The quarantine, while an unfortunate new normal, has been somewhat of a blessing. A lot of my professors have talked about this time as an artist’s dream, since there’s more motivation to escape into their craft. I would definitely agree with that, but, since I’m an English major with several English courses this semester, I’m having a hard time escaping into my passions of reading and writing. However, since being home, I’ve been able to reignite old passions.
I don’t consider myself a master of any craft or trade, just a dabbler. My childhood bedroom has a small corner full of craft materials, mainly yarn, since I was an avid crocheter and knitter in middle school. I had a few unfinished projects at the top of the pile, colorful yarn in the process of becoming intricate shawls. A year or two ago, I also got into macrame and friendship bracelets, so I had a lot of embroidery thread. A few years before that, I had begun bookbinding with embroidered covers, so I had scrap fabric stuffed into a box.
My new artistic passion is quilting and sewing, so I have all of the notions that come with quilting, including thread, needles, pins (of all types), cutting boards, rotary cutters and, of course, fabric. I’ve been busy this semester, so I haven’t been able to invest the time and money into quilting. Since being home, I still have to be tight on money, but I’ve upcycled my old shirts and made them into masks for my family to use when they have to go outside. It’s not much, but it’s enough.
Another small passion of mine has been cooking. I do enough of it while in the dorms, but it’s not the same as when you have full control of your own kitchen. I’m the only one in my four-person family who isn’t working, so, to help out, I make dinner every day. Some days, it’s simple, just heating up frozen food and serving that, but other days, I like to be more original.
My family is willing to try new things, but only things that resemble foods to which they’re accustomed. We don’t have a lot of restaurant choices in my hometown, besides Latin foods, and my family has been missing the cuisine since the quarantine started. So far, I’ve made tacos, Arroz con Pollo, nachos and enchiladas. The enchiladas were a hit and super easy to make. I’m also a fan of Mediterranean food, so I’ve been steadily introducing them to some of my favorite recipes. Most of the time, I make side dishes like green beans or squash medleys, but I’ve thrown in a few chicken dishes that they’ve enjoyed and asked for again.
It’s funny how I’m able to embrace my old passions out of necessity, but I’m still finding joy in them. I thought I would dread being home and having to do chores, but these are surprisingly great ways for me to tune out the rest of the world for a bit.