Second-Annual Maine-Cation

Last month, my sister, parents, and I went on the second-annual Maine-Cation. Well, it's the second annual trip for me, anyway. My parents and younger sister have been there five times now, and they still constantly talk about moving there when my dad retires. 

Besides being absolutely beautiful, the thing about Maine is that we always find something new to do. This year, we did the usual kayaking and cycling down to the general store. But this time, we rented the pontoon boat and took it out to Mt. Kineo.

Once we got there, we just parked it and swam in the water or laid in the sun.

(myself)

Some people went cliff-diving. I was not one of them, but I enjoyed watching.

(Once this girl resurfaced, she yelled, "I have a wedgie!!!")

Sister drove the boat too.

And then she tubed behind it. She likened the moving rush of water beneath the tube to an enema. 

All-in-all, I would call it a successful and extremely relaxing vacation. I really don't blame my parents for wanting to move here.

Dressing the Goddaughter

Check out the adorable outfit I found in Maine for my goddaughter Adrienne. It makes me laugh. I hope she still fits into it when I see her next. 


I am also impressed that the people of New England have found so many different ways to fit the word "moose" into phrases and clothing and assorted other souvenirs. Some things are a tad corny, but most of them are pretty funny. Though I can totally do without something like a shot glass shaped like a moose hoof. 


That may be taking things too far.

And some socks for her new little brother Lucah (baby socks are freaking adorable):

But I also found a glow-in-the-dark shirt for Adrienne's big brother Ethan. Seriously. It glows in the dark. I almost want to keep it for myself.

Ravenwood Addendum

I completely forgot to show you what I bought at the Ravenwood Shoppe! (Thanks to Argylesockgirl for reminding me.) It's weird because I took photos to post, wrote the post five minutes after that, and then forgot to show you my new wee fellow:

(Keith)

My sister and I ran through so many names on the drive from New Hampshire to Maine, and we finally decided on Keith. I think it fits him.

He is really meant to be in a garden, but I don't have a garden.... So for now, his post is at my bedroom door.

Twin Time

One of the best things about traveling up to Maine is the opportunity to stop and visit a bit with one of the dearest people in my life, my old roommate and twin Jenny.

(Twins)

This year we met at the Tilton Diner in New Hampshire for brunch. Jenny and her fiance Corey were vacationing up at Lake Winnipesaukee. We talked, ate French Toast, and caught up. After brunch, we sat outside on some picnic benches and chatted some more. It was a lovely way to catch up, and the weather was so perfect that it almost seemed a shame to have to get back in the car and drive off. Hopefully next year will bring more than just brunch. Dare I say maybe a whole day or two?

And my dad even got a new hat out of it!

Ravenwood

On my recent trip up to Maine with the family, we stopped at what has to be the most creative shop I have ever seen. The shop wasn't in Maine; instead it was in Jackson, New Hampshire. Called Ravenwood Curio Shoppe, it looked like a house straight out of a fairy tale.

At first glance, it seems like one of those artistic shops that sells things you may love but could never afford. But as we started poking around, I noticed that a lot of the pieces were actually affordable. And there was so much to choose from; I would dare anyone to go and say that they couldn't find something that they liked.

(sister monkey and metal monkey)

Around both sides of the house was a wee garden of sculptures and random things to buy. And fountains! SO MANY fountains (one of my absolute favourite things) It began with this:

(Spark Plug Dragonfly)

(sister)

(Madre and Sister)

And it keeps going further and further back into the woods.

(parents)

Here are some of the fountains. Around the Mermaid Fountain, they had arranged some of these crabs which were made out of old pipe wrenches and spray painted bright red.

(I couldn't get enough of this one)

(Mermaid Fountain)

My mom pointed out this little sculpture and said it looks just like my brother Buddy when he was little.