Maine Part 2

14:13 No Comments

Writing about Maine makes me wish I had never left. How can a week go by that fast?
Isn't that just wrong?
Oh, well, at my age, it seems like the years go by faster and faster. I don't understand why that should be so.
I promised you a boat ride, but it isn't going to happen. Simply put, it's out of order. We didn't go for a boat ride next, we went to Acadia.

From Loving Maine

It was a two hour drive from our rental, but we wanted to get up there at least for one day.
First stop was the Oceanarium. The kids were very excited to go here.

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The lady who did the 'hands on' educational session was very nice, and very knowledgeable.
This is a sea cucumber, or echinoderm
It has no brain, and can eviscerate itself if attacked. Go figure.

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Did you know that the star fish can grow a leg back if something tears one off?

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That's my girl.

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We learned a lot about lobster fishing.

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I was surprised to find that they raise lobsters there, and release at least 40,000 of them into the ocean each year. Here's the link.
We also went on a guided tour through the sea marsh. But it was brutally hot, and we skipped out.
Guilty.
I love this little girl, and I love to take pictures of her, even the back of her head. I always wanted curly hair. And of course, she wants straight hair.

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Instead we went to Cadillac Mt for the view.

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It was hot, some people didn't mind it all that much.

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Can my daughter have a 12 almost 13 year old???

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Wow, I'm old.

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Then we went to Jordan Pond.
I wanted to have the popovers with jam. Noone shared my passion.

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So we kayaked instead.
Hey guys, ya' want to stay together out there???

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Lest you think we are a perfect little family........ha!
Attitudes popped up.
Oh, yeah.

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Even cranky, he's a handsome boy!

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Thank goodness, we didn't do it all at once.

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And it was so beautiful there, that some of us just wanted to soak it up.

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Then I realized something. I went the wrong way on the Park Loop. So after we left Jordan Pond, I suddenly found myself on the highway again.

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But the kids were hot, and cranky, so this actually turned out well.
We found ourselves here, at Seal Harbor.

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We stayed here until almost dark, and it was lovely. The kids played, we sat and talked, and laughed.

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I won't tell you that it was all smooth and wonderful trying to coordinate outings, and keep all 8 of us happy.
But I will tell you this.
Whatever it took, it was SO worth it.
Being together, being away from day to day worries, was worth every bit of effort.

From Loving Maine

Can we do the boat ride tomorrow??
See you then.

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Maine Part I

16:09 No Comments

Our first night in Maine found us pretty tired.
Well, at least some of us.

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We did some lounging around.
The house was lovely. There was a big living room, but we kind of gravitated to the sun room.
By morning, we were ready to explore.
Bright eyed and bushy tailed?

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Nothing like a little aerobic exercise to get us in the mood, right Aunt Momo???

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The house I found, and rented for the week, is in the town of Tenant's Harbor, just south of Rockland. Just down the road in the other direction was the lovely little village of Port Clyde.
We found the local beach, called the Drift Inn Beach. It was perfect.

From Loving Maine

Plenty of rocks, but also enough sand to satisfy even the pickiest beach goer.

From Loving Maine

From Loving Maine

And the water was actually warm enough to swim in.
Everyone seemed to have these boards that they paddled around on.

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I could look at this all day.

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There is a small light house right down the road.

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You really didn't have to worry about entertaining the kids. As long as there was water, rocks, and sand....in any combination, they were happy.

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There was very little traffic. No street lights. Minimal places to eat and shop. Just enough.
It was incredibly quiet.
And even though it was hotter than usual there, the breeze off the water was sweet.

While I was there, I didn't worry about home. I didn't worry about the studio, my dog, or my four cats. I never contemplated the orders waiting for me, or the work I need to do. I didn't think about bills, or commitments.
Now usually I have trouble with this. It used to take me a week to get past those thoughts.
But this vacation I was blessed with instant forgetfulness. And it lasted until I was on my way home.
When I'm in Maine, I have trouble expressing how I feel about it. I know that it is special to me in some unfathomable way, but putting it into words is difficult.
I don't know this little girl, but when I saw this picture I took of her, it said to me what I could not.

From Loving Maine

And tomorrow, friends, a boat ride!

From Loving Maine

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Loving Maine

20:07 No Comments

Hello, again.
I apologize for my week long absence.
And I know you are going to find this hard to believe, but I've been on VACAY.
No lie.
I took my laptop, and I planned to blog while I was away, you know, at the end of the day, to keep you posted.
But you know what they say about plans, right?
So where did I go????
Ahhhh.......I went to Maine!

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I lived in Maine, once, for a year, and had friends that I visited in Maine for several years, and I have always loved it.
My husband and I go to Wells Beach every year, but to be honest, I have been longing for the Maine that resonates with me, where life is a bit slower.
I have been wanting to rent a house, take my daughters, and their children, for a week's vacation. One of those "wants" that you talk about, and talk about, and somehow don't get around to.
Until now.
I have a boat load of pictures that I took, and believe me I will be sharing them, but tonight, my butt is fairly dragging.
Surprise, surprise, I am not as young as I sometimes think/hope that I am.
Just one thought before I say hello to my lovely bed.
As I looked through my pictures, I realized, that as usual, there are no pictures of moi. I am the one behind the camera, taking picture after picture of my kids, and my grandkids.
It doesn't hurt that they are so photogenic.

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And I realized to me that someday someone will look at these albums, and wonder why I am not in them.
Then it occurred to me.
While my physical self is not present in these shots. I am there. In every one. Because when you look at these faces, look into these eyes, you will see me. My reflection. My whole life.
It's just that simple.

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Later, friends.

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Catching Up.

18:09 No Comments

From studio

Remember this? I promised you the recipe, so here it is. Thanks to my youngest daughter.

Asian Pasta Salad

1 lb. spaghetti, cooked and drained

1 cup edamame cooked and cooled

1 cup red cabbage shredded

1 red pepper diced

5-7 scallions sliced (white and light green parts)

½ cup raw peanuts

¾ cup matchstick carrots

2T ginger grated

2T garlic grated

½ cup Vermont’s Maple Grove Sesame Ginger dressing (may need more)

Dash red pepper flakes

Salt and pepper to taste

Toss ingredients. Chill.

I am trying to do some catch up. I don't always remember to answer questions or follow up, and for that I apologize.
Someone asked about loopers. Yes, I do have them. I have sold some, it helps defray the cost of them and their shipping, but right now, I am holding off a bit.
The Hip to Be Square Looper Loom is almost ready, honest. And I don't know how many loopers I may need in the coming year. It all depends on how successful I am in marketing them.
So check with me later.
For those of you who have weaving questions, email me anytime at ragrugs@crazyasaloom.com
I will be glad to help.
And re: questions about the "little loom".
I am waiting still on the hooks. I am having the long metal hook made, should have that in a week or so. The crochet hooks to finish the edges are on order, and they should be here within a couple of weeks. I have a list of all of you that want one, and I will be contacting you as soon as they are ready. I promise.
I am amazed at how hard this has actually been, getting all the pieces parts of this project together. And I somehow think that it will 'evolve' as I go along.
And maybe it should.
I wanted to tell you about a story that I read. It was actually on TV a while back, and for some reason I have been thinking about it lately.
It is about a young man, Aron Ralston who was hiking alone, fell into a crevice, and an 800 lb rock fell on his forearm. After 6 days, he cut his own arm off, to save his life. If you google him, you can read the whole story, and see pictures of the canyon where it happened.
He hiked alone that day. He didn't tell anyone where he was going. Noone was expecting him back any time soon.
But what really struck me, was his courage.
And what he said really resonated with me.
He said, "I took responsibility for all of my decisions, which helped me take on the responsibility of getting myself out."
I don't blame you for being confused.
Asian salad to this.
I know I am all over the place.
Sometimes, it just is what it is.

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Lights, camera, action.

17:33 No Comments

Sometimes little girls can be difficult.
Just because I thought that having them stand in front of my sunflowers would make a fantastic photo, doesn't mean that they agreed.

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Sometimes, you are just better off to take the easy shot.

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My granddaughters stayed overnight, and they popped out of bed at 7am.
So, Mimi just kept to her schedule.
NAP TIME!

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There's a little girl in that pile of blankets, with a stuffed whale.
And two cats in attendance.
What's up with that?
This one said that she didn't NEED a nap, that was 5 minutes ago.

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That bear is Raoul.
I am afraid I was forced to tell a small tale.
She wanted something to take to bed with her. I offered her the bunny, but she said she wanted something that her mother had when she was little.
So I picked up the bear, and said, 'oh, like this little guy'.
I told her that not only did Mommy have this bear when she was little, but she named him Raoul, and she bit the end of his toe off.
Her eyes got big, she clutched Raoul, and went straight to sleep.
Aren't I awful? I had to call my daughter and tell her, so she wouldn't give me up.
And the poor little bunny found a new home over the bed.

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Now I have a complaint.
Seems women have it all.
Well, almost.
We can't have these, now can we?

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Twinkletoes, by Sketchers. The little gems on the toes light up when you walk.

I would buy a pair right now, if I could.

And these.
Hello Kitty underwear.

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Heart be still.

So women of the world......tell me. Why can't we have them.
Cool sneakers that light up, and Hello Kitty underwear.
I asked my granddaughters.
"Why do you have all the fun?"
Ava said.
"Because we are the kids."
Phooey.
It is quiet at my house, the kids have gone home. Eddie is on the sofa next to me, once more my only baby.

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