Sunday Happy

June 3, 2018 Colleen Stem

The ladies are home in their hive, living the life that bees live. We have a great view of them from the window on the porch and when you are just sitting there quite, you can hear them buzzing. It's a great spot if you want to just sit there and watch them. (without getting mosquito bites) Bees, in and out, doing their little flight dance up into the sky. It's mesmerizing.

The week was good, if not a little hectic. The last week of May always is. It is time for apartment turn overs so we had few people moving out and in, plus the mr has been doing side work all week and has been crazy all out all day, everyday. So things have been busy. But we still managed to get in dinner at Shannons, a evening on Mills river, and even a nice bike ride. Then there are my new garden woes. I have been spending more time then I really want to around the garden, keeping the slugs away because the cooper strip doesn't do shit, (I am now hand picking the fuckers and sticking them in a bowl of water. The birds love it) and getting an insane amounts of mosquito bites. I don't think I have ever been bitten on the face as much as I have been in he past week. And I have noticed that bubmble bees have made a home under one of the raised beds which also sucks because it 's right where I walk and I have almost collapsed there spot. I wish I could get them to move so I don't accidentally kill them so I am going to do a little research and see what I can do. Plus squirrels. I hate them right now and that is about as much as I can do or say on that subject. Anyway, On top of the garden and all the running around for people and life, I mowed the lawn, cleaned the car, adjusted the kitchen cabinets, and got rid of a bunch of shit. We are so, what can I say, productive? Or is it, In need of a vacation? So soon, so soon. The van life is calling our names.....

Today is got a lot going for it. It is suppose to be beautiful, I have a stack of books, some wood to carve, some canvas to paint. My bike tires are still inflated and haven't popped yet (I really need new tires) so I am definitely going for a bike ride, and maybe the mr and I will adventure to do some picnicking while I read and he fishes. A well needed take it easy day.

The world of the wide web.

-Um, yes. I have listened to this many many times. Weezer Covers Toto's 'Africa,'

-Read This Story and Get Happier. Oh, well ok. Doesn't hurt, right?

-Going to do some wild foraging for stuff to make some stuff, like medicinal stuff. Guide to Making Tinctures

-YOU'VE NEVER SEEN WAVES LIKE THIS BEFORE. Erie and beautiful.

-I want it but have no need for it. Maybe get it and save for a later house? Fabulous vintage square bathtub

-The Pits: An Endearing Short Film Follows a Lonely Avocado Searching NYC for its Other Half The music makes it great.

-If only I didn't already live here. VERMONT WILL PAY YOU $10,000 TO MOVE THERE AND WORK FROM HOME

-Naked-Eye Asteroid and More Can't-Miss Sky Events in June

-I follow a lot of plant people and I must say that those are my favorite pictures, but I am a crazy plant lady so.... Plant People Are Rarely Bullies”: The Leafy, Zen Corner of the Internet That Is Plant Instagram

-You, Too, Can Make a Fancy-Schmancy Pie Crust. I think I am gonna give it a go this week, or maybe next week. I'll wait for fresh peaches.

Pictures from the week

-C

Sunday Happy

May 27, 2018 Colleen Stem

To be as cool as those two. Life goals right there. Ha.

How's your week been? Mine has been decent. I have been running around doing all sorts of shit all week and it has just flown by so fast. Paint colors, house scraping, kids, family, paperwork, bills, the mr in and out, working until 8 at night all week. We really know how to alway have something to do. (even when were don't want to be doing anything) The apartments need attention, everyone in school is either out or getting out soon, summer is basically here and plans are being thrown around. But what really sticks out in my mind from this week are all the damn mosquito bites that I have gotten, like 8 million because the mosquitoes are so so so so bad around my house right now, like 10 times worse then anywhere else in the world. They are swarming by the hundreds and are starving for blood. I cannot walk out of the house without getting bitten and if I want to spend more then 2 seconds out there, I throw on heavy carharts, a thick hooded jacket and spray the crap out of myself with lemon eucalyptus which does absolutely nothing. It has been kind of miserable and I am praying that they will die down soon. I don't want to be wearing clothes all summer long to be outside. (correction. I don't want to be wearing heavy clothes, I want to be waring summer clothes.)

We have been having some good time though. Barb swung by one afternoon and ended up on a tandem bike ride adventure with the mr and I (I don't ride tandem, I like the freedom of being the only one on the bike) We biked around town looking at all the junk that people have been leaving curbside because schools out and that means everyone is moving out. We spent a rainy day with the littles where Miley took to reading all afternoon, into dinner, and beyond, Judah and the mr painted, and I ran around with Coco, throwing the Buzz and Woody ball at his head. And I went and spent far to long at the fabric store, buying 15 yards of fabric to make curtains for the porch. Got to love Memorial Day fabric sales and of course all the displays of the pretty threads. Fabric stores, they can get this lady here in trouble.

Yesterday, we drove up to the northern parts of Vermont, had a dinner picnic, stopped at a roadside cajan seafood place (in the middle of VT ) and got the mr an ice-cream cone. After the sweet treat, it was go time. We got to the apiary at 6:30, just as the bees were coming home from a short, wet day, and picked up our new ladies. Bees Bees Bees. And there were baby sheep there too. So sweet, they actually let me pet them, unlike the bees that were a little fussy and bumping against out heads. We loaded them up, got them home, placed them next to the hive, popped the cap, and let them be.

Today I am going to bike into town, hit up the gym and the library, maybe stop at the coop too. Then the mr and I are going to do a quick install of the nuc, get the ladies tucked into their new home, and hopefully get an eye on the queen. After that, I don't know. I would like to spend the rest of the day outside, and my garden could use a little weeding, so maybe I'll just do that. If the mosquitos would just all leave me the fuck alone.

Stuff from the internet

-An Argument Expert Explains the Best Way to Fight With Your Partner. My new response to any argument..."How can I help you stop being a fuck head." haha

-Those stamp people, so smart. The U.S. Postal Service Is Giving Us the Scratch-and-Sniff Stamps We Never Asked For

-Give Your Best Friend the Perfect Gift – Sheets With Your Face on Them. I don't know if this is funny or just plan evil.

-What a headline, and now I think I want need see this movie . Sesame Street Sues Over Melissa McCarthy’s R-Rated Puppet Murder Movie

-I always wondered how he did those moves..Michael Jackson's Gravity-Defying Lean Continues To Fascinate

-What's a Convection Oven, and When Should You Use It?I have a convection on my oven and never use it. But I might just the next time I make cookies.

-Hand-Dyed Crocheted Thread Carefully Covers Eggs, Seeds, and Tree Trunks Pretty

-I am planting more medicinal herbs in my garden and around the house. Directory of Culinary and Medicinal Herbs

-I guess I was really ignorant on the subject of shaved ice, until now.

-Live in a dome. I would take one of these for sure.

Pictures from the week.

Have a good long weekend.

-C

Sunday Happy

August 2, 2015 Colleen Stem

Can you believe it… August already. What the what?

I was in the great big Coscto store this week and saw Halloween costumes and I am pretty sure there was some Christmas shit too. (I wasn't about to look to closely and fall down that rabbit hole) I mean, jeeze, It's still summer and I like to think that I live a little more in the somewhat present moment. I have a hard time figuring out what I am going to be doing in 2 weeks, let alone 2 months from now. But man, seeing that stuff really sent me into a time whirl… It's just flying by so fast.

Anyway, August. One of my favorite months of the year. The farm shares are gigantic (I got corn and watermelons at the last pick up!) and the garden is bursting with so many goodies. The days are still really warm, but the nights are starting to cool off, The wild flowers are in abundance all over. Plus my Dad always comes back to Vermont in August for a long visit (he;s here now!), which means lots of family stuff, a Stem family reunion, lots of hiking, and of course lots of food eating. And it's getting close to back to school time. The littles are all getting equally exctited/depressed about the going back. I am kind of excited for them to go back too!

My goal for August.. try to check off some more of my summer bucket list and also try to buy some plane tickets to a far away land.( I hear that tickets prices this month are at the lowest they have been in years!) At the same time I want to try not to worry to much about doing a bunch of stuff.. just try to enjoy what's left of the summer. No pressure!

So what about you? Got any end of summer plans?

I'll leave you with some good internet stuff from the week.

-I know I have said this before, but this is the house I am meant to live in.

-Cocoon in a tree!?!!…but where do you pee?

-Get it here…IKEA 2016 CATALOG!

-I love a good tub. The World's Most Beautiful Bathtubs

-Whoa. How Birds See Our World

-This wood is so pretty.

-Different types of summer squash

-I am a plant whore so this makes me happy. A Plethora of Plants in Every Room

-Oh to be one of these littles... The Kids of Burning Man

And hiking and bee pictures from the week

Be Happy and enjoy the rest of the weekend!

-C

Sunday Happy

July 5, 2015 Colleen Stem

I have managed to wear my overalls all week, cause it has been that kind of week. Rainstorms, the loudest and longest clap of thunder I have ever heard, yard and garden work, and many many mosquito bites. Me and the mr. took the afternoon on Friday to go pick strawberries and snap peas down at our farm share and now my hands are stained red and think I have eaten my weight in strawberries over the past two days. And one might think that I would get a little berried out, but every time I walk by the big bowl of berries I left on the table, I grab a few. (pretty much every time I get up in my house, you walk by the table) We also got to spend a little time hanging out with the family and seeing some little littles. Grilled cheese sandwiches (with american cheese of course) drawing on the deck with chalk, and talking about upcoming birthday cake ideas (pink or purple and must have lots and lots of sprinkles!)

And begin that its the 4th of July weekend, the mr. finally busted out our sweet little cast iron hibachi grill and set it up pretty much right in front of the front (and only) door. Once that beast is hot, it really can't be moved easily, so there was a fire hot grill to navigate around to get out of the house. But it was ok because we grilled up a bunch of veggies (and a few little strawberries...so good!), I made the bestest potato salad that has ever been made (I'll share the recipe this week) and we had ourselves a most fantastic time.

And fireworks.... well, I am not the biggest fan. (more of a sparkler fan) I mean, I won't turn away if I happen to be in the area of things blowing up in the sky but I don't actively go out of my way to see that, especially at 9:30 at night, cause geeze, I am in my pjs, on my way to bed. So no, I didn't see any fireworks and yes,, I am an old lady.

I hope that you all had and are continuing to have a fun, festive weekend!

Here, have some internet fun.

-I could/want to live here. In off-the-grid yurt, Montana couple live 'on our own terms'

-Or maybe live here. The Bohemian Dream, in 350 Square Feet

- Making pigeons more awesome. Towering New Pigeon Murals by ‘Super A’

-Read this. The Blight of the Honey Bee

- If I ever have the oppritunity, I want take the Le Creuset Factory

-I kind of want this

-Holy Crappers, these are amazing! This Artist Makes Incredibly Tiny Pottery By Hand

-Listen...New Beach House Song!!

And pictures from the past week

Happy Sunday..BYE!

-C

Bits of Happy

March 8, 2015 Colleen Stem

This week was the week. I am calling it (I know I shouldn't, but I am) SPRING!!!!! I am so excited. Spring is my favorite season, full of warm sunny days, cold nights, lots of mud, lots of freshness, lots of new. Everything feels possible, not to mention all the spring cleaning! (I like to clean) And today we lost an hour of sleep but we gained an hour of sunshine. It"s all downhill from here.