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People laugh when I talk about Maine having slightly different seasons than other states … summer, fall, winter and mud.
But it’s true.
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See?
Proof.
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This explains a lot.
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Our nightly skunks are back.
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And looking very well fed.
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Fascinating stuff.
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Photo… because sometimes you simply need pie.
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How awesome is that!
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The red b*tch is back and driving our boy crazy.
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Running across the deck railing and making Lord Dudley Mountcatten cackle in frustration.
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He was so agitated I had to take him outside for a closer look.
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He tried….
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But she’s just too quick.
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Friday dawned sunny and relatively warm so the husband and I jumped in the car for a drive to the mountains.
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Heading west to try a new brewery that had popped up since our last visit.
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And while the hilltops were free of snow, the lakes were still frozen.
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Our destination was Steam Mill Brewing which had a colorful tasting room.
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And a comfortable, laid back western vibe.
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We did a few tastings but weren’t overly impressed with the beer.
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But my Rogue Angel – Titos, elderflower cordial, grapefruit juice, soda water and orange bitters – hit the spot.
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Crab cakes with Cajun remoulade and truffle aoili? OMG. To die for. Some of the best I’ve ever had… and they are always my go to app.
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Husband’s French onion soup? Dark, rich and full of sherry. Yum.
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The vaguely spider like overhead lighting was bizarre.
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But my veal, beef and pork bolognese and his mixed green salad with grilled chicken and warm maple vinaigrette were amazing.
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The town was also running a cocktail competition that, had I lived there, I would have been all over. Bar hop 11 places and taste test their cocktails? Sign me up.
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Naturally I tried Steam Mill’s entry… which, while tasty, was down right deadly.
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On our way out, the rest rooms provided a few laughs.
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Then it was back over the mountains for a scenic drive home.
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A good time was had by all.
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We’ve had a single fox visitor on and off all winter, but the other evening?
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He may have brought his wife.
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Or husband, or brother, or second cousin.
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No matter who the plus one was,…
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He was fit, healthy and beautiful.
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And now there are two.
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Which is twice as much viewing pleasure.
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❤️
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Our herd was back again for their nightly snack.
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This time with the funky antlered buck.
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His horns were oddly shaped all year… and now that’s he losing them, they’re even odder.
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He’s the leader of the group and doesn’t like it when the kids beat him to the food bowl.
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A well placed kick scatters the youngsters.
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And he has the bowl to himself.
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For a little while anyway.
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😊
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A new Sicilian restaurant opened recently and you know we were all over that.
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Small and unassuming, it was packed tight with hungry customers and upon entry we were asked if we had a reservation.
For lunch.
On a Tuesday.
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We didn’t, but happily snagged the last two seats at the bar…. which is where my husband always wants to sit anyway.
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The Limoncello spritz was lovely and fit the decor perfectly.
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My arincini was too die for. Light, pillowy and perfectly prepared. The bread was freshly baked and the husband’s meatballs were juicy and correctly spiced.
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The husband had –
Canneloni Al Forno
Lacinato Kale + House Ricotta + Marinara + Mozzarella + Pecorino + Lemon Zest.
It was light and flavorful and even though it contained the devil’s weed… I liked it.
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I opted for –
Porcini Marsala*
Local Wild Mushrooms + Pecorino + Pistachio + Thyme + Busiate Pasta.
Which was absolutely divine. The flavor was amazing…rich and layered.
This place may be small and hard to get in, but we’ll definitely be back.
Yum!
😊
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After an odd winter disappearing act, the deer are back.
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And they are just the sweetest things.
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We’ve had herds for two decades now…
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But it never gets old.
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Living where we do has some drawbacks.
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But this isn’t one of them.
❤️
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Spring is just around the corner and though the temps are still cool in Maine, 90% of our snow is gone.
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Of course that doesn’t stop His Royal Highness from finding the one batch left in a shady corner and getting stuck in the middle of it.
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And since the snow has melted?
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Lord Dudley Mountcatten was rolling.
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In some stinky fallen bird seed and loving every messy minute of it.
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Needless to say he got a thorough brushing and wipe down before re-entering the house.
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Eggs.
It literally hurts to buy them these days. $9.09 for a dozen, $12.75 for 18.
Damn.
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The husband and I took full advantage of this primo parking spot at the grocery store the other day. Hell, with what they’re charging for eggs they should offer valet service too.
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Easter is coming.
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You’re welcome.
( hollow out eggs and mix filling with above ingredients )
😊
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Look who’s back!
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I spotted our first woodchuck yesterday.
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And immediately tossed out some lettuce and broccoli to welcome the little guy back.
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I’m saying little guy but it might be a girl. I only know it doesn’t look like our old momma chuck of years past.
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She’s been around for a long time and sadly, I think it’s time for the next generation to take over.
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A rare photo of Lord Dudley Mountcatten walking in the snow a few weeks ago.
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That winter stroll lasted all of two minutes. His Lordship does not like cold feet. 🥶
If you’re a vinyl collector like me, you’ve flipped through endless stacks of records in flea markets and antique stores looking for an elusive LP. More often than not what you find is Herb Alpert. Specifically, the Whipped Cream album. Seriously, it’s everywhere.
If you can relate to that frustration, this next bit is for you.
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Lord Dudley likes to watch television. And the other night he came running into the living when he heard a bald eagle screech.
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To say he was fascinated is an understatement.
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No. Just… no.
I love my margaritas but refuse to add beets.
Blech!
🤢
Misspellings annoy me. Which is why I joined a funny group on Facebook called the Grammar Police where people share photos of grammatical blunders.
I posted this recently.
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It was immediately removed.
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I thought it was funny.
Apparently, they didn’t.
🥴
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River's world..... 