Friday, July 31, 2009

Jordan Pond House


We had our annual lunch of MDIHS "gal pals" today. Ava and I were late but all that mattered is that we got there. They haven't even ordered yet. Robin is the only one of us that lives outside Maine now.


From left around the table. Ava and Mom, Kathe Newman Falt, Mary Vose Martin, Robin MacRae Caulfield, Lauri Fernald, Kim Wilson Libby, Jennifer Smallidge Mitchell and Lisa Richards. (The maiden names are for identification purposes, none of them do the Swan-Bennett thing that I did :-)


Thursday, July 30, 2009

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Back to East Boothbay today


Great marketing meeting at Smuggler's Cove today. The guests were all having a great time! What a beautiful spot, I forget that sometimes.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Ev's trip to Boothbay Harbor
















We took Evelyn to Boothbay Harbor with us last week, one because she likes adventures and two, she wanted to see where the movie Carousel was made. After working at Smuggler's Cove we went over to Brown's Wharf but they did not serve lunch. So, after seeing everything she wanted to see we went over to Southport and had lunch right on the water at Robinson's. Brought back a lot of memories.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Castine


Spent the day in Blue Hill and Castine. John had me so turned around, if he had stopped and let me out of the car, I would never have found my way home. Went to Fort George, tiny, across from Maine Maritime Academy in between seeing properties and took Ava for a walk around the grounds. Then a close look at the antique cannons......

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Marinated Strawberries

OK.... so.... in my effort to eat a lot more fruits and vegetables,,, I cut up the most delicous strawberries today and then reached for the balsamic vinegar and splenda and woops! no more balsamic.

So, had to improvise so added some real vanilla and splenda. OMG!!!!!!!!!! delish. Then, I thought, what the heck and added a little cointreau for the orange flavor. The longer it sat, the better it got. An unintentional new favorite thing!!! Try it!

Kevin Spacey explaining Twitter to David Letterman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z1aZ7Gs46A&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crunchgear.com%2F2009%2F07%2F22%2Fvideo-kevin-spacey-tries-to-explain-twitter-to-david-letterman%2F&feature=player_embedded

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Best of Portland Video - Danforth

Saturday.....

Ev and I had a fast track Saturday. After an early morning surprise of Ava literally jumping into the shower with me this morning because she wanted to be picked up, WITH the shower going (not kidding) Ev and I got on the road. (Of course this had to wait for Ava's blow dry as she would not let me put her down and insisted on me holding her for the duration of my shower...)

Our first stop was to meet Aunt Dee and Uncle David in Augusta for lunch. We chose Panera Bread since they have outside tables and Ava could hang with us. Four other guests had the same idea as other tables had a Yorkie, a Bichon and a King Charles....

Then we headed to Portland where we visited the Danforth to see the new sculpture that had been delivered from my old apartment and to see how the bridal shower went today. Everything was beautiful. Leslie and staff were happy. The theme of the shower was Breakfast at Tiffany's so all very cute cupcakes and tif boxes.

We then went to Pomegranate to check out some outside maintenance that needs to be priortized. Evelyn wanted to see Martha Stewart's name in the guest book that complimented Scot's baklava.

Then took Ava on walk down to West End Inn to see Beth who was a bit overwhelmed with innkeeper crisis - (what is crisis plural?) then on to a tour of the West End neighborhood to find a house we'd like to buy - we did. Corner of Vaughn and West - love it. A little big....

Then headed to Cygnet Gallery where we visited with Dennis and picked up two paintings that need to go to the Northeast Harbor and Blue Hill galleries. Cygnet has had another great month, the best we've had since we've been in Portland. Go Dennis.

Tried to visit Jimmy and John at Compositions but didn't realize they close at 3 on Saturday and didn't get there til 4:15. Then home...

Thought about stopping in Brunswick to see Margot and her new place but pretty worn out by then and wanted to get home by 7:30. Perfect!!! Ev is a great travel companion. We have her whole life planned out. Job, wedding, Senate seat.... all set. :-)

This is silly

http://www.gadling.com/2009/07/22/baboons-car-your-luggage-one-hilarious-video/?icid=mainmaindl4link5http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gadling.com%2F2009%2F07%2F22%2Fbaboons-car-your-luggage-one-hilarious-video%2F

Friday, July 24, 2009

Danforth Website is UPPPP!!!!!

Karen Zimmerman and her team at ZStudio in Bar Harbor have done a great job on The Danforth website. Without our site and letting people know what The Danforth is now, we were really struggling getting reservations. Weekends have been full but weekdays not. I think that will change now. LOVE it, Gorgeous. Not done yet but I told KZ that I really, really wanted it up by the weekend and she made it happen - still more to go - but this will work wonders!
http://www.danforthmaine.com

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Major John Bennett, Deputy Chief MMP (Retired)

Shot of John with the crew of the Discovery Channel show he was interviewed for in Portsmouth on Monday. The Marine Patrol guys who were involved in the drowning investigation and recovery mission in May of 2008 wouldn't participate so the producer googled Marine Patrol Retired and Swan Agency came up with John's bio. They called him at the Blue Hill office - where we just happened to be which was weird - and asked John as Retired Dep Chief if he would participate and give expert commentary and he said sure and had a great time. I am going to make a well informed leap of faith here and say that this could be the beginning of some very cool stuff!

Cafe This Way

Had a yummy dinner at Cafe This Way with colleagues and friends, Linda Jonas and Pat Coston. All three of us had the cashew crusted chicken! Delish. On way home I realized we had to do it again soon because I had so many things to update them on, some fun - some not so much - I didn't get to hear about some things I wanted to.

http://www.cafethisway.com/

Family Photo


You would think this was a picture of Lily made to look old...

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Swan Upping

You gotta watch this video about counting the Queen's swans - so darn civilized.

http://www.royal.gov.uk/RoyalEventsandCeremonies/SwanUpping/SwanUpping.aspx

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Architecture

The addition to Danforth was designed by noted architect, John Calvin Stevens. I need to learn more about his work, love that stuff.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Love this shot...


Made me cry but I loved this

A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old).

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.'Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The Six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'So live like a dog: Live simply.Love generously.Care deeply.Speak kindly.Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like: When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.Take naps.Stretch before rising.Run, romp, and play daily.Thrive on attention and let people touch you.Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass..On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. Be loyal.Never pretend to be something you're not.If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently. ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Scott and Aaron


Great pic that we are going to use for the Blue County posters. Should attract female fans :-)

Good Ole Dads

Last night, when Ava and I were out squirrel and chipmunk hunting... ( we only find them, don't eat them ) - poor Ava got bit by red ants again, they're back!!! Before when her Grampa treated the place, they stopped but here they are again.

Ava promptly wrote Grampa an email pleading for help to stop the ants from biting her. Well.... I am not even sure her email got through cyberspace before Grampa showed up ready to defend her from those tiny, sadistic beasts with killer in hand. (I never would have gotten that kind of response on my own, now you see where the family gets the animal lover gene from :-)

And THEN, Grampa decided not to stop there and mowed the lawns until it was too dark last night. NOW, today, Mulligan pressed the doorbell asking for some water because he and Grampa have been here for an hour and a half raking and weed whacking and we didn't even know it.

Amazing what a little email from a little girl can do :-)

Friday, July 10, 2009

Dog Report

I heard tonight that both dogs that I mentioned in an earlier email have found loving homes. No, not together, but I am told it is OK. They are both with great Dads and will have wonderful lives. All is well. (Don't worry David, they'll be fine :-)

Nieces and Birthdays and Famous People


Tonight, on a nice but cooler summer evening in Bar Harbor, we all gathered at Gam and Grampa's house for a 13th birthday party for Evelyn. My friend and business partner and fantastic singer/songwriter Aaron Benward was on the phone with me when I pulled into the driveway. I said, "Hey, I'm just getting to my parents' house and it is my niece Evelyn's birthday, will you say Happy Birthday?" to which he replied "of course I will". Aaron proceeded to not only wish Ev a Happy Birthday but also sang her the whole song. She loves Blue County and her face was priceless, amazed and very cute, someone she sees on stage and music videos singing now singing HB to her. I told Aaron I was now off the hook for a birthday surprise for her until she was 21. He is a great guy, very generous and kind. Love, love, love him.


Sooooo.... a little later, I was talking to Lily, the 4 1/2 year old, or 25 year old, depending how you look at it.... Her long ringlets were falling out of her pony tail, big brown eyes were waiting for presents and cake and she just had that exasperated look on her face. Teasing her, I lamented, "Gosh, I wish I had an aunt like me when I was your age". She asked why and I told her my aunt had never had anybody famous sing Happy Birthday to me. To which she replied, rolling those big brown eyes... "OK..... Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you.... omg. TOOOO much! :-)
Lily, the famous in her own mind one, pictured above with Ava.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Blue County


Had a great time at Susan Sarandon/Tim Robbins hosting of showing of Bull Durham last night at Criterion. The theatre was packed and they did a great job answering questions, felt very honest and open.

NOW! Blue County goes on schedule. August 20th. Aaron and I worked on plane tickets yesterday so looks like they'll fly into Portland on Thursday, we'll come up here for a show on Thursday night, go back to Portland for Friday night and then they go over to New Hampshire to do a fair on Saturday night, should be fun.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Just got this from a friend in Southwest Harbor

Hello all dog lovers and particularly Lab lovers.

Yesterday Belle and Buoy (3 year old yellow and chocolate, sister and brother) were turned into the shelter because their owners have lost their home to foreclosure. I walked both of them today and got lots of kisses from both. Belle is a sweet bright petite female but needs some good nutrition and Buoy is gentle but very dependent on his sister for direction. She is the Alpha dog. Both have been fixed. They are also both very scared, confused and alone except for each other.
Please help them or pass this on to someone who can.

Capt’n

Friday, July 3, 2009