On a day like today, what would be better than a quest for beauty? Let’s leave the heartbreaking 😢 world behind for a little while and go see Maine! It’s October, and we have MUSICA . . .
We planned this trip a few months back . . . to drive north to see our friends Sharon and Jeff who were coming from California to stay in their camp on the rocky coast of Maine . . . so here I am, your own private tour guide, just in cases you’ve ever wanted to see Maine, which I have to say is a destination that could keep a person enthralled for a very long time. 💝
Doesn’t it look fun?
Happy, as always, Joe and I travel better than almost any other thing we do. All our troubles and long work hours stay far behind us, and we are free. We have more stuff than we will ever need, big cups of ice tea with shots of lemonade in them from Micky-Dees, the radio is playing, the trees are beginning to turn colors, we’re on the open road, who could ask for more?
We stopped at the BEST farmstand. Herricks ~ and while we were there, they brought in fresh corn, just picked in the field. Be still my beating heart!
Hill and dale we go, past villages and rivers and church spires, and the only thing breaking the old-fashioned-ness of it, were the myriad of telephone wires, my pet peeve in life. You can’t get away from them these days! If you are a time traveler like I am it’s hard to pretend it’s 1800, even with the luv-lee church spires, when your view is criss-crossed in black wires.
Fields and meadows . . .
We traveled north on Sunday, look at everyone going back home after the weekend ~ which was nice, because the rest of our trip was pretty much traffic free! See the throngs of people on the left of the photo? They are standing in line for lobster rolls at a famous eatery called Red’s Eats in Wiscasset . . . we thought, yes! We will stop there on the way back, we’ll be there in the middle of the week and have it all to ourselves. And across the bridge we went… breezing along with the breeze . . .
Into the small town of Damariscotta . . . very adorable, would look like 1845 except, of course, for the wires. I promise I will never talk about the wires again. You will just have to see them without me pointing them out.
The Damariscotta River runs right through the middle of town and they make the very best of it. Damariscotta is also famous for their yearly PumpkinFest!
Lots of small charming ma-and-pa shops, excellent yarn and quilt stores that people drive from miles around to visit!
Sharon and Jeff invited us to stay in their Air BnB apartment ~ it was a lovely place with a darling kitchen, filled with books and comfy places to read them. This was my view from the sofa on our first morning where I was sitting drinking my tea and writing back to all the lovely comments you left on my last post, thank you so much! 💓
The next days we went over the river to walk through the old neighborhoods to take pictures of houses because we love New England architecture so much . . . walking along, kicking up leaves, listening to the birds and the wind in the trees . . .🍂
This was the street we (too many wires but don’t tell anyone I said that), filled with leafy shadows and the ghosts of days gone by . . . 🍂
Most of the houses were late 18th, early 19th century. I wish when they said 18th century, they meant 1800s, because I am never-endingly confused by hearing 18th century, then immediately having to re-compute weak brain to 1700s. It never seems to get automatic, I have to think. 🤔
Porches and bird feeders . . . and porch ceilings painted traditional blue like the sky . . .
Out of focus, but there is no way I am leaving out this cranberry enchantment.
Picket fences and rock walls, all handmade . . . In a thousand years I will never get tired of this view of a peaceable kingdom, where all is tinged with the sounds moths beating on porch lights, of baseball games on the radio, slamming screen doors, the smell of cookies baking . . .
Very interesting upstairs windows on this one . . . perhaps that’s where they practiced piano . . .
Love the blue door with the little “lights” over the top, the trellis’s on both sides, the criss-cross windows with the reflections in them, the glassed-in porch, the big ole tree . . .
Porches and low branches and pots of chrysanthemums . . .
And wild asters everywhere . . .
Bunches and clumps of them all the way down to the river . . .
A huge harbinger of fall in New England woods and coasts . . . Free, they re-distribute themselves every year, seeds fly through the air, and there they are the next year, for the picking.
And in Maine, as here on the Island, huge hydrangea bushes, turning colors like everything else . . .
And right in the middle of this neighborhood, is a graveyard, from a time when families stayed nearby even in death. (I loved how they painted the telephone pole white to make it “blend” . . .)
See? There are houses on all sides, the barbecue is there too . . . your history was as much a part of you as your now . . .
The tree of the goddess, the magical hawthorn tree’s red berries hanging over the fence, the world decorates itself for fall! MUSICA
Of course, we did lots of this . . .
Another thing Maine is very good at . . . and nice prices I might say!
Baskets full of vintage Christmas linens. . .
And we stopped for lunch, warm goat cheese to go with the lobster salad!
Maine lobsters, Maine oysters, YUM!
Then out for more antiquing . . .
I bought a silver serving spoon and a white cotton lace cloth for my bread basket . . . thinking holiday dinner parties!
Signs like this everywhere . . . farmer’s and fish markets too, fresh local delights.
And they still hand out these flyers from the 1960s.
The recipe for boiled lobsters is just like Joe’s, except he puts cut lemons in the boiling water.
And off we went to Sharon and Jeff’s camp, near this little fishing village called Christmas Cove. Don’t blink or you will miss it, and for sure, you don’t want to miss it.
Out of town and onto a finger of Maine coastline. . . the Maine coast is ALL FINGERS. A travelers delight, so many little crevices to explore. We’re about mid-way up.
See? There’s a finger right now . . . smells of salt and pine. . . and takes us to
. . . a dirt road leading to the cottage, then a path through the woods.
Deep in the woods, voila, we find it!
All kinds of wonderful critters populate this area, fox and moose, chipmunks and red squirrels, too. And although Sharon is a master gardener, not a bit of a garden here, hard to garden on rocks . . . she lets real be real.
And she lets candles be candles. This is the living room, their house has perhaps ten rocking chairs in it, most of them on the porch.
Which you get to by going through this door. Note reflection, because that’s what’s behind me.
Speaking of reflections: I’m outside, on the porch, looking back inside through a large plate-glass window with the reflection of the sea behind me and my own reflection in the window glass . . . on the far wall inside is a mirror made like a window, you can see me in it, and the lamp that’s in the foreground of this photo, AND the view behind me. Plus a cozy chair with quilt . . . and the unlit candles on the coffee table. I love this photo.
And now, I’ve turned around, the window is behind me and view is no longer a reflection. The sound of the waves, the rocking of the chair . . .
Here I am, rocking with Sharon’s husband Jeff . . . Note delicious edibles on table . . . we wanted for nothing . . .
At one end of the porch is this tiny screened in room; no bug dast destroy ambience of deliciousness . . . table is set . . . pears are lined up on the window sill . . .
Into the kitchen we go. I love seeing our cups on other people’s shelves!
Sharon and Jeff, being from California, despite Maine connections, are weenies such as I, and will not cook a lobster. Joe was our only hope, and he came through like the hero that he is. We may not cook it, but we will totally be the hypocrites that EAT it. ☺️
We also had farm-stand corn on the cob, dripping in foreign butter, salt and pepper and this wonderful healthy kale salad from our blog girlfriend Martha . . . here’s the recipe . . .be sure to massage the kale to make it soft.
And took it outside, to eat with the sound of the waves . . .
lots of candles, glasses of pink wine . . . we stayed out there forever because it was a gorgeous evening . . . stars and crickets and the waves . . .
Then we came inside and made a fire with the owls whose eyes light up . . . and basically, to sum up, we did this every night while we were there, as we solved all the world’s problems and rocked the night away . . . We’ve known each other many years, our rocking is different than it used to be!
XOXO
Just your basic evening in heaven . . .
Another dinner . . .
Sometimes we couldn’t see that finger of land north of us because of the fog . . . but there it is!
More candles . . .
And another cozy fire . . . but this one is different . . .
Because it’s our last . . . we go home the next day . . . we are talking about Joe’s legs, because I think they are like the legs of a four-year-old roller skater.
Sharon talks with her hands . . . she’s a communicator! MUSICA
Before we go, we need the love photo . . .
We now pronounced them man and wife, kissed them good bye, said thank you, thank you, see you in California . . . And off we go, down the long dirt road . . .
And the next day, we head straight for the little town of Wiscasset, the one we passed on the way in, where that crowd of people was waiting in line . . .
We are nice and early, they haven’t opened yet . . . not a soul around . . . perfect. We’ll be back.
Such a famous place, they even have paintings of it in the art galleries . . . must be good! We can’t wait to find out why! Off we go to work up an appetite . . .
By shopping this luv-lee little town . . .
Look what’s in the window of the antique store!!! All Petey’s friends! (If you’ve read A Fine Romance, you know who Petey is!)
There was a wonderful women’s clothing store called In the Clover with fabulous sweaters and scarves. . . and across the street, this fantastic shop filled with original and wonderful stationery and gifts, called Rock Paper Scissors … I had a great time visiting with the creative owner and buyer, Erika, and found the perfect handmade diary for our next trip to England. I also did some rather magnificent Christmas shopping, just little things, but really special little things. 😘
She had interesting and creative jewelry too ~ go there if you can, but try to go on week days, when it’s not crowded, because this is a very popular little town. We started back over to Red’s Eats to get our Lobster Rolls, and AGAIN, there was a line around the BLOCK! 😱 But, we had to catch a ferry. No Red’s Eats for us. Must go back another time.👍
Time for one more antique store stop. And in the parking lot, we saw this! Oh, to be famous! Ha ha ha!
And we needed to get our pumpkin allotment . . . The little ones for over the front door, the big ones for the porch and garden . . .
Off we go! Leaves blowing up behind us!
This is the sky out the car window as we’re heading for Woods Hole to catch the boat . . .
And from the bridge that goes over the man-made canal that separates the Cape from the mainland . . .
As the clouds followed the sun into the sea, we followed them to our boat . . .
We were on our walk yesterday and, like we often do, stopped to see our friends Bruce and Gail Kissell. They live in a little camp like Sharon and Jeff’s, right on the water, and asked if we’d seen that gorgeous sunset. I said, “Not from your front row seat!” Gail had taken photos! She sent them to me, and these are them ~ wasn’t it amazing? Love the reflection in the sea and wet sand.
The clouds chasing the sun into the sea . . .
And this wiggling, squiggling, green-eyed fuzz ball was our reward for coming home . . .💕
We unpacked, and put up the pumpkins and hung the wreath . . .
And distributed the pumpkins . . . 🎃🎃🎃
I need to go out and see the world sometimes, to bring home the juicy creativity that lives out there in such abundance, but I’m just a homebody at heart. 🏡
POLDARK started last night!!! Did you see it? We did, and I recorded it so it could play while I was working on this post. So good. Look how long her fingers are. I think my little finger comes up half way to hers.
Odd view, but this was us last night watching Poldark. That’s my shawl on my leg on the left, Jack’s between it and the arm of the chair, but for some reason he liked hanging his head over the edge . . .
I used my camera to look down there and see if he was happy, and he was. The paws are my favorite. My little prince.
Yup, home, and back to work. Today I have to choose the embroidery thread colors to include in the new cross stitch kits we are having made!!!! This is the fun part! More info on that to come!
I designed two little cards and sent them to Kellee this morning. You are going to be able to print them out to include with your cup-gifts for the holidays . . . two kinds, one for a Merry Christmas one for a Happy New Year. Soon I’ll give you a link so you can print them on card stock.💞 And I think Kellee did lots of fall “Free Stuff” for you to print out ~ Enjoy! 😘
I hope you enjoyed our Maine Adventure! I loved reliving it! Best part, the memories! Have a luv-lee rest of the day. The Constant Nymph, with the impossibly young Joan Fontaine, just came on TCM, leaves are falling 🍂, you-know-who is waiting, and my new British Country Living is here! Happiness! Wishing you the same! XOXO
Good Morning Susan from a Beautifully Sunshiny Wales!
No, I’ve never been to Maine, and Yes! it does look like fun ~ so off we go!
I remember living in Virginia, going to the farm stands just down the road and buying fresh, farm grown ears of corn at 10 for $1.00 ~ oh! those were the days indeed.
This pumpkin loving girl would love to go visit that Pumpkin Fest! I wish we had the same love of pumpkins here as y’all do there. They won’t be in the stores for a couple more weeks yet, and after Hallowe’en they’re gone for another year. Thankfully, they keep so I stock up!
Oh, my! I thought I was the only one who got in a kerfuffle over 1800’s and 18th century! As a student of art history, I never got my centuries right, and then they started throwing in words such as Quattrocento to make it even worse!
What a wonderful place Maine is, I’ve really enjoyed the vicarious visit! Heartfelt gratitude for taking us along on this little break, full of all the things we need today, the antithesis of what we don’t want to see in the world, full of happy, joy, and all the good things in life ~~~
~~~Waving~~~from Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
Good Morning Deb! Waving and sending love across the pond!
But Deb, you are a master gardener (I follow your blog too😜) don’t you grow your own pumpkins? Another Debby
That’s a good idea! They grow really easily here, maybe if Deb has a warm wall, they do not like cold.
I’ve seen pumpkins grown along a grape arbor, and I think she could do that so long as it is in a sunny and warm location you can grow pumpkins about anywhere. good luck!!!
What a joy to travel (virtually) along with you! Had fun! 😊
Hi Susan! Why do I feel soooo Happy after reading your posts? Thanks for being the way you are. Tomorrow October fourth Will be my 50!!!!!! Birthday and I could not have received a better present than your lovely post!Thanks from Spain
Happy Birthday Mercedes! I hope it’s a wonderful day! xoxo
Brings back memories of our vacation in Acadia this past summer. I love Maine! Thanks for sharing all the beautiful photos and the video! Love the sight and sound of the waves hitting the rocks! Beautiful scenery and lovely homes! Thank you so much!
We were blessed to have a lovely trip to Maine 2 yrs ago. Loved it! We stayed in Boothbay Harbor. I found lots of sea glass. Which started a new obsession for me. Lol. So excited about the cross stitch kits! Can’t wait to see them 🙂 Enjoyed reading your blog this AM and the wonderful pictures.
The colors! The thoughts! The photos! The places! I just love every smidgeon of this post. Many thanks, Dear Susan.
Hello Susan,
What a sad sad day…..But thank you for taking us along on your lovely trip through Maine! It certainly looks gorgeous!
Oh my, imagine having 10 rocking chairs, like your friends do! Did they come in all shapes and styles?
The biggest surprise was seeing all Petey’s (and his Dutch creepy doll cousin)
relations, haha, never seen so many together!! Were there any girl Petey’s?
We are off to St Ives in Cornwall next week, so I’ll have a good look to see if I can see Demelza or Ross anywhere:)
Lots of love from Holland
Nicoline oxox
PS I’m sorry if you have had to read this 3 times, but each time I post a comment I keep seeing the “waiting for moderation” and other comments below mine….3rd time lucky I hope!
Hi Nicoline, just for future reference when you see “waiting for moderation” it means Susan hasn’t read your comment yet. Susan must read all the comments before posting due to lots of spam. As you can imagine it takes time when there are a lot of comments. Hugs, Elaine
Looks like a wonderful time! I saw some of Sharon’s posts and knew that you were there. Ahh, to join you in a rocking chair …
Hello, Dear Susan. In August, my husband Jim and I rented an 1790 Cape (18th Century 😉) along the Sheepscot River in Maine. We were joined by our son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, ages 6 and 2. We “fingered along” many lovely roads and quaint hamlets, sharing special places with our daughter-in-law on her first visit to Maine. Yes, we were to all the places you took us to on your charming visit: Wiscasset, Damariscotta, Newcastle, Christmas Cove, Red’s Eats, Reny’s, to name a few. DIL Amy “fell for Maine,… Hook, Line and Sinker,” as did 5-year old Jimmy. He loved The Maine State Aquarium’s “Touch MeTank” in Booth Bay. I’ve wanted to go on “The Cabbage Island Clambake” since I was ten (61 years!). A dream was fulfilled, and we all took “The Bennie Alice” out of Booth Bay Harbor to Cabbage Island where all feasted on twin lobsters with all the trimmings. I even got a photograph with Bennie Alice, the 97-year old grandma, who now handles the gift area. It was a perfect day. Thanks for the memories!
Susan,
Thank you for the mini vacation I had right here in my own home. I think, perhaps, you are my best friend and we haven’t even met! lol As always, a lovely post that takes me away from the scary world we live in and shows me that good surrounds us when we open our eyes to the beauty of this planet.
Susan, you continue to be so inspiration…the love of all seasons and yes, fall is one of the best. I want to hit the road too…up to Maine!
Thank you for all the info on the great antiquing and lobsta!
Sorry, no editing…but, of course I meant…such an inspiration!
Ahhh, so beautiful. There are so many small things to appreciate , to love, to share. We can all do our part to share the good with others. We cannot stop all ugly things, but if we each let our heart be good it will help. Thank you for sharing beauty.
Oh, what a wonderful road trip you and Joe had together! My husband commutes to Washington DC and growls anytime I suggest going for a drive. Love the houses in Maine. I’ve heard horror stories about black flies…..are they just stories?? Thank you for brightening our day once again Susan. You truly are blessed!
You have made my day! I had the good fortune to visit Damariscotta a few years back and fell in love. When I was there we visited a great bookstore/ coffee shop. Is it still there? That years Christmas gifts were books on Maine, beautiful picture books too. My dream would be to live there. Thank you so much for the tour. xoxoxo
Thank you for taking us along on your wonderful trip! About this time last year (shoulder season) we took our (grown) children on a lobstah crawl. Red’s Eats was one of our stops but we also tried Sprague’s across the street which has a great view and also wonderful lobster (and no line)! A favorite was Bite into Maine at the Portland headlight–classic views of the Maine coast! Loved the photos from your friends’ porch (we lived in SLO town during grad school in the 80s–lovely). Looking forward to the cross stitch!
Thank you for sharing your lovely get away with us. It was nice to open up my computer and see something happy and fun (Your blog is my home page). I felt sad and hollow all day…Just going through the motions. Turning the tv on and off and then on again…I really cannot comprehend what is happening to our world.
I dragged out my boxes of fall decorations and started to put things out but my heart just wasn’t in it.
You brought me back to Maine, where, on a 1980’s camping trip with my sister to Acadia National Park, my Toyota died, and we were “stuck” in Bar Harbor over the 4th of July weekend while they fixed my car (and the mechanic drove us back to our wee tent every day that weekend from town)….with the small town parade, and pancakes at the local diner….and the pine trees….thanks for bringing those memories back for me…..I turned my laptop on this morning, as I watch Morning Joe to see what happened to us all overnight….secretly hoping you’d have a new post….as you can see from your comments so far, you struck a loverly nerve!! we can’t say enough thank you’s for your continual seeking and sharing joy….
Your post was exactly what I needed today. One of these days, I hope to see Maine in the fall.
I cannot wait for the cross stitch kits. Hurry up!
Happy Autumn Miss Susan~just a quick comment to say I loved this beautiful post but also to say that I clicked on the communicator link for Sharon. What a delightful surprise to realize she is the author of one of my favorite books. I bought it years ago because I love to garden and I loved the title and cover…”A Blessing of Toads.” A small world! Xoxo
Susan,
Thank you so much for the mini vacation that I was able to enjoy from the comfort of my own home. I think, perhaps, you are my best friend, and we haven’t even met….lol. You are a bright spot in this scary world we live in. You help us all to see the simple beauty that surrounds us. The world is truly blessed to have you in it!
Cross stitch kits? Woooooo hooooooo! Pete has lots of friends! Wow!
Hi Susan. Others have mentioned the word BALM here, and that’s totally what you’ve given us by taking us along with you and Joe on this delightful trip to a Maine. Thank you for the words and pictures, the soothing and peace. So needed.
I’m more angry than sad (and I’m very sad!) over another mass killing. Why is this country and its politicians so cowardly not to make it illegal and immoral to sell any kind of semi-automatic gun? Can that be what our Constitution writers had in mind with the second amendment? Just as you said in your previous blog, the power and control in this country is with the lobbyists, not the people.
So prayers for those hurting and for our country, and thanksgiving for many blessings including home, family, and beauty which are enhanced with all things Susan Branch.
Next time, go to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Beyond lovely! And also check out Edgecomb Pottery. We go to the Cape every year, and 2 years ago began to do Maine in late summer. I could go back right now!
Good morning Susan:
Your travelogue was a delight. Wish I could have been in your pocket at all of the antique and gift shops!
Could you please consider a needlepoint kit or two-not too hard? Love to make but cross stitch and knitting call for too much concentration while needlepoint and embroidery are all about ease and a comforting rythm as we let life simmer down a bit–so sorely needed these days.
Enjoy every glorious day everyone, take comfort in what beauty you find. Marty
Thank you ! Love this post. Inspiring me to plan a Maine holiday next fall. We just returned from a trek through Spain and Portugal. Enthralled with seeing those countries and enjoying your travels in our own country. Something so utterly wonderful about the New England atmosphere. Bring on the antique stores!
Dear soul sister,Susan
We say soul sister down here in the south when we feel especially connected to someone very special in our hearts.
Thank you for inspiring me. First thing each and every morning and before turning in at night, I read your wonderfully beautiful blogs.
I am a true fan of yours and have been for years, because you add to my happiness.
This morning I had an early appt. with my doctor, and had my handy Susan Branch pocketbook size calendar to note my next appt. for 2018, then came home and wrote the appt. date in my big 2018 Susan Branch calendar.
My husband and I travel from our home in Georgia every autumn to your beautiful New
England. We drive all over to all the quaint villages, noting beautiful architecture,staying in wonderful bed and breakfasts and taking many photos along our journey to capture the amazing beauty of nature that you are blessed with. We have taken our pilgrimage to New England for over forty years,and come home refreshed every time.
Susan, thank you for your photos and stories of places you visit. You really do add to my life
In such a happy way!
What a lovely blog; thanks, Susan, for taking us along on your trip! I completely agree with you regarding 18th century – which mean’s the1700’s… ugh, so annoying. 😁 I’m delighted that you’re creating cross-stitch kits! For many years I stitched the photo models for a needlecraft company, and I still stitch every day. Right now I’m working on a needlepoint Christmas stocking for my 6 week old grandson, Rudy. Also, I pre-ordered your “Winter” mug, and I use your Autumn mug all the time to drink my lapsang souchong tea. I hope you’re going to design Spring and Summer mugs.
😊 Thank you for all the wonderfulness you bring into our lives, through your blogs, products, humor, and caring. xoxo
Thank you for your blogs. They are all so heartwarming. It was great to see Maine through your eyes. My travelling mostly over but have been blessed to see so many beautiful place.
Thank you. I needed a respite from current events. We too have many lovely Maine memories. Have you ever made it all the way up to Acadia National Park? So lovely!
Sorry there are so many mistakes in my reply. Meant to say my traveling days are over and put an s on place
Hi Susan, Just what I needed to lift the cloud of sadness from my mind. Your post is immensely enjoyable! I have always wanted to visit Maine so this was a lovely armchair visit for me! Being here in land-locked NW Ohio the closest we get to large bodies of water are the Great Lakes which are great to visit and enjoy. So many wonderful places in this vast country that are breathtakingly beautiful, we really don’t have to travel far!
I do follow your friend Sharon on Twitter and enjoy her books also! Both of you are such creative souls and have a such a respect and love of nature!
Our family had the Annual Weenie Roast on Saturday evening, perfect chilly weather for a fire, roasted hot dogs and made S’mores and mouth watering side dishes. It was a fun evening, we did end up inside the house as the wind was a little too cold. It was just us in-laws and two young nieces. I brought pumpkins home with me from my sis-in-law that her and her 8 year old Granddaughter had grown and they are part of my Fall decor on our porches.
Thank you once again for sharing your Maine road trip with us!! Happy October!
Hugs, Candice
Thank you Susan; such wonderful memories you will have and to share with us is such a treat. Really needed on this day.
Next time you are in Maine, be sure to go by Stonewall Kitchen in York. Aside from seeing the manufacturing/bottling plant, the beautiful store, and the incredible teaching kitchen, the gardens are always amazing-and they change frequently. Really worth getting off the highway for! Thanks for the tip on Poldark-glad the season has started!
Awww…Our dearest own Susan to the Rescue. You are our balm & tea & warm fuzzy socks & favorite blankie & our comfort & favorite junk food just when we need it the Most! I could just breathe in all the fresh air & those gorgeous sights & sounds & colors! And the perfect Musica as always. I love that one GF said you’re our own version of Rick Steves Europe Through the Back Door!
Loved the cranberry house…that darlin’ blue door framed by such lovliness…a crowd of Peteys!…that sweet desk in that one Shoppe…friends, food, chatter, Joe’s legs! Jack’s position of utter contentment…feel better vibes. And cross stitch to antictpate! Be still my heart! Must get shakin’ & change out of this old love worn Cowboy jersey over pink polka dot leggings & big fuzzy lime green striped socks…get ready for Twitter Book Club tonight…featuring…all 3 memoirs of our very own YOU!
Love to your 2 sidekicks
Cioa mi’ aBella….I know that’s like really off, but listening to ol’ Dean, I just had to. Thanks for being You dear Sue.
Oh yes and I did not miss Poldark (sigh) season premier on Sunday evening! Love that show!!
Have you seen this trailer for the new Peter Rabbit movie….not our sedate and vintage PR but looks to be quite funny!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pa_Weidt08
SO adorable, I put it up on Twitter… At first I was kind of scratching my head, but as it went on I couldn’t help but laugh! Going to have to see it!
Apparently some younger folks think it isn’t right based on the comments. Peter Rabbit was innocent in the book they said. I beg to differ. His mother warned him not to go into McGregor’s garden, as his father met his fate there. Peter didn’t listen to his mother (where have I seen that before? I have two sons.), and he got sick hiding in a water can from Mr. McGregor. So he didn’t get any of the delicious blackberries, had camomile tea in bed. And I know two little boys, now grown; that rather have the blackberries!
So what did they learn? Listen to your mother, AND don’t trespass on other people’s property. You have to love it!
Maybe the movie is the continuing story that he didn’t learn his lesson and may even be avenging his father’s demise??
Made me laugh.
I did see that you put it up on Twitter. I think it will be a hoot…especially with James Corden as the voice of Peter!
Oh how I love Maine and you just brought back all the memories that I have my visit in 2011. I have always wanted to return . I traveled through Maine, Connecticut and New Hampshire – such a wonderful time all by myself. I also visited your wonderful island Martha’s Vineyard. What an experience. Love all your lovely photos and commentaires – I enjoy your blog so much! And I love love Jack. Give him a big kiss for me.
What a wonderful trip you took us all on! Ah, Maine in the Autumn…..Lovely, lovely, lovely. Thank you, Susan!
I will get to Maine one day, and for now your post will have to keep me content! As always, I love every bit of your blog, dear Susan! ❤️
California Girl
Dear Lady of Light, our Susan! Lordy, lordy, we all needed this blog.
You appreciate all the “homely” things I love most about Maine. Of course we love almost everything in this state, having spent over 30 years exploring it. Like you, I don’t think I could be happy in a place with no ocean. Being a gal from the Flat Lands, I came to appreciate the mountains in North America as well. Here on the Coast O’ Maine, we have both.
Next time you and Joe boogie northward, keep going “Down East” a bit farther. If you loved Damariscota and Wiscasset, you’ll go wild over Searsport, and Thomaston with all the Sea Captains’ homes. And of course Rockland, Rockport and Camden.
Sunday was my girlfriend’s 69th birthday. We took her to supper down in Prospect Harbor, a little place right on Bunker’s Harbor. Lobster boats in the afternoon sun, all swinging with the tide. She opened her Autumn cup gift and smiled ear to ear! When she came to ferry me to my physical therapy session, she said having her cocoa in the chilly early morning reminded her of how special real Bone China is. Her camp is well and truly a “Camp”, only the second one built on Donnell Pond. When she was tiny, her mother and father bought the property. They were Mainers of many generations. Over the years, the camp has gained an indoor potty, just recently a dug well, most folks got water pumped right from the pond…which is really one of the biggest lakes in the state. We rented the camp next door while clearing our lot. We were adopted by her wonderful father and eventually her entire family. We’d wake up and make a fire in the woodstove…..or if staying at her camp, in the big wood burning cook stove, where her mom turned out wonderful meals all those years ago. Our friend is retired now, and spends all summer here, winter in the Portland area.
All of this, just in my teenaged imagination, is now my incredibly lucky life.
Deep Breaths, girlfriends. We are the Wise Women who can effect change in those close to us. And they will pass it on.
Love and gratitude to you, Dear Susan,
Debbie in Down East Maine
What a lovely little place to visit! I can be downright dangerous in stationery stores! Love the window with all of Petey’s friends! One of my very good friends is leaving for England tomorrow. I have sent her along with your book so that she can read up on all the great places to go! Happy Fall!
Just wanted to share this I found about Pumpkins
…it’s a Pilgrim verse 1630
For pottage and puddings and custards and pies
Our pumpkins and parsnips are common supplies
We have pumpkins at morning
And pumpkins at noon
If it were not for pumpkins we should be undone
Isn,t it lovely..we all love seeing the pumpkin pictures
X
I love this adorable Pumpkin Verse!!! Will be copying it and sharing. Maybe use them for place cards for Thanksgiving table!!
Gorgeous photos. Don’t you just love this time of year xx
Good evening Susan, I just love reading your blog and the wonderful stories. I can hardly wait to read the next episode 🙂 Allthough I live in Belgium I was lucky enough to buy your 3 last books and I really enjoyed them. Knowing to read and speak the English language is a blessing to me.
We just got home from visiting Cornwall in England or shall I say Poldark country? You should really go there one day. Maybe even visit the Lanhydrock mansion near Bodmin. Walking in there is like stepping back in time. You would love it. Thank you for making the world more beautiful. Big hug xxx Annie
Thanks for the wonderful blog. My husband and I loved Maine . Dave is a fine art photographer and we totally agree with your problem with wires all over the place. I took a four season set of photos years ago of our home [ Have been here 47 years.] and despite the fact that it is situated on a hill, I had to almost get on the ground to avoid the wires.
Maine is such a beautiful state~ and your blog is such a bright light in a world that seems quite dark at the moment.
Love the peace and tranquility in your photos as well as those lovely shops that are just calling my name to come and spend all my money on those treasures.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you Susan, for always giving us so much joy and happiness and illustrating all the beauty this world has to offer! XO
Dear Susan,
It was wonderful to see Maine through your eyes! You always take us on the most enjoyable trips and we don’t even have to pack!! I cannot even begin to tell you how much I enjoy your blogs….they bring sunshine on some very dark and cloudy days. Thank you ❤️ Sharon and Jeff’s cozy little hideaway looks like the most relaxing place on earth!! I love the green screen door with the pine trees! I am wondering…have they ever spent Christmas at Christmas Cove? I can only imagine how ( all the beautiful adjectives in the world and I cannot come up with one!!😑) it would be!!! Now….NEW CROSS STITCH KITS??!! I can hardly wait!! I have been wondering for the longest time…. what about the movie about you?! Is it still going to happen? Oh, I hope so!!! I have been so much looking forward to it!!! I love your cups!! …ALL of them!!! And also, your beads!!! I was very happy to finally get the BE AN ELF bead!! It is so sweet!! Will the KITTY LOVE bead ever come back for sale? I really need one!! I hope that you and Joe have a Happy, Hygge Autumn and all of the special occasions that go along with it!! xoxo
Another wonderful blog. Maine is a marvelous place to antique shop and eat lobster. I miss being close enough to visit. I also miss changing seasons, leaves coloring and falling, crisp weather and New England houses. I’m a transplanted New Englander living in Florida in case you haven’t guessed. Thanks for sharing your travels and Jack. He is so precious. We are trying to introduce a new cat to a long established one dog and one cat household. Not an easy procedure. Do you have any suggestions?
I was having a hard day today and after reading this delightful post it turned it around. Thank you for the lovely words, and lovely pictures ❤( and I thought I was the only one who doesn’t like all the wires! 😄)
Thank you so much for sharing your travels with us!
Absolutely perfect post!
Aloyce
Loved your trip to Maine. Have you been watching Outlander! Soooo good. Also did you know there is a new book out about Bunny Mellon, the queen of hygge? Can’t wait to see your sewing kits. You always give me an energy boost. Thanks friend. Debby
Christmas Cove, Maine, has some kindred spirit names in Newfoundland: Leading Tickles, Heart’s Desire, Happy Valley, Heart’s Content, Little Heart’s Ease, Cupids, Sweet Bay, Too Good Arm, Happy Adventure, Little Paradise, Come-By-Chance. I participated in a learning vacation at Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland, and across the hall from our meeting room was a room that could be rented for social occasions. One such occasion was a wedding reception that displayed in the entrance hall a chart with the guests’ names and their assigned tables. Each table was named for an actual cove with one of the aforementioned romantic names.
Wow! What a wonderful post….loved traveling through Maine with you and Joe… I’ve always heard it was gorgeous and especially this time of the year! As close as I’ve come to Maine was when I had Maine lobster at The Red Lobster…lol It is sweeter than Rock Lobster. They are both amazing though! One New Year’s Eve, Tom cooked Lobster. I have a picture somewhere, when he’s dropping them into the boiling water! Eeeks… Your time with Sharon and her husband…as always looked magical!! And yes! I watched Poldark! There are always so many twists and turns!! Love his wife!! Can’t wait till next week!
Me either Gert! Love it when there’s a once-a-week-excitement like this!
I read Sharon Lovejoy books! She’s a wonderful author too. I keep all her ideas for gardening with my grandson. I read her blog too. Funny, I read her books before I started following you, Susan. I think it was all in the same year when I discovered her books and your blog! That was a great year =)
LOL! Thank you CJ!
Susan love reading about your gloriouw trip to Maine. We have been to Wisscasset and Red’s Eats lives up to it’s reputation, hope you can stop next time. Our adventure in Maine was in June 2002, when my husband finished the Appalachian trail. Loves all the light houses, we took extra time and drove to Prince Edward Island. It was a lovely trip.
I am in love with the Poldark series.
Happy Fall,
Sonja
Happy fall, Sonja!
Super post, Susan, you’ve reminded me of how much I loved Maine when I spent holidays there in the ’90’s. I think it’s time to go again!
Hey Susan! I live in Maine and I do love it, even with the rough winters. I laughed when I read about you getting confused as to what century the 1800’s are in. Every single time I think of it, I have to do some counting in my head to finally decide what century it is! Nice to know I’m not the only one!
Glad you enjoyed Maine, come back soon!!
Thanks for the delightful tour.
I cannot wait to see what you create for your cross stitch kits! Looking forward to it! Wishing you a wonderful Fall! Jan
Thanks for the smiles. They felt really good. Happy October!!!
I’m not sure my messages ever get through, but in the event this one does, thank you for the details and photos of your trip to Maine. It’s been many years since we’ve been there but when I mentioned Red’s Eats to my husband he materialized within minutes with a photo he took of it when we were there many years ago. What a great trip…although it rained every day we were there. Still…the lobster is so good…who can complain about the weather? You made me wish we could go again…and maybe we shall!!!
Ahhhh, Susan!!! Maine is one of my favorite places to visit…Just so peaceful. I LOOVED where the house was with the sea RIGHT there! How lovely! My eyes even feel a bit droopy after reading such a calming post. Thank You so much! I can’t believe Columbus Day is right around the corner. It was exactly a year ago this time that my “girlfriends” and I stayed at a house on Martha’s Vineyard that you mentioned in a older post. It was SOOO lovely! I wish we were going back this year. Someday!!!!!
The erfect Fall roadtrip and the perfect time for your lovely post. Thank you.
Hello Susan~this post was absolutely a Blessing to me today. The past two days have been extremely emotionally depleting! Living in So Cal I know of so many people who have lost their friends, Mother’s etc and hearing so many stories from real people. I miss the world the way it used to be. Reading your post today allowed me to let out a deep sigh and I know we all needed that. Blessings to you and Joe! Debbie
Ohhh Deborah, it’s been hard hasn’t it. Be sure to give yourself respite. Go breath clean air and remember how wonderful most people truly are. xoxo
I don’t know why it surprises me, but I sort of shake my head every time I hear of someone from SoCalif being at that concert. There seemed to have been A LOT of Californians who made the trip, of anywhere from like 3 to 6 hours to Nevada; I guess it’s not such a leap. I opened up my little community newspaper today, to read of even more people from my own small SoCalif (beach area) town having attended, who thankfully fled terror unscathed, at least physically. I couldn’t read the whole article, though; maybe later. They need to tell their stories. I want to be loyal to that but, man, I’m wiped; it’s been such a horrible four nights of news coverage. I don’t want the shooter (murderer) to keep getting headlines but how can we not be interested to know motive/’why’; it won’t make it easier and it won’t justify anything and it won’t provide closure but…I dunno…we always try to find reasons, for most anything it seems. I guess in an effort to try to comprehend what’s incomprehensible.
I don’t know a soul who hasn’t been touched by this. Go. Be. Love. The world needs you. xoxo
I don’t think my first email worked. It has said “awaiting for moderation” for a couple days sooo I’m trying again…..
I certainly needed the peace, hope and beauty your post brought today and I know many others did, too.. Thank you sooo very much. I enjoyed it twice.
While I have you…a question. My husband acted too slowly to order “The Little Things” mug for my 70th birthday and our 50th anniversary. I’ve been checking periodically and hoped to see you’re selling another batch. I realize it’s a collectible thus the limited run, but will there ever be a possibility to buy one from you in the future (I ask keeping my fingers crossed – yes, hard to type this way)?
Oh, and Poldark hasn’t aired here yet, but I made sure it’s scheduled to be recorded. Thanks for the reminder.
It hasn’t? I thought all of the US got it at the same time. Interesting! I’ve had lots of family business to deal with and haven’t been able to get to the computer and do “moderation.” So many luvlee comments waiting for me now . . . but my head is rolling around on my shoulders because it’s almost bedtime, so I may not get to them until tomorrow!! Sorry! Thank you for being patient. About the cup, I hate to disappoint you, but the manufacturer makes us order hundreds of cups at a time, a minimum order . . . so, since almost everyone who wanted one got one, probably we won’t be able to order them again. But never say never. I always pay attention to popular demand! Thank you Elaine!
I was so very depressed yesterday with all the unhappiness–this post was a life-saver! Thank you soon much!
My pleasure to have you here Dorothy.
Such a wonderful sharing of a get away thar everyone wishes they could have. Always wanted a New England fall excursion -Thank you so much for our armchair adventure.
Susan dearest, how can we find out if you leave a reply after we leave a comment? I really have tried going through 1,000 comments to find mine, with not much luck. Love every word you write, so naturally would love to read your response. Could the individual comments be numbered? so we would have a comment number. The golden years are individual days filled with exploring, joy and love. JudyC
Thanks for the shout out to Damariscotta! We have spent two vacation weeks, four years apart in a charming house there! And have come to feel very fondly toward everything it offers, the town, the lake, the tire swing on the lake! The quilt/fabric shop you mentioned (can there be two?!) and all the good eating to be done!
Glad to know you enjoyed it as we did!
Hi Susan, my family travelled to Maine one summer when we were kids. We drove through Ellsworth, Maine. Because that was our surname we thought they had named the town after us. At least we three kids thought that, lol. We’re celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving on Monday. I’m making your cranberry relish. I ordered two “Winter” mugs yesterday. Talked to Kellee. Busy lady with Sheri on holidays. Loved Jack’s little white paws. He just can’t help being his charming little self. Let’s all hug someone we love today in memory of the souls lost yesterday. So very sad. Hugs, Elaine
I’m with you Elaine, hugs for all. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, so very much to be grateful for! xoxo
I like that idea so I’m hugging all of the girlfriends tonight… seending out big hugs to everyone…… hugs…. 🙂
Wiping tears. . . homesick for Maine.
Awww. xoxo
Can’t wait for the cross stitch kit! The Florence Bone poem reprinted would make a cute cross stitch kit with your precious drawings!
good afternoon Susan, Girlfriends. awwwww I am pea green with envy right now, New England in the Fall. “sigh” oh well some year I will get there. but what we have here is just as beautiful and glorious and I am enjoying every second of it. I can’t wait, cross stitch kits, I hope there is one about in that collection about Fall!!! well as we all know Sunday was a sad day, I know it sure was for me… all day. Sunday morning someone’s grungy looking mutt jumped into the chicken pen and killed 12-13 of my laying hens and 2 of my ducks. I had to run for a neighbor’s place to get some help in bagging up the dead chickens and taking count, then I went around asking if anyone had seen that mutt around and if they knew who owned it. no luck but a few thought it might belong over at my obnoxious neighbor’s house, one of the transients’ dogs. so I called animal control yesterday and filed a complaint and they can do what they have to do. if I see that mutt coming around here again, I getting out the shotgun and using it if I have to. my husband is fit to be tied and threatening to kill that dog if he sees it, those people were given fair warning before this ( first, last and final warning) about their mutts running around on our property and getting near the chickens’ yard. well I lost over half of my laying hens and I have to wait until spring to replace the loss. plus to salt to the wound we lost our pet cockatiel, Sydney, on sunday… she lived a good long life of 32+ years. that bird drove me nuts on days when she wanted to hear the Theme from “Bonanza” or “The Virginian”, she loved westerns, crazy bird. anyway the chickens are still somewhat shell shocked and very cautious about going out into the yard these days, they stick close to the henhouse now and run if a dog barks… poor babies, I just hope they will soon get over it. that is about all that is going on here, on my way out to the henhouse to check on the birds and take care of the water tubs. you all have a great afternoon/evening. 🙁
well the day just got better… my wild turkeys showed up for a nice long visit. when they show up I usually put some scratch out for them and plenty of it, they are a mommy turkey and her 4 little hens. I haven’t seen the larger flock around lately, but seeing these lovely ladies sure make my day. I have a hunch they are roosting somewhere in the back of the property, and trust me I will do all I can to keep them safe. well off to start dinner… pork chops tonight. hugs…. 🙂
Oh my word! So sorry to hear about the massacre in the chicken pen. Spring seems like such a LONG wait to replace the losses, but time does fly.
When I read your comments I always smile. I can visualize your days as a TV series from the past, and definitely as a fun book to read!! (And I can always smell your dinners cooking…you must leave that kitchen window open so the deliciousness travels on the breeze to CA!
Take care and hugs to you and remaining family of chickens. (Uck…I just sent hugs to chickens and I don’t even like them!!!)
Oh so absolutely blooming lover-lee. I could smell the salt tang and feel the crispness of the leaves under my feet tagging along with you to Maine.
I’ve been catching up at work, and canning pints o’pears in light syrup, and half pints of golden vanilla bean pear jam this week.
Your post was a fun tea break. Thanks and keep up the cozy!
xo
G
I loved hitching a ride to that lovely cabin by the sea in ME with you! Thanks. You do know why the old timers, and I guess the tradition continues, painted their porch ceilings light blue, don’t you? At least in Lancaster County, PA this is the case. It was to appear as the sky and deter birds from flying in to nest/roost and to keep bees, wasps and other bugs from buzzing around.
If we can’t have Downton at least we can relish Poldark! I’ve watched the first two series and the third of the series starting off with a two hour premier was just delightful. I love the scenery, the costumes, the handsome actors and actresses and the accents.
My sister recently blessed me with your Martha’s Vineyard cup. I use it all the time. Love it. I hand wash it. It has not seen the dishwasher yet!
Phyllis
Yes, I love that tradition! We have a kitchen porch and it has a blue ceiling too, as it was when we bought the house. Your sister takes good care of you Phyllis! xoxo
Lovely blog post! I love the pictures and the stops along the way. I’m a new reader and from what I read today, I can tell I will be a lifelong reader as well.
Nice to hear that, welcome to the neighborhood Melody!
Hi, Susan!
I had to write and tell you about the delightful time our nineteen year old daughter and I just had, enjoying your wonderful Maine post together! She’s on Fall Break from college and we wanted to do something fun and “Fall-ish” together. So . . . we brewed a Rose Lemonade tea that a friend brought us from England, enjoyed it from a Staffordshire teapot, and had the best time going through your post together on our front porch swing! I thought you might also enjoy knowing that our cats’ water bowl was reflecting perfectly the image of Autumn-red dogwood berries from a nearby tree and one happy kitty was snuggled cosily into a nest of leaves for a blissful nap . . . Sweet gifts! Thank you so much for sharing with us!
BTW, Alyssa and I both held our breaths: WILL JOE AND SUSAN GET TO EAT AT RED’S EATS??? OH, NO–THEY DID NOT! SADNESS !! BUT STILL HOPE, AS THERE MAY BE A RETURN TRIP! 🙂 There were so many great things you got to enjoy that we’re not TOO desolate on your behalf! 🙂 Thanks for sharing the trip!
Sweet Grace! Love to you and Alyssa! I’m so happy you enjoyed Maine with us! xoxo
What a delight, thanks. Have always wanted to go to Maine as that is where my paternal grandfather was from [grandma (she’d hate the term) was from Boston, Ma.]. Anyway, love your travels, as I haven’t been doing too much lately myself and I love it.
Armchair travel is a wonderful thing! xoxo
Thank you for letting me forget the troubles of the world and taking me with you to Maine. I have not been there before, but now I think that would be a nice place to visit! I also realize that I need to go out and pick out our pumpkins!
Glad you enjoyed it Marilyn!
Oh my stars…I enjoyed every minute of your trip (and the musica) and was sad when it was over. How perfect was that!?! Thank you for taking us along.
I do have a question…your drink from Mickey D’s…how do you order it? Ask for a regular iced tea with a shot of lemonade? It sounds so good. When I drive out to visit one of my sons (I live in Torrance, CA and he with his beautiful family live in Yorba Linda-a bit of a drive) I always drive through and get a plain iced tea from MD’s. I must try your recipe next visit.
I’m now on my way over to order the beautiful Winter cup from your store.
Love you 4-ever,
Debbie J
I had THE SAME QUESTION. I figure Susan and Joe must go inside the restaurant to ‘pour their own’ (I’m a drive-thru gal; I never go inside!). The only thing I don’t like about their tea is that it’s cloudy; I like it clear and brewed. But this would be a heckuva lot better on the road than a sugary Pepsi!
Yes, you have to go in, because when others make it, they have a tendency to put in too much lemonade! Defeats the purpose of having something delicious that’s almost calorie-free!
The lemonade is almost always available where you get the drinks, and next to it is usually a container of unsweetened iced tea. The lemonade sweetens it just right without the use of sugar! We just order “big drinks” ~ they give us the cups and we make it ourselves. Much better for you when you’re on the road . . . another thing we love is plain cold water also with a shot of lemonade, over ice. Just enough flavor to keep it refreshing. Thank you sweet Debbie J!
What a beautiful life😊
Susan: “And across the bridge we went… breezing along with the breeze . . .”
Carol from CT … tra la:
1) youtube.com/watch?v=SniXA7yTMwg
2) youtube.com/watch?v=UCTYo3_Ij1U
☆♫♡♬☆❀✰♪ Good~Evening Sweet~Sue… Herbster & I Were Just On Our Back~Porch Watching The October Moon Rise…Tis Almost Full & I Read That it will Be “Officially” #Full On October 5th….( Herbster’s 69th Birthday) 🙂 The Blood~Moon & Cause Of The “Autumn~Equinox” It Can Also Be Called (Once~Again) The Harvest~Moon…. 😉 But For Halloween…. & We Also Have A “Friday~The~13th” This Month….OMG 🙂 I’m Calling This #FullMoon The~Blood~Moon #Boooooooo! 😉 I Was Just Flying Around & Thought I Would~Check~IN & #POOF! A New~Blog~Post All About Your Magical~Maine~Adventure! 🙂 Oh How I Adore Sharon & Jeff & Their Enchanted~Cottage…. & The Four Of You Together…..My~Wings~Are~All~A~Flutter 😉 Those Lobsters Pure~Maine~Yumminess…& Thank You For Sharing Your Adventures With Us….We All Need Your Wisdom Your Love Your Joy…..Traveling With Our Sweet~Sue & Joe….The World Still Has HOPE! 🙂 Thank~You!!! So I LOVE All The Pics Of Those Pumpkins & The Pics Of #JACK…Meowzers…He Truly is Your Little~Prince 😉 Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…..Happy~October….We Shall Eat~Drink~&~Be~Very~Scary & Do a Little~Pumpkin~Jiggity~Jig! xoxo #Poof & A Booooo! P.S. Happy Birthday To The~Herbster! 🙂 P.P.S October~Blessings For All 🙂 P.P.P.S. #PrayersAndLove To All In Las~Vegas…& God~Bless Us Everyone ( Amen!) 🙂 ☆♫♡♬☆❀✰♪
Hello #SweetSue I Just Tried To Post A #NewComment & Poof!!!! I Think It Simply Vanished! 🙂 Those Gremlins Again 😉 Anyway I Just Baked Pumpkin~Spiced~CupCakes & I Decorated Them With Tiny~Ghosty~Boyzzz & Orange & Black~Sprinkles! Tis #OurHerbster’s #69thBirthday Yay! 🙂 His Daughter Nancy From Ohio Called Him & #SHhhhhhh Secretly Let Me Know That At 2:00pm Today She Is Sending Us a Surprize~Birthday~Lunch 🙂 Yay! & Yum! With The #Internet Lots Of #MagicalThings Are Possible! 😉 The Birthday~Gifts Are Wrapped So #We’ll Meet You & Joe Under The Full~Moon~Tonight For A #Champagne~Toast & Bit Of #DancingInTheMoonLight! 😉 #HappyBirthdayHerbster #69YearsYOUNG! xoxo #Poof ☆♫♡♬☆❀✰♪
Hi Sweetie, Happy Birthday to your darling boy. You’ve planned a perfect day!
Good~Morning My Sweet~Sue…. I Read Your #Tweets In #Twitterville This Morning 🙂 Twas The #PerfectDay & #OurHerbster Is Still #Celebrating….The~Entire~Month… 😉 He Is Another #Pumpkin 🙂 & He Does The~Pumpkin~Jiggity~Jig Very Well…. Have A #Delightful Autumn~Weekend! Kitty~Kisses For #Jack From Me! xoxo #Poof & #ThankYou! 🙂
Same to you Angie, it’s been beautiful up here! Hope the same for you and the Herbster in Florida!
Thank you for your beautiful post. It reminded me of all the beauty surrounding us, even during the sad, crazy times we live in. I love Maine -such a beautiful place to visit. My hubby and I love the coast, and walking The Marginal Way in Ogunquit is quite the experience. Have you ever been there? Just beautiful. If you havent, make sure you do the next time you are there. 🙂
Our trips with you are so much fun, thanks for another great one. I have never been to Maine but it was one of those places I thought about as a teen. Always wanted to live in a light house!! Love the way the coast looks. All the little towns with so many shops and places to eat, love lobster!!!! But the best is to see Jack when you get home. Sweet boy!
Sitting here sipping my Zevia Sparkling Water (Blackberry one)…yum for us diabetics to have once in awhile!! I love so much of what you blog about…your visits to places are the most fun!! And of course, the cat…what a character!! We need some respite from the sadness of the world around us. We got to meet up with old friends (he was our best man back in 1975) and it is our anniversary week too…funny coincidence…so good to be with old friends…we have known her 43 years too…so we all 4 had a great visit…just too short!! So I was remembering our friends while seeing what you did with yours!!
Loved your post! My husband and I went to Maine 3 summers ago, and I fell in love with it! Loved all the beautiful little towns and the great antiquing opportunities! Can’t wait to see your cross stitch kits!
I could almost taste those lobsters-your adventures always transport me to another world-smiling.
I loved this post! Beautiful photos and it was fun to meet your friends and enjoy some time with the four of you. And what a timely post too, as my husband and I leave next week for our first “real” trip to Maine. We’ve only been as far as Ogunquit before; this time we’re headed for Bar Harbor for some leaf peeping. You’ve given me great suggestions of what to stop and see along the way. I’ve got all the guidebooks, but it’s better to get the scoop from a like-minded friend.
Those sunset photos are amazing!
Love your autumn decorations – pumpkins galore – fun! Happy Autumn!
Love the post on Maine….lovely friends you gave. Needlepoint kits??? Intrigued!!!
Yippee!!!
Lovely friends you have.❤️
I forgot to add to my earlier post…I found a female version of Petey in Cambria at Home Arts Store! She is sooooo adorable – they would make the cutest couple!! Had to mention this before I forgot. She is sitting next to my desk now and makes me smile whenever I look at her! I may just take her traveling with us one day:)
I am sure we would all love to see a picture of Petey’s female companion. Would that be possible? So much fun to see how everyone has adopted Petey
I love it too. Considering how few people in the world know who Petey is, we have our own private insider’s travel mascot!
I did a semester doing study abroad in London, at Queen Mary University. All the land for the University was donated or bought in the late Victorian era, except for one tiny Jewish cemetary in the middle of the campus. It was too sacred to pave over or move so they left it where it was. A little island from a time gone by.
Also, you might be interested to know that here in WA state they usually bury the powerlines when they build new neighborhoods. We have a lot of windstorms
and regular powerlines have too many trees blow into them. You probably wouldn’t be convinced you’re time travelling because they’re NEW houses, but it is nice to get away from powerlines.
Susan, sweet Susan….
Thank you for sharing all that beauty. It really lifted my spirits.
Seafood, wine, pumpkins, antiques and friends get us through the
challenging times.
Cheers, lovely lady!
Shelley S
Hubby and I have been fortunate to visit Maine several times as our married daughter lives there. Your mention of Christmas Cove brought speical memories to mind as that is where our family was last together for a week in 2007 with 2 unmarried sons, our daughter’s family AND our son and British daughter-in-law and her Mum. We spent 2 weeks with in April in England with our son’s family which included a week with them in a ‘stone cottage’ in the very West of the Lake District. Met our youngest grandson for the first time at 1 1/2 yrs and delighted in being with his sister, now 9, who we had not seen since her 5th birthday!! Also don’t get to be with the two grandsons in Maine very often. Ahh, blue fall asters….also in prolific bloom on our property in WNC. So enjoy your photography, quotes and drawings..you are blessed and a blessingl
Susan, After a day where I felt so sad about the awful Las Vegas shootings, and a two hour root canal, and the numbness is all worn off now… I thought of looking to see if you had a new blog entry! Joy and dancing! A trip to Maine! Oh, what fun! I may never see that part of the country, but I get to see it through your artistic eyes! Thank you! The ‘cranberry ‘ house looks so like the doll house in ‘Rackety Packety House’ which I think is by Tasha Tudor, so sweet! Loved the blog post. Old friends are the best, aren’t they? Thanks for sharing with us! Love from central ORegon, where the fall colors have arrived, along with the nippy weather! Suzette
Thank you for sharing your lovely Maine adventure; I so enjoy living vicariously through your posts.
I think we were watching The Constant Nymph at the same time….love the music in that movie.
I don’t care for the way it ended, what nut decided on that??? But the rest of it was such charm!
Good morning, dear Susan!!…What a wonderful adventure…Making me think about getting out of the house! (I think you folks are perhaps a bit ahead of us on the turning leaves, so I may just postpone our drive for a little bit, anyway.)
Thanks so much for taking us with you!! I have to admit, this post left me a bit hungry, though, and now I must get to bed with these visions of lobster rolls in my head. :O
I don’t know if you will recall, but I had written to you about a month ago or so…and on a P.S. (so you may not have really taken note) I mentioned to you about a British television show that was/is still I think on Netflix (and I have found now more episodes on youtube) called “Escape to the Country”…IF you (and the Girlfriends) have not checked it out, you really should!! I am absolutely SURE that you will love love LOVE it as much as I do!! Then just watch one show, and I will be your new best friend in the whole world forEVER!! 😉
I just wanted to re-tell you and make sure you see it!! (It is the British country side they are escaping to!!)
Thanks again for this post…and especially for all of the lovely pictures!!
It really is nice to put some attention on something beautiful and far more happy than these recent days (and months, frankly) have given us.
Much appreciation, dear lady!!!
Have a wonderful day!!!
<3
We loved that program Judy! And after that we found another that was wonderful too, called Penelope Keith’s Hidden Villages. Thank you!
Well, I am SO GLAD that you know of it!! I just loved
it…and how they did/do it!! 🙂 I new that you would too!!
I will definitely look for Penelope Keith’s Hidden Villages!
Thank you VERY much!!
<3
Thanks for sharing your trip with us. Love all the beautiful pictures. My mom and dad were New Englanders and I remember hearing about Wiscassett and Gladys Taber, too. We moved to the Midwest in the 60’s. Love all your posts.😂
Loved seeing all your pictures!! As a child, I went to Maine every year to visit relatives. I miss it now — it’s been more than 20 years since I’ve been. Indiana is such a long way…..cross stitch kits sound exciting! Can’t wait to see! Enjoy October!