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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / CHASING SMALL JOYS

CHASING SMALL JOYS

August 29, 2020 by Sarah Kline 10 Comments

neighbor's hydrangeas

Hey friends. Summer is almost over. Can you believe it?

Do you too feel like collectively we are just stuck in this muck of life right now?

Sauvie Island Sturgeon Lake Porter

Truly, I don’t even know where to begin with all that’s going on. Murder and violence in the streets. COVID everywhere. Economic downturn affecting every corner, and now fires and hurricanes? Oh, and then there’s the cancer diagnosis that colors every corner of our small little world.

Like so many of you, I’m trying to wrap my mind around the fact that summer has come (and nearly gone) and now, if I allow myself, I could all too easily fall down the rabbit hole of distressing news everywhere I look.

I’m finding the key to sanity these days can be boiled down to this card I picked up last Christmas.

talk about your joys

So instead of addressing issues here that frankly feel too overwhelming right now, let me show you what’s keeping me sane.

And from time to time, giving me the odd moments of joy.

TOMATOES.

tomatoes farmers market

All day, every day.

tomatoes from farmers market

Bagels.

bagels with tomatoes

Pastas.

pasta with tomatoes

And of course, the ubiquitous, end-of-season BLT.

BLT's Ken's Artisan

EXPLORING QUIET AREAS WITH MY KIDS.

The last two weeks we’ve taken a few fun side trips.

Sturgeon Lake

Twice recently we’ve driven out to Sauvie Island, a beautiful spot about twenty minutes from our house.

It’s a gorgeous and peaceful ride out there, and on the way out you pass my one of my favorite Portland landmarks, the St. John’s Bridge.

St. Johns Bridge

Once you drive over the small two lane bridge to Sauvie you see acres of farmland as far as you can see.

Sauvie Island

Kruger’s Farm used to be a favorite farm of ours, but it was sold and is now named Topaz Farm — and it looks like it still has the same berry picking from years past and small store with items for purchase.

Kruger Farm Sauvie Island

The kids and I explored a further section of Sauvie Island and there was absolutely no one around.

We took a short hike

hike Sauvie Island Charlotte and Oliver

until we came to this beautifully pristine body of water (called Sturgeon Lake).

Sturgeon Lake Sauvie Island

Porter wandered around, the kids threw stones and I picked wild blackberries by the edge of the water.

The kids think it’s hilarious that I always travel with a Ziploc in case I find wild berries.

Oliver and Charlotte Sauvie Island

We’ve also been heading out to the Sandy River with Porter.

Sandy River and Porter

It’s only about a 15 minute drive from our house, the river is very shallow and slow moving and when we went yesterday early morning it was nearly empty.

Sandy River

Porter loves chasing after the tennis ball

Porter swimming

and the kids enjoyed some fresh air without masks.

Oliver and Charlotte with Porter at Sandy Rivwer

Of course I was found picking blackberries — the very last of the season.

wild blackberries

ENJOYING CRAFTY TIME.

Months ago I found this vintage dictionary at the Bins and recently I decided to photocopy my favorite entries onto sticker paper.

I then cut it onto stickers and have them used some of them on jars.

vintage label jar

It is so fun to look into my fridge or pantry and find these labels staring back at me.

vintage label jar

MAKING EASY MEALS.

Sandwiches for dinner?

Check.

Egg Sandwich Birthday

Eggs. BLT’s. Roast beef. Lox and cream cheese.

Salmon Avocado Sandwich

I’ve also picked up some really great convenience foods and dollied them up a bit.

Trader Joe’s has some fantastic ravioli/filled pasta and this week I served them up with simple (but different) sauces: white wine sauce, brown butter, and chicken stock/herbs.

Trader Joe's pasta sampler

Boiling up pasta doesn’t feel like cooking — but it was so satisfying to have all those different flavors.

I’VE BEEN SUPPORTING THE POST OFFICE– AND FINDING HOPE WHERE I CAN.

forever stamps

Like so many of you, I’m afraid for the Post Office and mail delivery (especially with ballots).

Buying stamps is something I can do — and using them.

forever stamps

Charlotte is engaging in one of those letter writing campaigns to adopt voters in swing states (she’ll have finished almost one hundred handwritten letters by this weekend) so I know all these stamps will be put to good use.

stamps forever

I also loved hearing so many inspiring speeches during the Democratic Convention.

So many all-stars.

God I love these women.

Kamala Harris Democratic convention

LASTLY, I’VE BEEN BAKING AND SHARING NEARLY NONSTOP.

Foccaccia with Olives

Foccaccia.

Focaccia with green olives

Chocolate Buttermilk Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache.

Chocolate Buttermilk Cake

I made 36 mini cakes and cupcakes for David’s oncology office and I brought leftovers to neighbors and a few friends.

Chocolate Buttermilk Cake

Chocolate Buttermilk Cake

And cookies are always a welcomed treat.

Mint Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies

Baking is a small thing I can to bring joy to those around me — and drop-offs allow for easily socially distanced conversations and commiserations with people I love.

Best of Summer Portland Blowout - Biscuits

And like that — pooof!– summer is almost over.

Best of Summer Portland Blowout - Coffee Barista

George Washington University is completely on-line so Oliver will be home with us through the fall (C’s high school is digital only, too, for the moment).

I know that this is frustrating for them both but I’m grateful to have them here — it feels safer to me to have them home and it’s a wonderful to be all together during this tumultuous time.

Porter is thrilled to have us all together, too

Porter beach

and this allows me to keep doing what I do best — cook for a big group.

Vietnamese Bowls

What are you all doing to keep sane?

What joys are filling your cup?

Grilled cheese

(Me, I’ll be here eating another grilled cheese with thyme brown butter while you ponder that thought.)

Filed Under: Uncategorized

« GIRL’S GETAWAY: CHRISTMAS IN JULY
DOWNS AND UPS »

Comments

  1. ANITA KLINE says

    August 29, 2020 at 11:22 pm

    Thanks for the uplifting report. Like you I’m finding joy in connecting, in community, in family (from a safe distance). Also in remembering to sit in silence, to take a breath, remember all I have to be grateful for…including you all. The pictures made me hungry. Gonna go make soup. Love to all, Anita

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      August 31, 2020 at 4:25 am

      Anita, thanks for reaching out. Sending so much love and hope to connect soon. ❤️

      Reply
  2. Sandy says

    August 30, 2020 at 1:08 am

    I had broken leg that rendered me immobile for almost 4 months — and during that time covid lockdown hit. I too cannot believe it is already September! It has been a very odd year. I’ve found, as you have so eloquently shown, it is the small things that will keep us sane. Long walks, a good book, quilting, a movie, and becoming absorbed in my work is what keeps me centered.

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      August 31, 2020 at 4:24 am

      Sandy, a broken leg in the midst of all this sounds dreadful. Thanks so much for the sweet words— and it’s so wonderful to be reminded that we are not alone in all this. I hope your recovery is complete and you too are carving out joy— wherever you are. 🙏

      Reply
  3. polly says

    August 30, 2020 at 1:55 am

    Sarah, this blog and you bring me so much joy… and reading this gives me hunger pangs.

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      August 31, 2020 at 4:22 am

      Polly, you’re the best. You are my everything! ❤️🙏💪❤️

      Reply
  4. Nancy Kearsley says

    August 31, 2020 at 3:40 am

    I love your posts! Your pictures are amazing … and the food, oh my! I just visited Sauvie Island earlier this month on our trip to Portland! What a great spot. Loved picking peaches an blackberries! Different trip with my husband along, next solo trip … bins!!!

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      August 31, 2020 at 4:21 am

      Thanks Nancy! Yes, Sauvie is gorgeous and I’m so glad you got to experience it. Stay well ❤️

      Reply
  5. Cindy says

    August 31, 2020 at 10:57 am

    Love your posts and your recipes are the best. Been thinking about you and yours …. choosing joy and spreading joy to others… such beauty in this. I have had some sad days and am so worried about seeds of socialism… trying to see through it all. Our dogs are such comfort… and I can see their smiles, and I don’t need to distance from them. Take care. ! And thank you for all the happy and pup pics!

    Reply
  6. Jen says

    September 6, 2020 at 6:02 am

    I find so much joy in seeing Porter looking so happy. He sure has settled in to be part of the family. My pets are all delighted about the kids being around for Online School, too….sigh. We will get through this….I found some wild blackberries myself. I will have to look through your old posts to find some recipes. I am confused as to whether or not I need to strain them and get the seeds out. 🙂

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Sarah Kline. Former cook at Greens. Restaurant reviewer and food columnist for San Francisco Examiner. Copywriter/recipe writer for Williams Sonoma. Private cooking teacher.  Flash forward.  -> Read More

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