Toasties and Tennis: My Lockdown Favourites

As we all find ourselves adapting to this new way of life, appreciating the smaller things in life has become less of a cliché and more of a way to keep ourselves sane. There is no right way for any of us to get through the period in our lives apart from being kind to ourselves and others; being sensible and following guidelines and finally trying to remember that this will all pass and we will return to normality at some point – what that normality will be is a whole another topic!

Take mealtimes for example. I don’t know about you but, they have become the highlights of my day. I’ve become experimental with my lunches and excited about the prospect of dinner marking the completion of another day. When I say experimental with my lunches, I mean a toastie. Now, to some a toastie may not seem that mind-blowing but, to me, finding new fillings and techniques to really create the best toastie, has become something of a mission. My favourite has to be a classic – cheese (also a rediscovered favourite of mine), tomato and basil on brown bread cooked just as the cheese begins to bubble out of the sides, causing a mess on our George Foreman grill, not to my Mum’s best interest. Another is cheese, chives and pineapple. I know what you’re thinking - pineapples are barely allowed on a pizza let alone in a toastie. Let me tell you though, it is pretty marvellous!

Dinners or teas (whatever you like to call them) have also become an exciting time in our house, well for me anyway. I have been put in charge of meal planning and the control and organisation have gone to my head a bit - I’m straight on it when Mum arrives back with our weekly food shop. I cooked my very first Chinese for us all last week and it wasn’t too bad if I say so myself. I mean it was just chicken, veg and noodles with a sauce thrown over it at the last minute but it was very tasty. Fajitas, fish pie and lasagne have also all become favourites in our house and I have really enjoyed cooking more and see it now as a part of the day I look forward to rather than one I would occasionally agree to.

My first attempt at cooking a Chinese dish - not too bad I'd say!

Away from food, although I could talk about that all day, something else I have been enjoying is my daily outdoor exercise. Let’s just say my dog is pretty knackered! He’s been having longer walks than normal with me, on top of with my Dad in the mornings. It’s always been my job to take him out in the evenings so come 5 o’clock we’re up and out. The lighter evenings and glorious sunshine have meant we’ve been going on longer routes, following Government guidelines of course. I have really enjoyed them but I’m not entirely sure if Pepper, my eleven-year-old labradoodle, would agree.

Speaking of the great outdoors, I, like many others across the country I’m sure, am so grateful to have a garden. And the best thing about our garden – we can get Swingball out! If you’re not familiar with the game of Swingball, it basically involves a ball attached to a piece of string that is then attached to a pole – sounds thrilling I know! My Dad and I have been having almost daily matches of simply hitting the ball back and forth to each other. However, the aggression and the determination is very serious considering it is really a kid’s game that has lived in the shed for the best part of 10 years.

I think we are all slowly, but surely, settling into our home routines. Whether it involves home-schooling or working from home or absolutely nothing at all. I also

believe, that in a time like this where we find worry undoubtedly seeping into our lives, finding, and more importantly appreciating, the little things in our lives and what surrounds us is possibly more important than it ever has been before.

What are the little things in your life you’re appreciating? Let us know in the comments below and on social media using our hashtag #littlesmileoftoday.