FIRE IN THE SKY.

      Another Fourth of July spent on Moose Island watching the Eastport fireworks.  We have a pretty spectacular display and it just seems to get better each year.
      Independence Day is celebrated along with Old Home Week here.  People who have moved away try to get back to spend the holiday with their families.  As the years go by more and more people seem to seek out Eastport for our famous festivities.
      This year there didn't seem to be as many people in town.  It may have been due to the lack of positive patriotic feelings because of our horrid and corrupt national politics which is a downer for everyone.
     Also we had no navy ship in port.  Usually each year we have a large navy ship at the dock for the celebration.  Of course, since the Breakwater is still under reconstruction, it would have been difficult to have the ship anchored downtown as in the past.
     Never-the-less there was a nice turn out and everyone seemed to have a great time.

AND NOW - THE VIEW.

     So this is the summertime view from the kitchen sink.  Both windows are wide open as is the door to the back deck.  The cooling ocean breezes waft through the house and the smell of the sea fills your body with joy and your mind with wonder.  If you have to cook a meal, best to do it with this view before you.  Rainbows are not an unusual occurrence and from this kitchen you are not likely to miss one.  

IN LOVE WITH OUR KITCHEN.

     I have always dreamed of a huge kitchen like on my cousins' farm.  A room large enough for all the family activity at one time that still retains an intimate cozy, warm secure feeling.
     Well, my family in Eastport is not that large - just me, David and the dog, Dylan Thomas.  And this is my kitchen which I love.
     The space is perfect for one and workable for two.  The lighting is great - Eastern and partial Southern exposure in the daytime.  There are very bright lights over the sink and task lights along all counter spaces.  The light above the stove finishes it off.  The dining room is close and open so conversation with family and guests can continue as the meal is prepared.  The cook is not isolated from the household activities.  The best part of this kitchen is the view from the work space at the sink.  I can look out onto Friar Roads, Campobello Island,  bits of the Bay of Fundy and other nearby Canadian Maritime Islands.  It is a good Zen place to create delicious food.

A WINTER'S DAY ART INSTILLATION.

     We were lucky enough to be gifted with this wonderful piece of art work designed to go around a column.  Aha - we had the perfect spot - a columnar vent running through the first floor to the basement.  The trick was to get a thickness beneath the canvas so it would hold its shape and not slide down or sag.  Bubble wrap proved to be the answer and the completed project pleases us and the artist.  It a glimpse of the action on the Riverwalk in Bangor, Maine.  Lucky us to have the artist as a friend closer than family.  David bought a new spot for the hallway track lighting to focus on the column.  It's quite striking.  So nice to come down the stairs in the early evening to see the sunlight streaming across the canvas and giving it life.

THE WORST IS OVER?

     This was the result of our worst snowfall this winter.  It wasn't all that troublesome although it did require the use of the ever-handy snow blower.  In just a few days this white fluff was all gone and the temperatures were in the high 40's.  We even experienced a 52 degree day in February.  How wonderfully unusual!

GENTLE WINTER MAY BE OVER.

     The winter of 2015-2016 has been very gentle with us here in Downeast Maine - so far.  A few days ago we were experiencing and enjoying 60 degree weather and I could see a few buds pepping out on the lilac bush.  It was too good to be true.
     Last Friday we received an nice blast of cold air and a downfall of about 15 inches of the white stuff.  It was a shock to jump back into genuine winter mode.
     Today the wind is whipping about at 10 to 20 miles an hour with gusts a little higher.  Temperature is 20 with a wind chill of 10.  We are now being threatened with another blizzard and an additional foot or so of snow.  Can't that darn Pennsylvania groundhog ever get it right?  The snow blower has been returned to it seasonal place of honor and stands ready.

WINTER GIFT OF CITRUS SUNSHINE.

     Our wonderful neighbors who share the Buckman Compound with us spend the winter at their home in Nashville.  The Christmas season of 2015 they gifted us with an amazing abundance of Meyer lemons  The photo at the left is about half of the total sum.  Needless to say I got very busy learning what to do with lemons beside seasoning fresh fish. 
     Two recipes I found became that our favorites were Pennsylvania Dutch lemon pie and lemon upside-down cake.  The cake is pictured below.  It was heavy, moist and very rich.  A small slice with a good cup of coffee made for a perfect afternoon snack.  It stored well and a week after preparation it was still as fresh and moist as the day it was made.  Looking at the photos makes my mouth water even now.  This truly was a gift that kept on giving as we were enjoying yummy lemon concoctions for many weeks after the holidays. 
 

PROJECT OF SUMMER PAST.

     Well, I finally think I got inspired after noticing it had been well over a year since I posted on my blog.  Next came the problem of where to start again.  I decided to just run with what appealed to me.
     This past summer, while I was wonderfully and happily lost and busy amid my flower and vegetable gardens,  David decided to make his own bread and butter pickles, a favorite in this house. 
     Maxine, a close friend (actually part of our extended family) gifted us with a jar of the home-made goodies.  They were so delicious David got her recipe and whipped up a batch.  They sat on the deck for five days during the initial process.  Then they were brought into the house and sliced and "pickled".  They were so good David made several batches.
     Home-made food is especially delightful in the middle of a Maine winter.  The taste and crispness bring back sunny summer memories.

FEED YOUR GARDEN

     So, I read somewhere that coffee grounds and egg shells were good for the garden.  This is not such a difficult chore and I decided to try it.
     I dry the egg shells and save them in a bag.  When I have enough to cover one raised garden bed I crunch them up and sprinkle them over the ground.
     Coffee grounds just go directly from the pot to the garden.  I believe all these little enhancements really work as we always have great success with our planting.

FOOD FROM NATURE

     I am so happy it is now chantrelle season and the local foragers are working hard and very early.  I got a message on my Facebook that touted their seccess and offered me some of the bounty.  Of course, I said "Yes!"
     That night we feasted on angel hair pasta with a sauce of chantrelles, shallots, white wine, butter, and a bit of cream.  Truly an epicurean delight.
     The next morning brought a lighter fare - chantrelles quickly sauteed in butter and served with local organic scrambled eggs.  Oh, could it get any better?     

A GARDEN BY THE SEA

     I had just finished mowing the back lawn when I went out on the balcony and looked down on my three beautiful raised garden beds.  If I raise my eyes just a bit I am looking at the sea and at our neighbor islands and the scent of salt is on the air. 
     This particular garden looked so lush to me that I had to capture it on camera.  Too bad I can't capture the feeling of looking down on all this healthy splendor or the scent of the sea. 

END OF ELECTION DAY

      I live in a small town on a small island off the coast of Maine.  The year round population is a little over or a little under 2,000.  It's nice and I love it.  Most everyone knows each other.  Our polling place is the local high school gym.  This is what it looked like near the end of our last election day.  As you can see there is no standing in line and waiting and no reason to produce 4 or five items of identification.  When I walk in the volunteer on duty just says "Hi Thom" and hands me a ballot slip which I patriotically mark with a pencil.  What's a voting machine?

 

ROOM WITH A VIEW.
     Actually our combination studio/guest room is a room with many views depending upon where you look.
     This was one impressive view a few days ago.  Not only could I sea the sea and the next island; I also was able to catch the sight of a large working cargo ship and a unique sardine boat re-purposed  as a whale watching pleasure boat.  This one is a really big hit with the tourists.
     Sometimes I  find myself just standing on the studio balcony being submerged in the wondrous sites and I completely lose track of time.  I feel like it is one of those Zen moments where I am actually experiencing only the now!      

PAINT THAT FENCE.
     Well, another cloudy and very wet day and we are not amused.  But - so far, there has been no rain.  Perhaps I can get the new lily bulbs planted today.  I would really appreciate some good strong sun so I could get the inside of the fence painted before the growth of the white garden makes it impossible.

SPRING AWAKENS OUR LILIES.
     Finally it has warmed up enough for Spring to make her annual appearance.  It the southwest corner of our front yard She manifests herself as beautiful white Casa Blanca Lilies. 
     The top photograph was take this morning and the bottom photo was taken last summer by a charming neighbor as she passed by to admire the scent and beauty of the white garden.  She was kind enough to give us a copy of the picture.  I can almost smell the heavenly blossoms now.  When it full bloom, the lilies can be nasally detected over a block away.  At night when the windows are open it presents the perfect scent conducive to comforting slumber.     

BIRD ON A WIRE?
     It has always fascinated me how these large crows we have here are able to sit upon the highest and tiniest branches.  Most of our crows are as big as your head and one would think they might have a bit of weight to them.  Yet, here they sit at the top of the tree calmly supervising their territory with no apparent effort.  Observing them with binoculars I can really see how tiny and fragile the perch seems to be. 

BEAUTIFUL BUT WET DAY.

     Again I am amazed that I have neglected my blog for such a long time.  Sometimes I just drift about and feel so lazy.  But - when I motivate myself and accomplish something I am so happy and satisfied.
  The past several days I have been enjoying the love-labor of gardening.  It is something I can kind of "Zen" out on and just be in the moment.  It is very peaceful and relaxing; although at the end of the day my tired older muscles are a bit stiff and sore.  I have convinced myself to accept and live with this minor discomfort as I am not giving up my gardening and there is still much to do. 
     This lovely nourishing rain will now awaken my little seeds and the next sunny day will call them to the surface.  Now I understand why the Hawaiians call this type of rain a "Female Rain" - because it is gentle and nourishing.

MORE SNOW.
     
     Of course it snowed again and again.  Here's one of the beautiful snow pictures of the front of the house before the landscape got all soiled and dirty
     It is always such a special feeling when the first snowfall of the season arrives. Things look so bright and clean.  All the world seems hushed.  The air is so dry the snow squeaks underfoot.  The air tastes different - good, healthy and feels so invigorating!    
     The sad thing is that it all must pass, turn to water, mud and perhaps dangerous ice.
     To me it is comforting to know that winter is not over yet and there will be another beautiful and awe-inspiring snowfall to come.

First Snow

 FIRST SNOW - 2013
     Yes, we had an insignificant amount of snow today.  Not much accumulated, but it was white, clean and beautiful.  I think the first snowfall of the season always has a peaceful and calming effect on people.
     Dylan Thomas, on the other hand, was very invigorated and animated.  He rushed out onto the back deck prancing and barking at the snow.  He was fired up and ready to run.  So, we took him out to the Dawg Park where he could be loose and let him go.  He had a fine time playing ball.  He kicked up a nice powder of snow behind him as he ran after the grounders and demonstrated some pretty impressive Air-time as he leaped for those high bouncers. We are always amazed how he can get his 76 pounds that high off the ground.  The three of us enjoyed our first snow.  It is still coming down a bit and perhaps by morning it will have become significant!
    

Thanksgiving

       THANKSGIVING - 2013
     This was the Thanksgiving Turkey.  We were traditional and simple this year.  We enjoyed a great meal with not much work and a minimal amount of left-overs.  Turkey, sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes, David's home-made cranberry sauce, carrots and Cheri's home-made pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.  It was just me, David, Cheri and Dylan Thomas.  Oh yes, Dylan has his share of Thanksgiving dinner too.
     I think we all realized just how much we had to be thankful for, even Dylan.