Podcast Ep.72: Traveling Internationally When the World Goes Crazy

We’re back with an episode about what’s it like to be almost 8,000 miles from home as the world starts to go on lockdown. Well, do we have a story for you. How we flew to Australia for a three week trip, how we made the decision to come home early, and how we got out. Also what our 14-day self-quarantine for international travel was like. The silver lining is that we’ve had bonus time to work on the farmhouse and the garden during our self-quarantine. And since we’re all in this self-isolation together, we’re sharing five easy pantry meal ideas, plus some cool things which include the amazing thing that helped our jet lag (for when we’re all able to travel again…).

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Traveling Internationally During Pandemic

We did manage to take a tour along southern Australia’s Great Ocean Road during our week and a half traveling to and staying in Australia (of our planned three week trip). There were beautiful ocean views and lots of sandstone structures, including the famous “12 Apostles” (even though there are only like 8 or so left, ha!).

Yep, I’m bundled up even in their “summer” because it was rainy and cold that day! Definitely reminded me of the Oregon coast, lol.

And here is the photo of the koala we saw just hanging out in a tree next to a path we were walking on during the tour. Actually, it was one of three we saw! The others were sleeping, and the fact that this guy was eating and moving was really special.

So, that makes up for not seeing a kangaroo, right?

Farmhouse Updates

Here are the laundry room walls we talked about. They might be rough, but I love the texture, width, and age of them. The cut out in the back was an original window we uncovered – that area will either be a pull-down laundry rack if it will fit, or a niche with shelves.

These are the lights I just bought to go over the windows:

I found them on the Home Depot site and I thing they will look great, with their metal shades.

And this is the rendering from the website of the tile we bought for the bathroom floor. It’s so great how it gives you such a clear visual of what it will look like in your space, right?

Here is the link to the tile and this is the link to the Della Torre site where you can upload your room photo.

Pretty happy with this tile, too, I think it is the right amount of pattern without being too busy.

This is the status of my indoor seedlings – it’s a year of “win some, lose some.” Lots of empty cells (lettuce, broccoli, cabbage) and three tomatoes inexplicably dying (you can see those in the upper left). Thank goodness for nurseries that will fill in the gaps!

If I can get out to some, that is, lol.

What’s Cooking

5 Easy Pantry Meals for Staying In

1. 30 minute Italian Sausage Pasta Primavera

2. Black Bean Quesadillas

3. 20 minute Mediterranean Chicken Pesto Pasta

4. 10 Minute Chicken Lime Lettuce Wraps

5. Frittatas! Greek Salmon Frittata and Chicken Spinach Frittata with Tomatoes

This is Really Cool!

Brian’s: T-Mobile’s international texting and data, plus the 4th-line-free deal. Saving us a ton over AT&T.

Jami’s: No Jet Lag homeopathic remedy – it’s amazing, please try it if you will be flying internationally in the future!

 

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