ENJOYING ANOTHER PDX SUMMER

It’s like our summer is all about the BEFORE and AFTER David’s surgery.

My husband is extremely anxious about this surgery and for good reason; it could take up to 12 hours and is very risky and complicated (if you Google esophagectomy you’ll see what I mean — taking out all of one’s esophagus and half of their stomach is no damn fun). Roughly one third of the time, this surgery is followed complications ranging from minor-to-life-threatening.

Even if we’re blessed with successful surgery, positive news on biopsy findings, and no significant problems after, life is going to really be different for a good long while around here. A long hospital stay followed by months of recovery await, so all we can do right now is try to keep him calm and in good spirits.

And the kids and I are trying to cram in as much fun and relaxation as we can now because from July 16th on, it’s all stress, struggles and getting Oliver ready to leave for school mid-August.

Here’s how we are making hay while the sun shines.

We’re taking lots of picnics.

Some of the time it’s just us

and when that’s the case we usually end up playing cards or a simple game with our favorite four legged friend watching and waiting for a treat.

Just recently we went out to one of my favorite places for a picnic, Kruger’s Farm on Sauvie Island, and it was so enjoyable to walk through the hydrangea fields

and enjoy a sweet treat from the general store after (these Mexican fruit pops are incredible).

Sometimes we lure friends out to picnics, like my friend Alicia, the incredible blogger and designer.

I love pulling together trays of food to nibble on.

Alicia was one of the first friends I made in Portland sixteen years ago, and so much has happened in our lives since we met.

I hadn’t seen her or her adorable daughter Amelia in far too long, so it was wonderful to sit in a park with her for hours and just catch up.

She gifted me with some of her beautiful handcrafted hand lotions,

and we parted with the promise to see each other more often.

So picnics — in all forms.

Sometimes they are enjoyed outside,

some are dropped off to pals, and some are smuggled into movie theaters to enjoy.

And Team Kline loves miniature golf.

This mini-golf was situated next to a real course and it was so beautiful out with the emerald grass and views.

There’s also been a lot of bowling

and arcades for the kids

and for me, my biggest summer treat, garage sales.

One of my favorites is Laurie Romanaggi’s (many know her by her blog and Instagram name Magpie Ethel) each June.

It’s always mobbed with admirers and vintage junkies

and this year I just bought a few things (my Christmas collection is out of control so I had to gloss over those goodies).

Look at those jars with vintage decals!

Thanks, Laurie — I love all my treasures and they are all being used/displayed as we speak.

And I LOVE all those fantastic checkered boxes you gifted me!

I’ve hit a few garage sales in the past week alone, including one that was a true digger sale.

The owner was a hoarder, a lot of the offerings weren’t in great shape, but after an hour or so of poking around I found some fun little things to take home with me.

I loved the ticking fabric and the vintage Gurley candles (buried in a box of hardware!)

and the scalloped stockings are adorable.

Here’s a few other things that have made it home with me from some other sales.

So picnics and garage sales.

I’ve also had fun organizing sleepovers for Charlotte.

I’m not sure what’s more fun — decorating for them

or cooking for them? (Probably the latter.)

The dinner of grilled meats and tofu atop rice noodles with veggies and Vietnamese dipping sauce was a big hit.

I like to serve dinners family style so people can mix and match to their delight and have as little or as much as they’d like.

Here’s how we do breakfasts, with individual platters of goodness for everyone.

I literally daydream about all the things I like to offer them, and homemade treats usually elicit some pretty big wows.

Oliver and I are continuing with his cooking lessons.

Grilled steak.

Homemade meatballs with marinara sauce and Parmesan.

And last but not least, Porter is enjoying a little R and R as we speak.

Why shouldn’t our dog get in on the fun, too?

Turns out Porter has fairy dog parents who love him like we do and they asked if they could take him away for a few days to the beach.

Sure!

Sue and Bruce live in our neighborhood and they’ve had Goldens before –as have the friends with whom they’ve been visiting on the Coast– so it’s been a delight to see how much fun they’ve all been having together.

Playing Sasquatch.

Receiving some new toys.

Watching out for deer at every corner.

And just enjoying the water and the sand and the warmth of the midday sun.

So here’s to long, lazy summer days, delicious food, and living it up with those you love.

Sending love and kisses to all of you.