Thursday, June 26, 2014

Drive-In Movies, An Insider's Guide

One of my all-time favorite things to do, is go see a movie at the drive-in.   Luckily, for us, there is one only 45-minutes away.  I've been going to the 99W Drive-In in Newberg, Oregon since I was in high school.  Other than the 99W theater, the only other drive-in experience I remember was when I was a little kid.  My dad, sister, and brother all piled into his Nash Metropolitan convertible and parked at a drive-in in SE Portland.  We bundled up with blankets and watched Ghostbusters.  It is one of my fondest memories and maybe that is why I am always so excited to visit the drive-in.

Ghostbusters was my first drive-in movie experience.
My brother, sister, and dad posing with the Nash Metropolitan.
My sister, brother, and me in the metro.

Last weekend, my husband and I decided to take our boys to see a movie at the drive-in.  My oldest son, Everett, went to the drive-in when his brother, Pierce, was just a baby.  So, it would be our first whole-family drive-in experience and to say I was excited would be a colossal understatement.  I was stoked to share this experience with both of my boys and Everett was excited to show Pierce the ropes.


My husband, getting all our blankets in order.
All bundled up and ready for the show!
My boys and me waiting for How to Train your Dragon 2.

The 99W Drive-In opened in August of 1953.  The 99W Drive-In can accommodate 275-300 cars.  The theater shows a double-feature every Thursday-Sunday during the summer.  They have an intermission between films, so patrons can stock up at the snack bar.  Other than a couple screen replacements due to storms, the drive-in has not had any major renovations.

In 2013, the 99W Drive-In won Honda's Project Drive-In Contest, which upgraded their pictures from film to digital.  Without this contest, the drive-in would have had to foot the $80,000 bill for this required upgrade.  (Thank you Honda and voters.)   After the contest, Honda promptly upgraded the theater to digital and drive-in was able to resume business as usual without even a hiccup.

Read more about the Honda contest HERE.  (Photo Credit:  kgw.com)

Drive-in movies are a rare treat.  Currently, there are only two drive-in theaters in Oregon.   Check out drive-ins.com to see if there's a drive-in near you.  If there's one close by, pack up the car and give it a go.

To have a successful drive-in movie experience, there are a few things you need to keep in mind...

BEFORE YOU GO...
    • Check the Weather:  The best seat is under the stars.  Back a tarp, just in case the weather changes.  (We have to be prepared for everything in Oregon.)  Pack a ton of blankets and layers to stay warm during the film.
    • Review the Drive-In Rules:  Many theaters allow food and most theaters will not allow alcohol (duh).  We were shocked to discover that our local drive-in allows pets, as long as they are leashed.  Our dog, Charlie, was excited to join in on our adventure.  
    • Call Ahead:  Many theaters sell out during the summer months.  Call ahead to see how early you should arrive.  At our drive-in theater, we try to arrive between 7:00-7:30PM to get a good spot.
    • Pack a Picnic:  The gate opens at our local theater a couple hours before dusk, so there's plenty of time to eat and play before settling in under your blankets.  If the drive-in rules allow, pack a picnic of food and drink for dinner.  Finger food items are usually easy to pack and eat.  If we fail to pack anything else, we would be fine as long as we had our one essential item - a giant thermos full of coffee.  You can just buy dinner at the snack bar, but we usually just buy our movie snacks there.  It's a win win - we save money and support the business.  
    • Other Essentials:  Blankets, pillows, lawn chairs, an AM/FM radio, bug spray, PJs for the little ones (they'll probably fall asleep), etc.

WHILE WAITING FOR THE SHOW...
    • Entertainment Essentials:  Bring a football, Frisbee, or a deck of cards to keep you entertained while waiting for the sun to go down.  Don't forget a battery powered AM/FM radio, so you can actually hear the movie.  We got the Ion Block Rockers for Christmas this year and were so excited to put it to use. (Update:  This speaker was perfect for the drive-in.  Great sound.)
    • Support the Snack Bar:  If you didn't pack a picnic (or even if you did), go support the snack bar.  Drive-in theaters do not make much from ticket sales, so most of their revenue is from the snack bar.

DURING THE SHOW...
    • Best Seat in the House:  If you have a car, bring the lawn chairs.  If you have a truck, sit in the bed.  We load our truck with all the extra blankets and pillows that we can find.  Drive-in theaters usually don't allow people to sit on the ground, for safety reasons, so be prepared. 
    • Enjoy your Experience:  Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

AFTER THE SHOW...
    • Clean-Up:  Make sure you clean up your area before heading home.
    • Manners, Manners, Manners:  Let the employees know that you had a great time.
    • Drive safely:  Drink the rest of your coffee (if you have any left) and drive safely home. 

  I hope you're feeling prepared to experience the drive-in for the first time (or for the first time in a long time) and that the drive-in becomes a new summer must for you and yours.  Have fun!

Be sure to share your experience and/or add additional tips in the comments. 
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

Monday, June 23, 2014

Summer Bucket List, Portland Style

Summer is here!  Towards the end of every school year, my students ask for ideas on activities they can do during the summer.  As an English teacher, I always suggest, "Read a book!"  This year, I wanted to offer them something a bit more.  A friend of mine told me about this idea to create a summer bucket list (a.k.a. summer "to do" list).  The items put on your list do not have to cost a thing, but your summer bucket list will definitely set the mood for a fun, adventurous summer.

So, here's the task... Create a summer bucket list and enjoy everything Oregon has to offer.

Ready?  Set.  Go.

What will you put on your Summer Bucket List?

Summer Bucket List Ideas

  1. Read a book.
  2. Go on a hike.
  3. Visit a farmer's market.
  4. Write a story.
  5. Make s'mores.
  6. Tie dye a t-shirt.
  7. Go on a picnic.
  8. Join a summer reading program.
  9. Camp in the backyard.
  10. Make homemade ice cream.
  11. Plant a container garden.
  12. Go fishing.
  13. Make giant bubbles.
  14. Feed the ducks.
  15. Go roller-skating.
  16. Make a Slip 'n Slide.
  17. Build a sandcastle.
  18. Play mini golf.
  19. Go for a bike ride.
  20. Learn a new board game.
  21. Go swimming.
  22. Make friendship bracelets.
  23. Make paper airplanes.
  24. Go to the county/state fair.
  25. State a water balloon fight.
  26. Make root beer floats.
  27. Go to the rodeo.
  28. Have a sleepover with friends.
  29. Go to a drive-in movie.
  30. Visit the zoo.
  31. Watch fireworks.
  32. Build a birdhouse.
  33. Fly a kite.
  34. Go geocaching.
  35. Make sidewalk chalk.
  36. Jump on a trampoline.
  37. Play at the park.
  38. Catch bugs.
  39. Go bowling.
  40. Go on a scavenger hunt.
  41. Make a lemonade stand.
  42. Brave the rides at OAKS Park.
  43. Run through the sprinkler.
  44. Finger-paint a masterpiece. 
  45. Play Ultimate Frisbee.
  46. Go camping.
  47. Pick your own raspberries.
  48. Make a time capsule.
  49. Take photos.
  50. Make a summer album.

Here's our 2014 Bucket List!

I'm not sure how we'll handle "spy-training lessons."  Any ideas?

This list is completely random and wonderful.  Bucket List items do not all have to be day-long events that cost millions of dollars.  Make sure you include local summer reading programs, free/discounted community events, crafts, activities/games, and science experiments.  Luckily for Portland-area folks, I've done the hard part for you.  Those of you who do not live near Portland or in Oregon, use the items listed as a jumping off point for your research on local summer activities.  I'm sure there are a ton of local activities or wonderful crafts, activities, and/or science experiments that I left of the list.  Please leave your additions in the comments.



Join a Summer Reading Program

To join a summer reading program, just visit your local library and sign up.

Once enrolled in a summer reading program, follow these tips to find your next favorite book:

Summer Activities Near PDX (date specific)

There are so many fun activities in the Portland-metro area during the summer.  Check out my list and view additional staycation ideas from Frugal Living Northwest.

June 20th - June 22nd

Kruger's Farm Summer Concert Series
Every Thursday at 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival
June 28-29th

July 1st-5th

Molalla Buckeroo, 91st Annual Molalla Buckeroo
July 2nd-5th

Friday, July 18-20th
The 19th annual Sand in the City brings the beach to the Pioneer Courthouse Square for 3 days of sand castles, competitions and free family fun!

Gresham Art Festival (formally known as the Gresham Art Walk)
Saturday, July 19th, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

July 18-20th in Sherwood, Oregon

July 25-26th

July 25th:  Ghostbusters (PG)
August 8th:  The Princess Bride (PG)
August 15th:  Jurassic Park (PG-13)
August 29th:  Frozen (PG)

August 12-17th, Canby, Oregon

August 22nd - September 1st 2014


Other Local Activities (not date specific)


Take a Hike.  Take a hike and explore Oregon in all its glory.  Forest Park (easy), Eastbank Esplanade (easy), Silver Falls (easy), Mirror Lake (easy), Multnomah Falls (easy/moderate), and Saddle Mountain (strenuous) are some favorites.  Visit Every Trail for a list of more wonderful hikes in Oregon.

Play at the Park.  Portland has some amazing parks.  Be a kid (or channel your inner child) and just play.  A few Portland favorites include...
Visit a Local Farmer's Market.  Most communities have a farmer's market on Saturday mornings.  Buy local produce.  Eat from local vendors.  Support local artists.

Pick Fruit, Veggies, and Flowers at a U-Pick Farm.  PickYourOwn.org is an excellent resource for finding local u-pick farms.

Play a Round of Disc Golf.  Grab a disc at your local sporting goods store and head on over to McIver State Park to play a game of Disc Golf on the 27-hole course.

Portland Saturday Market.  Open every weekend March - Christmas. 

Get lost in Powell's City of Books.  Visit the largest new and used bookstore in the world!  Get lost in the store (it takes up an entire city block) or attend one of the many author events.  Powell's is located at 1005 W Burnside Street, Portland, OR 97209. 

Watch Shakespeare in the Park.  Watch the Portland Actors Ensemble live theater for free at various outdoor locations throughout the city. 

 Explore Hands-On Science at Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI).  $2 first Sunday of each month.

Get wild at the Oregon Zoo.  $4 second Tuesday of each month.

Portland Art Museum.  Free - fourth Friday of every month 5-8pm, always ages 17 and under.  First full weekend of every month for Bank of America Card Holders.

Portland Children's Museum.  Free - first Friday of every month 4-8pm, first full weekend of every month for Bank of America Card Holders.

Oaks Amusement Park & Roller Rink.  Located at 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202. 

Northwest Children's Theater & School.  Located at 1819 NW Everett Street, Portland, OR 97209. 

Portland Aquarium.  16323 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Milwaukie, OR 97267

Portland Walking Tours.  Get to know your city with Portland Walking Tours.  Sign up for the Best of Portland, Underground Portland, or various other tours. 

North Clackamas Aquatic Park.  Located at 7300 SE Harmony Road, Milwaukie, OR 97222. 

Family Fun Center & Bullwinkle's Restaurant.  Located at 29111 SW Town Center Loop W, Wilsonville, OR 97070. 

Philip Foster Farm.  Located at 29912 SE Hwy 211, Eagle Creek, OR 97022.  Open 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday from June 21st - August 30th. 

Pacific Northwest Live Steamers.  Ride and learn about trains at Pacific Northwest Live Steamers.  The park features 3,899 feet of 7 1/2 inch track that loops around a picnic area.  No fee is collected at the entrance of the train, but donations are graciously accepted.  Open Sundays 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., May 4th through October 26th 2014.  Located at 31803 S Shady Dell Road, Molalla, OR 97038.

Home Depot Kids Workshops.  FREE Kids Workshops on the first Saturday of each month.

Jo-Ann Fabric Kids' Camp.  Sign up for a class in sewing, cake decorating, and/or knitting. 

Al's Garden Center Kids Club.  $5 per participant to cover the cost of materials.  Registration is required.

 

Activities Outside of the Portland-Metro Area:

 

Enchanted Forest Theme Park.  8462 Enchanted Way SE, Turner, OR 97392. 

99W Drive-In.  Load up your car with your fiends (and your radio) and head to Newberg for a drive-in movie.   This is my all-time favorite thing to do in the summer!

Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum.  500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville, OR 97128.  Anyone under 5 years old gets in FREE.   

Mt. Hood Advenutre Park at Skibowl.  With over 20 attractions including the alpine slide, zip line, and Kiddy Karts, you're sure to have a great time at Mt. Hood Adventure Park. 

Fort Stevens State Park.  Fort Stevens was once the primary military defense at the mouth of the Columbia River.  Stay and camp or just visit for the day.  

The Goonies House.  Hey you guuys!!!  Visit The Goonies' House (a.k.a. Flavel House) during your next visit to Astoria.  Make sure you visit the North Head Lighthouse, Columbia River Maritime Museum, and sure sure to launch a wood glider from the Astoria Column as well. 

Tillamook Cheese Factory.  4175 Highway 101 North, Tillamook, OR 97141. 

Twilight Filming Locations.  Create your own Twilight tour!  Eat breakfast at the Carver Cafe in Carver, Oregon (on highway 224 on the way to Estacada) and then head up the Columbia River Gorge to visit Crown Point and Multnomah Falls.  

Oregon Coast Aquarium.  2820 SE Ferry Slip Road, Newport, Oregon. 

Wildlife Safari.  1790 Safari Road, Winston, Oregon 97496.  Open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 


Craft Ideas

  1. Tie Dye and Old White Shirt @ Instructables.  
  2. Duct Tape Crafts @ by Stephanie Lynn
  3. Paper Movies:  Flip Book @ Martha Stewart
  4. Rock Crafts @ Martha Stewart
  5. Hand-Dipped Candles @ Education.com
  6. Sun Prints @ Paint Cut Paste
  7. Bird Feeders @ PBS Parents
  8. Tin-Can Wind Chimes @ All You
  9. Pendulum Painting @ One Inch World
  10. Rain Painting @ Elsie Marley
  11. Craft Stick Bracelets @ MollyMoo
  12. Contact Paper Mandalas @ Pickle Bums
  13. Sandpaper Printed T-Shirt @ Alpha Mom
  14. Blank Book for Writing Stories @ Courtney Scrabeck
  15. Muffin Tin Crayons @ Our Best Bites
  16. Shaving Cream Art + Activities @ Play Create Explore

Games and Activities

  1. Giant Outdoor Board Games @ Apartments Therapy
  2. Paper Plate Ring Toss @ Education.com
  3. Shoe Box Banjo @ Martha Stewart
  4. Homemade Sidewalk Chalk @ Martha Stewart
  5. Exploding Chalk Paint Art @ Growing a Jeweled Rose
  6. Playdough Recipe @ Moms Who Thing
  7. Sock Bubbles @ Houseing a Forest
  8. Decorate a Colorful Kite @ Better Homes and Gardens
  9. Giant Bubble Wand @ Clean.
  10. Pop Bottle Sprinkler @ Simply Rebekah
  11. DIY Marble Bowling Game @ Frugal Fun for Boys
  12. Pool Noodle Backyard Obstacle Course @ Learn Play Imagine
  13. Kids' Car Wash Sprinkler @ Lowe's
  14. Sponge Ball @ It's Overflowing
  15. DIY Carnival Games @ Perfect Parties
  16. Ice Excavating Activity for Kids @ Gluesticks

Science Activities

  1. Make a Bouncing Polymer Ball @ About.com
  2. Marshmallow Catapults @ It's Always Autumn
  3. Patriotic Flowers for the 4th of July @ The Artful Parent
  4. Harvesting Seeds @ Buzz Mills
  5. Magic Tree @ We Made That
  6. Gak Recipe @ We Made That
  7. DIY Balloon Car @ (cool) progeny
  8. Beans in CD Case Experiment @ Art Projects for Kids
  9. Grass Head Creatures @ Ordinary Life Magic
  10. Ice Cream in a Baggie @ 2 Little Hooligans
  11. Sunflower Sundial @ Nurture Store
  12. DIY Toy Hot Air Balloon @ Book House Crafts
  13. Magnet Painting @ Let's Explore
  14. Alka-Seltzer Rockets @ Playful Learning
  15. Ants + Colored Sugar Water Experiement @ mpm Ideas
  16. Make Butter @ PBS Kids

This is how summer vacation should be!

As you can see, there are a million things to do during the summer.  Plan a weekened, day, or afternoon adventure for little to no money.  Watch the deal sites, like GroupOn, Living Social, or Portland Perks for the more expensive activities and events. 

Go make your Summer Bucket List now and play all summer long!

Put your Summer Bucket List ideas in the comments below.

Happy Summer!


Posted by at 2 comments:
Labels: , ,

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

In the Hoods: Farm to Jar in Two-ish Days

I am in the Hoods, quite literally.  Yes, that's right, I'm up to my elbows in Hood Strawberries.  Hood Strawberries usually ripen first at farms around Oregon.  Hoods are a little smaller than "regular" strawberries (by regular, I mean everything else), but they are oh so sweet!  The season for Hoods is rather short, so I keep on the lookout for signs starting in mid-May.

The entire strawberry season is a couple weeks early this year due to unusual amounts of sunshine.  Wait, that may seem odd to a non-Pacific Northwesterner, so let me explain... It rains most days in the Pacific Northwest.  A common weather forecasts is "mostly cloudy with a chance of sun."  The mild, wet weather is a small price to pay for the greenery.  So, it pretty much rains all the time.  It's almost unbearable.  The end.  Okay, what was I saying?  Oh yes, the strawberry season is a bit early this year.  I usually stop by the fruit stand to buy my berries on my last day of work for the summer (right after I stop at the liquor store), but here I am finished processing my bounty with one week of school to go.  Weird.

My family, friends, and neighbors think I'm crazy for buying two flats of these delicious berries, but I am usually kicking myself for not buying more.  I'm a self-taught canner and have been canning for about seven years.  For some reason, all my domestic skills came to light the moment I got married.  After a couple years, a process develops for processing copious amounts of anything...


Strawberries:  Farm to Jar in Two-ish Days


Choose recipes.  Before purchasing produce, decide what you want to make.  Do you want to eat the produce right away?  Do you want to freeze your bounty?  Do you want to can?  Bake?  Once you select your recipes, you will know how many berries to purchase and what items, if any, are needed from the grocery store.  I completely forgot to check all my ingredients this time around and I was missing pectin.  That's not really an item that is easily substituted in strawberry jam recipes.  The 2013-version of me would have freaked out, but this 2014-version just froze the berries (already measured) until the purchase of pectin. 

A few of my favorites...

I keep this hanger in a kitchen drawer.  Best life-hack ever!


Wash and sterilize jars, if canning.  I wash all jars directly after use; however, they collect dust on the garage shelf, so I put all my jars in the dishwasher to sterilize. I leave them in the dishwasher until I'm ready to fill the jars.

Buy berries (or any produce) from local farms whenever possible.  Not only does the produce taste better, but shopping local is better for the environment.  Call ahead to save time.  Many farms have a crop line, where you can call and request produce and schedule a pick-up time.  The owner at one of our local farms likes to pick on me for calling after 2:00 a.m.  What can I say?  I'm a total night-owl.

Wash and prep produce.  In the case of strawberries, wash and hull the berries.  This simple task took about 1 1/2 hours.  I usually prep my produce and then do something else for a while to prevent hours and hours on my feet in the kitchen.

A Stock-Pot Full of Hood Strawberries!

My chickens LOVED the strawberry stems!

Work on ONE recipe at a time.  I'm a very good multi-tasker, but not when it comes to hot jam.  I've burnt way too many batches by doing too much.  I like to start with the recipe that takes the longest first to get it out of the way and work from there.  If I get tired, I stop.  (Gasp!)  I know, I know... the berries are always freshest the sooner they are processed, but it all ends up tasting pretty good, so an 8-hour sleep break is okay.  If you're really worried about your produce spoiling, measure the correct amount needed for each recipe, put them in a labeled plastic bag, and pop it in the freezer.

When jars are processing, I clean up in preparation for the next recipe.


It's all about presentation.  I gift a lot of my canned goods, so taking the time to make them cute now saves time in the long run.  I just have to go to the pantry, grab a jar, and gift.  I buy Avery labels and customize them on their website.  Slap on a cute label, add a little baker's twine, and wah-lah!

Processed and Labeled.  Ready for storage or gifting.

Enjoy your hard work!  Take the time to enjoy the fruits of your labor (cheesy pun intended).  Don't stress if the jam is a bit runny, the bread a bit overcooked, ya dee ya dee ya...  Just slather up that goodness on a slice of bread and enjoy.  You've earned it!

I had all intentions of taking a picture of this bread, but it's all gone.  I did manage to get a loaf in the freezer.  To be perfectly honest, it won't last long.


Favorite Strawberry Recipes

Strawberry Jam from Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It: And Other Cooking Projects by Karen Solomon.  This recipe is delicious, but it calls for 9 cups of sugar.  I know you don't eat an entire jar of jam in one sitting, but that's a lot of sugar.

Classic Strawberry Jam from Put 'em Up! by Sherri Brooks Vinton.  This recipe is fantastic as well and it only calls for 2 cups of sugar.  It takes a little longer to thicken.

Strawberry Vanilla Jam from Food in Jars:  Preserving in Small Batches Year-Round by Marisa McClellan.   This jam tastes like a bowl of strawberries and cream.  So very good.

Strawberry Sauce from Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving:  400 Delicious and Creative Recipes for Today Edited by Judi Kingry and Lauren Devine.  Put this sauce on pancakes, waffles, ice cream, a spoon...

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam from Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving:  400 Delicious and Creative Recipes for Today Edited by Judi Kingry and Lauren Devine.  A wonderful combo of sweet and tart.

Strawberry Rhubarb Pecan Loaf by Smitten Kitchen.  Okay, my husband and I hid this from our kids.  It's good and gone.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp Bars by Smitten Kitchen.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp by Ina Garten.

Strawberry Oatmeal Bars by Ree Drummond   Great use for your batch of strawberry jam.

Strawberry Fruit Rollups from The Homemade Pantry: 101 Foods You Can Stop Buying & Start Making by Alana Chernila.  I've made these in the oven and in a food dehydrator.  Both methods work well.  These don't last long in our house.

Almost-Famous Strawberry Lemonade by Food Network Kitchens.

Strawberry-Infused Vodka from Put 'em Up! by Sherri Brooks Vinton.  Two-ingredient recipe - vodka and strawberries.  I only had whipped vodka on-hand, so this will taste like strawberries and cream.  In two weeks, I need to strain the mixture.  I think I'm going to have a hard time waiting two whole weeks.

Strawberry Infused Whipped Vodka


Strawberries sure do kick off the start of summer nicely.  Now, I need to start gearing up for  blueberries, raspberries, peaches, Marionberries, blackberries, tomatoes, apples, pears, and anything else I can get my hands on this summer.  What is your favorite summer produce?  What are your favorite summer produce recipes?  Do tell.

Thanks for stopping by!


Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)