It goes without saying that this has been a weird week. For a few days now, I’ve had an uneasiness in my belly, a weird sort of fog looming just above head-level. These days have felt a little like we’re preparing for some kind of natural disaster, and although I’ve tried to resist it, I’ve found myself backing into a corner of fear on more than one occasion. Wherever you’re reading this from, I want you to know that I am fervently praying for you, your family, and the outcomes in our world. Hope is not lost, and while this is incredibly painful for some and hugely inconvenient for others, we will walk out of this. My hope is that we emerge united, having loved one another bigger and lived generously and without fear along the way. Let’s make room in our hearts, schedules, and wallets for the needs we see around us in the coming days and seize the opportunity to take care of the ones who need it.

I’ve heard a lot of people use the term “social distancing” the past few days, and while I have an understanding of what that is, I really need to know how to exercise that on a practical level. I’m not the kind of person that is content to sit and watching TV for 14 hours per day, and I plan on making the most of the time that I have in the coming weeks. So without further ado, here’s a list of 10 ways to make the most of social distancing and a few links to some of my favorite resources. Please take the chance to try one or two of these and let me know what you think!

1. Spring Clean. Okay, this feels self-explanatory, but if we’re going to be cooped up indoors, why not knock out some of those tasks we like to avoid? Need to organize your pantry? Wash your baseboards? Sweep under your beds? Dust your bookshelves? Yep, me too. I started tackling my spring cleaning today and it was good for morale. I feel like Superwoman and it’s not even noon yet.
2. Make a Photo Album. If you follow me on social media you know I am a crazy person with family albums. Each year, I make a family “yearbook” with all of our photos from the past 365 days. It’s a big project to bite off but it’s also worth every second. We have 7 beautiful books full of memories, and I know we’ll be extra-grateful for those pages in the years to come. Why not get started on some albums of your own? Maybe make one from your annual family vacation or that summer you spent in Europe? A wedding album? Baby book? Let the creative juices flow! We use Blurb to print our books, but I’ve also enjoyed some albums from Artifact Uprising. Email me if you have questions, because I’d love to be helpful!
3. Start a New Craft. So this one may require you to safely pop into the craft store, but WORTH IT. Maybe pick up some paints and a brush. A spool of yarn and knitting needles. I bought the cutest crochet kit from this online retailer and am LOVING it. It was delivered quickly and soon I’ll have a cute little clutch to show for my efforts. I’d also highly recommend checking out Bluprint for a list of online classes! They currently are sharing unlimited access to family-friendly projects which could be a great thing, especially if you have kids!
4. Make some Goodwill Piles. Again, self-explanatory. If there was ever a time to Marie Kondo your home, it is now. Sort through those clothes and make some piles to share and throw out. You will feel 100 pounds light, I promise.
5. Write Letters. I love a handwritten card. To me, the intentionality of writing a letter and popping it in the mail feels so thoughtfiul and special. I bought these sweet “Letters to My Daughter” and “Letters to My Son” books that serve as paper time capsules for your children. With a little extra time at home, why not seal up a letter for your kids to open in 5, 10 or 15 years? Maybe send a letter to your Nana or your best friend across the country. Take time to be intentional while you have it.
6. Stock You Freezer. With grocery store uncertainty on the horizon, why not go ahead and prepare some meals for the coming weeks? My friends over at The Modern Proper made a round up of grocery lists and freezer meal must-haves for the coming days, and I definitely think it’s worth taking a peek. Maybe a make a meal for your neighbor? Your pastor? The old lady down the street? Throw something yummy in the freezer while you have the time.
7. Distractibaking. Yes it’s a word and yes I totally made it up. Distractibaking means putting down your phone, turning off your news, and distracting yourself with a baking project. This isn’t us putting our heads in the sand; this is us doing something productive that feels good. I recommend starting with a loaf of bread. With little more than flour, you’ll be well on you way to delicious homemade bread. A personal favorite over here is my honey oat bread, but feel free to check out the other options here.
8. Get in a Workout. Youtube should be your BFF right now. With social distancing keeping us from our IRL friends, why not make a few URL friends with the workout hotties on Youtube? I have done several workouts in my living room with MadFit (great for HIIT and stretching) and PopSugarFitness (great for barre and dance workouts!). Maybe instead of slothing in front of the TV we can tone it in front of Youtube? I dunno, just an idea.
9. Get Fresh Air. Plan a picnic. Take a walk. Sunbathe. If you’re anywhere in the South where we’re currently having GLORIOUS weather, get outside and enjoy it! My kids and I have spent a few hours on a quilt in our backyard for the past few days, and I’m honestly so grateful to be quarantined into such a circumstance. Coincidentally, I read somewhere that fresh air, warm temps, and daylight was related to decreased incidence of the flu, so maybe the same applies for COVID-19? Who know, but definitely worth the try.
10. Mini Buttermilk Biscuits. Did you know that you can eat biscuits all day? I’m talking breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Biscuits with jam for breakfast, biscuits with ham or chicken salad for lunch, mini buttermilk biscuits with chicken gravy or as a bread option at supper. Biscuits are the bomb.com and with a little flour, butter, and salt you can have perfect homemade ones, like, now. Here’s how:

We start by combining the dry ingredients. Flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar come together in a large bowl. Using a pastry cutter or the backs of two forks, we cut in ice cold butter until it has been integrated into the dry ingredients in a pea-sized consistency. Pour in some buttermilk and toss the wet and dry together until a shaggy dough comes together. Dump the mixture out on onto the counter and quickly pat it together into a consistently-textured rectangle. Fold the dough in thirds, like you’re folding a letter, and then pat it out into a rectangle again. Rotate the rectangle 90 degrees and repeat the folding again. We do this whole process once more and then use a sharp cutter to trim out mini buttermilk biscuits.

Once baked, these mini buttermilk biscuits will keep in the freezer and reheat like a dream. I’ve added a bit of garlic powder and Italian seasoning for garlic herb biscuits, but I honestly prefer the regular old butter ones. Make sure you choose quality butter for these little guys because the taste really will shine.

Give these mini buttermilk biscuits a try and let me know what you think! My heart goes out to all of you, and I hope you won’t hesitate to reach out if I can do anything to make the coming days a little easier for you all. Lucky for us, social distancing doesn’t include online friends, eh? Happy Monday to you all.

If you like these mini buttermilk biscuits you should try:

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Biscuits
Maple Oatmeal Biscuits
Honey Nut Biscuits
Buttermilk Biscuits with Pepper Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwiches

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