BLUE SHUTTERS

We stayed at The Blue Shutters Inn, a classic B&B type arrangement in an old house ( I am guessing the early 1800s by the floors and general architecture of the original structure) that has been added onto many times over the years. I believe there are four rooms in the Main House. There is a newer structure with 6 rooms in the back. The Inn is owned by a young couple, Paul and Ewa , who make your stay a very pleasant one. The rooms and baths are not "fancy", but are very serviceable. The location is perfect...steps from the Marginal Way, close to Perkins Cove and a short walk uptown to antique shops, funky boutiques, restaurants and and a bakery to die for, Bread and Roses Bakery.

Late Saturday afternoon we returned from our ocean walk and found wine was out on the sideboard. I helped myself to a glass of Chianti and sat on the porch listening to the ocean, reading the new Romantic Homes magazine. Does it get any better than this?? Oh yeah, it was sunny and about 72 degrees...just perfect. We ate pizza outside at Caffe Prego and got dessert to go. Quite delicious, but little did we know that the bakery was open late and we could have chosen from a much larger selection there. It is really lovely to stay somewhere where you can walk uptown and to the beach in the evening and enjoy the sights and sounds after dark. The only downside, we were not in a residential neighborhood so Housepeeping was not an option. Sorry!

Later,
Janet

FOOD SNOBISM

OK, everyone who knows me at all well knows that I am a bit ( OK, more than a bit) of a food snob. I make 99% of our food from scratch and enjoy cooking comfort type foods for Bob and myself. Bob brags to his friends and co-workers that he eats "restaurant quality" food every night. So, call me gobsmacked when I tried a sample of this chicken at Trader Joes. It is so very delicious that I swear to you I could eat the whole bag which they proclaim is 5 servings. Even though it is dark meat chicken, the batter is light and tasty and it is not greasy at all when baked for 18 minutes and it is not salty. The sauce is just the right touch of tangy and sweet, with a hint of ginger. Serve with some brown rice and roasted broccoli and it is a quick and tasty dinner and the chicken is only $5.

Tasty, Tasty, Tasty!


Later,
Janet

MAINE AGAIN

The pictures above were taken on The Marginal Way, a walking trail that runs above the ocean for over a mile in Ogunquit Maine. The house belongs to a very, very fortunate homeowner. Imagine how much a home overlooking this view is worth ;>)






These bottom pictures were taken on a beach in York Maine. Maine does not have many sandy beaches, but the ones it does have are certainly divine on a beautiful mid-September day.

Off to a Birthday party for my French amie, Valerie.

Later,
Janet

MAINE #1

StoneWall Kitchen Flagship store in York Maine. You can sample every product, buy some exquisite blue and white transferware and eat a lobster roll in the cafe garden. What a treat for all the senses.




Later,
Janet

LOOK WHAT I FOUND

Remember a few days ago when I told you I had worked on a ferry in the summers during college?? I showed you a picture of the MV Valcour cruising its way across Lake Champlain from Burlington VT to Port Kent NY. This weekend we were visiting a Flea Market in Kennebunk ME and what to my wondering eyes should appear?? This plate still had the $1.79 price tag on the back from the Ferry Dock gift shop. Wanna know how much this treasure ( at least to me) was ??? Best deal ever.....$1.

Who says you can't find a good deal once in a while?
Later,
Janet

Anniversary # 18

We are off to Ogunquit Maine tomorrow to spend a couple of nights at the seashore celebrating our 18th Anniversary, a Scintilating Seashore Sojourn, if you will. I just realized that I don't know what the 18th Anniversary is?? Probably something prosaic like paper towels or lawn fertilizer.

On a related note I have spent the better part of the last two days trying to find something to make the 40 Longs look like grapefruits, but alas, I have not been successful. Something that my father would refer to as "an over the shoulder boulder holder" in black peekaboo lace. Ladies, take it from me, such a thing does not exist.

Later,
Janet

RIP

Rest in Peace Mary Travers

The world will miss you.

File this under

File this under...why didn't *I* think of this?? I was reading helpful tips/ hints in some magazine the other day and they said instead of filing each magazine (say Country Living) from January to December in a box or whatever method you use...why not file all the October issues ( fall decorating) of all your favorite magazines in a box, all your November ( great Thanksgiving ideas) in a box, all your Christmas issues together...I know you get it, right?? That way every year when you are looking for some great fall ideas, just pull out the October box. Brilliant!! I am working on the transition right now...whoops...I may need to take a trip to Ikea to get more magazine boxes. A tough job, but someone has to do it.

Later,
Janet

Autumn Wreath by Yankee Candle
My new favorite autumn scent

"I love fall!
Fall is exciting.
It's apples and cider.
It's an airborne spider.
It's pumpkins in bins.
It's burrs on dog's chins.
It's wind blowing leaves.
It's chilly red knees.
It's nuts on the ground.
It's a crisp dry sound.
It's green leaves turning.
And the smell of them burning.
It's clouds in the sky.
It's fall.That's why...I love fall."
Author Unknown

OK, I know it's not fall yet and I don't want to rush the season, but the last couple of days and have been damp and gloomy and they make me want to cook and light candles and forage for "stuff" to bring in the house. Call me crazy.

We Shall Not Forget

Please remember to fly your flag today and spend some time in quiet contemplation.

I received this message from a friend of mine and thought I should pass it along as a reminder: We have a little less than one month and counting to get the word out all across this great land and into every community in the United States of America. THE PROGRAM: On Friday, September 11th, 2009, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States. Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this eighth anniversary of one of our country's worst tragedies. We do this to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms. In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds. Action Plan: So, here's what we need you to do . (1) Ask everyone you know ( or at least 11 people) to fly our flag on September 11. Take a moment to think back to how you felt on 9/11 and let those sentiments guide you. (2) Fly an American flag of any size on 9/11. Honestly, Americans should fly the flag year-round, but if you don't, then at least make it a priority on this day. Thank you for your participation. God Bless You and God Bless America! Thanks, Janet A repost that certainly bears repeating.

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Capitol or Capital??

Montpelier is the capital of Vermont and the smallest state capital in the United States. My grandparents lived in Montpelier until I was about 10 years old. Every Sunday, after church, we would get in the car and drive the 35 miles to Montpelier for Roast Pork, mashed potatoes with gravy and spice cake. I am sure there were some vegetables (probably canned) in there somewhere, but I don't remember them. For supper we would have leftover pork with baked beans ( I had to eat 3, yes, three beans even though I never liked them) and delicious brown and serve rolls. Sometimes I would go and stay with my grandparents for a few days or a week and it would be noted in the Times Argus, the local paper, that" Miss Janet Bishop visited her grandparents, Mr and Mrs. Chauncy Alden at their home at 5 Pearl Street". Wasn't life simple then?? Montpelier is still a relatively simple place with more than its fair share of aging Hippies, some nice shops ( must be for the Legislators who come to the city from much smaller communities) and some really nice older neighborhoods. Come for a walk with me and Bob on a lovely late summer day. Sorry we never took a picture of the gold domed Capitol building; it's a beauty. Maybe next time.

The Post Office where my Grandfather was Postmaster. I think it has been redone since his tenure ( probably in the early 70s). He would be 125 years old this year!

What State Capital , other than Montpelier, has a 3 bay fire station??

Former City Hall, now a community theatre. Where is City Hall now??

Don't you just love this steeple?

My grandparents' former home. It seemed so much grander when I was a child :-)

Later,

Janet

We are off to Vermont and beautiful Lake Champlain for the holiday weekend. The image above is the ferry ( The Valcour) that I worked on for 5 summers in my youth. Quite the prestigious summer gig at the time selling hot dogs and souvenirs to the customers crossing from Burlington Vermont to Port Kent New York. Six days a week, three crossings a day ( it certainly taught you to be on time for work..if you missed the boat you were 2 hours and 10 minutes late!) and a whopping $1.40 per hour. The mountains in the background are the majestic Adirondacks in New York.

See you when I get back.

Janet

Fall Nesting Party

You know this is my favorite thing about Fall....my obsession with Bittersweet Vine. I have some nice fat vines scoped out to make a wreath as fat as this one in another month or so. Hopefully no one else has their eyes on the same patch of vines.

Run over to see Melissa at The Inspired Room for a Fall Nesting Party. There should be some super fall nesting and decorating inspirations from blogland.