Well here we are on almost the third week of quarantine in California. How are you all faring?? We’ve settled into a routine pretty well and are not feeling angry about it, just a little uncertain. The future and what will happen is causing more anxieties than the actual being in with each other. We got away to a quiet beach not too far away on Sunday so the guys could get a hike in and we could all get some fresh air.
It was good for all of us. We had a car picnic after.
We drove past Santa Cruz and West Cliff Drive, a big promenade and people were NOT social distancing. It was worrying.
I’m a homebody at heart, so I can do this shelter thing no problem. I am always my happiest when everyone is in the nest. Knowing though that some of us should be out and about doing other things, life, school, etc makes me sad for them. I also miss seeing my dad in person. We talk twice a day, but it’s not the same. We exchanged Swiss Chard from his garden and some groceries this week- via the porch drop thanks to the youngest who needed to bust out for a bit, if even just for a drive.
I am enjoying the cooking with the fam. We were telling the boys at dinner that three meals a day at home is how we grew up. People weren’t running to Starbucks, or Taco Bell when they felt like it. We are eating all the leftovers and using up all we have now. So good for us and my kids to learn too. To be frank though, this kind of life is taking up a LOT of my day in the kitchen. My routine is cook, clean, rinse and repeat. Anyone else feeling the same?
French toast with seeded bread. It’s what we had on hand though everyone grumbled about the seeded bread at first, it was yummy especially with pears and walnuts.
I am pretty optimistic, but yesterday morning someone sent me this Pooh and Piglet thing and for some reason I just started crying.
Not sure why. It’s the uncertainty I guess and the night before I was feeling more despair after watching the White House news conference. I decided to stop watching the news at dinner time. Last night I started playing all my vinyl albums on the turntable while cooking instead. The mood was decidedly happier and upbeat at dinner and I think my kids appreciated it. I am relying on the local newspaper and PBS Newshour which I record and can watch later in the evening if I choose.
Making Marcella Hazan’s famous three ingredient sauce- one stick of butter, one can of stewed whole tomatoes ( DiNapoli is my new favorite) and one onion sliced in half. Cook for 30 minutes or so covered on low and use an immersion blender and you have the best sauce ever. No salt or other additions are needed. So good!
I said I’d share more of my favorite blogs with you and three of my dear friends, Mary Ann, Cindy and Annie did a wonderful roundups this week sharing cool Instagram accounts. This is the perfect time to visit their blogs which have links many cool accounts to follow…
Mary Ann, writes Classic Casual Home, from her hilltop apartment in San Francisco, but has lived all over the world. She always has the best tips for entertaining and is a very busy and in demand interior designer. I enjoy her recipes and great finds for the home she generously shares.
Cindy writes Rough Luxe Lifestyle, is also a designer who lives in the countryside near Carmel and shares her amazing eye for home styling, remodeling and beautiful tablescapes. She writes the best posts about travel packing, wardrobe shopping and I especially love her monthly posts with Elizabeth, the Antique Goddess featuring Q&A with people with personal style.
Annie writes Most Lovely Things, lives in a small New England town near the water and defines how one can live simply yet beautifully, creating many of the cool objects in her home. I have learned so much from Annie- great recipes, amazing gift ideas and styling tips. Annie created one of the most popular pins ever on Pinterest with her home made advent calendar with darling brown bags.
More fun blogs to dive into while you have time..
Design Indulgence Decorating, remodeling and chic design
The Gardener’s Cottage Living simply and beautifully with less and vegan cooking
Sincerely Loree Slow living on the island of Malta with great books, writing and lovely photography
Cote De Texas Deep dives into the history of cool homes, royalty and more
Le Catch Always fantastic fashion trends and finds
The Mom Mystique Living mom life with style and inspiration
Life Around My Table Cooking, life and beautiful photography
Are you getting out for walks like I am? I missed one as it was hailing and another day I spent doing some house cleaning, but I’m trying to at least do a 20 minute workout or so. Here’s another to try..
Tracy Anderson’s 15 minute Cardio Dance. This is who trains Gwenyth. Looks like fun which motivates me.
If you read my last post with the original Jane Fonda workout, the link had a few issues, but I think it’s fixed and the complete workout is now on there. If you need a good one- that’s amazing.
Another little distraction for you with cute Alexa Chung and French gal Caroline De Maigret, who chat about how French woman age and skincare tips..
On the French theme, I just found Dinner in French, and from what I can see on the Amazon preview, it hits all the notes with delicious classic recipes and gorgeous photographs of France sprinkled in as well.
I’m going to need more dinner ideas as I’m cooking everything I know with what I can find… and how many times can you make the same stuff?
A month or so ago, before this pandemic happened, I was invited to a girlfriend lunch at a friend’s home and was so excited to find this lovely blouse at Target of all places, to wear. It is from their Prologue line, which is kind of cool and modern shapes and the fabric feels like a raw silk . I love the puff sleeve and the slightly curved longer back which gathers. I paired it with my old Zara skirt, but it would be sweet with denim cropped flares in its pretty ice blue color. I never shared it and I thought I’d pop it in here. Not sure how many people are even thinking about spring clothes right now.
I’m hoping you are all taking care and being safe. Stay inside so we can beat this. It’s the best we can do now for all of us.
I’ll be back with a little more of my house updates- the bathrooms specifically, and also a spring dress post if you are in the mood… I hope that won’t be tone deaf, but a little distraction right now. Let me know what you think.
Hugs,
Kim
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