How to survive the relentless greyness of January

There is no escaping the endless parade of grey, rainy, and cold days of a winter in the Northwest . . .

Even as I notice nature's hopeful signs of approaching Spring, the persistent grey blanket of weather wears me down.  No amount of snowshoeing on brilliant mountaintops, observing the new green shoots coming on, and no amount of vicariously enjoying the travel blogs of folks in sunnier climes can lift me out of this sodden, mossy, grey funk.

What's a person to do?  Chocolate, Wine and Beer my friends, that's what!

Every year Portland hosts the Chocolate Fest, a benefit for the World Forestry Center.  Chocolate fest is over 85 vendors of fine chocolate, wine, beer and even boutique vinegars all providing little samples of pure sunshine and joy.

If you think you know something about chocolate - think again.  Unroasted, organic, infused with everything from sea salt to citrus and beyond, every chocolatier has something different and scrumptious.  Habanero, jalapeno, and cayenne are very big and will definitely clear your sinuses while delighting your palate.
Photo from the Chocolate Fest site - but I'm down there somewhere.


Now, I think I can make it until Spring . . .

After several hours of sampling, a few judicious purchases - Habanero dark chocolate caramels with sea salt; Lime Cilantro White Chocolate, and some amazing truffles from Arrowhead Chocolates - I feel I might just make it to Spring - or at least until Spring camping.  Hmmm . . . . I could go camping over at Wallowa Lake State Park - which, coincidently, is very close to Arrowhead Chocolates.

8 comments:

  1. Travels with EmmaJanuary 31, 2013 at 1:45 PM

    A chocolate fest sounds wonderful for the January blues. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RightBrainRightLaneJanuary 31, 2013 at 5:12 PM

      It is indeed! It's great that we have so many innovative craft chocolatiers nearby.

      Delete
  2. TravelingLongdogsJanuary 31, 2013 at 5:19 PM

    Chocolate and wine sounds good. Don't see it pairing with beer though. lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RightBrainRightLaneJanuary 31, 2013 at 5:23 PM

      One local brewery offers a chocolate stout that isn't too bad. I didn't much care for the chocolate stout milkshake though. I agree with you - chocolate and wine offer a lot more possibilities.

      Delete
  3. TravelBug-SusanJanuary 31, 2013 at 5:40 PM

    However did I miss chocolate fest when we lived in OR for over 30 years?

    Now we must make a return trip in January.

    Sounds scrumptious!!

    Travelbug-susan.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. RightBrainRightLaneJanuary 31, 2013 at 9:05 PM

    For sure - one very good reason to be in Portland in January!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousFebruary 2, 2013 at 7:14 PM

    Sounds like an amazing tonic! And makes me feel like I really NEED to become acquainted with those flavors! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RightBrainRightLaneFebruary 3, 2013 at 12:21 AM

      There was an incredible variety of all things chocolate - even drinking chocolates. And then there were the caramels (I bought some smoked habanero sea salt caramels).

      Delete

We Love Comments!!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)