Hi again amigos!

And welcome to my blog!

because I feel this will take some of your time...but is worth it, I promise.

Or water...get water, wise people always say one should drink enough water...but well, as I’m not one of those wise ones, please take a minute to go and grab some coffee.

Now, let’s begin.

Hubby and I are very close to celebrate our first lockdown anniversary. (yay?)

Almost a year ago, life changed. No one asked us (usually when life changes no one does that, right?) and we had to make some changes. Starting by being at home 24/7 (or wherever you were when the pandemic was announced).

Lots of people lost their jobs and lots of others had the opportunity to work from home. I’m super grateful hubby and I are one of those last ones.

We changed the guest room for an Intel office for the husband. We even painted it “Intel blue”. It’s still in progress, we still need to frame some of his photos (because he is an engineer but also a great photographer).

For me, I already had my art studio at home but I also had another one, out in the city, with amazing artist friends. We used to have coffee together every day, listened to music, laughed, learnt new art stuff, had tons of deep conversations and of course, carne asada Fridays. And I had to let go.

The virus changed everyone’s lifestyle.

So I moved everything to my home studio. No more artist friends having coffee while painting and talking about art news around the world.

Life changed, from one day, to another.

One day hubby was driving to his office while I was having a Starbucks breakfast on my way to the studio and Ophelia (our frenchie and four legged member of the family) was alone at home, waiting for us to come back.

And the next day, we were all at home, together, reading the strange news about a pandemic (well, Ophelia wasn’t reading anything obviously, but us two.)

“Life changed quickly and soon we noticed we needed to change too. You know, either you adapt or probably die (well, that’s a little exaggerated but one never knows)”

So, no more Starbucks breakfast while driving, no more texting with hubby, no more artists friends around, no more fast food to eat while painting, no more fancy dinners at restaurants, no more bars, no more travel!!!!! No more yearly meditation retreats with friends from all over the world, no more movie theatre nights, no more gathering with friends and family...no more outside. [insert mysterious soundtrack here]

Sooner rather than later we realized we can still have fun, movies, dinners, concerts, almost everything inside of our brand new home.

We had the most important thing of this new life: ATTITUDE.

So we started making life sacred.

We started making moments important and filling them with love and joy and details.

So, this pandemic has been a successful series of events that have brought joy, laugh, creativity, enjoyment and love to our lives and our relationship.

And I will share some of our events here with you. Just some, because I’m not sure I can remember them all! And I don’t have photos of every single event...I was busy enjoying it.

So, here’s the list.

I hope it inspires you to create your own or simply have a good time reading it.

(To this point you might need another cup of coffee)

While hubby baked fajitas and fudge brownies I baked cauliflower bagels, from this recipe, someone needs to take care of our arteries.

We watched a Steve Wozniak interview in bed with a very dark coffee. At least for me, I needed to understand something. Hubby had a latte.

We are from the north of Mexico, that means we have a very close relationship with the U.S life. We used to buy our groceries, clothes, art supplies...in El Paso, and since we moved to Guadalajara, we have missed all that. So now we have Arby’s here… — We are from the north of Mexico, that means we have a very close relationship with the U.S life. We used to buy our groceries, clothes, art supplies...in El Paso, and since we moved to Guadalajara, we have missed all that. So now we have Arby’s here and those are my favorite burgers!! So hubby surprised me with Arby’s at home. We opened a bottle of wine, enjoyed the meal, talked and had a lot of fun.

Hubby and I practice the most amazing meditation in the universe (don’t take it personal, it’s our point of view) and our Teacher is wise and modern, so he teaches retreats for us online...uh...isn’t it COOL??!! So we have coffee and consciousness, … — Hubby and I practice the most amazing meditation in the universe (don’t take it personal, it’s our point of view) and our Teacher is wise and modern, so he teaches retreats for us online...uh...isn’t it COOL??!! So we have coffee and consciousness, cozy pillows and Ophelia’s company in the comfort of our Chesterfield

This might look like other events listed here later but is not. Because a) caramel popcorn , b) different movie and c) different day . In this event we decided to make it about the popcorn, so we watched a movie just because we wanted to try homema… — This might look like other events listed here later but is not. Because a) caramel popcorn , b) different movie and c) different day . In this event we decided to make it about the popcorn, so we watched a movie just because we wanted to try homemade caramel popcorn…messy, not looking pretty but they tasted YU-MMY

This one is obvious. But we celebrated Valentines with wine, dinner, flowers and presents. The thing is that we celebrate St Valentine's another day, not on February 14th, because that day everything is crowded...but this year we celebrated on the… — This one is obvious. But we celebrated Valentines with wine, dinner, flowers and presents. The thing is that we celebrate St Valentine's another day, not on February 14th, because that day everything is crowded...but this year we celebrated on the date…at home of course.

This does not look pretty, but is extremely yummy. I can’t remember what exactly I added to the mug, but it’s a banana, oatmeal, chocolate mug cake. We celebrated breakfast with this little cake and ultra black coffee. (Balance guys, balance)

So, we bought an espresso machine. And I don’t think I need to explain more here. But I’ll do it, because maybe, just maybe, there’s some species in the human race that are not obsessed with coffee. Buying this machine was a big event. We bought all… — So, we bought an espresso machine. And I don’t think I need to explain more here. But I’ll do it, because maybe, just maybe, there’s some species in the human race that are not obsessed with coffee. Buying this machine was a big event. We bought all the thingies to create awesome different style of coffee and oh god, it’s been wonderful, espressos, lattes, americanos, espressos, cappuccinos, pumpkin spice lattes...oh yes, pumpkin lattes, espressos again...every morning it’s a magical event to grind the coffee, smell its magic, smile because the smells goes direct into your heart and start the day in the most magical way.

In our pre pandemic life we were not used to buying this kind of cereal. Now we have bought some. Don’t get me wrong, eat healthy (like my cauliflower bagel), eat fruits and vegetables but sometimes allow yourself to try this unhealthy colorful cere… — In our pre pandemic life we were not used to buying this kind of cereal. Now we have bought some. Don’t get me wrong, eat healthy (like my cauliflower bagel), eat fruits and vegetables but sometimes allow yourself to try this unhealthy colorful cereals, when we have them it’s an event, we talked about strange topics...now that I think about it, it might be the sugar rush.

This comes with our new friend the espresso machine. For those of you who don’t know what a Carajillo is, espresso + liqueur 43. Do I need to say more about why this is a whole event?

We have a new member of this home, it’s an air fryer that my parents sent to us as a Christmas present. And some nights we decided to put some music and put everything we can there and obviously taste it.

Croissant mornings. We loved to go to have breakfast at this French bakery in the city but you know, now is different. So hubby goes and buys plain croissants and he adds french butter, cheese, marmalades, egg, ham or whatever he thinks is proper fo… — Croissant mornings. We loved to go to have breakfast at this French bakery in the city but you know, now is different. So hubby goes and buys plain croissants and he adds french butter, cheese, marmalades, egg, ham or whatever he thinks is proper for the French morning event.

I know it looks like all our events are about food but we enjoy it so much! Hubby turns the BBQ on and he has created these amazing hot dogs with some German sausages we found. Yu-mmy

Baristas out there I worship you, you are the best, this is just us trying to have amazing coffee made by us during the lockdown.

See? Healthy stuff. One of our friends guided us through Telegram on how to make kombucha. So, we sit and drink the kombucha, will we enjoy a moment of silence. You know, silence is still golden.

Bless the apps that send stuff! We have been able to send surprise breakfasts, get well flowers, Christmas presents, I love you coffees from our phones. When they receive the stuff we celebrate the joy and the love.

This picture does not need any explanation, because squirrels are cute and making friends with them is more than a celebration.

See? We do eat veggies. Hubby prepares the best ones. I help by chopping stuff with a safe knife because I have a history. We’ve created simple moments like cooking and make them a whole event of doing stuff together while we talk and have deep and … — See? We do eat veggies. Hubby prepares the best ones. I help by chopping stuff with a safe knife because I have a history. We’ve created simple moments like cooking and make them a whole event of doing stuff together while we talk and have deep and no so deep conversations.

This kind of celebration is awesome! You need a motif, just celebrate because you can! We bought some cute candles, yes, more wine and yummy snacks. We compared our playlists and laughed because they are extremely different. You can celebrate every … — This kind of celebration is awesome! You need a motif, just celebrate because you can! We bought some cute candles, yes, more wine and yummy snacks. We compared our playlists and laughed because they are extremely different. You can celebrate every moment if you wanna.

Cleaning nights. Also mornings, afternoons and weekends lol. One must clean the house! And it feels lighter if you celebrate the cleaning! The shiny stuff, the lavender smell (or whatever smell you enjoy), the satisfaction of seeing a well moisture … — Cleaning nights. Also mornings, afternoons and weekends lol. One must clean the house! And it feels lighter if you celebrate the cleaning! The shiny stuff, the lavender smell (or whatever smell you enjoy), the satisfaction of seeing a well moisture wood table. Oh yes, and on the couch: Ophelia, supervising the work.

Guys, this is like coffee. Doesn’t need more explanation.

Oh this one is great. We grab our face masks, Ophelia and Emma, our phones or in hubby’s case a very fancy camera and just walk. Breath, observe, take pictures, move our bodies, enjoy the golden hour, and have an amazing event, the photo walk.

This was an actual celebration, a one time in a year celebration, the husband's birthday. The original plan didn’t look like this AT ALL. But you know, COVID again, so to celebrate his birthday we went to the woods, had an awesome breakfast and coff… — This was an actual celebration, a one time in a year celebration, the husband's birthday. The original plan didn’t look like this AT ALL. But you know, COVID again, so to celebrate his birthday we went to the woods, had an awesome breakfast and coffee surrounded by trees, ducks and squirrels...different types of friends for a different type of birthday.

OMG, sushi mornings, meals and dinners PLEASE. When we order Japanese food we use our fancy Japanese chopsticks, tiny cute plates and the whole experience into our tables. This is a very important event for us. We looooooove Asian food and culture.

Faces in our breakfast. Some mornings we recreate fabulous breakfasts that we miss. And then because we can, we started looking for messages in the food, like happy faces. Can you spot the smiley face?

Quiet moments. Sometimes the big event is just to stay still in silence and annoy our Blue Moons and have some crackers with artichoke dip. And celebrate each other’s company and be grateful because we are alive and well. No words needed.

Tortas. If you are not Mexican, or if you are but you have been living under a rock and don’t know what a torta is, well, is bread filled with almost anything your imagination can come up with. Like a sandwich but different bread. Anyways, you want … — Tortas. If you are not Mexican, or if you are but you have been living under a rock and don’t know what a torta is, well, is bread filled with almost anything your imagination can come up with. Like a sandwich but different bread. Anyways, you want a torta...with the filling of your preference but make sure to add a lot of avocado....I’m just saying this in case you want to be the happiest person on earth. Making a torta it’s an event but eating it is a whole, complete and self sufficient first class event.

Moons over my hammy home made edition...Denny’s you should come and try my husband’s copycat of your breakfasts. You have inspired us to recreate the mood you have been giving us all these years and now it’s our turn to celebrate you.

My favorite! Oh no...wait, coffee and sushi events are my favorite too...Well in our pre-pandemic life we used to go to the movies to see horror just in my birthday because I have a chick flick husband (oh yeah and super hero-manly-loud-action too) … — My favorite! Oh no...wait, coffee and sushi events are my favorite too...Well in our pre-pandemic life we used to go to the movies to see horror just in my birthday because I have a chick flick husband (oh yeah and super hero-manly-loud-action too) Don’t get me wrong I went by myself anytime I wanted too, but I’m talking of events together, with the other human I’m gladly spending this lockdown. So we have had this while the eternal quarantine happens!! Candles, lots of popcorn, blankets!!! The whole mood! It’s like having Halloween every time we want!

Coffee again amigos. Making coffee is a cozy, intimate, I’m-still-not-that-awake moment. It feels so personal and it’s like a lovely welcome to the day.

We had a tortas ahogadas tasting day. It sounds bad, it’s a torta that swims into salsa, yes, the bread it’s all wet and it looks awful...but I’ve learned to appreciate it with time, and you know...lockdown.

Color palettes. We create color palettes for no reason. I could use it to paint....(note to self) we went out and walked and took photos of things, people, animals, landscapes, whatever that has amazing colors. It’s an artsy event.

We prepare for this one!! A complete ritual of finding something romantic and cute and not too much drama because I still don’t know how to deal with crying.

Sometimes we decide to walk with the dogs during the night. We like it because it’s a little colder and we can use beautiful sweaters, we play with our Cosmic apps, talk while holding hands and laughing at our bulldogs.

Lately we have been experiencing electricity shutdowns and we have learned to enjoy them. No internet, no artificial light nights. This is obviously not a planned event so it’s more like a surprise event that we attend because well, we have no optio… — Lately we have been experiencing electricity shutdowns and we have learned to enjoy them. No internet, no artificial light nights. This is obviously not a planned event so it’s more like a surprise event that we attend because well, we have no option, and we love it!

Well, now the NFL season finished but we enjoyed the last one a lot!!! I saw almost all the games but hubby did watch them all! He was so excited and I felt so happy to see him enjoying something that he loves so much. I need to say, a lot of food… — Well, now the NFL season finished but we enjoyed the last one a lot!!! I saw almost all the games but hubby did watch them all! He was so excited and I felt so happy to see him enjoying something that he loves so much. I need to say, a lot of food was involved too but the most important thing: Clamatos. Clamato it’s by itself a celebration of flavors in your mouth. Enough said.

This is something that one can do either in lockdown or no, but we started this event during COVID -19. We go to a store that imports all the things we love from our precious life at the border. So we bought different things every time to make it mo… — This is something that one can do either in lockdown or no, but we started this event during COVID -19. We go to a store that imports all the things we love from our precious life at the border. So we bought different things every time to make it more special. Oh how I miss the American Doritos and the American Vanilla Coke (they taste different, I swear)

Well the list could be longer but as I assumed I already lost some of you in event 15, I’ll stop here.

THE POINT IS you can make a celebration of everything! Chicken noodle soup for example it’s an event full of laughs and jokes in this home, and coziness. We have celebrated “let’s do absolutely nothing sundays”, “Bob the builder saturdays”, “Let’s talk with our parents for hours”, anything, it’s actually not the event itself but the importance, the attention and love you put into it.

I know it might sound silly for some of you, and it doesn’t matter, these are just ways to have a goofier life, full of sacred moments, and have the best of the time on this earth.

I hope I either inspired you to make an event, a celebration of your life or at least made you drink some delicious coffee while reading something that is not “the world is upside down” news.

Big, big Mexican hug to you all, amigos!

Ishani