Changing seasons...

Life has been a little hectic since the apres-Irene posting and this probably should have been 3 posts and not just one mega-post.  But needless to say we are making progress and even managed a little get-away.  At the end of September we headed to Maine for a few days of antiquing, a day at the Common Grounds Fair and time spent with relatives/friends.  For the past few years we have taken my aunt up to Lincolnville to visit her friend at her camp on lake Megunticook.  It's a quirky little camp on a windy dirt road.  It is set up as 3 little residences of sorts, a large center house with a bath, sleeping porch, kitchen, dining room and living room with large stone fireplace.  A little house that has a bed room and bath and a little house on the opposite side of the camp called the ice house.  In the center is another building with a toilet and laundry room.  It's a fun place to spend a few days enjoying cocktails on the dock, communing with nature- loons, toads, red squirrels and plenty of birds and of course lobster dinners.  I love to hear the loons at night as they make what ever the hell noise is that they make.  Sounds kind of mournful and erie but I look forward to it.

View from the dock of lake Megunticook

The main house

Our home away from home- The Ice House

We always go to Maine the same time every year to go to the fair.  It's great fun and something that you don't normally come across in Connecticut.  This is a real organic fair sponsored by MOGFA.  We have learned over the years that you don't go on the weekend or you will be amass in people.  Friday is busy but manageable.  When you park the car you have to make sure you remember what vegetable, fruit or animal aisle you are parked in or you may never find your car again.  Then you head to the transportation down to the fair.  It's John Deer tractors pulling wagons that take you the half a mile or so down to the fair.  It's really fun to see all the different tractors loaded with eager fair attendees.

The shuttle bus?

All aboard to the fair!

When we got inside the fairgrounds the first thing we saw was a stand with the most amazing organic veggies.  I have to say that these were the largest and most beautiful vegetables I have ever seen!

Picture perfect cabbages

Have you ever seen leeks this grand?

You can see from the parade of little vegetables that this is not your usual kind of fair.  There are no rides or junk food. All the food is organic and really delicious!  The closest thing to a ride here is kids sliding down a little hill covered in hay on paper bags!  The parade is always my favorite.  Kids and adults alike dress in costumes and hold signs that say "grow local", "don't spray me" and the like.

There is the yarn tent that sells all sorts of yarns made from alpaca, llama (see below), cashmere goats, sheep and rabbits.  They bring their donors with them to the fair.  I usually get some "bunny blend" angora bed socks when I am there since often they inadvertently end up in the washer and come out the size of dolls socks.  Last year I managed to refrain from this no no so I didn't need to get more this year!

These cats have Llama-tude!

This year I found these little pigs wearing harnesses.  They were super cute!  I didn't tell them about all the research I have done using pigs.  So these guys escaped with only a photo of them.

Oink oink!

Who knew there were this many kinds of pumpkins and squash??

Beautiful gardens nicely labelled

After the fair we went to Camden to have dinner at our favorite restaurant of all time- Francine Bistro- http://www.francinebistro.com/  I had the best risotto that I've ever had that night.  Dave had his usual steak frites.  He hasn't deviated from that in years!  Being Maine we also had oysters as an appetizer which is always a treat and these had a smoked haddock crema on top.  Really delicious!  The theme for Maine this year was Negroni's and butterscotch pudding. Each was great as well!

On Saturday we spent the day antiquing in Belfast, Searsport and Rockland.  Always a good time for Dave and I.  I found the best little alabaster lamp for the bathroom and really cheap too!  It solves the problem of lighting on the vanity.  How clever to find something less than $30 and no installation required. 

Alabaster lamp for master bath

Saturday night we went to Primo in Rockland primorestaurant.com/ for dinner.  Also very very good!  More oysters, burnt orange negronis and butterscotch pudding again! 

Sunday we were going down to Daramiscotta for the Pemiquid oyster festival (yes, more oysters!) and then to Waldoboro for the night to stay with Dave's aunt.  We had rolled our spare change to have enough money for an oyster feast.  You would saunter up to the opening dories to pick your favorites.  I only like the little oysters.  After a certain size they make me want to hurl.  I was willing to wait for the perfect dozen!

Belly up and pick your oysters!

Pemiquid perfection!

After our little oyster feast (we each had 12 oysters which made a good appetizer -I wonder how many make a meal?), we headed to Waldoboro to visit Dave's aunt. We love to visit the farm.  This farm was originally Dave's grandfather's farm and then went on to his aunt.  We have enjoyed many a visit over the past 12 years and cherish every moment we are there.  We hopped into the car and headed out to Round Pond to the lobster pound for a delicious dinner on the water.  The lobsters in Maine are so sweet and nice.  Much better for some reason than the bugs you get around here.  The steamers are also sweet and tender and not full of sand. 

A lesson on the tomalley in the carapace of the lobster.

Once we got back to the house we enjoyed an evening looking at all the old Smith pictures and getting a narrative about each one.  I think Dave's aunt talked from 3:00 pm until we went to bed at 11:45 pm.  Not to shabby for someone who is 94! 

The next morning we headed down through the field to the Medomak river behind the farm.  It was just beautiful!  However I was glad that I brought my Wellies since it was pretty muddy there.  And unusually warm for the end of September.

Beautiful Medomak river

When we got back to the house we had my favorite lunch!  We headed to the fish market for fresh picked crab.  Pat is a connoisseur of crab and is very particular with when it was picked.  Although not picked that day it was less than 24 hours old so that was satisfactory.  We headed back to the farm where the awesome sandwiches were constructed.  I have no idea what makes these crab sandwiches so delicious but they are absolutely the best sandwich in the world!!!  Fresh picked crab, a little mayonnaise (and I hate mayo) on white bread.  Oh, and you have to have a few chips as well.

The worlds best crab sandwich!  Is it the crab or Pat and the farm that makes them so special?



Monday we went back to Lincolnville and the camp for more lobsters and one more night on the lake.  Tuesday morning we departed for home.

On Wednesday we went to work as usual and when we came home we were going to take my aunt to visit my aunt and uncle in West Hartford for dinner since it was her birthday.  We were getting ready for dinner when I noticed that something was amiss in my bedroom.  I looked at my bureau and it was so clean..... I thought hum that's not right- where is all my jewelry?  I mentioned to Dave that there were things missing and he checked my jewelry box and that was empty and so were the shelves in my closet where there were boxes of stuff.  UGH!  We'd been robbed!!!!

I noticed that the bathroom door was closed which is never the case.  We decided to not open it ourselves and called 911.  I told the 911 operator that we had been robbed and that there could still be someone in the house.  Dave walked around with his 18th ce musket with bayonet attached.  Like that was going to be a match for a hand gun!!!  I went outside to wait until the police came while lieutenant Dave patrolled the house.  About 15 minutes later the troopers arrived and took pictures, our statement and made me recall the jewelry that was missing.  I of course could not think of the many pieces that were lost but managed about 40 of my favorite things.  Needless to say, no one had a fancy dinner that night.  My aunt ate at the inn all by herself!

Jewelry box dusted for fingerprints :-(

So, the sad story of the jewelry is still open.  Nothing has been found as of yet.  we feel violated and vulnerable but there isn't anything left for the next guy to take!  We are going to get an alarm system installed.  Better safe than sorry the next time.

On another front- a little pigeon has come visit us often.  He/she must think that we are bird friendly!  I named the pigeon Nigel or Nigella depending on if you think it's a boy or girl.  Dave says it swooped into the barn and sat of his drill press for a while and actually will eat out of his hand.  I like seeing him fly around the barn and then perch on the house.  One pigeon is just fine with me.  I just hope he does not have a zillion friends!

Nigel on the look out!

I am getting my studio all sorted out and have taken one letterpress lesson.  I can't wait to really get started!  There was a lot of engravings to sort through and decide which to keep and which I plant to sell.  Where to put the bins of paper (most just scrap) where it would be out of the way.  I didn't want to discard it since I am sure that I will go through a lot just getting the presses set up.  No need to waste expensive paper just yet!

I got these great lights at Brimfield for $50 each!  I did a fair bit of negotiating to get this price since he wanted $100 each to start.  I can't wait to get them installed!

I've managed to get the drawers into the type case.  Not an easy feat since I don't think my mom ever had anything that worked quite right or wasn't rigged up from cannibalized parts.  I am trying my hardest not to follow in her footsteps in that respect.  She was very clever and talented but sometimes you would just have to shake your head- why????

Snug as a bug in a rug....

Well with hurricane Irene gone but not forgotten we have a lot to be thankful for around the Tripp house.  I am most grateful for having a wonderfully cozy house in which to ride out the storm!  I could not imagine having the storm when we were in the throws of the renovation and not having electricity and boxes and furniture everywhere!  It would be unbearable in there.  But now, it's becoming absolute perfection.  On Friday we collected up most of what was in the yard that we thought might fly around in a big wind.  Not knowing what the storm would be like and all the hype it was getting we may have gone a bit far but what is the price for peace of mind?

While I was busy finding all the flower pots to put in the basement the turkeys were having a grand time on the bulk head giving them a good vantage point from which to watch me scurry around like a complete fool.

Moose and Stuffing getting comfortable

Steady now your moving the door

Whoa- you think they were trying to tell me something?

Settled back down to enjoy my work!

The night of the storm there was lots of rain and lots of wind.  But everyone was safely where they needed to be.  The chickens were snug in their coop, the turkey's were in the dog crate in the barn, and pip was tucked into bed with me and the other dogs put to bed.  However, Dave for some reason was in the barn watching the lightening show!  I was myself a little scared and tried to call him in the barn on the 3rd phone extension but that didn't seem to work.  I pondered for a split second about going out to collect him but from the looks of the weather I just went back to bed!

Sunday we awoke, like the rest of Connecticut to no electricity.  I'm not sure how many days will go by until it's back.  Luckily Yale didn't lose power so I am able to spend the day at work- oh joy!  So- back to Sunday.  When we were up and around we went outside to assess the damage.  Well I am happy to report that the work of Gulick and Spradlin is good and sturdy.  Nothing out of place.  The only damage was to a lilac tree.

Devastating damage at the house- ha ha!

When we thought it was safe enough to venture out in the car, which meant that a zillion other people have driven by the house, we thought it was time to visit the boat.  Dave decided that it was best to keep her in the water to ride out the storm.  It's always a crap shoot decision to know what the best thing to do in these situations but the marina is pretty isolated from the river and we hoped for the best.  Dave said he did throw up from worry but that's pretty typical for him.  He's kind of a puker.  We headed to the marina but within a few feet of the turn off we saw a tree across the road and had to take the long and round a bout way.  I thought he would die while I drove really slowly to avoid branches and power lines.  We finally made it to the marina were he jumped out of the car before I had actually stopped it!

A happy boy with his favorite old girl.  Hum, named the Mervin F Roberts.  Perhaps not a girl???/

Later in the day we collected our friends for an Irene dinner.  We were able to use the top of the Lacanche lighting it with a match.  Hooray for propane!!!!  Dave made the most amazing haddock chowder.  Paul brought stuffed scallops that he heated at home since he has a generator!, Priscilla and Terry brought luscious tomatoes and couscous, and Diane and Walter brought hummus and garlic bagel chips that were the crowning glory to the chowder.  We had a grand time eating my candle light and drinking way too much.  But it was a fine time for all involved.  I feel badly for the people reporting to have eaten canned tuna fish!  I should have taken some pictures with our friends actually at the house and not after they left but I was conserving my cell phone battery!  Sorry for the dim light graininess.

We hung the chandelier last weekend- just in time!

Picture pretty

The aftermath!

Who is gonna clean this mess?!?!?!

So all in all a bit of an adventure taking place.  It's hard to know when life around the Tripp house will be absolutely back to normal but I for one am hoping sometime today!  Not that it isn't fun to read by candle light but the cold shower was a bit of a hardship and having the shop closed is not my idea of a financially good time!  I'll let you know how it turns out!

A Zen feeling....

The atmosphere of the house has gone from cramped- where all our stuff was smashed into a few rooms to a nice simple zen feeling.  While we didn't actually have a lot of furniture before the size of the house made it seem like we did.  One piece next to the other with no visual space in between.  Not a soothing environment to say the least.  I was always hesitant to purge these pieces since they were inherently very nice.  From the small space we ventured into the chaotic and a state of turmoil and complete entropy! Take an already cramped house and throw it all into a few rooms and then add dust and animals.  No wonder that I thought I was losing my mind!  The remodeling phase was hell on earth to put it mildly but I knew that the pay off would be worth the inconvenience

And now....... well- calm, beauty, tranquility..... a zen sort of feeling of well-being when I get home.  It's not perfect yet and there is still a lot to do.  Moving the furniture into the new spaces has opened things up and you can actually see them now.  We certainly don't need to buy anything new- which is great! Some things have moved into the barn and a few more waiting for some strong arms to help them along.  There are still areas of the house where I get agitated looking at or overwhelmed thinking about.  But it's slowly coming together.  Aside from my absolutely stunning kitchen my new favorite place to stand and look is the upstairs landing.  What was once a little cramped office is now a really cool space.  We are still hanging pictures and trying to decide on a wall color.  I've been thinking that an interesting beigey browny gray- here we go with the color chips again!  There's a Benjamin Moore color called Racoon Hollow that might be nice.

Benjamin Moore Raccoon Hollow

I love this Chinoiserie desk- perfect with my funny light fixture

A little maritime feel to the upstairs landing.  A far cry from my horrid old office!

  Going down the stairs is a little shelf that is just perfect for a few of our little objects.

Tiny anchor finally able to be seen

New spaces for collections- nice and simple!

The babies are getting big and starting to explore more and more.  They have outgrown their pen and we still haven't built a turkey house.  They were living in the dog crate but have decided on their own that they prefer to roost in the big pine tree next to the house.  They get way up there at night.  I hope that they are safe but what can you do?  During the day they come down at dawn and go as a pack through the yard eating buggies.  They come running over when I open the door.  I'm convinced that Moose is a tom turkey.  He has a bigger snood that has a life of it's own.  Pretty creepy really but he's a nice boy and takes care of the girls.  One morning I saw him all puffed up like a gray cloud!  The girls are very sweet and curious as ever.  I have to swoosh them out of the kitchen!

Babies are growing up fast!  They're getting bold too.

 What is Pip up to this week? Not much- maybe he's on vacation???

Pip doing what he does best!

Whitechapel Hardware

If ever find yourself in need of great hardware- hooks, pulls, knobs, latches or decorative accents look no further than Whitechapel Hardware- http://www.whitechapel-ltd.com/.  We have gotten a few things from them now and their quality is amazing.  We got some French bin pulls that are exceptional.  I looked everywhere for some nice bin pulls and glad that I waited to get these!

French iron bin pull

The pulls for the little dough chest have finally arrived and Dave has put them on.  They are museum quality in every detail.  They really make the cabinet look like an old chest of drawers. 


Just wonderful in every way

Pulls it all together (pun intended)

Colors of Summer....

I love to fill the house with flowers any time of the year but in the summer especially.  I've always been pretty creative with my choices since I don't ever want to spend a lot of money on flowers.  I tend to pick what ever is green in the yard and fill in with some brightly colored flowers.  This year with our garden in a hiatus until we have some time to organize ourselves I've had less to choose from.  I have plenty of weeds though.  Some with some very interesting leaf shapes.  There's also one that has w dainty little spiky flower.  Since we were having Francie and her dad over for dinner last night and they have not seen the house since last summer before the work was done I wanted the kitchen to look great.  I picked a few flowers at Scott's pick your own flower place.  I love the rows of zinnias and sunflowers that they have.  However, I am very careful not to get too many since they can add up fast of you pick a heavy stem!

Zinnias are my favorite summer flower.  They remind me of my childhood.

These spiky purple flowers look great with the weeds from the yard. 

Just a few sunflowers to brighten the kitchen.

We are still in the picture hanging mode!  The rooms are taking on a real life feeling.  I have to get into the old living room and start getting the boxes out and sorted through.  Not looking forward to that one- but needs to be done, and soon!

Nook

Small folk art birds painted by Evelyn Dubeil of Glastonbury- she's almost 90 now and still painting!

 The colors of summer extend to the table as well.  These wonderfully multicolored carrots came from a farmers market in Holyoke MA.  They were delicious, as were the multicolored little potatoes!

Carrots before the roasting

Happy tiny spuds!

Love the Hipstamatic- totally forgot about it until this morning.