My husband and I have been home for over seven weeks.
It feels like seven years.
I’ve had some rough days—I’m sure you have, too. Days of anxiety, sorrow, anger, and fear. So much uncertainty. But that’s not what this newsletter is about.
This newsletter is about SMILES!
I wanted to share some things that have made me smile, as well as some things I’ve learned about myself in between reading the news, filing unemployment claims, and meal-planning. Because, for me, this crisis has been an opportunity to appreciate the simple things and practice some self-reflection.
The Bee’s Clover I made. Look at that foam!
Smile #1: You’re the bees knees!
I’ve mentioned this on Instagram before: my favorite date-night tradition with my husband is going to our local cocktail bar and reading in a quiet corner. One of my favorite drinks is a Bee’s Knees. If you haven’t heard of it before, it’s a Prohibition-era gin cocktail with honey and lemon—two of my favorite flavors. It’s bright, it’s refreshing, it’s classy. I recently made this recipe with homemade honey simple, which I seasoned with cloves to add a little spice and complexity to the syrup.
I’m not going to lie: it’s not the same as having my favorite bartender make it…but it definitely brought me a smile.
Are you a more advanced (or daring) mixologist? Try a Clover Club—similar to a Bee’s Knees, but with raspberry syrup and the added creamy texture from an egg white. I made one with that honey-clove simple I mentioned earlier, and it was deee-lish. My husband called it a Bee’s Clover.
Smile #2: Spring has sprung
Our apple trees are in bloom. We’ve been taking a lot of walks to appreciate them.
Also, my African Violet is blooming for the first time since I took it home over two years ago. I’m delighted to have finally figured out how to care for it the way it likes! (It’s very fussy).
Smile #3: Writing postcards to my friends
Even though we Zoom every week. Even though we text every day. Even though we pick up the phone. It just isn’t the same as sending little notes in the mail or leaving bottles of wine on each other’s doorsteps.
I’ve learned that I LOVE my friends’ handwriting. I’ve learned that people open up in written notes differently than they open up over text or in person. I’ve learned that my artist friends sell beautiful postcards! These are all things that make me smile.
One of the best places to sip a coffee: Little Venice, Mykonos, Greece.
Smile #4: Living vicariously through my characters (and my former self!)
My current work-in-progress takes place overseas: Italy, Greece, Thailand, France, Tahiti (I talked more about it in my last virtual book tour video—did you catch that?). I’m editing the book right now, and my characters are currently in Mykonos, Greece. I happened to go there on my honeymoon, so I have plenty of photos to revisit. Happy memories, for sure.
I think our horses appreciate the rainbows, too.
Smile #5: This awesome double rainbow over the barn
A new thing we’ve been doing since the Stay Home order: taking an after-dinner stroll around the farm. The other night, we were walking during a brief pause in the rainfall and…well, we saw this.
Smile #6: Gettin’ crafty
I can’t be the only one taking up new hobbies during all the stay-home time. My recent new craft? Macrame.
I have a fifteen foot philodendron that desperately needed to be repotted, so I decided to also make it a new pot hanger. There’s something really satisfying about learning (and blundering through) a new skill and having it turn out looking…pretty good!
I also tried my dress on for the first time since my wedding day! I feel like it deserves more use than just one day. Do you think my coworkers will judge me if I wear it to my next Zoom call?
Smile #7: Our anniversary
My husband and I are celebrating our eighth year together and our second year of marriage. Honestly, there’s no one I’d rather stay home with.
Some things I’ve learned (and re-discovered) about myself
I really, REALLY miss hugging my friends. More than I thought I would. I’m a hugger, apparently.
I put way too much value on productivity and not nearly enough value on doing nothing (I’m working on that one!).
Being creative is essential to my mental health.
Getting out of bed is hard, but getting up early directly correlates with my having a better day overall.
I was REALLY nervous about doing a virtual book tour and creating videos. I thought I wouldn’t enjoy it. I had a BLAST! (You can watch the whole tour here).
I love me a good science podcast (current favorite: Short Wave from NPR).
Connecting with my readers brings me A LOT of joy! I’ve been doing Zoom book club meetings—interested? Contact me to set something up!
What has made you smile lately? I’d love to hear. You can respond to my newsletter to let me know!