Staying At Home

Hi everyone! I wanted to do a post sharing what I have been doing while staying at home and to maybe give you some ideas or to take your mind off the worrisome times we are living through. I feel lucky to be safe at home, trying to look out for my family and finding joy in the little things.

I know it has forced everyone to slow down and reflect on our lives. It has made me think about how even simple everyday tasks like grocery shopping (which I used to enjoy) has become an uncertain activity. Before I would shop often only gathering things I need for a day or two, buying what I felt like making for dinner that particular night, (an indulgent mindset,) but also in an effort to have less waste. Now I try to go as little as possible, as soon as the store opens, wearing a mask and gloves and making sure to interact with as little people as possible. I then come home and disinfect every single thing I bought that day before feeling safe enough to put away in my home.

Anyway, we will take every day as it comes and I continue to think about everyone’s lives who have been impacted, thankful to essential workers like grocery store employees, doctors, nurses, and their families who see them go off to work every day to take care of others.

Now, for the blog post on what I have been doing while staying at home.

Cleaning

Since being cooped at home, I have been keeping up on cleaning more than ever. Besides the usual vacuuming and laundry, I have been wiping down services everyday with my homemade disinfectant (water, at least 60% isopropyl alcohol, white vinegar and lemon oil.) Now is a good time to wash blankets, table cloths, comforter covers, dog beds, and other things that don’t get as frequently washed as our clothing.

COOKING

I have been cooking and baking a lot in a thoughtful manner. Staying at home has made me really use what I have in the pantry or rework certain ingredients. I stocked up on things like canned tomatoes to make into tomato sauce, a whole chicken to roast for dinner and then make into chicken stock the next day for soup. I also have been making a lot of pastas like macaroni and cheese or vodka pasta and pizzas using a cast iron pan. A simple and healthy, 30-minute meal is a baked sweet potato with black beans and cheddar. I made a quick tomato salsa on the side and it so delicious.

I have been baking a lot more which I don’t usually do, but now’s the time! Last night I made my Vanilla Buttercream Cake. I only made one layer and iced the top, and make a quick strawberry compote with some frozen strawberries I had, a pinch of sugar and lemon juice!

Fusilli alla Vodka

Mac and Cheese

Cast Iron Pizza

BROTHY PASTA WITH CHICKPEAS

Sweet Potatoes with Black Beans and Cheddar

Peanut Butter Cookies

Vanilla Buttercream Cake

COMFORTING THINGS

Simple things such as making big batches of Martha’s Ginger Lemon Tea are soothing and tastes delicious to sip on all day. I have watched some movies and finished Steve Martin’s Born Standing Up.

To get outdoors a little, I have been taking walks with Theo, my dog, and I planted some more of my Row 7 seeds to hopefully get some peppers, cucumbers, peas, and squash this summer.

Hope everyone is staying indoors and taking breaks from the news to focus on the little things!