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Is there anything more lovely than the delicate beauty of a butterfly?
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I tried to capture this Eastern Swallowtail with its wings fully open but never quite managed the perfect shot.
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No matter, any encounter is time well spent.
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Such delicate creatures.
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And beautiful even when viewed from the side.
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💕
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July and August are hot and dry months in Maine.
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Our verdant green grass is browning in spots and I’m constantly hoping for rain.
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My flowers are thirsty and I can only imagine how much water our farming neighbor is pumping on his fields.
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With the high heat comes afternoon thunderstorms.
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But not for us.
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We sit on the porch and sadly watch them roll on by.
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Not one drop fell on our property from this boomer.
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Talk about a missed opportunity.
🥴
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Momma Chuck thought she’d found the perfect place to escape the kids.
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Through the hole in the cover and under the grill.
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Unfortunately, her solitude didn’t last long.
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And three out of four babies joined her.
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Poor Momma.
There’s no rest for the weary…
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🤣
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First there were two.
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Then three.
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And before long?
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The entire family was here for a nosh.
❤️
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Sometimes you just want hang on the deck in the sun.
If you’re a momma woodchuck you can’t do that alone….
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No matter how hard you try.
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Three out of four children are stuck to you like glue.
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Poor momma.
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😉
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Continuing on our cliff side stroll, there were warning signs…
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Which my husband always ignores.
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I swear the man has mountain goat DNA.
The views were lovely.
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The wild roses fragrant.
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And full of busy bumblebees.
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It’s a gorgeous walk and I highly recommend it if you’re ever in Newport.
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And though the views were stellar…
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It was what I found around the bend of this tree that made my day.
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A bunny!
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As someone who lives in Maine where bunnies are a rarity….
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This was a very pleasant surprise.
💕
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Up ahead?
The famous 40 steps…
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Which to he honest my husband and I were a bit too foot weary to explore.
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My goal was over there…the section of cliff walk that winds around the back of all the fabulous Bellevue Avenue “cottages” we’d been touring.
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First, a rest room break…
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And an oddly jagged rock wall.
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With a sadly poignant memorial.
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As we made our way to the much anticipated section, my husband stopped to talk.
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And talk, and talk, and talk.
So I quietly slithered away to explore a little further ahead.
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Only to discover the part of the cliff walk I was most looking forward to?
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Was closed for repairs and inaccessible.
A big boo to that!
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The family that nibbles together…
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Stays together.
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Sometimes.
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Other times, it’s every baby chuck for himself.
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Watermelon and carrots are fought after.
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Apples for those who come later.
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Since we were back in Tiverton and it was long after lunch but slightly before dinner, we took a chance on the highly rated Boat House restaurant that was too crowded the first time we stopped.
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It really is a gorgeous spot.
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And equally as attractive inside as out, with lovely views from all the tables.
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Which is why we sat at the bar.
*sigh…*
Oh well, my Limoncello margarita was fabulous no matter where I parked my keister.
Reposado tequila, limoncello, lemon, agave. Simple, and delicious.
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A perfect compliment to my Caesar salad with homemade croutons.
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Husband’s seafood chowder was rich and delicious.
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Cocktail #2, and okay… #3 as well… was the Princessa, a bar favorite.
Bacardi Limon, strawberry purée, fresh lemon juice, club soda, mint. Again, simple but fabulous.
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As you know we tend to be picky when we eat out. A place has to check 3 boxes to earn a star from us. Atmosphere, cocktails and food quality.
So far, so good.
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Husband’s filet mignon with burgundy demi glacé, asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes?
Perfection.
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My lemon beurre blanc grilled shrimp , roasted Brussels sprouts and garlic mashed potatoes?
Perfect as well.
And dessert?
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Good grief. Bananas Foster cheesecake with caramel drizzle, banana liqueur soaked bananas, homemade cinnamon whipped cream and chocolate lace.
Be still my heart…. this place was goooood!
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I swear to God I’d be tempted to make the 4 hour drive from Maine just to eat there again.
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Even if I have to fight off all the people who live in this mini mountain of high end condos right beside it.
😉
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It was only a matter of time before I heard scampering on the deck.
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And once baby chuckies find the deck?
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They’re hooked and treat it like a playground.
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It’s adorable.
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They run and spin like whirling dervishes.
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In and out of the railings, under the grill.
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Until…
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They spot a cat.
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And have to investigate.
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Lord Dudley Mountcatten was riveted.
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Baby chucks are showing up regularly at the buffet now.
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And though this little guy had apples and blueberries to choose from…
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He went with the baby carrots.
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Time and time again.
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😊
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River's world..... 