Category : Sisters

The Sisters Quilt Show

The Sisters Quilt Show weekend is right around the corner.  The event is the largest outdoor quilt show in the world, always held on the second Saturday of July and the Ranch is going to be displaying quilts made by Ranch residents all month long in the Gallery in the Lodge.  The Ranch will also be hosting a quilt show on Friday July 8 from 10a-3p, with a $10 buffet with light sandwiches, salads, snacks, ice tea and lemonade served from 11a-2p.  Come on out and enjoy the views and quilts!

Sister Country is also giving away a Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show package – including a 2011 Hat, T-Shirt, poster and so much more!  Also included are TWO tickets to see the QuiltMaker’s of Gee’s Bend in Sisters on Tuesday, July 5!  There is limited time to enter, be sure to log on today for your chance to win! www.SistersCountry.com/QuiltShow

For more information on the Quilt Show visit:   http://www.sistersoutdoorquiltshow.org/

The Central Oregon Waiting Game

As I look longingly out the window I imagine a warm sunny day, with marshmallow clouds slowly drifting across the azure sky.  Then the phone rings and I am snapped back to the reality of a  gray sky and a cloud-shrouded butte.

Welcome to springtime in Central Oregon; a time when Mother Nature has a bout of schizophrenia. Even though we expect it, it’s never easy.  The weather can be a frustrating proposition as our desires switch from wanting to ski at every opportunity to tuning up our golf game or our bikes.

This is the time of year where you must have three seasons of clothing and sports gear in your closet. On a perfect spring day you can achieve any combination of activities: get in 9 holes of incredible mountain golf at Big Meadow (when it opens) and then ski a half-day up at Hoodoo; or you could golf then ride your bike on the more than 18 miles of meandering bike paths at the Ranch; or golf, ski, bike and then head to the spa.

Lucky for us, there is an activity that isn’t weather dependent – Easter Brunch.

Ahhhh, brunch buffets.  William Pearson  ponders the wonderfulness of buffets in his 1965 novel The Muses of Ruin. He refers to the buffet as “the eighth wonder of the world.” He goes on to say, “How many times you go through the line is a private matter between you and your capacity, and then between your capacity and the chef’s evil eye.”

The Easter Brunch at the Lodge Restaurant is exquisite. Executive Sous Chef Adam Kapela puts his creative touch on each dish.  Try the truffle potato salad with roasted mushrooms, or the Ranch benedict with Parisian ham and Pepper Vodka and herb hollandaise.  You won’t want to miss his special Herb crusted Beef Prime Rib with black pepper horseradish cream and Brandy grain mustard Jus.

Easter is April 24, so don’t wait too long to make a reservation for the whole family (kids 4 years and under are free). Call 866.901.9261 for more information.

See ya around the Ranch!

Katie

 

 

 

Snow, Beloved Snow

What is it about snow that is so fascinating?  When I see snow I get excited like a little kid itching to go play in it; make snow angels and a snowman.    In the high desert here in Central Oregon, snow is a welcome marker of winter.  It jump starts that nesting instinct to light the home fires, make some hot cocoa and yet you still want to pull on your snow boots, down jacket , hat and gloves and frolic in the wonderful substance.  I’m extremely lucky in that I have a big picture window in my office from which I can spy Black Butte and whatever weather event is happening at the Ranch.

With Hoodoo Ski Area so close to the Ranch it offers guests and residents many winter activities.  The hill has runs for beginner to advanced, and the back country area, which is not groomed, offers an amazing powder experience.  Both Black Butte Ranch and Hoodoo cater to families – which is why we are their preferred lodging partner.  Hoodoo also offers the Autobahn Sled Hill.  If you’ve never been you simply must take the kids or grandkids there – it is a blast!  Another great activity is to rent snowshoes from the Glaze Meadow Rec Center – Equipment Rental shop at the Ranch and snowshoe around the Ranch or on various trails in the forest.  Winter is a great time to experience the Ranch and the surrounding Sisters area. Come Play with us!

Don’t Forget the Infamous Stringdusters July 17

Preparations are underway for the first “Live at the Ranch” concert series, featuring the Infamous Stringdusters, and will benefit the Sisters Americana Project ($5 donation please). Check out their music at http://thestringdusters.com/. The Ranch is providing a beautiful “venue with a view” where concert goers will be treated to outstanding bluegrass music as well as a view of Phalarope Lake and the Three Sisters as the sun sets. Be sure to bring your sand chairs and a blanket and enjoy the ranch style barbeque food available for purchase. We will also have a special area for wheelchair seating. Please note: no outside alcoholic beverages allowed (there is a Beer Garden on site). come early to get a good spot and enjoy the relaxed ambiance of the Ranch.

Cheers!

Katie

Quilt Show !

As quilters descend upon Sisters from all over the United States (even some internationally), we welcome them with open arms. While I’m not a quilter myself, there are many avid quilters that are residents of the Ranch. In fact, our very own Ruth Ingham recently had an art quilt display at the Sisters library. I had the honor of viewing one of her art quilts before it went to the library and was fascinated with the incredible detail involved in the piece.

I understand that the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show organizers are expecting record-breaking attendance at this year’s show. Well at least it isn’t going to be 90 degrees, and it doesn’t appear that any remaining smoke from the smoldering Black Butte II fire is going to drift into town, whew! I also read that if you bring your own bottle of water you can get free refills all over town.

Quilt on Sisters!

The Infamous StringDusters Are Coming

I am so excited that on July 17, 2009 the Infamous stringDusters will play a benefit concert for the Sisters Americana Project here at the Ranch! If you want to check them out go to http://www.thestringdusters.com/ or click on their link under My Favorite Links. They play bluegrass music and are very playful and fun. Thanks to Brad Tisdel and his crew for thinking of the Ranch as a cool venue and to Scott Huntsman our general manager for saying yes! This is the first in a series of “Live at the Ranch” concerts, so stay tuned to see who else is coming our way.

Cheers!
Katie