.
Our raccoon friend is showing up early most every night now.
.
.
Waddling across the back lawn..
.
.
And chowing down.
.
.
I love to watch him. (Her?)
.
.
The deer aren’t as thrilled…
.
.
But I think they’re getting used to him.
.
.
A name might be in order.
Any ideas?
.
.
Temperatures are warming during the day, our grass is finally green and the fox are back.
.
.
I say foxy lady in the title, but to be honest I’m not sure.
.
.
Sexing a fox requires getting up close and personal… and that I can not do.
.
.
But I can watch from afar and take pictures.
.
.
With Lord Dudley Mountcatten on high alert beside me.
.
.
Because male or female, it’s still a canine… and His Lordship is not a fan.
😉
.
,
The deer are used to sharing the backyard spread with skunks.
.
.
But lately a trash panda is beating the stinky little critters to the buffet.
.
.
I’m thrilled because while we have nightly raccoons…
.
.
They rarely show up before it’s too dark to get a photo.
.
.
And though I’m tickled with the little masked bandits…
.
.
The deer don’t know what to make of him.
.
.
Especially when raccoon #2 waddles in.
.
.
Proving two raccoons is two too many.
🤣
.
.
Simply because they’re fun.
.
.
Evelyn?
The last Evelyn I knew in Maine died 30 years ago, at the ripe old age of 89.
.
.
To the clearly parched western states, I’m sorry.
.
.
I agree with this 100%.
Maine is full of Frenchmen.
.
.
Maine men seem to be to satisfied with their packages. Southern men, not so much.
.
.
It doesn’t surprise me Maine is on par with California. Our taxes are nuts.
.
.
I can’t believe Maine didn’t vote for Roosevelt!
.
.
I can’t believe Maine voted for Nixon!
.
.
This map is disturbing.
That being said, I’m proud to live in a state who fully supported civil rights.
.
.
People laugh when I talk about Maine having slightly different seasons than other states … summer, fall, winter and mud.
But it’s true.
.
.
See?
Proof.
.
.
This explains a lot.
.
.
Our nightly skunks are back.
.
.
And looking very well fed.
.
.
Fascinating stuff.
.
.
Photo… because sometimes you simply need pie.
.
.
How awesome is that!
.
.
The red b*tch is back and driving our boy crazy.
.
.
Running across the deck railing and making Lord Dudley Mountcatten cackle in frustration.
.
.
He was so agitated I had to take him outside for a closer look.
.
.
He tried….
.
.
But she’s just too quick.
.
.
Friday dawned sunny and relatively warm so the husband and I jumped in the car for a drive to the mountains.
.
.
Heading west to try a new brewery that had popped up since our last visit.
.
.
And while the hilltops were free of snow, the lakes were still frozen.
.
.
Our destination was Steam Mill Brewing which had a colorful tasting room.
.
.
And a comfortable, laid back western vibe.
.
.
We did a few tastings but weren’t overly impressed with the beer.
.
.
But my Rogue Angel – Titos, elderflower cordial, grapefruit juice, soda water and orange bitters – hit the spot.
.
.
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.
.
.
Husband’s French onion soup? Dark, rich and full of sherry. Yum.
.
.
The vaguely spider like overhead lighting was bizarre.
.
.
But my veal, beef and pork bolognese and his mixed green salad with grilled chicken and warm maple vinaigrette were amazing.
.
.
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.
.
.
Naturally I tried Steam Mill’s entry… which, while tasty, was down right deadly.
.
.
On our way out, the rest rooms provided a few laughs.
.
.
Then it was back over the mountains for a scenic drive home.
.
.
A good time was had by all.
.
.
.
We’ve had a single fox visitor on and off all winter, but the other evening?
.
.
He may have brought his wife.
.
.
Or husband, or brother, or second cousin.
.
.
No matter who the plus one was,…
.
.
He was fit, healthy and beautiful.
.
.
And now there are two.
.
.
Which is twice as much viewing pleasure.
.
.
❤️
.
.
Our herd was back again for their nightly snack.
.
.
This time with the funky antlered buck.
.
.
His horns were oddly shaped all year… and now that’s he losing them, they’re even odder.
.
.
He’s the leader of the group and doesn’t like it when the kids beat him to the food bowl.
.
.
A well placed kick scatters the youngsters.
.
.
And he has the bowl to himself.
.
.
For a little while anyway.
.
.
😊
.
.
A new Sicilian restaurant opened recently and you know we were all over that.
.
.
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.
.
.
We didn’t, but happily snagged the last two seats at the bar…. which is where my husband always wants to sit anyway.
.
.
The Limoncello spritz was lovely and fit the decor perfectly.
.
.
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.
.
.
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.
.
.
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!
😊
.
River's world..... 