November in the Northwest

     November in the Northwest is upon us.  The leaves are just past their peak color and  have begun to fall from the trees, driven to the ground by the blustery wind.  The highs now are in the upper 40's and the rain has begun in earnest.  We do our best to dodge the drops as we dash from the car, up the steps and onto the porch.  Tonight we "fall back" in so many ways.  The clocks are turned back to give us an extra hour to savor the warmth of the soft flannel sheets and the fluffy comforter on the bed.  We "fall back" into our winter habits of crafts and cooking our favorite foods that drive the cold away and leave us feeling warm and cozy.  We also "fall back" into books and the luxury of a Sunday afternoon on the couch reading and watching football.
     In Portland we look eastward on the first clear day to gaze upon Mt. Hood in all of it's winter splendor; looking like it has been dusted with powdered sugar.  We run to that mountain with our tire chains in the the car and the skis and snow boards strapped to the top of our cars. We stop at Joe's Donuts for snow-park passes and some of the best donuts and coffee around. We flock to the mountain to play like the "kids" that we are, because as you know, kids of all ages enjoy a good romp in the snow!  Some of us are more daring than others, sliding down the side of that mountain at break-neck speed.  While others of us enjoy the quiet splendor of the cross country trails that take us into a winter wonderland.  A feast for the eyes to be sure!
      And speaking of feasts....the farmer's markets are over for the season except for the "Holiday Markets" the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Every good thing you could ever imagine from the bounty of our farms are at these markets.  The grass fed turkeys, the last of the autumn produce, the candied hazelnuts and let us not forget the Rogue River Cheeses!  It's a Foodie's version of Disneyland to be sure.  Kaysie and I come home with enough food to feed everyone in the neighborhood.  Then we get busy in our little kitchen, mixing and chopping and preparing for Thanksgiving Day.
     The day after Thanksgiving the nose on the Reindeer that leaps across The Old Town sign lights up red and ushers in the Christmas shopping season.  My daughter and I enjoy getting up early on "Black Friday".  We try to get to our neighborhood Starbucks as they are opening the door for our morning beverages.  Then we go out into the darkness for some caffeine fueled holiday shopping.  It's always fun being out amongst the happy shoppers jumping into the holiday spirit.    The remainder of the weekend we spend decorating our little corner of the world.  The lights don't get turned on until the final day of November, and then only with great ceremony that rivals that of the Griswold family of that holiday classic Christmas Vacation.
     For most of November we are content to be home.  Lounging by the fire place listening to holiday music and playing board games.  When we do go out we are greeted by a feast for the eyes no matter where we look.  Sometimes we take a day trip to Seattle or the coast to enjoy the beauty that is present so much of this month.  I remember when I first moved here, November was my favorite month.  I loved the way the early morning mist hung on the tops of the evergreen trees and even the greyest day was beautiful to me.  These are all of things that I love best about the Pacific Northwest, in addition to the people that I live and work with.  My roots are growing deeper with every passing season and I'm glad.  I have found my home and the place where I am meant to be, and this, my favorite month, makes it that much sweeter.  Cheers!