In this (short-lived, we hope) series, the PHOENIX magazine editorial and art teams share what quarantine is like for them, from who they’re sheltering in place with to where they’re ordering takeout.
Have you picked up any new hobbies or skills? Or spent more time on existing ones?
Craig Outhier – Editor-in-Chief
Pickling!
Leah LeMoine – Managing Editor
I’ve always been into cooking, and over the last couple of years I’ve been working on my (previously limited) baking skills. During quarantine, I have really kicked my baking into high gear. I’m not making sourdough like everyone else, but I’ve been trying my hand at almost every other kind of bread: no-knead, focaccia, buttermilk biscuits, sour cream biscuits, soft pretzels (via my re-creation of my favorite airport/mall snack, pretzel dogs!), chicken pot pie and spoon bread. I’ve made shortbread cookies, chocolate chip cookies, brownies, butter cake and lemony olive oil cake. My oven went down for a couple of weeks, but my fella just fixed it so I’m back in the game! I’m mulling cinnamon rolls, bagels and pizza dough for my next projects.
Madison “Maddie” Rutherford – Associate/Digital Editor
Drawing has always been a hobby of mine, but I rarely found time for it. Recently, I’ve been making the time to make art. It’s an extremely therapeutic activity that allows me to practice being patient and in the moment. My pieces don’t always turn out the way I planned, but I always feel productive and satisfied once I finish them.
Judy Harper – Calendar Editor
I’m not much of a hobbyist, unless you count hoisting a cold one with friends or following my beloved D-backs, Cardinals, Suns and Sun Devils, but the shelter-in-place order has found me honing my gardening skills a bit. Truth be told, there’s a lot more trimming and weeding going on than anything else, but I do find working in the yard to be therapeutic. It connects me with the outdoors, and the gentle satisfaction of watching tomatoes ripen and blossoms unfold brings a welcome sense of tranquility.
Mirelle Inglefield – Art Director
There have been a few oldie but goodie hobbies I’ve revisited, like beading, sewing andpainting. But the new one, the one that literally butters my biscuit, is actually, truly, discovering the “joy of cooking,” as the famous book from 1931 declares. Lucky for me, I’ve been the beneficiary of recipes, tips and virtual coaching from loved ones who have taken their own meal masterpieces to eye-popping new levels over the quarantine. Now, instead of sweating it out in the grocery aisles, hoping to grab the “right” ingredients while fearing it will just become another #epicfail, I’m sweating it out over the burners, riding along with each mistake, believing it is just one closer to my inevitable cooking prowess!
Angelina Aragon – Associate Art Director
I have definitely been cooking more since this pandemic happened. I must say that I have become a pro at making over easy and sunny–side up eggs. Almost every morning my daughter wants over easy eggs, and of course she would like the one thing that requires patience in order not to crack it open on the pan. As for myself, I love adding a sunny–side up egg on top of a leftover chicken chimichanga with beans. Next on the menu is avocado toast topped with a sunny–side up egg. Yum!
Another hobby that I’ve picked up during this time is practicing my makeup, specifically eye shadow. The cut crease looks so easy when you are watching people do it on Instagram, but it is extremely hard and needs a lot of practice! I have definitely been playing around with my eye shadow pallete these days, and its been really fun! I feel like I am working on a painting when I am doing my eye shadow; blending, making sure the colors are consistent and making sure both eyes match! I commend all the makeup people/bloggers/influencers. Ya’ll make it look easy.
