take the plunge

September 2012- We just couldn't resist jumping in the clear but cold water in Maine.  It was a beautiful afternoon and even though the water temperature was in the 50s we felt like we just had to jump in.  I normally don't even get in a swimming pool in Texas if the water is any less than 80 degrees.  But for some reason I knew I'd regret it if I didn't.  

In this protected and calm side of the island the water is so clear.  Not the crystal aqua of the Caribbean or Mexico but still clear and you can see several feet deep to the rocky bottom.

Yes, it was a shock to hit the cold water but when we got out it felt so warm; probably because there was such a drastic warming effect of exiting 52 degree water to 85 degree sunshine.  

I'm so glad I did it and can't wait to go back and do it again some day.

a beacon in the night

September 2012- 

This is Goat Island off the coast of Cape Porpoise in Maine.  

This photo is from my iPhone taken as we approached by boat.

It is the place Casey was brought home after he was born when his dad was stationed there as a lighthouse keeper in the U.S. Coast Guard.  It is a place that is forever part of our family history.  It is now owned and maintained by the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust who so graciously let us "come home" and stay in the house when we visited with Casey's family for a lighthouse keepers reunion.  It was a homecoming nearly 40 years in the making for Casey. 

Words cannot describe how incredible of an experience it was for us to live in the house for four days and create memories that will last a lifetime for us and our boys.

lobsterfest 2010

August 12, 2010- Although it has been two years since our last visit to Maine we are always glad to re-live the memories.  Thanks to Casey's parents who sent us lobsters on their recent visit we were able to have our own lobster dinner here in Harper. 

The special delivery contained these lobsters- or as it is pronounced in Maine- lobstahs:

 

I promptly put them in the fridge to rest and await their fate into my boiling pot of water.  Sad, I know, and I felt slightly bad about it. 

This was also in the box:  instructions- are you kidding me?  I don't need instructions, I have Louisiana roots and this is just an oversized crawfish!

Here are the first 2 victims after a dip in the stove top sauna.

Oh, the carnage that was left.  You see shells, this Lousisiana gal sees the makings of lobster stock.  Back into the pot they went to create stock which will be part of my next seafood gumbo.  The entire endeavor of preparing the feast and making stock took no less than a dozen pots, pans, bowls and various other kitchen vessels.  But it was sooooooooooo worth it!

Brazos was a non-participant in this year's lobsterfest other than to wear this bib and just look cute.

And no Maine feast would be complete without a whoopie pie for dessert.  Well perhaps blueberries would be appropriate but the whoopie pies are a regional delicacy.  Pecos took the first bite and said "I think I love these whoopie pies." 

This delectable dessert is the traditional whoopie pie- chocolate on top and bottom with white icing in the center.  It may look like a mouse worked on this one but it was Pecos.

And this here may look like mush (Casey says it looks like a pile of cow poop), but to me it is the only way to make a whoopie pie even better- put chocolate in the center.  And yes, it was delicious.  I devoured it as if calories were a non-issue!

Mainely Fun

July 2008- It was so nice to escape the Texas heat and enjoy the cool coastal weather in Maine.

Pecos got to see and do so many neat things. The beach was one of his favorite things- even though the water was frigid he was perfectly happy to play in the sand and just go knee deep into the water. He developed a taste for lobster and was eating a whole steamed lobster for dinner by the end of the week and having lots of fun playing with the claws. Watching fireworks over the Atlantic Ocean for July 4th was also a highlight and something everyone should experience at some point. The coastal lifestyle was appealing and hard to leave behind but we have horses and business to tend to at home so back to the Hill Country for us.

Hope everyone is having a great summer!!