This week is a family week! I was so curious how are my friends with family especially with kids doing during this quarantine time. I wanted to know :)
Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?
Len:
Shopping list (not a survival list):
1. Chocolate chips. These go with everything in our household - pancakes, waffles, cookies, and often just eaten straight from the bag for dessert. We like the Guittard (which are nut-free for our friends with allergies), but I prefer the Nestle Tollhouse chocolate chip cookie recipe.
2. Panko. Perfect for everything breaded and delicious. I add to my son's meatballs to give 'em an extra crunch.
3. Mustard. To be honest, this is really for me. I must have a strong mustard for sandwiches, salad dressings, and marinades. There's a lot of mustards that have corn syrup in it, ewww! My brother-in-law and sister-in-law gifted me a big jar. Can it last the whole pandemic??
4. Coffee. For my wife, who must have coffee in the morning. We're in love with Partners Coffee right now, and they ship their bags! Yes, we're a cliche with the Brooklyn blend, but it's really nutty and delicious.
Me:
This is really a great list! Thank you Len!I have no idea how to shop for family of 4!
Do you guys make a massive list?
Len:
We do have an enormous list! We keep a written tab on our fridge. I'm always intrigued when I find "KIT KATS" somehow at the bottom!
Shopping now is tough because I'm planning for about two weeks of eating. With kids, they are creatures of habit, so the chicken fingers start to disappear quickly! We've learned quarantine is not the place to introduce our kids to new foods. We're just happy if they get one good vegetable at a meal.
Me:
Omg. I can’t even imagine shopping for 4 for two weeks worth of food. I agree it is good to stick with basics and comfort food. I always find chocolate in the bottom of my list, too. haha.
But chocolate chip is cleaver, you can put chocolate chips in everything. Is this a recent trend or family tradition?
Len:
My wife's family are all bakers, and our kids have the bug too. However, for some reason I am the only one that likes cooked fruit! My midwestern ancestors had a business called "Small, Small & Small Pie Plant Company"— pie plant is another name for rhubarb—so I grew up with fruit pies. Unfortunately no one in my family has farmed in a long time. But I do make a mean strawberry-rhubarb streusel.
Me:
Strawberry-rhubarb streusel sounds amazing! Have you guys tried some new baking or meal recipe since this quarantine started?
Len:
We discovered a great kids baking book called "Baking Class" - it's great because the recipes are easy enough for kids, and the recipes are quite tasty. We've been making pretzel rolls and challah. Here's a link to the book! http://www.deannafcook.com/baking-class-1
Me:
This looks like a great book thank you!
I’m sure now since the school is closed your kids are all at home.
How are they adjusting to the online school? (How old are your kids? )
Len:
My kids are 11 and 8. They've been doing alright with online school, but they have their moments. We understand the tears, it's hard not to get in on the crying. My son just found out about his middle school - he's very excited about where he's going, but we also don't know what things are going to be like in the fall. Will he actually be able to attend his new school in person? I hope they will get to see friends again soon.
Me:
Oh, I do feel for him. Yes being with friends are the biggest part of going to school and yes he must have been very excited about the new school.
And how are you adjusting to the home office?
Len:
I feel lucky about my work; I've been working from home one day per week since I started my art director role at Columbia Magazine. But even with a magazine, there is so much you get overhearing an interesting conversation, being around each other to swap ideas, or get an honest opinion about a design, that can't be replicated.
Me:
Right, that is true. Social part of the office is where the new idea comes out sometimes.
How is the quarantine life in general? Any new family tradition, any activity idea?
Len:
Before quarantine we always tried to have meals together; now we're really doing it! We do try to replicate experiences; recently we've been doing a 'restaurant' for Sunday brunch. We design a menu, and two of us get to be the customers, and get a server to take their order and pour water! The last restaurant we did was called "The Four Flowers" and had an excellent fruit bowl.
Me:
This is such a fun idea! I love this. I want to go to “The Four Flowers”!
Do you have any other advice for other families who have small kids at home right now?
Len:
For parents; be kind to yourself. Build in activities, but be flexible. Puzzles and board games still work! As do musical jams - you'd be surprised how fun it is just to make up a song.
To cook: pizza night is still a big success at our house. Surprisingly, making a salad together works with everyone too. Cooking one thing together can bring great satisfaction.
For my entertainment, some things I've been ingesting in no particular order: "Inappropriate" by Gabrielle Bell, "The Beautiful Ones" by Prince, Alison Roman's cookbooks, "Better Things" on FX/Hulu, "Last Week Tonight", "The Expanse." For adults, I hope you all watched Watchmen on HBO, it was so damn good. For kids, we watched "The Biggest Little Farm" which is beautiful and inspiring, and never pandering. Of course, anything Studio Ghibli - we're particular to "Spirited Away". Also, I LOVE this little activity book we got called "Offline Activities" by Jason Fulford and Tamara Shopsin. Each page is a tear-off activity. The first page says "DESTROY THIS BOOK" !!!
[https://theiceplant.cc/product/offline-activities/]
Me:
These are all great advice for family, kids, and adults. Thank you Len!
Ok this is the last question. What do you want to do when this is all done and life goes back to normal?
Len:
I want to sit at an outdoor cafe and order coffee and croissants with all my family and friends until my stomach hurts.
Me:
Ha! Sounds like a great day, I will bring my empty stomach to your croissants extravaganza!
Thank you so much for the interview Len!!!!!
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Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy making the items and talking about them with my friends. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!