Signs of Spring Required

There is rumor of a big snow storm on Friday.

I love snow - and I love winter. But, hello, it's Spring now. I'm done. I'm a fair weather person like that.

The reality is, however, in the two places where I hang my hat, Spring comes in fits and starts - and sometimes never comes at all. As a survival tactic, I look for signs of Spring...sings of change wherever I can find them. The next few days here at Maine-ly Home will feature some of the signs I find...

How's it looking in your neck of the woods?

Still Soaking Up the Sweetness

This past weekend was, among other things, Maine Maple Sunday. A holiday not-to-be-missed around here! Since I've already bored you many times with the details of this obsession, I'll spare you from too many more.

This year we went (as always) to Goransan's Farm in Dresden. Then, set out to find a new sugarhouse -- Mitchell and Savage Maple Farm in Bowdoin. Both fun in their own way, though I am so smitten with the barns and sugarshack at Mitchell and Savage Maple Farm that I'm having trouble sleeping. I know, I'm wierd like that.

A few photos of our Maine Maple Sunday adventures....

{Checking for sap}

{sisters looking at baby goats]

{the barns that are keeping me awake at night}

{the scene. Maine-rs waiting for some fresh maple syrup over vanilla ice cream. we like simple things like that here.}

{the to-die-for sugarshack}

{my little sugar all-sugared-out}

Rites of Spring

My husband doesn't (or, rather, didn't) believe me.

I told him that going to Fat Boy's Drive-In (Yes, we have 1950s-style drive-in restaurants here!) was a rite of Spring here in Midcoast Maine.

He laughed as he climbed in the car to go to the drive-in for the opening last week.

When we got there (much later than I had hoped), there was a line of cars out on the street waiting for a spot. One look (or, was it a listen...?) at the two hungry children in the back and we knew it was not happening tonight.

Major disappointment for all. Even my husband. By now, he'd realized the truth -- it is a rite of Spring (later confirmed by headlines in the paper).We would return soon, we promised the sad little seven year old who had her heart set on eating a grilled cheese and lemonade in the car tonight.

If you haven't been to Fat Boys, you've got to try it. Just once. (Your arteries and waistline beg you, just once.) The drive-in opened in 1955 -- and it looks like a thing hasn't change (though I happen to know that in a Nor-easter a few years back, the coveted sign was destroyed - and now replaced with an identical, though much shinier, sign).

To be there for opening week/weekend is a gift. Okay, that's a totally ridiculous statement. It's not a gift. But, it is an awesome scene. A parking lot of people in their cars ready to embrace summer (even though it is still months away). But, the greasy food and warm-enough (or at least snow-free-enough) weather for waitresses to come to your car are signs of hope for Maine-rs who have been hunkered down for months.

While I'm well aware of this iconic institution - I'm really a newbie. I'd driven by it one zillion times, for certain. But, it wasn't until a decade ago when my Uncle Charlie introduced me to the place.

While we don't eat there but once or twice a year, I'm so glad to know about it -- it is such a classic scene. The minute you park your car, you are transported to the 50s. You find yourself desperately trying to find an oldies station to replace NPR. And, when the tray of burgers (or, crab rolls) and shakes shows up on the tray hanging from your car window, you are have expecting to catch a glimpse of the Fonz nearby. And, in a week where tragedy still looms in Japan and war is raging in the Middle East -- it is nice, if only for a minute, to escape to a different time.

PS. We did, in fact, make it back a few days later. And to prove how infrequently I let my girls eat fries, I've included this photo of my youngest nursing her fry...

A Sweet Weekend on Tap

It's here. It's finally here. Well, almost. Maine Maple Sunday is just a couple of days away - and I can't wait. If you've been following me, you know Maine Maple Sunday is one of my favorite holidays (yes, I think of it as a holiday which should tell you something!). If you haven't followed me, you might want to read about this personal obsession here or here.

Maine Maple Sunday, the fourth Sunday of March each year, is the day when sugarhouses around the state open their doors to let everyone join in this annual rite of spring--sugaring (which is the fancy New England word for making maple syrup). As you drive around the state, you'll see steam rising from the sugar houses and have the opportunity to partake in all sorts of maple-infused festivities from pancake breakfasts to maple syrup sundaes. The farms will be busy with visitors all decked out in their mud boots and great big smiles.

And, if you are lucky, you'll hear some fiddlers and singers singing this chorus of "Maple Sweet", an early nineteenth century New England folk song

Oh! Bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble goes the pan,
Furnish sweeter music for the season if you can,
See the golden billows, watch their ebb and flow.
Sweetest joys indeed, we sugar makers know.

It is a very happy and very sweet day. Looking for Maine Maple Sunday events?

How to Create Creative Learning Spaces In Your Home

{images via here}



I try really hard to create little creative spaces for my kids. Baskets of holiday or season specific books stashed in a reading corner with a pillow. Baskets of holiday or season specific art supplies for make cards and pictures. Readily accessible, high-quality art supplies. Blank books. Blank paper. Imaginary play things.


But, I envision even more.

Maybe it is the piece of me that always wanted to be a preschool teacher. Maybe it is the piece of me that still dreams of opening an art space for kids (and grownups!). Maybe it is the part of me that misses spontaneous creativity.

I struggle at times to find the best way to create creative play space within our home -- we don't have a lot of extra space -- and, I'll admit that I get frustrated by lots of extra stuff (clutter) everywhere. We don't have a playroom. I always say this is intentional - we want our kids to play in family space. Truth is, I also don't have the space for a separate playroom.

Anyhow, I couldn't be more excited about this resource and blog my Aunt Cathy (thanks, Aunt C!) pointed me to this a.m. - and, even better, the site is offering a giveaway -- a 6-week ecourse on creating creative spaces (say that three times fast!). Needless to say, I've entered -- you should too!

I'm Not Blogging in Support of Japan

I'm joining other bloggers tomorrow in going silent for the day (you won't see a post here!) in support of the ongoing tragedy in Japan. Please think about donating to disaster relief.

Celebrating The Green

I don't believe we have even a tiny bit of Irish in us, but that doesn't stop us from celebrating. After all, we live in a town that devotes an entire week to St. Patrick's Day, kicking off with a parade....and, ending, well, with a whole lot of partying at the local Irish pub.

Thanks to my mother-in-law, my girls looked awfully festive (though a little grumpy in nearly all the photos I snapped - what's up with that?) today! And, my eldest was most relieved that she was guaranteed not to be pinched.