February has been a quiet month here at the Casual Travelist household. We had no travel this month but with three trips(three!) on the books for March the downtime was certainly welcome. We’re in the midst of redecorating our home office and traded out our monster of a desk and hutch for a new stand up desk, which I highly recommend if you spend a significant amount of time at a computer. It’s also freed up some wall space which is just begging for some new art and I’d love some suggestions from you guys. We’re going with an overall travel theme (shocking, I know) but I’m trying to decide if I want one large piece of art or to do a gallery of mixed images and maps. What to you guys think?
Since Steve and I travel so much we started to get into a rut doing the same things at home. To combat this we started a new rule that one of us will choose a new-to-us activity or place each month. To start this new tradition this month I signed us up for a cooking class at New Earth Farm here in Virginia Beach. Owned by Kevin Jameson who also owns Commune and Prosperity Kitchen (two of my favorite places to eat here in Virginia Beach), New Earth Farm is committed to growing food organically and sustainably with a focus on caring for both the land and the community. This month’s class as all about tacos and taught by Stephanie Deitz from the much anticipated Pink Dinghy. Our group of 20ish (including my good friend George of I Heart Food ) rolled up our sleeves and made tortillas from scratch (both corn and flour) as well as grilled skirt steak, tempura batter fish and a variety of salsas. I don’t know about you, but an evening filled with tacos and good friends is always great way to spend some time in my book.
On one of the rare sunny days we’ve had this winter (the weather has been so gray and rainy), a few friends and I went out for what I consider one of Virginia Beach’s best kept secrets – whale watching! From December to March humpback whales migrates from the coast of Nova Scotia to spend the winter off the coast of Virginia Beach. I try to make it out o a whale watching cruise with the Virginia Aquarium every year (and at $30 for a ticket it’s a steal if you ask me), and while they were a bit quieter this year we did manage to see 4 whales, including a baby.
Things I’m loving
This tandoori spiced coconut chicken is my new favorite Instantpot recipe.
These luxe long sleeved t-shirts are my new favorite wardrobe basic
This post about end of life is poignant and thought provoking.
Andi says
I love y our friend George’s InstaStories, the photography is so well done! Sometimes we need those quiet months to get ready for the next big stuff!
Alyson Long says
I think it’s a great idea to purposefully make time for at least one adventure a month. Since we got home and are no longer full time travellers I feel like we get sucked into domestic chores and just working too hard, too long on the blog. We really do need to get out more! I want to see your new office too! That’s also where we are. I tend to work on the sofa, my husband at the kitchen table, the kids have desks. A standing desk could be an excellent idea but we do get out for a run or walk most doys to stave pff laptop-worker’s-bulge.
Cindy Anning says
When it comes to redecorating your home office – I vote for “a gallery of mixed images and maps”! It’ll be perfect for your travel theme. I really want to go whale watching but I’m terrified of getting sea sick. I’ll have to see how large the boat is. If I go on a smaller boat and the water is rough, the bobbing up and down thing leads a bad situation, so to speak. Looks like you had a beaaauuutiful blue-sky-day for your own whale adventure. Nice! 🙂
Kathy@DavesTravelCorner says
Enrolling in a cooking class is something I finally did last summer. I’ve always struggled in the kitchen! Thanks for sharing Brianna.