PORTLAND, Oregon — It's time for another socially distant weekend. Don't worry, even though you can't go on all kinds of exciting adventures outside of your house, there are plenty of fun things to do while still adhering to the stay-home order.
So here are 8 things to do from home this weekend:
Hangout in wine country - from afar
Willamette Valley is beautiful this time of year. But even though you can't go there and drink wine in person, you can hangout with the winemakers and some animals virtually. Abbey Road Farm in Carlton is doing daily live streams on Instagram with cooking demonstrations, animal meetings, yoga sessions, crafting events, gardening tips, and chats with the winemakers.
Want some wine to go along with your live stream? They are offering free wine delivery to the Portland area (with a 3 bottle minimum purchase - treat yourself) from Abbey Road Farm, including Abbey Road Farm label, James Rahn, Statera, Lares, and Stedt. The farm is also selling care packages for delivery, including both wine and food.
Taste through local wines at home
The Sunshine Mill, an event space located inside a 100-year-old flour mill in The Dalles, is now offering home wine tasting experiences. You order online, and when the wine arrives, you get to taste through 2 ounce pours of up to twelve different varietals at home, while the tasting room manager walks you through it, virtually, on Zoom.
Extra fun fact: The Sunshine Mill is also now hosting drive-up movie nights on Saturdays and Sundays. Learn more in last week's 8 things list.
Make a lava lamp!
If you're a parent stuck at home with your kids, by this point, you may feel like you've tried everything to entertain them. And you're probably also now playing the role of teacher, not just parent.
You can try this fun experiment from Science Fun, and make a lava lamp! All you need is a plastic water bottle, water, vegetable oil, food coloring, and Alka Seltzer.
Watch a porch concert from Vancouver students
Choir students at Mountain View High School are putting on front porch performances every night. It's a way for them to share their talents and lift people up during these uncertain times, when the students can't be at school.
You can watch past porch performances on the Evergreen Public Schools YouTube channel, and then watch more every night at 5 p.m.
Make your own beer
The pandemic has led to a very tough time for local breweries. A recent survey by the Brewers Association found that craft beer sales are down 77 percent right now. But one segment of the beer business is actually growing right now: home brewing. F.H. Steinbart says the company is currently up between 23-25 percent. The business is doing free deliveries in the Portland area, so if you've been wanting to start your own home brew experiments, here's your chance.
Watch a concert and help The Old Church
The Old Church, a concert hall in Southwest Portland, is hosting a virtual benefit concert to help keep the beloved venue alive. On Friday, April 17, at 7 p.m., Never Come Down will perform on a live stream. It's free to watch, but of course, donations are very welcomed.
Attend a red carpet gala online
The Oregon Symphony's annual gala is going virtual, so everyone is invited. The red carpet starts at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, and then the gala begins at at 7 p.m. It's all free and open to the public, but of course, you can donate to support the symphony. Storm Large and the Oregon Symphony will be performing.
Have a date night at home
If you and your significant other have been wearing pajamas and eating on the couch for weeks, you're not alone. Romance can be tough in quarantine.
Portland psychologist Dr. Doreen Dodgen-Magee has some creative ways to get closer to your significant other during the pandemic. She says it's important to get out of your comfort zone and try new things at home. You and your partner could teach each other a new skill, do origami, blow gum bubbles, nothing is off the table.
RELATED: 8 things to do from home this weekend (more events from past weeks!)
RELATED: 8 things to do from home this weekend (even more fun things!)