Slowing Down

For me March was always the kick off to camping season. Finding a cabin early in the season then in April heading to our family campsite on the Olympic Peninsula for opening day of fishing; May and June to Eastern Washington before it gets too hot and that itch to go and explore is still there. To combat that sense of go, go, go I walk since it’s now my only form of escape. What I noticed this time around, since I have the time and don’t feel a need to rush, I actually pay more attention to my surroundings.

I found a pocket park near my house. A tribute to fallen motorcyclists with trees and placards honoring those who had passed. Walking through slowly I read all the names and couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen it before. Maybe because it was next to a busy street and so more of a place we pass then visit, but not that day.

“Fizzy vegetables” – Fermenting foods for fun and science

As a parent of small children who are homebound during the pandemic, I am giddily excited about any project that checks multiple boxes on my to-do list—especially those related to food, education, entertainment, and household chores. My most recent effort has been home vegetable fermentation, and it’s been surprisingly fun. We’ve tried cabbage, carrots, and cauliflower so far. Our three year old calls these “fizzy vegetables,” and he eats them.

Animal Crossing in Real Life

So, I hear you spent a lot of time at home during the quarantine. Same here – I was getting out, though, here and there. Chatting with neighbors, planting flowers, even travelling via plane – all from the comfort of my own home!

Like the vast majority of Nintendo Switch owners, I’ve been playing Animal Crossing New Horizons since it released back on March 20^th. While I can say without a doubt that no one is enjoying living through a pandemic, finding little social loopholes like Animal Crossing has made it a little more bearable. For those who aren’t familiar, Animal Crossing is a franchise started by Nintendo in 2001. Since then, the franchise has had 4 additional main titles, 3 spin offs, and even an animated movie. Much like The Sims, Animal Crossing is considered to be a “social simulation” game. However, unlike The Sims, you and the friends you may be playing with in the game are the only humans. All the non player characters are anthropomorphic animals.

Animal Crossing. Photo courtesy of Jaz W.

Dinner in a Movie: Dining In with SPL Streaming Services

When our video streaming queue, filled with murder mysteries and whodunnit crime documentaries, no longer looked as inviting, or the pile of books we had brought home stayed unread, or the housework we said was going to get done remains as unfinished as ever, it seems many of us are resorting to the kitchen to find our creative sides. Who knew the pantry and the fridge would yield the entertainment we now crave since being stuck at home?

Everyone is showing off their baking projects and homemade dinners paired with their chosen libation. Not everything turns out tasting perfectly, of course…not at first, anyway. But we’ve got instructional and inspirational videos that might help. (Think: YouTube without the mean comments)

Vegetarian Cooking with Flipster and eCookbooks

Whether you are busier than ever or have found yourself with more time than you ever thought possible, you still need to eat! If you are interested in adding more vegetables to your diet, want to try meatless Mondays, or are just tired of your same old standards, the library has many great digital vegetarian and vegan cooking resources. With your library card, you can access not only electronic cookbooks but excellent cooking magazines using Flipster. Flipster, which is also available as an app, allows you to browse and download full-color, interactive versions of your favorite magazines. There’s no waiting and no limit to the number of downloaded magazines you can have.

Here are a few publications to get you started: