Welcome to my little shelter in place. So, I bet you are having your ups and downs…aren’t we all? It’s one of the things we all have in common. The streets of San Francisco have been quiet in spite of the beautiful weather… but that is a good thing, for now, right?
Let me share some other good things right now.
1. 20 Minute Everyday Vinyasa Yoga Flow Class
My daughter sent this to me. I’m so glad. It’s a great stretch! I’m going to do it every day in addition to walking the hills with Chief.
2. Giant Crispy Chewy Peanutbutter Chocolate Chip Cookie (Cheater’s Method)
I told Howard that I wanted to make cookies (I saw this pan banging method on the internet). I meant “make them from scratch” but he misunderstood me and brought home Toll House Peanutbutter Chocolate Cookie Dough. And let me tell you…they are delicious with my improvised method below. And you can just make a couple at a time if you want.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take four of the little scored squares and roll them into a ball (do this two times for two large cookies)
- Pat the balls down on parchment paper and sprinkle with a little sea salt
- Bake as directed. As the dough rises, take the pan out and bang it on the stovetop to flatten. Put back in the oven to cook a bit more and then take the pan out to bang it on the stovetop one or two more times until the cookies are flat and browned. Cool on a rack.
3. Clothing Staples On Sale
If you are like me with all this financial uncertainty, you might not feel like shopping much. But my favorite comfortable Natori bra is on the Nordstrom Sale now 40% off in this color. And these days hanging out at home, comfort is important. So if I’m not in workout clothes, I’ve been wearing a loose open front cardigan (like this one also on the Nordstrom sale for $29), layered over a thicker $14 cotton Gap T-shirt (comes in regular, tall and petite–easy to wash and no ironing), and these Banana Republic jeans (50% off).
Affiliate links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting CCH.
4. Libby App To Get Free E-Books From The Library
I’ve mentioned this Libby app before as I have downloaded free books from the library. All you need is a library card to sign up. Recently, I got an audiobook from it for the first time and I’m loving listening as I do dishes or take Chief for a walk. Right now, I’m listening to “The Library of Lost And Found” by Phaedra Patrick.
I like Pinecone and Acorn’s book recommendations on her Friday Favorite posts. I have a Pinterest Board “Books To Read” where I can keep track of things. I just finished “Educated.” It was interesting and a true story…but difficult to handle how horribly the author’s parents treated her. Have any recommendations for me?
5. Virtual Orchestra
Thank you, Mark, for sending this…
On Thursday, we have a Project Design: Uplifting Spring Tables. Even though we aren’t having large gatherings for a while, I’m going to show you what we did for my mom’s 95th birthday in February. Pretty, simple and low-cost inspiration for when we can do things like this again!
Stay well and God bless you.
Mary Ann
I just finished and loved Dutch House and think you will too.
Thanks…I will check it out!
One of the huge positives of this safe and home deal is the wonderful suggestions and leads the talented have provided. Thank you. I hope you are tolerating the isolation. We’ve done Zoom cocktail parties with friends. and window visits with grandkids.
xo,
Karen
We are doing well…and getting into a routine where Howard and I don’t step on each others toes 🙂
Okay ordered my gap tees via your link! I am afraid to do yoga due to my two bionic hips. I need to find out if I can. I know it was a big no no at first. You know I won’t be baking any cookies but lots of soup making going on here. Love that concert posted it on my stories a while back. So uplifting!
Thanks for the cheer up Mary Ann. I love your design aesthetic! Being home more, I am plotting my next room makeover and you are always a great source of inspiration. I have been toying with the idea of hiring you (I live in the South Bay) to deal with a very problematic living room design–fireplace not centered which drives me nuts! Anyway, need to wait out this quarantine before I pull the trigger on that kind of project.
I also love audio books and use our local public library for free audio books otherwise I would spend a fortune on Audible! In addition to Libby, our public library in Santa Clara County has RBdigital selections too. You may find SF County Libraries have the same. RBdigital also has iPhone app. Luckily our library have masses of audio books to choose from between the two platforms. Audio books are great for doing boring chores like laundry, dishes or commuting (what’s that?;)) or walking the dog:) Sometimes I give the dog a longer walk because my book is so good…
Stay safe in the City!
So much good information, Cindy. Thanks so much!!
A perfect yoga workout–thanks just what I needed.
It’s a good stretch…I going to look for something a bit harder (core workout), too.
That first photograph made me want to be right there, right now! I loved all your suggestions and I especially liked the yoga class video for stretching, boy do I need that. I love audio books for when I walk and am anxious to try Libby. An audio book I really enjoyed is The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates, another plus is that the narrators voice is amazing. Also loved the virtual orchestra. Thank you for doing your blog for all the years you’ve been doing it, it’s still my #1 favorite.
Thanls Gail, for the book suggestion! You are always so sweet!
Hi Mary Ann,
We sold our house in VA. You helped me with selections for mirrors and lights over the master bathroom vanity. We move to SC the end of April. I will be contacting you in May to help with some selections for lots of things. I can do as pretty good job decorating, but I am sure that with your input we could take it up a notch. My book recommendations are two very old old classics, The Woman in White and Mutiny on the Bounty. We will be talking soon! Debbie Bruna
Yes, I know you Debbie. Thanks for the book recommendations.
Hi Mary Ann,
Thank you! I look forward to your posts! And I love your spirit lifting tips during this surreal time.
Hey, I live across the Bay from you in Tiburon. May I ask where you get your hair done in SF? Love your color!
Best, Ellie
Thanks, Ellie. Inna at d’Arti salon on Greenwich St. I’m going to REALLY need her in another month!!
I AM WEARING A NATORI BRA RIGHT NOW!
MY FAVORITE BY FAR!
DIDNOT SEE IT ON THE SALE!
THE BANG A COOKIE OR TWO CRACKS ME UP!!!!!!!!!!
WHY IS IT BETTER FLAT THEN A LITTLE PUFFY?MORE CHEWY?
The one I like is on sale in white. Yep…the bang method makes it more chewy and less cake like.
The Virtual Concert was great! I wish the whole world could see it. Thank you for that Mary Ann.
I have enjoyed all your posts and love that you mix it up.
Have you read The Dutch House? My book club’s next selection is The Giver of Stars by Jo Jo Moyes.
Stay safe and healthy!
Thanks so much for the book recommendation. I downloaded The Dutch House.
Lovely post Mary Ann,
We are all doing what we can.
Here in Italy, our lockdown is much stricter than In the United States. Sport, walking for exercise, running, cycling, walking your dog more than 50 meters from your front door, are all forbidden. We also cannot travel from town to town. We must stay within the township we are registered with.
Just meaning we must be more creative. I must say, we live very isolated, in the hills of Umbria, so we have a great deal of freedom of movement, without seeing anyone. Lots to do outside at this time of year, preparing our vegetable garden, and planting seeds. I also do my daily Barre3 practice, which I have done for years. We talk via facetime, whatsapp with friends, and email family. We are so
fortunate to have internet, and uplifting blogs, like your’s.
Thank you for the concert- that brought tears to my eyes. So much talent with this generation!
Sending well wishes.
Wow Robin, only 50 meters from your front door. That would be hard for sure.
We were supposed to go to Cortona in June with our group. 🙁
How do you do your daily Barre practice? Video obviously, right?
We’ve been facetiming too…you are right, thank Good for the internet!
We live in the Umbrian hills on the Umbrian/ Tuscan border. Cortona is just over the pass from us. Cortona has spectacular views of Lago di Trasimeno, which is in Umbria.
I stream Barre3 on Youtube, Vimeo, and on the Barre3 website, they have free workouts, if one scrolls thru their Barre3 Magazine. Alternatively, one can subscribe monthly. I am going to try your yoga video.
I wish I could download books, but one needs a library card.
Thanks so much for the uplifting post.
We have been to Cortona a couple of times, and Todi. Thanks for the info about the Barre class.
I’m a bookworm. If you haven’t read Where The Crawdads Sing, get it now! Best book I’ve read in years. Other good ones: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, The Cactus by Sarah Haywood,
I loved Where the Crawdads Sind and Eleanor Oliphant so I will definitely try The Cactus. Thanks, Cathy!!
I love your style Mary Ann and clicked on all your great shopping suggestions. Thanks for the other great advice and entertainment. Hope you are well and that you and your husband are weathering this storm. I guess you will both have your feet on the ground for awhile. I’m sure I share your frustration in not being able to travel.
Yes, Celia…so sad to be canceling trips but then you feel like a jerk when there is more tragic things happening. You are right…it’s a storm that we will get through!