Again, big thanks to everyone who participated in our LOVE BIG, GIVE BIG campaign this year. What a delight to spread some love to this wonderful group of local organizations serving our community in various ways.
Celebrate The Solstice /
Though it will be weeks before we're out of the darkest days here in the Pacific Northwest, we are approaching the turning point where we begin to move toward the light. Do you feel wistful for the bright days of summer? Or do you relish the coziness inspired by the cold, grey times? Either way, the solstice is a wonderful reminder to mark this place in time and celebrate the mid-point of the journey into the warmth you cherish or to stay present in the coming weeks and absorb as much coziness as possible!
Here are three Portland-y ways to celebrate the solstice:
Head to Leach Botanical Gardens for a simple and flexible gathering on Thursday, December 21st, from 11 am to 3 pm. Wander through the gardens, leave a note at the Gratitude tree, or sip a warm beverage by the fire. (Adults and Seniors: $5; Kids: Free)
Register for the event>>
Gather around a fire with family and friends to light your way into the longest night of the year. If you're celebrating outside, pick up a fancy s'mores kit and local hot cocoa to sweeten the fun.
Take a walk in the woods or a stroll in your local park, and then cozy up at home with your favorite blanket and an eco-friendly candle (maybe make plans to make your own candle for next year's solstice?).
Just for Fun: A Bit of Lore from A Local Artist /
We have long treasured Silver Falls State Park for its natural beauty. Where else can you walk behind THREE waterfalls in ONE afternoon? After reading Portland Artist Amy Stewart's highly entertaining illustrated two-part history of the region, we have a few more reasons to appreciate this magical park.
First, learn about the region's geology; it might sound boring, but trust us, this will both blow your mind and change how you think about the ground underneath your feet (at least when you're standing in Oregon).
Second, meet the swashbuckling folks who loved this beautiful place for its natural beauty and potential to line their pockets with cash.
BONUS. A delightful deep dive into one of life's big questions: What is a waterfall anyway?
Visit Silver Falls State Park for the Winter Festival on December 9th>>
NAR Class Action Law Suit /
The implications of the recent ruling in the class action suit against NAR and some of the nation's largest Real Estate Brokerages are significant, and the dust is nowhere near settled. I've written about this topic several times in the past few years since the suit was filed in 2019.
There have been terrific news reports on how we got here, where we are, and where we might be headed. One such story came out earlier this month on NPR; it covers the highlights in just under ten minutes.
Listen to the segment on this episode of NPR's Consider This podcast>>
If you'd like to read my previous posts about the suit, you can find them here and here. And of course, I'm always happy to answer any questions you have on the subject, so feel free to call or email me anytime.
RMLS Market Action Report /
The market continues to stall due to affordability. With the rise in interest rates from mid-2s to high 7s in just 36 months, we have not seen a commensurate drop in prices. Although new listings have also dropped, we are sitting on the highest inventory since COVID began due to the drop in pending sales. This means there are Sellers out there who are ready to sell, and Buyers are seeing some opportunities if they are willing to hunt.
Homes in good condition and priced appropriately are still moving, and if they have the "special something," we are even seeing multiple offers. It's an odd market; we are here to help you interpret it!
View the most recent market action report here>>
Zucchini: Boon or Burden? /
Clearly, as this image shared by one of my clients demonstrates, zucchini has a reputation as a bit of a problem in the family vegetable plot. "Death by Zucchini" is the creative genius (and possibly an act of artistic protest) of some North Portland neighborhood kids.
Too much zucchini happens to the best of us. In fact, many wonderful people I've known during my decades in Portland have tried to pawn gargantuan zucchini off on me when things got out of control in their gardens. In an A to Z guide to vegetables, a McSweeney's writer offers a shrewd warning, "Zucchini has friends. Don't get on its bad side."
If you are facing down adult-human-calf-sized fruits, do not lose hope. There are many ways to eat zucchini–fritters, roasted spears, carpaccio-style, zoodled, pickled, baked into bread, muffins, or cake–and you can always shred and freeze it to make some of those things in the depths of winter.
I've got one special recipe that you'll have to try to believe: Zucchini Panini (aka zucchini grilled cheese). If you're also under the thumb of your tomato plants, make a soup, then grill up some sandies and start dipping.