This story appears in our weekly Things to Do newsletter, sent to subscribers every Monday. Get it in your inbox by signing up here.
By Katie Bianco Alice Levitt, Holly Gambrell and Michele Kettner
Compliments to the chef
I am embarrassed to admit that I didn’t really learn to cook until I was 30. Prior to that, it was all Panera and cereal for dinner. Turns out, I actually enjoy cooking, which makes me determined to teach my kids to cook much, much younger than I was. My 4-year-old daughter is already enjoying time in the kitchen. She has a little ladder to get her up to counter height and loves helping me and her dad cook. She’s legitimately good at flipping pancakes and I was in awe of her the other day when she cracked some eggs without getting (many) shells in the bowl (I have no idea if this is a standard skill for a little kid or if my awe is warranted, but she impressed me all the same). I’m having visions of us taking cooking classes together and sending her to cooking camp one day. But alas, COVID-19 has put the brakes on that for now. But wait! Cookology recently launched virtual classes and workshops for kids, which I will definitely be signing her up for. In the meantime, you can catch us this weekend making pancakes and scrambled eggs in our kitchen. -Katie Bianco, Editor
Still at home
As COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease, sometimes I feel like I’m one of the few people that are still being cautious about where and when I venture outside of my apartment. Parks with open hiking trails? Sure, sign me up. Crowded theaters or performances (even outdoor shows) … not so much. Any time I see more than a handful of people near each other, I still get a bit nervous. Thankfully, there are plenty of virtual entertainment options being held by local institutions this month, like the Signature Theatre’s The Signature Show, a biweekly series of half-hour performances featuring acclaimed actors, singers and directors. I plan to watch all of the released-so-far episodes this week—all from the safety of my couch. -Holly Gambrell, Digital Editor
Baby shower season
2020 hasn’t been entirely bad for my family. This year we were hit hard with the baby bug. Throughout my family, we have already had two babies born and have two more on the way before the end of the year. That also means I have a few more baby showers to attend. While I’m all about creating unique and special gifts, with craft supplies still limited I’m going to have to go a different route for the next baby shower. Luckily, this time around I have some extra ideas when selecting the perfect gift. This baby shower gift roundup has the perfect products to keep both babies and soon-to-be parents happy. -Michele Kettner, Editorial Assistant
An alfresco birthday
This week is the birthday of someone special to me, who’s still a little wary of eating indoors. That means I’ll take a break from my for-work dining schedule to do a dinner outside with him. I made this list of my favorite options for a fancy dinner outdoors to make the choice easier. -Alice Levitt, Food Editor/Critic
