Sunday Happy

Well friends we are on the home stretch of what is left of 2021. Another year gone (which happens every year) and I am not feeling much of anything about it at the moment. It was a year and that is pretty much it.

The past week, well it was hectic like I knew it would be but it was good. There was snow and that right there made me pretty happy. The mr and I were able to go to the woods for a nice snowy day hike and take in the goodness of all that I love. Then there was a lot of running around and last minutes this and that. There was grocery shopping at multiply stores for Christmas food which was just ridiculous. I had to finish up a few gifts things and did some last minute mug sales. I did some baking, waited in a long ass line in the freezing cold to get a couple Covid tests so we could be safe for Christmas, and had the littles over for snow globe making, cookie baking and paper candy cane crafting. The result of that was amazing but also now there is glitter EVERYWHERE! So yeah, you know, it was just all the normal days before Christmas stuff.

Then Christmas came. I woke up, went for an icy run, fell on my ass, and come home to prepare all the food and house for the mass of family that were to descend. All was going well, all the food cut up and set out. I was finishing up frosting Camerons birthday cake (Happy Birthday CAM!) when I heard a crash. The mr, at the top of the stairs, had dropped a jar and it tumbled down and shattered. everywhere. After the initial reaction of oh shit, then came the blood. Short story short, the mr cut his hand. Bad. And then everyone showed up. Luckily Shannon took a look and wrapped it up while Meg helped clean the glass. After the assessment of needing stitches, we feed the family, did quick gift exchange thing, did cake and then I shooed everyone out and we headed up the hospital. There we were sent to a room, the mr got his gash looked at and we then found out he sliced one of his tendons. And now he needs surgery for that. 5 and a half hours later, we were let go with, his gash stitched and up plus a cast up his arm, a stack of finance papers. a prescription, and a nice 1/4 inch thick coating of ice on the car. That was the topper there. We were both exhausted and hungry and I must of spent 10 minutes chipping ice of the windshield. Then the 5 minute drive to the hospital turned into a 20 minute drive home. The roads were shit be we got home, I shoved something into my mouth (not sure what) cleaned a few of the dishes from the day, and basically assed out. Merry Christmas. HA!

Today. I am tired but there is stuff to be done. I am going to spent the first half of the day cleaning the food and glitter the is imbedded into the cracks of the floor, wash everything that was touches by hospital air, and make sure there is no glass hiding anywhere. After that s trip to the pharmacy and then we are going to go see Anthony cause it is his birthday today. (HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANT!) As for the mr. He has to take it easy, not fuck around with his hand, and try not to go to crazy. It is just going to be an interesting next couple months with the mr having surgery and not being able to use his hand. (Bonus, it is his left hand. He is a lefty…) So yeah. Just hope good things for him and also wish me luck. The mr without the use if his hand is not a happy mr. It’s gonna get rough. But hey, could have been worse. We are good! 😬😁

Not internet links from the week because I wasn’t much on the internet.

Pictures from the week

Sunday Happy

Anyone else in a slight state of shock at the fact that it is mid December? Every year it’s like this but this year especially seems like a kick in the face. Whoa, that got intense quick..

The week flew by. Nothing much different happened then then usual. I spent as much time as I could outside enjoying all of the winter weather. We went and hung out with the littles and picked up a single cookie saved for the mr made by Miley. I worked, same for the mr. And I made some garland and baked cookies. The n and there, whatever and what not.

Thursday night we had all the littles, Megan, and Erin come over (no one else showed up) for the mr’s yearly grilled cheese birthday dinner. We all danced around, Patty (Mileys boyfriend) braided hair and helped the littlest ones wash their hands. Judah made the mr an inappropriate but so very appropriate birthday card, everyone ate birthday cupcakes (the mr was bing a ass and wouldn't let us sing happy birthday.), and everyone was happy. It was low key and very nice.

Friday was the mr’s actual birthday and we were suppose to hike a mountain but when he woke up his old man hips were hurting a bunch so we decided to skip the hike and just have a chill day. Instead we went for a little drive, ate lunch by a pond, got coffee. I made dinner (lasagna), Barb came over, we ate, and then attempted to watch a movie together. Sadly I only lasted abut 1/2 hour in before I passed out but you know, I am an old lady too.

Yesterday I just spent the day cleaning and getting increasing pissy about how all the snow melted and how warm is was getting.

Now we are back to Sunday. Well it’s like spring out there and I am not really interested. All the hiking trails are going to be complete shit so I think the mr and I are going to keep it clean and just go walk the paved bike path on the lake and maybe have a picnic for lunch because that is how freaking warm it’s gonna be. Other than that I am going to spend a few hours at the studio finishing up some glazing, repot a few plants, probably clean off the porches, maybe clean the car…I don’t know. Or maybe I will do nothing and sit around and read and drink all the coffee and tea I can handle. What will br will be.

Internet from the week.

-How to slow down time because you’re not getting any younger. Perfect reading for the mr this week.

-Christmas food, regular food, everything as we know it. Is Gen Z changing Christmas food?

-I could definitely shut myself away in this little cabin.

-Here’s How to Build Your Own Cat Trees, Catwalks, and Cat Furniture. I know a few people that will be interested in this.

-Do you know? Where Does Vanilla Extract Come From?

-How to Remove Sticky, Clingy Tree Sap From Your Clothes. I was covered in sap, ans so was my shirt ans socks just making a couple feet of garland.

-If You Can Fantasize For Hours, There's a Name For That: Maladaptive Daydreaming. I don’t know about hours, but I definitely have had long bouts of daydreaming that last a while and it is an anxiety thing. Happens on planes, on long car ride, when I can’t sleep…

-Love this 70’s house.

-This is a very good idea. New Zealand's plan to end smoking: A lifetime ban for youth

Pictures from the week.

Sunday Happy

How do you feel about Daylight Savings ending? I love it! I love that we get the extra hour. I love that it is going to get lighter out earlier in the am (my early morning runs in the dark woods have been slightly unnerving..there are creepos hanging out in there) and I love that it will be dark at 430. I know, I know, most people hate it but I say embrace it. It probably has something to do with that fact that I wake up at 3am, eat dinner at 5, and go to bed by 730. Yeah, I am something …🤷‍♀️

Another week. Started with Halloween. The mr and I went over to Erins in the pouring rain and the four of us (me, the mr, Judah, and Erin) helped get Coco into his costume and took him out for his very first trick or treating adventure, and oh was it amazing. At the first house he went to, when the people came to the door, he walked into their house and started to play with their dog. It was hilarious and adorable and the best first trick or treating experience ever. After that we made our way up and down the street. We didn't stay out to long because after like the 10th house, we were all soaked to the bone and Coco had enough so home we went. Coco marveled at his foot and even shared his candy with Judah (he decided not to trick or treat) and then mr and I went home. Best Halloween.

Then the rest of the week. The mr and I spent more time then we wanted to sizing and moving 1000lb cast iron radiator into the house. Yup. We have radiant heat on the first floor but it is not efficient and have decided to bring in the cast iron and I am so excited! I wanted to put them in when we first remodeled that house, and we did on the second floor, but the mr wanted to try the radiant. Now four years later I win. HA! But gosh those freaking things are so heavy. Anyway, they are in the house, in place where they need to be plumbed, and I have been cleaning them up to get ready for paint. And now I need to pick the color and it is going to be a whole thing.

Nothing else really happened out of the norm. Well it snowed one morning and that was just fantastic. Work wise I have been organizing pots and starting the holiday sales on my instagram @stemandnod. I also picked up the first winter farm share. (YAY celeriac!) And I went into a store other then a grocery store with Barb for the first time in like 3 years. I needed new socks so it had to be done.

Sunday. Today the mr and I are getting out of town and going for a good day hike. I am happy about that because not with no camping and all I am getting stir crazy being in town. And when we get home I plan on spending the rest of the day reading and drinking all the coffee and or tea that I want because I am an adult and can do what I want.

Internet from the week.

-Daylight saving time ends Sunday. Here are 4 things you should know.

-I try to enjoy it but I just don’t like it. The Reason You Hate Your Birthday

-How to Keep Your Cool While Playing Host (It's Possible). Tell everyone to fuck off…Oh wait, that is just me. HA!

-People are getting out of had a lazy. Fifteen-Minute Grocery Delivery Has Arrived. Do We Need It?. No we do not need it.

-I LOVE decorations but I think part of the thing I love about it is that it is not all year and it is special. Christmas decor before thanksgiving is just too early for me. But day after, game on! And then it comes down New Years Eve. Here Is When People Are Decorating for the Holidays This Year

-The World’s Smallest Trailer Is Designed to Be Towed Behind a Mobility Scooter. The mr would freaking love this for his scooter.

-How to choose the best sleeping position, and why it matters. I think I am getting carpal tunnel from the way I sleep, well that and all the shit I do withy hands.

-Gorgeous kitchens. ’TIS THE SEASON FOR HOLIDAY BAKING.

-Pottery content and sales. @stemandnode.

Pictures from the week.

View fullsize

Sunday Happy

Every morning before I head out for my run, I play the weather guessing game.I step outside and feel the air and declare the temperature. This week I have been getting really good. All in the mid to upper 30’s, one morning it was 30. Bellow freezing which is fucking cold and I love it! I don’t know if it is a Vermont thing or a me thing but every time it is just about freezing I think,'“If it were to precipitate right now it would be snow?” Do you do that too? I have got snow on the brain, can you tell?

The week started off with hiking and camping at Little River. Our last camping adventure for the year. It was great thought, a nice cool but not freezing day. The colors were still popping and there wasn’t a shit ton of people around. The park was pretty much empty. So we did our hiking, made food, hung by the fire, and crawled into the tent for the last time. Woke up to a bit of rain, went for my early morning walk, then packed up and came home.

The rest if the week went. I picked the last of the flowers and chard from the garden, moved all the houseplants inside, picked up the last summer farm share, and worked a lot in both studios. Nothing too exciting.

Now back to Sunday. No camping and I am sad about it, although it is pouring rain at the moment and if we were to be going, it would probably suck…Nah, who am I kidding, I would’ve loved it anyway but that’s a moot point. So what am I going to do today? I think I am going to the studio to glaze some shit and probably going to take myself out to the woods somewhere and hike about for a little while. Then later tonight we are taking the two boys (Coco and Judah) out for trick or treating because Halloween and all. That should be fun, especially because Judah decided to dress uo as Nick. Fake beard and all. It’s gonna be some funny shit!

Internet from the week.

-I actually think about this a lot. The Joy & Opportunity Of Dropping A Routine. I live in a routine and when I step away from it…Its pretty great. Sometimes.

-How an 1880s train carriage became a contemporary living space in Dungeness. Cool cool

-Did food taste better 50 years ago? Can we even know?

-I sleep with a very very loud snorer. And occasionally kicker. How to Share a Bed With a Partner—& Actually Get a Good Night's Sleep

-I am always in the kitchen when people are over so there is never a place to hide! How to Get Guests Outta Your Kitchen (Please).

-People can be really stupid. Check Out These Hilarious One-Star Reviews of National Parks

-We Tested 6 Methods for Storing Mushrooms and Found a Clear Winner. I need a paper bag.

-Visible Mending Isn’t Just for Clothes, and I Think It Should Become the Next Big Home Decor Trend. I am all about this. Take my couch. It is amazing but is very tattered and needs mending ever now and then. I don’t hide it cause the mend is pretty too!

-Hundreds of Ceramic Marine Creatures Radiate in Gradients to Show the Effects of Coral Bleaching

Pictures from the week.

Sunday Happy

Does anyone else feel like time is going by like a sink drip (I don’t even know what that means.) But basically super fast and really slow and holy shit it is almost the end of the year and when did that happen? Yeah, I got hit with that realization and it’s kinda thrown me off and now I don’t even know. You know?

We started off the week with camping at Mt Ascutney State park and we brought along Barb for the fun. Drove down into the gorgeousness of the woods, hiked up a mountain in the cold, walked around the campground in the rain, made food, ate food, and sat by the fire. When the rain got bad enough we slipped into our tents and assed out, woke up, made coffee, and drove on home.

And then it was Barbs birthday so we did that. Food and cake at moms and everyones mouth turned blue except mine cause I don’t eat cake.

Then the rest of the week was a lot of pot painting, waxing, and glazing. I also managed to sneak in a wet ass hike with Meg and So. I also picked up one of the last summer farm shares, cleared out more of the garden, and made a batch of bagels because why not.

Yesterday we had all the littles over to carve/paint pumpkins. It was messy, it was loud, and it was fantastic. The mr was a champ and gutted them all, I made food and offered up my knife cutting skills, and Barb got white paint all over my floor. Miley, Jada and Judah are old enough now where we dont matter much so they did their own thing but little Coco, oh what a ham that kid is! Painted and grooved to tunes and just was such a happy dude. Gosh I love those little people!.

Needless to say the pumpkins came out great and after everyone left I spent the rest of the night cleaning up paint and pumpkin guts…Of course.

It’s Sunday and it is the last camping Sunday of the year. I always get sad when camping season ends but we got this last one and we are gong to make it count. A good hike, a big fire, and all the warmest clothes. It’s gonna be a cold one, it might even snow a little tonight and I am all the way here for it. (Yay!)

Internet from the week

-100% yes. Stop Shopping. America needs you to buy less junk.

-Apple-Picking Is Too Easy. Truth. I can’t bring myself to pay the crazy prices to pick pesticide covered perfect apples anymore. Road side apple picking all the way!

-Gardening 101: How to Use Fallen Leaves. We just mow them over and let them decompose or I lie the garden bed with them.

-Sad that they needed to but good that they did. Ivory poaching has triggered a surge in elephants born without tusks

-I have wondered this myself.What Makes Something “Antique” Versus “Vintage”?

-When Did This Time of Year Become “Spooky Season”?

-Carving a pumpkin? Don’t chuck the seeds. How to Store Pumpkin Seeds, Raw or Roasted

-4 Truths About Cleaning Away Spider Webs at Home, According to an Arachnologist. Try to be nice.

-I am here all the way for this. TIS THE SEASON FOR COZY CABINS.

-Anatomy of Fall Reading. Exactly.

Pictures from the week