a peek inside the fishbowl

“We can’t hold on to damaged things forever. But we can renew their purpose.”

>> rebuilt: on searching for answers to the only question that matters

FYI, we had a very nice Quarantine’s Day Valentine’s Day here at Casa Fishbowl.

In many ways, it wasn’t that different from a typical Valentine’s. Mark and I don’t generally go to a restaurant on Valentine’s, we are much more likely to order from our favourite sushi place or make a special dinner at home.

This year, is not a typical year. I walked down to Mamie Clafoutis first thing in the morning to avoid, er, people. Everything was covered in a fresh layer of snow and the walk was silent but for the sound of my breathing and my boots in the snow. This, in itself, was a gift. I think I was the first one in the shop. (Note! Their COVID-related precautions were very good.)

I bought three croissants for breakfast, a baguette for lunch, and a heart-shaped baguette for our dinner.

I wasn’t planning on buying dessert but the sight of a chocolate caramel hazelnut tart in the display case was too tempting to refuse.

After coffee and croissants, Mark and I went for a walk down by the river. It was a sunny and beautiful winter day. I feel like we are walking way more than usual this year. (Is there anything else to do??)

After our return I assembled a charcuterie board and we had a long lunch. (SO.MUCH.CHEESE.)

For the rest of the afternoon I read my book in a puddle of sunshine, stretched out lazily like a cat. It was bliss.

Mark cooked up one of his specialties for dinner: mussels in a creamy leek sauce. And of course, we had the baguette to go with it. We drank wine, walked the dog, and demolished the tart. I gave him Valentine’s themed socks (from the Village Quire in Westboro!) and he gave me a card with a thoughtful note. It was a day to remember, for sure.

Sometimes I really embrace my routines and other days I think they are THE WORST. I drag my weary body out of bed thinking: THIS? AGAIN? WHY?

I feel like I haven’t left the house in ages but when I think about it I know I actually have left the house, but it’s only been to walk the dog or pick up groceries via “Click ‘n Collect.”

My mantra: We are safe at home, not stuck at home. Safe at home, not stuck at home.

I am happy to say that I am still making my bed every day and reading lots of books. I don’t want to oversell it, but the making the bed thing is kind of life altering in terms of how happy it makes me. Did I mention I am just finishing a Dry January? Yes. Yes. I am.

I mentioned awhile back that we bought a new duvet. It was an excellent purchase and I congratulate myself every night I slide underneath it. Our other exciting “big but-not-so-big” purchase recently was a humidifier for our bedroom. (God, I’m old.)

I just felt so… dry. Dry lips, dry skin, dry eyes, dry nose. Mark also bought some tiny humidity and temperature monitors. They’re just over an inch long and came in a pack of five so our latest home entertainment has been all about measuring humidity in different parts of the house. Occasionally I’ll shout something like: “It was 41% when we woke up but it’s 37% now,” or “Did you know it’s 57% in the bathroom?” Mark was having a shower and while he was in there I stuck one on the shelf in the shower, JUST BECAUSE.

In conclusion: I am now measuring the weather INSIDE OUR HOME. Sigh.