Happy Easter!!
And welcome to another week in lockdown here in the UK. I’ve had a really tumultuous week, and it’s only been in the last couple of days that I’ve started to feel more like myself. The thing I’m learning during being homebound is that we were not made to be static, to be in one place; we were made to be moving forward, around, places. I’m definitely missing the freedom to visit my favourite coffee house or pop to my favourite local bookshop, that’s for sure. I’ve struggled with not seeing Harvey, my boyfriend, this week as well. We live in the same town but it’s been a month now since I last saw him in person, and it’s started to get to me.
Thankfully the gorgeous springtime weather in England is brightening my mood. Whilst I worked my part-time job (from home) from Monday to Wednesday, I did manage to work for my remaining clients from the garden on Thursday. It. Was. Glorious. I thought to myself the other day that it was strange to have gone into lockdown in jumper weather when, by the time we leave, it’ll be peak spring, maybe even early summer! This afternoon, I’m planning to switch out my wardrobe as my spring/summer clothes are folded away into a suitcase.
#ClapForCarers
On Thursday, our family and neighbours all stepped out onto our doorsteps to clap for the carers and key workers who’re continuing to maintain our country. It was heart-warming as ever, and it felt really poignant especially as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the globe. I’ve gone through the whole gamut of emotions this week: guilt, sadness, appreciation, and the #ClapForCarers minute really helped me to connect to the human element of this pandemic. It’s been all too easy to feel entirely removed from society whilst social distancing indoors.
I managed to head for two walks this week. Although we’re ‘allowed’ a walk per day, I must admit I haven’t been taking them because I feel SO anxious every time I do so. Not only because of course I don’t want to catch or potentially spread any germs, but also because I still don’t feel particularly safe in the current climate as a Chinese woman. There are countless memes joking about the day they can ‘safely cough or clear their throat’, whilst countless fellow Chinese people and I have been vilified since January for an innocent sniffle or throat-clearing.
The Chai Vegetable Garden
In much lighter news, we’ve been working on the Chai family vegetable patch this week! We’ve planted tomato seeds, chillis and garlic and they’re each beginning to sprout; I can’t wait until they’re ready to pot on. Our not-new-anymore house has four big vegetable planter boxes at the bottom of the garden (one each), and I’ve been so excited to get to grips with growing. Annoyingly I didn’t manage to buy any seeds before lockdown, but I’m still hoping to be able to plant something else when we’re able to roam free again.
More time on my hands!
I’ve previously written about being lucky enough to still be working during this pandemic. But as of Thursday afternoon when I shipped off final deliverables to another of my wonderful clients, I have far more time on my hands. I’m now dividing my working time between my part-time job and just one retainer client, so I have more time to work on my books (eek, it felt so good yet vulnerable to share that last week!) and on the blog. I’m also finally reading and cooking again!
I have lots of blog ideas up my sleeve, but I also wanted to open the floor up to you guys. What do you want to see on Daisybutter? Anything you absolutely love or have previously adored and want to read more of? Let me know in the comments, or send me a DM on Twitter and Instagram!
Links I’ve Loved
- At Chez Chai, we’re not making sourdough or baking cookies… We’re still making weekly Dalgona coffees and we’re also making spring onion pancakes like nobody’s business. A Taiwanese snack, they’ve been my Mum’s favourite street food for years, and we’re LOVING making these. Here’s an easy spring onion pancake recipe.
- Starting to feel like you might need a new hobby? Career Girl Daily have you covered with 10 easy and budget-friendly hobbies to try.
- I’m really enjoyed Megan Ellaby’s lockdown diaries.
- It wouldn’t be a weekly Links I’ve Loved without a Cupful of Kale recipe… These Onion Bhajis with Coriander Dip sound delicious.
- I currently have 18 books on my ‘to be read’ shelf, as it was my birthday before lockdown, but if you’re stuck for something to read, my girl Sade shared her top picks here.
- Lots of you enjoyed my Working from Home Guide last week; Notes from Diana shared her tips to stay productive when working from home.
- And lastly, this DIY recipe card box with printable templates is adorable! Perfect for noting down everybody’s quarantine recipes!
Posts This Week
How was your week? And, like I said earlier, let me know what you want to read next on Daisybutter; my originally planned spring content went slightly out of the window…
