transform

This time each year my mind shifts. The windows open, nature sounds are let back inside and mingle with everyday life. My thoughts shift to seeds, plants, sunshiny walks, blowing bubbles. It seems like the very projects I was knitting on days ago don't interest me anymore because they're from the cold weather days. Now I shift to new projects, warm weather projects...

Radiate by Helene Rush
Misti International Pima-Silk

So far the yarn and the pattern are a delight. A springy delight. I sat out back on the deck yesterday and warmed my skin in the sunshine. Pretty soon my deck will be full shade but right now it's under a canopy of budding branches that filter the sunlight and create a certain bliss. I plan on doing much of the same today.

Yesterday I sipped ice tea, listened to the birds singing, listened to the squirrels scavenging the forest behind our house. All I could think about was our garden in Iowa. This would be year three for most of our perennials. 'Year one they sleep, year two they creep, year three they leap' I wish I was around to watch them leap. To tend to them and show them the appreciation that I have for them. I wonder if our crabapple tree is blooming. I wonder if the hundreds of bulbs I planted just last fall are coming up.


I want to go to Waterworks Park and see the crabapple trees all in bloom. The American Redbuds and the Magnolia trees have to be amazing right now. The sweet, warm, Iowa air. the Union Park Carousel. Walker Johnston Park. Evenings thick with thunderstorms looming. The neighborhood garage sale. The downtown farmer's market. Saturday knitting at Ted's. Walks around Gray's Lake. The church picnic, field day at school, J. and Eric in the 4th Parade, the lilac arboretum at Ewing Park, the rose gardens at the art center, coffee at Grounds for Celebration, driving up to get my groceries at Hy-Vee. I could go on and on. I mostly just miss the familiarity of the people. Not feeling like I'm in a foriegn country.

Most of the time I don't like talking to people about being from Iowa out here because they look at me with cross eyes and just think its a big corn field out in the middle of no where. They joke about how much they hate ethanol, they joke about 'the one tree' out there. Sometimes I do run in to someone who has actually been there and they go on and on about how great it is out there.

I tell people we moved here for the quality of life and it's true... we do love Maine, the people, and the land... but Iowa is truly a great place to live and a great place to raise a family, no matter how much time passes. I'll always be an Iowan.

We did get to enjoy a delightful place this week ... Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. It's an amazing place in Boothbay Harbor. Most of the 'garden' space is natural forest which is truly the beauty of Maine for me. It was an enchanting place. We immediately got season passes and can't wait to watch everything bud, bloom and change with the seasons.

This year my gardening focus is going to be on containers. I don't feel settled enough yet to plant some roots in the ground. I have a huge elevated deck that will be mostly shade in a couple weeks. I brought all of my pots from Iowa and I'm just going to fill them all with shade-loving annuals and herbs and create my own oasis in the trees out back. It'll be quite the lovely retreat all summer long. It also has a very sturdy gate so the babe can hang out there with me without having to worry about falling down the stairs... so nice!

transform

This time each year my mind shifts. The windows open, nature sounds are let back inside and mingle with everyday life. My thoughts shift to seeds, plants, sunshiny walks, blowing bubbles. It seems like the very projects I was knitting on days ago don't interest me anymore because they're from the cold weather days. Now I shift to new projects, warm weather projects...

Radiate by Helene Rush
Misti International Pima-Silk

So far the yarn and the pattern are a delight. A springy delight. I sat out back on the deck yesterday and warmed my skin in the sunshine. Pretty soon my deck will be full shade but right now it's under a canopy of budding branches that filter the sunlight and create a certain bliss. I plan on doing much of the same today.

Yesterday I sipped ice tea, listened to the birds singing, listened to the squirrels scavenging the forest behind our house. All I could think about was our garden in Iowa. This would be year three for most of our perennials. 'Year one they sleep, year two they creep, year three they leap' I wish I was around to watch them leap. To tend to them and show them the appreciation that I have for them. I wonder if our crabapple tree is blooming. I wonder if the hundreds of bulbs I planted just last fall are coming up.


I want to go to Waterworks Park and see the crabapple trees all in bloom. The American Redbuds and the Magnolia trees have to be amazing right now. The sweet, warm, Iowa air. the Union Park Carousel. Walker Johnston Park. Evenings thick with thunderstorms looming. The neighborhood garage sale. The downtown farmer's market. Saturday knitting at Ted's. Walks around Gray's Lake. The church picnic, field day at school, J. and Eric in the 4th Parade, the lilac arboretum at Ewing Park, the rose gardens at the art center, coffee at Grounds for Celebration, driving up to get my groceries at Hy-Vee. I could go on and on. I mostly just miss the familiarity of the people. Not feeling like I'm in a foriegn country.

Most of the time I don't like talking to people about being from Iowa out here because they look at me with cross eyes and just think its a big corn field out in the middle of no where. They joke about how much they hate ethanol, they joke about 'the one tree' out there. Sometimes I do run in to someone who has actually been there and they go on and on about how great it is out there.

I tell people we moved here for the quality of life and it's true... we do love Maine, the people, and the land... but Iowa is truly a great place to live and a great place to raise a family, no matter how much time passes. I'll always be an Iowan.

We did get to enjoy a delightful place this week ... Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. It's an amazing place in Boothbay Harbor. Most of the 'garden' space is natural forest which is truly the beauty of Maine for me. It was an enchanting place. We immediately got season passes and can't wait to watch everything bud, bloom and change with the seasons.

This year my gardening focus is going to be on containers. I don't feel settled enough yet to plant some roots in the ground. I have a huge elevated deck that will be mostly shade in a couple weeks. I brought all of my pots from Iowa and I'm just going to fill them all with shade-loving annuals and herbs and create my own oasis in the trees out back. It'll be quite the lovely retreat all summer long. It also has a very sturdy gate so the babe can hang out there with me without having to worry about falling down the stairs... so nice!

Lookin' Up

My friend Amy and her kids came this weekend for a visit. They are from Connecticut and were on the tail end of their spring break. They'd never been to Maine, so we had fun showing them around... so strange to be the tour guides instead of the tourists! Great fun. We are on spring break this week... we're going down to visit them this weekend. We're also going to the 100th annual Connecticut Sheep & Wool Festival... so excited!

Amy is an avid knitter as well... so we did a mini yarn crawl. I took her to Purl Diva (of course!) and some other shops along the way. We also went to Halcyon Yarn in Bath. I had never been there. This may be silly but I have to admit that I got a little choked up with glee when I entered the store. It's amazing. It's spacious but also just jam packed with goodness. There were many unique yarns there that caught my interest. We didn't have much time because we were there shortly before they closed. I left empty handed but that was alright. It is close enough to be one of my LYS's so I didn't feel the urgency to buy anything. It was quite the experience.

I was so thrilled to have my friend visit but it coincided with me losing my voice!! All I wanted to do is gab gab gab with her and pretty much whisper/squeaked the whole time. Now I'm really paying for it and am trying to stay completely mute... not easy with two boys in the house! It's working though and I'm starting to feel better.

Spring has finally arrived in Maine. The trees are all budded out, the daffy's are blooming, and there is an overall ease in the air now that we're out of the grips of winter. Such a nice feeling to be outside again!

I've continued to go adventuring every chance I get. We've found some great places to walk/hike lately and there are countless more to discover! Recently we've gone to Pineland Farms which is an amazing place... it's a working farm/creamery that also has a huge network of hiking trails. In the winter they also are a big cross country skiing spot which I'd really enjoy. They also outfit and offer lessons. I was so thrilled to find this place! I took the boys on a hike there after school last week. J. was quick to notice how quiet it was and also the whisper of the wind in the pine trees... it sounds so different and unique. It was so much fun to watch him completely relax and unwind by just taking our time on our walk in the woods. The babe also enjoyed it immensely... he tried to bring every rock and fir cone back to the car. I managed to convince him to bring just a few. He has quite the stash of treasures squirreled away around here.

Yesterday after our friends left, we hit the road and ended up at Preservation Park which is a part of Poland Spring ... you know, the bottled water brand? It was a beautiful place full of trails similar to Pineland. We walked just a short distance because my allergies were spiraling out of control pretty quickly. We also drove down to Bethel and reminisced about the time we stayed there last summer! Again, so surreal to be back and be residents.

On the knitting front, I'm almost finished knitting a bulky weight afghan for my brother who will be 17 in a couple weeks. I know he'll appreciate a grown-up blankey... his blankey was his comfort object when he was little. He attended prom this weekend. My parents forwarded photos of him in his tux... what a handsome man he has become! I can't believe my baby brother is growing up.

After I finish the afghan, I'm going to focus on finishing up my other big projects that I have going on... two sweaters for myself and a sweater for J.

Also -- after whining about having too much yarn in my last post, I decided to not take any drastic measures. Sara really summed it up with her comment. It would help to get it all organized ... nothing makes me happier than having a reason to organize something into Martha Stewart tidy-ness. (sideways glance at the teetering pile of papers that need to be filed) It's spring cleaning time I guess.. get organized, clean off the needles and start fresh! Sounds good to me.

PS. Happy Patriots' Day!

Lookin' Up

My friend Amy and her kids came this weekend for a visit. They are from Connecticut and were on the tail end of their spring break. They'd never been to Maine, so we had fun showing them around... so strange to be the tour guides instead of the tourists! Great fun. We are on spring break this week... we're going down to visit them this weekend. We're also going to the 100th annual Connecticut Sheep & Wool Festival... so excited!

Amy is an avid knitter as well... so we did a mini yarn crawl. I took her to Purl Diva (of course!) and some other shops along the way. We also went to Halcyon Yarn in Bath. I had never been there. This may be silly but I have to admit that I got a little choked up with glee when I entered the store. It's amazing. It's spacious but also just jam packed with goodness. There were many unique yarns there that caught my interest. We didn't have much time because we were there shortly before they closed. I left empty handed but that was alright. It is close enough to be one of my LYS's so I didn't feel the urgency to buy anything. It was quite the experience.

I was so thrilled to have my friend visit but it coincided with me losing my voice!! All I wanted to do is gab gab gab with her and pretty much whisper/squeaked the whole time. Now I'm really paying for it and am trying to stay completely mute... not easy with two boys in the house! It's working though and I'm starting to feel better.

Spring has finally arrived in Maine. The trees are all budded out, the daffy's are blooming, and there is an overall ease in the air now that we're out of the grips of winter. Such a nice feeling to be outside again!

I've continued to go adventuring every chance I get. We've found some great places to walk/hike lately and there are countless more to discover! Recently we've gone to Pineland Farms which is an amazing place... it's a working farm/creamery that also has a huge network of hiking trails. In the winter they also are a big cross country skiing spot which I'd really enjoy. They also outfit and offer lessons. I was so thrilled to find this place! I took the boys on a hike there after school last week. J. was quick to notice how quiet it was and also the whisper of the wind in the pine trees... it sounds so different and unique. It was so much fun to watch him completely relax and unwind by just taking our time on our walk in the woods. The babe also enjoyed it immensely... he tried to bring every rock and fir cone back to the car. I managed to convince him to bring just a few. He has quite the stash of treasures squirreled away around here.

Yesterday after our friends left, we hit the road and ended up at Preservation Park which is a part of Poland Spring ... you know, the bottled water brand? It was a beautiful place full of trails similar to Pineland. We walked just a short distance because my allergies were spiraling out of control pretty quickly. We also drove down to Bethel and reminisced about the time we stayed there last summer! Again, so surreal to be back and be residents.

On the knitting front, I'm almost finished knitting a bulky weight afghan for my brother who will be 17 in a couple weeks. I know he'll appreciate a grown-up blankey... his blankey was his comfort object when he was little. He attended prom this weekend. My parents forwarded photos of him in his tux... what a handsome man he has become! I can't believe my baby brother is growing up.

After I finish the afghan, I'm going to focus on finishing up my other big projects that I have going on... two sweaters for myself and a sweater for J.

Also -- after whining about having too much yarn in my last post, I decided to not take any drastic measures. Sara really summed it up with her comment. It would help to get it all organized ... nothing makes me happier than having a reason to organize something into Martha Stewart tidy-ness. (sideways glance at the teetering pile of papers that need to be filed) It's spring cleaning time I guess.. get organized, clean off the needles and start fresh! Sounds good to me.

PS. Happy Patriots' Day!

Full Pink Moon

Full Pink Moon - The grass pink or wild ground phlox is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring. Other names were the Full Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and -- among coastal tribes -- the Full Fish Moon, when the shad came upstream to spawn. This is also the Paschal Full Moon; the first full Moon of the spring season. The first Sunday following the Paschal Moon is Easter Sunday, which indeed will be observed three days later on Sunday, April 12. - via space.com

This month's full moon photo is taken through the dark woods across the street from my house. I LOVE living in the woods. It's so dark here at night. The stars are incredible!

It was absolutely beautiful outside today. I sat outside for a long time listening to nothing but the whispering pine trees and soaking up the warm sunshine. Ahhh............................

Full Pink Moon

Full Pink Moon - The grass pink or wild ground phlox is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring. Other names were the Full Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and -- among coastal tribes -- the Full Fish Moon, when the shad came upstream to spawn. This is also the Paschal Full Moon; the first full Moon of the spring season. The first Sunday following the Paschal Moon is Easter Sunday, which indeed will be observed three days later on Sunday, April 12. - via space.com

This month's full moon photo is taken through the dark woods across the street from my house. I LOVE living in the woods. It's so dark here at night. The stars are incredible!

It was absolutely beautiful outside today. I sat outside for a long time listening to nothing but the whispering pine trees and soaking up the warm sunshine. Ahhh............................

Ten on Tuesday

My top ten least liked foods.

1. Mushrooms
2. Raw Oysters and Clams
3. Liver
4. White Chocolate
5. Pork chops
6. Sausage
7. Fast Food Hamburgers
8. Tuna
9. Lunchmeat
10. Artificial flavors

This one is tough for me... I like most food. As you can see there is a meat theme to my list. Meat is generally what can really turn off my taste buds. ...and White Chocolate. I don't know what it is, but I just can't stand the stuff.

Ten on Tuesday

My top ten least liked foods.

1. Mushrooms
2. Raw Oysters and Clams
3. Liver
4. White Chocolate
5. Pork chops
6. Sausage
7. Fast Food Hamburgers
8. Tuna
9. Lunchmeat
10. Artificial flavors

This one is tough for me... I like most food. As you can see there is a meat theme to my list. Meat is generally what can really turn off my taste buds. ...and White Chocolate. I don't know what it is, but I just can't stand the stuff.

Cookie Sock Love

Yesterday I got Cookie A.'s new book Sock Innovation while I was at Purl Diva. I couldn't wait to get home and flip through the book. When I did, I immediately wanted to knit ALL of the great patterns. I'm so impressed with all of the new ideas and not the 'same-ole' patterns. I'm breaking out of my current projects and casting on for a new pair today... the tough part is deciding which pattern to knit first!

Cookie Sock Love

Yesterday I got Cookie A.'s new book Sock Innovation while I was at Purl Diva. I couldn't wait to get home and flip through the book. When I did, I immediately wanted to knit ALL of the great patterns. I'm so impressed with all of the new ideas and not the 'same-ole' patterns. I'm breaking out of my current projects and casting on for a new pair today... the tough part is deciding which pattern to knit first!

GOOD day!

First of all.... Hooray!

I'm slowly starting to thaw and warm up to the idea of adapting to our new surroundings after some serious remorse last week. I've spent the week exploring our area and have been having a blast. It's the day to day that I struggle with. I tend to save the exploring for the weekends ... I shouldn't do that.

I realized that I can't just expect my old life to just happen... and it's not going to happen without me taking some action anyway. The longer is sit at home and stay in... the more depressed I'm going to get. The keyword for me this week is ADAPT!

Today... an average Friday morning... I went for a walk along a trail that went along the ocean, foghorns, thick fog, rainstorm holding off, lighthouses, my bouncing toddler boy to keep me company... awesome. My 'average' walk is not so average anymore!

Follow it up with sushi, Whole Foods for organic mangoes (they have the best mangoes), apples, and marinated olives. Round out the day with a trip up to my favorite LYS to see Ellen and get the perfect yarn for my next project.

Wander home on back roads through the pouring rain. It's just totally wet out there... melting snow, fog, and rain... pure wet. Despite the grey day, it is a great day, too.

Ten on Tuesday

Carole got me thinking about making a to-do list for Ten on Tuesday.

1. Rearrange files, get another filing cabinet
2. Unpack scrapbooking supplies
3. Order some recent photos on Snapfish
4. Go to ACMoore to get some new scrapbooking adhesive
5. Take a long walk with the babe!
6. Work on Wisteria
7. Go to book fair tonight
8. Don't forget to get cash for allowance/books/craft store (maybe I should move this one up, hmm?)
9. Buy hubby new shoes at LLBean
10. Mail old receivers back to satellite company.

... so there ya go. Nothing too exciting, but very typical Tuesday stuff. So what's on your to-do list?

It's the last day of March! Can you believe it!? It's going to go out like a Lamb here in Maine... in many ways. Smooth sailing? At least for today.... I'll take it.

Ten on Tuesday

Carole got me thinking about making a to-do list for Ten on Tuesday.

1. Rearrange files, get another filing cabinet
2. Unpack scrapbooking supplies
3. Order some recent photos on Snapfish
4. Go to ACMoore to get some new scrapbooking adhesive
5. Take a long walk with the babe!
6. Work on Wisteria
7. Go to book fair tonight
8. Don't forget to get cash for allowance/books/craft store (maybe I should move this one up, hmm?)
9. Buy hubby new shoes at LLBean
10. Mail old receivers back to satellite company.

... so there ya go. Nothing too exciting, but very typical Tuesday stuff. So what's on your to-do list?

It's the last day of March! Can you believe it!? It's going to go out like a Lamb here in Maine... in many ways. Smooth sailing? At least for today.... I'll take it.

Friday. Sunshine! Spring? Maybe!

Friday. Sunshine! Spring? Maybe!

Portland Head Light

Saturday was super foggy but still comfortable and we were all eager to get out and do some exploring (like we do every weekend). We ended up at the Portland Head Light again which is one of our favorite places here in Maine. The grounds around the lighthouse are extensive and have a great network of family-friendly paths so we like to go hang out at the park and explore. It was a perfect day. I thought I'd share a little video so you can get a feel of it as well.

Portland Head Light

Saturday was super foggy but still comfortable and we were all eager to get out and do some exploring (like we do every weekend). We ended up at the Portland Head Light again which is one of our favorite places here in Maine. The grounds around the lighthouse are extensive and have a great network of family-friendly paths so we like to go hang out at the park and explore. It was a perfect day. I thought I'd share a little video so you can get a feel of it as well.

Sweaters on the brain

Spring must not be too far off, because like every year when warmer weather is soon to be here, all I want to do is think about knitting wool sweaters.

I am still working on my staghorn pullover. I tucked it away for a long time but pulled it out yesterday and did one repeat. I've thought about frogging this sweater a few times just to knit something else with it, but I'm determined to do less frogging this year. When a project is getting stale, I'm just going to tuck it away for a while to see if I want to come back to it. I'm very glad that I didn't frog this sweater because I have put a lot of work in to it and it is really a beauty.

Recently I won a drawing for some ultra-luscious yarn. Libby was having a de-lurking contest and I was the lucky winner of 12 skeins of Noro Cash Iroha in the most perfect shade of robin egg blue. I haven't figured out which pattern to do yet, but I have several that I'm considering. Maybe Something Red by Wendy Bernard, possibly Ingenue from her book Custom Knits... we'll see. I ordered the book on Amazon last week and it still isn't here. I'm hoping to find some inspiration.

I'm also knitting a top-down sweater for my 9-year-old son using red mercerized cotton. I have to say that I really dislike knitting with mercerized cotton. I'm hoping it will soften up with a wash when I'm done so my son will like wearing it. I also just finished a top-down for the babe.

As far as other patterns... I want to knit the Hand-to-Hand Aran by EZ using something wooly and luscious like Berocco Ultra Alpaca in purple or gold. The Cable-Down Raglan by Stefanie Japel has held my attention for a long time... I'm thinking Cotton Fleece in a pretty lipstick red. Also, I'm thinking about joining the next KAL at The Knitting Experience. They're going to be knitting Pioneer from the latest knitty. I'd modify it to have a little more ease and not be so form fitting. I'd also extend the sleeves to 3/4 length with the crochet border on the sleeves as well. I think it'd be a lovely spring sweater. I'd love to do it in a cotton blend -- maybe creamy yellow or a coral color? Something super springy.

I have sweater-brain!

Sweaters on the brain

Spring must not be too far off, because like every year when warmer weather is soon to be here, all I want to do is think about knitting wool sweaters.

I am still working on my staghorn pullover. I tucked it away for a long time but pulled it out yesterday and did one repeat. I've thought about frogging this sweater a few times just to knit something else with it, but I'm determined to do less frogging this year. When a project is getting stale, I'm just going to tuck it away for a while to see if I want to come back to it. I'm very glad that I didn't frog this sweater because I have put a lot of work in to it and it is really a beauty.

Recently I won a drawing for some ultra-luscious yarn. Libby was having a de-lurking contest and I was the lucky winner of 12 skeins of Noro Cash Iroha in the most perfect shade of robin egg blue. I haven't figured out which pattern to do yet, but I have several that I'm considering. Maybe Something Red by Wendy Bernard, possibly Ingenue from her book Custom Knits... we'll see. I ordered the book on Amazon last week and it still isn't here. I'm hoping to find some inspiration.

I'm also knitting a top-down sweater for my 9-year-old son using red mercerized cotton. I have to say that I really dislike knitting with mercerized cotton. I'm hoping it will soften up with a wash when I'm done so my son will like wearing it. I also just finished a top-down for the babe.

As far as other patterns... I want to knit the Hand-to-Hand Aran by EZ using something wooly and luscious like Berocco Ultra Alpaca in purple or gold. The Cable-Down Raglan by Stefanie Japel has held my attention for a long time... I'm thinking Cotton Fleece in a pretty lipstick red. Also, I'm thinking about joining the next KAL at The Knitting Experience. They're going to be knitting Pioneer from the latest knitty. I'd modify it to have a little more ease and not be so form fitting. I'd also extend the sleeves to 3/4 length with the crochet border on the sleeves as well. I think it'd be a lovely spring sweater. I'd love to do it in a cotton blend -- maybe creamy yellow or a coral color? Something super springy.

I have sweater-brain!

why the cost of living is so much here....

the cost of living in Maine is OUTRAGEOUS, people. Here is why... the take-out food is incredible and the yarn stores are a-plenty. Seriously!? How can 'they' expect us to get by when the food and the fiber is so irresistible!? ;)

We're fortunate to have the best food in the world right here in our town. The babe and I split a cinnamon roll from Maine Bean once a week when I pick up a pound of the best coffee evar. (Sebago Sunrise) Gilbert's Chowderhouse has the best fish nuggets and fishy fries... Eric and I split an order for lunch on his day off. Rose's has the best pizza in the world... seriously... oh how we've missed New England pizza the sauce is tangy and the crust is perfect... thin but still chewy.

There are plenty of ethnic restaurants around, too. We have to shoot for pleasing the whole family hence the fish and pizza. But I'm eager to try some Thai which is my favorite... Thai Paradise in Brunswick keeps catching my eye on my way home from Purl Diva and The Knitting Experience.

I'm so over the whole Dunkin Donuts thing. We loved DD coffee when we lived in CT years ago. I was excited to be near a good, cheap cuppa coffee again but I'm not to thrilled with it anymore. I prefer my own from home I guess.

Starbucks is downright awful out here. I think they put one less shot of espresso in their Grande... I've only had a couple and don't care enough to go back to find out.

Also -- the grocery stores are amazing. The organic produce sections are huge and very affordable. The chicken - ohh - the chicken! I know I talked somewhere about how bad the chicken seemed to be getting in Iowa. Here the split brea sts are huge and juicy and cheap! $1.99 for 5 huge brea sts!? However, the ground beef is suspect. I didn't like GB much to begin with. I've considered getting the meat grinding attachment for my kitchenaid and just grinding our own but it just seems so unsanitary (like there would be some possible part of the gadget I wouldn't be able to clean), and like a chore. Honestly, beef could slip off of our regular menu in this house and no one would really care.

I wasn't as wow'd by Whole Foods as I thought I would be. The take-out section is huge and if you can catch it when everything is fresh I'm sure it's great but everything looked skinned over and like it had been sitting out for hours and hours... not exactly appetizing. The brick-oven pizza looked good though and they had a section for custom burritos which also looked tasty. All of the specialty counters are amazing -- the bakery, the coffee roasting station, the chocolates, the cheeses, the fish section was amazing, too. It just didn't feel like an ordinary grocery store where I'd shop on a regular basis... not that it matters because it's a half hour away from me anyway. It felt more like a destination -- a homemakers amusement park maybe!? Haha. I did get some good granola, a super cute fair-trade bracelet, organic mangoes and some of their own honey lip balm which I lurve more than Burts Bees.

Also -- there are so many farmer's market signs everywhere... I'm excited to visit all of these. I'm eager for warmer weather because I think that this entire area is going to change so much. It'll be so different from the overwhelming snow-covered tundra that greeted us here not even a month ago.

... and don't get me started on the yarn stores! I have been to many and wow. I'm overwhelmed by the abundance of fibery goodness out here. Knitting and all fibery culture is so much more mainstream out here. Yarn stores abound and everyone knits it seems. I still haven't found a knitting group but honestly I'm not really actively looking right now. I'm content with knitting on my own for now. I am looking forward to all of the fiber festivals coming up in the warmer months. I also really want to learn how to spin. I've been entranced by spinning wheels and the zen of it all for a long time... maybe a wheel for my birthday? We'll see. I'm kind of intimidated by all of the spinning stuff... and I can't keep up with my knitting as it is.

Beachy kind of day... sort of!?

Today we had the best day! We headed up to Fort Popham/Popham Beach which became my favorite place on earth a few years ago when we were on vacation here. It was surreal to just BE there today! Here are a few photos from our walk...







It was a crisp, bright spring day... that is for sure! I was amazed at the difference in the wind from the river side by Fort Popham and when we turned out on to the seaside Popham Beach. Such fun! We all cannot wait to get back out here this summer. It's a good hour drive (at least) from our house, but I don't care. I know we'll be out here all the time. It really is paradise.

After Popham, we headed in to Bath for a Subway lunch and then continued down to Reid State Park. We weren't there long before a snow squall crept up on us and turned us in to walking snowmen. It just blew up out of nowhere and by the time we were in the car and dried off, it was done.



This was another incredible beach that we're going to spend a lot of time exploring. I'm really feeling like we may need a lifetime to explore everything we want to out here. Who knows... maybe this is going to work out after all.

Still though... big time homesick feelings strike without notice. They bolt through the house and hurt when they hit... but quickly they go away again. They'll simmer down. We are having fun. We do love it. But oh, we miss home so much it hurts.

I don't want to end this on a sad note though. We're adjusting and have high spirits. We all have each other and that's that matters now. Besides, despite missing home... we're just having so much fun!

hello poor, neglected blog.

I really should update more often. I will work on this.

Photo taken today at Reid State Park... snow squall! There were crazy people surfing in this weather today. More fun photos to come...

Worm Moon

Mar. 10, 10:38 p.m. EDT -- Full Worm Moon. In this month the ground softens and the earthworm casts reappear, inviting the return of the robins. The more northern tribes knew this as the Full Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signals the end of winter, or the Full Crust Moon because the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. The Full Sap Moon, marking the time of tapping maple trees, is another variation. - via space.com

Technically this photo wasn't taken on the 10th. I took it this morning from my bedroom window upstairs looking out back. I opened the blinds and the moon said "Hello" and reminded me that I still needed to post. I did take some photos on the 10th, but they turned out to be big glowy cloudy blurs so this will have to do for this month. I love making a point to see the moon each month. February | January

I'm a big believer in the lunar cycle being something to live by. Just think about how connected the phases of the moon are with the earth's rhythms... there are many examples. Its even a good basis for decision making based on waxing, waning or the full moon.

I know you probably think I'm batty now... but being aware of the moon and its phases and living by them is quite harmonious. I'm going to try to do some research and post some links to what I'm talking about for next month.

Next month I'm looking forward to seeing a lot more spring when I look outside on the night of the full moon. Winter is beautiful, too, but I'm ready for a little green and not so much white.

Worm Moon

Mar. 10, 10:38 p.m. EDT -- Full Worm Moon. In this month the ground softens and the earthworm casts reappear, inviting the return of the robins. The more northern tribes knew this as the Full Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signals the end of winter, or the Full Crust Moon because the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. The Full Sap Moon, marking the time of tapping maple trees, is another variation. - via space.com

Technically this photo wasn't taken on the 10th. I took it this morning from my bedroom window upstairs looking out back. I opened the blinds and the moon said "Hello" and reminded me that I still needed to post. I did take some photos on the 10th, but they turned out to be big glowy cloudy blurs so this will have to do for this month. I love making a point to see the moon each month. February | January

I'm a big believer in the lunar cycle being something to live by. Just think about how connected the phases of the moon are with the earth's rhythms... there are many examples. Its even a good basis for decision making based on waxing, waning or the full moon.

I know you probably think I'm batty now... but being aware of the moon and its phases and living by them is quite harmonious. I'm going to try to do some research and post some links to what I'm talking about for next month.

Next month I'm looking forward to seeing a lot more spring when I look outside on the night of the full moon. Winter is beautiful, too, but I'm ready for a little green and not so much white.

Happy birthday, dear Baby!

My baby boy is two years old today! Can you believe it!? I can't believe it's been two years! It's been absolutely blissful being the Mom of this boy. He's truly a joy. He's such a laid back boy! Easy going, silly, fun, SMART, sweet, snuggly, an awesome sleeper, and fruit and veggie eater, he idolizes his big brother. He's fit in to our family so well. He can call all of us by name... Mama, Dada, Gakey, and he calls himself Baby. He loves cookoos, nanas, gogurt, bapples, nines and chee. He says all kinds of words, but my favorites are nigh nigh and I-woe-woo. He gives kisses and nuggles, he loves legos, and all the treasures hidden in his brother's room. He also loves looking for sea glass at the beach and is actually pretty good at finding it. He loves to be read to, play in the snow, go for walks, color, and dances to any tune he hears.

Here is a photo from his first birthday... we spent it on the beach in Hawaii... he had an ice cream sundae for his birthday instead of birthday cake.

This year we live in Maine, we're enjoying a sloppy, snowy, wet day. A quiet day overall... just the way he likes things. He's always up for a car ride, but his favorite place to be is at home with all of his creature comforts.

Our wee one was born March 11th, 2007 at 9:04 PM via Csection.
He weighed 8 lbs. 11 ozs. and 20 1/2 inches long.

Happy 2nd Birthday, sweet Baby! We love you!