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Sunday Happy

January 5, 2020 Colleen Stem
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Happy New Years!

Can you believe it? 2020. Not only a new year but a new decade. I mean, wasn't it just Y2K like a few years ago? Haha. Y2K. Do you even remember that?

The past week was good. Kicked it off by making a Pokemon ball cake for Judah’s birthday (he is now 10 freaking years old) and going over to participate in birthday party stuff. Then it was New Years Eve and Day, which the mr and I just kind of spent chillin a bit, took an afternoon and ran out of town. Nothing special and no we didn't stay up all night. I don’t think I could even if I wanted to. HA. After New Years, the fog of the holiday season kind of rolled in. My brain shut down from over stimulation, my body is feeling tired and sore, and I just feel off. I think a big part is the weather. It has been way to warm, damp, no snow, and just not wintery enough. Dang it, I need me some winter!

Anyway, the rest of the week went by. Started packing up the loft so Barb can move in next week before she goes back to school. I have been going to the new gym everyday, trying to get used to that new fancy building (I love it, but still miss the old building). We spent time with Coco and Judah being awesome and eating popsicles. And we have been watching the heart balloon move around he house as it slowly sinks further and further to the floor.

Now we are at Sunday. Not sure exactly what’s in store. I am going to the gym and then there are a few things that we need to get done this afternoon, but we were thinking we might grab a little or two and try to hike up a small mountain. Or maybe even just go for a long walk through some trees. It snowed yesterday and I am so excited and am very much in need of outdoors and trees and quiet.

Internet for your taking.

-I think keeping the thermostat at 55 is right. With a fan blowing too. Your Bedroom Is Too Hot. What is the ideal temperature for sleep?

-Why you shouldn’t bother making a resolution in January. Right? Right!

-Looking for a good mustard? Mustard Manual: Your Guide to Mustard Varieties

-The best things to eat and drink to fight wintertime dread. Soup. Aways soup.

-I have been saying this all along! Never Cut a Squash Again.

-Did you know that scrabble pieces were made in VT? Three shifts at the Scrabble factory: The inventor

-5 Reasons Why a Homestead is an Excellent Place for a Child to Grow Up. I wish I grew on a a farmstead. Hopefully someday I will be living on one though.

-Make This the Year You Finally See the Aurora Borealis. I sure am hoping I will!

-I am all about CBD, but this? Seriously, a bodysuit infused with CBD? What the fuck. I Spent a Full Week Wearing a CBD-Infused Bodysuit

Pictures from the week.

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In Barbara Eats, sunday happy, internet links Tags Sunday Happy, internet link, Everyday life, picture from the week, Birthday, winter, vt, balloon
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Sunday Happy

October 21, 2018 Colleen Stem
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Did you get out last week, see some trees, see some nature, take in the world? I hope so but if you didn’t, take some time today and do it, it will make you happy Promise.

Last Sunday was camping at the Queeche Gorge State Park. Stopped at a cool flea market on the way, saw some cool old stuff, almost bought a painting (I kind of wish I did. Oh well) Then off to the camp ground which was pretty empty, but man, there were a shit ton of people bumping around the gorge trails. Not bad, I just was a little surprised, but I guess I shouldn’t have been. I mean, foliage and nice weather and beauty. It brings the people out. Anyway, the hiking was good. Found a off shoot trail that no one else was on and found a tiny little brook with spawning trout. Got back to camp, made pumpkin lentils for dinner and then the sun started to set and the night got very cold. The fire was needed oh so much. I might have even melted my shoe a bit because I was a little to close to it. And when it hit that magical time (8) we jumped into the tent. I slept with a hat and hood and mittens on in my sleeping bag with a wool blanket and was just as happy as could be. Then we woke up, made coffee, packed up, and headed for the streams so the mr could fish in 35 degree weather. It was freezing but it makes him happy so it makes me happy.

After we got home the week went per usual. Work here and there, dinner with the littles, Barb up my butt about how excited and nervous she was about Italy, and could I please just hem this skirt for her? You know, the normal stuff.

I think it was Wednesday, the mr and I were out for the day so I had packed out lunches. I was eating a carrot and all of a sudden, CRACK! Spit out my carrot and there was the little stone (it happens some times) and also a big ass chunk of my tooth. Yup, the stone broke a piece of one of my molars off. Oh my was I freaking out. Called the dentist right away but my dentist doctor is out of town and can’t get me in until next week! As of right now it is fine and doesn’t hurt or anything, but I am terrified that it’s going get worse or break more or I don’t know. This and I just was there for a cleaning like 2 weeks ago. Said I had great teeth health and blah blah blah. After that happened, I have been a little on edge since. The underlying feeling of something wrong in my face, and it’s driving me crazy. Stupid tooth.

Friday morning was running around, a few chores, and a quick frosting and dinosaur making to finish off the ice cream cake and off to the studio for the day. Loaded kilns, played in the slop bucket, pugged some clay. Then ran home to get the cake and make quick to Barb for her 19th birthday hurray! There was a family crowded dinner. I brought the cake and she’s jumping up and down being crazy and awesome and was trying to keep her shit together because the next day she was getting on her first plane ever and flying to Italy! Whoop whoop.

So yesterday was basically set aside for Barb. I cleaned the house early, packed our lunches, then the mr and I picked her and her friend up and drove them over the border into Cananda and dropped their lucky tushies off at the airport. SO CUTE. I might have been a little jealous, but more then that, I was, and am, just so excited for them. Italy, haven’t been yet, but I will get there. Barb said she would bring me back a picture of an Italian toilet so that will be good enough. I probalaby won’t need to go after getting that. Ha. And so we dropped them off, headed back home and watched all the most amazing clouds in the sky. Got home, took a shower, and passed the f out.

Today is up in the air. Not exactly sure wha't’s going to happen. We have a very important thing this afternoon that is exciting to us, but other then that, not sure. Camping was talked about but none of the campground are open anymore. We were thinking of maybe sleeping in the car under a tree, but not 100% sold on that idea. It also might snow so you know, the mr is scared of the white stuff. Me, I am very excited and would love to wake up with some snow, but I get it. It is getting cold out. But if we sleep in the car, it would totally be fine, and fun. Just got to convince the mr.

Internet from the week.

-Isn’t see always right? Grandma Was Right: Sunshine Helps Kill Germs Indoors

-You Can Buy 'Golden Girls'-Themed Cereal at Target Now. What the.. Funko’s. That is just kind of amazing.

-Who didn’t read this book? I hope if it does become a movie they don’t screw it up and that the young ones still read the book. 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.' By Judy Blume Could Finally Become A Movie

-Good, Evil. Sugar There is a lot to the history., Sugartime. How a taste for sweetness, developed for survival, became a stand-in for everything good — and evil — about our culture

-Are Siblings More Important Than Parents? I don’t know, but there is something. Growing up as one of 9 is who I am. I con’t even imagine not having them. And my sisters are my best friends so maybe, yeah, like not more important but kinda?

-5 Mistakes to Avoid When Baking with Yeast. But it’s really not hard to use yeast. If you are intimidated, start by making focaccia.

-I would live in an old church, but only if the vibe was good and there was no history if weird shit.. Holy Homes: Inside Houses That Used to Be Churches

-Last week at the gym there was a special on the news about people called flat landers. They believe the earth is flat ans think all of evidence , things like gravity and even the moon is all a hoax. It was very strange.. 10 easy ways you can tell for yourself that the Earth is not flat

-I need a glass greenhouse. Majestic Conservatories and Cozy Private Potting Sheds Showcase the Universal Appeal of Glass Greenhouses

Pictures from the week

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-C

In vermont, the great outdoors, the fam, sunday happy, pictures, life, internet links Tags Sunday HAppy, everyday life, pictures, pictures from the week, photography, vermont, family, Barb, Vermont state parks, Birthday, Camping, The great outdoors, Nature, internet links
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Sunday Happy

April 1, 2018 Colleen Stem
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An Easter April Fools Day all in one. This probably doesn't happen too often.  I could imagine that things could get pretty crazy with the holiday combination. I am picturing lots of little littles opening empty Easter eggs, or eggs with rocks, or (fake) bunny poop... because April fools  Ha. That would so be pretty fun to watch and is totally something that I would (and might) do. Would that make me a jerk? Maybe a little but I think it might be worth it. 

The week has been and up and down kind of week. Officially 2 years since Sean passed so I have been a little quite, sad, and maybe a little bitchy. Doesn't help that it was just an annoying week in general. Like I almost broke my leg with a 35 lb weight at the gym, but not really. (Word of advice, don't drop heavy shit on your leg, it doesn't feel good and hurts all week). Had to get the oil change and ended up waiting for 2 hours. And I guess I am starting to get spring allergies making me feel heady and tired and Oh, I had to go to the dentist. Still no camera so pictures are are still all off my phone which is driving me nuts and I still haven't finished the taxes that promised myself that I would have done before April 1...Ok, I am done bitching.

But it definitely was not all bad. We had dinner with Shannon and got to harass Jackson for a little while. I won a bag of literal shit (compost) from a library raffle. Then there was farm share pickup where we  talked spring greens with the  farmers because we are all getting a little tired of the roots and very excited for spring. I did some seed planting and cleaned up the yard a bit. The mr and I have been taking some pretty good walks and trying to embrace any nice weather that we can. I talked to Barb about talking to her plants to keep them alive and while Mark was home for the weekend I got to harass him about applying for jobs where he is expected to wear short shorts and be a prick..... I think got some joy in harassing people this week. 

Then it was Moms birthday. (HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM) The whole family came over and I made a birthday dinner and cake and cupcakes. The cake was for mom (blueberry coffee cake), who I know well enough to know that she was going to want to take half of it home so I made cupcake too. Those were basically for the little so I made them very neon pink. Shannon hid some candy filled eggs in the yard to keep the littles busy (for like a second) and we all just basically had one big dance party because that's what we do. After dinner we all headed down to the YMCA for the annual pick up basketball game in honor or Sean with all of Sean's friends. A bunch of younger dudes all getting a little older, playing a pretty intense and sweaty game of ball while all the littles and maybe some of the adults (Erin) proceeded to eat their weight in candy. This after all the cake they had just consumed. (The sugar highs were getting intense.).  There was a lot of emotions, but mostly it was a lot of fun and was really good to see everyone.

And then we went home to the trashed house with pasta and cake all over. Like for real everywhere. I don't know how the littles managed to smear pink frosting BEHIND and UNDER the couch, but they did and I am never going to let them eat  in my house again. All food outside from now on.  I then spent half of my day yesterday cleaning up after it all. Pink frosting and pee because apparently there are some boys that have a hard time aiming into the toilet. Fun stuff. 

Now it is Easter and I am not quite sure whats going on. I know that I am needed to fill (or not fill, or fill with (fake) poop) eggs and then hide them at some point this morning, but other then that..... There are things and people and Easter stuff, but I am not putting any pressure on myself to participate in anything. I am feeling a bit antisocial and could use quite day. I might just stay home and plant more seeds and pretend that it is not going to get mother f-ing cold out again next week and so I can pack away the last remaining bits of winter. And maybe bunny proof the garden because the bunnies have been hopping around a little to close to my garden beds these days an I am not particularly fond of sharing my food with them.What better way to spend Easter then to keep the bunnies away. Ha.  Maybe when we get chickens back there they bunnies will just stay on the other side of the fence. I'll figure it out one way or another.

Have a Happy Easter April fools.

Internet excursion from the week

-Here's Why Easter Eggs Are a Thing. Oh. 

-Seriously no. Just no. Peeps-Flavored Beer Is Reportedly Being Released For Easter 

-The Last Conversation You’ll Ever Need to Have About Eating Right. It really is. 

-Well son of a bitch. Does Coffee Really Need A Cancer Warning? California Judge Decides So

-I am in love with this serving  board. It's on my have to do list of things I have to do. DIY Celestial Wood and Brass Inlay Serving Board

-A Tiny Cabin is This Writer's Off the Grid Getaway. That toilet...It's a good one. 

-New Human 'Organ' Was Hiding in Plain Sight. Whoa dude. 

-I am always trying to make sure that I have enough protein in my diet, but I would never drink that muscle milk shit.Whole foods my friends.  How Protein Conquered America

-My sister Erin lived in a place for a while that had carpets in the bathrooms.. It was freaking disgusting. Why Did Anyone Think Carpet in the Bathroom Was a Good Idea?

-Oh, and watch the fuck out. Falling Chinese Space Station to Crash This Weekend

Pictures from the week

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-C

In sunday happy, photography, internet links Tags Easter, April fools, Family, Sunday Happy, Everyday Life, photography, life, Vermont, Birthday, internet links
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Sunday Happy

December 11, 2016 Colleen Stem

It's officially kinda official. WE MOVED IN!!!! And yeah sure, we might not have a kitchen or a 100% functional shower, but hey, who needs that when you got a real freakin bed to sleep in. (we are showering and preparing food at the loft) Going form sleeping on a futon on wooden slates in a crawl space to our real bed, with a real frame, all in a giant room with windows..... It's hella crazy.

Other then the move in, the week has been pretty jammed packed. Still spending every minute plugging away at the house all while making sure all of our tenants are keeping warm with working heaters. (we have spent way to much time at the plumbing supply store this week) Barb, the mr and I ditched a day of work and school to travel to the north and hit up the land of Canadian Ikea. The mission was simple. Get a kitchen sink and maybe a cool rug or a shelving unit, and for barb and the mr, to eat as many hot dogs as they could. Success was had. We go the sink, I got a jar and a rug, towels were bought and an obscene amount of hot dogs were eaten (I think they each ate somewhere between3.5 and 5, plus a fro-yo. Me I was happy with my carrots) We we home before dark and spent the remainder of the day hanging up the Christmas lights. It was a grand day indeed.

As for the mr, well he went and turned himself one year older. And what did we do?  We went and had a happy birthday party with family and friends at the newly unfinished house. It was all sorts of fantastic. We frantically ran around to pick up all the construction mess, tossed some plywood on the cabinet frames, ran all over to make paper lanterns for the light bulbs hanging from the ceiling and cleaned the toilet. I made huge vats of soup and kept the warm in slow cookers (I am now a new owner of a vintage 70's crock pot so I guess I need to learn how to use it) and we borrowed an electric griddle, cut up some veggies and fruit and had a soup and grilled cheese party. (shout out to barb for helping me cut all the everything, oh and having the first official dance party with me) A classic homemade vanilla cake with some Duncan Hines frosting and ice cream topped off the night. I must also mention that even with a house full of people, including a bunch of littles, there was barely any food wasted. My brother even asked where he could find my compost bin to toss the orange peels. That might have been the highlight of the night.  After the evening my ass was tired so off to bed we went.  Then I woke up. Nothing beats waking up at 5am the day after a party to a plywood covered pile of soup crusted dirty dishes.  2 hours later, a rag, some peppermint Dr. Bronners and the bathroom sink made things look good again. And now the house is full of every chair we have ever owned, every piece of mismatched bowl, plate, cup,jar, and spoon we could find, and a freezer full of wheat bread and lots of carrot sticks.

Yup, things are moving along. Pretty soon I'll be cooking up a storm in new kitchen and will be bring you all some food posts to boot.  The appliances are set to arrive tomorrow and all we have left to do is build the cabinets, run a few water lines, pour a concrete counter.........

Today the mr have to remove the 500 plates, cups, bowls and spoons out and the rest of the birthday cake out of the kitchen area and get back to work to makingt he real kitchen thing happen. But the coffee pot and all the coffee has found it's permanent home. I'll have coffee all day long. Whoa hoo!


Things I saw and read on the internet that you can now see and read too.

-Not really a "gingerbread house" but what ev, it pretty fantastical. How To Build An Indestructible Gingerbread House. Gummy bear epoxy seems so right.

-Speaking of gingerbread houses. Holiday gingerbread cookies have a dark and violent past

-Cute Animation Imagines How Day Turns into Night

-A hairy tail has be found.  First Dinosaur Tail Found Preserved in Amber

-This is a good guide with lots of good recipes. The Search is Over: This Map Will Find Your Sugar Cookie Soulmate

-I want this.

-Now I know where I have seen you before. Scientists Think Your Face Evolved to Look Like an Ape’s Butt

-Why Nutrition News Contradicts Itself All the Time. One day my diet is super healthy and the next, I am probably going to die cause of it. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. (nah, I think I am good)

-A Brighter Outlook Could Translate To A Longer Life. Doing it

-I get excited every year when this list comes out (I know, I a dork). NPR’s Book Concierge Our Guide To 2016’s Great Reads

Picture fun time.

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I made him throw this sock away..... It was time.

Have a fantasticday.

In winter, Winooski, vermont, sunday happy, remodeling, photography, life, internet links, home, holiday Tags Winooski, Birthday, Ikea, snow, Vt, remodeling, family, holiday, cake, party, photography, weekend reading, internet, link, good times
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