Lobstah...

The Señor and I were invited to spend a few days in Bar Harbor Maine with dear friends and their precious kiddos last summer.  I had been on a day trip to the southern part of Maine several years before and fell in love with it.  I couldn't wait to get back and see more.

Anyone who knows me knows I have always been a beach lover; however, after a few summer days in Maine my loyalties strayed. The combination of perfect temperatures and lush vegetation makes for pretty-as-a-picture moments at every turn.  July temperatures range from highs in the mid 70's to lows in the upper 50's. Not too hot. Not too cold. Just right.

And if that's not enough to make you dream of being a wannabe "Mainer" consider (as the locals say) the lobstah.  My goal on this trip was to eat the lobstah at least once a day .  If I recall correctly this guy cost me less than twenty bucks when it was all said and done.  Unheard of in Dallas Texas.

Prior to the trip I researched and mapped what some of the more well known food writers claim to be the Best Lobster Shacks on the East Coast.  There were seven on the list.  I hoped The Señor and I might hit a few as we made our way from BOS to Bar Harbor and back.

As luck would have it our first stop was number seven on the list, Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier, Kittery Point, Maine.

  

How I ended up without a picture of a Lobster Roll from this pretty little spot is beyond me but for some reason or another I don't have one.  The roll was very good but watching the lobster boats go up and down the river from the dock while taking in the crisp cool air was the highlight for me.

After leaving there we drove on to the cabin where we had a perfect nights sleep in a cozy bed with the windows open and the crickets chirping.  My kind of camping!

The following day we headed in to town for birthday girl Mattie Mae's favorite brunch spot, Two Cats.  I'll just go ahead and tell you, if you find yourself in Bar Harbor Maine, Two Cat's is must!

Yes, it's Lobster Eggs Benedict (remember my goal!).

Some random shots from around Bar Harbor...

Our days with the Pierce family were perfect.  We spent glorious days taking in the scenery, eating delicious food and enjoying the climate.  We spent lovely evenings on the deck drinking wine, watching shooting stars and feeling the stress fall off.  

Next stop Kennebunkport Maine but first; how about a lobster roll?

While I Was Away...

This morning I realized it's been 15 months since my last blog post.

As I type these words I have to smile and ask myself; is this something like blogger confession?

Is this the part where I say forgive me Blog Land for I have been neglectful; it's been 15 months since my last post.

Perhaps so.

While I was away life was chock-full of  adventures.  Why I haven't memorialized them here; I have no idea.

I've missed it though.

That I must confess.

So check back soon as I reflect on the pristine beauty that is Maine.

Hope and dreams...

Yesterday's post got me thinking about bucket lists and the hopes and dreams I've had over time.

Some are reasonable; some probably not so much.

A couple simply aren't happening.

Even so, they have been and are mine to reflect on and strive for.

So here goes, in no particular order (other than the first four)...

My Bucket List now and from days gone past...

**Completed items in bold.

Marry my soul mate & the love of my life.
Travel to Italy.
Live at the beach.
Tour the US east coast by car.
Visit New York City.
Own & operate a Bed & Breakfast.
Ride in a hot air balloon.
Take my parents on a trip they'll love.
Be the best Mimi there can be.
Live in a great apartment.
Travel to all 50 United States.
Visit the wine country.
Become a gourmet cook.
Snorkel.
Own our dream home.
See the Vatican.
See a game at Fenway Park.
Remodel and design our house to fit us just right.
See a broadway show.
Expose the young people in my life to as much travel, culture and diversity as I can.
Be a prayer warrior.
Own a convertible.
Visit San Francisco.
Obtain and maintain a healthy weight.
Have a tree house.
Ride through Central Park in a horse drawn carriage.
Visit Savannah.
Become a philanthropist.
Go sailing.
Swim in a natural body of water complete with water fall.
Create a blog.
Visit New Orleans.
Walk barefoot on the beach.
Be a mentor.
Have a lake house.
Travel to Greece.
Own a boat.
Plant a tree to celebrate the birth of a child.
Attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Create holiday traditions.
See the Golden Gate Bridge.
Travel to France.
Hang out with my Mom in Playa.
Travel to Easter Island.
Travel to Mexico.
Become proficient at yoga.
See the Eagles in concert.
Have a house with a fountain in the back yard.
Attend worship services on a regular basis.
See Barbra Striesand in concert.
Have a Maltese.
Buy myself a Rolex before I'm 40. (I failed at this one!)
Visit the carribean islands (St Croix, St Thomas & St Maarten).
Visit Seattle.
Start the business of my dreams and it be successful.
See George Strait in concert.
Become proficient at floral design.
Be debt free.
See KISS in concert.
Learn to speak a 2nd language.
Visit Vancouver.
See the French Riviera.
Visit Maine.
Fly first class on an international flight.
See Springsteen in concert.
Become proficient at furniture refinishing.
See the Amalfi Coast.
Visit Boston.
Visit the Florida Keys.
Spend time in the mountains.
Be a volunteer.
Swim with the dolphins.
Knit a scarf.
Have a successful career.
See a game at Yankee Stadium.

And there it is - as of today.

It and I have changed over the years.

One thing seems constant though; my middle name has always been go-go-go!

There's a great big world out there and I want to see and experience as much of it as I can during my God-given time on this earth.

Do you have a list?

If not, I suggest you make one.

Remembering the things I've checked off and contemplating those that may someday be brings a smile to my heart and reminds me; it's a beautiful life.

E 'una bella vita...

Before I ever heard the term bucket list I had one; I just didn't know there was a name for it.

My list has evolved over the years but one thing has never changed; it has always involved travel.

I've been blessed to see some amazing places over the past few years and have checked several destinations off the list.

My dream of seeing NYC has come true not only once but three times. 

I've seen the California wine country and some breath-taking Mexican beaches.

I've traveled the streets of San Francisco and done the Duval crawl in Key West, Florida.

I've marveled over snow-capped mountains in the US Pacific Northwest and the Canadian city of Vancouver BC.

I've seen twenty-two of the fifty United States.  My bucket list includes seeing them all.  I'm almost half way there.

At the top of my travel list has always been Italy, and in a dream come true, The Señor and I will be touring the Italian countryside in just a few short weeks.

I don't believe I've never been as excited about anything!

I've been trying to master a few phrases in Italiano, studying maps and brushing up on a little history.

We look forward to touring Italy's nooks and crannies while partaking of each regions food and wine.

We will tour museums, the Vatican and take a gondola ride.

We'll toss pennies in fountains, eat gelato and spend time hanging around piazzas simply watching the world go by.  After all, Questo è il modo di vivere italiano and E 'una bella vita!

Until next time, arrivederci!

Did A Little Carvin' And We're Off...

As I've mentioned before one of my very favorite traditions is pumpkin carving with my niece and nephew. This year my nephew brought a couple of his best buddies along and everyone pitched in an helped clean (eeewww!) and carve.

Of course I was in my glory just hanging with them - man they make me laugh.

And laughter people, is the very best medicine!

Here's a shot of the four of them (Taylor, Alec, McKae and Clark) with the final product. This picture doesn't do the pumpkins justice - and as for the kids, well anyone can see that they are all fabulously cute!

You might wonder why we are carving so early this year. Well, the Senor and I are heading out on another adventure. While away we plan to relish Little Italy and the Fisherman's Wharf, gaze upon the Golden Gate bridge, marvel at the splendor of Muir Woods, drink our way through the wine country and challenge "Lady Luck".

Yes, I should have all kind of tales to share upon my return.

Until then...Adios...Auf Wiedersehen...
au revoir ...αντίο...
arrivederci...adeus...
vaarwel...
bye-bye!