SEASON IN REVIEW: SPRING 2020 THE SEASON SPENT INDOORS

What is there really to say about spring 2020 other than I survived it?  Honestly, it has been so easy to lose track of the days of the week, and time seems nonexistent.  While I adapted to staying at home, since I’m relatively a homebody, my husband and perhaps our cat Landis, who hates that the house is so crowded and cutting into her daily cat naps, struggled a bit.  Now things are slowly starting to open-up here in California, but I’m still in the mindset of staying at home until the Covid-19 numbers go down.  But, in the midst of all this uncertainty, I have so much to be thankful for:  a healthy household, time with my family and pups, tackling household projects, redesigning my blog, and a job that I love.  To be honest, that seems like a lot to be thankful for during these crazy times. 

Life Updates:

I think the best way to describe this past spring is the season spent indoors.  March was a crazy month of uncertainty, fear, and high emotions.  My last day of teaching on campus was March 13^th.  Some Friday the 13^th joke—a worldwide pandemic forcing everyone indoors.  The following Wednesday, our classes were moved online, and just like all of you, I was introduced to Zoom for the first time.  Nothing like learning new technology and creating all new lesson plans in a matter of days.  As stressful as this transition was, I am thankful that Jeff and I were able to both continue working from home, and neither one of us was laid off or furloughed like so many others. 

In April, I started to feel like I was in a routine for our quarantine; and before I knew it, it was Spring Break, where I had two weeks off from work.  During this time, I did a major redesign of the blog, moving it over to WordPress from Blogger, and becoming more legitimate in the blogosphere.  What do you think of the redesign?  I also made a master cleaning and organizing list for our house.  One big project I have already talked about was cleaning out our linen cabinet.  You can read about it here.  The second half of the month, school resumed by holding Zoom classes with my students.  It was not my favorite, since my classes are performance based; and I feel so awkward teaching on Zoom, with almost zero class participation from my students, but we got through it. 

One pleasant benefit of stay-at-home orders was finally having time to walk my dogs and develop a schedule with them.  Normally, I don’t get to walk them during the week, Jeff does, because I work so far away from home.  I think, for the most part, The Pack has been loving all the extra attention. You can read up on my dog walking essential here.

One of the hard parts of social distancing is not being able to see my family, especially when April is the birthday month of two very special ladies.  My Grandma turned 97 early in the month, and two weeks later was my Mom’s birthday.  Under normal circumstances, we would have had a girls’ day together; but with social distancing and stay-at-home orders, that wasn’t possible.  I’m very close with my mom, she’s my best friend, and the biggest supporter of my blog, and my editor.  She goes out of her way to make me feel special, so I wanted to return the favor for her with a birthday drive-thru delivery of a birthday cake.  You will find the recipe here.  It’s been hard to social distance from my parents.  I’m an only child, and I only live one street away from them.  But if social distancing is what will keep them safe, I’ll do it.

By May Jeff and I were fully used to our new routine.  And good news came for Jeff in mid-May when golf courses slowly started opening up.  Jeff has been playing golf almost everyday since.  I finished up my school year at home.  I am sad that I was not able to say goodbye to my seniors in person, but I am hoping our school will still be able to have a ceremonial graduation celebration in a few months.  By the end of May things began to open up more and more in Orange County.  One weekend Jeff and I took a drive down to Huntington Beach.  We walked around for a few minutes, but I was very uncomfortable by the amount of people not social distancing or wearing masks.  We went to hit golf balls instead and had a blast.  I think I am finally beginning to understand the golf swing. Watch out LPGA!

June brought its own set of challenges and hardships.  With nationwide protesting and the unfortunate side effect of violence and rioting and looting, we were once again in lockdown for a week with citywide curfews.  I also started tackling some of my bigger projects, like redesigning my closet and patio.  I plan to share our patio in a few weeks and my closet in a month.  I’m so excited to share those spaces with you.  In June, we also started having socially distancing dinners with my parents once a week.  Every week we have a new theme and cocktail, my favorite has been fajita night, yum! 

I’m sure that summer will be much the same way, spent at home.  Things have begun to open-up more and more in my area, but I am still wary of venturing out too much.  One thing is for sure, in a time when things are so out of our control and scary, it is nice to be reminded of the things I am thankful for.  We all experience things differently.  The coronavirus has affected states so radically differently; but at this time, I have so much to be thankful for, like excellent walking trails to walk my dogs on so we can safely exercise.  I have my health, my job, my pups, my family, and so much more.  I started off this pandemic scared, and sure, I still am to a point, but I am choosing to think on the positive side and remember with each new sunrise, we are one day closer to the end of all this craziness.

Love It:

• I haven’t been making many purchases since being at home started in March, but one thing Jeff and I have been doing is ordering take-out once a week from local small businesses in our neighborhood.  It not only gives us a break from cooking, something neither of us is very fond of, but it also supports our local economy, many of which are mom and pop restaurants that have been here as long as I have lived in Orange County. 

Link It:

Just like all of you, I have my list of favorite blogs to read through daily.  Here are a few links to blog posts and articles I think are interesting and noteworthy to share.  Hope you all enjoy!

• I love a great room makeover, and over the last several months Casey of DIY Playbook has been sharing step-by-step details on her home office, including building custom built-ins from building, painting, style to the finished office design. 
• Casey also shared this tutorial on how to make your own acrylic dry erase board.  I can’t wait to make my own. 
• This beach house design is absolutely perfect, with the right amount of light and airy design. 

• Now for my favorite dog articles over the last few months, to begin, did you know pet owners spend more on their dogs than cats?  Plus, how do you make your house more dog friendly?  Lastly, during this time of stay-at-home orders, shelters have been clearing out of adoptable dogs.  Here is why you should rescue a dog. 
• As a teacher, who is leading classes by distance learning, I have received a significant influx of student emails.  One thing that has surprised me is that students do not know how to properly write an email.  This guide is filled with proper etiquette for students writing emails.  Parents, please share with your children. 
• One more room reveal, because this bathroom is just to dreamy to pass up. 

• I have recently felt very overwhelmed, so these tips have helped calm my anxiety.  Follow these practices with ways to make your life happier.
• The blog world has been inundated with bloggers’ thoughts on coronavirus and COVID-19.  Truthfully, I was very overwhelmed in the beginning, but now I find myself wondering what will be changing in our world.  Grace Atwood, who writes The Stripe, gives her insight in this article; and Apartment Therapy writers shared their thought on how Coronavirus will affect the way homes are built.  Personally, I think it is for the better. 
• Recently I have been working on our patio to get it ready for summer nights of relaxation.  I was inspired to start the project after seeing Room For Tuesday’s patio. 
• Have you ever wondered what paint color to use in what room?  This article shares all the details on different paint finishes and when to use them. 
• I am a fan of Emily Henderson’s designs, and this one does not disappoint.  It is the perfect combination of traditional modern design.   
• I am concluding my link list with a thought-provoking essay, reflecting on the need for reform in America.  I am very proud to be an American, I support our troops and our police, I stand with my fellow Americans no matter their race, religion, or ethnicity, but I agree with this essay that the America we love has a great divide, and there is a call-to-action to do better.  Please give it a read.  

Oh Joy:

During these challenging times, we could all use a little moment of joy to lift our spirits and make us laugh.  Here are a few things that have made me happy during this pandemic.

• Pluto Living: Pluto, is an adorable little schnauzer living in Canada.  She has captured the attention of many all over the world with her cute daily public service announcements to the “two leggers” on how to get through this pandemic, with some tips that “four leggers” live by.  Watch daily videos on Instagram @pluto.living whenever you need a good laugh. 
• Shedd Aquarium:  You’ve heard of Where’s Waldo, but have you seen Wellington?  Wellington, a 32-year old rock hopper penguin at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, has been taking enriching adventures around the facility, as the aquarium remains closed to visitors.  I love his daily adventures and am always surprised at what other creatures he meets and expresses interest in, such as the sea otter habitat and the Beluga whales!   You can fallow along with Wellington’s explorations @shedd_aquarium.
•  Some Good News: I’ve always loved actor John Krasinski, since he was Jim Halpert on The Office, and when he started his own YouTube channel dedicated to “Good News” only, I was hooked.  Every week he shares uplifting stories, interviews friends, and gives us just the right amount of good news we just need right now.  I adore his homemade signs that I’m pretty sure his kids made, whether he’s talking to Martha Stewart, the crew in the International Space Center, or thanking our healthcare workers, there is always something that will make you feel happy.  Honestly, I have found myself crying happy tears through many an episode, and just feeling really inspired by all the good that people are doing.  If anyone can make you believe we can get through this, it’s SomeGoodNews on YouTube. 
• Albert the Rescue Pup:  I know another animal to follow, but honestly who can’t help but smile when you look at cute dogs?  Albert is a little rescue dog from Maeday Rescue.  He was found as a stray, then went to a shelter, rescued by Maeday Day, somehow got lost in for 8 days in the Los Angeles canyons, and now is with his forever family.  What makes Albert so special is his zeal for life.  He has a tricky enlarged heart, which causes him to have good days and bad days, but more importantly, he is living his best life by tackling things off of his bucket list.  I love watching his Instagram stories.  They are so creative.  I think one of his “parents” might be in the film industry because these are very well-edited storytelling stories.  And, I think my pups are just as big of fans as I am.  You can catch Albert on Instagram @albertsbucketlist
• This last one I hold close to my heart.  I love animals, especially dogs, which I’m sure is apparent to anyone who has been reading my blog for a while.  Well, one amazing thing that has come out of this global pandemic is the number of animals that have been adopted or fostered.  Shelters have been cleared out of animals, like the Riverside County Shelter, notorious for being overcrowded.  This is worth a celebration in my book! 

Season Highlight On The Blog:

• I started off the month of February by sharing my list of my favorite books from 2019.  Right now, is the perfect time to do some reading, so check out my list for some great recommendation. 
• I shared my winter nightly skincare routine, and morning skincare routine, including the proper order of how to apply your products. 

• Looking for an easy task to cross off your to do list?  Why not organize your linen cabinet.  Sharing my tips and tricks in this blog post. 
• Routine has been crucial during this time of staying at home, and this Greek yogurt and muesli parfait is my favorite breakfast every morning. 
• Did you know that you should wash your makeup brushes once a week?  I’ve started following this rule and have noticed a huge improvement on the quality of my makeup applications. 
• One of the things I look forward to the most during the day is walking my dogs.  It is hard to tell who gets more excited.  Sharing my dog walking essentials in this post.

• Chances are you know someone celebrating a birthday during this pandemic, so why not cheer them up with a drive-thru cake drop with this delicious doctored-up chocolate bundt cake recipe?   
• These Blackened Tilapia Taco Bowls are one of my favorite dinners to make; and I will admit, I make it almost on a weekly basis since it is also a household favorite.  It’s one of those recipes you just need in your back pocket when you are having a hard time deciding what to make for dinner. 

• May 30^th would have been dog Becks’ 12^th birthday.  Last year I made him these treats for his birthday celebration but after his passing in July I didn’t have the heart to post it.  Becks absolutely loved these treats, so this year in remembrance of him I posted Becks’ Birthday Biscuits.  
• This month I started a book club!  You can find all the details here for how to join, what book we are currently reading, and my other book recommendations. 
• One added benefit of being home has been the enjoyment of an occasional cocktail. Our favorite is the refreshing Moscow Mule, perfect for at home cocktail hours. 

Wishing you all happy thoughts, stay healthy, stay safe because you need to be outside for fresh air, and remember with each new sunrise we are one day closer to the end of all this craziness.