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You are here: Home / Eat Portland / FIVE THINGS I’M LOVING THIS WEEK

FIVE THINGS I’M LOVING THIS WEEK

October 13, 2017 by Sarah Kline 10 Comments

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The news outside is atrocious and deeply worrisome: violence, unrest, natural disasters, political quagmires.

The heavy rain, chilly temps and limited sunshine means less outdoor time and very little Vitamin D.

I’m solo parenting while my hubby’s on a business trip to China, my kids are in the throes of school/hormones/testing and my dog is getting feebler by the minute.

What to do?

All this calls for supreme self-care in all its forms.

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So here are FIVE Things I’m Loving This Week.

ONE. Embracing the TV watching.

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Whether it’s watching football with a neighbor,

Oliver and Emilia

catching up on Ballers while folding laundry, or counting the minutes until This is Us airs, I’m watching with abandon.

You feel me?

Grab your favorite blanket, make a big bowl of popcorn (preferably with luxe butter)

Popcorn with watermelon slushie

and relax.

In the market for a winner this weekend?

Here’s a classic that never disappoints: Rear Window.

Rear WIndow

First and foremost, it’s enthralling to see Grace Kelly at her most beguiling (the pencil skirts! the pearls! the catered dinner!); I can’t think of any contemporary actress who rivals her charisma, beauty, and style.

Then there’s Jimmy Stewart as the voyeuristic cameraman nursing a broken leg and Raymond Burr as the neighbor with nefarious intentions — plus the Hitchcock framing and storytelling is primo.

rear window

On another note, today is Friday the 13th so the kids and I are going to sit down to a scary/creepy movie tonight. (Suggestions?)

it movie

This movie last weekend has me itching for more manufactured thrills.

TWO. Going to my local farmer’s market.

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I’m lucky in that I’ve got a terrific farmer’s market six blocks from my house.

It’s not the biggest in town but it has all the big bells and whistles (produce, flowers, breads, sauces, meats, fish plus tamales, coffee, cookies, shrubs, honey and a few other ones) and I always come home with a basket of treats.

Olympia Provisions, Portland, Farmers Market

Getting outside– no matter the weather — is vital for mental health. Why not combine that with food shopping?

Look at the five pounds of tomatoes I came home with this week.

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Speaking of tomatoes, I think it’s really important to eat especially tasty food when you’re feeling blue.

So,

THREE. I’m eating killer sandwiches.

Whether it’s one using those scandalously ripe tomatoes in a BLT,

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or dressing up a tuna sandwich (with two kinds of olive, lemon zest and thyme),

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go for simplicity but hone those details with the best possible ingredients.

Here’s another one of my favorites: a shrimp roll with cilantro, avocado and corn.

Shrimp, Avocado and Corn Salad

What’s your favorite homemade sandwich?

FOUR. Hitting the Goodwill Bins for a little treasure hunting.

Portland Goodwill Bins Airport Outlet

I’ve popped in twice in the last two weeks and I’ve found a few things sold by the pound that have put a spring in my step.

Check out this cute little felted coin purse; it’s now hiding in my car with an emergency $20 and quarters so when I forget my wallet when I run to the store, I don’t have to head home for payment.

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Over two trips I also found all this Halloween parapharnalia, and all but the one vintage bag is still pristine in its packaging (and all this probably set me back thirty cents or so).

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These magazines were picked up for 29 cents a piece and I like keeping them in the car to peruse when I’m waiting for gas or picking up a kid.

fall baking magazines

And then there’s this, my favorite recent find– a metal sign that you can plug in (or not), still with the tags on it and right at home over my French doors off my kitchen.

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It’s pretty big– almost two feet long and 2/3 that high — and the price tag said $40 but the Goodwill outlet woman sold it to me for $3 (sometimes they’ll sell heavier items at a price cheaper than by pound estimate).

Considering that this price was more than 90% off its retail — and it looks perfect where it now sits!– I’m uber happy.

And lastly,

FIVE. Fresh cut flowers indoors.

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Always.

Whether the  flowers are from the garden (like these my friend Rebecca dropped off)

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or these dropped off from my pal Elizabeth

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from the very special floral offerings at Providore Fine Foods Market,

providore flowers

fresh flowers always lift my spirits.

Turns out both of those above bunches were dropped off within an hour of one another, so I’ve got blooms in almost every room of the house right now. That’s a huge mood-shifter for me.

So those five things plus special breakfasts are my jam right now.

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What simple pleasures are you enjoying right now?

Filed Under: Eat Portland, Favorite Portland Outings, Goodwill & Thrift Stores, Grocery Shop Portland, Incorporating Vintage at Home in Portland, My Favorite Things, Sandwiches

« HUNKERING DOWN, HALLOWEEN HO
GIRL’S WEEKEND: 7 SAN FRANCISCO MUST DO’S »

Comments

  1. David says

    October 13, 2017 at 8:50 pm

    Can’t wait to see that “Eat” sign, baby!

    Reply
  2. David says

    October 13, 2017 at 8:54 pm

    Great post, by the way.

    Reply
  3. Leonardo says

    October 13, 2017 at 10:41 pm

    Absolute the rear window. It’s a fizzies party!!!!!

    Reply
  4. Connie says

    October 13, 2017 at 11:32 pm

    Ah, Sarah, I am feeling you! From dealing with teenage hormones to making the most of being cozy at home. I did go to see “It” with my son, at his behest (my daughter and I took in “Battle of the Sexes”). In gearing up for the season, we’ve watched these movies over the past few weekends: “Gaslight”‘; “The Birds”; “Misery” and “Strangers on a Train” (we’ve watched “Rear Window” previously, although I think it’s time to work it back into the rotation). Tomorrow there is to be an evening of silent comedies (from the Hal Roach Studio) near us with a Halloween theme (one is Buster Keaton in “The Haunted House”), so I think we’ll take that in. I wish you and the kids a wonderful, low drama, and cozy weekend!

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      October 14, 2017 at 3:04 pm

      Connie, I love hearing from you! Thanks for the reminders of three great movies. We actually watched The Birds a month ago and I think Misery will be next up. Last night we watched The Ring — another eerie winner. Thanks for chiming in! XO

      Reply
  5. Nicki says

    October 14, 2017 at 1:30 am

    So enjoy your observations and feel in-
    clouded inyour special life. Thanks
    Sarah. Happy Fall Nicki

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      October 14, 2017 at 2:44 pm

      Thanks so much for the kind words. XO

      Reply
  6. melinda rosa says

    October 14, 2017 at 1:20 pm

    Sarita! love your post and i am off to Farmers Market to get flowers! Miss you.

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      October 14, 2017 at 2:43 pm

      Me, too! I hope to see you soon… you’re the tops!

      Reply
  7. barbara says

    October 15, 2017 at 4:40 pm

    Hit the nail on the head Sarah as usual. It is a transitional time of year. A sweet boy leaving me for a week to go be a leader at Outdoor School (and I’m trying not to fret about the wet and the cold he will be in), another boy finally getting his license and thinking about senior portraits….its all making me feel old.
    Good things include the astoundingly purple beauty berry down the street that is all set to bring us much needed color in December and the range of color on my peony leaves, so smokey and subtle…it perfect.
    Also 2 big boxes of crisp apples from Hood River will keep me busy making batch after batch of applesauce.
    Rear Window – yes!!! She is completely stunning and he gets to sit around in pajamas…? Love it.

    Reply

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