We have spent as much time as possible outdoors when the weather is nice.

I haven't been home for this many consecutive nights in over 10 years.  I have finally settled into my new normal, filled with Zoom meetings, baking bread every single week, and lots of games of UNO on the weekend.  Life isn't all bad.  I'm trying to make the most of this time.  And while not every day is wonderful, I'm trying to accept life's challenges as opposed to fighting it.  Its a much better coping skill.

Links and Loves - The Quarantine Edition

These trekking poles from Hiker Hunger are amazing on the trail.  They support you as your walk but they also give you a better work out.

I've struggled most with being stuck at home and the gym being closed.  This has not kept me from being active.  Getting plenty of fresh air and sunshine has really helped me stay sane.  We have gone on family hikes and walks regularly during this time.  I enjoy keeping up with how far I've gone and set some fitness goals along the way.  The Map My Run App is how I keep up with my distance, pace, and calories burned.  When we hike, I've used these trekking poles from Hiker Hunger.  It's a great way to maximize your trail time for a better work out.  

At home, we have been outside as much as possible.  Entertaining a 7-year-old isn't always easy, but he thrives outdoors.  We all have individual activities that we enjoy in nature.  For him, catching a frog is high on that list.  If you have a critter wrangler at your house, these little habitat boxes are fun.  Just remember to let your captive loose!  And for me, I'm fearful that it might be inside of my house!

UNO has become a competitive game around here lately!

When we aren't watching the Frog King in action, we have taught him to play a good game of UNO.  We have the Wilderness Edition deck in our camper.  And while I love the novelty of that deck, the price has jumped to $24 for a set!  If UNO isn't your jam, check out some other card game options.  Quiddler is another favorite, but it is still a little too difficult for our son.  These games have been increasingly competitive, and my mom loves to win more than I remembered!

The Thermacell Mosquito Repeller works great to keep mosquitos away as we spend time outdoors in the evening!

All of this extra time outdoors has also put our Little Red Campfire into heavy rotation.  It's a cozy way to enjoy a pretty night under the stars.  We have watched some live streaming shows from local musicians outdoors with our campfire more than once.  And if you live where mosquitos are out in full force, the Thermacell Mosquito Repeller will keep you from being eaten alive.

Our outdoor table set up is a favorite for meals, card games and just enjoying the fresh air.

We have enjoyed outdoor meals and games around our Rio Brands Expandable Table and our favorite camping chairs.  We have relished the ability to driveway camp.  It feels like a luxurious treat at times to just get out of our sticks and bricks home!  Having the gear to just set up in our "hometown campground" is a nice break.

My bread making skills have really improved over the past month.  The no-knead bread recipe is delicious, hearty, and easy!

I've loved the extra time to cook.  Bread has been in short supply at local stores, so I have been making our own.  The No-Knead Bread recipe from the Campground Gourmet is a family favorite.  And, it's super easy to make.  Each week, I tweak this recipe a bit with different flours and rising times to come up with the perfect loaf.

Native Natural Deodorant in Coconut Vanilla is effective, but I found out quickly that I needed the sensitive skin formula.

I've used this time to detox from traditional deodorants and started using natural deodorants.  I know this sounds crazy.  But, it is a process to get your body adjusted to something cleaner.  Native brand has been my favorite, but be aware that baking soda can irritate your armpits.  This brand worked the best, and I still like it the most of all of the brands that I tried.  But, I had to switch to a sensitive skin formula they offer.

My make up eraser cloth and Egyptian Magic cream are two staples in my skin care routine.

Even though I'm working from home, I still put on make up during the week for all of those virtual meetings.  This Makeup Eraser cloth works like magic at the end of the day.  I love that it can be washed and reused over and over.  I finish up with Egyptian Magic.  You can use this creamy blend on your face, eyes, and lips.  But, it can be used for everything from a moisturizer to cuts and scrapes, diaper rash, and more.  It will feel oily as it goes onto your skin, but your skin will drink it up and make your skin so soft.  I have oily skin that is prone to breakouts, and it does not irritate my skin at all.

I also lost my brush a couple of weeks ago.  First, the handle broke off and I had just the bristle head, and then that disappeared.  I don't even know how that's possible.  But, I replaced it with a new brush that I'm in love with.  It has a nice wide and vented paddle that allows you to blow dry your hair quickly.  But, the bristles feel great on my head.  It may be the best brush I have ever owned.  

If you are having trouble sleeping, a weighted sleep mask and some melatonin can really help you to rest better.

I have struggled more with sleep over the past few weeks than I have in a long time.  And a lack of sleep isn't good for anybody.  Taking melatonin has helped some, but I have combined this with a weighted sleep mask.  My Fab Fit Fun box this spring had this one from Gravity, and I love it.  You may have heard of or used a weighted blanket.  This sleep mask helps me to fall asleep faster and calms the mind.  It's hard to describe, but the calming effect is almost immediate and has become part of my nightly routine.  It's almost addicting.

How have you been spending your quarantine time?  I've leaned into it and found a routine and pace that works for our family.  Since we don't have much choice, this seems like the best plan.

Until next time...

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