Sunday Happy

Happy last week of April! You know what that means? Nice weather!!! Sure there was that day earlier this week that snowed and I was like WTF, but after that, thie weather has made life just a little more on the great side with sunshine and temperatures slightly above freezing. Don’t you think?

A decently busy week. I went for so many walks with family, lunches made for littles, and bike rides all over. Early in the week the mr and I went for a long drive to the cedar mill for cedar (the mr is making these amazing food pantries for the community). Then there was the weekly grocery shopping trip where I bought no less then 30 zucchini (on sale for 87 cents, you bet I am going to stock up. And don’t worry there was soooo many, I don’t feel bad to grab a bunch). I did a little paperwork, worked in the studio a bit, and went at doing more yard work. The mr has been busy working on a few projects and is now a proud owner of a fish tank full of shrimp (I don’t even know). There was coffee on the front steps with Megan, cupcake making with Barb and Miley while the mr and Judah finished building the fire pit (I don’t really like it), and just a lot of cleaning and organizing. We sure do know how to keep super busy.

Yesterday the mr and I took off for the afternoon. He got in his first fishing day of the year while I hiked into the woods and back out along the river. I found a waterfall and lots of hawkweed and basically just floated around like a wood nymph. Then we had a picnic on a grass knoll in the woods in the middle of nowhere and just basically had the best day. The sunshine was so nice with the green buds all over everything bringing color to the world.. I took my socks offmand only had on a flannel and realized that it is actually happening! Vermont spring! It creeps up on you but when it does, bam! It’s like magic. Oh Vermont, you are so good!

Today is going to be great. First things first, I’m going for a run and I am so excited! It’s been 10 (maybe 12?) days since hurt my ankle but I am feeling so much better. Still, I am gonna take it easy (thinking just 2-3 miles) because I can’t deal with screwing up my ankle again so I am going to bike to the high school and run the dirt track. I can’t wait! After my successful reentry into running I am going to come home, change the sheets on the bed, do laundry, bake some more bread, and maybe plant some more seeds. Then later this afternoon I am going on a nephew walk with Jackson. After seeing his pasty white ass face a couple days ago, I am dragging his ass out into the world for fresh air and sunlight.

All in a day.

My internet link history for you to peruse.

-Are you excited about the day you can eat out again? Me, well I never ever eat out, but this still seems like a crazy future for restaurants . Here’s What Eating Out Might Look Like When Restaurants Reopen

-How the fuck is this guy so fucking stupid!!?!?!??!!! Under No Circumstance': Lysol Maker, Officials Reject Trump's Disinfectant Idea. Please don’t listen to a thing that comes out of his mouth!

-“Wishcycling” Is a Thing, and You’re Probably Doing It. It is sad but there are things that you would really thing could be recycled but actually can’t.

-Have you been having weird dreams? I have, but I always get them in the springtime. And they are really weird. The Science Behind Your Weird Coronavirus Dreams (And Nightmares)

-I just really like these cubbies. Building cabinet cubbies for extra storage.

-Remember When Grocery Shopping Was Fun? I definitely miss the days of leisurely walking around the store, not feeling the anxiety of whether or not I am going to be able to get my main staple foods, or just being able walk in and out without the dread of even being there.

I Shopped Around for a House That Was Perfect for My Dogs. Yes, Really. We did it. We basically bought our house so Washer could have a yard to run in.

-The Beastie Boys takes me back. Brass monkey, that funky monkey! Yo, Hello! The ‘Beastie Boys Story’ doc is exactly the fun, goofy music history lesson it should be

-Isolating With A Partner? Relationship Therapists Share Stress-Reduction Strategies. Because it is very stressful to be around someone ALLTHE TIME!

-Need a one of a kind rainbow or heart mug? Come and get one here. Think Mothers Day!

Pictures from the week.

-C

Sunday Happy

Hey hey hello! How’s it going? Good good? I mean, how can it not be at least a little. You are here so that’s good right? Right.

This week seemed bus, or busier then the past few weeks. We spent time with littles on Easter then went for a walk with my mom. We did a grocery run for the mr’s parents and drove it the 2 hours to drop it off on their front porch. There was the driftwood excursion for fish tank drift wood with Barb and school work days with the littles. I picked up farm share, made banana bread and cookies, and did a little tax paperwork. The mr is back to fixing this and doing that. That and this being he build me more shelves in the stairway to the basement and started a hug fire pit project in the backyard. He has also somehow turned Barb into his partner in crime with all things that have to do with fish. Those two. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Ever since the gym closed I have been running every morning, 3-4 miles around town or in the woods, which consists of nothing but hills. I love it so much that I didn’t take a day off. (Which I now know was really stupid.) The beginning of the week, running through the woods, I overdid it and I either sprained my ankle, broke something, or have plantar fasciitis. And now fuck me, I can barely walk. Plus because I am having such a hard time with my ankle, my hip on my other side is killing me as well. Its what we call composition pain and seriously, I have been miserable all week. I am also an asshole and haven’t been taking care as much as I should. I ice a bit and I wrap it, but I am still walking on it and going for walks because I just cannot not move. It would be worse for EVERYONE if I cannot move. That being said, I need to stop being said asshole and really rest it so I can get back to running and even just walking without pain. Plus the hiking trails should be in good shape again soon (we try to stay off them during mud season so they don’t get trashed) and I need NEED, to get some serious hiking/woods/tree time in soon.

So today I am going to enjoy the weather. A long bike ride (biking doesn’t hurt which is why I have been biking like 15 miles a day) , maybe a short walk, and a lot of porch sitting with my foot iced and elevated. I will drink lots and lots of hot drinks and read. Hopefully if I am really good today, my ankle will be good enough to start running/walking/hiking/not being miserable again soon!

Internet from the week.

-All the disinfecting sprays and chemicals and shit are truly some of the things that scare me the most about this virus. People are just dousing themselves in all these chemicals and not realizing the side effects. Eeeee. I hate chemicals. Fight viruses in your home without making bacteria stronger.

-How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Freezer. I will freeze just about ANYTHING! Even stuff that might not freeze well…. It all is great in soup! But usually, I stock the shit out of my chest freezer with all the veggies.

-On the lookout whenever I go to the store next… Something to look forward too. Polar Seltzer’s 2020 summer flavors are out. Kiwi Pink Grapefruit… Excited!

-Plague Comforts: I Bought a Pacifier. Haha. I thought about it to. It was the only thermometer for sale anywhere. But I didn’t cause it was just to weird. And I found a normal one.

-Barb has been on the lookout for fluff for the past few weeks. Said it is all sold out everywhere. I guess people are eating a lot of fluffernutters right now. The Forgotten Inventor of the Fluffernutter Sandwich

-I would get this puzzle if I wanted to drive myself crazy. .This Clear Acrylic Puzzle Is Here to Keep You Busy from Now Until Forever

You Can Order Cardboard Cutouts of Your Loved Ones to Help Get Through Social Distancing. OR just for shits and giggles. Maybe I should just wend everyone in my family a cut out of ME!

-We just brought home 3 huge bins of Mileys American Girl dolls and stored them in the basement. And then I Read this. My American Girl Doll Tried To Kill Me. I might have to sleep wit a knife under my pillow now.

-Thinking about wearing watch. I really like this one.

The Killer At Home: House Cats Have More Impact On Local Wildlife Than Wild Predators. Only was a killer. His victim of choice was frogs.

Pictures from the week.

-C

Sunday Happy

Hip hip Hooray! Spring is here and the weather is fine, fine fine! Things in the world may be cray cray at the moment, but can you deny how amazing it is to leave the house without hats, mittens, and three layers? I have all but put one jacket and one set of mittens away for the year. The heat is off (actually has been for a few weeks) and the sandals are there, by the door, waiting for whenever the moment hits. So sure, life is a little strange but spring guys. SPRING!

The week. Well the week was a week. It started off with my moms birthday. Sad that we didn’t get to have the party we had all planned for her, but nice because we didn’t have to have a big party. I made her her favorite cake then the mr, Barb, and I went over and stood on the side porch for a couple hours and talked to her through the door while she ate cake. It was actually really nice and quality and not overwhelming. She got to see us, and all of my other siblings at different points in the day, at a very safe distance. So yeah, no party, but I think she enjoyed it, maybe even more then having 25 people smooshed in her house, trashing it. Heck, this just might be the new way we celebrate birthdays.

As for the rest of the week, well not to much. Stayed away from everyone not in our quarantine bubble as usual. We went over to help out with the littles almost everyday, making sure they get outside, eat something food wise that doesn’t come in a box, and have brushed their teeth or hair (one or the other is good enough for now). I did a FaceTime cookie making tutorial with Barb and So which was actually so freaking fun. I taught them how to make chocolate chip cookies, watched them struggle while I laughed and chopped up beets and cabbage, and didn’t have to do any of the dishes! Later that day the mr and I went for a walk with them and he got to eat a few of the cookies they made, for testing purpose of course. Again, it was pretty great. And because it went so great, Barb asked me to to do a bread tutorial on the FaceTime later this weekI That one is going to be very interesting for sure. We also did our weekly food run (I HATE going to the grocery store now) and I picked up farm share which I am so freaking grateful for, even more then usual. Sure my farmer friends are now forced to pre pack shares (in plastic. BLAH) but they are still making it happen for us. And sure they are making the majority of the people really happy by packing it full of the popular veggies that people usually get, like potatoes and carrots but I am not going to lie, I was really sad when I didn’t get any celeriac or turnips (the less popular veggies). Hopefully next pick up. I think I might even give them a shot and tell them to give me all the things people don’t really want. That’s usually what I like anyway.

Other then that, well not a lot of excitement. I go for a run every morning and then a few long walks or a hike throughout the day. I spend a few hours in the basement studio working on stuff almost everyday (I need to get a freaking kiln! Greenware is piling up!). I am baking the same amount as usual. Maybe cleaning a bit more and going through stuff more then normal. I am thinking about maybe thinking about the taxes again soon, and I have been wearing a clean sweater from the closet every day. That has been the weirdest thing so far. My desire for a new sweater everyday is not normal. I usually wear the same one for at least half a week before changing it. (strange strange times.) The mr and I went for our first real bike ride of the year (!!!), and I am now and have been spending whatever decent weather time trying to clean up the back yard and get the garden beds in order. Is is kind of a hot mess back there what with the huge amount of rock breaking apart of the stone bulk head and digging up massive amounts of dirt that the mr did last fall. Don’t get em wrong, having basement access and light from from the outside is going to be amazing, but damn, I want the mess to be gone! Oh well, just another fun project that we (more like the mr) are going to start up again soon. 😬

Today, Sunday for all of those who need a reminder, is Megans birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!) and so the plan is, at some point, meet up with her to go for a hike. Other then that, more yard work, transplant my tomato seedlings into bigger pots, make some soup for dinner. Basically the normal, just with a side of apocalyptic feelings.

Internet links from the week

-So masks, I guess that is where we are at. At least I have a shit ton of fabric and am pretty good at sewing. Think I am going make a shit ton. No one else sews in my family.🤦‍♀️. Here is one pattern and here is another. Going to make a some of both and maybe a a few of these too. Might make own pattern as well, one where the wearing can’t speck.. for those who talk to much! HA

-April Horoscopes: Which Bean Are You? (Yes, Beans) I am an Aquarius and this is spot on bean wise.

-Sacred of the grocery store? Me too. Thank goodness for farmshare, even if it we have had to adapt to how we are getting it for the time being. Is This the Start of a CSA Boom?

-All the plastic I am seeing, all the disposable containers and shit. It is freaking me OUT! The plastic industry is using the coronavirus to fight plastic bag bans

-I am looking at flooring again. For what? Well I don’t rally know. But this flooring company. Swoon.

-Covid-19’s Impact on Libraries Goes Beyond Books. Goodness I miss my libraries.

-Gardens and chickens. A little back yard homesteading. 'We Are Swamped': Coronavirus Propels Interest In Raising Backyard Chickens For Eggs

-Currently reading this and this. Both are good.

-Drake, Quarantined In Style, Makes Social Isolation A Public Spectacle. At least we have Drake.

-Just Be Kind to the People Who Ensure You Get to Eat. Seriously for reals real. Smile, tell them thank you, and keep your distance!

Some pictures as well.

Sunday Happy

How are you doing? You good? You taking all the care you need to with yourself and other? Good good. Keep positive, wash the hands, and think about the fun things one can do will maybe being stuck in one spot for 2 weeks or so.

Which then leads me to think about all the babies that are going to be born in 9-10 months from now.This would be a great time for you to learn to knit a baby blanket or something…And that is where my mine goes. Hehehe.

So yeah, this week has been a week for sure. Nothing really feels normal at the moment which is a hard feeling to processes. The mr and I are still doing the things we need to do, but with caution and know that at any minute, things could change. But that is life in the great scheme of things so we do and we live and that is that.

At the beginning of the week I did manage to go for a lovely walk with Megan and Barb, which I think for the next few weeks at the very least, is going be our mode of interaction. We also managed to get to my moms for a dinner and some good trash talk with the boys. Then on Tuesday morning, I had just got home from a very nice walk with the mr and clumsy me, I opened a desk drawer a little to forcefully and pulled it completely out. It dropped on my foot and everything fell out. No big right? Well after I picked up the contents of the drawer I was left with a giant puddle of blood. The drawer hit my toe so hard it ripped my nail completely out of the toe and split the toe in half. A toe disaster if ever there was one. And me being me, decided no doctors (I probably should have gotten stitched). Needless to say, me and my foot were in a bad place. I couldn't walk and it fucking hurt like crazy. So yeah, that really screwed up my weeks well but it’s doing all right now. I am walking, I am doing normal stuff, just keeping a close eye on my bandaged toe and hope that it doesn’t fall off.

Other then that, I did work at the studio and managed to move over a thousand pounds of clay. I did a little grocery shopping (that was madness and pissed me off. No flour anywhere. So if you are a person that bought flour that usually doesn’t, good for you. I am excited for you that you are planning on baking. But please don’t be an asshole and not use it to only toss it in a a few months. Make sure to USE IT!), and we stopped in on the littles to suck in there youthful happiness. I did end up at Costco this weekend at opening time. That was something. The line out the door alone freaked me out. But I was lucky. Got in, got my flour, and got out. I was hearing of talk from fellow shoppers of how much toilet paper they could fit into there cars and it seemed like people were starting to get toilet paper crazy. I was worries a t.p. riot was about to happen. But what I want to know is how much freaking toilet paper do people really need anyway? Are they building bunkers out of it? I mean you can’t eat it or do much of anything other then wipe your ass with it. But apparently when shit starts to hit the fan, people want to clean the shit up with something and toilet paper certainly does clean up shit. HAHAHA, I am so funny.

So yeah, crazy times. I have just been trying to stay put as much as possible which is easier then you think when for a good chunk of the week I could barely walk. And honestly, the social distancing thing, well I have been living this life for a long time now. I am very, VERY, good at social distancing. Not that a pandemic is anyway shape or form good, I do love the excuse to not have to talk to anyone or get close to anyone, or be social at ll. Stay the fuck away! But that’s my normal so this is working for me. HAHA!

And now it is Sunday. A day to decompress. l I think the mr and I are going to pack up a lunch and go find an easy hike in some woods. I can walk well enough, it’s been gorgeous out and the woods, they be calling to me. And then I need to run to the library because while everyone is talking about all the binge watching they are doing right now, I am just super happy to read my ass off. I see days ahead, me sitting on the front porch with a big cozy sweater, humongous cup of hot beverage, book in hand, feeling the spring air on my face.

I am really too good at this.

Stay healthy and responsible friends!

Internet from the week.

-These are very good rules. The Etiquette Rules of Coronavirus Grocery Shopping: Be a Good Person and Follow These!

-Covid-19 Fears Shouldn't Trash Your Zero Waste Efforts, I worry people will say fuck it and go all crazy being wasteful for the foreseeable future. Lets not do that ok.

-I definitely bake when I am stressed. Good thing I keep a pretty decent stock of ingredients on hand, just in case I need to bake 14 days of cakes, breads, and cookies. Quarantine Baking in Times of Crisis

-Impacts of Technology During Mealtime. One of the top arguments of every person I know.

-What would happen if the world reacted to climate change like it’s reacting to the coronavirus? Seriously. Why aren’t we freaking completely the fuck out about global warming?

-Oh how I wish I had a cabin in the woods right now. This All-White A-Frame Cabin Mixes Rustic and Scandi-Modern, and It’s Dreamy

-Bread goals. Twisting Vines and Leafy Botanics Carved into Crusty Breads by Blondie + Rye

-Speaking of bread. Introduction to tangzhong. On my list of things to try these next few weeks.

-Dolly Parton Wants to Recreate Her Famous Playboy Cover Four Decades Later. You do you lady.

-Do you use vegan butter? We Tasted 10 Vegan Butters in the Name of Science

Pictures from the week

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.