Welcome to #PMBEspresso! Here you’ll discover various artists, writers, events, science, music food (of course!), and more from all around our amazing city! This roundup of local flavors is brought to you by our contributors, sponsors, and other local moms interested in sharing great findings. Did YOU stumble upon something your fellow local moms would love? Email details (and a photo we can publish, if possible), to info{at}portandmomsblog.com!
Things To Do: Oktoberfest at McMenamins
When you imagine Oktoberfest, what comes to mind? Beer, music, more beer, bratwurst and hamburgers, and more—exactly how McMenamins pictures it. One and all are welcome to participate! Begun as a wedding party for Germany’s Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese in 1810, today Oktoberfest is celebrated all over the world with music, singing, dancing, beer, food and revelry, so join in our fun. Get the cool event stamp for your Passport, too. Grand Lodge, Corvallis, and Mill Creek. Saturday October 3, all day, all ages, FREE admission
Mommy Owned Business: Art ala Carte
Art ala Carte is a unique art studio for all ages. Salad bars were transformed into Art Bars, for “all you can make art”. Artists of all ages load up trays with anything and everything they need, for their own concept of art. The space is set up to be enjoyed by ages 1 to 111. The art bars are always changing with new treasures every time you visit. Art ala Carte use Colorations paint®, which is a non toxic, AP certified, washable paint. Locations in Portland and Vancouver.
Local Flavors (Date Night): Da Mimmo e Dax
This family owned and operated Italian trattoria features fresh handmade pastas and rustic, seasonal Italian cooking. Da Mimmo literally means “from Mimmo” and Chef & Owner Mimmo Russo cooks food from his heart the food that he grew up with in Italy. They source from local, organic farms and purveyors and have an extensive list of gluten-free options (including handmade GF pastas and desserts). Buon appetito! 16057 SW Railroad Street, Old Town, Sherwood 97140
Mommy Laughs:
Parks Around Town: Imagination Station
Columbia Park is the home of “Imagination Station”, a large adventure playground structure that was built by hundreds of volunteers. In addition to the play structure, the site contains a soccer field, three baseball diamonds, open recreation areas, covered and open picnic areas, six acres of wooded area with trails, public restrooms, and a concession facility operated by Reynolds Little League Association during their baseball season. The City’s Parks and Facilities Office and Shop are located on the west side of the park off of SW 18th Street. Gresham/Troutdale.1900 SW Cherry Park Rd, Troutdale, OR 97060 Map It
Photography: Hannah Nielson, Documentary Family Photographer
“I thought I knew what love was. Becoming a mom changed my world.
I wanted to be a photographer when I was 12. In high school I took pictures of boys I had crushes on. Now I fall just a little bit in love with everyone I photograph.
My tagline, ‘Love made visible’ comes from a quote from Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet. ‘Work is love made visible.’ I love my work. I love your love.”
Caffeine Fix: BOGZA Coffee
The essence of BOGZA is sustainable quality. They reduce their carbon footprint by buying everything they can local–their food, each roast of bean, even the striking reclaimed walnut slatted walls inside the store. Portland’s Kobos roasted coffee is sourced from three continents and is Fair Trade Certified, Organic; and 100% Arabica, always. 12600 Southwest Crescent Street #110 Beaverton, OR 97005
Mom’s Bookshelf: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
It’s Banned Book week, and the newest Mom Generation has not forgotten the awesomeness and epic adventures of a world we all wished we had been a part of for over a decade. Celebrate your childhood, laugh about the insanity of Harry being banned so long ago, and show your kids why (even 8 years after defeating Voldemort) we are STILL waiting for our letter by owl.
Inspire Me:
Great Apps: Little Peanut On The Go app
Little Peanut on the Go is a mobile app for parents to stay organized and connected while they or their children are away from home. Parents can create packing lists and to-do lists, build care schedules to share with caregivers, and connect with their children with updates and photos while they’re away.
Local Author Spotlight: Kidding Around the Gorge, by Ruth Berkowitz and Lisa Kosglow
Written by two Hood River moms, Kidding Around the Gorge provides the inside scoop of places to go and things to do with kids…The activities are mostly in and around Hood River, but there’s also information as far west as Multnomah Falls, as far east as Roosevelt Washington and south to Mt. Hood and north to Trout Lake. Although the book is geared for young children, older kids and adults will also enjoy the book.
Music: Music with Mr. Hoo at the Oregon Children’s Theatre in NE PDX
Mr. Hoo (one half of The Alphabeticians), plays fun music for kids and their grown-ups. He plays guitar, ukulele and his crazy kazoo contraption, the wazoo! Fun, interactive music including original and traditional songs that will get the kids (and grown ups) singing, clapping and dancing. Every Thursday. Oregon Children’s Theatre, 1939 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland, OR 97232 Map It Every Thursday @ 10:30 – 11:30 am $6 per family
Mommy Hack: Put your phone number on a craft bracelet for kids
You can put a variety of information on them: phone numbers if you go to an event, allergy alerts, or needed prescriptions. If you want “official” bracelets, you can order them here.
PMB Craft: Painted Storage Tins
Take your old cookies tins and paint them as a set for holiday gifts.
Recipe:
- 3¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp. baking powder
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp. freshly-ground ground nutmeg
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ¾ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp. ground ginger
- Dash of allspice
- In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together. Set aside.
- In a kitchenaid mixer with a paddle attachment, beat together the butter and sugars on medium high speed until fluffy about 2-3 minutes.
- Blend in pumpkin puree, beat in egg and then add vanilla. Slowly add dry ingredients on low speed just until combined. Cover and chill dough for an hour.
- To make the cream cheese filling, blend cream cheese, sugar and vanilla together. Chill for an hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and spices for the coating and set aside.
- To make the cookies, take a tablespoon of the cookie batter. Flatten it like a pancake and place a teaspoon of the cream cheese in center. Form another tablespoon of the cookie batter into a flat pancake shape and place on top of the cream cheese. Pinch the edges together sealing in the cream cheese and roll into a ball. Roll in the cinnamon sugar coating and place on the prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart.
- Repeat until the dough is gone and flatten the cookie dough balls with a heavy bottomed glass or measuring cup.
- Bake the cookies for 10-15 minutes or until the tops start to crack. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes and transfer to a wire rack. Enjoy!
- Recipe Source: http://www.bakeaholicmama.com/2012/10/cream-cheese-filled-pumpkin.html
Thank you Amanda for highlighting our book, Kidding Around the Gorge. Apples and pears are in season and we urge families to come to the Gorge and fill their buckets!
Happy Picking!
Ruth, http://www.kiddingaroundthegorge.com
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