last week we celebrated our independence by celebrating my favorite holiday “JULY 4th” (which happened to be a wednesday) in midcoast + downeast maine. we wandered for 5 days….some backroads, some byways – all wonderful.
great finds + 1sts
GARLAND FARM – bar harbor maine
garland farm was the home of beatrix farrand, a ground breaking leader in the field of landscape design + plant study. her story is interesting…and to be frank “she was a real hoot” (that’s a big compliment in our book). you can read her story via the link below…or even better….visit garland farm!
these small, but perfect gardens were designed specifically to show best from the inside, looking out. the far right was outside clementine’s room (beatrix’s companion from childhood) and contains more soft yellows and a wider range of color than the remainder of the garden. to the far left is the garden outside of beatrix’s room (now a lovely library for research + reading) – same design but mostly pinks + purples. the center is a heather, lavender + heath garden under restoration.
the cistern is stunning – i want one (or two)
from the gardens overlooking the ‘pollinator garden’ – we missed the full sea of blooming lupines by a week or two
get more info on Garland Farm + Beatrix Farrand garland farm
also, not to be missed the asticou gardens (beatrix donated many of the azaleas to her reef point neighbor to start this garden) the the thuya gardens (which can be reached by car or a lovely trail from acadia)
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LUNAFORM – sullivan maine
at last…a rainy day and a visit to LUNAFORM (which made me feel like the sun was shining). words can not describe the beauty of this work – we were ENTHRALLED! i will let the photos speak for themselves!
thank you phid, dave and all the team for giving us a view into the lunaform world + works. we loved every minute!
check out the LUNAFORM website + catalog!
MAE – blue hill maine
we were SO BUSY shopping we forgot to take more photos….so just take our word for it – if you’re in the blue hill area definitely stop at MAE. injiri, nuthatch, studio412, pipsqueak, lisab….and as you can see above – our friends stitch + tickle and pilgrimwaters
see what’s happening @ MAE
BUCKLYN COFFEE – blue hill maine
ARAGOSTA – stonington maine
found by chance….we will be back! light, airy – fantastically friendly professional service…and great food (and menu). a little lunch on a rainy day – next time we hope to dine on the waterfront deck.
did i mention the menu….small + perfect.
arriving in the summer – i suggest reservations! see more about the chef + the story @ aragosta.
DEVTA DOOLAN
while looking for a gallery ‘we thought was right here’ we wandered into the Devta Doolan Gallery…we almost didn’t leave. again, i forgot to get the camera out – too enamored with what was in the cases + on the shelves…and talking to Devta – who is cool, interesting, nice….so here are photos of just a bit of Devta’s work.
maureen honed right onto this cuff – gold, platinum, the ultimately designed clasp….and undeniably gorgeous.
be sure to stop at the gallery – Devta has other artisans + jewelers….and a stunning collection (1 case) of his jewelry in rich ruby/deep coral/magnificent magenta stones. vavavoom!
Devta Doolan (blog is fun too)
SUZUKIS SUSHI – rockland maine
a super fun find – i saw this on the eater ‘hot list’ and thought we should try it….also our 1st foray into cold sake – we did a flight!
wonderful food, cool maine vibe – watching keiko prepare + converse with the counter crowd is great fun. unfortunate lack of ample AC made it a bit clammy – try in cooler weather.
“tried + true” – but we never tire of these places
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
remember last week? what’s that song “it’s too damn hot, it’s too damn hot”? well, due to weather we have no ‘new trail recommendations’ this year – we spent most of our time at sand beach (in the 58 degree water – cool, clear, clean water) – people + seal watching.
what is new is the BUUBLY + POPOVER menu item at the Jordan Pond House. the umbrellas were big and there was an ever so slight breeze off the pond. and what could be more fun than sipping bubbly while looking at bubble rock?
18 CENTRAL OYSTER BAR + GRILL – rockport maine
this is our second year vacationing on the midcoast….and like last year we had reservations for one night….and went back a 2nd night…it’s that good.
we are appetizer, shared plates or entree people…seldom do we make it to ‘the dessert round’ – so glad we did this year – a brulee’d lemon cake
our 1st evening of vacation – the PERFECT OYSTERS – otter cover, damariscotta + shiny sea, PEI – 1st time tries, both moved onto the TOP 5 list. small, briny, clean + clear….another dozen please! perfectly shucked (of course) by damien! the total menu is grand – we recommend the finnan haddie + fingerling potato salad (modern old school) – definitely a share. the scallops + pork belly were divine! the halibut – perfection.
reservations definitely recommended
PEMAQUID BEACH – bristol maine
right back to the ‘too damn hot’ thing – 3 days under umbrella, checking off my summer reading list (espionage, double secret espionage…thrillers + murder mysteries only!)
DAMARISCOTTA RIVER CRUISE – damariscotta maine
we ‘mixed it up’ this year + scheduled a ‘happy hour cruise’ (we are usually on the afternoon cruise)….a different look on the river…waning sun, sparkling rose, otter cove oysters (2 days in a row for one of our ‘new favorites’) + the ultimate host and hostess Chip + Olga. this is a not-to-be-missed (and often repeated) tour!
TRENTON LOBSTER – trenton maine
right at the ‘gateway to mt desert’ – fresh, friendly, delicious, uber clean…and did i say delicious? have your cooler ready (they don’t sell ice) – lobster roll perfection…open at 8am! i forgot the photos – but here’s the link. go there! buy there! you will not be disappointed.
ALDMERE FARM – rockport maine
love the drive through rockport to camden….aldmere farm belted galloways (yes, i do have a ‘favorite kind of cow’).
made it through our wanderings? well, that makes you one of the 1st to know we will be having an ever so ‘petite vente de trottoir’ (that’s supposed to be SIDEWALK SALE) on friday, july 13th + saturday, july 14th. select containers/planters, small annuals, jewelry…and indoors select ceramics, tabletop, wool throw rugs…and whatever whim possesses maureen tomorrow morning.
