Whoopie! It's the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival

{photo via Like The Dew}

Start working up your appetite for the sweet goodness of Maine's favorite dessert -- whoopie pies! This Saturday is the 2010 Maine Whoopie Pie Festival.

What, you aren't familiar with a whoopie pie? Say it isn't so. Well, it is THE sweetest dessert on the planet, for certain. And, around Maine it's commonplace (and, you'll find them in all sorts of flavors) -- I think it safe to say that many households make their own (though I must admit I never have). 

I think Wikipedia describes it best...

A whoopie pie (alternatively called a gob, black-and-white, bob, or "BFO" for Big Fat Oreo) is a baked good made of two round mound-shaped pieces of chocolate cake, sometimes pumpkin cake, with a sweet, creamy frosting sandwiched between them.^[1] While considered a New England phenomenon and a Pennsylvania Amish tradition,^[2] they are increasingly sold throughout the United States.^[1] According to food historians, Amish women would bake these (known as hucklebucks at the time) and put them in farmers' lunchboxes. When farmers would find these treats in their lunch, they would shout "Whoopie!"^[1]


Intrigued to try this sweet treat? Or, already consider yourself a whoopie pie connoisseur and ready to cast your vote? Well, now's your chance. On June 26th (this Saturday), Dover-Foxcroft will become whoopie pie central with the arrival of the 2010 Whoopie Pie Festival. Professional and amateur bakers will let you sample (and vote!) their creations. And, of course, the festival will have a whole host of other activities too--including a performance by Dave Mallet.

101 Things To Do

Yes, indeed, I have 101 things to do. But, that's not what this blog post is about, thankfully.

I recently learned (thanks for the tip, Kate!) of this really wonderful website called Maine: 101 Things to Do. A comprehensive list of 101 uniquely Maine things to do. Whether you are looking for a unique adventure like catching your own lobster or simply looking for some scenic drives -- this should be your go-to site. Maps. Coupons. An at-a-glance list of today's happenings. You name it, they got it. I know I'll be frequenting this site -- hope you will too!

Green Time

{image via Sprout}

As we established a few days ago, summer has officially arrived. In my life that means for the next few months I'm trying to cram in a whole lot of summer living. In the spirit of slowing down, I'm hoping to not be a slave to a schedule.

The reality is, however, (though my husband will disagree with me on this point!), that one does always need to know the time. And, well, I keep looking at my grown-up metal watch and thinking that I'd like to spice things up a bit. So, I was pretty pumped to find this cool watch. It comes in a million colors (including subdued colors-- but, c'mon it's summer!) -- but, this blue and green combo is my favorite.

Here's the real bonus -- it is $24 -- and VERY green.

A green watch? Yup. You bet. Here are some of the green features:

• Sprout® watches have fabric bands made from green materials -- organic cotton, bamboo, and corn resin (corn resin will actually break down in a compostable environment!).
• Sprout® lenses are made from Mineral crystal which is a type of glass made from sand. It can technically be recycled.
• Sprout® packaging is made from at least 80% post consumer fibers. It is both recycled and recyclable.
• Sprout® batteries are mercury-free.
• Sprout watches are entirely lead and phthalate free

So, what are you waiting for...swap out whatever is on your wrist for this fun AND green watch.

Tooth Fairy Crisis

You'd think I'd have this - the toothy fairy thing -- all figured out. Afterall, my daughter has been desperately trying to lose a tooth for the entire last year. And, maybe, just maybe, I would have stepped up the planning when her bottom tooth got REALLY wiggly a week ago. Not even the hourly, "See how loose it is Mama" reminders seemed to kick me into gear.

But, when the tooth came out at 5 p.m. tonight and she proudly displayed it in her hand, panic set in.

I know there is a protocol for this. I'm certain. I just don't know what it is. Shoot, I wondered -- what does the tooth fairy do these days? In my day, the tooth fairy left a quarter. Seemed reasonable, though somehow it seems inflation must have changed this. But, what if the other kids in the 'hood have a fairy that does something different...maybe everybody here is on the same page...and the mystique of the tooth fairy could be blown by me. Ugh. Such pressure.We'll just have to chart our own course on this, I guess.

My daughter and I had sewed a little pouch in anticipation of losing a tooth and, it turns out, she had been keeping close tabs on it so she actually handed it to me and said, "what do we do with this?".  I said, "oh, right, well, you'll put your tooth in that pouch and put it under your pillow." "BUT, MAMA....we were supposed to make a tooth on it so the tooth fairy knows what it is!". I tried to dissuade her of this idea, but the long -- the very long - face made me desperately unpack all the carefully packed up boxes (in the process of a move here) in search of a felting needle and wool...or something. I found some embroidery thread and needle and set to work stitching a tooth on the outside of the pouch. (Okay, CLEARLY, I need some serious work on my embroidery skills...). The proud little (toothless) smile my little one flashed made me realize that the mad dash was worth it.

Cute little pouch with cute little tooth from my cute little girl placed under pillow in great anticipation of the tooth fairy.

Phew. Crisis overted.

Um, well, until, it turns out, we (my husband and I) realized we didn't know (read: weren't on the same page) what the tooth fairy would leave behind.

After discussion (one must discuss these things, of course), we agreed upon (and implemented) our plan.

Let's just hope we have been consistent enough to pass the laugh test. :)

Now, onto more important things like watching my little girl figure out her new smile, how to eat with a missing tooth and the like.

What does the tooth fairy do at your house?

It's Official

Summer has officially arrived. It's summer solstice today, in case you didn't know!

My Summer Wishes:

• little girls (my girls) who are sweaty, dirty and tired from having so much fun
• listening to music -- in outdoor parks and in cabins on Sundays at "camp"
• camping (at least once) with my family (wish us luck...Baby R promises to challenge us in this arena)
• boat rides in our  little Morning Star in Merrymeeting Bay and down the Kennebec and Back Rivers
• sand in my toes
• swimming in favorite secret (and not-so-secret) swimming holes
• listening to (and watching) fishing stories...and hopefully eating some fresh fish (trout or stripers!)
• eating lobster on a dock -- the only way I believe it should be eaten
• more meals outside than in
• summer carnivals/fairs -- the kind that serve strawberry shortcake and fresh squeezed lemonade)
• frequent (and impromptu -- the best kind!) gatherings of family and friends
• watermelon, watermelon, watermelon
• ice cream (preferably locally made) chins
• sand castles

What are YOUR summer wishes?

Happy Father's Day

{Me and My Dad 40+ Years Ago}

I am a really lucky girl. Really lucky.

I just so happen to have the greatest father on earth. Truly.

As a Dad, he set the standard high. Really high.

I grew up thinking that all Dads were really funny and really fun. I thought all Dads played with their kids; took their kids on outdoor outings every day of the weekend (like it or not); showed up at games and dance recitals; scheduled weekly one-on-one special times with us; and more or less dropped everything to be there when we needed him. (As an adult, I've come to realize, sadly, that this isn't true for so many.)

Unfortunately, my Dad's life was cut short --much too short.

And, I miss him terribly. There honestly isn't a day that goes by when I don't think of him.

One of the greatest parenting challenges (so far!) I face is trying to find a way to have my girls know their grandfather without ever having met him. All while making sure that we don't dwell in the past. It isn't easy.

Lucky for me,  I married a man who is a really wonderful Dad to our two girls. So my girls will grow up like me, believing that fathers are this wonderful...this special. That's the way life should be.

Happy father's day to all you wonderful fathers.

Celebrations - oh my!

 {photo via Film and Thread}

Wow, who knew June 18th could be such a busy day?

As I've been saying all week, it's Etsy's birthday. This, of course, means we are supposed to be celebrating by participating in or hosting a craft party. But, it also means, in my book, that I'll just have to celebrate with some Etsy shopping. Yippee!

But, lo and behold, June 18th is also...are you ready?....National Picnic Day. What a splendidly important day to celebrate, don't you think?

So, now, of course, I have picnics on the brain. Oh, how I love a picnic!  What do you like to pack in your picnic basket? A loaf of artisan bread and cheese? Fried chicken and potato salad? Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Sandwiches from the local sandwich shop?

For years, I have dreamed of having one of those fancy vintage-style picnic baskets (picnic hampers is actually what I think they are called.). You know, the kind with the real flatware, glasses and plates and checkered napkins? It goes hand-in-hand with my image of pulling up to a Maine coastal hide-away in a vintage pick-up truck (or convertible, I'm flexible).

But, my actual life lends itself more to an insulated backpack or perhaps an insulated market tote:

I am, however, totally inspired to step back into my romantic vision of life and get one of these eco-friendly options (e.g. bamboo plates, cutting board and utensils, wine glasses made from recycled glass, natural and undyed cotton napkins; etc.) from Uncommon Goods. How cool is the little wine and cheese table!?!

And, in the spirit of keeping children busy (a reality of my actual life) and giving Etsy another nod, here is the perfect felt picnic basket for your little one!

Other Shopping Resources (Besides Uncommon Goods & Etsy):