It’s the end of week 2 of telecommuting and/or remote learning for New Jersey residents, the end of which is unpredictable.
Like all responsible people everywhere, my family and I have been practicing social distancing since the day it was first recommended and staying home as much as possible.
Apart from a brief visit to a local park, where we walked around for less than 10 minutes just to observe what flowers were blooming in this early spring, and a dash to the store looking for toilet paper (found the last package, what a victory!), I haven’t gone anywhere else.
I also haven’t talked to anyone in person, other than my husband and kids, except for a hello from across the street to a neighbor.
These are just the facts of life we’re faced with in this troubled time. We count ourselves lucky that we’re healthy. Our loved ones are healthy. We still have jobs that pay. We still eat well. We can still entertain ourselves by reading books and streaming countless shows on TV. So life is not too unbearable.
And I feel very fortunate to have a backyard big enough to take a little stroll in. And I’m actually happy there’s weeding to do!
Here are some pictures I took while I was spying around the backyard.
Now, Features!
“I am a sucker for anything botanical and this looks perfect for spring or Easter.” — Liz
“How pretty!! I so love using edible flowers. I can’t wait to make a similar cake.” — Angie
“I just love this soup. So simple but nourishing and comforting, just what we all need right now. I also happen to have most of the ingredients, so this will be on the menu this weekend.” — Angie
“I can’t remember when I last had samosa chaat! It must have been months ago when I went to an Indian restaurant. And with the current state of affairs, it’d be better to make it yourself at home, anyway. So this recipe comes in handy.” — Angie
“[This is] a great twist on comfort food, something we all need right now.” — Liz
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Now, let’s party! Join Fiesta Friday #321 by adding your link(s). Don’t forget to link your post to FiestaFriday.net and/or the cohost(s), so you can be featured.
Your cohosts this week are Mollie @ Frugal Hausfrau and Liz @ Spades, Spatulas & Spoons
If you’re new to Fiesta Friday, please read the guidelines.
This is the longest time I’ve stayed at home and not going to malls. I used to hate crowded places but I suddenly miss seeing the crowd. It feels weird to see lesser people these days.
Anyway, happy Fiesta Friday, Angie. You are really lucky to have a garden – perfect to spend time during these days. Stay safe and see you around!
It’s definitely a shock to the system to all of a sudden get cut off from the outside world. I think many of us will end up with some kind of psychological scar. While I continue to be optimistic about the future, I also feel a certain degree of dread. I just hope everyone is doing their part so we can beat this nasty virus. It’s good to “talk” to you, Jhuls ?
Your garden looks like spring has sprung, gorgeous. I miss walking around friend’s gardens right now. I am spending a lot of time in my own garden.
Thank you for featuring me Angie. Online has become a lifeline, keeping in touch with friends and family. But I miss the social interaction, I miss eating out at restaurants (something I now realize we did quite often). But I also feel very fortunate that I like to cook and have this platform for creativity and communication.
I definitely miss talking to or going out to lunch with friends; we text each other now but that’s not the same. Thank goodness there’s the garden, right?! It’s looking pretty out there, but there’s also a lot of work to be done. Lots of weeding and cleaning. Not that I’m complaining ?
And thank you for featuring me Angie, the soup has become a staple with endless pantry variations. Sometimes it’s Mexican soup and sometimes Indian.
Same here, love that soup! It’s so versatile.
Your garden blooms look wonderful! I bet you’re glad to have such a beautiful garden to go to when everything is closed. Thanks for hosting! I brought by some Coconut Walnut Bars. Hope you enjoy. 🙂
Thanks, CJ. I’m definitely thankful I keep a garden. It’s nice to be able to watch things grow. Those Coconut Walnut Bars sound scrumptious!
Thanks so much for hosting! I’m linking up today with WEED APPRECIATION DAY and WHAT WAS IT? (ANIMAL PROMPT 75 WORDS).
Thanks, Dee!
Thank you so much for featuring my Lemon Sponge Cake with Edible Flowers. It cheered me up to make it in this really difficult time and hopefully it will cheer up others too! At least spring is happening as normal – I love the pictures that you took in your backyard.
That cake definitely cheered me up, thanks for sharing!
I love popping in here for the party especially now that we’re all home bound. I always find such inspiring ideas and recipes. I brought French Onion Pepper Bacon Soup, Apple Pumpkin Brûlée Tart and Pickle Brined Fried Chicken this week. Thank you for hosting. I hope you are staying well and have a FANTASTIC week.
Thanks for sharing your fabulous recipes!
Angie- these time are difficult and unpredictable. I have graduates and college kids I the house – insanity prevails and everyone of us tries to teleschool or telework. I have to say spring has brought excitement to the otherwise doom and gloom. We are planting seeds and preparing beds. I even got my teenager to help me pair spinach seeds 🙂
I was hoping my kids would take interest in the garden, but noo…they can easily occupy the whole days texting/talking or skyping with friends. Parents are secondary to these kids! Though they’re starting to help in the kitchen a little, just my daughter with the cooking and baking and my son can rinse dirty plates, lol.
Great party! Thanks for hosting – stay safe and well.
Thanks for sharing your recipes!
Hey Angie, check your email asap!!
Mollie
Got it!