Sunday Happy

What a week! The weather, well what can I say. It is pretty much summer and wow. Just yeah, that happened. And now I am hot which means I packed away all the winter stuff and busted out the shorts! And the sports bras. Blah. I was on a great run of a little over 2 months with no bra but finally was forced to wear one if I wanted to run with my iPod. I needed to stuff it into said bra while going for a run. I used it as a pocket. A bra-ket of sorts.. And when I came home, I ripped it off so it wasn’t so bad. Haha!

Another busy week. Littles everyday. We made meals, went for bike rides, hikes, and walks. Had them sleep over, watched Ferris Bueller, and made them weed the garden so they know that food is not free. HA! The mr and I have had little time to ourselves. We did get to spend part of a day picking up lumber from the cedar mill for a few projects the mr is working on and then we went for a nice long hike. just the two of us. That was nice, but again, we basically have had 2-3 of the littles all week which has been great but means I now have no food and every surface of my house is (was, I spent last night with the vacuum and cleaning rags) dirty.

I have also been low level stressed all week. First the fridge. It is still having issues. We think we figured it out and parts are ordered so we (more me) are crossing our fingers that this will solve the problem. I will be really really sad if I need to get a new fridge. But just in case I have been keeping my eyes open for a new, old, yellow or green or just bad ass one. Again, just in case because I trust that the new parts will fix it. On top of that, the mr ripped some of the walls down in the bedroom. It has been almost 4 years since we bought this house and remodeled it. We did all the work ourselves except the framing of the addition that was added on. Not a big thing, just basically raised the roof. And for the past maybe year or so, the mr seemed to have it in his mind that the roof was shifting and was going to fall in on us and has been telling me he wants to cut a hole in the ceiling to check out the framing. I was fine with that, at some point, when we planned a time to do it. Long story short, the other morning at 430 (I wake up at 4, he usually wakes up at 730) he came into the living room, dressed, and informed me he was ripping that top of the walls down in the bed room. And he did. They were down by 9am. He added more supports to the frame to make us all happy and then had to call it quits. My sweet sweet bedroom now has the walls ripped off with no immediate plans to re-sheetrock. Meh. Actually am fine with it. I have lived in worse. Just as long as it gets done before the winter.

We are there again, Sunday. After the few chores and a trip to the grocery store this mooring, (again, the littles ate all my food) the mr and I are picking up the littles for a picnic lunch and the mr is going to take them fishing. Me, I hope to be able to sit back and read, not have to worry about cleaning up a mess, and just be.

Internet links for your internet pleasure

-From Camping To Dining Out: Here's How Experts Rate The Risks Of 14 Summer Activities. Camping is low risk. Phew!

-Should you refrigerate tomatoes? Researchers and an ‘electronic tongue’ offer a surprising answer. Good to know cause we are getting close to tomato season!

-Did you have Jump Rope for Heart when you were a kid? I freaking loved that shit. I think I gotta bust out the old rope, get my jump on. Jumping rope is an unbeatable cardio workout—if you do it correctly

What day is it today? I don’t even care anymore.

-We walk. A lot. (like a lot lot) And maybe not correctly al the time. Walking correctly takes work—here’s how to improve every step

-Is it sick that I would love to receive (maybe even give) a list like this? A Friend Sent Me a Long List of All the Ways I Suck—What Do I Do?'

-On the Moon, Astronaut Pee Will Be a Hot Commodity. I mean, I would just assume.

-Yes to peanut butter and pickles. The Elusive Story of the Bread-and-Butter Pickle Sandwich

-I see it. I hear it. Life is crazy and people are feeling it. Is Everyone Depressed?

-Nature is fascinating Herd Of Fuzzy Green 'Glacier Mice' Baffles Scientists

Pictures from the week

Sunday Happy

Can you actually believe that it is May? It still seems unreal to me. But you know what is so real right now? Spring. IT is so so so amazing out, like the best. Some rainy days and some sunshine and warmth, green stuff everywhere. Flowers, cut grass, gardening..I have been pretty stinking happy.

Another week gone by week. So many walks, hikes, and bike ride.(The mr and I are the officially the family outdoor motivators. Who doesn’t want to hang out with us?) Our first walk of the week was with Barb, Cam, and Jackson. We strolled to the lake, screwed around for a while, Jack meditated on driftwood in the water then fell in. Went back to the house where I proceeded to give Jackson my first haircut of the week and I did an ok job, especially because I was actually fixing the hack job of a cut he tried to give himself. Ha. The next day I went over to Erins and proceeded to give the second haircut of the week to Coco. That went alight, I just gave him a cookie and hacked away. Again, not bad considering he was fidgeting and kind of screaming at me the whole time.

After that the week was full of more hiking, another round of cupcake baking this time with So Bean, paperwork up the butt, and research on tires and cellphones. Blah. I hate shopping research. Oh and the parking lot. Need an idea for something to do with some littles, Find a vacant parking lot, get a bouncy ball, and let it rip. The mr and I took Judah and Coco to the empty school lot and spent almost an hour chasing around a freaking tiny bouncy ball. It was the highlight of all our week. That and the long phone conversation I had with a cop about Mark. Mark is officially a college grad (I know, CRAZY!) And has basically been hired to be a state trooper (so many Super Trooper jokes) She called just to talk about what kind of person he is and to make sure he hasn’t murdered anyone. To bad I told her he is just a fucker and should not be hired to police ANYBODY HA! Just kidding, I made him sound even better then he really is. HAHAHA.

So yeah, other then that, nothing to crazy. Just staying sane with lots of running, biking, a little work in the studio, gardening, and making sick playlists on Spotify. Oh, and I gave my third haircut of the week to myself. I was in the kitchen cutting up rhubarb with the kitchen scissors and the urge hit. Gathered my hair into a bunch and just snipped a few haggard inches off… Not my best work but I don’t really give a shit. 😁

Today the mr and I are leaving super early for a hiking/fishing excursion, then we are going to check out Shannon and her mans house that is under construction. We need to make it back in town to do a few errands and to go check on the littles. Plus I really want to spend at least an hour in the backyard getting all the dirt under my fingernails. Going to cram as much stuff into the day as we can.

Interent links from the week.

-The Man Who Runs 365 Marathons a Year. I don’t know about a complete marathon, but I get it. I can’t stop either.

-How I stumbled on this???? Whoa Diddy, whoa.

-I really appreciate a good shelve. GETTING YOUR SHELVES TOGETHER.

-Passive homes are way cool. A Passive House Primer, Ultra-Energy Efficiency Edition

-What To Do When People Don't Practice Social Distancing. Screaming “Stay the fuck away” might not be the right move.

-I guess I am a person that wants a bean bag chair now. The Original Bean Bag Chair

-And here I thought I was fancy with my empty milk carton house.These downloadable architecture projects let kids build their own cities and skyscrapers

-This weird trick can make an onion taste like an apple. What do you think of that!?

-Art out of nature. Stones, Leaves, and Shells Whorl in Hypnotic Land Art by Jon Foreman

-SNL Nails What It’s Like to Grocery Shop Right Now. Dasini Water. SO TRUE!

Pictures from the week.

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 friends, how are we doing? Good good I hope, if not a little wobbly and wonky, but that’s ok. At least it is spring. SPRING!!! I have been loving the weather so hard this past week. Not to cold, not to hot, not to sunny. Just right. So that is good.

Besides stellar weather this week, it has been another week. Started out with a nice long hike with Megan and the gang for her birthday. Muddy as heck yes, but really fun and good to spend some time with her and the kiddos. Then after that, the days just blurred from one thing to the next but things were done and happened and all that.

The frost froze in our fridge and it was this whole thing that took a entire day to fix with the steamer. That was fun (not really, but my fridge is so so CELAN). We also spent time with the littles, tried to figure out school work but then ended up making smoothies. I made a handful of face masks and cleaned out all my garden beds. We went for a walk with Shannon. Did a few little hikes, a few bike rides, and lots of walks. I wore my sandals on my feet for a day, and Barb and I went for a bike ride together just yesterday. So basically I spend most of my time either cleaning, hanging with the littles, or running, walking, biking, or hiking. Life is weird right now but I am embracing it and am more then happy to spend all my time outside.

Oh and the mr. He went and got himself a freaking scooter. I don’t even know so we will circle back round to this some other time.

And today, Easter Sunday. We usually do something as a family on easter, like hide eggs for the littles and eat food together, but not this year. We are going to go eat lunch with the littles and maybe do a little egg hunt thing with them. Then we are going to go for a walk with my mom. After that, well I don’t know. Probably come home and make a giant list of food that I need to get tomorrow. My chest freezer is basically emptied of frozen veggies, farm share isn’t until Thursday, and I am running dangerously low on me food. (there is more then enough food in the house to feed the mr for months, I just don’t eat any of it.) I might have enough frozen broccoli and one beet that I have been hoarding for dinner tonight and I know I have at least 2 onions and the spinach that I saved especially for tonight so just as long as the grocery store had some veggies tomorrow, i'‘ll be alright.

Internet from the week.

-Are your days melting together? IT is not just you. Time Is Meaningless Now

-Have you made bread yet? And are you wondering how the heck it does it thing wit the yeast? No for Real, What Is Yeast Exactly

-Hundreds of Rainbow Glass Panels Emit a Rotating Kaleidoscope in a Playful Kindergarten. What a place to go to school!

-This has NEVER been a problem for me, but it might be for you. I Bought Too Many Vegetables

-How do we know what dinosaurs looked like? Yeah, really, how do we know?

-I have been running every morning but man, are my ankles super sore. I think I screwed up my Achilles tendons. What is the best surface to run on to avoid getting injured?

-The toilet paper shortage is more complicated than you think. I haven’t had to buy toilet paper yet, but now and going to be keeping my eyes open for some next time I go shopping.

-As soon as it is warm enough outside I plan on it, for just me and the mr, and then for the littles.. Throw Your Kids a Quarantine Campout

-How Stories Connect And Persuade Us: Unleashing The Brain Power Of Narrative. This is why I read.

-Some good things are happening. Lockdown Effect: Impossible View of the Himalayas Captured by Photographers in India After 30 Years

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Pictures from the week

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.