Author: admin

Visionary

  Saturday was a misty dreary day here in New England.  As the peaceful protests happened all over the country and I watched with admiration from afar, we took a drive down to Stella to see the progress the men had made during the week.  When I stepped inside, I just smiled big and breathed deep and easy.  Already, Stella gives me the restorative peace I need. 
  Remember the cedar trees a few posts back?  My son and a friend stripped them and they replaced two smaller beams that hold up the center of the cottage.  The new stove was delivered and this week the carrara marble our stone guy found in his warehouse will arrive too. The walls will remain the stain you see, but currently when we run a hand along the walls, black soot comes off. They will get a good washing down, then a new coat of stain/varnish.  The cabinets will get a coat of a creamy white, as will the red cabinets you see under my beloved farmhouse sink. 
 Side note: My husband has lost 15 pounds on the Nutrisystem diet so far – he’s doing really well.  Me? just a few.. still. I have an issue with snacking in between. *sigh.   I will not stay on the Nutri thing though – really not enjoying all the gluten in the meals – now that I know the portion size and calorie intake, I will prepare fresh food and try to stay within the same plan as nutrisystem.  We both feel better already, partly because of the increased water intake, less food consumption and more exercise we have both committed to. 
 My son spent a good part of a day moving some of the furniture around to where it will actually live… it was piled up in the “master” bedroom while the guys worked around the cottage doing the structural stuff..
That was then..   
… .this is now. 

 The table and all those chairs came with Stella… we’ll strip and repaint the kitchen set before the season starts, as their finish is rubbing off in places.

 The window trim and handles are complete.. grills installed in windows on the sides of the cottage. Here you see the exposed ceiling which we decided to leave as is. The bead board installed – we’ll paint that the same ivory white used in the kitchen. 
 Still much to do… but she’s getting there… 

  I know nothing stays the same… but if you’re willing to play the game…..  It’s coming around again…. 

Proud

     I am so proud to be an American Woman today…. amazed at the turnout  of both women AND MEN at the Women’s March on  Washington,  across the country and all over the world 
.  
     Several of my friends are marching in DC and others in our state capitol. I’m hearing that it is very peaceful,  respectful, an inspirational gathering of folks who are alarmed and concerned about the protection of human rights, of healthcare issues, of womens right to govern their own body, of not tolerating the pussy grabber mentality we all witnessed and some dismissed. 
    The turnout is bigger than the crowds for the inauguration – wow!  Hopefully, Washington will heed the warning that we are paying attention and won’t tolerate injustice.  The Orange Scream said yesterday he was giving back the government TO THE PEOPLE… well let’s see if he’ll walk the talk. 

     Women are nurturers, bread winners, doctors, lawyers, we are politicians, innovators, healers, we are military, we are law enforcement, educators, homemakers, we are three quarters of the existence of life itself because we are it’s vessel.  What our bodies have to go through to bring forth life is a miracle.  That we are still, in this day and age, not treated by some of  the powers that be as equal is just wrong.

      Interesting… the World is making a statement today, and there is no comment from the President. Oh he’s been on twitter.. only to praise himself. Not a mention of what’s going on right outside his new front door.  What was it he said just yesterday?…  Your voice, your hopes, your dreams will define our American destiny.  … only if they align with his.
I keep hearing from the GOP and it’s faithful that they want smaller government, less regulation… well that doesn’t fly if you’re trying to regulate a woman’s 
reproductive rights…

 

 My friends are in the photo below, my name is on those signs… kinda wishing I had gotten on that bus yesterday.  I’m with them in spirit and so darn proud and grateful for their courage. Proud that millions of people showed up and demonstrate what peaceful protest means.  Amen and Amen again.

  You Go Girls!

UPDATE:   All those millions of people gathered, Not one arrest was made in DC yesterday – Bravo.

  

Trees in the House

    Stella has several support beams that hold the old girl up. They were whimpy at best, and the Mr. had a brilliant idea….. 
  I love bringing some of the outside in when decorating/rebuilding.  In our farmhouse, that meant the family room/mancave fireplace constructed of stones found in  our fields and woods.  Two cedars from those same woods  have been stripped of their shaggy bark and will be used as support beams extending floor to ceiling and as ceiling beams. Despite our extensive resurrection efforts, we want Stella to retain some of her rustic cabin charm. This addition will add to the cottage life vibe. 
   Where the old range and refridge once stood, we’ve ripped out the wall that made it all feel a bit claustrophobic and yesterday two cabinets were delivered.  Along that newly built half wall will be the range, a work space, and a raised eating bar with room for two bar stools. The stone guy met with the Mr. yesterday to discuss what he might have in the warehouse to fit that space. We’re looking for economy left over scraps to keep the cost down.  We were thinking of carrara marble, it’s Italian stuff that normally we can put in a house for a relatively low cost.  Apparently we’ve pissed the Italians off somehow and they’ve tripled the marble cost. SO, he’s going to scrounge around and see what he can come up with in his warehouse.  

   The stone guy said – why don’t you just get rid of that old sink –  
   Are ya kidding???   Some people just don’t see the beauty in old things. For me, that sink is Stella’s Tiara.  When we first visited Stella with a hope of making  a good impression with her previous owner, that was the first thing besides the water view I noticed and fell in love with – her sink! 
   Last for today, ’cause I gotta be me… 
    Several of my friends are going to Washington to participate in the March.  I’ve made a donation and my name is on several posters but I won’t attend, mostly because of my fear of  attending large charged crowds with a big hearing impairment disadvantage.   I don’t know that I am a fan of  large masses of people in protest, seems like someone always gets hurt.  However, I’m not one to shut up, either, as witnessed here on my blog.   I am so glad people are standing up to say THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, WE WILL HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE, WE ARE PAYING ATTENTION.  At the very least, there’s that.  
 *sigh.   Onward…. 

Portobello Delight / I’m with Him.

     Made this last night- wow, so good! And good for you.   Since the kids were home for dinner and my son doesn’t like the portobello as a whole piece,  I cut each mushroom into bite size pieces to create a broiled dish –  Put mushrooms in baking dish, basted with melted butter and minced garlic, fresh parsley. Toss to coat if you chopped. Then top with sliced cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. Broil on lower rack of oven ten minutes. Drain excess liquid, drizzle with balsamic/sugar glaze- ( just boil down in a small sauce pan some balsamic vinegar and about 1/4 c sugar) and serve. Awesome! 








   There’s so much to be offended by with the Orange Scream – so many things to protest or find appalling – seems daily there’s some new absurdity to add to the list.   Never in the history of ever has there been such a controversial political figure – unless you want to mention H*tler.  (Who woulda thought)   His list of enemies grows daily – and I mean the ones he declares himself!  He’s a legend in his own mind.  He refers to himself as a God, and he thinks the rules are for everyone else but him. 





   John Lewis  –  If you care to learn more about who he actually is.. click HERE  .  Because he has spoken out about the issues we all know are bogus with the Orange Scream, he’s been under twitter attack.  Who’s surprised, raise your hand….. 







 Stephen Colbert had a hilarious response (love that man) …. in his banter he said… He attackes Senator Lewis on MLK weekend… what’s next… 


 “Loser Jesus dead for 3 days and then we’re supposed to believe he just wakes up? Fake news. I like gods who don’t die. Where’s the rebirth certificate?”




   

Been walking the walk for 50 years… I’m with him ↓. 



     


This, that, and something that might piss you off

     Two weeks into our new fitness regimen – so far Mike has lost 15 lbs!! Me- just 3. The skinny on Nutrisystem – it works… if you strictly follow their plan. The food doesn’t taste bad and you don’t feel deprived, (heck …some of their “snacks” are a chocolate cupcake, a soft pretzel!)…. you do add small quantities of fresh fruit and veggies , but I don’t like the processed food idea. What the plan teaches is what we all really know already, portion control and calorie intake. 

     We’ve learned we need to eat about a third of what we were consuming to lose and then maintain a healthy body weight. We are both working out cardio and light weights daily, and when I really don’t want to be in the gym I at least take the dogs for a hike up and down hills at a good pace at the back of our farm. Keep moving!  The other key is water water water. I have fibromyalgia (chronic muscle soreness and stiff) and have discovered that pushing myself to work out even though I’m sore is helping me feel stronger, not weaker. Sleep is improved too when you make yourself work out daily. It’s frustrating that men lose the weight so much quicker than us women, though. Seriously… WTF. 


Here’s a detox drink someone shared on FB, gonna give it a go. Anyone try it? 


   Stella’s interior renovation continues… 

Stackable washer dryer unit closet where there used to be a small coat closet. One of only two closets in all of Stellas makeup.  Stella isn’t big enough to house Melania’s shoes, so we will need to be sparing with what we will bring for summer stays. 



 The 2nd bedroom has been bead boarded – because bead board doesn’t have the integrity of wainscote we will paint it, mostly likely an ivory white. 

 The ceiling will remain as is, with a clear coat of something to bring out the wood grain.  It had a low hanging ceiling that we ripped out to give a feel of more space.



 Yesterday we had 55 degree temps and the  sunshine on the water twinkled like diamonds….











  This book was recommended to me… to help understand the mentality behind what just happened in our political environment.  Any reviews?……. 






  Finally, the part that might piss you off.  I’m hoping you just get a chuckle out of it.  Several people have asked me where I got the nickname for the President-Elect – “Orange Scream”.   ……………

*sigh






Till soon, friends…. 



In A Nut Shell

   Did you catch the President Elect’s first press conference in oooh, about six months?  


    No? Let me give it to you in a nut shell – 
     
     First it was a lashing at all reporters and intel pretty much for all the fake news, except the ones who have been good to him, but most of them sometimes have been unfair, but some of them now good. Doesn’t matter what he said about the intelligence world because it was.. unintelligible. 

He’s not giving up his business but he promises he will not discuss ANY of it with his two sons, whom will run things. But he COULD do both, run the country and run the empire, but he won’t…. but he could. He’s actually hired an ethics person whom he will pay to make sure he’s remaining ethical in that department. 

Hes’ donating all money earned from foreign entities to .. I think the United States Treasury?   No one yet knows what were in all those folders or who that attorney was but already her knowledge is questionable. As for the folders, his aides didn’t let anyone look at them, so your guess is as good as mine… and everyone elses. 

Yes Russia was responsible for the hacking but the Dems asked for it, He should be commended for the fine cyber security he and Preibus are responsible for (meaning RNC).  Putin seems to like him so he still likes Putin, unless Putin doesn’t like him anymore. 

 CNN is not a credible news source and he wouldn’t let them get one question in – (You know Fox is his favorite.)  That exchange was ugly. 

He’s God’s gift to Job making ( his words) ..

   ACA Healthcare will be removed and replaced within hours of each other and your premiums will be MUCH cheaper although some will have a very bad year, and trust him it will be great. 

He’s going after Pharma – (ok I’m all for that)

 Mexico will pay for the wall, just maybe next year, and maybe not in payments but in taxes, and he is building wall now with our money because he doesn’t want to wait for the deal he plans to make.. with Mexico – of whom he loves, loves the people, loves the government, even employs mexicans, that’s how much he loves them. 

And, we should all love him.  Finally –  he hopes we will all go to the incredible inauguration ceremony, which is going to be beautiful and huuuuuge, largest crowds every. Bigly so.


As for those golden shower reports … he said (his words!) .. he’s a germaphobe and there are cameras everywhere….. so…


 This post shouldn’t offend anyone –  All the above is indeed what transpired in todays press conference.  How’s that working for ya.  




Some Artistic Inspiration / Notes from the Swamp

    I love sea glass and have a large vase full of it – pieces collected over the years by myself, my mom and friends.  While browsing pinterest a few days ago I saw sea glass art by various artists and loved the simplicity and beauty of a few of the pieces. I gathered some of my best blue hues and bought an inexpensive frame and some Gorilla Glue at Michaels Crafts – within a half hour I had a little sea glass treasure I will hang somewhere in the cottage. 






This is another find I will put together to hang over one of the windows, perhaps during the next snow storm. I don’t browse pinterest or etsy often but when I do I’m always amazed –  lots of inspiration can be found there, so many talented people.  Note: Copying an artists ideas isn’t something you should do if you have any intention of selling what you create.  It’s done all the time but not cool when the artist is trying to make a living at what they do. 









  News from the Swamp:


The orange scream is breaking from 11 presidents worth of tradition by firing Charles Brotman, who has announced every inauguration parade since Eisenhower in 1957.   The 89 year old, who is still very capable of doing his job,  received an e-mail stating his services were no longer needed. Needless to say, he’s pretty heartbroken. 


-What an assh*le.  That’s not even a political move. That’s just an assh*le move. 





I’m not a big fan of Hollywood in general but I do love a good movie and a talented actor/actress.  Meryl Streep is one of my favorites and I just loved what she had to say at the awards show the other night. For the Orange Scream to call her an “overrated actress” is just the icing on his daily twitter ridiculousness.   Bravo, Meryl.  And Bravo Anne Donahue, whoever you are. 




The Orange Scream now denies he mocked a disabled reporter – sorry, dude. It’s out there for the world to see, there’s no misunderstanding here.  Click on link if you need a refresher.  That’s just disgusting in anyones opinion, I sure hope. 


https://youtu.be/PX9reO3QnUA




AND… In case you missed it, here’s the federal week in review:


1. Trump  fires all Ambassadors and Special Envoys, ordering them out by inauguration day.


2. House brings back the Holman rule allowing them to reduce an individual civil service, SES positions, or political appointee’s salary to $1, effectively firing them by amendment to any piece of legislation. We now know why they wanted names and positions of people in Energy and State.


3. Senate schedules 6 simultaneous hearings on cabinet nominees and triple-books those hearings with Trump’s first press conference in months and an ACA budget vote, effectively preventing any concentrated coverage or protest.


4. House GOP expressly forbids the Congressional Budget Office from reporting or tracking ANY costs related to the repeal of the ACA.


5. Trump continues to throw the intelligence community under the bus to protect Putin, despite the growing mountain of evidence that the Russians deliberately interfered in our election.


6. Trump breaks a central campaign promise to make Mexico pay for the wall by asking Congress (in other words, us, the taxpayers) to pay for it.


7. Trump threatens Toyota over a new plant that was never coming to the US nor will take jobs out of the US.


8. House passes the REINS act, giving them veto power over any rules enacted by any federal agency or department–for example, FDA or EPA bans a drug or pesticide, Congress can overrule based on lobbyists not science. Don’t like that endangered species designation, Congress kills it.


  Because from what I have seen within my own social group, most Trump supporters will not have read this far, too offended.  If you did manage to get to this point in my post, what is it about this that you are able to dismiss?  Why are these things ok by you?  


Please, all – Wake up to what is actually happening to our beloved country. I’m not telling you to give up your beliefs – conservative, moderate, go left, go right, go high – but whatever you do, please don’t go low.  Get involved  in ways that are comfortable to you – support causes that you feel strongly about, attending rallies and protests if that’s your thing. Please don’t sit and do nothing.  Decency above all.  It matters.  


– Just… sayin. 





Winter in New England and a peek at Stellas Current Interior Situation

     I am eternally grateful for living in an area of the country I truly love. In my much younger years I believed I was meant to live in warmer climes, but as I matured I came to appreciate all that the four seasons have to offer, in particular the natural beauty that amazes with each turn.  We have beautiful farms,  historic homes, buildings, neighborhoods,  cultural exposure in our cities (both New York and Boston are within two hours reach), decent school systems and Universities.  The diversity of our people is the icing on the cake. Oh, I’m aware of the -snob or aloof- rep New Englanders have – truth is I haven’t seen much of it.  We have some real Salt of the Earth People in these parts and they value our homeland in the same ways.    Love where you live?  In the comments, share your location and it’s treasures.  
   Farm chores during the winter season can be trying, however. A Two week respite down south sure sounds great right about now.  These are the days when I look at my Florida folks pictures and say – oh, wouldn’t that be nice in the month of January or February, when the cold starts to grate.
      My  horse herd are all geriatric at this point. The three big amigos are still ridden when the ground allows it. I keep them blanketed in winter to help them keep weight on – a task that becomes more difficult for horses as they age.  If only that were true of people! It gets easier and easier to keep weight on as the years roll forward.. *sigh. 
Opie is now 20 years old.. 
Max is 21….
And little Max is 29-ish. 
The minis have coats but they are only used in temps below 20.These guys have a very heavy natural winter coat as you can see.   Coady and Lacey are 18 and 19 years old this spring…

My chickens are an aging flock too… the oldest two are six years old, no longer laying. In winter months I give them oatmeal sprinkled with fruit. If it doesn’t help them stay warm, it makes me feel better anyway.  Who woulda thought I’d become a doting chicken mama.

We’re expecting more snow today…. the guys will be plowing and I will be worrying that they are ok out there. 
Meanwhile… down by the sea…
   The guys have moved inside now that the exterior is complete – grateful because the temps have dropped, even more so down by the water. Stella is getting some beadboard work and the kitchen wall has been pulled out, a counter with stools will replace it.  The counter area will be small…. so we’ll go to our granite and marble supplier to pick out a chunk of leftover something for a discount price. The kitchen itself is very small, but with that wall removed the whole cottage has a more open feel, the cooking space not  so claustrophobic. 
The pano distorts the way the cottage is laid out, put you get the picture…
 The old farmhouse sink is a gem we shall keep.  The counter will run along that stretch on the right, the small range will be where that white microwave the guys are using sits right now. Small fridge on opposite wall.  

 Till soon, friends… 

Let there be Light – and the third day revelation

      While furniture hunting for Stella in a thrift store last week I spied a pair of matching hurricane lamps on sale for $45.  I didn’t buy them at the time but I kept thinking about them after.  Yesterday the pull was too great and I found myself back at the store gazing at the pair.  Not far from them was yet another. We need about five lamps for the entire cottage and there are no light switches, all lighting is of the plug in variety.  I want a vintage look where I can manage it, so these would be perfect… if they work. 
      I had the manager pull the lamps down off the high shelf they rested on and asked him to confirm that they are in working condition… two of the three work fine, all in good condition including the cords, but the third has a broken twist switch thing.  When we saw this I told him I would take the two that work. When we got up to the counter with my finds, he also wrapped the broken one and said I could have it for free, and it’s an easy fix for an electrician.  
     I know just the guy, he’s currently working on Stellas Electrical stuff.  Here are my finds… Let there be Light! 
The lamp below is the one with a twin. 
    Regarding the revelation – we started the Nutrisystem plan three days ago.  I can tell you this – the entrees we’ve eaten so far aren’t bad. The portions are very small but if you follow the plan, it’s all do-able. Adding fresh veggies and fruit in moderation plus drinking plenty of water is the key.  My husband will remain on the diet for at least several months, he really likes it and is finding he does not feel deprived for the most part.   For me?… too much gluten content and therefore a bloated belly.  I am not a celiac, but there’s no question gluten doesn’t like me.  Having it occasionally is OK, but a daily intake of food with gluten in it bloats me out, and that’s what happened within three days of  this diet.  I chatted online with one of their counselors, he was very helpful.  He said most of the nutrisystem entries do have gluten in them, including things that don’t have WHEAT in them, so if you are a gluten sensitive person they don’t recommend the plan.  I did know going in that there was much that contained gluten. I had hoped with the very small portions it wouldn’t bother me so much. 
   Bottom line, the Mr. will continue, and it’s a do-able program for those not looking to be rid of gluten for the most part in their diet.  All is not lost, however – I now see what my portions need to be and have learned through their instructions how to incorporate fresh fruits, veggies and water in the right portions – with smart snacks inbetween.    The downside to Nutrisystem is, you do receive a month supply of food with each delivery and  it costs $90 to cancel. Yep, that’s a big cancellation fee.  I also have a month’s worth of food I’m not going to use – but the Mr. will make use of it so it will not go to waste. 
  On a political note – how’bout them power-drunk  GOP’ers trying to eliminate the Ethics committee in a shady-deal evening  un-publicized meeting.   This is a  committee that is designed to make sure congress remains… you know… ETHICAL.   Now, I am not coming to the dark side with the following statement, as a FB friend suggested, but I like to think I’m open minded enough to give credit where credit is due, unlike many of the Obama hating crew.  I  give the  Trump Tweet regarding this issue  that accompanied all the cries of outrage on both sides of the isle a high five, the public outrage forcing  the GOP to flip flop on the decision. The whole thing reminds me of  cockroaches in an apartment – like when the light in the kitchen is turned on and they all scurry down the drain.   Granted.. it’s just a tiny little vernal pool on the side of that huge swamp he promised to drain, but we’ll take it.  Indeed… Let There Be Light.