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7 Best Soups for Fall in Vancouver, WA

When you hear the word “fall” what comes to mind first? Leaves changing colors, pumpkin spice lattes, and the return of cozy sweaters are high on the list, but there’s no denying that autumn is soup time. The smell of spices and roasting vegetables perfumes the air and warms your home as flavors simmer together and turn into something delicious. Read on for seven of our favorite soup recipes and prepare for the tastiest season yet! Roasted Vegetable Harvest Soup While most soups will have you cook the vegetables in the same pot as the broth to reach desired tenderness, this Roasted Vegetable Harvest Soup brings out a special touch your veggies can only get with a good bake. Try this recipe without blending to keep the chunks whole for a different take and cherish the goodness you can see in each spoonful. Pumpkin Soup Pumpkin patches, pumpkin cookies, Pumpkin Soup. Now that it’s fall, it just makes sense to make the most of this versatile squash and that means adding it to your soup regimen. Though this recipe doesn’t mention it, I recommend saving your seeds to roast and add as garnish like the previous recipe mentions. French Onion Soup Ooh la la! French Onion Soup is a favorite in our home. I mean, at what other time can you get away with eating a whole onion without feeling like a certain famous green ogre? The trick here is to really take your time on caramelizing the onions to bring out the best flavor. Once the bowls have broiled and the gruyere is nice and melty, serve this dish up with a glass of red wine and enjoy! Lobster Bisque Despite lobster being more associated with the east coast, that doesn’t stop a good recipe like Lobster Bisque from finding its way into tummies all over — Vancouver included! I love how rich this soup is and that it makes the most of all ingredients by using the tail shells to simmer a fresh lobster stock to perfection. Chicken Noodle Soup The very mention of Chicken Noodle Soup reminds me of being a kid and having grandma fix up a batch to help break a cold. Even if it didn’t remedy being sick, it solidified itself as a go-to comfort food and the nostalgia factor makes it taste even better. Once you get the soup part down, try your hand at making homemade egg noodles to take this dish to the next level. Vegetarian Tortilla Soup South of the border flavor abounds in this simple Vegetarian Tortilla Soup reminiscent of taco night. Kick it up a notch by adding a couple of jalapenos cut into thin rounds for extra spice. This soup is sure to warm you from the inside out and keep you coming back for more. Creamy Corn Chowder Corn on the cob in a bowl and no strings to get caught in your teeth? Sign us up! This Creamy Corn Chowder is chunky in all the right places and smooth where it matters to satisfy lovers of all textures. You can even crunch it up with the addition of crispy fried onions or croutons. Now that you have a soup for each day of the week, it’s time to get cooking! Once you get through the whole list you’ll basically be a SOUPer hero and can start getting creative by substituting different ingredients and making up completely new soups to impress friends and family. Let us know if you enjoyed this blog or suggest a topic we should cover in the future by dropping us a line over on Facebook or Instagram . See you next time!

Where to Find Boba Tea in Vancouver, WA

Boba, also known as bubble tea, originated in Taiwan in the 1980’s. It is generally made with tea, milk, and the famous tapioca pearls, though toppings and flavors vary widely. Thankfully, you won’t have to make any international plans to find this unique drink. Keep reading to learn about all the places you can get boba in Vancouver, WA. Braganza Tea As it turns out, the Vancouver Mall is a great place to find delicious boba! Nearly every time we’ve visited the mall to window shop, there’s been a line for Braganza Tea so you know it must be amazing! With humble beginnings at the Portland Farmers Market, Braganza now has multiple locations including a second Vancouver store just off of 68th Drive. Lucky Kitty Bubbles Lucky Kitty Bubbles is also located in the Vancouver Mall, so if the line at Braganza scares you off, know that you have options without having to drive to another location. One of the unique features of this store is that they also offer rolled ice cream and crepes. Treats on treats! Boba Tree The first thing that comes to mind when we think of Boba Tree is how colorful their drinks are! Depending on which flavor you opt for, there’s a blend for just about every color of the rainbow. Make bubble tea Tuesday a new tradition to take advantage of their weekly happy hour from 3-6 pm on Tuesdays and don’t forget your punch card! Cupidone Coffee House While it’s better known for its coffee, Cupidone Coffee House is a shop for the community with loose leaf teas from The Jasmine Pearl from across the river, pastries from local bakeries, and specialty coffee beans from Kafiex Roasters. In addition to these regional treats, they also have ice cream, Italian sodas, and last but certainly not least boba! Couve Boba Tea The small coffee shop vibe at Couve Boba Tea is paired with friendly service and a simple menu offering cold brew iced tea, fruit tea, smoothies, coffee, sparkling lemonade, and - of course - milk tea with tapioca pearls. For a quick refreshment, this is your place! Sharetea By far the largest boba company in the ‘couve and a pioneer of the boba industry on its own, Sharetea is sure to deliver a high quality drink at a great price. You have options for non-caffeinated, blended, fruity, and type of topping (think classic pearls versus different kinds of jelly) as well as a choice to get it hot or not. Boba Factory Curious about boba but concerned about milk? Give Boba Factory a try! Their full menu of bubble tea varieties allows you to choose an alternative milk like coconut, almond, oat, or lactose-free. Don’t forget to grab a lucky fish while you’re there. These are cute fish-shaped waffles stuffed with your choice of nutella, custard, or red bean filling. Yum! Now that you know where to find boba in Vancouver, it’s time to order! All of these locations are within 20 minutes of your home at Acero Haagen Park. All that’s left to do is start trying them out so you can find your favorite. Let us know if you enjoyed this blog by dropping us a line over on Facebook or Instagram . See you next time!

Pet Costume Ideas for Halloween 2021

It’s never too early to start thinking about Halloween costumes and that goes for your pet too! Our pet friendly community has plenty of furry residents and we love seeing them dressed up during the spooky season! If you’re stumped on ideas, keep reading for inspiration. Pet/Person Matching Costumes Matching your costume with another human is so last year. This year, we’re all about matching with your pet! You can travel to the land of Oz with Wizard of Oz themed costumes giving you creative options like Dorothy, Toto, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, and the house that squished the Wicked Witch of the West. Speaking of witches and wizards, catch the train to Hogwarts and bring magic to life with Harry Potter themed costumes consisting of scarves, glasses, and wands coordinated with the house colors of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Save the town as a gang of superheroes and their sidekicks like Superman, Batman, and Robin - to name just a few. For a more earthly approach, you can dress up as a beekeeper or gardener and your four-legged friends can match as a beautiful flower or buzzing bumblebee. Food Themed Costumes Food themed costumes are cute enough to eat, but don’t let the chef catch you slacking! A tiny chef hat and bandana apron will show off your pet’s cooking prowess, even if they usually munch more than they make. And what’s on the menu? A fine selection of hot dogs, tacos, and donuts, of course! We can’t forget to decorate with a little orange pumpkin costume. Other Animals Dressing your pet up as a different animal will never get old. A magnificent mane turns your regular pet into a fur-ocious lion while a simple pair of black wings does the trick for a bat. If you have a brown or tan colored pet, add some dots to their back with fur-safe paint or non-toxic chalk to look like a baby deer and everyone will be fawning over them. If you have a black pet, you can use the same pet-safe paint to make them into a skunk that won’t require a tomato bath. Fantasy Costumes Embrace fantasy and the fun of a medieval renaissance theme by dressing as a king or queen and making your fur baby into a princess in a dress or the royal court jester with a clown collar. Keep things enchanting with a whimsical set of fairy wings or a fearsome dragon suit. Spooky Costumes There are tons of options for classic Halloween costumes. You can turn a cat into a vampire like Dracula with a tiny cape or draw bones on a dog for an undead skeleton look. Upcycle an old sheet into a ghost costume by cutting out holes for the ears, eyes, and snout or keep things simple with a miniature witch’s hat. Reveal your pet’s true colors by dressing them up with an angelic halo or devil horns - whichever is more accurate. Many of these you can make at home if you get a little crafty but in case you don’t have the time or know-how to make it work, there are a few different PetSmart and PetCo locations in Vancouver where you can find a cute costume. If you plan ahead and take shipping time into account, we recommend seeing what sites like Etsy and Chewy have to offer! However you and the fur kids decide to dress up for Halloween, make sure you take a picture and share the results with us on Facebook or Instagram . We’d love to see what you come up with!

Top 5 Donut Shops in Vancouver, WA

Donuts are a classic breakfast staple and any time snack for when you’re in the mood for a treat. The fried dough rings are topped with a variety of flavors of glaze, icing, sprinkles, and occasionally filled with cream or jelly. But where can you find the best donuts in Vancouver? Read on to find out! Mr. Maple Donuts Donut themed art adorns the walls of this cheery donut shop with a large spread of donuts greeting you once you walk in the doors. Choose from a selection of their regular or fancy donuts, but donut worry - both come with a variety of toppings. Picking just one may be a challenge but you’ll know with one bite that you’ll be back to try more. Donut Nook The ‘70s live on in this wood-paneled shop, staffed by employees who’ve (mostly) been there for decades. Food & Wine Magazine says they’re the best in Washington, but it’s not just the donuts that are quality - it’s also the customer service and dedication to regulars and community. What do they do with leftover donuts you may ask? They get put in a special bin at a reduced price or donated to organizations like the Recovery Center or Veterans Affairs volunteers. Tonallis Doughnuts & Cream What goes with donuts almost as well as coffee? Ice cream of course! Tonallis has you covered on both fronts with their location on Fourth Plain doubling down on a donut and ice cream display, made fresh in store. Their regular lineup includes plenty of unique flavor combinations or, if you’re looking for an exceptional treat, they also take custom orders for giant donuts in any shape, letter, or number. This is definitely a go-to for your next special occasion! Dot Donuts Donuts, coffee, ice cream. This is the ultimate trifecta and all three are readily available at Dots. While they’re donuts are made fresh in house, they proudly serve Stumptown coffee and Cascade Glacier ice cream, both PNW-made favorites. When you get around to giving this shop a try, we recommend their beautifully marbled iced donuts. Angels Donuts & Ice Cream If you thought Tonallis sounded good, wait til you hear about Angels - same owners, different name! In addition to the standard fare of donuts and ice cream, you can also order a burger from this one-stop shop. Where else can you get an order of tots with a fresh donut? Talk about sweet and savory! Voodoo Doughnut When it comes to donuts, one more can’t hurt. That’s why we’re including a bonus sixth shop in this list of the five best places to get a donut in our city. The iconic pink box of Portland is finally crossing the river and opening their first Washington location next to the Vancouver Mall coming this November . While you can order a traditional donut here, they’re really known for their creative toppings and shapes like the ‘Oh Captain, My Captain’ with Cap’n Crunch cereal pieces stuck with frosting or their vaguely doll-shaped namesake ‘Voodoo Doll’ complete with arms and pretzel stake - perfect for an overcast and spooky autumn day.

Best Dinner Date Spots in Vancouver, WA

Fall is almost upon us, and what better way to spend a Friday night this season than with a fun dinner date? Whether you’re new to the Vancouver, WA, area or you’ve called this city home for a while now, we’ve gathered a few favorite spots sure to offer an unforgettable dinner, all within a short drive from the Acero Haagen Park community. Elements Restaurant A classy restaurant proud to offer an “intimate dining experience,” Elements Restaurant in Vancouver serves a variety of simple, elegant and creative meals that showcase Chef Sosa’s passion for his craft and dedication to his customers. The menu boasts a mixture of flavors and ingredients sure to make your dining experience a unique and enjoyable one. Salty’s on the Columbia River A brief 25-minute drive over to Portland, Salty’s on the Columbia River is a beautiful waterfront dining experience. Known as the best seafood and steak restaurant in town, a meal at Salty’s will include friendly service and award-winning cuisine. You’ll enjoy a stunning view of the Columbia, with an equally breathtaking backdrop of Mt. Hood, while eating your choice of crab, lobster, salmon, oysters, steak, pasta or chicken. Roots Restaurant & Bar Located in Camas, Roots Restaurant & Bar has all the charm you’d expect from a Pacific Northwest dining experience. Their dining room offers a warm atmosphere with friendly service, a fully-stocked bar and excellent cuisine. With a menu that changes seasonally, there’s always something new to try at Roots. Q Restaurant & Bar Back in Portland, Q Restaurant & Bar is a family-owned cook-from-scratch dining experience. Whether you’re seated at the bar, in the dining room or at the Chefs Counter, the restaurant features an open view of the kitchen so you can watch Executive Chef Anne Cuggino create her masterpieces. The perfect spot for an on-the-go lunch, a dinner with the family or a romantic date night, Q Restaurant & Bar is the place to be. Morton’s The Steakhouse In walking distance to the Portland riverfront, Morton’s The Steakhouse is located close by notable landmarks such as Rose Garden Arena and the Oregon Convention Center. An elegant dining experience in the city, Morton’s has several rooms for private meetings or parties in addition to the main dining room and Bar 12-21. With a wide variety of steaks, seafood and wine, make your reservation today for an unforgettable meal.

Best Places To Look At Fall Leaves in Vancouver, WA

Autumn is inching closer which means a change of scenery from green trees to bright yellow and orange foliage is around the corner. One of the best things about living in the Pacific Northwest is experiencing all the different seasons. If you’re wondering where the best places to go take pictures without having to venture too far from home keep reading further! We’ll start with places closest to home at Acero Haagen Park. Fallen Leaf Lake Park Just a short 15 minute drive near Camas, Fallen Leaf Lake Park is a small yet beautiful place to check out autumn foliage. It features small trails going through forest trees, wetlands, and a lake. If you have some time left to explore we recommend hitting downtown Camas for some lunch! Salmon Creek Trail and Greenway Just a 19 minute drive north, Salmon Creek trail offers a 2.5 mile loop of tree-lined scenery. Here you’ll be able to hike along a small creek while taking in the colorful landscape. You’ll be happy to know that the park is dog friendly as long as your furry pal is on a leash. Vancouver Lake Regional Park At Vancouver Lake Regional Park not only will you experience the changing landscape but you’ll be able to take in against the backdrop of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens. The park also features a paved road for you to explore beyond the shores of the lake. Additionally, It’s only a 30 minute drive west! Battle Ground Lake State Park Battle Ground State Park is a small park dense with trees surrounding the shores of a lake right in the middle. Here you can go fishing or simply boating while taking in the new season. You can also pack some lunch, a book , and spend half the day here, as days are getting a little shorter. Hoyt Arboretum Hoyt Arboretum is actually not in Washington but in Portland, Oregon. However, given that it is still within a 30 minute driving radius from Clark County, we thought it would be a great place to visit. Hoyt Arboretum hosts 2,300 species of trees and shrubs from 6 different continents. They are dispersed through 12 miles of hiking trails which meet with each other giving you the option to go look at other flora. In a way, it is similar to a zoo of trees and plants. You’ll want to take a bottle of water and snacks as the trails are long but not difficult. Make sure you don’t miss out on this time of the year since the colorful trees tend to move fast. Pack your water, a light jacket, and get ready to explore the Pacific Northwest. Send us any picture you take and we’ll try to feature them on our social pages!