Over the years, I have come to call the period of time around the holidays that I take off from work to spend with my family in Oregon as the time that I “go home.” In a way, it’s sort of a misnomer as I’ve never really lived in Oregon, save for the few weeks here and there each year that I come to visit. This year I decided to make the most of my blessed 9 nine days off and in anticipation of it, began referring to it as “the vacation.”
“8 more days ’til the vacation!” I would sing to Alan as he rolled his eyes.
Now that we are here, I also like to think that we are staying in a sort of bed and breakfast. It’s quaint here, and our room just off of the kitchen is nothing but cozy and warm, filled primarily by the air mattress my parents the lady and man of the house bought for us. When we are not busy trying to stay warm, the B&B is like a real-life 24-hour Food Network marathon, except there is no Bobby Flay throw down and no Paula Deen. Instead the lady and man of the house host all the shows and cook (almost) every meal from scratch. It is amazing to witness almost as much as it is to eat it all. I mean have you ever known anyone to make their own soybean milk???
Begin with soybeans.
Throw them in a blender. (You can really throw them right in. They aren’t delicate at all, just in case you were worried about that.)
Blend until smooth.
Strain the pulpy mixture.
Strain again through a cheese cloth. Then boil, add vanilla and sugar to taste, chill and voila! Fresh made soybean milk.
My mom’s triple-washed veggies…
…go great in her rendition of the cold-weather favorite pho.
Mmm-mmm. We liked it so much we requested it for breakfast and dinner.
It didn’t rain today! We walked around the Pearl district and the sun even shone on us for a bit. Then I went in to get my hair cut.
Where is everyone else going on vacation?
"vacation" for me is just south of Seattle. the "lady and man" of the house will be picking me up from the airport tonight! hope you have a very merry christmas!
"Vacation" for me is staying home & having others visit me! Then I get to be "the lady" of the house & pamper everyone else! But I don't make soybean milk, although I love to bake & try to cook other neat things! Happy vacation!!
Vacations spent with parents are always a good thing…I mean after you move out. Is it just me or do parents seem to love you and spoil you more the longer you stay away?
Staying home, staying home, staying home. There is something akin to a vacation when every one is gathered at home with no place to go. Truly delightful. Enjoy your time with your parents, and Merry Christmas
Not sure yet…
Can I come to Oregon? You know all about my almost-unhealthy obsession with authentic asian food.
Lynz– have a safe trip! We are headed to Seattle ourselves for a couple of days to tomorrow!
Staying at home with friends and family IS fun, hope everyone has a grand time 🙂
Kate– agreed! Haha
Deanna– um, yes, of course. My mom loves feeding people!! Can't wait to see what other treats you're making this holiday.
I'm "at home" at my dad's house in NC, where his wife is trying to make me explode from good food. I'll need to detox or something when we get back to Ohio! I can't consider this a vacation – although I should. I get to eat good homemade food made by someone else (my dad made GREEN BEAN scrambled eggs today – this will be a blog post in the near future). I get to sleep however late I want. I get to read blogs all day. If I wasn't have to deal with FOO (family of origin) issues it'd be perfect!
Hi, So nice that you can come to our area of the planet. I live in Salem, not far from your "home". Hope you enjoy your visit. I am going to my 2nd home thos week. Bend OR. I was hoping for snow but I don't think we will have any this week. I hope you and your family have a great vacation. I alwasy enjoy reading about your fun times (and your sad ones too). You are a beautiful writer. I have said it before, I think you could write a book.
My "vacation" consisted of flying home (to Sacramento) from England, flying to Portland to see my sister's new place (I think we may have been there at the same time, actually), flying to Montana to visit my dad, back home for Christmas, flying to New Mexico to visit my grandma, back home again, and then finally next week I'll hop on a flight back to the UK. Ridiculous, isn't it? I get to see lots of places and I people I love, but it's a lot of going, going, going, and a lot of airports!
Breenuh, I don't think it would feel quite like Christmas if there weren't some traveling involved, so you must have been steeped in holiday spirit 🙂 Sounds like a lot of fun!! Yay for being back home for a bit!