#whatwearedoing

[tsgcharlottesvillevirginia]

What We’re Doing // Amanda Beckwith from Virginia Distillery Company

In our latest installment, we caught up with Amanda Beckwith, guest experience & education manager at Virginia Distillery Company. Here she shares how they’re adapting and what she’s doing at home to maintain a sense of normalcy. 

WHAT VIRGINIA DISTILLERY CO. IS DOING We’ve closed The Visitors Center in Lovingston to allow for safe social distancing, but our team is moving forward in all markets with the national launch of our flagship American Single Malt Whisky Courage & Conviction (available now in select Virginia ABC stores and online!) and we’ve turned our production focus to hand sanitizer for the time being to assist those on the front lines.

Our website has details on where to find our whisky, as a well as a number of cocktail recipes well-suited for quarantine.

WHAT AMANDA IS DOING  I am reading: As a book fanatic, any extra time means a chance to crack open a book. I'm currently reading The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden and The Curious Bartender: An Odyssey of Malt, Bourbon & Rye Whiskies by Tristan Stephenson.

Podcasts I’m listening to: I travel frequently, so three of my favorite podcasts to make the miles fly by are LeVar Burton Reads, Critical Role and Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History. 

Series I’m binge watching: I recently inhaled The Watchmen and The Witcher, so now it’s more of an occasional old episode of Star Trek TNG or The Great British Baking Show while I wait for the next season of The Mandalorian. 

Songs / playlists I’m listening to: I’ve been listening to a lot of Ella Fitzgerald, David Bowie and First Aid Kit. Colors by Black Pumas and River by Bishop Briggs were two favorites from this morning’s playlist.

Recipes I’m trying: Last night’s cravings meant tacos had to happen, but I’ve been trying to stay healthy with some creative salads. The warmer weather has me breaking out my blender for smoothies with ingredients like bananas, cherries, and chocolate. 

I also love to bake, and recently made a massive batch of chocolate cherry cookies (with a hint of whisky, of course). 

Ways I’m keeping the pups (and friend’s kids) entertained: I’ve been fostering a dog for a little while and the bubble machine on the back patio has been a huge success. I think my friends have been using FaceTime with me as a way to keep their kids entertained. I certainly haven’t minded. 

Games I’m enjoying: Thanks to Discord and Roll20, I’ve been playing D&D online with my friends. It’s a fantastic way to stay in touch and fit in some healthy escapism every week.

Tasks I’m finally tackling around home: After a round of general spring cleaning, I’ve begun reorganizing my closets and creating a donation pile. My next project is finding a better way to store my loose leaf tea collection that now dominates an entire shelf in my pantry. 

My home workspace set up: My living room and dining table both double as an office space, but the sunshine and warmer weather on the way means that my patio table will likely soon become my new desk. Whenever I’m done with work for the day, I make a point of packing up my work items to transition away until the fresh start of the following morning. 

My personal immunity / health regimen: I’ve always been a frequent hand washer and a fan of the fruits and veggies, so I had a good foundation to build on. Doing my part to not spread the virus has meant giving up a lot of social interactions, but there was no doubt it was the right thing to do. Having a dog around has gotten me quite a few miles in that I wouldn’t normally be logging, and a quick yoga session in the morning is another favorite way to start a day strong. 

[franka85]

mini table tennis in the kitchen #tennis #kitchen #whatwearedoing #eveningactivity #crazy #maybeweird (hier: Mannheim, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpDHPQkCkTA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=yfhsw887fq1z

[jollybforkids]

Rainbow pebbles challenge - Stacking them up is not easy though! 😅 High level of concentration and patience is required ! 😄 This keeps K busy whole night! 😊 #whatwearedoing #jollybforkids #educationaltoys #playmatters #learnthroughplay #learningeveryday

[shinemecymie-blog]

What we are doing everyday at work 撐住。 #晒米飯堂 #shinemecymie #illustration #插畫 #撐住 #support #whatwearedoing #everyday #atwork #藝造香港

[the-firebird69]

motive means method and it is jesus. had all of it.  and the females seek out the father.  he did it though onpurpose.  and who ishe and we shall see we say and it is not the norm but it is yoiu s try for it.  now we told you whatwearedoing.  Thor Freya im giddy for thse these scuk Hera Zues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBqEpGk_HGY

[billsprintshop-blog]

My bestie is in town so we are heading out with Bill to see what awesome pics we can get! #BillsPrintShop #WhatWeAreDoing #VirginiaBeachBound #PictureOuting #SaturdayNight (at Interstate 64)

[tsgcharlottesvillevirginia]

Today we’re checking in with Jason Becton at MarieBette. Like many of our restaurants in town, they’ve had to think fast to change their business model. But they’re still up and running and very much in need of our support. Here, Jason shares how they’re operating and how he and Patrick, his husband   and MarieBette co-owner, are staying occupied at home with their two girls. [Photo by: Ashely Cox]

WHAT MARIEBETTE IS DOING  We closed our dining room and have taken all the seating out of the café area and are open strictly for take out. The take out menu is available here: https://www.mariebette.com/take-out-menu.

We are also doing some local delivery from our downtown location only. We will be starting online ordering soon. We  also shortened our hours (700 Rose Hill Dr: 8-5 M-F, 8:30-4;30 weekends, kitchen open 8-2 seven days; Petite MarieBette, 8-4 seven days, M-F, kitchen open 8-2 seven days). 

WHAT JASON & PATRICK ARE DOING I am reading: "Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals About Death" by Caitlin Doughty and "The Two-Income Trap: Why Middle-Class Parents Are (Still) Going Broke" by Elizabeth Warren and Amelia Warren Tyagi. OK, I know these seem really heavy but hear me out. Caitlin is a licensed funeral director who advocates for more natural burials and more honest discussions about death. Her books have lots of humor and heart in them and they've been oddly comforting to read—I know that sounds weird. Elizabeth Warren (and her daughter) wrote "The Two Income Trap" in 2003 and it's still relevant. She's a personal hero of mine.

Podcasts we’re listening to: "The Daily" from The New York Times, "The Post Reports" from the Washington Post and "Ologies", a science podcast. We've been busy trying hard to make important adjustments to our business and the first two podcasts help me keep up with the news. The last is just fun and educating at the same time.

Series we’re binge watching: "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." I don't get much time to watch TV but I've been trying to catch up on this series. It's funny but often leaves me a little tear- eyed. I also love "Schitt's Creek" for the same reason. I have binge watched the new reboot of "She-Ra: Princess of Power" with my kids and we're waiting for the new season to come out. If you're looking for a positive kid's show about girl power with complicated characters, this is it. I wish the "She-Ra" of my generation was this good.

Songs / playlists we’re listening to: I've been drawn to lots of "Women of the 80s" playlists for some reason. And also "The Highwomen" radio playlist of Spotify and anything k. d. lang.

Ways we’re keeping ou kids entertained: They've been writing letters to friends and family and having "virtual playdates" with friends via FaceTime. They've also been rediscovering lots of their toys as we've been culling/organizing their things.

Games we’re enjoying together: Stinky Pinky is always popular. Ask us again in two weeks.

Tasks we’re finally tackling around your home: Cleaning out the guest room. Cleaning the basement. Planting seeds and repotting houseplants. Getting rid of toys, books, and clothes that we no longer need.

My home workspace set up: The kitchen table.

Personal immunity / health regimen: Patrick has been doing the daily online workouts put out by our gym Solidarity Crossfit. I really have been slacking. Maybe putting that down in words will motivate me.

[tsgcharlottesvillevirginia]

What We’re Doing // Blair Williamson of Magpie Knits

We’re starting a new column today that will connect you to the people behind the businesses in our community while sharing their new mode of operating and how you can support them. Plus, we’ll share how they’re staying busy during this time. Today we’re bringing you Blair Williamson, co-partner of Magpie Knits. 

WHAT MAGIPE IS DOING Magpie is open encouraging all to “Keep Calm and Cast On.” But they are encouraging people not to put themselves at risk so they’re happy to provide Facetime shopping for yarn, consultations on new projects and help with knitting issues. They are also offering drive-thru service on 2nd Street and they’re making deliveries in the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County.  Magpie Knits | 111 West Main St  | 434.296.4625 

WHAT BLAIR IS DOING Books: I can’t concentrate on a book at the moment. So I’m reading Vogue Knitting & Asphalt Pavement Magazine– Quest for the Secret Sauce (you think I am kidding…not!)

Podcasts: My mother sent me this one today titled “Bury Mom in the backyard? The Ins & Outs of Green Burial”

Series: Outlander and happy titles on the Disney Channel.

Recipes: I’m perfecting Chicken Pot Pie.

Games: I’m working on keeping my parents safely at home. 

Tasks you’re finally tackling: Thinking about some serious closet purging and can’t wait to mow the weeds, just got my mower tuned up.

Personal immunity / health regimen:“The Lawn” green juice from Corner Juice. They are delivering! Plus, vitamins, walking the dogs, and lots of hand washing.

And just for fun, here’s a photo of a real magpie TSG Cville’s editorial direct snapped while in Costa Rica last weekend. He was quite savvy at stealing food off of waiter’s trays when their backs were turned.