Sunday Happy

I think we are pretty much out of the clear. Yes I woke up yesterday morning to a light coating of snow on the ground, but I feel like that was it. It has got to be because I have to wash my winter jacket that is as of now, covered in dirt and concrete so it needs to be washed. And once it is washed, it is getting packed away with all of the other winter stuff. So you see, we really cannot have any more winter jacket weather because I won’t have a jacket anymore. It must be sweater weather or warmer and that is that. Are you listening weather?

The week good, if not a bit hectic and all over. There was work, paper work, the “must not be mentioned” and no they are not done yet but must be by next Monday or else. The mr has been running around all over town doing this and that which has been a slight pain because when he is super busy and I am busy and we only have one car and my bike needs a good tune up before it is safe… Well it makes things some what difficult. But so far we have managed and there wasn’t too much arguing over car. We did manage to take a nice walk down by the lake, I also was able to sneak in a warm afternoon of clearing out the garden and picking up yard trash. The back porch is almost ready for summer living and green things are popping up all over the place making me ache for more more more. Think of it, trees with leaves. I am getting more excited every day.

Friday was a crazy day. Woke up, went to the gym with no plans other then work at the studio and having the littles over for dinner. By the time I came home I had plans to quickly make a cake before work because the littles pizza party turned into a family birthday party for Megan. So I made that cake, ran to work, moved 700lb of clay and loaded kilns. The mr picked me up with littles in tow, we ran home in time for all the family and partied partied until I kicked everyone out of the house at 7 because I was exhausted and plus Megan needed to go to Costco so she needed to leave anyway. Ha.

Yesterday, after a near sleepless night due to a racing mind, we woke up (again, to snow. BLAH), I bundled up and out we went to spend half the day pouring wet, heavy, cold concrete. I must say, pouring concrete usually isn’t the worst, but yesterday, well it was. First off, we were working in very tight quarters making moving somewhat difficult.. Secondly, I was sore from all the clay moving the day before. And I was freezing. And tired, so so tired. By mid morning my fingers and toes had tuned to ice, I was covered in so much dirt and concrete, the mr was basically rolling around in dirt (reference picture above) so was trashed worse then me, but we were getting it done. The mr was brilliant and saved us so much time and hassle by coming up with a tarp and jostle concrete mixing technique so that was good. Anyway, the concrete was all poured and it is over. (Now we wait for it to set to finish porch construction) The rest of the day was short and went by with cleaning the house. I don’t know how my family does it but there were sprinkles from the cake EVERYWHERE!

Today, after a quick romp to the gym, the library, the grocery store, and all the other little chores I need to do, the mr and I are going for a drive to look at a van. We need a work car. The life car is getting trashed, we have been having to get materials delivered (which costs money and stupid time) because we cannot fit wood and big stuff in the car, and it is just not practical for us to share. So van. A van for work, A van for cross country travel. A van for sanity. Hopefully this van is the one. Wish us luck.

Some stuff from the internet that you might care to look at.

-Thinking real hard about buying these Birkenstocks…but not sure. Any opinions?

-Stop Asking Kids What They Want to Be When They Grow Up The question forces children to define themselves in terms of work. And really, what do you consider grown up?

-Gluten sensitive? Try sourdough. Why Some Gluten-Sensitive People Can Still Eat Sourdough Bread.

-Kitchen spices look startlingly different in the wild. So pretty

-Brown is one of my favorite colors

-Got a power drill? If yes, you also have a oven cleaner. I Cleaned My Oven with a Power Drill

-All Right. Some Cats Do Fetch. Only never fetched. That would have been beneath him. But he did respond to his name. Cats Might Not Act Like It, But They Know Their Names As Well As Dogs

-I very much like this house.

-Will Kevin Costner be my neighbor? Floating cities could ease the world’s housing crunch, the UN says

-10 Things Nobody Tells You About Plywood. I love a good application of ply wood. We have plywood floor tiles in the pantry and our kitchen cabinets are plywood and they are great.

And some pictures from the week.

-C

Lentil Chili

I can’t remember the last time I have gone a day without eating lentils. Seriously, even when we travel I buy or bring along a bag of lentils. Or when we are camping, its basically all we eat. So it is safe to say that I know my way around a lentil or two. They are probably my favorite food (I say that about all my favorites)

Other then lentils being amazing delicious, the are so versatile. I am sure I say it all the time, but there is nothing you cannot make with lentils, sweet or savory. And nutritional as all heck. So much iron and a super amount of protein. Lentils are basically the perfect food in tiny little coin shaped form. Take it from this vegan lady here. Lentils help keep me alive. HA.

But enough about how many lentils I eat, what we need to address is this chili. It doesn’t matter if you are a lentil feen or not, you will very much enjoy yourself a big bowl of this hearty, slightly spicy, warming goodness. Especially now, when it’s cold outside and the days are short and you just want to eat something filling and healthy and that is not left over holiday cookies. And big bonus, this is a chili that you could come home to start at 5 and basically have it ready to eat by 6. That is just one bit of the magic of lentils, they so cook so fast.

And it’s chili and chili is the best so you really should just get it made. It’s what you need, I can tell.

To all the lentil goodness!

The stuff. Green lentils, crushed tomatoes, a cubanelle pepper, an onion, a couple carrots, and some cauliflower. Also a few cloves or garlic, cumin, chili powder, ground ginger, a red jalapeño, and salt and pepper.

Get started by small choping the carrot, onion, and pepper. Mince up the garlic too.

Grab that jalapeño and remove steam (and seeds if you want heat) and dice into very very small piece.

Into a big old pot it all goes, along with the cauliflower and all the spices. Add a splash of water and a sprinkle of salt and pepper and stick it on the stove for a few minutes to warm up the veggies and spices.

Looking good.. So good I wanted to eat it all, but don’t, it’s for the chili.

Now add all the tomatoes and water and place back on stove on high heat until it starts to boil, then reduce heat to a medium and cook until lentils are tender.

Well look at that, chili.

And why not top with a little avocado while you are at it. It is a very good addition, to the spiciness.

Very little amount of works for such great rewards. Probably going to be your new favorite chili recipe just so you know.

Lentil chili. Grab a bowl, kick up your feet, and dig on it.

-C

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Lentil Chili

makes a lot of chili, like 10-12 servings

• 1 pound green lentils

• 1 large onion

• 5-6 cloves or garlic

• 1 cubanelle pepper (or any green or sweet pepper)

• 2 large carrots

• 3 cups chopped cauliflower (fresh or frozen)

• 6 cups (two 28 oz cans) crushed tomatoes

• 2 hefty tablespoons cumin

• 1 hefty tablespoon chili powder

• 1 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1 jalapeño pepper

• 6-8 cups water

• salt and pepper

• diced avocado for serving (optional)

Remove steam and seeds from cubanelle pepper and small dice it along with the carrots and onion then place int all nto a large heavy bottom pot. Mince the garlic add into pot. Remove steam and seeds from jalapeño pepper and finely dice it and add to pot. Last but not least, add the spices to the mix. Add a splash of water and place on high heat and cook the veggies and spices until for 5 or so minutes, just to give them a little heads start and to activate the spices.

Once the veggies have had a few minutes of heat, dump in the dried lentils, the tomatoes, and 6 cups of water. Stir around and keep on high heat until it starts to boil then turn down to medium and continue to cook, stirring once in a while, until the lentils are tender and the chili has thickened, which should take about 35-40 minutes. If at any time you the lentils are not submerged in liquid but are not cooke through, add more water. And once the lentils are cooked you can thicken bu continuing to cooke does or thin it out by adding more water. Taste soup and season with salt and pepper as you see fit.

To serves, ladle into bowls and tope with diced avocado.

Left overs are fantastic hot or cold and will last in the fridge for about a week. Or if you want, you can freeze a few servings.

Sunday Happy

Another week come and gone. The month of February is already flying by and I would be lying if I said I cared, because I kind of don't. It's not that I am not appreciative of every day and all that good stuff, but I am, and more so everyone around me, are in the midst of some serious winter crazy. It happens, and I accept it, but I just want to open all windows, stop having to wear all the layers, sleep under a tree, and get away from all the people. I could do all that now, but then I would be really cold , so I wait, and I deal with all the crazy. At least I like winter weather and have been able to escape outside when I need to. But I think that hardest part for me right now it food. I miss freshy fresh food. This is probably my slimmest month for food, which is basically all roots.  I have gone through pretty much all of my back stock of frozen and canned stuff from last summer. I have already gone through all my farm share which  is basically all roots and hasn't had much for greens lately and probably won't for another few weeks. I am starting to really crave the fresh stuff, more greens, beans, tomatoes, eggplants, you know, the spring and summer stuff. Yeah sure I can go buy that food at the grocery store, but it is all  out of season and would probably taste like shit so I will settle for bitching a little here and wait for the good stuff to be more in season. That is the natural thing to do. 

Enough of the bitching because it really hasn't been a bad week.  The mr and I went for a little hike in the woods which was just so very very nice. Did a bit of babysitting of just the baby. (he is obsessed with his Woody and Jessie calls.. so dang cute) We hung out with the bigger littles and talked lofted bed building, and my mom and Barb came over to eat the cutest little heart jam hand pies. The mr got his new mud hawk which he now carries around the house everywhere with him and has also been bringing home more and more tools to add to the collection on the back porch (aka, the wooden spoon carving work shop)  He is now officially obsessed. 

The Olympics started and I have sound myself on more then one occasion watching the people do the craziest of things.(are you watching?) I never used to really care but I don't know, I found myself a little more interested this year, especially in the figure skating. Those athletes are beasts. How the heck they do what they do  it is beyond me. I guess that is why we watch them right? 

I was talking last week about how I wanted to start painting everything. Well I haven't painted everything, but I did paint the kids rooms cave a really dark blue. I am really excited to finish painting all the stars and set the room up more for the kids and also so that the mr and I can use it a bit too.  House projects.. I am trying to not get myself to deep into anything right now, at least until I can open the windows to air out the fumes. (paint fumes are not joke) 

I am not are whats going on today. The mr is running around, doing some  landlord stuff, some moving , some shaking. (That guy, I tell you, he is always doing something for someone else. He really is a gem of a person.) Me, I might lend a hand too, but I really just want to keep on painting the room, do laundry, take a walk into the woods, and nap. Or drink all the coffee in the world, embrace the crazy stirring inside of me, and see where I end up. Maybe I'll go take a crack at some figurer skating.. hahaha. I don't not need to spend the day in the hospital. 

A few internet links from the week.

-If you are watching the Olympics ice skaters and have no idea how it is possible and what the hell is going on.  Figure skating jumps, explained

-These are some cray cray potties. Japanese-Designed Public Restrooms in the Shape of Fish, Crabs, Tree Stumps

-Everyone pees in the shower. If you say you don't, I don't believe you. Is it OK to Pee in the Shower?

-Space X sent a cute red Tesla Roadster into space. Here’s what’ll probably happen to it. Car accidents happen, even in space. 

North Korea’s Cheer Squad. Whoa ladies, whoa.

-Eating Leafy Greens Each Day Tied to Sharper Memory, Slower Decline. I eat more greens in a week then the average person does in a year. I will never loss my mind!!!!

-I am not a barque of roses type of girl, but I know that a lot of people are. But do you ever wonder Why Do We Give Roses On Valentine's Day?

-Why Your Brain Clings To False Beliefs (Even When It Knows Better) 

-Sorry, I'm a Mammal: A History of Women & Body Hair // RAZOR BURN: A Brief History of How We Got Tricked Into Shaving. Lucky me, I was not tricked although it does piss some people off.

-FABRIC IN THE WIND. Something about billowing fabrics makes things slow down and gives me some feelings. 

Pictures from the week

-C

Sunday Happy

Mid January. I love this time of year. All the big holidays are over so the pressure is off, my body is acclimated to all the snow and cold so I handle it just fine, and every day gets a little bit longer. I feel like it's when I really get  focus on and enjoy winter for all it's greatness. It's just so dang pretty and I am again wondering why I do not live in a little cabin in the middle of the woods. Or why I have yet to go sledding. On the agenda for the week...Build a cabin and speed down a hillside on my ass. Can't wait. 

The beginning of the week I was still feeling like garbage. I thought for sure that what I had was a 24- 72 hour thing, but it lingered well into the week. (watch out, everyone is getting it) I feel better now, but am still a little low energy. Getting sick sucks so I think I won't do it again. 

And the twins turned 20. I would tell you all about how great it was to hang out with them but they are too cool and didn't return any of my texts for hanging out and I guess they don't care about me any more so whatever. Instead the mr and I brought Judah over to Shanons to crack eggs and make giant bowls of marshmallows with Cameron for dinner. So Happy Birthday Mark and Paul. You suck.

The mr and I made a trip out to Barton for a day of hard work. We gutted a bathroom, the mr moved some plumbing, and Jes and I starred down an actual "shit hole"( i.e. a hole that shit comes out of and is the proper use for the term), while sewage spewed all over the place and the mr stood strong and held up all the pipes in a sea of shit. It was a very dirty job, but someone had to do it. Unfortunately it was us, but there are worse things I guess.  And now Jes is well along her way to putting a floor down over the hole  and spending quality time with the purple swans the adorn her bathroom walls. 

After that, the week just flew by. There was the farm share (thank goodness, I was starving), more family stuff with my and the mr's family,I re-pierced my ear and may have gotten it infected, and I started a new sourdough starter (the yeast loves Red Cat Farm flour!). And let's not forget the crazy ass weather. Friday afternoon I had all the windows and the front door wide open and the heat turned off. 60 something degrees and almost every speck of snow had melted. It was so, well, it was nice, but so weird. And very short lasting because we got like 6 inches and dropped like 70 degrees by the next day. Ah, Vermont. Love it or go crazy. 

Today is one of those days where it could go either way. I have a pile of papers that I need to go through, people to see, laundry to do, but I am also thinking that an afternoon of wondering outside, reading and knitting might just take priority. Next week is going to be hectic so maybe I rest up today. And ice my ear because it really hurts.

What the Internet had for me to read. 

-I love these so much I need to print them out, especially Backpfeifengesicht because it makes so much sense. 30 Untranslatable Words From Different Languages Illustrated By Anjana Iyer

-The Rolling Huts: An Architect’s Alternative Approach to Camping. My new life plan right here. Seriously. Buy the land and build the huts. It's gonna happen.

-After reading this book I feel like I should just make life all about the bread. Sourdough: A Novel.

-Mushrooms are magical, and not just the magical kind. Do Medicinal Mushrooms Actually Work?

-Are Gummy Bear Flavors Just Fooling Our Brains? It's all the colors. Our brains do weird things. 

-I could eat that whole thing. Giant Cabbage. 

-Periods piss me off. There’s a reason using a period in a text message makes you sound angry

-Inside One of America’s Last Pencil Factories. This is pure awesomeness and make me really happy. 

-Talk about some sweet ass sweaters. Custom Hand-Knit Sweaters Blend Subjects into Urban Environments

-It's January: Time to Plan Your Garden. I can't wait for seed catalogs!!!

Pictures from the week. 

Have a great day.

-C

Sunday Happy

Happy Merry Christmas Eve you guys. I hope today and  tomorrow brings rest and relaxation and excitement for all the fa la la las la to come. 

I am excited. And really tired, and maybe a little stressed, but still really excited. We are doing the family Christmas tomorrow at our house, all 23-25 of us. Our house is officially the sponsor of all family gatherings. And because of this, I think that my family should all chip in and buy me a robot vacuum because I think I finally have gotten to that point where I am sick of constantly vacuuming (and the mr is sick of me constantly vacuuming too)  

 We started off  the week strong, with a sense that I had everything done, covered, planned, and no stress. There was a bit of running around, especially for the mr, who was finishing up some jobs, but we got things done. I even got the loft cleaned (again) for Jeff when he gets here (he is coming the day after Christmas) I did a morning of gift wrapping for HANDs, finished up my Christmas shopping, picked up the farm share and made it to the  grocery store before all the food was gone. Things were going smoothly. And good things happened too. I made a chocolate babka wreath for fun. Shannon got the news of a New Year hip (but the mr fixed it with his bandaid and gave her a little penis to boot(see photo below)) Barb got excepted to a college, and I ended up with the most fantastical tree skirt that I have ever seen. A panda bear Christmas. If you new me as a little you would know that I was obsessed with pandas and that this tree skirt is perfection for my young self and gives me all sorts of happy feels. 

And all the snow. I think that we got about 5-6 inches of the most fluffy fun warm stuff that makes the world glow. That was the best. 

Yesterday was a nut of a day. It started out slow but by 11, we had the three littles (Coco aka Emersion, is walking now which makes things a littler more interesting to say the least) over for lunch/christmas present making /newspaper snow flakes. It couldn't have been any more crazy and messy. We started out  painting on fabric to make pillows (the coolest pillows ever) for them to give to their mother. (she doesn't read my blog so she I am not spoiling anything here) That was a mess in itself but we topped that off with trying to eat lunch at the same time. Three starving littles with paint all over, we rushed to get them some food. The mr was making the sandwiches and accidentally smashed the bowl of egg salad on the floor. It was eveywhere, glass and egg, and all sorts of gross, and the kids were starving and the baby was walking. But we were still all ok. Then I burnt the grilled cheese very badly while a little spilled the soup all over the table and the iPad.  They finally ate carrots and apples and cheese quesadillas, but they definitely were starting to get a little toody and crazy themselves. Paint and egg, and wetness everywhere (going in and out of the house and it started to rain) the mess was just getting bigger and bigger. And I didn't even mention the soccer net the mr is making that is hanging in the middle of the living room. To top it all off, my mom dropped off enough food to feed an army for the shenanigans on Christmas so there was bags of food everywhere. But she brought me flowers so everything was good. After that we figured what the hell and just made a shit ton of newspaper snowflakes and really just committed to trashing the house. Then they left and I spent the evening cleaning the fuck out of everything. 

I am hoping today goes a little more smoothly, although I am pretty freaking tired  because I spent most of the night tossing and turning over the things that I need to do today. (white chocolate chip or oatmeal white chocolate chip cookies? Do I have a empty recycling box for wrapping paper? Is there enough toilet paper in the house?) I know I am going to have to spend at least 15 minutes removing the sheet of ice that has accumulated over the car last night before I can leave for the gym, but the then that it's, the rest of the day I am going to be spent in the kitchen.  My plan all week was to spend yesterday baking and to spend today relaxing with a book but yesterday did not happen as planned. Todays schedule is now  to make all the cookies, a birthday cake, (Cameron's birthday is tomorrow too) and last minute Christmas things to finish up (doesn't involve shopping!) At least my house is clean for the time being. I know it will be short lived but hopefully someone brings that vacuuming robot with them tomorrow.

True story. The mr likes to pick me up and tell me he wishes I wonuld fit in his pocket so he can carry me around with him everywhere. So sweet right? Yesterday in the midst of my crazy (I was going crazy) he picked me up and said he wished I was tiny enough to stick me in his pocket so I would shut my mouth and be quit. Hahaha.  That is love.

Some internet looking for you browsing enjoyment. 

-11 weird and wonderful Christmas tree patents. These are all amazing, 

-Mary Berry Shares Advice on Getting Party Guests to Leave. Normally I just tell people that they need to get the F out.

-On their way to Vermont to give the gift that keeps on giving.  Elderly Couple Stopped In Nebraska With 60 Pounds Of Weed 'For Christmas Presents'

-How To Host A Hygge Holiday Party: Get Cozy, Embrace Imperfection  This is what I need more off.

-Are they laughing at us? Comedy Wildlife Photos of 2017

-I love this idea to set up a ritual or custom based on what works for your family. Science experiments instead of church. Sundays at the Altar of Science

-Never Too Late To Learn An Instrument. I hope the to be true because I really want to learn how to play the cello or the mandolin. I told myself after I graduated college I cud pick one of them up. I need to get on it. 

-On my list of things to do this coming week. Taffy Vinegar Candy Recipe

The search for Santa. Kinda like where is Waldo, but with santas. 

-5 Tips for Keeping Houseplants Alive This Winter. Got to keep the plants happy

And some pictures from the week.

Enjoy the season and Happy Merry Christmas!

-C