Pumpkin Picking with Grandpa in Maine

We visited with my Dad and my sister Amy in Maine last weekend. Dad had grown some pumpkins for the kids, and took them out in the garden to harvest them.


It was a sweet moment for me. I remember as a child Dad growing pumpkins for Amy and I; he would put a mason jar with water next to the pumpkins, cut a slit in the shell and run a piece of cheesecloth from the slit in the pumpkin to the water in the jar. Somehow this would make the pumpkins grow larger.

I love the look on James' face in this photo:


He gave Ella a smaller "pupin" as she calls them; she carried it around the yard all afternoon!


Here's a shot of Dad and Ella that I fooled around with in Photoshop--I think that the hazy quality really captures my nostalgic feelings while I look at it.


The foliage was amazing--Autumn is definitely my favorite time of year! Happy pumpkin picking!

A July Visit to Grandpa's

We headed up to Maine this weekend to spend some time with my Dad and Sister Amy. Unfortunately we had wet weather, but we made the best of it! I think the highlight of the visit was when Dad and Amy took James down to the creek to go fishing. Dad fashioned James a fishing rod from a sapling like he did for Amy and I when we were little. The headed down to the creek in nice weather and on the way back got hid with a nice mid-summer downpour!

Just look at that smile on James' face. He LOVES his Grandpa! Ella as you can see is giving her new look to the camera, the one where she lowers her head and looks at you from beneath her eyelashes.

Here's Ell, Dad and I. Isn't my little sweetheart the cutest? And Dad just showers her with kisses. There's nothing quite like seeing your parent with your children. It's a very precious sight.


Here's Ella trying out her demure look:


And James being his regular goofball self:


Dad treated us to Maine lobstah and haddock on Saturday night, and my sister made us an old-fashioned chocolate sheetcake. What a feast!

We came home with a car loaded down with goodies, including a vintage folk art rocking horse, a ride-on plane from a dear family friend, tons of belated birthday gifts for James from his Auntie Amy, and some special items for Chris and I from Dad, including a beautiful painting of a Greyhound.

I meant to take more photos from around my childhood home, but the weather just did not cooperate. Maybe next time!

What Do Wee Ones Do When Visiting Grandpaw?

They feed the horses,

they visit with their Auntie Amy,


they bed down the stalls,


they run around in the fresh air,


they learn how to ride a bike,


and they make their Grandpaw smile,
and smile,
and
SMILE!

Thanksgiving In Maine

We spent Thanksgiving in Maine with my Dad and my sister. They did a great job putting on the whole shindig--turkey and all the trimmings!

I brought two pies, apple and pumpkin, which were quite possibly the worst ones I have ever made. I don't usually falter in the baking area--not really sure what happened, but they were not good. Oh well--everything else was great, (especially my sister's yeast rolls, of which I had three.)

Before we sat down to eat we headed out to see the new miniature horse that is being boarded at the farm down the road. Dad showed Ella how to feed him some apples. His mouth is so small that teh apples have to be cut into quarters for him to get them in his mouth!!


Then James had to have his traditional ride on the old McCormick Farmall tractor.


I snapped this shot of Chris and Ella--adorable. I love the way he is looking at her, and the new hairstyle she is sporting (which reminds me of Little Cindy Lou Who from the Grinch).


Finally, Dad tried to snap a family photo of us for our Christmas card.Lots of squirming, laughing, yelling, and overall antics and a few minutes later this is the best we came up with! Hmm . . this may work, afterall. It certainly is REAL!!! (James' tongue and all!)


I hope you all had a wonderful holiday with your family. Happy Thanksgiving!

Farewell, Old Boy

Le-Sa and Sonny Boy grazing - Summer 2004

I was saddened to learn that my Dad had to make a decision to put down my horse Sonny Boy (in the above photo on the right) last week.

He was a Morgan-Quarter Horse cross. My parents purchased him for me in 8th grade (if I remember correctly) and he was my gaming horse. Once the Kennebec Gaming Champion, Sonny Boy was very quick and adept at running barrels.

We think that he was about 35 at the end of his life. That is a long time for a horse--but I attribute it to the fact that once I went to college, he and Le-Sa (my cinnamon and sugar Appaloosa Arabian cross) were put out to pasture. Each and every day the two of them could meander through acres and acres of gorgeous, lush, green fields with a fresh water pond and not a care in the world.

We lost Le-Sa a couple of years ago, and we knew that Sonny's time was nearing. The vet came out and eased him out of this world and into the next, with my Dad sitting by Sonny's side, cradling his head.

That Sonny-Boy was a brat, for sure. Always pushing his way to the grain, the apples, taking a bigger share of hay, what have you. He was mean--and he would try to step on your feet, shove you against the stall wall, and throw you if he got too hot under the saddle.

But, he taught me how to handle an ornery horse, how to never let my guard down, and how to love unconditionally.

My Dad has been his keeper all those years since I left for school. Every day, feeding, watering, grooming, giving apples and carrots and pats on the neck. I know those horses were better for it.

Thanks, Dad, for doing everything that you could to give those horses the best home possible.

And to Sonny Boy--I know that you are galloping around horse heaven right now with Le-Sa, and she is probably pissed because you are undoubtedly shoving her away from the oats. Try and be nice to her, old boy.

Father's Day Weekend in Maine

We headed to Maine to spend Father's Day Weekend with my Dad. It was GREAT. Chris suggested that when I post the photos I ask James to narrate. His comments are in italics.

Grandpa and Jamesy picking strawberries!



We picked 11 strawberries.


I am holding a really big strawberry! I ate it and vanilla ice ream.


Here are honking geese that are eating bushes!


That's Jamesy with flowers and holding a nectarine. (I don't see a nectarine in this picture, but O.K.!)


Some flowers from around the house:




Strawberries! (As you can see, there are more than 11 here.) We ate them over Gifford's vanilla ice cream. James even had seconds!


Playing baseball and then going to the tractors. (Don't you love the goose in the background, getting right in on the game?)


More flowers. I think Dad said the Daisies are Buckeyes? I'll have to check.


Here is Dad on Saturday evening before we headed to the hotel, bringing Gaby the Goose right into the car to say goodbye to James! (Is that a riot, or what!! I LOVE MY DAD.)



Daddy and Baby Sister! I really love this photo--there was a very, very light misty rain coming down and the little droplets were collecting in Ella's eyelashes. She was blinking ever so sweetly.


Jamesy riding a tractor! The tractor was out of the barn getting worked on. It seemed much larger than before!


You feed a horse with your hand out. Dad was showing James how to hold his hand out flat. That will be a lesson that could stand some repeating!


Jamesy riding on Flash like a cowboy! Yes, here he is riding alone. My heart was in my throat, but Flash is a very good and patient boy. Dad showed James how to hold on to Flash's mane and he did great!



Aw it's Grandpa and Mommy.


Flash! Isn't he gorgeous? Sonny Boy is getting older, and was a little camera shy.



Baby Sister and Daddy! Chris was asking her if there was butter on her chin. LOVE THAT!


I am riding in Grandpa's car like a big boy! Mmmmm . . . yup. Its a tradition when we go see the horses--they are a little ways down the road and since it was raining we drove.


I hope everyone had a great weekend!

A Weekend in Brunswick, Part I

We headed up to Maine on Saturday and enjoyed a quiet and sunny weekend with my Dad and sister. Our plans were to hit Danny's on the town green for hotdogs, Cote's a little further up Maine Street (yes, it is spelled M-A-I-N-E) for ice cream and then spend the rest of the day with Dad at the house.

James and I people watching.

I just love spending a few hours on the town green in Brunswick. It brings back all sorts of great childhood memories--and I am happy to be able to make new memories with my own kids.

Ella enjoying the sunshine.

The town green is like many quintessential New England town greens--it extends nearly all the way down Maine Street and has a large pavilion on one end where bands play during the summer. In the winter the town floods part of it for ice skating.


One of the elegant old homes that line the green.

Brunswick's town green is always teeming with a mix of families with young children playing ball, older residents of the town enjoying ice cream on a bench, Bowdoin college kids out for an afternoon free from their studies, and tourists who will stand in line for a half an hour for a famous Danny's chili and cheese dog. This weekend, I was proud to count myself as a local who would stand in line just as long to support my local hotdog vendor!

A fun old car that cruised down for a day on the green.

My sister, Amy and I.

The famous "Maine Street" sign.

Danny's red and white trailer has been a fixture on the green for as long as I can remember. He only serves steamed hot dogs and cheeseburgers hot off the grill, and chips and soda--but that is IT. And let me tell you, there is only one place that rivals a Danny's hotdog in my opinion, and that is the White Hut in West Springfield, MA. (But--those are grilled, so it is a totally different hot dog experience!)

Pure hotdog heaven.

Over the years other trailers pop up on the mall, this year there was one selling fresh squeezed lemonade, and another selling tacos. They never had more than a couple of tourists at them. We overheard a couple ask the guy managing the lemonade / hotdog stand why there were upwards of 40 people patiently standing in line a few feet away at the Danny's trailer, and he said, "A 25 year habit is tough to break, I guess.) HE'S RIGHT!

We spotted a Maine Black Bear on Maine Street!

Anyhow, we got our dogs, scoped out a bench and had a great time people watching. There were tons of dogs--big ones, like the Newfoundland pictured above, small ones, you name it--playing frisbee, lounging in the sun, hoping for a bite of a Danny's dog.


The crazy line for ice cream at Cote's.

Next we headed up the street to Cote's ice cream. They make their own (I can't imagine in the 12" x 12" shack that they sell it out of) and it is awesome. Ever had Grapenut ice cream? Gifford's and Shady Glen are the only other places I've seen it--but I like Cote's the best. Chris had some kind of ice cream with WHOLE Reeses PB cups in it. Amy got the mint choc chip, and James had some soft serve vanilla. Oh yeah, and we did it all over again on Sunday!!!!!

Chris and I soaking it all in.

What a fantastic day. I love my hometown. I'll post Part II of this entry next!