Food, Musings, Oregon, Portland

Hello (Also, Heatwave Doughnuts)

May 29, 2017

Now…where were we?

Ice storms and pies.

Ah, well, this week in Oregon it was all heatwaves and doughnuts, wildflower hikes and roasted marshmallows. (Until it was sorrow and heartache…but I’ll save that for another time.)

The seasonal whiplash here on the blog is one thing. I mean, yes, I make no apology for the long silent spells, and I refuse to stress myself out over arbitrary posting schedules and inflated expectations. This corner of the world is my spot to share what I love, as I have the time. I know that I’m jumping from January to almost-June.

So, consider the blog jump my little way of illustrating how the past few days felt: transitioning from 40 degree lows to 92 degree highs in a couple short sleeps.

I’m reminded of some travel lessons I learned on the road:

– Anticipate the climate at the other end of the plane ride
– Dress in layers
– Choose dessert wisely

No. I’m kidding. I have nothing to list.

This post is really just to quickly say hello, to say I hope you’re living out your days well, with courage and hope under the sun (or rain, or clouds, or wind storms) – wherever you are in the world.

And for today, I give you with photos of my brother Seth’s homecoming concluding his five months living and working on a farm in New Zealand.

Talk about change: flying from the end of autumn to the end of spring, greeting two little nieces who’ve grown so much since December, and leaping from last wintertime’s cranberry pomegranate clove doughnut to this sunny (!) May’s strawberry rhubarb seasonal delight at Pip’s Original.


Drew, Marion, Seth, Lucie, and Jesse: my three youngest brothers with my two little girls.





Marion, a girl after her mama’s doughnut loving heart.


Just like that, soaring through time and space.

Pip’s Original DoughnutsMy other living room in Portland. Order the Dirty Wu with Bacon and you won’t be sorry. 4759 NE Fremont St Suite C, Portland, Oregon, OR 97213

Khunamokwst Nature Park – Lucie affectionately calls this, “The Flower Park” since there is one lone little spinner that she loves to whirl around on. (Though when there are three uncles to take turns pushing swings, you can imagine where she spends her time.) 5200 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97218


Actually, now that I think about it, I do have something to list. (Other than doughtnut flavors.)

I’m planning on sharing a few updates here on the blog in the next little while:

– A winter trip to the midwest (Venuzualen fusion food in Kansas, anyone?)
– A scenic hike with a half-mile elevation gain in four miles (that’s a 1:8 slope!?)
– First birthday celebrations (um, may or may not have involved a puppy)
– My first international travel plans in way too long (airfare and lodging booked!)

Like you’ve come to expect, they’ll show up at random intervals, and you’ll never quite know if you’re clicking into a 2,000 word essay or a 40 image gallery or another of my short and sweet and scattershot collections of tidbits. (Not unlike waking to an Oregon day in spring: will it be sunshine or hail or will it feel like autumn?) In any case, I promise they’ll be straight from the heart…and I’ll probably throw in a dessert or two. Likely doughnuts.

To be sure you’re not late to the party, sign up here for the twoOregonians newsletter:


P.S. I’ll make you a deal — if you leave me a note below and tell me you’re still around and reading this lil’ blog, I’ll send a few of you honest to goodness postcards and I’ll even send two of you gift certificates for a dozen Pip’s Doughnuts (if you’re local to Oregon or planning a visit). How’s that for sweetening the pot with *real* mail, too? (I’ll reach you at the email address you enter in the comment box to get your mailing address offline.)

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21 Comments

  • Reply Cindy Mahar May 29, 2017 at 4:19 am

    I’m still reading your wonderful blog. We are gluten free so no doughnuts for us but that’s very sweet of you!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians June 1, 2017 at 12:32 am

      So nice to hear from you, Cindy. They’re definitely not doughnuts, but Pip’s does have pretty delicious housemade Squirrel Bars that are gluten free ;) Thanks for reading!

  • Reply Katryn May 29, 2017 at 5:35 am

    Love it! And love you. And secretly hoping that “Midwest” means Boston. ❤️

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians June 1, 2017 at 12:33 am

      Love you, too, lady! You know…now that the girls are getting older maybe Boston can become a reality! (Also, um, destination wedding plans??) I still can’t believe we didn’t get to do Pip’s together that day when the crowds were crazy. Next time. Next time.

  • Reply CJ May 29, 2017 at 6:18 am

    Of course, always here. Couldn’t help but wish the international ticket was to here. ;-)

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians June 1, 2017 at 12:35 am

      I know, I know, I know! I keep getting these Air Canada emails and I just want to pounce on a good flight up. I miss you. And there’s so much good music to catch up on, I’m sure. Sending all my love in the meantime! xx

  • Reply Kelly Jean May 29, 2017 at 6:39 am

    Hi Bethany! Once the spring crazy subsides at work, I’m very keen to border hop for a visit to meet your gorgeous girls ( and try some of those divine looking donuts!!) I always enjoy your blog, you write so beautifully.

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians June 1, 2017 at 12:37 am

      KJ!! Absolutely, yes! It’s not a luxurious guest bedroom like your cozy cottage in NZ, but I do have a pretty comfortable couch just waiting for your here. Come join us! I’ll take you to doughnuts and gardens and we’ll have a picnic with Ted and the girls — it’ll be grand. I would love to catch up in person. Let’s make it happen!

  • Reply Sue R. May 29, 2017 at 6:50 am

    I’m still reading–and enjoying–and wondering about the destination of that international trip!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians June 1, 2017 at 12:38 am

      Aw, thank you, Sue. I smile whenever I hear from you. Do you have any international flights coming up to see that wonderful far flung family of yours?

  • Reply Jenna O. May 29, 2017 at 7:03 am

    Always love your posts!! And how did 5 months go by so fast?! Welcome home, Seth!
    Xoxox

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians June 1, 2017 at 12:39 am

      I think he’s wondering the same thing ;) Especially since he has a one year visa. But northern hemisphere harvest calls! We should get together with him this summer. It’s probably been a bit since you’ve seen him in person?

  • Reply Sandi Sajjadi May 29, 2017 at 7:34 am

    I’m still reading and very much enjoying your words and pics😊

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians June 1, 2017 at 12:41 am

      Aw, thank you. I love it when I’m able to get things posted…so many pictures and stories rattling around and never enough hours in the day to manage the fun of sorting and writing. Thanks so much for reading when I do.

  • Reply Lisa Frye May 29, 2017 at 6:28 pm

    Love, love, love Pip’s Dirty Wu! Not planning on being back that way anytime soon but have to have Pip’s, Salt & Straw. Pine State Biscuits, and if we can, Elsie’s potato salad from the Canby Thriftway every time we are back.

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians June 1, 2017 at 12:44 am

      It’s so fun to hear from you, Lisa. That sounds like the best round up of food ever! Totally worth the long drive, I’m sure ;) I’m amazed every time I see pictures of you and your kids – I can’t believe it’s been so many years and that they’re all grown up. They couldn’t have been much older than my kids now when I first met you. (And of course that makes me all the more convinced that time is going to FLY by these next several seasons. I’m trying to learn to enjoy it as it comes before it’s gone.) Hope you guys are all doing great xx

  • Reply Lisa B May 30, 2017 at 12:03 am

    Those doughnuts look delicious!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians June 1, 2017 at 12:45 am

      Oh, they are. The SO are.

  • Reply Geri Monroe May 31, 2017 at 3:05 pm

    Hi Bethany! Still love reading your well-written blog posts! I can’t wait to here about that international trip you have planned! Happy Travels – near and far! :)

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians June 1, 2017 at 12:48 am

      Hi Geri! I know you appreciate a good trip — that’s the bond we share, right? Travelers bitten by the bug ;) Thank you for reading and for your kind words. That means so much. I hope you and your family are well!

  • Reply Brittany_WMSB June 1, 2017 at 7:14 am

    Those donuts look so interesting!!

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