An impromptu invitation from my impulsive friend led to a day on the scenic by-ways from Mid-Coast Maine to the Western Mountains. The day couldn’t have been more beautiful and we were met at the end – Sugarloaf ski resort – with a lovely arts and crafts fair AND these delicious mini-donuts glazed with apple cider!!
Spending a week with these guys and checking out their new home and neighborhood.
The playground and lake is just around the corner.
Feeding peas to the ducks, especially the “pretty ones” is lots of fun😍
Downtown Redmond.
Peter had football practice and didn’t come along for the splashy fun!
Lake Sammamish fun!
We spent the morning downtown visiting Pike’s market, riding on the ferris wheel, and lunching at Post Alley Pizza.
Beautiful fresh flowers, fabulous salmon, juicy apples and tasty cider were abundant at the market.
It was the perfect day to ride on the wheel.
The pizzas prepared by Andrew were delicious. It was great to see both Ruel and Andrew and wish them every success.
Irene and I have had a fabulous four days in Quebec City. The weather was perfect, the food amazing, the people delightful, a totally European ambiance without the transatlantic flight! and plenty of time to catch up.
Vieux Quebec (old town) from top to bottom and bottom to top!
Some of the food ..
Some of the art … we especially enjoyed a large exhibit of Berthe Morisot’s pairings (55) which just opened on June 21. The Musee National des Beaux-Arts du Quebec was a beautiful venue where we managed to while away six hours, including an amazing lunch at their restaurant.
We even created a piece of art ourselves!
One day was spent on a road trip to Charlevoix and the lovely little artist hamlet of Baie St. Paul on the St. Lawrence. We strolled the main street with its numerous galleries, and both of us fell in love with the paintings by Christian Bergeron with his bold colors layered with a palette depicting the beautiful scenery of the region. Some of the paintings,done in a prismatic style that he is known for, were particularly eye-catching with their straight lines.
After an amazing lunch – some of the best food I’ve had in ages – at Mouton Noir, we took a short ride down to the harbor for a blustery walk on the beach and through the forest.
The day was capped off with a stop at Chute Montmerency – falls 30 feet higher than Niagara.
It’s been a busy month with birthdays, visits, graduations – all fun times!
It started with Zach’s birthday on May 11.
Next up was our visit to NJ to see Kat, Ian and the fearsome4some. Somehow I only ended up with photos of the twins.
Shortly after our visit they had a family day at Goethals bridge before the official opening (Kat’s photos).
High school graduation (Bangor High) and Kat, Ian and the kids visiting for the occasion. The dock was put in and put to immediate use!
… and then there was the 8th grade Fancy Dance!
.. and finally, 8th grade graduation. Summer can now begin!!!
p.s. A hijacked photo of Cindy and Ryan (from his visit to Phoenix in May)
Enjoying spending 5 days with family in Arizona. Fun on the quads and walking the high desert around Tonto Basin.
Roosevelt Lake -water is low. No rain here since September.
We were able to attend 2nd grade concert and pre-k parties along with lots of projects, snuggles, romping, and good eating!
The greatest gift one can give is thanksgiving. In giving gifts, we give what we can spare, but in giving thanks we give ourselves. BR. DAVID STEINDL-RAST
I give thanks consistently for our family and for the times we get to spend together; for the craziness that ensues; and for our camp where there is space for it all to play out!
A week sped by spending as much time as possible with our Dutch family and their friends Bert and Jantina. They all stayed out in Liberty experiencing “that camp life” and we got together either there or here in Belfast.
Luckily the beautiful Autumn colors were prolonged due to warm, dry weather and they were able to see Stevens Pond and the surrounding countryside in a full blaze of oranges, reds, purples, and yellows. Some canoe paddling was achieved – even a dunking!!! Wood was cut and split and Agnita and I took a lovely hike on Haystack Mountain.
We picked delicious Empire and Macoun apples at Hope Apple Orchard and several pies ensued.
Views from Mount Battie and visit to the Farnsworth in Rockland.
We joined Bert and Jantina for lobster at Young’s on a raining Wednesday evening, but even indoors the ambiance and lobster was great! Likewise at 3Tides. Pizza in the pergola was a perfect evening!
And then the week was over …… much too quickly!
A weekend of fun, snuggles, laughs, craziness, high volume with the two little greats! GG was in charge while everyone else went in different directions!
Time at home was spent playing, wearing big brother’s football gear, Pampa’s cav hat, dad’s protective helmet, goofing around, building, snuggling and snuggling.
It was the perfect time of year to visit Alstede Farm in Chester, NJ to pet the animals, have apple cider donuts and check out the pumpkins!
A walk to the neighborhood park …
Meanwhile – Mom and Dad were all cleaned up and enjoying some time together and with friends, minus the fearsome foursome!
