-
A Visit to The Grateful Vineyard in Hood River
An early fall visit to The Grateful Vineyard yields fields of sunflowers with a stunning view of Mt Hood. The Grateful Vineyard has been open since 2019 and can be found on-site at Mt View Orchards in Hood River. Reservations at Grateful Vineyard fill up fast on the weekend. If you don’t mind a more casual dining experience, there are picnic tables set out so you can still enjoy your take-out with an amazing Mt Hood view. The staff was so friendly and explained all their seasonal offerings, including their delicious selection of hard ciders. Their cider menu includes peach, cranberry, blackberry and their house cider Golden Row Cider, made from…
-
Lavender Festival at Hood River Lavender Farms
The Hood River Lavender Farm is nestled between Mt Hood and Mt Adams in the Hood River Valley, about an hours drive from Portland. In July, they host Lavender Daze where lavender enthusiasts can wander around the lavender farm, taking in the mountain views and breathing in the heavenly scent of lavender growing all around. Local artisans and craftsmen have booths set up for you to shop if you so desire, or just grab a chair and listen to the live band playing while sipping a glass of wine from Stave and Stone Winery. If the site and sound of bees buzzing all around makes you uneasy, this might not…
-
A Visit to Marchesi Vineyards in Hood River
One Sunday afternoon in March, my husband and I decided to visit Marchesi Vineyards in Hood River. On our drive we each texted friends to get recommendations for a good place to stop and enjoy a glass of wine. Both friends replied “Go to Marchesi,” so that’s where we went. It was our first time trying any of the vineyards in Hood River, but we had heard so many great things from our friends that we were eager to experience it for ourselves. I’m not going to sit here and try to convince you that we are sophisticated wine connoisseurs, far from it, but we do enjoy a nice glass…
-
Delicious Canned Apple Pie Filling
This delicious canned apple pie filling is the perfect blend of crisp apple goodness with just the right amount of aromatic spices to make your house smell amazing. A jar of homemade apple pie filling is always a hit whenever we give it to friends. It’s easy enough to make even if you are new to canning. In fact, this was the first recipe I ever canned. We live about an hours drive from Hood River, Oregon, known for it’s 35-mile scenic Fruit Loop. In the fall we love to make the trek for a fun day of apple tasting, hay rides, beautiful scenery and of course local apples and cider…
