Posted by Samantha, on February 21st, 2012
Wedding Bliss – Happy Kids
You have enough to worry about in planning and preparing for your wedding. The location, the dress, the guest list …. The list goes on and on. We at Bambinos take the worry out of what to do with the kids. Relax, enjoy and let us take care of your ‘little guests” during your special day.
Keep the Energizer Bunnies Having Fun!
Bambinos Nanny’s wants kids to have fun and, for their parents to enjoy a special occasion without worry or distractions. As we are sure you know, little ones don’t really like to sit around quietly, they want action and entertainment, they keep going, and going, and going and so do we, right along with them.
Kid Tested, Parent Approved
We take care of all the details and offer customized events. We can entertain one or two children in a hotel room, or throw a themed party for several hundred kids. Children are unique individuals and we provide safe, loving, nurturing, fun and creative environments for them. We are sensitive to your child’s social, emotional, intellectual and physical needs.
About Us
Let us take care of your little ones while you enjoy your wedding. Bambinos Nannies has been providing high-quality nanny services in the Columbia River Gorge to locals and travelers since 2003. All our nannies are rigorously screened and have required safety certifications.
Our Services:
- Nanny services for you and your guest at their rooms or outdoor venue
- Rehearsal Dinner
- Wedding
Bambinos International Learning Center  - Book us today!
220 Clearwater Lane
Hood River, OR 97031
(541) 386 – 2005 Phone
(541) 387 – 5400 Fax
Posted by Samantha, on February 10th, 2012
Ok, I’ll admit it. I used to be a Gorge snob. Anything East of Mosier I thought to be, well, less than desirable.
I love the lush trees, mountains, and greenery. I was incredulous when Nebraska visitors say that they come here and feel ‘claustrophobic’. What?? It’s SO flat in NE. It feels like a cozy hug here.
My description of the Gorge east of Mosier would have contained words like dry, barren, ugly. I wondered what on earth people saw in “Eastern” Oregon??? Then we fell in love. With a building. We thrust ourselves into the very topography we felt was like Cinderella’s ugly step sister.
As we shared our excitement about the purchase of the hotel with friends and family we had a surprising number of responses like this, “Oh, I LOVE it there, it’s SO beautiful!!”
“Really? You’ve GOT to be kidding.” I thought (silently). At least I had my wits about me to keep my mouth shut and let them revel in their memory moment. I politely nodded my head and smiled.
You know, it’s tough to admit all this, especially since our lives are here, our business is here, and now new friends and relationships are here in Dufur as well. It’s risky! Exposing my less than lovely first thoughts about a place we now call home.
The first fall we spent in Dufur working on the hotel we were surprised at how many people from Portland, Vancouver, and the Willamette Valley were ’out for a drive’ and stopped by to check out our project. What on earth were they doing out HERE we wondered? Well, after our first fall and winter we found out what the hub-bub was all about!!
Sunshine. Beautiful sunshine. Open spaces, rolling hills, stars, the rich lovely smell of alfalfa and harvest. People from the city crave it!! Yes, I’ve changed my tune. Drastically.
I still love the lush green forests in the Gorge. I like to visit them.
Here I love the sunshine, the smell of our neighbors wheat field in the evening, the cool air that wafts in nearly every night taking you from the 90’s to the 50’s, the sky. We have stars!! Lots of stars!! I love the soft flowing wave-like wheat as it matures in the early summer. My friends have marveled, stunned. They say it makes them dizzy and when driving they have to look away; it’s like waves of water rushing up the hill. I love that my neighbors will give me the key to the store after it’s closed. Often I’ll open my P.O. box to find a doggie treat for Kahlua and some human treats too! I love our little oasis at the hotel and the connections people have made. I love the love and emotion of a wedding and seeing the pride in a father’s face as he enjoys a moment before giving her away. I tear up at EVERY wedding thus far! I love the things that make us uniquely beautiful. – the people I meet, what photographers see. . .
Maybe this should be titled, “love story” instead of “true confessions”! It’s certainly turned out to be just that, a love affair. We feel so blessed to live here; there’s such abundance of beauty. Of course, when you love something you want to share so I invite you to come be captivated, changed, and amazed by this little slice of Oregon.
Posted by Samantha, on January 25th, 2012
You asked for it – so here it comes! The Ultimate Card Workshop at the beautiful Balch Hotel. Here are the details:
March 23 & 24th, 2012 - Balch Hotel
6:00 p.m. Friday March 23rd through Saturday March 24th at 5:00 p.m.
Class Supply Cost $45.00 if staying overnight
Class Supply Cost $60.00 if not staying overnight
20% room discount the second night using secret code words: Ultimate Card Workshop
Your instructor, Tarina Holloway, is an independent consultant with Close To My Heart and will fill your weekend with the latest new products and techniques. It’s a great time to get together with your friends and enjoy a fun-packed weekend!
 Be sure to ask about the Balch Supper Club dinner night on Saturday March 24th. Jamie Snell, owner of the Lamb’s Table catering, creates a dinner menu that is always a hit!
Think about how much fun you’ll have! By Sunday morning you’ll be refreshed from an amazingly comfy bed, breakfast both mornings (if you choose the two night special pricing – remember to say the secret code words!), and a scrumptious dinner. You’ll get to learn new techniques from Tarina, play with new products, create a plethora of greeting cards to fit any occasion, and create priceless memories from a super fun weekend.
So come stay-and-play at the Ultimate Card Workshop. Space is limited, so call the hotel today to register for the class, your room, and Supper Club! 541-467-2277.
P.S. If you have NOT attended one of Tarina’s classes you need to come to this one! You won’t believe the quality and value of product you leave with after the class concludes. She always has fun special treats too! They are a surprise of course. . . .
Posted by Samantha, on January 25th, 2012
Treat your Valentine to a weekend away at the Balch! We’ve got your action plan ready.
During your lunch Friday stop at the grocery to pick up some indoor ‘picnic’ items (I suggest wine, cheese, some cured meats, nice pita crackers, and some chocolate). Have his/her bag packed Friday after work, kid arrangements made, and meander to the Balch. Be welcomed with warm chocolate chip cookies and homemade hot chocolate. Head to your room or we can set a table for you to enjoy your intimate, relaxed, indoor picnic. The evening is yours!
Wake the next morning to freshly brewed coffee from HR Coffee Company and our plated three course breakfast. Relax here at the Balch, take a drive in the sunshine, or visit that place you’ve been wanting to see (Klindt’s the oldest bookstore in Oregon? Dry Hollow Vineyards and Winery? Maryhill Winery? the Discovery Center? a hike to White River Falls?).
Saturday evening enjoy wine tasting from 5-8 with Dry Hollow vineyards. Jamie Snell, owner of the Lamb’s Table catering, has a delicious chocolate themed dinner menu for you!
True Devotion
• Arugula salad with strawberries, goat cheese and cocoa nibs. With shallot-balsamic vinaigrette.
• Beef short rib ragu braised with wine and chocolate, served over buttered fresh pasta noodles, topped with Parmesan.
• Milk chocolate panna cotta with whip cream, cocoa nibs and chocolate shards
• Bread with dinner, coffee with dessert. Substitutions available (advance notice reqd).
$29 + gratuity
Relax that evening with your love! You might even meet some other fascinating couple to chat with. Wake casually Sunday morning to that wonderful smell of freshly brewed coffee and bring a cup to your sweetie in bed. Enjoy breakfast and bask in the renewal of your time away from distractions, work, children, etc. Reconnect with your sweetheart. It’s what Valentine’s weekend at the Balch is all about! Trust me. You’ll earn brownie points for this one.
When you call to reserve your dinner and room reservations just mention the Cupid’s Special and your second night’s lodging will be shot by that Cupid bow and arrow and bleed off 25%. We want you to enjoy the whole weekend!
Call us at 541-467-2277
Posted by Samantha, on January 6th, 2012
Chris Steinken just showed his work here a the hotel and is slated to show again this summer. He and his wife are delightful! I met Chris when touring the Portland Artists Open Studio Tour. I loved the bold expressive colors he uses and also the meticulous way in which he sets up his paintings.
He begins with a photo (most are taken by him), then creates a grid map on the canvas and the photo. He replicates the photo practically to a T! In his studio he put together a tutorial for the Studio Tour to give visitors an idea of his process. We had the sample tutorial painting here and SO many people loved it! I liked it because it spoke to my inner type A personality. Four stages to create a finished painting, a representation of each of those stages, and then descriptions of each stage to boot! Great fun.
Chris took a photo of a much beloved bus used for many a bridal photo session. I think it would be perfect for a couple to have Chris paint their wedding date at the top of the bus where there is a ‘plate’. What do you think, should we buy it for a future bride and groom to fall in love with??
”Out Where the Buses Don’t Run.”
It can be seen in person (starting this weekend January 7th) at the cooperative:
Six Days Art Co-op
2724 NE Alberta Street
Portland, OR 97211
www.sixdaysart.com
Chris’s next show is at:
Cafe Eleven
435 NE Rosa Parks Way, Portland, OR 97211
Jan. 15 – Feb. 19
7:30am-3:30pm M-F
8am – 3:30pm Sat-Sun
The bus painting will be at the Six Days gallery and not at the Cafe so be sure to drop by and reminisce about one of your favorite sunny places in the Columbia River Gorge - Dufur!
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