Here we are at the end of another month and as the Summer draws to a close, I figured it was time for another life update. Between work, our house renovation and life, we’ve actually had a pretty busy Summer, all things considered! And while the world is still a catastrophe, we’re finally in the swing of a new routine since COVID and trying to move forward with things that are within our control at the moment. Honestly, I’m counting down the days until Fall weather and changing leaves but for now, life is pretty busy in our corner of the world. Here’s what we’ve been up to!
Life + Everyday
Between Nick and I, our work schedules have been pretty busy these last few months of the Summer. Nick is back in the office now after several months working from home and we’re getting back into these new routines. We haven’t been eating out a lot due to COVID so we’re still just cooking and staying home a lot on the weekends that we are home, which has been a really nice change honestly. It’s also allowing us to save a lot of money!
As far as work, I’m starting to teach design classes again at a local university so I’m jumping into that again and it’s keeping me busy and fulfilled. Along with my design studio, this blog and a few other random jobs here and there, life has actually been really busy which is such a nice distraction from the shitshow that is the United States right now.
Travel
Since May, we’ve actually gotten a decent amount of travel in, albeit short, local travel, but still. After having to cancel oh so many trips, my heart was breaking a bit knowing how long ahead we probably won’t be able to do any major travel. So after a while just in Portland, we’ve been trying to find ways to get out of the city that allow us to see new spots or return to favorites and let us explore a bit. Not being able to travel for so long in the Spring really got to me come May, so while I’d love to be jaunting to Europe, we’re enjoying local spots we’ve long wanted to get to.
We’ve driven to LA to see my parents 3 times since May, done a few trips to Southern Oregon to see Nick’s family, took a day trip to the Olympic Peninsula and drove up the California Coastline. I’m hoping to still get up to Mt. Rainier, maybe a weekend in Walla Walla, as well as a drive up to Diablo Lake in Washington in the couple months ahead. We’ll see how much we can fit into our schedules, but local travel is at least fulfilling my need to explore for the time being!
House Renovation
After a month or so without any home projects, I decided it was time to tackle the basement. I’ve been busy painting, finishing out some of the areas in the concrete walls that looked pretty bad and just generally sprucing up the half-finished space. I can’t wait to share the progress and how much better it looks without that much of an investment!
We also finished the breakfast nook (finally!) and installed a new light fixture and finalized the whole space that has been sitting 3/4 complete for months. It’s so nice to finally have this little space complete!