Spring Break. Day One. I searched for scheduled fun with the quarantween while mourning the fact we were supposed to be on a plane to Miami at that very second. While reading my Sunday
New York Times,
I spotted what I thought would be a relatively basic
recipe
for a pound cake that even suggested adding orange zest. Perfect! Vitamin C. We were deep into preparations, both of us in aprons, flour dusted everywhere including the floor where the dog was desperately trying to lick it up for lunch. My daughter called for the final ingredient and I reached into the pantry to grab what I assumed would be cornmeal. And then I read the box top. Cornstarch. According to Siri, Alexa and the Internet,
they are not the same thing. No way I was cancelling this mother/daughter baking moment now. I grabbed my keys and the plastic gloves and headed to the grocery store. I held my breath and ran to the baking aisle, desperately searching for something I have never looked for in my life. I was raised by Duncan Hines brownie mix, the only improv by the chef was the addition of chocolate chips.
I left my phone in the car because that's what "they" tell you to do, so I couldn’t look up a picture of what I needed nor did I want to actually talk to someone to ask. Then I forgot exactly what I was supposed to find, my "shelter in place" brain jumbled with images of corn. I grabbed a jar with a familiar looking picture with the words Argo on it and self-checked myself out the door. I was grinning at my dexterous achievement while scrubbing down the plastic and washing my hands when my daughter said, “Ummm Mom? This is cornstarch. We have that. We needed corn
meal.” *#!?*
(If we had a swear jar these past few weeks, we could pay for college by now.) But it said Argo? Right? Wasn't that what I saw online? And then my husband recalled the 2012 Ben Affleck movie I loved so much was Argo. I couldn’t win.
We ended up throwing out everything and baking pumpkin bread from a Trader Joe’s mix that has been in the cupboard forever. We added chocolate chips and it was divine. We are learning, failing forward and getting through another week.
P.S. Around 7 am this morning, I panicked because my first Instacart has yet to arrive and "dying Easter eggs" was on the calendar. I found myself alone in my car listening to NPR's Morning Addition, my usual after-drop-off pleasure that I haven't heard in weeks. They were interviewing Andrea Bocelli about his
concert on Sunday and at the end, he treated listeners with an impromptu performance of "Ave Maria". As I drove down the empty street. his signature voice permeated throughout the car and I shivered with gratitude.
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Easter Sunday is like the Super Bowl for organists like my mother. Since she is home for only the second time in her professional career (the first to recover from hip replacement surgery), she recommends the following streaming services to get your musical fix. Grab your mimosa and join my former New York haunt
St. Thomas Church, downtown
Trinity Church Wall Street
or the
Washington National Cathedral
.
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“Everyone needs a little Julie Andrews in their life right now,” my daughter said and she was spot on. I just finished her latest,
Homework: A Memoir of my Hollywood Years
, which then reminded me of my favorite movie when I was a tween and
Victor/Victoria
was my family viewing pick of the evening. Two thumbs up for both.
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Speaking of comforting reads, my friend Jennifer sent me the link for
Bookshop
as a great way to support independent bookstores. Not only can you shop online and find one near you, but a percentage of sales goes to support the industry as it competes with behemoths like Amazon. Asheville friends, don’t forget that
Malaprop’s
will now deliver to your doorstep.
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You may recognize the fabulous
Leslie Jordan
from Will & Grace and American Horror Story, but it’s his recent turn on Instagram that has everyone paying attention. Stuck in his Chatanooga apartment with his mother Leslie Ann, he’s now sharing his southern wit for all to see.
When his sister called him an overnight success, he said, "This is the longest night. I've been at it since 1982."
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One of the few things I can consistently count on these days is
Fresh Air
. Even though Terry Gross and Dave Davies are broadcasting from their homes, it's aways a welcome respite to my day. This week offered an escape with Kerry Washington and an apology from Stephen King for feeling like we’re stuck in one of his novels.
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Nothing says “I’m thinking of you,” better than a bouquet. My friend Erin sends her mom an arrangement from
Farmgirl Flowers
every other week, while my local
Gardener’s Cottage
will not only deliver around town but fill up your empty container after you drop it off their porch.
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DJ Jazzy Jess has released Volume 2 of
Lively Up Your Lockdown
to placate everyone from Bowie to Phish fans while we’ve been dancing and baking to the latest from
Dua Lipa. Whatever you're listening to, I hope you're turning it way up.
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My go-to spot is finally online!
Scorch
is now streaming its Lagree Fitness Method on You Tube for all to see. Although they might be replacing the Megaformer with paper plates and resistance bands, I know my favorite instructors will not hesitate to make it burn like the old days in the studio.
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WINE O'CLOCK
If you’re looking for hangover-free wine delivered to your doorstep, I would be remiss if I didn’t remind you of
Scout & Cellar
. I have been working with this company for more than a year now, and I absolutely adore their clean-crafted wine from vineyards all over the world. And now with more bubbly options and brilliant wine in cans, our (many) virtual happy hours won’t lead to a headache the next morning.
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Andrew Lloyd Webber is doing his part to bring musical theater to your home. Every Friday at 2pm EST, he will release a recorded live version of one of his musicals for 48 hours. Look for
Jesus Christ Superstar
up next on April 10th
.
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