Lazy Days and Sea Urchin Snacks

Okay so here's the thing. I missed last week's blog post. And this week? I'm late. Like, embarrassingly late. And I could sit here and come up with some elaborate excuse about being swamped with work or dealing with some catastrophic kitchen emergency involving a rogue brie wheel... but nope. The truth is way less interesting.

I've just been lazy.

There. I said it. Sometimes you just gotta own it, you know? January is doing its January thing where everything slows down and my motivation decided to take a little vacation without telling me. Rude, honestly. Also I got hit with the plague that my son lovingly gifted me (like a tiny, adorable biohazard walking through my house coughing directly into my soul), so if I sound extra dramatic right now… sorry.

The January Slump is Real (And I'm Living It)

If you've been following along with my chaotic little corner of the internet, you probably remember that December was absolutely bananas for us here at Graze. It was amazing and exhausting and I loved every second of it.

But now? Now it's January. And January in the catering world is... quiet. Like, cricket chirping, tumbleweed rolling through my kitchen quiet. Which, don't get me wrong, is totally expected. People are recovering from holiday spending, everyone's on their "new year new me" salad-only diet (good luck with that, by the way), and nobody's really thinking about hiring caterers in Chelmsford for their events just yet.

So what's a girl to do when the phone isn't ringing off the hook and the inbox is looking a little sparse? Apparently, the answer is "become a tiny bit feral and rediscover hobbies I forgot I had." Also I keep catching myself like, "hmm maybe I should do other wintry activities too" (because apparently I’m that person now).

3 wintry things I’d like to do if anyone would like to join:

-Going to the range. My VR stats say I’m an Elite Ranger. Let’s hope my real life score card doesn’t tell me to stay behind the glass. I’m also getting laser therapy for my pinched nerve so my trigger finger is numb at the moment. Might have to wait until the Spring.

-Channel my inner Katniss in archery because therapy is expensive and sending arrows into the void is well, also expensive.

-Ice fishing in Maine? Yes, this is me admitting I want to cosplay as a capable outdoorsy adult for a few hours a week.

Geocaching: My New Obsession

You guys. GEOCACHING. Have you ever tried it? It's basically a worldwide treasure hunt using GPS coordinates and honestly it's the perfect activity for when you have random pockets of free time and need to get out of the house before you start talking to the cheese in your fridge.

I've been doing quick geocaches around the area and it's been so good for my brain. There's something weirdly satisfying about wandering around in the cold, looking slightly suspicious while you poke around trees and lamp posts, all to find a tiny container with a soggy piece of paper inside. It's the little things, people.

Plus it gets me outside during these gray January days when my couch is basically screaming at me to become one with the cushions. Fresh air! Movement! The thrill of finding a film canister hidden in a fake rock! What more could you want?

The Real Dream: Winter Shellfishing for Sea Urchins

Okay but here's what I'm REALLY excited about. I've been thinking a lot about taking a trip to the coast for some winter shellfishing. Specifically? I want sea urchins. Like, badly. The craving is real.

Now, I know what you might be thinking. "Abby, that sounds cold and wet and kind of intense for someone who just admitted to being lazy." And you're not wrong! But here's the thing about my version of lazy.. it's selective lazy. I can absolutely convince myself to bundle up and brave the freezing coastal waters for the promise of fresh uni. That's different. That's food motivated. That's passion.

And here's where it gets really good. Picture this: you're out there on the coast, waves doing their thing, maybe your fingers are a little numb because you definitely didn't bring warm enough gloves (classic me move). You crack open a sea urchin right there on the rocks, and inside is that gorgeous, bright orange uni just waiting for you.

Now imagine you came PREPARED. Like, actually prepared for once in your life. You've got a pot of warm sushi rice. Some sheets of dried seaweed. Maybe a little container of soy sauce if you're feeling fancy. You take that fresh uni, still basically ocean-temperature, put it on that warm rice with a little seaweed wrap and... I mean... that's it. That's the best beach snack that has ever existed. End of discussion. I will not be taking questions at this time.

Why Sea Urchin is Worth the Cold

For those of you who haven't experienced fresh sea urchin, let me paint you a picture. The flavor is intense but delicate, kind of sweet, kind of briny, 100% ocean in the best possible way. It's one of those things where the fresher it is, the more magical it becomes. And eating it right there where you harvested it? That's next level. (Can you tell I've been daydreaming about this? Because I have been. A lot. Send help. Or sea urchins. Preferably sea urchins.)

But Wait, I'm Not COMPLETELY Useless

Okay I feel like I need to clarify something before you all think I've just been laying around watching reality TV for the past two weeks (I mean... some of that has happened... but not ONLY that).

Also quick side quest I didn’t ask for: I’m dog sitting for my mom while she’s out in Bermuda living her best little tropical life (I’m not jealous!!!! I’m fine!!!!) and I swear her house currently feels like a pit. Like illness from wall to wall, tissues in every room, and the vibe is just… Victorian fever dream meets zoo enclosure. The dogs are barking their heads off at literally nothing (a leaf? a vibe? a ghost?) and there is truly zero peace or quiet. AND since my toddler has the plague too, so it’s just tiny coughs echoing through the halls like an abandoned mall. Love this for us. And liminal spaces.

BUT (and this is the sweet part so don’t get mad at me for being mushy) my husband stopped by with a little care package this morning before whisking Georgie to the pediatrician and basically saved the day. Like rolling up with supplies and snacks and whatever magic he brings that makes things feel 10% less chaotic. Honestly, hero behavior.

Work is slow, but it's not non-existent. I'm still doing my thing. The catering world might be quiet, but there are always projects to work on, recipes to test, and honestly this is the time when I try to get creative with new grazing table ideas for when things pick back up. Because they will pick up. Spring is coming, people are going to start planning events again, and when they search "grazing table catering near me" I want Graze to be ready with some fresh new offerings.

So yeah. Slow doesn't mean stopped. It just means I have time to geocache and fantasize about sea urchins. Balance, baby.

Alright, Let's Talk Events!

Okay business hat on for a second (it's a very casual business hat, don't worry).

**This Saturday** was *supposed* to be a cheeseboard workshop and I was genuinely so excited (aka mentally preparing to eat my weight in cheese with you guys). Buttttt I had to cancel because the plague my son gave me decided to claim my soul. I hate it here!!!

And then in **early February** I've got an in home workshop scheduled, which is always such a good time. There's something really special about doing these in someone's actual kitchen with their actual friends. It feels more like a party than a class (because it kind of is both).

Probs should do a Valentine’s Day workshop. Cheese? Chocolate? Heart shaped vessel?

**REMINDER:** You can always book your own fun night! Seriously! If you want to get a group together and learn how to make incredible boards while drinking wine and laughing with your people, just reach out. It's the perfect girls' night, birthday activity, team building thing, whatever. I come to you, we have a blast, everyone goes home happy and cheese educated.

Wrapping This Up Before I Ramble More

So that's the update from Graze HQ. I was lazy. I'm still kind of lazy. January is slow and cold and I'm coping by treasure hunting and dreaming about ocean snacks. Workshops are happening if you want to hang out and eat cheese with me. And eventually I'll get my act together and post on time again.

Probably.

Maybe.

We'll see.

Thanks for sticking with me through the chaos, you guys. You're the best.

Also real quick: 2026 has notttt exactly been generous with the “rest and recovery” vibes so far lol. Like I keep thinking I’m about to get a break and then nah, another little health hurdle pops up like “hey bestie!!!” and I’m over here just getting tested daily. We’ll survive (obviously), but wow she is really making me earn it.

XX,

Abby

Song of the day: Lord Huron: Meet Me in the Woods