Artist Friend

Check out my friend, Maine artist Sarah Helen Harvey's mixed media pieces! I love all of them, but my favorites are "Handle" & "Hands 2".

I have seen Sarah go through many positive life changes in past years, and steadily work toward her goals. I think it shows in her fantastic art!

Rock on girlfriend!

posted by: sweetpeas at August 30, 2004 13:21 | link | comments (1) |

Lobster Boat Races ~ Pemaquid Harbor

Unfortunately this picture isn't the best as I surely need a digital with a better zoom....but I hope you'll get the idea of how fun this is!

 

Hubby, his Dad and myself left for Rockland Harbor at 6:15 am and steamed to Pemaquid to watch the last Lobster Boat race of the season. The Maine Lobster Boat Races is a racing circuit that goes all summer long in different harbors. They include many differeny heats of various categories and ususally last a few hours. If you ever get a chance to see one by boat....GO!

After the races we tucked ourselves in to a pretty little spot for the night where we enjoyed a delicious dinner, music and ample boat watching.

Now it's back to the real world as summer for me is coming to a close. I seriously need to get back to reality!

posted by: sweetpeas at August 30, 2004 12:57 | link | comments (3) |
travelin, travelin in maine

Vacation part 2

Tuesday we went fo a wonderful kayaking adventure! We drove a short distance to South Thomaston and put in at the local boat landing on the Weskeag River. It was a beautiful day, and if you enjoy to watch lobster boats at work, this a great place to do it! The lobstermen were friendly, waving and slowing down so as not to cause a wake. The scenery there is stunning as well, with beautiful homes and islands to hop. We found a sweet little island and had a cold lunch of Sul Mare leftovers. We read and I sketched, it was all very relaxing! That evening I made pizza on the grill....I think Judy was quite impressed...we pigged out!

Wednesday was the big day to go over on the ferry "The Elizabeth Anne" to Monhegan Island. The island was beautiful, though a little too touristy for my taste. Apparently August is the height of the tourist season there, so may I suggest trying June? There were lots of artists set up with canvases all over the island. I unfortunately did not have the urge to sketch or paint, but I did write a little in my journal. We took a chance and decided to go on a trail through the woods. THIS was a nice experience. It was quiet, we saw only a few folks along the way and the woods there really are very beautiful. The camera came out instantly. We saw several different species of mushrooms that I kept taking pictures of. The woods there are cool and damp, with light filtering in here and there....you feel like you're in another world! The trail led us to the other side of the island and to the spectacular cliff views. Then we skipped over to the Monhegan Light House where we encountered many artists and people just hanging out. There was an artist's work shop going on and we casually tried to sneak peeks at the light house scenes done in watercolor. From there we headed back to the village, checked out the shops and galleries and were quite ready to head it home. When we got off the ferry, we stopped at a local vegetable stand and bought fresh corn, then went to one of the many lobster pounds and picked up 2 nice lobters. We had a cold bottle of Chardonnay chilling in the fridge, and happily made a mess! Small hint: Try chopping 1-2 TBS. fresh cilantro (for each person) and place it in a bowl with your hunk of butter, microwave. The cilantro adds a brightness to the lobster that is out of this world. We also drizzled it over our grilled corn (of course!)

Thursday was rainy, so we decide to hit the road and drive the 20-25 min. to Rockland where we shopped and ate. While there we found some French Feta and garlic stuffed olives. On our way back to Tenant's we stopped on the side of the road and bought some smoked trout from a local vendor. It did not end there! We made another stop and bought some Chevre cheese and fresh crusty bread. For the rest of the day we napped, read, sketched & snacked.

Friday was our last day to kayak and we decied to put in right around the corner of the cottage at the public boat landing. I was feeling very confident at that point with my kayaking abillities, when a couple watching us from the landing started asking Judy questions about the kayaks, and were they very tippy? "oh no", she says, "I've never tipped in this one, and she just started Monday and has had no problem", as she points to me. She gets in the kayak and glides off as smooth as can be. Suddenly I'm on display. I tried to get in with one foot first as the nice, nosey folks are watching me, and I come about as close as I ever want to come to tipping, arms flailing about, desperatley trying to find balance. I also have a lovely black and blue on my shin. Oh well, no one's perfect! We headed towards Long Cove, and again, beautiful sites, homes and more island's to hop. We found one cool spot where we could pick shells and sea glass. We had just settled in with our books and a picnic when big drops of rain started to fall, it lasted maybe 30 seconds. PHEW! Just get comfy again, and watch out....here comes the rain. We packed it up and headed across the bay, all the while I'm thinking "I wonder how long it takes a kayak to fill with water?" It really only lasted minutes, and the sun came out! On this trek we had two harbor seals following us, staying about 5-6 ft. away. We also got pretty close to two beautiful Canadian Geese. We met a big gang of kayakers that we chatted with as well and I felt as though I was part of some new cool club!

We were sad to leave the next day, but I was happy to come home to my Big Daddy and my three animals. My homecoming was great, with lots of hugs and big slurpy kisses from the dogs (and from Hubby too). I musn't forget to mention the clean house and WOW.... a new building attatched to the house! I'd almost forgotten! I guess now it's BACK TO REALITY....but that's O.K. too!

Island Rose

Kayaks on the Weskeag River

Bouys on Monhegan

posted by: sweetpeas at August 22, 2004 11:39 | link | comments (1) |
travelin, travelin in maine

Tenant's Harbor Vacation

Well, we are back from our week long "Seaside Cottage" adventure, and there is so much to tell, I'm not sure where to start! I find myself wanting to jump all over the past week, but I figured I should just go slow, and tell it day by day. I may take a couple of days on this, but I feel that if there are any folks out there would like to visit the Maine Coast I may be able to tempt them if I write this in a more orderly fashion! I also happen to know that I have family and friends who would enjoy this!

Judy and I started off on our adventure, leaving at noon with sunny skies, a packed car and 2 kayaks riding atop.

We entered our cottage (Casa Di Pace) with delight at the brightly painted walls and colorful furnishings. I have to give credit to Jeff & Stephie Belcher who own this cottage. They have obviously poured a lot of love and peace into this cute three bedroom cottage! Someone (I'm hoping Steffie) has a love for paper (like myself) and uses it creatively all over the house in decoupage fahion. This cottage is actually a ranch style house, with a huge deck on back. It is cozy and warm. If you like to cook (as both Judy and I do), don't worry about bringing your own cookware....it's full. Along with lots of serving pieces, bedding, cozy couches and reading lamps....you definetly do not go without! I should mention that there are all of the needed utilities available as well: washer and dryer, iron & board, vaccum, cleaning materials, coffe maker, ESPRESSO MACHINE, etc. The deck had plenty of loungers, chairs and a grill with all of the proper utensils.

If you have a hankering for water access, than unfortunately this isn't the place for you. The view of Tenants Harbor was lovely, but the lawn that went to the water was not theirs, but a neighbors. We were not daunted by this....there were several places within a 10 mile radius that we could launch the kayaks, and if we had been able to launch them directly from the house, we would not have been able to explore the different places that we did!

The first night we met my Hubby, (Jon) and his Dad in Rockland Harbor, and went aboard my Father in Law's boat "Bear". We were joined by my Hubby's uncle, aunt & cousins (Ted, M.K., Leslie, Amanda & her husband Ben) who were not far on their boat "Caribou". Cocktail hour had begun, along with some great appetizers and conversation. Ted & M.K's two girls are always great to hang out with. Though they are younger than I, I always feel they have so much to offer when you meet up with them. They are bright, articulate and loads of fun. It was a great evening!

The next day rained, but that was a perfect excuse to hang out in p.j.'s and read! We did get a little restless however and decided that an exploration however, would be a good way to get our bearings on where to put in the kayaks. I will say this now, and I may say it again, about kayaking..... I am hooked! I have been fortunate enough to spend my life hanging around the Main Coast in many different ways, including boating with my Father in Law to some very cool places, but being able to be so low to the water and face to face with wild life is lovely! Besides the fact I think I got more muscle in my arm than I had before!

Monday was my first day kayaking! We put in at "Drift Inn Beach" and paddled to Port Clyde Light House. It got a little rough with the lobster boat traffic, but I loved it! I had to work, and that was O.K. with me! (Hey I never tipped over and truly never felt in any danger of doing so) (well maybe once, but that will come later).

Monday night we went to a FABULOUS restaraunt called "Sul Mare" (can't find a link). We ardered a terrific bottle of wine (oh no, not again). We started off with grilled shrimp, tomato & white bean over grilled bread. I had Risotto with artichoke and chicken, Judy had a pasta dish with roasted chicken and lemon....it was all great! I would highly recommend this restaraunt if you are ever in the area....our server was wonderful and I am sorry I never got her name! We went back to the cottage fat and happy, we settled in, Judy quilted, I wrote in my journal and read, all the while slipping out on to the deck to check out the view.

I'll stop here, and once I get my act together, I will update this post with the appropriate links.

Here are some photos.....

Judy walking through the woodsy trails of Monhegan Island

 

On Monhegan Island near The Ice Pond

 

View of Monhegan Cliffs

Will add more tomorrow!

posted by: sweetpeas at August 21, 2004 20:37 | link | comments |
travelin, travelin in maine

see you in a week!

Judy & I are heading out for our Vacation today to spend a week in Tenant's Harbor, Maine. So far I've packed....

Journal, watercolors, pastels

digital camera

3 books

expensive olive oil (thanks Suzy)

&

7 bottles of wine

Gee, hope I remember to pack underware!

See you all in a week!

posted by: sweetpeas at August 14, 2004 12:00 | link | comments (2) |
travelin

ART: Peony Chest

I found this funky little chest at River Edge Antiques recently and immediately knew how I wanted to paint it. We think it originally had 4 drawers, but some crafty person took two out and added the doors on the bottom. I think it gave it a little extra charm!

Before

 

After

 

posted by: sweetpeas at August 12, 2004 23:29 | link | comments |
artsy fartsy

for my husabnd.....

Some may have wondered why I called this site Sweetpeas? Yes I like to garden and all that, but I've never been a "cutsey" girl with "cutsey" names. The name of my business is actually "Berry and Company". Not cute at all...anyhoo I'm getting away from my point...

My Hubby, Love of my Life, nicknamed me Sweetpea on like our 2nd date about 6 1/2 years ago. He uses it often, as a sign of affection always & has never strayed away from calling me that.

I just wanted him to know that I appreciate all of the little things he does. Coming home from a long day at work and hauling off the old shed every night would be the immediate "big thing"....but the little things are constant and true.

You give me a foot rub almost every night, You always throw the fish back, You take care of my Jeep & don't complain too much that I do not, You put up with my artistic moodiness, you build me stuff; (work tables & shelves for my yellow ware collection) EVEN though you really don't like to, You take me fishing instead of the guys, You pick up my dirty dinner plate, You help me with my garden, You teach me which trees are which when we go hiking & point out animal tracks, You bring me water & aspirin every night, You LOVE & care for our 3 animals, You put up with the wicker furniture & adirondack chairs that are always in your way when you are trying to mow, You let me do ALL of the decorating, You let me take up ALL of the closet space, You put up with the constant clutter & junk, You like to talk, You do dishes & your own laundry, You never expect "wifely" duties from me, You always tell me I am sexy & beautiful....even when I am not.....

You simply love me & I love you too.

 

 

Will miss you while I'm gone!

posted by: sweetpeas at August 12, 2004 12:48 | link | comments (2) |
family & friends

new links

I have added two new links....check them out!

Bianca's Corner....lovely writer and seems like a lovely person!

Mortal Mom....Talented Lady, check out her web site, her great art & photos!

posted by: sweetpeas at August 12, 2004 12:16 | link | comments |

Birthday Card.....

Happy Birthday Jen & Sam!

I know your Bithday is next week, but I will be gone on vacation!

This is a birthday card I made for Sam, my 'Lil Georgian Nephew.....

Card is made from bits of wrapping paper, wall covering & old tag. I printed the picture in sepia & printed a message inside on card stock.

Sam will be 6 all ready! Phew I'm getting old! I'm sure Jen doesn't need for me to give her age away.....(she's 2 years younger than I) OOPS...did I give it away?

posted by: sweetpeas at August 11, 2004 18:24 | link | comments (2) |
inspiration for you

I had tried to post a story about our NEW shed that is going up, but when I tried to get it to load up, something went screwy. Now I'm late....here's the jest....

*Old shed supposed to be jacked up & repaired....can't be saved

*2 days of unplanned hell unloading shed

*A new 16 X !8 building will go up in it's place

*Will try to make a studio/sunroom/storage combo on a VERY limited budget

*Yes I will have a real place to paint....it may all seem very professional

*The decorator in me is all ready going nuts....(again LIMITED budget)

*Thinking of creative ways to store, work and hang out

Drats...it's time to go to work!

 

posted by: sweetpeas at August 10, 2004 13:21 | link | comments |