Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Picnic in the Columbia River Gorge

Summer means picnics and barbecues and having fun outdoors!  On Sunday we had the Friends of Multnomah Falls volunteer picnic at Talbot State Park in the tiny community called Latourell, across the Historic Columbia River Highway from Latourell Falls.  We gathered for social hour at 4 pm and BBQ hotdogs and hamburgers were served at 5 pm along with a plethora of delicious potluck dishes brought by the volunteers and board members.  How does my plate look?  Hotdog, potato salad and Dayle made "Orange Baked Beans".  YUM!!
I initiated a new plan for everyone to bring their own picnic basket, plates, utensils and fabric napkins - it was my idea for us to be "Green" and not use disposable plates and such.  Most everyone brought re-usable utensils so I was quite pleased.  This was my first picnic as President of FOMF.  I've been on the board and been to many picnics so far.  Lots of fun.
Carl and Roger - Roger did all the barbecuing and Carl helped.
Dayle made my sister's Orange Baked Bean recipe.. here it is:

ORANGE BAKED BEANS                         

1 (1 lb 15 oz) can pork and beans or baked beans     
1/4 cup catsup                                                      
1/2 small can of frozen orange juice (the secret ingredient)
1/2 cup brown sugar                                           
1 Tablesp minced onion                                          
1/2 teasp Worcestershire sauce                 
Orange slices

Stir all ingredients together in 1 1/2 qt casserole. Top with slices of orange. Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for 1 hr 15 min. (We bake it longer so it thickens)   Double or triple batch if needed.

Just 2 of the desserts - there was also homemade apple pie, store-bought apple pie, fresh apple cake and more.
Here is the group photo -- it was a smaller turn-out as several people had medical issues this year.
The man from this house came out to talk to me for a while as he'd heard my name from volunteering at Vista House and wanted to chat with me.  Isn't his little Victorian house cute?  I knew people that lived 35 years ago and they bought it for $10k.. and the current owner got it for $40k and bought it 24 years ago.
His colorful chair in his garden.
Here is the front of the house.
The house next door to his is sadly been left to crumble - the saddest part of this is it's the family home of the Latourell family, which the town was named after!
We drove through the beautiful countryside of the Columbia River Gorge on our way home, this photo is taken of the view East from Vista House - that's Beacon Rock in the distance.
Vista House in the late afternoon light.  I worked here as the first Executive Director after working with others as a founder of the Friends of Vista House in the early 1980s.
We drove on to Portland Women's Forum viewpoint and Dayle took this photo of Vista House and the gorge and got some lovely wild sweet peas in the shot.  I am currently President of the Portland Women's Forum and have designed this website for the group - if you want to learn more.

Don't forget to leave a comment on the post below to be eligible for the give-away for a pair of earrings that I made, and if you don't wear earrings and win, you could choose a necklace instead.

Hugs to you all and I hope you all have *LOTS* of fun in August.. before Summer slips away.
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

19 comments:

  1. I will have to try that baked bean recipe. My son loves them. That little house is so sweet. Sad to see that other one going to ruin.

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  2. I'm so glad you included the recipe for those beans! That plate of food looks awesome. Looks like a beautiful drive. Love that view!

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  3. What beautiful scenery - you live in an awesome place Teresa. The food looks so yummy.

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  4. I've never heard of Orange Baked Beans but I'll definitely have to try it. My DH loves, loves, loves baked beans. Thanks for including the recipe.

    Once again you've provided us with beautiful scenery. Thanks so much for the mini-vacation!

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  5. What I love is the gate for the little cottage.

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  6. Now that looks like a fun gathering good food great friends and beautiful scenery to look at
    A beautiful place Teresa..lucky you
    Have you always lived in that area is it where you were born?
    Hugs x

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  7. The photographer did a great job again, fantastic pictures. What a cute house, with the 'Lucy' Deckchair! The ramshackle house looks very sad, I wonder what will happen to it?

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  8. What a wonderful day you must have all had :) The views across the gorge and river are breathtaking.

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  9. Wow! Your photos are always gorgeous and bring me so many inspirations! I love them all, such an amazing place! Oh and your beans, how yummy yummy!!! Enjoy! :)

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  10. Mmmmm that food looks scrummy Teresa..I too have never heard of orange baked beans, I will give that recipe a go, thanks for sharing. As always your photos are stunning, Summer is certainly in full swing over with you. It's 30oc here today but a bit too sticky for my liking! Enjoy :0)
    Jane x

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  11. PS what is catsup....???! Jx

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  12. Lol...Jane above doesn't know what catsup is...ketchup Jane. I think that's the old way of spelling it isn't it?

    Lovely pics as usual Teresa! If I win I'd like a necklace...I haven't worn earrings in years...my ears get infected easily for some reason. I've always been like that. :o(

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  13. Such interesting photos - I loved the little Victorian house, and all the different views of it, so pretty. I liked seeing the falling down house, what a shame when that happens, but there is a sort of melancholy interest in such buildings to me - especially when you know about the history. Your food as usual looks scrummy! Have a happy day, Teresa.
    Helen x

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  14. Beautiful photos, what a lovely get together you had, those desserts look yummy. That old deserted house makes me feel quite sad when you can imagine at one time it being a bustling happy home. Joanna xx

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  15. The food looks so delicious Teresa and the scenery is wonderful. I would so love to see it for real ( though your photos are stunning) have not been to USA was in Canada two years ago- scenery stunning as well. (Flew to Calgary and travelled to Vancouver) Anne x

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  16. Now, you have gone and done it. I so want to make those BBeans. I make some very similar, but have not heard about the orange part...too cool an idea. But you know what I really really truely want is a HOTDOG on the grills. YUMMIE... Thanks for taking us along. I so wish we had a fun place with stunning view like this some where close by.

    Toodles, Kate

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  17. Oh that food...amazing my friend...so wish I was there with you...I love these kind of get- togethers.

    Those baked beans look so yummy. xoxoxo Hugs

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  18. Lovely pictures as always, and well done Teresa in making everyone go green and use reusable utensils! :-) I love the gate of the little Victorian house, how original! Have a lovely day xxxx

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  19. Well duh!!! The secret ingredient in Orange Baked Beans is...orange juice

    Who would have guessed?

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