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You are here: Home / Eat Portland / PUTTING HOLIDAYS TO BED

PUTTING HOLIDAYS TO BED

January 4, 2016

Putting away Vintage Ornaments

I think there are two kinds of people.

There are those who are excited to be finished with the freneticism (or flip side, loneliness) of the holidays, and are eager to crack open a New Year. For these folks, there’s the perpetual perception that a fresh start awaits — and not soon enough.

It’s like they’re saying: See ya, 2015 — we’ve moved on already.

Then there are those who are really sad to see the holidays over and are dragged into early January with a petulant, cranky stubbornness. This group dreads the holiday house break down and feels sad about getting back to the routine of regular school activites and hectic schedules.

And New Year’s Resolutions?

The first camp is probably on their third or fourth rewrite; the second camp won’t even allow conversations to go there (it’s hard to feel virtuous when you’re elbow-deep in your third Triscuit box in as many days).

My husband is of the first camp.

And I’m so firmly in the second one that I’m Lifetime Team Captain.

Every year we argue about how soon/how late to break down holiday and hit the refresh button (ideally, my husband would get his wish of early a.m Dec. 26th and I’d get mine of mid-January. Ish.).

And every holiday he seems to get antsier earlier about pulling the trigger and I dig in my heels that much deeper when agreeing on a time.

Who can blame me when such cuteness surrounds?

Rudolph on Porch

Rudy, I’ve loved you all December but I guess you’re not fitting in with the January plans.

Sweet little vintage ornaments, your once-verdant home is now sitting outside with a Zip-locked check for pick up, so I need to pack you up, too.

Christmas Ornament on Tree

Ditto for you, my cheery Pom-Pom bedecked wreath.

You’ve greeted me for weeks at the front door but I’m afraid it’s time to say adieu.

Christmas Wreath

And all of the rest of you, I’m afraid my tyrant of a husband is insisting that your time is up as well.

Every last one of you.

Vintage Holiday Elves on a Shelf

At least you’ll all be together and can keep each other company in the long months ahead.

Putting away Vintage Ornaments

And so everything holiday was taken down, wrapped up and then placed up in the corner of the attic until next year.

Bummer.

Right after this de-holidaying time each year I get depressed — and it takes me a couple weeks to get my head on straight and find something else I can look forward to.

In this bittersweet transitional time, I know that I need extra TLC in the food compartment.

Even more than usual.

So while some of you are probably on your third day of cleanses, I’m going the opposite way.

I’m doubling down.

Pumperknickel and Lox on Toast

Like Lox, Avocado and Cream Cheese on Toasted Pumpernickel kind of double down.

Pumperknickel and Lox Sandwich

Yes, it was really that good.

Then there were the Sharp Cheddar Biscuits with garlic butter glaze.

Cheddar Biscuit

Nothing like a little artery-clogging breakfast of champions to get the day started right.

One needs to plow through these early enough in the day that you’ve got the time and energy to make Turkey-Prosciutto meatballs for a Slow-Cooker dinner.

Turkey Prosciutto Meatballs

More happiness was in store with yesterday’s giant burrito bowls with ground turkey, tomatoes, avocado and cilantro dressing with a side of Juanita chips.

Sunshine in a bowl.

Taco Bowl with Cilantro Dressing

(I’ve officially decided that avocado is one of the ways that God shows us every day how much s/he loves us).

Each lux, well-thought out treat makes me feel just a wee bit better.

So yes, I’m going there, Camp One — and I don’t want to hear any guff about it.

I’m happy to report that there were a couple other things in the neighborhood that made my mood brighten further (even if only temporarily).

One.

LARP players in Grant Park.

LARP at Grant

Not familiar with this phenomenon?

I don’t know exactly what the above stands for but one guy I watched told me that LARP is Live Action Role Playing and these serious-as-a-heart-attack players dress up and fight and play and live out whole scenarios.

I’m not pretending I get it, but it’s weird and cool and inexplicable — and it’s a hell of a lot of fun to watch others get into it when you’re just throwing the ball for your dog.

LARP at Grant

The woman in the pioneer-looking dress above seemed to command a lot of respect on the field (grrl power) and I even saw a guy in full protective chainmail armor ware put down his equipment to chat up a shy young maiden — not your every day sight, to be sure.

LARP at Grant

Mood-Busting Occurrences Two and Three were both weather related.

You see, no sooner had we come back from Mt. Hood to track down some snow when just a couple days later, the snow came to us.

Hooray!

Yesterday Portland was treated to a couple inches of the most powdery snow — and we took full advantage of it.

Charlotte on Sled

We sledded down our driveway.

We watched as nature gave our frozen yogurt an additional topping of snowflakes.

Fro-Yo with Snow

We later warmed up with vanilla steamers and then we realized that we had just enough snow– and daylight– to make a little friend for our front yard.

Snow Man in Front Yard

In doing so, I gained one very important piece of knowledge.

Junior Mints make the most perfect eyes for a snowman (take that, M&M’S).

And speaking of snow, there was one last sight that cracked me up and for a moment made me forget my post-holiday blues.

Set against the backdrop of an unexpectedly icy and snowy walk, these two creatures walked by me.

Two Tiggers in the Snow

Two Adult Tiggers.

In boots. And in sunglasses.

Two Tiggers in the Snow

And they looked like they were having a ball.

Why would adults have two matching costumes like these on hand? To prepare for National A.A. Milne Day?

No, wait, hold up.

Unless these were something left over from a Halloween party, I don’t think I want to know why adults are walking around in Tigger outfits. If it’s something weird, Winnie the Pooh will be forever marred for me, so let’s just leave it at that, shall we?

So goodbye, 2015. 

Homemade Cocoa Party, Vanilla Steamer

And 2016– I’m not yet ready for you, but I’m trying.

Truly.

And so in the days to come, look for me out and about.

To combat downbeat moods, I’ll be foraging for goodies to bring back to loved ones for sharing.

Just like this industrious fella.

Fat Squirrel at Wilshire Park

And if that means I too get a little wider in the hips, I guess that’s just nature’s way of helping me cope.

Filed Under: Eat Portland, Favorite Portland Outings, Incorporating Vintage at Home in Portland, Sandwiches, Side Dishes Tagged With: vintage holiday

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Comments

  1. Elizabeth Hurlow-Hannah says

    January 5, 2016 at 12:25 am

    Dear Sarah,

    As usual, your Blog always “Hits it out of the park!” All of your commentaries brought back lots of memories, and I’m glad that the kids got some time in sledding. I grew up in Central Ohio, so ice skating on the frozen creek/pond in my back yard and sledding were ongoing winter activities–I thought everyone did this!

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      January 5, 2016 at 1:15 am

      Kind words, Elizabeth — and what happy memories they must be for you!
      Thanks for piping in. Happy New Year!

      Reply
  2. Elona says

    January 5, 2016 at 12:26 am

    Although I am sure I will never convert you to being on “team one,” I am here to help your transition any way I can!

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      January 5, 2016 at 1:13 am

      As my Mom always says, it takes all kinds in this world.
      That said, you inspire me every day with your “Team One”-ness.

      Reply
  3. Kay Sprinkel Grace says

    January 5, 2016 at 3:25 am

    Exceptional Blog! I left my holiday house 2 days after Christmas to go to New Hampshire to see family — everyone urged me to take down the tree and nutcrackers and Father Christmas — but I could NOT do that on December 26. So….wearily arriving back fairly late on January 2, my tree drooping terribly (but the nutcrackers — all 22 of them — were still happy and upright) I had one more intake of that special joy which is a house dressed for Christmas. January 3 I dismantled it all, and just tonight my son and I put it all away. Until next year…..Happy New Year!

    Reply
  4. Jill says

    January 5, 2016 at 6:05 am

    Thanks for your wonderful post. I’m really enjoying your blog. I found your blog when I was looking for places to eat on our recent trip to Portland, and I’ve been hooked ever since! I’m looking forward to reading many more in the new year!

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      January 6, 2016 at 5:59 pm

      Howdy, Jill! Thanks so much for the kind words and introducing yourself. Should you ever have a suggestion for a post, don’t hesitate to chime in — I love to hear from my readers. Best of holiday wishes!

      Reply

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