The February Highlights

We’re officially out of winter and that is a really nice feeling. Warmer weather, brighter days, lower Covid rates; we’re moving on up. Here’s the good stuff from the last few weeks: 

Happy birthday to me – here’s to the last year of my twenties. May it involve leaving the house. Photo diary of my lockdown birthday here. 

Wine tasting – some of the girls organised us a virtual wine-tasting, pasta-making night and it was so much fun. I did not know how much I needed to get drunk and silly; it was a joy. The hangover less so. 

Booking a holiday – I know, wild. We have cautiously booked a UK-based week away in the summer (with a good cancellation policy) and then promptly tried to ignore it so we don’t suffer the disappointment of 2020. Fingers crossed we might get away this year! 

The roadmap outta this hellhole – Again, approaching with cautious optimism but Boris announcing the plan for the next few months definitely made me feel just a touch lighter. Sure June is a way off and sure, what are the chances of it all going to plan… BUT, the idea that we may be back out in the world at least in the second half of the year is something. I definitely suit having something to work towards rather than floating around in this never-ending expanse of time, and so I’m clinging onto it. 

Watching/Reading/Listening

We’ve had quite a gentle month TV wise. Currently working our way through Only Fools & Horses from start to finish which, despite watching several random episodes over the years, I’ve never actually done. Plus, actually really loving Sandi Toksvig’s Extraordinary Escapes – it’s the kind of soothing, background TV I’m here for in these strange times. In less gentle but bloody marvellous TV, we are now officially counting down to the return of Line of Duty.

A belly full of food

New recipes included these mini egg cookies and these spring onion & parmesan scones, but our main highlight was making bao buns and gyoza at home for the first time. So good! And then there was the food received in the post – Biscuiteers biscuits and Crème cookies sent from friends, our first pasta evangelists box, Franco Manca pizza and the Dishoom bacon naan at-home kit… we really took advantage of celebrating by the mode of eating this month. 

Show and tell

I jumped on the apple watch train lads… please tell me it’s not just me who is now addicted to closing those rings? My life is being dictated by this device on my wrist.  

Tiny, happy moments

Bright sunlight streaming through the window. 

Dipping homemade gyoza in soy sauce. 

Funny birthday cards. 

Successfully flipping pancakes. 

A free aperol spritz cocktail. 

Putting a date in the diary with friends. 

The first hints of cherry blossom beginning to show.