Great Christmas Cycling Post on a Blog - Cyclist drags tree home

The bike lanes are busy with people transporting all manner of seasonal items. Trees, presents, what have you.
Just another day in the life of a cycling Copenhagen.

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Christmas Eve at the Koonce Household

Just a slow day in Sellwood. Started off really slow, we had our Milwaukie neighbors over for a breakfast souflet that took two years off our lives. As we were trying to get together to get out and enjoy a little of that sunshine, we were greeted by a holiday elf that helped us decide to go down to the Park for a little play time with neighbors Katy and Lucy. We met Niko and his sister (forgot her name) and had a great old time although it was pretty cold. Susan was a baking queen and I tried to help by ruining some of the bread. Emma came over with Jack and I went shopping at the local shops for some last minute gifts and groceries. We had a good day with the girls, Abby put out treats for Santa and Amelia had fun putting on her new Curious George pajamas, a Koonce Tradition. I am eating too many sweets and Susan is making enchilladas for tomorrow's Christmas dinner at her folks. It was strange that we did not do the Estacada trip today (they were starting too late for the kiddos), but I guess that's what happens when you grow up with your kids.
Listening to some of the old Christmas Carols, Merry Christmas Baby by Springsteen is on and Elvis is always a favorite :)
Surfed a little to my favorite biking websites and found the Bike Carols on the Shift 2 Bikes site (very clever, I like clever people). Planning to ride on New Year's Eve, hopefully I am feeling up for it and the weather is decent (it is a family friendly ride)!

Off to assemble enchiladas...

Peacock Lane: A Holiday Tradition

 
 

One of our favorite traditions is visiting Peacock Lane in inner Southeast Portland. The two block walk is filled with houses all lit up for the holidays. The sad part is that cars run all the way through and it becomes quite congested on the sidewalks.

We enjoyed a rainy night with Herny and MK.

Christmas in America

Even in practically perfect Portland, the holiday season is upon us. The consumer culture is alive and well. IF only people would turn off their TVs to the normal crap.

I noticed a sign of the Apocalypse on Thrusday when looking through the paper and seeing that the Factory Stores were opening at midnight on Black Friday to get an early jump on the national chains like Kohl's that were waiting til 4 a.m. to give away their best holiday deals.

On second contemplation, I think it makes sense... if you're coming home from Family, you may just want to cleanse your holiday cheer with some shopping in the middle of nowhere.

I say all of this in gest becuase I sent Susan out with Emma and Dorreen and had a wallet and socks on my list of things she should get at the half off sale at Fred Meyer.

Week After Thanksgiving

Twas the week after Turkey Day and all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a mouse. We finally rid ourselves of our basement friend. He ended up in the gutter, which is a little odd to think about how that could happen. I guess it is better not to think of it.

We enjoyed the visit and family time on the long weekend with the Leftleys. I tried to take them to the Aerial Tram, but it was closed. We rode the Streetcar into downtown and saw the Pioneer Square Christmas Tree, went into Macy's and tried to visit Santa (he was on a break), and rode the Max and the Streetcar back to the car.

It was sort of a lazy day for the McConnells and Susan. When we got back they were off to Grand Central, I guess they needed to get out.

Super Turkey 07

Susan just got back from New Seasons having picked up the 21.2 lb Diestel Farms Turkey. The thing is huge. Abby got a kick out of poking and prodding it while Susan helped thaw it a bit. It wasn't supposed to be frozen, but I guess it sat in the fridge in the back a little too long there at the store.

Abby was very curious about the bird and was asking about the bones and where the wishbone was and why its neck was separate. When we went to bed tonight she asked why I did not want to touch the turkey and I told her that I didn't like animals "that" much and she said, "but Dad you like Beavers". I told her that was a little different and that we could talk about it in the morning.