Strawberries, Strawberries, Strawberries!

Late June into the first few days (or maybe a week or so into July depending on the Spring) strawberry season hits Maine. And, oh how delicious it is! I'm not sure what I like more, the experience of picking them or eating them in their various forms. Jam. Shortcake. Blended. Straight up.

Of course, like many things in Maine (except for winter), the season is short-lived and Maine-rs expend a lot of energy trying to preserve this summer goodness to enjoy all year long. I, however, have never canned a thing. I'm totally intimidated by it. I really want to try it - and I think this year might be the year.

On Sunday, the four of us set out to pick strawberries. And, man was the pickin' good. In less than 45 minutes we had picked 16 pounds of some of the most beautiful berries ever. So, while I try to get my nerve up to can, I've already put half of these strawberries to use. I've made six pints of freezer jam (this is SO easy -- so do it!). I've frozen berries for smoothies. I've made shortcake for 20.

We had PBJ sandwiches today with freshly made jam today -- and, it was wonderful. But, I'm still thinking about the wonderful time we had picking.

All Before Noon the Fourth of July

A snapshot of a classic Fourth of July morning in New England?

Uncle Sam Leads the Neighborhood Parade

Bicyclists in the Parade (Note for future: Crepe paper and humidity don't mix.)

Miss Grumpy on Her Float

Proud Cyclist - Her First Time Cycling in a Parade

King of the Parade

Worn Out, But Taking it All In

The Line Up

The Littlest Sack Racer Tumbles

Lollipop Race: Score!

Practicing for Water Balloon Toss

Gearing up for the Three Legged Race. The leg length discrepancy is, as guessed, a handicap.

Tug O War Complete with Motivating Fire Hose

Young Winners and

Older Winners

Going home for a nap...winnings and all.

Weekend Egg Toss Restores Faith in Humankind

Okay, it's not that I don't have faith in humankind. I do. I really do. But, sometimes it seems we live in a world that is increasingly competitive, divided and, well, self-focused. This weekend at my Mom's neighborhood fourth of July festivities, my faith was restored.

Picture this, if you will. A neighborhood of families engaged in the annual fourth of July field games. Sack races. Balloon toss. Egg Toss. Tug o war. Some of the games kindly group competitions by age --giving those young and inexperienced (and perhaps the elderly and over-experienced) a chance. But, the egg toss is an exception. It is a a generation-wide competition. And, as far as I can tell in the couple of years I've been going to this gathering--it's super competitive. I think families have held winning titles for generations. This year, titles -- and, perhaps some pride - cast aside.

As the gap between tossers widened, my daughter and her cousin (one year her elder-visiting from Maui) kept tossing. Their tosses (particularly my daughter's) came no where near they were supposed to reach. But, each cousin ran to whereever the egg would drop and roll and pick it up and return to their spot. The judges and the fewer and fewer remaining contestants gracefully ignored the fact that the girls, by all standards, should have been disqualified many tosses before. As I sat in awe, admiration and amusement from the sidelines, I wondered what inspired the competitors to toss the rules aside. Was it the awe of the fact that the egg that repeatedly dropped and bounced never broke? Or, was it the determination (and pride) of two little girls? Whatever it was, it was a beautiful, beautiful thing.

The girls took home first place ribbons for the egg toss -- and, quite honestly, I am not sure I've ever seen two little girls quite so proud.

Thank you to all those Wildwood players and judges for your grace -- and to that chicken who laid one amazingly strong egg.

Divine Giveaway

If you are a Maine-ly Home follower, you already know I'm a huge fan of Divine Twine and Whisker Graphics. If you aren't a regular, check out this post, or this post. 

Divine Twine comes in yummy colors and can be used in one zillion ways. Become a follower of Whitney's blog and you'll how lots of people are putting Divine Twine to use.

Right now, there's an awesome giveaway for some aqua blue Divine Twine. Enter the giveaway.

Another Awesome Giveaway

Okay, I promise, I'm not becoming a blog just posting about other blog/site giveaways -- but, when the giveaways are this good, I can't resist.

The Waldorf Shop has re-launched its site and in celebration, has lots of great giveaways, including felt from my favorite felt source, A Child's Dream. Check it out!

Oh, Hey, It's Summer!

{photo via my mom}



Today marks the official first day of Summer. And, here in Maine, the weather forecast promises a real summer day. Yahoo!


Unfortunately, I'll be glued to by computer working for much of the day.

But, I still plan to enjoy a bit of summer with my girls before the day is done. We'll eat an early dinner outside before heading to a concert at the town gazebo. And, maybe, just maybe, if all goes well, we'll walk by the new, totally awesome in-town ice cream shop.

Signs of Early Summer in Maine:

• Fields of lupine appear everywhere.
• Sea-side lobster shacks open for business.
• People eat outside all the time. (Wander through our town in the evening and just take a whiff of the awesome grilling smells and listen to the laughter - mostly - of families enjoying a meal outside.)
• Skunks appear. (I am generally a very tolerant person. But, I truly hate skunks. I have major issues with skunks. Just ask my husband or my mother.)
• 1 in 3 (I'm guessing here) cars either has a boat trailed behind or a kayak or canoe pinned to the top.
• There are a lot of people "from away" around. (Many years ago, my mom and dad instituted --- after a summer of houseguests nearly every week of the summer -- a rule that no one could come visit in the summer, unless they also came at some point in the winter.)
• People are busily working on their houses and their yards.
• Strawberries are starting to appear.
• Farmer's markets are humming with excitement.
• Rather than asking a friend or neighbor "how are you?" you ask, "how's the garden coming along?"

What does summer look like in your neck of the woods?

This Place Matters - Please Vote

{photo via here}

I happen to live in a fantastic little town (how many times have I said this?) where great efforts have been poured into preserving the amazing historic structures that surround us. Like many people in this town, I live in a historic home that is 170+ years old. And, while there are days when I'd love to swap in this old beast for a newbie, most of the time I relish the opportunity to live in a piece of history. There is something very grounding about living in a place that has stood the test of time.

 

Anyhow, one of our town's buildings, the Winter Street Center (formerly the Winter Street Congregational Church - this building now serves as a building for events) has been selected as one of the 100 historic preservation projects competing in the "This Place Matters Community Challenge" sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. And, WE (anyone online!) can help make sure that this building wins - and receives a price of either $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000. This money is needed to make important restorations.

EVERY VOTE COUNTS! This place is the only place in Maine in the contest.  Others have many more people right in their area.  We need to get people from all over to help -- so spread the word!

Here's what you need to do: it only takes a few seconds!

1. Click here http://tinyurl.com/687rqmu

2. On the right in the blue box click on 'Register or Get a Password Reminder'

3. Enter your email and zip code and press submit

4. (here's the BIG tip) hit your back button 3x and you can vote right there!