May Recap// Lockdown Month 2 – Painting, Baking and Tasty Treats

2020 – just a few short weeks ago we were all saying it’s a year to forget… and man has it been a scary and unbelievable one… but it’s definitely one to remember. 

The year started with the bush fires raging in Australia, followed by Caroline Flack passing and the ‘Be Kind’ movement. Toilet roll hoarding and COVID-19 came next. And finally (so far as of June) we’ve had a rise in recognition across social media on Black Lives Matter following the unjust killing of George Floyd. 2020 has been a sh*t show but we can’t forget it… I don’t even know where to start on getting my thoughts all down but I’ll give it a go.

I think this quote from Leslie Dwight summaries it so well:

‘What if 2020 isn’t cancelled?
What if 2020 is the year we’ve been waiting for?
A year so uncomfortable, so painful, so scary, so raw – 
That it finally forces us to grow.
A year that screams so loud, finally awakening us
From our ignorant slumber.
A year we finally accept the need for change.
Declare change. Work for change. Become the change.
A year we finally band together, instead of
Pushing each other further apart.

2020 isn’t cancelled, but rather
The most important year of them all.’

The past week there has been lots of thought provoking comments on social media on Black Lives Matter and I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what I can do. A good place I’ve found to start was The High Low podcast episode with Candice Brathwaite. I’ve always thought of myself as against racism however this podcast and other scenarios posed have made me realise that there is still so much to do and that starts by educating myself. I’m going to take the time to educate and enlighten myself fully to what is happening unjustly in our world and will share a list of books and resources I’m finding helpful. This is a work in progress for me and our learning needs to continue once social media goes quiet – ‘We who believe in freedom can’t stop until it comes.’ 

May went by in a flash and was another month in lockdown. We’ve definitely settled into a routine which I’m sure others have too by now. It’s nice to not wake up super early and being able to take our time in the morning before cracking on with work. We’ve been told that we won’t be going back to the office until the last wave of people as we can work remotely and I’m glad for that. Hopefully we’ll have the option to work from home a few days a week with some time still in the office – it’ll be nice to have that option but then also still have that team contact time and catching up in the office kitchen making tea (goodness knows what that will look like…)

Apart from usual work and moving between the office, the kitchen table and the garden on sunny afternoons, there hasn’t been much to report! Lots of reports to get out at work but it also shows how as a team we can work remotely and deliver the goods! And I’ve started drinking coffee a couple times a week now… well a cold caramel latte from the shops which has been a nice treat! I still couldn’t drink a black coffee and has to be a milky version but I’m turning into a covert… I mean I still prefer tea but it’s a nice change some mornings.

I’ve mentioned before that I love painting and I’ve been splitting my free time between painting and blogging (as well as cooking and watching TV ofc!) I’ve enjoyed painting some flowery creations and also making a few cards. I’m currently in the process of finishing off an Australia canvas which has been good fun to do! I might need to buy some more and see how they go. I’ve been using gouache and loving it! 

The warmer weather has also meant I’ve gotten myself out of leggings and back into dresses and getting my pasty legs tanned.

I also got these super cute white shoes from Joules in the sale – only paid £14 rather than £35! Love a bargain <3

And of course we’ve been eating lots of tasty food. I don’t know about you but our food bill has definitely gone up but I guess we’re eating more at home and obviously have to have some nice treats to keep us getting through!

My fav meals so far have been: burrito bowls, pork lettuce cups and a 3 course meal from Simpsons as an early birthday present for the hubby.

The pork lettuce cups are such an easy quick lunch idea and every time we have them remind me of the first time Tim cooked for me at Uni – you can’t go wrong with pork in hoisin sauce in lettuce cups. YUM!

The Simpsons meal was delish! Although they forgot to put instructions in our delivery and had to wait over an hr for them to be sent via email – but wow the food was worth the wait! We started with olive bread rolls followed by cured salmon. Lamb shank as a main and pannacotta for puds. It was so good and a super tasty treat. I mean it wasn’t cheap… about £90 altogether but it was Tim’s 30th bday treat 🙂

1 June was a happy day – ofc because of Tim’s bday but also because lockdown was eased! And we got to go and see my dad for his birthday along with my mum and brother. We had a socially distanced picnic and made lots of tasty treats! We woke up super early and started baking. We made a strawberry tart, slutty brownies, kinderella cookies and millionaire flapjacks. And wow were they tasty! I’ll share the recipes soon so you can try and see how tasty they all are!

We also brought a treat box from Beth’s Bakery which had a yummy slutty brownie in it too! She does cookie boxes or a mixed treat box and they definitely are a nice treat to have if you’re looking for a new treat delivery to try atm.

We also had a socially distanced bbq with Tim’s parents which was also lovely – we got to celebrate his 30th with them over some yummy bbq food. It’s been so nice catching up with family after not seeing them for the past 3-4 months!

And that’s been it really! Here’s a few more snaps from the month…

Until next time,
Cathers xx

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10 Comments

  1. June 8, 2020 / 8:35 pm

    Yes, 2020 has been a nightmare! I can’t believe that it is almost halfway over when it feels like it hasn’t really gotten to begin! By the way, I am guessing you live in England so I am curious why you did paintings of California and Florida? Oh, and yes, my food bill has definitely gone up. I make sure I get some treats on every shopping trip!!! 😃

    • Cathers
      Author
      June 8, 2020 / 9:10 pm

      It’s definitely flown by hasn’t it! I love both California and Florida – I painted Florida for my nanny who splits her time between Florida and the UK, and California as a reminder for me from our Cali road trip in 2018 – feels like a lifetime ago now!
      Definitely got to keep the treats on the shopping list to get us through! 🙂

  2. June 8, 2020 / 9:35 pm

    So true! 2020 is one none of us will ever forget. It’s been packed full of powerful lessons that I hope we carry as transformation when we make our way out the other side. I’d like to come out of this whole situation into a better world.
    I’ve been doing a lot of painting myself and I wanted to tell you that your work is beautiful! I especially love your Florida! Well done. Stay well!

    • Cathers
      Author
      June 9, 2020 / 6:18 am

      Totally agree and hope that step by step we’re making a better world.
      Thanks! I love doing a little painting to unwind after a stressful day at work and I think the Florida one has to be one of my favs too! Keep safe!

  3. June 9, 2020 / 2:58 pm

    This year has been so wild. You managed to do so many fun things. I love your paintings <3

    • Cathers
      Author
      June 9, 2020 / 8:20 pm

      It really has been a crazy year! Thanks 🙂

  4. June 9, 2020 / 4:10 pm

    I love your paintings! I really need to get into some chill painting meditations. I’d love to do it just for fun and not worry about making it look perfect.

    Also, those outside chairs are too cute!

    • Cathers
      Author
      June 9, 2020 / 8:23 pm

      Thanks 🙂 I definitely know what you mean – just painting to chill rather than doing something perfect is something I’m trying to get better at.

      I love them too! They’re my in-laws and would love something like them at home – comfy too!

  5. June 10, 2020 / 2:47 pm

    This post and reading about what you got up to was so lovely! It made me feel so positive after reading it. Your paintings are gorgeous and all the food you made looks so delicious. I can’t wait until I can have more normal days with family and loved ones. I haven’t got to that stage yet as my Mum is still shielding so we can’t really go out still but I can’t wait until it’s lifted. Such a great post. I hope June is treating you well so far xx

    Lauren | itslaurenvictoria.co.uk

    • Cathers
      Author
      June 10, 2020 / 6:29 pm

      Thanks! So glad for video calls at times like these – my sister lives in the States so we won’t be seeing them anytime soon but just to think its all for the best – even if it’s super hard! Hope we get back to normal days sooner rather than later! x