To all our friends and family and to all who may come across this post whether by design or by fate, if you choose to celebrate this wonderful holiday, we wish you a very Merry Christmas.
Today’s episode is a mash up of inappropriate remarks, catching up with our lives, and some alternative Christmas music (Sandy Bainum “This Christmas” people!) for your playlist pleasure. We’re keeping it short and sweet today. If you’re listening on Christmas Eve or Christmas, thank you for taking time out of your day to include us. We hope your celebrations are filled with happiness, love, laughter and joy.
And, as we said in the episode, if this holiday just isn’t your bag…if it’s too much…if you are struggling a little or a lot, just reach out. To us, to a trusted friend…or call 1-800-273-8255 (yes that’s the number to Suicide Prevention Hotline but you can call them even if you are NOT feeling suicidal….they’ll talk to you, listen to you – they understand). You can drop us a line here, on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
Oh and before we forget, here are the pictures of the ornaments Kris’ family purchased and the painting Hayley did on her Vans shoes:
Hayley’s Van’s slipons modification.
Hayley’s choice for ornament from Boot Barn in Norco, CA
Sami’s choice for ornament from Boot Barn in Norco, CA
Kris’ choice for ornament from Boot Barn in Norco, CA
Thank you for joining us. Check out The Mugly Truth Podcast’s episode “That’s What We Said!” on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Libsyn, Pocket Cast, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Then all you need to do is 1) subscribe 2) download and 3) listen! AND!!! 4) If you enjoy what you hear, please leave a rating and a review (pretty please?). The more subscribers and reviews we get, the more opportunities we get to grow this podcast and bring you richer content.
And don’t forget to follow us here at themuglytruth.com (click that blue WordPress Follow button on the right side of your screen) so you get notifications every time we post an episode blog! You can also follow The Mugly Truth on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
We don’t know about you, but after a very, ah, earth-shattering Fourth of July, we’re ready to get away to the peacefulness of a nice, secluded camp site, yeah? Today we share some of our very favorite camping stories to help ring in camping season; and you know a couple of Kym’s are doozies, since Captain Looseass and Grandma are involved. Kris has some internet lists of very interesting gadgets, the best places to camp in the world, and tips & hacks for when you do get a chance to get away from it all – whether you’re in a tent, van, or motorhome.
But first we detour (OF COURSE!) right out the chute talking about our Fourth of July celebrations (or none at all, unless you consider Kris’ staying inside and binge-watching Stranger Things Season 3 a celebration – which she does). We recount going through California shaking somethin’ fierce with two of the biggest quakes we’ve had in 20 years. We also cover other binge-able shows that aren’t Stranger Things, namely any Jo Koy comedy special, A Million Little Things and Better Things.
Ahem. Apparently we prefer shows with “Things” in them.And if you’re familiar with Jo Koy’s comedy, you know he’s included in that statement.
We do eventually get down to the business of discussing camping. We both love getting away from the craziness of living in a city, hitting the road to end up in a space and time where all that tension and traffic and work and congestion and noise is left behind. There’s nothing quite like unloading all the equipment and setting up camp – getting everything just right. And once that’s done, that feeling of sitting down in your favorite folding camp chair, poking the fire with a long stick, and watching the stars pop as the sun goes down and the darkness of the night sky opens above you…well we figure all that and the smell of coffee percolating or a pot full of rustic soup over a campfire is just this side of Heaven.
Get the food in that pot and let’s eat.
Anyone else get giddy just thinking about the latest piece of equipment you can add to your gear? Kris is already planning her birthday camping trip for 2020 and it can’t come soon enough! There’s folding camp tables, roof racks, and gear boxes to be bought. Maybe it’s a good thing there’s a whole year to prepare for the trip.
The girls’ camp site in the Redwoods in Northern California. Photo courtesy Kris Core.
We quickly found out we have experienced camping in very different ways, though we both love camping just the same. Kym grew up camping with her Grandparents who were members of Thousand Trails where “full hookups, a pool, and lovely pancake breakfasts” were part of almost every trip. And if Thousand Trails wasn’t open, there was always the good old KOA campgrounds. Kris grew up hiking at a young age, but never camped until she joined the Girl Scouts. It wasn’t until later when she discovered her passion for tents, lanterns, campfires, and finding the “perfect” spot in California state parks (oh…the bags of quarters for those lovely SP showers!) – most memorably on the Central Coast (Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Hearst San Simeon State Park), and up in the Redwoods.
Kris’ campsite along the central coast near Cambria, CA. Photo courtesy Kristen Core.
For the list of gadgets we talk about – including the Kimbo Crotchless shorts (yes, you read that correctly) and the portable Espresso maker – please click here.
For the list of camping hacks that are borderline genius – including using Tic Tac containers for spices, and Doritos to start fires – click here and here.
For the list of the best places to camp around the world (and we know, it’s entirely subjective), or at least to see the gorgeous pictures we were oohing and aahing over, click here.
And even though we didn’t get to talking directly about the unwritten, universal camping rules, (we did talk about them in general) we’re going to post them here anyway, because it’s always good to remind ourselves how important it is to be good humans and better campers.
Below are Kris’ best buys from her 2016 camping trip. The Coleman lantern stand, the Mini-Factory multi-use hanger, and the Etekcity Portable LED lantern. 10/10 recommended!
Coleman lantern stand. Available on Amazon and other camp gear websites.
Etekcity Portable LED Lantern. SO bright, SO handy! Available on Amazon and other camp gear websites.
Mini-Factory multi-use hangers for lanterns, pots, etc. Available on Amazon and other camp gear websites.
If you have any favorite stories, camping tricks, hacks, or want to divulge your own best campground in the world, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us at sipsters@themuglytruth.com, or comment down below!
Proof that Kris doesn’t always behave like a true “murderino.” Photo courtesy Kristen Core.
Oh…here’s a bonus photo: Remember Kris’ story in a couple episodes (probably where we talked about true crime…good luck finding it!) where she talked about going camping with a guy she knew for only two weeks and let him take her to a campsite above Gorman, CA one November, absolutely isolated, nobody else around, and let him lead her to the edge of a cliff? No? Ok, well, anyway, here’s the photo of her feet and the drop and we would advise you to not ever do that. Ever. (He turned out perfectly fine and nice, but you never know).
Check out the “Happy Campers!” episode on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Libsyn, Pocket Cast, Stitcher or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Then all you need to do is 1) subscribe 2) download and 3) listen! AND!!! 4) If you enjoy what you hear, please leave a rating and a review (pretty please?). The more subscribers and reviews we get, the more opportunities we get to grow this podcast and bring you richer content.
And don’t forget to follow us here at themuglytruth.com (click that blue WordPress Follow button on the right side of your screen) so you get notifications every time we post an episode blog! You can also follow The Mugly Truth on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
This entire week celebrates the magic of Earth. Yesterday, Monday 22 April, was Earth Day and this coming Friday, 26 April, is the unofficial Mugly Truth Podcast Holiday (drumroll please): ARBOR DAY!!! Can you count how many times we’ve brought up Arbor Day throughout our podcast life? Really, can you please, and then let us know because we would love to have used all those soundbytes in today’s episode. Anyway, today we talk about how much we love trees, and the physical, emotional and even spiritual benefits trees provide, including oxygen, shelter, healing cancer, shade, Jenga, and maple syrup. In no particular order.
Joshua Tree or Whomping Willow? Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
We also (finally?) get to the actual history of Arbor Day. The very first Arbor Day took place 10 April 1872 in Nebraska, USA. J. Sterling Morton and his wife Caroline Joy French made it their mission to beautify the – well, plain – great plains region after they moved there from Michigan. They encouraged the planting of trees to help the environment as well as entice more settlers to the area. It was through Morton’s actions that Arbor Day became an official national day. Their son established the Morton Arboretum, which is still active to this day educating people about the importance of planting trees and the benefits derived from this valuable resource. One hundred years later In 1972 John Rosenow began the Arbor Day Foundation in Nebraska which is a worldwide non-profit conservation and education organization whose current goal is to plant 100 million trees in forests and communities by 2022 — the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day.
Of course there would be no Mugly Truth episode without a few pitstops and detours on the treeway (term cred to Kym), so of course we spend an inordinate amount of time discussing 70’s kids t.v. shows (BECAUSE SCARY FORESTS!) and the possibility (we’re assuming, but NOT accusing), that the creators must have dropped acid at least ONCE before finalizing the concepts. (IF that’s not the case – BUT COME ON…THE 70’s AND HAVE YOU SEEN THESE SHOWS? – we apologize profusely, please don’t sue us). To see the colorful cast of characters, hear the catchy tune, see the shot of Big Bear Lake Kym mentions, and glimpse Freddie the Flute, Witchiepoo, JIMMY, et al, from H.R. Pufnstuf,here you go. Of course, don’t be a Kris; this is NOT to be confused with JOHNNY from Sigmund and the Sea Monsters. Two totally different dudes, as their hair will attest.
We also have a very special edition of Words With Kris and Kym, which include: • Susurration (thank you Terry Pratchett and Tiffany Aching) • Cerulean • Weenus (which is not an actual anatomical name, just fyi) • Lambdoidal (Tri Lambda!!!! Srsly, for the love of gawd, click THAT link if no others.) • Popliteal • Hyoid • Galley-west You now sound incredibly smarter because of us. YOU. ARE. WELCOME!
As always we swing back around to the topic at hand. Kris extols the virtues of a few heavy hitters in the tree world: birch, elm, pine, cinnamon, yew and the lovely red stinkwood, to name a few. And although we talk about how to utilize elements of these trees for health purposes, we strongly advise 1) reading up on edible plants in your region (for North America, we recommend this Peterson guide to edible plants and this Peterson guide to medicinal plants) and 2) DON’T destroy trees in your field survival/doomsday prepper/tree lick testing process (we see you, you tree smooching Superstar)! Trees may be a renewable valuable resource, but they are still prey to the stupidity of humans who can overharvest trees in the name of fuel and medicine.
We bring’er home with a shoutout to Pete Nelson of Nelson Treehouse, the tree-whisperer host of Treehouse Master on the Animal Planet channel. He builds ahh-mazing treehouses and if anyone knows the majesty and magic of trees, it’s Pete. We love how much Pete loves trees. And yes, we can hear you shouting and pulling out your hair, spitting at us, “Arbor Day special and you bring up a bunch of people who shove spikes in trees??!??” So we lovingly suggest watching Pete once or twice before you burn us alive, AND read this to maybe feel a bit better about what he does in his design process. I’m telling you, the guy would marry a tree if he wasn’t already happily wed to Judy for 30+ years. Besides, if the Arbor Day Foundation has a 50-foot treehouse to explore, who are yo…we to judge?
Check out our “Treehuggers Unite” episode on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Libsyn, Pocket Cast, Stitcher or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Then all you need to do is 1) subscribe 2) download and 3) listen! AND!!! 4) If you enjoy what you hear, please leave a rating and a review (pretty please?). The more subscribers and reviews we get, the more opportunities we get to grow this podcast and bring you richer content.
And don’t forget to follow us here at themuglytruth.com (click that blue WordPress Follow button on the right side of your screen) so you get notifications every time we post an episode blog! You can also follow The Mugly Truth on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
OOOH thar’s some great shutff in that giveaway box!! It can be yours! Enter the contest today!
Happy Tuesday! Today Kris and Kym do a full 180-turn from last week’s episode and focus FULLY on all the things you can do to celebrate Christmas all around the world. Kym tackles how to say Merry Christmas and Santa in multiple languages and proves Kris is not the only one struggling to pronounce words. But when all’s said and done, Kym knocked it out of the park in about 15 (give or take) different languages. Well done Kym!
They go on to discuss the history behind some of the most iconic Christmas songs you are probably sick of hearing by now. Do you know the oldest known Christmas song? Can you guess who wrote “O Come All Ye Faithful”? Would you believe “Deck the Halls” has Pagan origins? And that “Jingle Bells” wasn’t even intended to be a Christmas song?
They tackle fun (and weird) traditions throughout the world, and you are NOT going to believe the level of odd some of the activities reach. Kris also has an epiphany that all these shenanigans might somehow have something to do with aliens. (Blinking. Staring.)
Kris and Kym also shout out a happy birthday to Hayley for her 14th birthday, to Nate and Kayla for their 2nd wedding anniversary, and brand new listener Katie (welcome to The Mugly Truth family!!)
Kris’ daughters, Hayley (left) and Sami (right) on Hayley’s 14th birthday (and the day we recorded this episode).
Kayla and Nate on their wedding day. Happy 2nd Anniversary!
And, of course, there’s The Mugly Truth Christmas 2018 Gift Giveaway UNBOXING live on Instagram, but you can see the photos of what is in the gift box so far:
Just (((some))) of the stuff we’re sending to the lucky winner of our gift giveaway contest! There’s more to be added! UNBELIEVABLE!
Really cool vintage winter dishtowels
Really cool vintage-style canvas winter tote
Close up of some of the contents of the gift giveaway. YES that’s an 80’s trivia game! BOOM.
Close up of some of the contents of the gift giveaway. Disclaimer: If the sea salt caramels are MISSING from the box, Kris did NOT EAT THEM. She has NO IDEA WHERE THEY ARE. Do NOT ask her.
Some more close ups. We are so excited to give this to one of our listeners!
Check out our WORLDWIDE CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS episode on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Libsyn, Pocket Cast, Stitcher or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Then all you need to do is 1) subscribe 2) download and 3) listen! AND!!! 4) If you enjoy what you hear, please leave a rating and a review (pretty please?). The more subscribers and reviews we get, the more opportunities we get to grow this podcast and bring you richer content.
And don’t forget to follow us here at themuglytruth.com (click that blue WordPress Follow button on the right side of your screen) so you get notifications every time we post an episode blog! You can also follow The Mugly Truth on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Kris and Kym discuss various gratitude practices and all the things they are grateful for, this week of Thanksgiving! Photo by Kimberly Sickel, @riverdeer at 500px
Happy Tuesday and welcome to Gratitude week! Today’s blog post is going to be short and sweet. In this week’s episode Kym and Kris catch up on Kris’ gallbladder surgery (it was moved up a few days and she’s recovering well) and discuss this week’s big holiday in America: Thanksgiving. We avoid the controversial history and focus instead on the symbolism of Thanksgiving by discussing our personal beliefs about practicing gratitude, and list all the things we are verrrrry grateful for. From our homes to yours, we hope your Thanksgiving goes well and brings immense happiness and joy.
But if you are struggling with this time of year, reach out. There are people who love and care for you and you don’t need to be alone (unless you prefer to be!)
But most of all we want to say we are SO THANKFUL for all our listeners, all our friends and family who have supported us in this podcast adventure and who encourage us to keep talking on. And on and on and on… Thank you all.
Check out our GRATITUDE episode on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Libsyn, Pocket Casts, Stitcher or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Then all you need to do is 1) subscribe 2) download and 3) listen! AND!!! 4) If you enjoy what you hear, please leave a rating and a review (pretty please?). The more subscribers and reviews we get, the more opportunities we get to grow this podcast and bring you richer content.
And don’t forget to follow us here at themuglytruth.com (click that blue WordPress Follow button on the right side of your screen) so you get notifications every time we post an episode blog! You can also follow The Mugly Truth on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
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