Sarah McLachlan is a Goddess

Lovely Sarah McLachlan had us singing along, swaying to the music and at times on our feet last weekend in Portland. If you are a fan, then go see her live, you will not be dissapointed! She sang all of her favorite songs, played guitar and the piano, and in my opinion hit every note to perfection! It was a great show!

The night itself was a blast shared with friends. My friend Judy and I met her sister and two nieces at a wine bar called Una. (I still can't believe those two girls are even old enough to meet us at a bar)....but they are! Anyhoo, Not only does Una boast a wine list of over 50 wines by the glass, they apparently make award winning martinis. So that is the route we all decided to take, myself starting the night off with a "Mochatini". A mix of chocolate vodka, kahlua, tia maria and esspresso (sipped VERY slowly) was just the boost I needed to make it through the night. We decided to sit right there until the show started, so lots of yummy tapas were ordered. Smoked Seafood Sampler, Oysters on the half shell, Mixed olives, Rosemary bread with dipping oil, Escargot, Panini & Salad kept our taste buds mighty happy. I will make it a point to visit again, and maybe next time try a wine or two!

After the show, we let the young gals (and their friends) drag us around The Old Port a bit. We went into the Old Port Tavern, a place I have not been in for about 14 years. The place itself has not changed a bit, though the hairstyles, clothing and music had. I am conjuring up images of big hair, acid wash jeans and band members with hair bigger then mine and white wife beatin' tank tops. No....I am not feeling a BIT of nostalgia as I could never quite get into that scene anyway....but it was the place to go then, and my room mate at the time LOVED that kind of thing.

Moving on....Judy and I bid farewell to the youngsters and started heading back to the hotel, making a pit stop at one of our favorite Irish Bars Brian Borû. We each ordered a beer, took two sips, and decided it was time to go to the room and get some shuteye! I'm not sure if old age kicked in at that moment, but we were over it! Anyhow, we needed plenty of energy the next day to shop....and we did a little in the morning, but decided to head home by lunch time. I came home with a Sarah M. tank, 6 martini glasses, Sketcher flip flops and a mosquito net that goes over your umbrella, table and chairs. (I'm not so sure about the mosquito net thing....but after all the rain we've had, it's going to be a BUGGY month).

So what are you all up to this long weekend? Jon and I have decided to stay home. We've had many an invite, and our response is, "we'll be home, so come and visit". We were taken up on that offer right away, and had friends and family dropping by last night. We are secretly hoping that noboby takes us up on the offer tonight, as we'd like to snuggle in and watch Empire Falls on HBO....it was filmed right here in Maine 'ya know! We are also dedicating this weekend to some chores....hopefully we'll get a break in the weather to MOW THE FREAKIN' LAWN!! Seriously.....the grass is past our ankles and the dandelions have taken over the property! WE NEED SUNSHINE! IS ANYONE LISTENING??? Me pasty white self is going bonkers over here! AYUH!

Unfortunately, Jon had to go into work this morning for a bit, but that will give me a little time to finish cleaning out the spare bedroom/sewing/storage for vintage linens room. This week I bagged up 12 bags of vintage linens and material, priced them and brought them to the shop....and when I dropped by the shop yesterday, all but 2 bags had sold! Cleaning out can be so much fun when money is involved!

Another bit of exciting news is that the ceiling in the addition is finished, and just as soon as we get some nicer weather, we can resume painting! We have bought some lighting fixtures, and a friend will be over to hook it all up for us! YIPPEE! It's finally getting there! I've been dying to show you all pics, but the lighting is just terrible! I have many projects I need to start for this room, mostly recycling, turning old pieces into new, and I will be sure to take before and after pics. I'll be painting furniture, covering an old couch and using yet more material to revamp some pieces. I am also thinking of putting something together with an old door, an old window and pics. of the nieces and nephews. It's all in my head at the moment, so we'll see!

Well, I guess I've rambled on enough....and again Collective Souls, be sure to check out Jill's wonderful pages for Believe! They are just so creative, I keep going back to look at them again and again!

Have a great weekend!

posted by: sweetpeas at May 28, 2005 14:26 | link | comments (5) |

still busy!

Hey all...running late for work, so will make this a quickie! I AM SO SORRY....what a boring blog this has turned into! It seems since I've given up painting the furniture, that there isn't much to talk about....but I promise, I'll have some new crafties to show you in the near future. Life can just get in the way sometimes!

The concert and Portland was fun last weekend....I'll tell you about it soon.

COLLECTIVE SOULS.....you MUST go check out Jill's pages! I was blown away...they are incredible. THANKYOU Jill for taking the time to create such imaginative art for our little journal!

Speaking of creativity....I was lucky enough to find another cool Maine blogger, Soule Mama, go over and give her a big hello! She has explained the AWFUL weather that we have been having here to a T!

Have a great 3 day weekend...and will try to post again this weekend!

posted by: sweetpeas at May 27, 2005 13:31 | link | comments (1) |
nothing much, collective souls

keepin' busy

We have been on the go, non-stop.....not the best excuse for my lack of posts I know, but that's the way it's been around here.

Jon will be hitting the road soon for his annual Spring fishing trip, and I have been running the poor man ragged trying to get the yard in some sort of order. I'm a gardening addict, as many of my bloggy friends are, and I'm sure that you'll all agree with me that weed wacking and raking have got to be the lamest chores evah'. The more pretty little garden beds, and rock walls we grace our properties with, the more we seem to be laid up on the couch with sore, swollen backs and muscles. Ah well, such is life.

So there really hasn't been much to tell, I could go on and on about the mundane Spring chores, but I'd bore you to tears, (and probably myself as well). I do have one little tidbit of news.....my friend Judy and I are off to see Sarah McLachlin play this weekend in Portland. We will be treating ourselves to a fab dinner at some swanky restuarant, and we do plan on spending the night as well. There are several wine bars in Portland and I'd like to try one out (O.K...maybe two) (but who's counting?). It was such a long winter, and a very rainy Spring, getting away will do us both good.

Tell me this if you'd like....

What's your favorite Spring chore?

What is your most dreaded Spring chore?

You all ready know what I DON'T like. What I LOVE to do is plant more flowers and start dividing and working my established perennial beds. I love to get my hands dirty, and I enjoy watching my flowers come up little by little. It amazes me that I don't get bored waiting for the same plants to come up year after year, but I'm always excited!

OH, OH, OH....I almost forgot!! My honey put a deposit on a kayak for me this week! I see kayaking posts in the near future!

The new addition has rounded the corner....the boys have come to sheetrock the ceiling. Jon and his Dad are trimming the windows and doors tomorrow. A coat of mossy green has gone up on 3 walls, yes things are happening. I hope to have a new easle set up in it by the time the flowers in the garden are blooming. (cross your fingers & toes please!) I am starting to get excited! I have been stashing goodies away all winter. I have started to collect off white planters of all shapes and sizes to go into an antique cupboard Jon and I bought a year ago. I have been stashing little pieces of furniture in the barn. And, I've been taking measurements as I will need lots of material for various projects. We don't have a lot of choices for affordable fabric stores here in Maine, but we are lucky enough to have a discount store that sells designer fabric on the big bolts! To see just what I'm talking about, check out Jessie's site, Bella Blue, a Maine girl with lots of decorating penache! (and ultra crafty too!)

Have a great weekend, and don't let the Spring chores get you down! Take a break and do something fun!

~HUGS~

posted by: sweetpeas at May 14, 2005 20:18 | link | comments (10) |
nothing much

It's Fiddleheadin' time!

Last weekend Jon and I took a walk down a path through the woods to the Sheepscot River...(the same path we took with our friends and family when we got married). We went to the banks of the Sheepscot River in search of Fiddleheads. These tasty ferns can be picked and eaten when they have grown to about an inch or two, before they unfold.

Today I made Fiddlehead Quiche

• one unbaked pastry shell
• 1/2 cup grated swiss & 1/2 cup grated cheddar
• 1/2 cup chopped fiddleheads
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup diced ham
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup half & half
• dash of nutmeg and a sprinkle of cheddar
• fresh chopped herbs optional

preheat oven 375. Spread the cheese in the bottom of the piecrust. Sautee veggies until juices from mushrooms dissapear. (this will prevent the pie crust from becoming soggy). Put veggies aside and in the same pan sautee chopped ham, drain water from ham. Mix the veggies and ham and put on top of cheese. Whip together eggs, cream, nutmeg, pepper and desired herbs, pour evenly into the pastry shell. Cook approx. for 45 minutes or until puffed and golden and center is firm.

Since the fiddleheads have an earthy flavor, I usually don't feel the need to put fresh herbs in this dish as I don't like to cover the flavor of the ferns! 

Have a great day friends!

~hugs~

posted by: sweetpeas at May 05, 2005 20:43 | link | comments (11) |
maine girl recipes