Fall Comforts

With autumn in full bloom – or, err, full foliage – there’s a lot of talk about cold weather things, sweaters, woodburning fires, hot drinks. Having recently returned from a wedding in New England, the symbolic home to the pumpkin spice latte, I wondered how did these cozy treats become emblematic of basicness? When did “basic” become an insult, or is it? Are YOU basic? And what is the remodeled kitchen equivalent of basic? I did somewhat of a deep dive and learned that actually, while New Hampshire and Vermont may be among the most pumpkin spice-obsessed states, Oregon consumes the most pumpkin spice lattes. Or, at least, it did in 2018. So, congrats, Oregon! You’re basic!! But the correlation between pumpkin spice and basicness didn’t fully take off until 2019 when Caitlin Covington became the autumnal meme queen, the “president of fall,” the ambassador of all things basic. With regard to which she tells the NYTimes, “I’m literally as basic as people think I am. Like, pumpkin spice, fall leaves, cardigan sweaters, blanket scarves” At the root, she says, “I have a lot of anxiety and fall is just all about, like, finding comfort in the small things, you know?” Finding comfort in small things, basic or not, who doesn’t want that? Since this is a Real Estate Blog, here are some Basic Market Stats. Thanks for the joke, Jenelle!

Here’s a pumpkin spice latte recipe by way of Ambitious Kitchen to celebrate fall and comfort in small things: 

• Ingredients– 2 shots espresso (or sub 1/2 cup hot freshly brewed coffee but I prefer espresso)
• •  1 cup milk of choice, preferably a milk that froths well (we love oat milk)
  •  3 tablespoons pumpkin puree
  • 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup, to sweeten
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Whipped cream for topping (optional but recommended)

• Instructions
  • Pour milk into a small pot and heat over medium-low heat until it is hot and almost simmering, but do not boil the milk
  • Make your espresso and pour it into a large mug or glass mason jar. Add pumpkin puree, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla and stir until well combined
  • Use a milk frother to froth your milk for about 30 seconds or until foamy, then pour into the mug on top of the pumpkin espresso mixture. Reserve the extra foam, and spoon it on top
  • Feel free to top with whipped cream if you wanna get a little fancy. Sprinkle with a little extra pumpkin spice or cinnamon

Sophie Ragsdale

Broker | Earth Advantage | ADU Specialist | OR

She/Her

Sophie delivers thoughtful strategy and a deep knowledge of the Portland Metropolitan market. If you are a first-time homebuyer, Sophie will be there every step of the way, educating you on the home buying process and, most importantly, crafting you a winning offer. If home buying and selling is old hat, she is an excellent collaborator, intrepid seeker of creative solutions, replete with information and resources, and constant calm in a given storm. Sophie uses both intuition and intelligence to skillfully negotiate any transaction to an effective end. She gets her clients what they need. Born and raised in Portland, Sophie is a 5th generation Oregonian with a lifelong passion for real estate. She loves the unique challenge of every transaction and the relationships she makes along the way. After graduating from Vassar College in NY State, she found herself enjoying the hustle of life in Brooklyn where she lived and worked for over a decade. In addition to real estate, Sophie has worked in journalism and as a social worker, specializing in assisting older adults in housing crisis. Sophie’s experience in person-centered services prepared her to provide clients with a grounded space during the potentially wild ride of home buying and selling. She supports her clients in seeing the big picture while staying focused on the task at hand. Her ability to think creatively gives her an advantage, whether it be problem-solving during the negotiation process or marketing a property for sale. But she's no pushover. Her two years in Brooklyn and Manhattan real estate at the Corcoran Group were especially formative in honing her transaction skills. Sophie is the perfect balance of East Coast determination and West Coast chill, with a huge appreciation for the significance of Home. The time will come when, with elation you will greet yourself arriving at your own door, in your own mirror and each will smile at the other's welcome - Derek Walcott

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• sophie@livingroomre.com