Dot Donuts
October 29, 2009 by Leigh Anne
Filed under places to eat
Donuts and fall just seem to go together in my book. Whether it is enjoying a fresh donut dipped in hot chocolate, with a mug of apple cider or just a cold glass of milk, a Dot Donut makes the combo complete.
Dot Donuts is located in the Fisher’s Landing area at 1825 SE 164th, Vancouver. Next time you head over the river be sure and make a trip to the bright and cheery Dot Donuts. Their fresh, fun donuts are definitely worth the trip!
With thirty years of baking experience Stan and Nyla WIlson know what they are doing! Dot Donuts has an amazing selection of donuts which are all made fresh daily and fried in a non-trans fat oil.
They have a wonderful variety of out of the ordinary flavors – I tried a root beer bar, much more interesting than the typical maple bar! You’ll also find cotton candy, passion fruit, bubblegum and lots more fun flavors!
There were lots of fun and bright colors too. A bright green donut is much more fun to eat than a boring brown chocolate one!
I also loved the S’mores donut. How cute is that!
They of course have all the regular varieties of donuts – yeast raised, cake, old fashioned, but have just added a fun twist to many of them with flavor and color! I couldn’t leave without my all time favorite donut, an old fashioned, and it was wonderful!
So next time you have a donut craving head on over the river to Dot Donuts. The service was friendly and helpful and the best part is the donuts are yummy!
FYI Friday – Oct. 23, 2009
October 23, 2009 by Leigh Anne
Filed under places to play, places to see
We are starting a new feature here on Homebased Portland – FYI Friday.
On Fridays we will share with you some last minute ideas for weekend fun. Fun, family friendly events that are going on around the Portland metro area.
So if you don’t have anything planned for the weekend or are looking for a fun family outing check here each Friday to see what’s going on!
Westview High School in Beaverton is performing Little Princess this weekend. A delightful story based on the Frances Hodgson Burnett children’s book. Shows are Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1 and 4 p.m. Westview High School is located at 4200 NW 185th Ave., 503-259-5225. Tickets are $6.00
NW Children’s Theater is performing Winnie the Pooh - Performances are Friday at 7 pm and noon and 3 on Saturday and Sunday this weekend. Tickets are $13-22. Located at 1819 NW Everett St., 503-222-4480.
The Ladybug Theater is offering a nonscary play – Granny and Boo Hoo’s Halloween Party -for the preschool set complete with audience participation. 10:30 a.m. Wed-Thurs., Oct. 28 and 29th. Smile Station, 8210 SE 13th. Tickets are $3.50. Reservations requested. Call 503-232-2346 for more information.
Clifford the Big Red Dog traveling exhibit is going on at the Children’s Museum. Events include story times, crafts and a parade. Check out the Children’s Museum website for specific information. Admission fee to museum is $7-8.00
There is still a lot of Halloween fun going on this weekend.
If you haven’t visited a corn maze yet there are several to choose from.
The Corn Maize at The Pumpkin Patch - located on Sauvie’s Island
Corn Maze Sherwood – located at Grahams Ferry Farm in Sherwood
Kruger’s Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze – located on Sauvie’s Island
Fir Point Harvest Festival – located in Aurora. Includes hayrides, slides, pony rides, pumpkin patch and haunted house.
Pumpkin Patch Trolley – located at the Oregon Electric Railway Museum in Brooks. Ride the pumpkin patch trolley. 3995 Brooklake Road NE., Brooks. Call 503-888-4014 for more information.
If you are looking for something a little more “scary” check out these:
Halloween Fantasy Trail – A lighted trail filled with spooky sights and sounds including a 40 foot illuminated castle, a maze, a crooked house and more! Located in Oregon City. Check out their website for more details. $3.50-5.00 a person
Scream at the Beach – Jantzen Beach that is! Includes 5 Halloween haunts, concerts, shows, rides and concessions. $20.00 a ticket.
The Davis Graveyard - located at 8703 SE 43rd Ave. in Portland. Includes a full light, sound and video animation display.
Millburn’s Haunted Manor – located in Hubard. Milburn’s Boo Lane is available for younger children.
Other activities include:
“Scream! Featuring Goose Bumps” exhibit at OMSI to find out more about our reaction to fear.
Farmer’s Markets are still open -
Hillsboro Sunday Farmers Market
Irvington Farmers Market – NE 16th Avenue between Broadway and Weidler Streets
Make it a great weekend!!
Local Halloween Costume Resources
October 21, 2009 by Leigh Anne
Filed under places to see
So what are you going to be for Halloween? If you are still asking this question around your house you may want to check out some of the resources available around the Portland area for costumes.
Looking to get creative and not spend a lot of money? Be sure and check out your neighborhood Goodwill, Value Village or local thrift shop. This time of year they usually have a section in the store full of items that would make great Halloween costumes! Remember one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!
If you are looking to rent a costume Portland has a nice selection of costume rental places.
Hollywood Costumers (SE Hawthorne)
Helen’s Pacific Costumers (NE Glisan)
Greenleaf Costumes (Hillsboro)
Costume Avenue/Stage West (Beaverton)
Or if you want to get really creative and make something yourself check out the Family Fun website for lots of darling costume ideas you can easily make at home!
Pumpkin Patches } Plumper Pumpkins
October 19, 2009 by Leigh Anne
Filed under places to play
Plumper Pumpkin Patch is the down home farm experience. The family welcomes you onto their property and into their lives with fall entertainment and harvest activities. Quaint and cozy are how I would describe my experience here, which is what brings me back every year!
For directions and more information please visit them here.
11435 NW Old Cornelius Pass Rd, Portland, OR 97231
FYI Friday
October 16, 2009 by Leigh Anne
Filed under places to play, places to see
We are starting a new feature here on Homebased Portland – FYI Friday.
On Fridays we will share with you some last minute ideas for weekend fun. Fun, family friendly events that are going on around the Portland metro area.
So if you don’t have anything planned for the weekend or are looking for a fun family outing check here each Friday to see what’s going on!
There is a lot of Halloween fun going on this weekend.
If you haven’t visited a corn maze yet there are several to choose from.
The Corn Maize at The Pumpkin Patch - located on Sauvie’s Island
Corn Maze Sherwood – located at Grahams Ferry Farm in Sherwood
Kruger’s Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze – located on Sauvie’s Island
Fir Point Harvest Festival – located in Aurora. Includes hayrides, slides, pony rides, pumpkin patch and haunted house.
Pumpkin Patch Trolley – located at the Oregon Electric Railway Museum in Brooks. Ride the pumpkin patch trolley. 3995 Brooklake Road NE., Brooks. Call 503-888-4014 for more information.
If you are looking for something a little more “scary” check out these:
Halloween Fantasy Trail – A lighted trail filled with spooky sights and sounds including a 40 foot illuminated castle, a maze, a crooked house and more! Located in Oregon City. Check out their website for more details. $3.50-5.00 a person
Scream at the Beach – Jantzen Beach that is! Includes 5 Halloween haunts, concerts, shows, rides and concessions. $20.00 a ticket.
The Davis Graveyard - located at 8703 SE 43rd Ave. in Portland. Includes a full light, sound and video animation display.
Millburn’s Haunted Manor – located in Hubard. Milburn’s Boo Lane is available for younger children.
Other activities include:
”Scream! Featuring Goose Bumps” exhibit at OMSI to find out more about our reaction to fear.
Family Day at the Oregon Historical Society – Saturday from 11- 3 p.m. You will have the opportunities to speak with Native American artists and explore the exhibits.
Apple Tasting Festival at Portland Nursery
Farmer’s Markets are still open -
Hillsboro Sunday Farmers Market
Irvington Farmers Market – NE 16th Avenue between Broadway and Weidler Streets
And if you feel like taking a drive out the gorge be sure and check out the Hood River Harvest Fest with art sale, farmer’s market, live music, food, kids zone, quilt raffle and other exhibits.
Make it a great weekend!!
Pumpkin Patches
October 14, 2009 by Leigh Anne
Filed under places to play
There are enough local pumpkin patches in Oregon to keep you busy for the whole month of October! It is one of the highlights of fall in the great northwest. A great resource for choosing the perfect patch can be found here. Of course you can check out a few of our top picks listed below too!
23985 NW Grossen Drive, Hillsboro, OR
Parking is $2 per car. FREE: pumpkin patch, petting zoo, hay maze, pumpkin fun house!
11435 NW Old Cornelius Pass Rd, Portland, OR 97231
No charge for visiting farm, purchase a sticker that includes the farm animals, hay mazes, rubber duck races, pumpkin bowling, playhouse, tractor tricycles, & weekend hay rides.
32055 NW North Ave. North Plains, OR 97133
Come see some great pumpkins. Add to your experience with a Train and Boat ride. They also feature a caterpillar ride, face painting, pony rides, kettle corn, and food on the weekends!
Pumpkin Patches } Roloff Farms
October 12, 2009 by Leigh Anne
Filed under places to see
You may recognize the name of this Farm from the hit TV show, “Little People Big World.” If you are visiting Oregon during the month of October this is a site to see. It is the only month the farm is open to the public. Parking is $2 per car and the pumpkin patch, maze, petting zoo and pumpkin house are free! Pumpkins are .35 / lb. Wagon Tours are $6 per person and pony rides are $5. There is also face painting, booths, and plenty of festive food to nibble! Not to mention a chance siting of the shows stars, or the chance of appearing in an episode yourself!
For directions and more information please visit them here.
Roloff Farms is only one of the great Family Farms you can visit while in Oregon but is definitely on the top of our must sees!
Directions: Sunset Highway, take the Helvatia Exit and then North on Helvatia/Shute approx 3 miles to Grossen Drive
The Pumpkin Patch and Maize}Sauvie’s Island
October 9, 2009 by Leigh Anne
Filed under places to play
It is that time of year!
Pumpkin Patch time!
Over the next few weeks we will be sharing with you some of our favorite Portland area Pumpkin Patches.
One Pumpkin Patch we have been visiting since our children were little is The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie’s Island. They claim to be Portland’s original Pumpkin Patch and they may just be having been around for over 40 years.
Located at 16511 NW Gillihan Rd., Portland, OR 97231 on Sauvie’s Island they are open daily. Check their website for specific days and times.
At The Pumpkin Patch you ride free hayride out to the pumpkin fields.
There is lots to do at The Pumpkin Patch. There is the cow train, the gift shop, the animal barn, the produce shop and the cafe.
Now that my children are older they much prefer The Maize to the animal barn or cow train!
O.K. – well, maybe not the cow train!
The Maize is open September and October and covers over five acres. Each year the Maize has a different design and this year is the year of the Blazers!
There is an admission fee to the Maize:
Regular Adult $7
Regular Kids (6-12) $5
Regular Senior $5
5 and Under FREE
There is some signage at the Maize that you are going to want to take note of and take seriously.
Even if it hasn’t been raining – take boots! You’ll be sorry if you don’t!
There are two Maizes this year. If you are looking for a bit spookier experience you will want to check out the Haunted Field of Screams.
This Maize is open limited days and hours so be sure and check out the information on the website.
Happy Pumpkin Picking!
Let us know what your favorite pumpkin patch is in the Portland area by leaving a comment below!
Cedar Mill Farmers Market } Vanessa’s Farm
October 5, 2009 by Leigh Anne
Filed under places to see
To this day, Vanessa’s Farm flowers’ are still some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Every season when I can squeeze it into my “just because I am worth it!” budget I buy a bouquet to enjoy on my dining room table! Seriously, I look for excuses to buy these, and you will too! Surprisingly affordable, Vanessa’s is perfect to cheer you, a friend with a new baby, or to bring color and beauty to any event you are hosting.
Portland Nursery Apple Tasting Festival
October 2, 2009 by Leigh Anne
Filed under places to play
Fall is definitely in the air here in Portland. Our furnace kicked on for the first time this week. I love that sound and smell!
One of our families fall activities is the Portland Nursery Apple Tasting Festival.
The 22nd Annual Apple Tasting Festival will be held the weekends of Oct. 9,10,11 and Oct.16,17,18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Portland Nursery which is located at 5050 SE Stark, Portland, OR 97215.
You have the opportunity to taste dozens of different varieties of apples and pears and pick your favorites and it’s free!
The best part is that after you have selected your favorites all of the varieties of apples offered for tasting are for sale at the nursery for a great price!
And there is a lot more to do than just taste apples!
Check out their website for a list of scheduled activities. Things such as live music and a scarecrow contest are on the agenda for this year as well as watching apple cider being pressed!
Don’t forget your camera because there will be some fun fall photo shoot opportunities with all the pretty flowers and pumpkins!
There are also some yummy apple goodies to purchase and enjoy – there is fresh pressed apple cider and apple strudel too.
Start off your Fall fun with a trip to Portland Nursery Apple Tasting Festival!
