards that needed to be sent and dropped off the ones that could be dropped off. There was a lot of chatting and catching up with old friends and neighbors and we got to see some pretty fantastical Christmas trees along the way. Best card drop off happened when we stopped over at Erins to hang with the littles and give them there card. Coco took it upon himself to use the card as a hat. That kid. Too freaking cute and practical to boot.

Then the rest of the week has been just same old with a little extra this and that. Yup, just living the life and trying to be present and just enjoy.

Sunday. Already and finally. The mr and I are going to get a few more things done that need doing before Christmas and the family descends.. I am going to do all the grocery shopping for actual Christmas Day, which could possible turn into a mental melt down (I have to go go Costco and I am scared of the potential for crowds of crazy people). The mr is still finishing up the build on the new stairs at the loft so my dad doesn’t fall and die when he is over there, and I think we both have a thing or two we need to do without each other. I actually am all set, just waiting to pick up the ONE freaking package that I ordered online 3 weeks ago that was suppose to be shipped to the store a week ago and it is no where to be found. I order one thing, ONE THING, from the internet and it went badly. So frustrating, but oh well, what can you do. Other then that, I am going to the gym, maybe hit the library, defiantly a long ass walk either around here or preferably in some woods. And after dinner tonight, I think the plan is for a little Christmas lights drive. Got to see the lights!

Happiest Happy Merry Holidays to you all!!! Have all the relaxing and fun you possibly can.

Internet for your enjoyment.

-The $100 billion reason not to return gifts this holiday season. Or reasons to not buy anything at all!

-Dying food with food just makes sense. How to Make Natural Food Dyes

-Yes I still call them snow tires and probably always will. But this is some good information for the next time I buy snow, I mean, winter tires. Everything you thought you knew about winter tires but didn’t.

-I want to live here. A Tiny Cabin in the Woods For Creative Homesteaders In Vermont

-How to Flake Gracefully. Or go a step further and just never make plans, but then you risk not having friends……🤷🏻‍♀️

-Handmade gifts wrapped in old newspaper. Best way to go. Here’s Why Messily Wrapped Presents Are Sometimes Better Than Neat Ones

-Barack Obama Says Women Could Solve Many Of World's Problems — Which Men Have Caused. He really is a smart guy. Oh how I miss him.

-I know my house is going to be getting trashed a lot this week so I am going to chill on the cleaning and do a crazy deep clean after all the holiday crazy. I already have a list going of things I want to do. 29 Things You Don’t Have to Clean Until January 6

-I don’t eat candy, but the mr does and he is all about sour candy, especially sour patch kids. I don’t really get it, but whatever floats his (or your) boat. A formal taxonomy of sour candies

-The healing powders of food are real.15 Kitchen Herbs and Spices with Powerful Health Benefits.

Pictures from the week.

-C

Sunday Happy

Hey there friends! You doing alright? You good? Just checking in because I care.

My week was good, even if it did blow on by super fast. That’s the way it always goes for me. The closer to the end of the year, the faster time seems to fly. You too? Anyway. I am talking it all in, trying to stay sane and not get pulled into the crazy that can happened this time of year. Mostly just talking all the long walks I need and staying out of the way but still enjoying the ones around me. There is a balance you know. And I am not afraid to run away when I need to.

So besides the norm of life, Tuesday was the mr’s actual birthday so we celebrated. Just the two of us. After breakfast and heart shaped balloons, we went for an awesome drive to an awesome hike in the national forest. Yes it was a little rainy and the ground was so icy and I fell and jammed by arm, but it was still so so so nice. The waterfalls we saw we raging and there was not another human soul around. It was superb. Then we got lunch (he got lunch, I packed my own) and we ate our food near a much smaller waterfall. After that, coffee and then home where we watched a movie and finished making Christmas cards. Lasagna for dinner (for him, I ate chili) and a little heart shaped ice cream cake I made him (I am the best), gave him his pencil painting, and then we just hung out, I fell asleep, and that was that. Delightful, calm, and just really nice to spend the day together.

Rest of the week went on. Me, I was trying to get a few projects done. Worked at the studio, watched all the lovely snow completely melt. The mr has been working away at this and that and is keeping itself more then.

Yesterday was the 2nd annual sugar cookie house decorating extravaganza. And what a blast we had. A bunch of littles, a bunch of cookies and a bunch of candy. Amazingly enough, everyone ate all there lunches and refrained from eating all the candy. The restraint and force I saw in these littles eyes…Gave me hope for the future. HA. But seriously, they were so into it and everyones turned out so great. Even the mr got into it and made a house topped with marshmallows and cauliflower. And after the houses were built, everyone left and I turned up the Christmas jams, grabbed the vacuum and all the cleaning rags, and set to work. Turns out tootsie rolls smashed into the floor is not easily removed.

Today is a day of catch up and errands. The mr is trying to finish up a project he needs to send off to the world, I need to get on finishing off some more rainbows. And maybe we should do some grocery shopping. And maybe I’ll take a trip to the library. Stuff to do yes, but hopefully still a semi relaxing day. Maybe it will even get cold enough and start to snow. I need a walk in the snow.

Interesting internet from the week.

-I am kind of shocked the the number is so low. Come on people, cooking is awesome and makes you awesome. The Grocery Industry Confronts a New Problem: Only 10% of Americans Love Cooking

-Winter camping is a great way to see more nature and fewer people. I am going to start working the mr to get him to agree to go soon.

- Is it crazy that I miss landlines? OR more so, I think I miss that says of no cell phones. And now with cell phones, you can’t eavesdrop on other people conversations , or like legally and easily anymore. How the Loss of the Landline Is Changing Family Life

-These 3 supertrees can protect us from climate collapse. But can we protect them? Trees are everything so of course trees are part of the answer to helping the planet. Hopefully humans don’t fuck them up too.

-Did you get into the “finding joy” of all your shit? How did that go? Did Marie Kondo fans keep their houses tidy all year?

-Shopping Sucks Now. I have always though shopping sucks, but I agree, it sucks even more. There is just to much!

-Drink Up, Calm Down. Fancy expensive drinks for wellness…. I don’t know, I totally believe that food is medicine but some of the shit out there…. I guess just beware and don’t fall for fancy pants weird language saying miracle and shit.

-imoprtant. How To Reduce Food Waste

-Do I Really Have to Clean My Sheets Every Week? And 9 Other Things We Were Told Are Mandatory. Yes YES YES to the sheets!

-Lovely. ‘The Bird & the Whale’ Tells a Short and Sweet Tale Using Paint-on-Glass Animation

And pictures from the week.

-C

Sunday Happy

December in action and we are taking it at full speed. All the activities, the birthdays, the holiday celebrations… So much and I love it all, even if I feel like a crazy lady and want to run screaming from groups of people bigger the 2. I’ll deal with the interactions now and just plan to spend the month of January hiding and recovering. I’ll be ok.

The week started with the hunt for our Christmas tree. The Green Mountain National Forest, seventh year running, and this year did not disappoint. A fantastic hike into the woods near a beaver pond with lots of trees, snow on the ground, and no people. Exactly how I like to find our tree. And find it we did, the most perfect (too perfect?) tree. And it only took about an hour of almost cutting down like 20 other trees. Once we were positive, the mr cut it down, we said our thanks to the world, then hiked our tree out of the woods and slid it into the back of the car. Hopped in, cranked the Christmas music, and we were good to go. A perfect Christmas tree expedition.

Then life. Kind of a busy week in terms of birthdays. The beginning of the week Justin turned older by a year, then the next day Sophia did to so we partied with spaghetti, chocolate chocolate cake with tiny apples (she wanted it to be apple shaped but I just made little apples instead), and ballerina style dancing. Then there was a little lull in activities as far as birthdays where the mr and I did some stuff like work stuff, (more him then me), decorated, hung out with Barb, did the doings.

And then Friday. After an afternoon of loading kilns next to other kilns that were 2100 degrees and almost burning my face off, it was a rush to get home and prepare for the masses. Not technically the mr’s birthday, but we had his annual grilled cheese and soup birthday celebration. Pretty much the whole fam at the house again. Lots of grilled cheeses sandwiches were made, so much soup was scooped (tomato and split pea per usual), and cake and ice cream concluded the night. And I only found half a grilled cheese sandwich under the couch when I was cleaning yesterday… Progress? I don’t know, but there definitely was a few big dried soup puddles on the floor. But not on the couch! So there is that.

Back to Sunday. Not sure whats on the agenda for today but I have some stuff I need to do and I know that the mr has some stuff he needs to do. Plus together we have some stuff we need to do so we will see what gets done. Mostly though, I think I am shooting for a small hike, some coffee, and a chill afternoon of reading on the couch, facing the lit up Christmas tree. That would be swell.

Check out what I checked out from the internet this week.

-The Farmers' Almanac Winter Forecast Is Here—and Brrr!. Give me all the snow!!!!

-I can’t imagine a life without reading. Not A Regular Reader? 4 Strategies To Make Reading A Habit

-Why Your Kid Loves the Garbage Truck So Much. I liked the cement trucks…they don’t stink an they spin.

-I am sorry, but this is some bullshit. Italian Artist's Duct-Taped Bananas Are Selling for $120,000 Each

-How to Stop Making Excuses and Start Composting Already. And in Vermont, it’t the law!

-Netflix is perverted. Ha! The Brands Are (Literally) Too Horny and Must Be Stopped

-Food delivery and takeout are on the rise. So are the mountains of trash they create.I like the idea of reusable metal tin. Could we get there?

-Here's Why Your Favorite Headband Always Leaves You With a Headache. I used o wear headbands all the time, but had to stop because of the head pressure it caused.

-How Often, Really, Do You Follow This Recipe Instruction?. Never but always. I like to add color to food, but only when it is edible and adds flavor.

-The sink that looks kind of like a mini tub…. Swoon. For a Long Winter’s Nap: A Manor House and a Schoolhouse in the German Countryside, Available for Stays

And pictures from the week

Sunday Happy

Are you aware that it is the last week of November? I know right. Every year this happens but seriously, it’s just flying by so fast.

The mr and I did the norms for the week. Went for a amazing hike in nice snow. We worked on work, the mr made paper, I cut up the paper. I spent some time with clay, works the studio, organized some stuff and watched it snow and loved every bit of it. Then it rained and got kind of sad that all the snow melted.☹️ We picked up farm share, had dinner with my mom and Paul, hung out with the littles for a bit, and fed Barb some soup. Nothing terribly exciting, besides feeding Barb. She makes every exciting.

And then we get to Saturday. Family thanksgiving plus is was Erin’s birthday. (Happy Birthday Beotch!) Always crazy, what with every one of my family members together in my house, eating food, and hopped up on booze and sugar. The day started early with me running away to the gym to get in some sane time, then one last stop at the grocery store before heading home to finish baking and getting all the food ready. Barb came over early to help cut up veggies but really, for her and the mr to make fun of me and gossip like little old ladies. So food got prepare, then I cooked it all. (Minus the main which mom made. She made a crazy chicken thing, cooked in her oven, and brought it over. No meat gets cooked in my house.) And then the family descended on the house, hungry and crazy. Food got served/ thrown all over and for a few short minutes, everyone was sitting down all at once together. But that lasted 2 seconds, and the kids went off and I ran back to the kitchen while everyone was eating to straighten up a bit and because I don’t need to see people dropping chicken bits all over. I just let them eat in peace while I hid for a few minutes in the pantry and snacked on roast Brussel sprouts, carrots and mustard.

After everyone ate, we all ran around the house, picked secret Santa names, had a massive dance party in the kitchen and did dessert and birthday cake. Erins birthday yes, but Coco got to blow out the candles. So cute, that little loving the candles and all but I am going to be watching out for him. I think he might turn into a little pyromaniac. HAHAHA. But for real. Dinner ended with everyone leaving except Barb, Megan,and So. We picked up a little but basically just sat in the pantry eating raw Brussel sprouts from the stock, with mustard of course, and talking about boys. Then they left too and the mr and I were left alone to assess the damages.

The house. Oh my, oh my. It is a FUCKING DISATSER! I know I tell you all that I spend a good chunk of time every weekend cleaning…Well this time, today, all Sunday, I’m a be cleaning. Cleaning the cake and ice cream and cookies crumbles all over. Cleaning up the dinner rolls behind the couch, all the ripped paper, smashed potates, food and drinks particles. Chicken bits, which everyone was super awesome about and tried not to get anywhere, are everywhere. All. Over. The house. Then the kitchen. Every single piece of silverware and then some plus at least 40 plates and bowls are waiting for cleaning. Not to mention the the pots and pans. The compost is overflowing. The recycling is a mess, and I have at least 2 laundry loads of rags and napkins and dirty towels to do. The fridge looks like a freaking bomb blew up in it with tons of half lidded containers precariously stacked on top of each other, waiting for just the right movement of the neighboring jar or the movement of the hot sauce to have it all come crashing down. Aye ya ya. But all worth it because I love my family and we had a blast. I just need to remember next time I am at one of their houses to like pee on their toilet seat or mash some frosting into their couch cushions, you know, to be fair and all.

Anyway, so today I clean and maybe try to hang up some Christmas decorations? The mr is off to do very nice things for people that might not appreciate it, but do it he is going to do (he is too good a person). Hopefully by the time he comes home later tonight, I will be done cleaning, he will be done helping for a good long while, and we can eat soup and maybe watch a movie together. Or more realistically, he watches a movie while I read and probably fall asleep on the couch. Real life.

Reads I read from the internet this week.

-A long but good read. RuPaul: The Philosopher Queen. who doesn’t love RuPsul?

-I just pulled out a nice tablecloth, covered in stains mind you, but maybe i’ll be able to get some of them out now. A Cheat Sheet to Get Rid of Every Type of Holiday Stain. Or not. I don’t think I care enough. HA

-This is so appealing to me especially since the mr loves his heavy comforter and I just want a light blanket with the window thrown open in 20 degree weather. The Scandinavian Sleep Secret: Mine and Yours Duvets. HE is always covering me up at night.

-The best health foods? Soup, garlic and cake. Food is healing, and if cake makes you feel better, well then cake it be.

-These cakes remind me of my 5ht grade volcano science project. I made it out of cake and whipped cream. It was awesome. Antarctic Research Takes The Cake In These Science-Inspired Confections

-Vegan man sues Burger King claiming meatless burger is cooked on same grill as meat. This is one reason I do not eat out. Oe of the last times I did eat out, there were egg shells in my scamp bled vegan tofu dish….. So yeah.

-Who doesn’t love a good TV tray? A Brief History of the TV Tray

-HAve you ever raised a adolescent dog… It is crazy to say the least. Animal adolescence is filled with teen drama and peer pressure

-So there is this ti look forward to. Cockroaches Are Evolving And in the Future They can Become Impossible To Kill

-A Brief and Buttery History of Libby’s Pumpkin Pie Recipe. The pie of my childhood.

And pictures from the week.