Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you!

Currently in April 2020 – Like you, or as you should be, I am at home wondering when the next time I’ll be able to go out is. Out of town, out of province, out of country. In Canada we’ve been generally diligent with this lock down and many of us are following the recommendations with social distancing. I watch the news and see that the USA isn’t as strict and slowly shutting down state by state. Some are holding out which is only prolonging the shut down for the rest of their countrymen. Because of this I don’t see the possibility of visiting the states within the next 6 months. This has been a real blow to the food tour company I was to launch April 4th. With no tourists and the restaurants closed or limited to delivery/takeout I don’t have a business to promote. Instead I’ve been using the Food Tours Kelowna social media account to connect over food.

Also like many of you I had to cancel a trip which was hard to do. It was to be my and my husband’s first adult getaway in 4 years without the kiddo. But we are grateful that our family is healthy and we are in the position we are within our careers. My husband, because his profession is considered an essential service (construction) he is still working with strict orders in practice. I am able to work from home as much as I can. In fact, coming off of the tail end of maternity leave this shut down feels similar. My day is still predicated on my kiddo’s sleep schedule and how preoccupied I can keep him. Disney+ channel helps a ton, as does having a yard.

In my front yard I have my fall bulbs about to bloom. What each one is, a mystery to me since I planted so many in October 2019. My only hope now is that the deer do not come and eat them before I get a chance to find out! I’ve seen a few hoof prints but since the social isolation and so many people walking about the neighbourhood I have seen less deer than usual.

Otherwise, here are the things I am thinking, reading, watching and doing this month to keep myself hopeful and preoccupied.

– Reading –

The kids in my neighbourhood have left painted rocks and sidewalk chalk messages on the streets are surrounding trails. It is something colourful to look out for as we wait for the trees and flowers to blossom.

You need to read these fellow bloggers stories of the isolation in various areas of the world:

• Paris in the time of COVID by Love in the City of Lights
• The real story behind Venice’s crystal clear canals from Afar.com
• Become an armchair traveller by Sidewalk Safari
• Eco friendly beauty products for travel & home by Misadventures with Andi

I am reading Provence, 1970 by Luke Barr. It is about M.F.K Fisher’s time in Provence while meeting up with Julia & Paul Child, James Beard, Richard Olney and Simone Beck. These are people influential in changing American tastes and kitchens. I am only 50 pages in so far but enjoying it immensely. Luke Barr, the writer, is Fisher’s nephew and had access to all her papers thanks to his cousins. He found a diary titled Provence, 1970 and knew he had a story to tell. If you haven’t read her work before you’ll find some notable classics below.

– Watching –

When all else fails I turn to YouTube & IGTV for these storytellers:

• Some Good News with John Krasinski from The Office & Jack Ryan Amazon series
• Wim Hof breathing techniques – This guy could hold the key to avoid getting sick!
• David Lebovitz is providing French cocktail recipes for our happy hour on IGTV!
• Female Foodie is showing us a new restaurant inspired recipe each day of quarantine on her IG stories!

Other than the weather (and with drink in hand) I’ve been watching my favourite travel/foodie shows and movies. Somebody Feed Phil is a Netflix show I’ve been revisiting as I wait for the 3rd season to be released in May 2020. I also enjoy the second season of Ugly Delicious with David Chang more so than the first. Additionally, if you haven’t seen David Chang’s Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner show on Netflix I highly recommend episode 1 in Vancouver with Seth Rogen.

If you are looking for more food and travel show suggestions then see my blog post about isolation ideas for culinary travellers. 

– In the Kitchen –

I’ve been running low on dinner time inspiration lately. Luckily many local restaurants, wineries and breweries are offering delivery and take out. Some favourite local take out options I’d recommend are Provisions for their weekly creations and Waterfront Cafe for their soup. DoorDash and Skip the Dishes also have an excellent selection of locally owned small businesses depending on where you are located.

Otherwise my home menu has consisted of chicken and beef from my mother-in-law’s farm. They usually have a couple of highland cows and it has been amazing to have something in freezer no matter what. However, the highland cow, particularly the ground beef, is very rich and has a distinct taste that I have slowly become averse to. All my recipes have required over seasoning to rid the taste of the cow named Skippy. Seasoning always involves lots of garlic, oregano, thyme, Beaver Rub brand seasoning, cayenne, paprika, Worcestershire, bay leaf, brown sugar, salt & pepper to name a few…

• Spaghetti & meatballs
• Tacos
• Meat loaf
• Chilli
• Quarantine Shepherd’s Pie – see highlight on Food Tours Kelowna IG account.

– Mamahood –

• I recently partook in an interview with Exploring Domesticity. You can read all about my motherhood and work/life balance interview here.

Lil’ man is growing so quickly. He runs everywhere rather than walks which has been a challenge keeping up to him during our walks runs on the surrounding streets and trails. He is starting to show signs of the terrible twos even though he is about 3 months out still. He lets me know when he prefers to do something else with a scream and a few kicks as I peel him away from whatever it is.

Despite the attitude I am still just in awe of his progress and growth. He can count to 3, understands basic narratives thanks to ominous and happy music scores in various films and shows – I can tell this thanks to his concerned looks as Elsa dashes to save Arendelle from certain doom in Frozen 2.

To keep busy we’ve been playing outside a lot but as I write this it is hailing/snowing out my window. Luckily, we got in a nice hike this morning while it was still nice. In the coming weeks I am looking to purchase an Easter or dino set of non-toxic locally made playdough for him. The company, PlayGrowDough is based a short drive from here in Vernon, British Columbia and is sold on her Etsy account! He may eat it but that’s a risk I am willing to take right now.

What are you up to this April 2020?

Stay safe. Wash your hands. Be well!