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Sunday Happy

August 1, 2021 Colleen Stem
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Happy August! Best month of the summer because it is starting to feel cooler out at times (Yay for morning sweaters!!), the tomatoes and eggplants are growing with vigor, and well, it means summer is coming to an end and fall will be here soon. Whoop whoop!

The week went. We stared with a sunny camp day. Took the kayaks out, set up the tent, went for a hike, and while we were out we had a passing rain cloud dumped a ton of rain, while the sky was still blue, all over our camp site. No big deal except we didn't have the rain fly on the tent (again, the sky was blue) so the inside of the of the tent and all of our stuff got soaked and whatever, we dealt with it because that is what you do. Anyway, we dried out as much as we could then sat by the fire, ate camp soup, then crawled into the wet tent. Woke up, tossed it all into the truck and headed out.

Back in town life went on pretty much as usual, although the mr couldn't eat for the entire day (medical test stuff) so he was a real right treat to deal with. But we did the stuff we do and then some. The mr then had his doctors thing the following day and then ate all the food (and stopped being an asshole) so that was good. Beside all that jazz, I had lunch with Barb and hung out with Meg and So. I threw lots of pot, picked a lot of zucchini, and watched as my tower of beans grew to enormous heights. We went on a few more walk, jaunts, and the such and enjoyed the cooler weather as much as we could. And after watching it grow grow grow, my bean tower fell over. The weight of it snapped one of the sticks so the mr and I had to rig it up with rope and more wood. It is the craziest my beans have ever gotten.

Yesterday, spur of the moment, the mr and I dragged a tired little Coco out for ice cream. We tossed him in a wagon, walked to town, ordered him a cone, and held his hair back while he silently and intensely ate it. Then the sugar kicked in and he was wagon surfing all the way home. Highlight of the week. HA!

Today after a few morning chores we are heading out again. It is suppose to rain all afternoon and night so we are going into camping prepared for it. (Gonna set up the rain fly asap!). I have no problem hiking and playing in the rain but I am not a big fan of being drenched while sleeping. Hopefully it isn’t a complete washout!

Internet from the week.

-When Masks Become Trash. I live in a relatively clean state and I still see masks all over the place. It pisses me off a whole lot.

-I guess I am a super hero cause I sweat A LOT. Why Sweat Is A Human Superpower

-30 Things You Should Know About Veggies by the Time You’re 30. Veggie knowledge to know at any age.

-How Big Beverage poured empty promises down our throats. So much liquid in so many bottles! I sometimes feel guilty about buying seltzer now and then. But that is all I will buy. All those crazy drinks, I don’t get it.

-If the Hardiest Species Are Boiled Alive, What Happens to Humans? I count myself a lucky one. Here in Vt we haven’t had the crazy heat like the rest if the country. I don’t think, no I know I couldn’t handle it. Shit is real friends and that shit is bad.

-If I were to win an Olympic medal I think bronze would be the one I would want to win. Top three but don’t have to worry about always being the #1 or the one that was almost #1. Yeah, bronze seems good. Why Bronze Medalists Are Likely Happier Than Those Who Win Silver

-Spending a lot of time planning for a trip here!

-Who Actually Buys a Gold Toilet?. You ask me ans I would say an asshole.

-Thousands of Fresh and Artificial Flowers Overrun an Abandoned Convenience Store in a Small Michigan Town. 😁

Pictures from the week

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In sunday happy Tags Sunday harrp, internet links, vermont, vt, Vt stae parks, Vt state parks, camping, great outdoors, kayaking, pictures from the week
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Sunday Happy

October 18, 2020 Colleen Stem

Just the other night the mr and I were having the conversations about doing the heater checks in all the apartments, what the plans are going to be for the holidays, and all the end of the year things that need to be done before, well the end of the year. It was a weird conversation because were did the year even go? 2020 flying on by through a shit storm and we are not slowing down.

Another great week that began with more fantastic hiking and camping. We were at one of my favorite places, Groton Forest, ans lucky not a whole heck of a lot of people were there. Our hikes were beyond gorgeous,the air was cool, it was quiet and calm, and the sky was clear. Just a solid A+ camp.

Then we slept, woke up, broke down camp and came home. Every week we come home is hard. The mr and I could live in the woods forever! Life goals.

The rest of the week went as usual. The mr off doing all the work he always is doing plus talking to plumbers, plaining wood with Judah, selling (and sold) Barbs car, and was getting in as much fall scootering as he could before the thing needs to be stored away for winter. Me, same same. Studio stuff. Did some glazing, made more things, trying to get super ready for the holiday season and have a good stock of stuff to sell.

Not much really in the way fo eventfulness maybe besides me and Miley made a cake for shits and giggles then had dinner with Barb. Or that the mr and I filled out our ballets and I went and dropped them off at city hall. We also took the boys for a bike/walk. I picked up my second to last farm share for the summer (winter share starts in November) Oh, and I broke my freaking favorite eating fork. I have been eaten almost all my meals with this fork for like 10 years and it was truly a fantastic fork, perfect weight, perfect angle, perfect sharp tines. So that shook me. But I’ll be ok.

Today the mr and I are heading out for our second to last camp. Already sad about it but I am trying to not think about it too much. I want to just enjoy all the trees ans colors and go for a good hike and sit by a nice fire and go to sleep on the ground. All the good things.

Internet to read if you are so inclined.

-The mr and I had this conversation a few months back. It is pretty interesting to heat and see what others think too We Asked Americans How They Feel About The U.S. Flag. It Got Interesting.

-This Kitchen.. 2 different stoves and a wood fireplace!

-I am going to be one with the cracked teeth, I have jaw problems as it is ans I don’t remember the last time I have’t clenched my jaw. Oh wait, I think it was sometime in 2016. Sleepless Nights, Hair Loss And Cracked Teeth: Pandemic Stress Takes Its Toll

-Why social media makes you feel so old. So so old.

-I never put my vintage pyrex into the oven because I am always afraid of it exploding (it has happened before and has stayed with me) What You Really Need to Know About Exploding Glass Bakeware

-How to Survive 5 Extreme Weather Scenarios. We have been caught in some pretty extreme weather. I guess we are lucky to be alive. HA!

-Ad ode to the fork. The Rise of the Fork

-What’s the Weirdest Place You’ve Taken a Call Lately?. If you haven’t talked on the phone while you are on the toilet, well then, where are yo talking from?

-Chairs. PLEASE, HAVE A SEAT.

-Kill Your Gas Stove. I have come to terms with the fact that that next time I need a new stove or am building a new kitchen, no more gas. Induction it will be.

Pictures from the week

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-C

In internet links, sunday happy Tags Sunday Happy, everyday life, internet links, Vermont, 2020, family, fall, life in pictures, pictures, photography, camping, Vt state parks, nature, great outdoors
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Sunday Happy

August 23, 2020 Colleen Stem

And so another week has gone by. Can you actually believe that it is the end of August? I was just talking to someone about how this summer doesn’t even seem like it happened, like the past few months have just slipped on by without notice. That is exactly how I feel, like it just slipped on by...

The week, it was a good one. Camping at our first state park of the year, which I was a little nervous about due to the fact that there are like other people around, but it was good. We barely saw another person and that was when we walked through the campground and they were in their sites. And the camping was great. We kayaked, hiked, I read a lot and I even got a little chilly and had to sleep kinda in my sleeping bag. Love me some chilly camping, it is the best!

Then we came home and did the week like usual. The mr went back to working like a mad man, I unload some stuff form a glaze firing, made dinner at Barbs, tried to get organized for things to come, and got excited and made a bunch of dog/cat food bowls. And again, I realized that it was almost the end of the month so I better get my ass in high gear and get things ready to update the store page to sell some shit. Keep your eyes open for that fun!  I also had lunch with Megan and the kids, starting harvesting all the tomatoes from the garden, and have eaten an entire watermelon to myself in like 2 days. Oh, and Judah and I made dinner for everyone while the mr took Miley and Barbara fishing. He asked me to teach him how to cook so I let him pick what he wanted to make for our first cooking lessons. He choose scrambled eggs and wow, he made them like a boss. Next week he wants to make cookies. (of course).

Today the mr and I are doing the same as every Sunday; grabbing the camping stuff, tossing the kayaks into the truck, and picking all the cucumber and zucchinis in the garden to eat by the fire tonight. Sure it is suppose to rain a little bit today but I could give a fuck less. We look forward to these days all week. Rain ain’t no thing!

Links from the internet

-What it will take to fight the sexist, racist attacks against Kamala Harris. And we will do what it takes. Love Kalama!

-Got to appreciate a pretty pee pot. Japan’s quest to create beautiful places to pee

-Goofing off is good for kids—here’s the evidence And for adults too!?!

-A good read about a mother daughterroad trip (during pandemic) and the need to pee. Letting It Go. I have gotten so good at squatting!

-Can a 12-Year-Old Convince You to Go Vegan? Who better then a 12 year old?

-I think this is kind of amazing. Walkies could become the law for German dog owners.

-This would and is my actual HELL.130 Degrees: Death Valley Sees What Could Be Record Heat

-'Love In The Time Of Corona' Stars On The Truth And Light Of Making Art Amid Pandemic. I will probably watch this.

-This broke my heart. Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California's Oldest State Park, 'Extensively Damaged' by Raging Wildfires

-What’s the Difference Between Canola and Rapeseed Oil? If you want to know.

Pictures from the week

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In sunday happy Tags Sunday happy, Vermont, everyday life, life in pictures, pictures from the week, camping, Vt state parks, kayaking, outdoors, internet links, summer, family, the littles, Barbara eats
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Sunday Happy

September 8, 2019 Colleen Stem
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Not just sweater weather, which it had been all week and I am LOVING IT, but it’s lamp light weather too. I forgot that I had all these fantastic lights around my house and yesterday when it was dark out at 6 (it was raining so the sky was cloudy) I got to turn on a couple lamps that haven’t had any action in months. It was soooo nice and cozy. This my friends, this is the best time of year!

Camping last week was great and not so great. The campground was pretty, but our fellows campers were very rawdy and loud and there was a party at the picnic pavilion that had a shitty classic rock cover band playing. The noisy people and shitty music echoed through the park for longer then anyone should have had to deal with it. But I guess that happens, especially on a long holiday weekend. And really, besides the buttheads, we had fun. We went for a nice hike through the woods and into giant fields of wildflowers and goldenrod then spent some great time in the kayaks on a nearby lake (away from all the people). Plus after eating dinner and then packing it in for the night, we didn’t get soaking wet, which we could tell by the many car doors slamming and people screaming at 1am , a good few people did. Our tent stayed nice and dry inside and we even managed to stay dry when we got out of the tent and and realized it was sitting in a giant puddle. We even managed to stayed pretty dry packing up and getting on our way home, in the rain! It’s because we are good at coming I guess.

Then the rest of the week came and went in a fast blur. Mostly some same. Had lunch with Barb, cleaned apartments for new tenants,, made cards for artwork, picked up farm share, and you know, other life stuff. I have been busy in the kitchen harvesting garden food and canning or freezing it as well. Trying to stock up on as much food as I can for the winter. Then the littles slept over Friday. We watched Dumb and Dumber and I fell asleep on the couch. Woke up made waffles (I was so excited to use my waffle iron. It’s been too long) and sent them on their way home to be moody tweens because that is now happening.

Oh, and I can’t forget about how some little shithead smashed in the back of our car. Yup, that happened too. But that is pretty much it. I think….

Now for today. Mt Auscunty State park if all goes to plan. Should be a fun one with lots of hiking and a big high tower and stuff. I know it is gonna get mighty cold tonight so I am packing my winter long underwear and a jacket, hat, and mittens. So excited!

Links to explore on the internet.

-Doctors are now prescribing houseplants to help treat anxiety and depression. Makes a whole heck of a lot of sense to me. And why not try this simple remedy before trying a bunch of drugs?

-I wasn't;t surprised much when I read this. Junky processed food is so bad, especially if it is all you eat. .19-Year-Old Goes Blind Due to Diet of Pringles, Bread, Fries, and Processed Meats

-Lush Botanical Forms Translated Into Abstract Embroideries . So very pretty.

-Another good reason to ditch that pessimistic attitude and to look at he bright side of things. It doesn’t hurt to try. Optimists For The Win: Finding The Bright Side Might Help You Live Longer

-Why do clowns creep us out? Because they are creepy, that is why.

-I want, no, I need this cabin. Totally Off-the-Grid Cabin in the New Hampshire Woods

-This Apple Might Be the Most Anticipated Piece of Produce in History. I heard about this apple few years ago. I wonder if it’s gonna live up tp all the hype. We shall see.

-Why don’t we have one of these? The Otter: The 1950s Amphibious Caravan That Time Forgot!

-Can Bullet Journaling Save You? I am a list maker in all the ways. I a ma doodler to no end. I love pretty things and I love hand writing and have a ton of sketch books but besides the occasional list of note in a sketch book, I have never really gotten into Buju. It’s to time sensitive I think, for me anyway.

-Squeeze in a Quick Nap at Work with This Under-Desk Hammock. A new way to sleep on the job. HA.

Pictures from the week.

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-C

In Barbara Eats, internet links, summer, sunday happy, fall Tags Sunday happy, Vt state parks, camping, hiking, kayaking, great outdoors, everyday life, life in pictures, pictures from the week, photography, vermont, life, family, interent links, the doings, barb eats, the mr, the littles, farm share, summer, fall, sweater weather
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Sunday Happy

May 5, 2019 Colleen Stem
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Hey hey hey! Happy Sunday. Hope you are finding yourself happy and relaxed and enjoying all the good things the world is giving us. Like coffee and green things. All the coffee, all the green things for sure.

Another week that came and left and now it’s May. MAY! Can you even? The time, where does it all go? (an existential question for you) Our week (and time) started off with a chilly wet jaunt to a river. We were going to go out to the kingdom to watch the salmon jump out of the river but it was just to dang cold and rainy so we decided to hold off on it. But we did make our way to a river near by so the mr could officially toss in a fly line into some water. I guess fishing season started a week or two back but we have had so much rain that it has not been great for fishing, or being outside much for that matter. Anyway, he got a few casts in so he is happy.

Wet and raw weather wise was the way of the weather this week. We did have a few breaks of sun which lead to an impromptu afternoon hike just because the sun came out. It was fantastic, or started off that way. Up and down and around the woods to the very flooded lake. Half the way through the hike we ended up at a boardwalk that had a little water coverage, which was fine because someone placed nice big rocks to pass over. Or so I thought. A few steps in and the bridge gave away and into the lake I went. Just my feet and up my legs a bit, but yeah. I just stood there in shock for what seemed like minutes but eventually made my way to the other side of the bridge, drenched boots and all. The rest of the hike was soggy, but hey, I was outside and there was sun and I wasn’t freezing cold so yeah. Could have been worse. It could have been the mr who went in and I really really would not want to have had to deal with him hiking back with drenched feet. Now if my hiking boats would dry out. That would be great.

Other then our little outdoor adventures, the week went the way the weeks does with work and all. The mr running around frantic, having doors, making room for giant ass wood slabs in the barn, wheeling and dealing.

Friday was all day studio work. Lots and lots of pugging clay. While I was at work the mr picked up littles (Miley, So, and Judah) and they all came to the studio to pick me up. It is always a great way to get people to listen and leave the studio when they are suppose to when a bunch of kids rush in and start demanding food. People, at least the clay people, are scared of hungry little kids. Ha. Off we all went, me covered head to tow in clay. Found out in the car that Judah was sick (so sad) so he went home and it turned into a girls night sleep over. Pizza, soup, and peanut butter sandwiches for dinner. We went walking/piggyback riding, the mr and Miley played with the new wood brander which included fire and hot metal. The mr took them to the store to pick out ice cream while I tried to clean myself up, they came back ,ate lots of ice cream, then showered and brushed hair without arguments. They picked out movies without fighting (movies about ballerinas and singing animals) and happily curled up together on the floor. Me being me with no attention span or energy left skipped the movies and went to bed. When I went to wake them up the next morning, I found out that they had woke up (or never went to sleep) in the middle of the night to draw and do yoga? Yeah, I don’t exactly know what went on. What I do know is my yoga mat was upstairs and I remember waking up in the middle of the night to sounds of the wall being kicked a bunch, and there were drawings of crazy things and colored pencils everywhere that were not there when I left them the night before. Hey, if that is what they want to do in the middle of the night, more power to them.

After pancakes and cartoons, the ladies and the mr spent the morning going through a million awesome shells. I guess someone had massive shell collection and gave it over to the mr. Neither of us are really shell people, I mean a few cool ones, but this collection was INSANE. SO we gave them all to the littles. And gave the littles a boxes to bring home to their siblings. They can have all the shells, we are good here.

We dropped girls off, ran around doing errands, then came home and I putz in the yard before going about cleaning the house. Lots of dirt and mud and sticky shit on everything. I just don’t know where it comes from. Well I do actually. And it’s mostly not me so yeah.

Today the mr and I actually are heading out to the kingdom. We need to see some fish jump. A few hours back and forth will give me time for some open window car rid air and reading if it doesn’t make me puke. Picnic lunch by the river and afternoon road coffee. Hopefully we get home in time for me to spend at least a good few hours in the garden to ooh and awe at the stuff that is starting to pop out of the ground and maybe figure out if it’s a perennial I planted or just a weed. Good thing I like weeds too or else I would be terribly disappointed a lot of the time.

Have a few extra minutes? Take a look at some interesting internet from the week.

-The Obamas Are Making a Kids’ Food Show on Netflix. Oh HELL YEAH! And I am not a kid but I am gonna watch it.

-What a great business/environmentally awesome/ logical/ just plain right idea. Toronto Restaurant Fights Waste By Chopping Menu Prices Till Food Is Gone

-Some serious boldness. Bold Line Drawings Layered on Top of Deconstructed Images of Fruit, Flowers, and Animals in Tattoos by Mattia Mambo.

-Rise of the Lady Backpack. Purse. Please. Back packs are the best, but to be honest, I mostly stick to nothing, just my wallet and keys in a pocket. Back pack for biking and hiking and a tote bag for the groceries, the library, or the occasional kitting project. Simple.

-I struggle hard with my OCD cleaning. I sometime wish I had the ability to let things be mess, but then again…. The Unbridled Joy of (Occasionally) Letting Your Room Get Really, Really Messy

-What Comes After a Rut? Take the good with the bad and all the craziness that is the ebb and flow of life.

- Why the Kentucky Derby is a 145-year-old celebration of hats. Now imagine if people went around wearing those hats all the time. The world would be a better place.

-Maine, you so smart. Maine just banned Styrofoam food containers

-How to be assertive without being called a bitch. Why are women always considered bitches? Well I am anyway….

-I love this and only wish I was ablate “Gramp” when my grandparents were alive. 'Gramping' Is the Latest Travel Trend Grandparents Need to Know About

And some pictures from the week.

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-C

In vermont, the great outdoors, Spring, sunday happy, internet links, pictures Tags The littles, great outdoors, nature, hiking, Vt state parks, everyday life, pictures from the week, Photography, happy, Sunday Happy, Vermont, Clay, internet links
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