When we first moved to Oregon we discovered that one of our favorite natural food companies Bob's Red Mill was in the area. Not only was it in the area but it's right down the road from K's school and we pass by it every day (They even donate to our school)! This was very exciting to us. Bob is a much loved celebrity in our household. The girls call our flour 'Bob flour' because his picture is on the package (I actually don't mind this tiny bit of commercialism that is in our house).
'Bob flour'
Kevin had a week off of work and we thought we would finally take the free tour at the Mill. It seemed like the perfect time as K was very interested in learning how the wheat she saw in her garden at school became the flour we use to bake our bread.
The girls seemed to enjoy the tour. Kevin and I were a bit disappointed that it began with a half hour video but the girls showed no interest in it and we wandered around until it was over. We asked if we would be able to meet Bob himself there but the answer, unfortunately, was no.
Watching the process
One of the stones used to grind the grain was on display for us to see up close
The large cloth flour bag you see in the picture above (on the far right) was one of the bags used in Frontier House. Bob's Red Mill was one of their sponsors. I let out a little squeal when I saw that. Frontier House is one of my absolute favorite shows, Kevin and I watch the dvds (after the girls go to bed, of course) at least once every couple of months for inspiration.
The tour guide asked if anyone knew the name of the show and we were the only ones who did, so we received a token for a free cookie at Bob's restaurant. It was as if they handed us gold :)
When the tour was finished we went to the store to buy flour (they have 25 pound bags of whole wehat flour there! Perfect for us with all of our baking - we go through so much a month) and then had brunch at the restaurant, my oh my, was it delicious! To top off our wonderful food you will never guess who came in and sat at the table next to us...
Yep, Bob did! K couldn't contain her excitement but was much too shy to talk to him. Again - I have to stress this was like seeing a movie star for them. Kevin spoke to him for a bit and he was just as inspiring and amazing as we thought he would be.
It was quite the field trip. I think we may have to do it again sometime soon.
Happy Monday everyone!
31 comments:
What a great sounding day! And meeting Bob sounded like a great end to the day as well, some things are just meant to happen no matter what.
How sweet! And I love that the girls got to meet Bob afterall. I have never heard of that show Frontier House, I'll have to see where we can find it to check out (I am bored stiff each night unable to sleep, so something to distract is all good!)
So glad to hear your tales again Nicole!
"Bob flour." I love that! Super neat grinding stone! I'm glad that the girls got to meet Bob, how sweet. My dad's name is "Bob" so we feel kinda special about it around here :)
XOXO
It sounds like you had such a wonderful day and your precious little ones look adorable!! Have a beautiful day. xxx
I think that it is important to share with our children how our grains are produced in larger quantities, and a place like Bob's Redmill is probably a great place to start. Looks like a fun trip!
what a great experience!! love that grinding stone and how cool that bob made a special appearance for your girls! xoxoxoxo
What a fun day!
That's so wonderful! What an amazing experience for your family! I can't believe you got to meet Bob! We have a local mill that we buy all of our organic spelt, all-purpose and wheat from but occasionally I buy a bag of one of Bob's more specialty flours. How exciting!
What an adorable story! I live in Portland and really want to head out to the restaurant soon.
We keep forgetting about it and every time we drive past we shout "hey we should go there."
What a wonderful day!
I love the girls dresses.
So neat!
This is really special! We have his 7 grain porridge often for breakfast, I'm so happy to have proof that he is a real guy and it is a real place, not some made up image under another corporation. Now it tastes better, lol.
What a perfect ending to a fun field trip. How cool to live so close to Bob's Red Mill and pass it everyday. Talk about learning where your food comes from.
wow, great field trip! And I am glad you met Bob too! We just finished off a bag of "Bob's flour" this morning when we made biscuits. :)
Amazing post. You know that I know that I would have loved to do that with my girls. You are truly blessed.
Namaste, Nicole
Photos are unbelievable beautiful.
My DH and I were just talking about him the other day....wondering if there was really still a big red mill they use for commercial grinding.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful day! I'm afraid if I tell him you went on the tour, it will be one more reason he would want to move to the Pacific Northwest!
Oh, that is a happy day! I love that children can so easily make the ordinary into the extraordinary, where Bob becomes a hero. I, too, will forever call it Bob flour now:)
xo Jules
Dear Nicole,
it is always so nice to visite Your lovely blog. Congratulations to You! I read that You are awaiting a baby boy in February. We are awaiting our second baby in the end January, and it is a boy too.
All my best wishes to You for Your pregnancy!
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Looks like you had a lovely day and the photos of your girls are so beautiful! My two have ordered bonnets after seeing these pics!
I also wanted to ask if you could recommend any books about Martinmas / St Martin? It is comming up soon and I'd love to get some books to help explain it to my girls. Thanks so much!
When we visit family in Massachusetts we enjoy going to a grist mill - it is so much fun to see the big wheel turn that helps to grind the corn into meal.
Hope you get your computer up and running soon.
Thanks for sharing your day.
Warm wishes, Tonya
I am a new Waldorf Mom, my 2 youngest got into my local Waldorf Charter school and I am enjoying reading your blog! Thanks for sharing all your experiences.
I love this post! thanks for turning me on to the Frontier House show... will need to check that out. and just could not take my eyes off of that gorgeous sweater! I really must start mine for my E before she gets too big! Thinking of you lately... hope you are feeling well!
xo
ah! i love this.. bob could be a celebrity in my household too, we use all of his flours. when we moved to st. maarten i was so happy that we could find all of his products here. hooray for bob's red mills! how cool that you guys drive by everyday on your way to your daughter's school. i love your new header by the way...
You met Bob!!?! How exciting....love their products and I LOVE your new header on your blog.....that little bonnet is the cutest...keeping my fingers crossed for another little girl i can sew for.
Thanks everyone! It truly wasa magical experience.His original red mill was destroyed years back by an arsonist :( but now he has hisnwere place and it is pretty nice if you ask me :)
Heather - I so agree! To make it even better, every baking day at school K gets to grind her own flour to make bread. I love it!
thegirlsmom - I do not know of any books off hand, sorry! But we do have a story I printed off of the 'waldorf home educators' yahoo group we read every year. It's nice, simple and short. Check that group out. It's a great resource!
Thank again everyone! XOXO
Too too cute. I am now gluten free, Nicole, so the next time you go, please tell Bob thank you from me. I am so grateful not to have to give up our regular oatmeal, because he makes gluten free!
Nicola
We love Bob too! did you know he gave his company to his employees this year? cool hunh?!? also we watch Frontier House at least once a year!
I love fronter house. My husband taped it for me each week when it was on tv and I had to work monday nights when it was on.
I would be excited to met Bob too! His gluten free all purpose flour was our saving grace when we became gluten free!
:)Lisa
HOW FUN!!! We have loads of Bob's amazing products at home as well... I too would feel like it was like meeting a celebrity :) very fun!
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