It is no secret that I am ready for life to return to some semblance of normalcy, but there are definitely a few things that I want to stay the same even after quarantine. One being an open weekend. Typically, our weekend plans are so filled to the brim with plans and things to do. This makes for fun and full weekends, but these types of weekends often lead to tired and drained out Mondays.
Now, weekends are fully blank slates. Infinite possibilities. Well, not infinite because there is not much to do currently, but it does make way for much more restorative time away from the hustle of the week.
We just had one of those magical weekends. The one where it feels like time is endless. It was the perfect combination of productive and rejuvenating. It was full of family, doughnuts, fresh air, and lots of sunshine; a winning combination in my book.
After this magical weekend, I am convinced that quarantine weekends can in fact be just as good, I will go as far to say, even better. It just requires some intentionality.
Just like I would write down a recipe that resulted in the perfect meal, I want to do the same for this amazing weekend we just lived out. I don’t want to forget it.
In no particular order, here are a few ingredients to what I am calling, the perfect quarantine weekend.
1. Slow Start
Usually with marathon training or a regular weekend, there is something that requires an alarm on a Saturday morning. It has been refreshing to not have an urgent alarm that requires me to get up before 6 am. This slow start sets the tone.
2. Doughnuts
Saturdays and Sundays are NOT for oatmeal and toast. This weekend we picked up Sidecar Doughnuts. I am convinced doughnuts on a Saturday morning are always a good idea. For some reason, this time they tasted even better. They were warm and tasted like summer.
3. Fresh Air
With most trails and beaches closed near us, the options for a nice hike are limited. We took a little drive to Orange County and as we waited for our doughnuts to be ready, we went on a short walk on the Back Bay Trail in Newport. It was nice to be in a setting outside of our normal neighborhood + to take some detours off the main path onto some narrower dirt trails. The view of the bay is beautiful and there are yellow wildflowers everywhere. It felt good to not only get outside, but to get outside somewhere outside of our normal view.
4. Family
Some rules were broken and we did spend time with family this weekend. Definitely not condoning rule breaking, but my heart could only take being apart from extended family for so long. It was live-giving to spend quality time with family that we love.
5. Takeout
We have a rule where we order takeout every Saturday night. It is our small way in helping local food establishments, while also giving us all a much needed break from cooking + dishes. It is such a small thing, but these weekly takeout Saturday evenings have become a thing we look forward to and a much needed break from our regular weekly routine. A few of our takeout favs: Cava, Bamboo Thai, Senor G’s, and Mendocino Farms.
6. Play
Our weekend was full of a lot of bubbles, chalk, legos, coloring, and running around. In the week, I like to set a few intentional/educational activities and projects for H. By the weekend, I need a break and it is all about just free play. It is one of the most rejuvenating things to watch a little kid freely play. It gets me every time. Quite honestly, watching Hudson and his own creativity develop, pushes me to continue to lean into my own creative passions.
7. Water
Water makes everything better. We are really thankful to have a pool. It has been a blessing in this time stuck at home. This has been a source of abundant entertainment and energy release for our active, water-obsessed boy. It also has been a joy to lounge out by the water and watch H splash around with his daddy and Nala, who is also water-obsessed.
8. Creativity
Sunday was a day that just kept on giving. I felt like I got to dabble in every single one of my creative passions. I knitted. I scrapbooked a few memories from last fall. I read a book just for fun.
I feel so much more fulfilled even when I give myself ten minutes away in the bedroom to knit a couple rows. By the way, things are not going well there. There is a giant hole, but I am determined to finish. Like, I wrote about last week, I am choosing to embrace the process over the outcome. Knitted hat with holes is greater than not ever trying.
9. Books
Lots of words were consumed this weekend. Some spent near the pool as I listened to giggles from H, and some spent in my Sunday Bath. Water and words just go together. Last month, I did a couple audiobooks, but this weekend I was reminded that nothing beats having a book in hand.
10. More Sunshine
Vitamin D was in no shortage this weekend. We seemed to be outside soaking up all the sunshine for the majority of the weekend. It made for some burnt and happy faces.
11. Banana Bread
Part of what made this weekend feel so lovely is that Hudson actually took really nice long naps. I am convinced that is thanks to the water + sunshine. In this long nap time, Lance and I had the sweet leisure to make banana bread together. This might seem like a small thing, but it is so contrary to our normal hustle and bustle, that it felt like sweet time together. Lance mashed bananas, and I measured out ingredients.
12. A little Netflix
Emphasis here on a little. I never feel great after hours spent on Netflix mindlessly consuming tv. That is definitely not life-giving for me. This weekend, we had the perfect sprinkling of Netflix. We giggled and rested as we watched our new favorite series. But we did this for only the length of the show, 20-minutes. It was the perfect little break and the right amount of time to then continue on little projects that brought us more joy, like that banana bread I mentioned above.
13. Unplug
The days always feel longer (in a good way) when I am not constantly checking my phone. Sundays are my much needed day away from social media and email. It is a rule and I respect it. It allows for greater presence and greater joy and ultimately allows for long days filled with lovely things, like knitting a few stitches and holding actual photos in my hands.
14. Spontaneous Drives
It feels like most of our days revolve around obligation. The things we have to do. Up until this pandemic, we never made enough margin for spontaneous things that had no purpose or plan. Not to say this has happened frequently, but there have been a couple evenings after dinner that we decided to take a drive. Not to any particular place. Not to see any particular person, but just because we had the time and curiosity to do so.
There it is. 14 ingredients to help craft a perfect weekend even amidst pandemic and quarantine. There might not be many options when it comes to weekend plans, but with some intentionality and creativity, the weekend can have its own rhythm set apart. And it can still be lovely.
This Mama Needs Grace 