My Maine Idyll

 

The view from McLoons Lobster Shack

Maine was wonderful. I have come to expect that my visits will be very special, but this year's visit was idyllic. Yes, idyllic. Except for one rainy day, when the activity was seeing The Odyssey, I enjoyed blue skies and starry nights. I ate lobster, visited with friends and enjoyed some of the best scenery anywhere. 

  I visited Rockland and discovered a new doughnut shop, Ruckus Doughnuts. I chose a cinnamon doughnut, but when I went to take pictures all that was left were these three blueberry doughnuts. If you're ever in Mid-coast Maine and like doughnuts, Ruckus is a must stop. 

The view from the ferry to Vinalhaven 

On one of the most perfect summer days imaginable I took the ferry to the island of Vinalhaven. It was an hour ride from Rockland and yes, it was as lovely a ride as the picture.  We walked, ate lunch and visited an art gallery. But most of all I enjoyed being on the water.   

The view from the cottage

There were new adventures and familiar adventures, and I take none of them for granted. Long halcyon days of summer are among the sweetest joys of life and when they're spent with friends of long standing and new friends, it's a complete privilege. How lucky I was!

I've been back in New York for a week, but even though there was no change in time zones, it felt as though I'd come back from a long journey away and in some ways, I had. I'm back in the New York swing of things for the next month. I don't have a lot planned, but between catching up on all the errands -- today was haircut day and there are a few medical appointments and a visit to the dentist to come -- I do have some fun planned. What are your August plans?

As ever thanks for visiting and have a sweet last day of July.

Morning and Evening in Mid-Coast Maine

 

Morning has broken, Spruce Head Island, Maine 

Even though I was only in Maine for not quite a full five days, I took several hundred pictures. I've shared one so far and was set to share many more. But instead of lots of pictures I chose just my three favorites. Two are the  view of the water -- one of my all-time favorite views anywhere in the world -- and one was a new discovery.  

I love the view of the water bright with sunshine, but I also love the sun's last rays on the water. Thankfully I don't have to choose which I prefer. I was standing in the kitchen when I turned my head to the window and the last moments of this magnificent sunset were my reward. I shared this photograph with friends and my friend Bill's observation was that sometimes that moment of awareness is all it takes. It was just a moment and then the sun slipped below the horizon.  

All I could see from where I stood

Was three long mountains and a wood

From Renascence by Edna St. Vincent Millay

This is the view of the harbor of Camden, Maine from Mount Battie. Though I've visited the area at least five times, this was the first time I've been to Mount Battie, and the reward was this majestic view.  I'm quoting Millay because the legend goes that Renascence was written while Millay was looking at this view. It won't be the last time I return here.  

It's been hot, but not impossible here and today was quite productive. I didn't get all of my errands done, but enough to feel content. I've got another full day tomorrow and then I'm off on an adventure, which is why I'm focused on getting things done. I'll be doing a Pink Saturday post tomorrow and then a quick post about my adventure plans on Sunday morning. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and keep cool.  

Pink Saturday Goes to the Farnsworth Art Musuem

 

This week's Pink Saturday adventure is in Rockland, Maine. 

Despite all of sad travel stories this summer my travel to Maine was relatively uneventful. I did have delays going to Maine -- missed seeing a friend and our shopping time at LL Bean -- but coming home was as good a flight as I could ask for. The heat has eased up in New York City -- thankfully -- and I'm settling back into my New York routines.  

My visit was wonderful and there isn't one thing about it that I would change. Beautiful weather with sunny days and cool evenings. I needed the long sleeved shirt and leggings that I brought with me and it was perfect sleeping weather. The days flew by, with an outing daily and time to sit on the porch and enjoy the view of the water.  There was also time for fabulous meals, lots of laughter and great conversations. So grateful!

One of my favorite days was a visit to the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, Maine. The Farnsworth is known for its collection of paintings by  American artists, but we were there specifically to see the exhibit on the life and work of Ashley Bryan. Bryan was an African-American artist and illustrator of children's books. He taught at Dartmouth (after my time there) and then retired to the beautiful Cranberry Island, which is off the coast of Maine. During his years on Cranberry the flowers of the island were his focus.

I was enthralled by the colors Bryan captured. 

As much as I enjoyed the museum visit, nothing surpassed the natural beauty of the Maine coast. My next post will feature a few of my favorite photographs, but I'd be remiss to do a post on my visit without at least one picture of the water. I promise more to come. 

One of the beautiful views from Spruce Head Island, Maine

As ever, thanks for visiting and good wishes for the week ahead.

Pink Saturday Comes Home From Maine

 

Last sunset in Maine, Wednesday night

Definitely some pink in the picture

I was reminded, once again, that when I get back from a longish -- over a week -- trip away from New York I need at least a few days to get reoriented to my regular daily life. I slipped back pretty easily after my week in Colorado in June, but it's taken me a little longer after getting back from Maine on Thursday. 

Fortunately, I don't like missing Pink Saturday, and that got me back to blogging. I've still got a number of pictures from Maine I want to share as well as a post on my visit to Lower Manhattan on Friday and a post on my new love of this summer, hydrangeas. I'm head over heels for hydrangeas and they deserve an entire post that's all hydrangeas. 

I came home to a big surprise that Pep had for me and he will be featured tomorrow for Monkey Monday. I hope all of Pep's friends will stop by to see his latest monkey business. 

I got back into my New York State of Mind with a visit to the Metropolitan Museum to see a retrospective by Alice Neel. Happily a friend reminded me that today was the last day of the show, and we arrived when the museum opened. It was still crowded, but I'm sure a less crowded than later in the day. It's a good reminder that it's time to start planning again for museum visits. No complaints about the crowds. I'm so glad to see people out and about and enjoying the treasures of New York City. 

Ninth Avenue during the Depression by Alice Neel

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

(Unofficial) Pink Saturday

 

I can’t officially link up to Pink Saturday today, but this photograph of my doggy buddy, Elvis, and a new friend we met today, inspired me to do an unofficial Pink Saturday post.

We will return next Saturday to the store and gardens where this encounter took place. What started as a quick errand extended into several chats, a new dog friendship and many, many photographs. I think you’ll enjoy the visit and I’ll enjoy revisiting the memories.

It’s a glorious day here. I’m back from a walk and now I’m enjoying late afternoon on the porch. Bliss!

Maine Memories

Frances Perkins Homestead, Newcastle, Maine

Frances Perkins was the first woman member of a Presidential cabinet. She served as FDR's
Labor Secretary and we are very proud to claim her as a Mount Holyoke graduate. 

Note: I've been editing and re-editing this post a dozen times. While it's still autumn and before the promised holiday decor pictures begin tomorrow, I'm going to do this post without my usual collection of links and historical notes.

 One of the high points of the fall was my Mount Holyoke College class mini-reunion in Maine this fall. Although it's only slightly more than a month ago, mid October seems to be slipping further and further into memory. Before this wonderful visit slips entirely into memory, I'm happy to share the promised photos. Just for reference a mini-reunion is not a formal reunion at the college. My class has been fortunate to have classmates put together wonderful weekends all over the country and the Maine one last month was superb.

The view from Prout's Neck, Maine that inspired Winslow Homer's paintings. We had the most perfect sunny and clear October day and toured Winslow Homer's studios and also spent time touring the grounds. It was all fascinating, but my favorite part was this view. 

The harbor at Damariscotta

We are very fortunate that one of our classmates lives in Damariscotta, about an hour north of Portland, and definitely worth a visit if you are in the area. It is one of the loveliest towns on the Maine coast. We had a very interesting tour of the Damariscotta River and learned about the sustainable oyster farming on the river, and yes, we were blessed with another perfect autumn day.  

I know autumn doesn't end for another few weeks, but as of tomorrow we are officially moving on to Holiday season 2019. There may be a few other posts -- romance is in the air -- but otherwise it's decorations and holiday events from now until the end of the year. Wow! Can't believe I just wrote "the end of the year." But until then, let the lights and decorations begin. 

Thanks for visiting and thanks for all you contribute

 to Buttercupland and your friendship. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Good News on the Homefront

Trick or treat!

I returned home from Maine, the site of my autumn adventure, on Sunday to find my building's lobby decorated for Halloween, which was definitely a treat. The other treat warmed not only my heart, but made my apartment cozy. We're  making headway on our gas line issues. While I was in Maine the gas service for the building's boiler was restored and it returned to normal operations. That was a wonderful welcome home present.

I'm still cooking with my array of home appliances, but there's been progress in the restoration of gas service for cooking. I may be overly optimistic, but I believe that I may be baking by Christmas. Of course, paperwork moves slowly, but I'm going to hope that the aroma of baking cookies will be my treat for January, 2020.

 My autumn adventure was my college class mini-reunion in Portland, Maine. Thanks to classmates that live in the area, we were treated to a fabulous weekend. I'm going to do a separate post, but wanted to share one of my favorite pictures of the Damariscotta River, about an hour north of Portland. One of our activities was a boat ride on the river and the opportunity to learn about oyster farming there. It was fascinating and the scenery was spectacular. It was a crisp and sunny New England morning and I loved settling in with a cozy throw and a cup of great coffee and enjoying the views.

     Blue skies smiling at me!

Back to my regularly scheduled programming in Manhattan. Lots of walking, Yoga and water aerobics. We've got a new teacher, so alas no aqua kickboxing this week. I do want to see if I can locate classes at another Y in Manhattan, but I'm giving myself a week or two just to get back into my regular routine. I love going away, but when I get back I need a week to become reaccustomed to my usual life. Do you need time to get back on track or do you hit the ground running after being away?

As ever, thanks for visiting. Take care and have a great Sunday! 

Just in Case You Missed National Lobster Day

In the past we've celebrated National Licorice Day and National Milk Chocolate Day. Except for the vagaries of my tablet and Blogger, we would have celebrated National Lobster Day yesterday. But the technical details seem to be working and we are happily celebrating National Lobster Day tonight with a visit to McLoon's Lobster for what may be the best lobster roll on the East coast.

I know there may be people who will debate that statement with me, but after my lobster tastings in Connecticut this summer, I'm choosing McLoons for best lobster roll of the summer of 2017.  All of my tastings were in nice seaside settings and all of the lobster was good, but McLoons tipped the balance with the quantity of lobster, the perfect arrangement of the lobster in the roll -- I prefer the toasted hot dog bun -- and the weather worn picnic tables.

This was the view as I ate my perfect and delicious lobster roll.



The menu -- I'm tempted by the Maine crabmeat roll or perhaps a crab cake, but when there's fresh lobster the temptation quickly evaporates.

I'm now back from Maine for a little over a week, though it feels like I've been back a month. Rosh Hashanah was lovely and spiritually inspiring. I got to spend time with dear friends and eat way too much. But between the holiday and being in Maine I'm not easily back in the routine of walking, yoga, reading and blogging. I think the ninety degree weather on the first day of fall totally threw me off and I've been taking refuge in front of the air conditioner.

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. My heart and prayers are in Puerto Rico tonight.
 

I'd Love to Go to Chase's Daily Every Day

My visit to Maine was fabulous. Whether it was a wooded walk to a private beach -- first photograph below -- or blissfully watching the sunset from the sun porch -- second photograph below -- I had a wonderful visit. The only problem was blogging, or lack of blogging. I was for the most part off the grid and blogger was highly uncooperative. There's at least one more Maine post to come with additional pictures of the land and seascape.
 

Besides visiting, sitting on the porch and enjoying the view, eating was a prime activity. There were several lobster treats, but also a trip to the very fabulous Chase's Daily in Belfast, Maine. Family run and focused on vegetables, I had one of the best meals of the summer there. During the summer season there is always a line to be seated, but after Labor Day it wasn't as crowded when we arrived. However, by one o'clock every table was taken.    

Choosing my meal -- I was joined by two college friends -- wasn't easy. Everything looked good.
 

We all started with the soup of the day, tomato spinach. The spinach and the seasoning took this bowl of soup a long way from the classic red can. It was sophisticated and delicious and one of my goals for the fall is to try a variation at home. We followed the soup with tacos and ended our meal with a dessert buffet -- chocolate crinkle cookies, raspberry tart and an apple blackberry tart. If you have the good fortune to be in Belfast, Maine -- about two hours north of Portland -- I strongly suggest scheduling breakfast or dinner at Chase's Daily. 
 

There were beautifully displayed vegetables and flowers for sale in the back of the restaurant.

 

Maine is slipping back into memory now that I'm home. It's back to laundry, grocery shopping and doing my daily walking. I neglected the latter while I was in Maine and it's time to enjoy the almost autumn days outdoors. 

 

Sadness continues and my heart is in Mexico City and Puerto Rico tonight. Prayers for safety and recovery for both areas. 

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.  

My View

Blogger is being very temperamental, so let's have the photographs tell the story.This is my view in mid-coast Maine. I'm two hours north of Portland visiting a college friend. Enjoying the view, the company, the snap of autumn in the air and feeling very grateful. 

Delicious Maine Pink Saturday

The wonderful Pink Saturday has now officially become Anything Goes Pink Saturday. I appreciate the freedom to post more widely, but I have so enjoyed looking for my favorite color, that I am going to continue the search and my pink posts. I didn't find a lot of pink in Maine, but I do have one pink picture to share and in what I know will be popular, photographs of some of my favorite eating adventures ever. I've -- more or less -- returned to a less indulgent diet, but the memories of meals in Maine linger on.

     Though this isn't food, it was one of our first stops after I landed in Portland. It was the first of several farm stand visits -- corn, blueberries and tomatoes were at the top of the shopping list -- and the pink glads caught my attention.  

 

I am a lobster fan, but no more so than when I am at the shore. Our first lobster meal was at McLoons in South Thomaston, Maine. This is lobster country and we walked to the restaurant from the cottage.

 

The lobster roll was a treat, served with a butter in a toasted roll, chips and homemade slaw. We split a piece of peach for dessert, but in a moment of restraint skipped the a la mode. 

 



I was always on the lookout for blueberry pie, but the peach was delicious. 

 

The food was a treat, but the setting on the water was an equal delight.



The fog was beginning to roll in. It would linger for the next four days.

 

It stayed throughout our visit to Bar Harbor and Jordan Pond House at Acadia National Park. Cadillac Mountain at Acadia and most of the scenery on our boat ride to Little Cranberry Island were hidden in mists of fog, but I still saw some fabulous scenery and it didn't diminish the quality of the food.

 

One of the treats of the Jordan Pond House is their popovers and I ate mine before I thought to take photographs. My entree was a delicious fish chowder -- haddock, clams and scallops -- and dessert was blueberry crisp with homemade ice cream. It's one of my most memorable meals anywhere, and the dessert is definitely one of the most photogenic. 

 



Fish chowder and blueberry tea -- Maine food at its best.

 

And yes, it is as good as it looks.

 

The best (lightly) fried fish and onion rings imaginable. I like onion rings, but for calories, and the disappointment of frozen onion rings, I rarely eat them. But I am so glad I made an exception for these homemade and fabulous ones at Cindy's in Freeport. We stopped here on the way to the airport for my trip home. A perfect culinary farewell to my visit to Maine. 

 

 

This post could well turn into a dissertation, and I will just mention blueberry pancakes in Port Clyde and clam strips in South Thomaston. It's no wonder that I have had a tough week returning to a less calorie laden eating style. But return I have and just in time to keep my clothes zipping. I've got my first apple sauce of the season simmering on the stove. I'm not rushing fall, but the new apples look so good.

 

I hope everyone is enjoying this summer weekend. My prayers for all who may be in Erika's path. As ever thanks for visiting and have a sweet Saturday.





(Sort of) Back on Track Again

I thought returning from a week in New England would be the easiest vacation transition possible. There would be no time zone changes and the flight was only an hour and a half. There were no language changes and the currency was dollars. But from the moment I saw my first tidal pool I had entered a different world, as surely as if I had gone half way around the world.

The view from the cabin on my first night in Maine

I had the very good fortune to visit a college friend who has had a cabin on Spruce Head Island for the last thirty years. She planned a wonderful week, with lots to see, as well as time to enjoy the ever-changing and always beautiful scenery. It was a trip I wouldn't have been able to make on my own. I would have had no idea what was down any of the dirt roads we traveled, and I would have missed so many moments that made the week so special.

The setting sun taken during a walk on the first night of my visit.

I'm happy I took a lot of pictures that evening. The four days that followed were foggy and I didn't see many sunsets like this one again. 

South Thomaston, Maine. This was one of my favorite views. Water everywhere and the Methodist Church on the right.

 

It wouldn't be a proper photo album of Maine without a lighthouse picture. This is the Marshall Point Lighthouse. We stopped here after a visit to Port Clyde and Sunday morning blueberry pancakes.

 

 



 

 

Now my scenery looks closer to this subway picture and my diet is much simpler than the delicious blueberry pancakes. I indulged mightily during this vacation and getting back to less indulgent eating is mandatory. I've grocery shopped, sorted laundry, gone to the bank and even made it to the gym today. It's back to Weight Watchers tomorrow morning and the reality of fried clams and blueberry pancakes. But it's also moments, many moments of remembering the light on the water. As with so many vacation memories they drift back when I don't expect them and I have returned to Maine in my heart. 

 

I'm planning to do two more posts about my visit to Maine. One will focus on the food -- one of the best eating vacations ever -- and another on some of the places we visited, with links. 

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a sweet day!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday -- The View from Spruce Head Island, Maine

We're two hours north of Portland and I am delighting in friendship, lobster, blueberries and Andrew Wyeth paintings. Next stop tomorrow, Acadia National Park.

As, ever thanks for visiting and take good care.

Even in the Darkness...

...there burns a flame of hope. 

As we sailed out of Portland on our way to Boston

Day Five...Portland, Maine

Actually, day five was spent in Freeport, Maine. For the last several months I'd planned to visit the L.L. Bean outlet in Portland and do some fall/winter clothes shopping. I'd been looking at the catalogues and studying the various types of turtlenecks available. When we arrived in Portland I discovered that the outlet I'd been planning to visit had closed two days before. Not to be deterred in my plans my travel buddy, Lynda, and I took a taxi to the pretty town of Freeport, home of L.L. Bean, and I was not disappointed. 

Inn at the center of Freeport

L.L. Bean

We didn't get to COWS in Nova Scotia, but we did get yummy Maine ice cream.

We were blessed with supremely beautiful weather, good shopping and yummy ice cream. Couldn't ask for more!