We spent the morning of the Fourth on Popham Beach. The water was 55 degrees. Y'all that is cold, cold, cold. That is 23 degrees away from FREEZING. Cold.
We went to dip our feet in, got ankle deep. Hard pass. No. Nope. Not even. There were two other people in the water. Who were crazy. But in all fairness, we wanted a cool, cool summer (I know it's cruel, cruel) because last year in Destin it was way too hot.
After our morning at the beach Mary took us on a history tour of Malaga Island. Y'all, Maine has some dark, racist history. Talk about COLD! 1912 was a crazy year for this island. The interracial families who lived there were exiled to the island and then kicked off later. They were sent to a school for the feeble minded. I'm sorry, what? Interracial kids were thought of as feeble minded simply because they were mixed? It's been a really long time since I've started to post things on this blog again. I try to avoid politics and rants, but I can't be quiet about the continued injustices happening in our country currently, and wanted to shed light on this new found knowledge. And this would have affected Eric and me directly if we lived in Maine all those years ago. I've been reading many of the new liberal black authors over the last two summers trying to educate myself on the Black Lives Matter movement. Our book club discussed Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson last week at our home. I try to stay positive without being naive, but it is really tough with all the realities that are coming into focus. There was a fact Mr. Stevenson quoted regarding interracial marriages that 46% of the Mississippi Republican party would have voted to ban interracial marriages in 2011. THIS BLOWS MY MIND. What are people so afraid of? What were the people in Maine afraid of with regards to this quiet little island. Is it because people had just been taught it was illegal for so long without having a reason. Whew, there is so much more to discuss so I'll leave this here for now.
View of the island from Anna's Water's Edge, which was closed for the holiday. But we ran into Anna and she gave us a brochure about this historic island.
Anna's has a great plaque with information about the island. The governor today, who himself is racist as F, put up a plaque to make all things better for the ancestors of Malaga. I have a lot of feelings about this too. Too little too late, and the fact that this guy is using this dedication to his advantage is just...extra frustrating. Racism man. It's really bizarre to think of this happening in Maine.
Was the Fourth of July weird for anyone else this year?
Back to Maine, we had a little break on the Kennebunk River with beers, boats and very little patience with the passport UPS situation.
Mary and I went to the grocery store and got supplies for our 4th of July BBQ. I cooked real meat on Mary's grill for Hank. Mary and Vickie are vegetarians. I think Hank was happy with his buttermilk soaked chicken. I love that Mary has this family in Maine who are basically like her second set of parents. They are awesome and we got to see them in January when we went up for a quick weekend as well.
After dinner we walked into town as the sun was setting to listen to Hank play in the Bath Municipal Band at the gazebo.
This little town is the freaking cutest place ever. Mary calls it Mayberry. I think it's totally Stars Hollow.
The band played everything from Souza Marches to Lady Gaga. They were so good!!! They played until it got dark and the first fireworks started to boom.
We watched from the hill over the Kennebunk River.
I'm so thankful we got to spend more time with you this year Mare. Twice in 2017 and Girls Gun Club last fall. Whoohoo.
Monday morning came early as we headed up to Boothbay for an hour and a half ferry ride to Monhegan Island.
I've been obsessed with flower boxes since we moved into the new condo. I swear I'll write about the house at some point. I need to find my before and after photos to write a somewhat interesting post. But for now, know you may see many flower boxes in your future if you read here or follow me on Instagram.
We stopped by the Red Cup for coffee and breakfast for the trip.
It was a pretty chilly boat ride and a little choppy. If you get seasick, definitely plan ahead for this ride. The ten miles took approximately an hour and a half to get there.
We checked on our passports a few times. This was by far the biggest frustration. NO. ONE. ANSWERED. THE. PHONE!
But we got over it and enjoyed the ride.
Monhegan is filled with trails, rocky cliffs and glorious views of the ocean.
If you look close you can see baby, puffy tan seagulls on the cliff ledge.
This is my favorite picture from our whole trip of us. Thanks Mare!
Mary did a great job planning this second day of adventure as well as being our photographer. She's so pretty.
It was such a gorgeous day and of course I had to take pictures of all of the landscape changes.
Mary's nephew started a company called Northern Etiquette. Check it out.
We walked into town and to the Mohegan Brewing Company where we had beers and our picnic lunches at a communal picnic table. I tried something with rhubarb that was light and refreshing after the hike.
I suggest that if you have the time and five dollars take the extra ferry tour around the island. We saw seals and met the nicest people.
I got in late Thursday night for a girls weekend in Maine with some of my oldest and dearest friends. Remember this post from three years ago. We got the band back together. I went to bed that first night to find a painting I did in Traverse City during our friend Andy's wedding on the bedside table. Mary sure knows how to make a girl feel welcome.
We added a fifth band member, Bridget who got in Friday morning. We were all a little unclear of when, so the whole crew welcomed her with hilarious laughter waiting for the slowest turning door to open in the Portland airport. Notice Shannon's bling booty pockets.
Seriously, slowest door ever.
We headed straight to Gritty's for lunch, hand holding, many group photos, a few drinks and laughter. I love this photo so much.
Shannon and Mary are my two oldest and best friends from middle school. Too funny how different we are. Shan is sporting her bling jeans straight from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Mary in her Chucks. I was told specifically not to wear white jeans and Tory Burch flats on this trip. So I brought my favorite Boden boots to make Mary happy.
Our waiter wanted no part of the paparazzi.
We did some major carb loading in preparation for our girl bonding. Notice the butter pat with the mac and cheese. Good move Gritty's. This was all BEFORE I locked the keys in Mary's car. Whoopsies.
Notice the difference in the facial expressions? We had to be separated in the car. Thank goodness for Holly's cool calmness and Bridget's reminder phrase, "It's all good." Shannon and I caused little to no trouble sitting together in the back seat with Bridget. We just seat danced to Rihanna's "Drink to That" ,our unofficial theme song for these weekends.
The tow truck arrived in 20 minutes and all was saved. He had the most beautiful Irish Sheep Dogs too that were a perfect welcome to lighten the mood.
I will never be able to live this down. We couldn't really talk about it during the weekend. Too fresh. But my guess is we will laugh one day about it. (I'm kidding, we laughed about it once we were in the car.)
We got back to Bath, Maine on that chilly Friday afternoon, went to a coffee tasting at the greatest kitchen shop Now You're Cooking where the proprietor is from Bath, England. Something in the window said, "Oh my Gourd!" and it became a phrase of the weekend. I found new buffet plates for my collection. I'm seriously, seriously becoming my mother. The leaves were in full frontal fall mode.
Downtown Bath is my favorite. I could wander through the little streets, stare at the charming homes, pop in and out of shops, and sit by the water for hours.
Sexy leaf peeping.
Self timer camera hilarity. The dog is goosing Holly.
We snuggled into Mary's cozy house before heading out for dinner.
It was fun being around things and photos I grew up with as well. Like this picture. I love this wedding photo of her parents probably as much as I love my own parent's wedding photo.
And I had to take a photo of this cute photo of Mary and her siblings. I mean look at how cute that little girl is on the lower left? That's our Mare!
I can't remember who shared this video over the weekend but this is seriously the funniest thing on the internet! And if you have time click here for more laughs. Girls weekends. Aren't they just the limit?
That night we had a fantastic meal at Frontier in Brunswick, Maine.
It's funny to me that the photo our volunteer photographer took is clearer of our a$$es shot than the group shot. We just wanted to see Shannon's bling jeans again. We were after all, all about that bass.
We ended up back in Bath for karaoke, selfies through tears and dancing with good old boys at the bar. There are videos of Shannon and I dancing together when two 75 year old gentleman broke in to ask both of us to dance. We shagged liked the best of them. It was an absolute blast.
I made Cinnamon Baked French Toast late that night so we could have a lovely breakfast on Saturday morning. I may have been a little tipsy making it but it is so easy, you just have to do everything the night before. Afterwards, I force read everyone Ruth Reichl's review of Le Cirque from Garlic and Sapphires. It was a wild and crazy night.
Read more at:IngredientsFrench Toast:Butter, for greasing1 loaf crusty sourdough or French bread8 whole eggs2 cups whole milk1/2 cup whipping (heavy) cream1/2 cup granulated sugar1/2 cup brown sugar2 tablespoons vanilla extractTopping:1/2 cup all-purpose flour1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/4 teaspoon saltFreshly grated nutmeg1 stick cold butter, cut into pieces, plus more for servingWarm pancake syrup, for serving1 cup fresh blueberries, for servingSpecial equipment: 9-by-13-inch baking panDirectionsFor the French toast: Grease the baking pan with butter. Tear the bread into chunks, or cut into cubes, and evenly distribute in the pan. Crack the eggs in a big bowl. Whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Pour evenly over the bread. Cover the pan tightly and store in the fridge until needed (overnight preferably). For the topping: Mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and some nutmeg in a separate bowl. Stir together using a fork. Add the butter and with a pastry cutter, and mix it all together until the mixture resembles fine pebbles. Store in a re-sealable plastic bag in the fridge. When you're ready to bake the casserole, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the casserole from the fridge and sprinkle the topping over the top. Bake for 45 minutes for a softer, more bread pudding texture or for 1 hour or more for a firmer, crisper texture. Scoop out individual portions. Top with butter and drizzle with warm pancake syrup and sprinkle with blueberries. 2012 Ree Drummond, All Rights Reserved --ALL CREDIT GOES TO REE. This is one of my favorites so I want to cut and paste it so I'll never loose it!
Breakfast on Mary's great grandmother's china with REAL maple syrup, Saturday morning.
Day two couldn't have been more beautiful. The sun came out, it was 20 degrees warmer and we had to take Shannon to the airport in Portland so hit the long rocky beaches first to walk the dog. Mary's woodpile is pretty swoon worthy.
We drove down to Popham Beach State Park. If this isn't the most idyllic New England scene.
There is an awesome old fort there on the Kenebec River.
Notice the kayakers. It was 70 degrees.
Martin house.
Gotta love the filters on Instagram! In my memory it looked just as bright blue as this photo.
I was expecting to see Edward Hopper on the beach with his easel. This is my favorite, favorite photo of the whole weekend. I want to blow it up and frame it. The light. The red roof. The blue sky. The sea grass. It is such a pretty place.
Every home had a weather vane that was more awesome than the last.
I was capturing the day, being very slow and present and I saw a seal here while the girls were way ahead on the walk, tiring out the dog.
Another bookshelf treasure at Mary's house.
Lily running.
Bridget, Holly, Mary and Shannon went to Xavier together in Cincinnati. Mary, Shannon and I went to grade school and high school together in Kalamazoo. It was fun seeing everyone after a 9 year gap of time. Like no time had passed. We laughed our faces off. Some of us pushed each others buttons (namely me to Mary), out of love. It was so much fun just having a break in the busy fall to be able to get away to this beautiful part of the country with old friends.
The album cover.
Mary dropped us in Freeport while she took Shannon to the airport. We had a great time having lunch, some had lobster, and hit the LLBean store.
There was a pumpkin festival for Halloween and this precious doctor wanted to hear the heartbeat of the baseball mascot. I mean is that darling?
We drove to Boothbay for the sunset. What a piece of heaven on earth.
The light was just perfect. Mary and I became friends again and all was right with the world.
Lobster bait net.
Two lighthouses in the distance.
Holly gave me the idea for this shot. There were stacked stones all over this area. Very zen. A perfect place to pray.
Pink sky at night.
Thanks so much for the fun weekend Mary! It was great seeing everyone. Love your face.
