Danforth Launch

Danforth is hosting it's third Book Launch Party for Downeast Magazine's publishing arm and this time it is Dana Moos' cookbook!

Danforth Salon

I am overwhelmed with the desire to redesign the sitting room/salon at Danforth. Excited about what I can do with it. Two years is long enough for current set up.

Spring Flowers

Art History

I've been looking for OnLine Art History classes and then hospitality certification classes at Cornell. I still wish I had a degree in Art History, with a concentration on contemporary. I remember the first time I saw an Ellsworth Kelly, I think it was at Boston Museum of Fine Art. Sighhh...

Macro

Kind of digging this whole macrobiotic thing... makes sense to me. They suggest the first few months to start introducing the whole grains. I don't know if it is quitting the diet coke or doing that but at the end of the first week - I'm feeling a lot better than I did at the beginning.

Could be my house - should be my house

Worth a try!

Universal Macrobiotic Life Principles
A macrobiotic lifestyle reaches beyond nourishing the body through healthy food choices. Macrobiotics is a comprehensive way of life. These macrobiotic life principles are the road by which we discover direction that leads to truth — our personal compass to self-discovery.
The Principle of Opposites: Everything exists in opposition.
The Principle of Change: Everything changes!
The Principle of Cycles: All beginnings have endings.
The Principle of Non-Identity: Nothing is identical.
The Principle of Front and Back: Every front has a back.

The Standard Macrobiotic Dietary Model
Here are some basic guidelines for choosing foods that fit within your macrobiotic diet plan. This dietary model outlines principle foods, secondary foods, and pleasure foods.
Principle foods
Whole grains: Approximately 25 to 30 percent by volume for the amount of food consumed for one day
Grain products: Approximately 5 percent per day (as in 1 to 2 slices of bread or 1 to 2 servings of pasta)
Vegetables: Approximately 35 percent of the day’s total percentage of food from greens, roots, and ground varieties
Beans: Approximately 5 to 10 percent beans or bean products (tempeh, tofu, so on), either canned or dried
Secondary foods
Fruits: Approximately 5 to 10 percent as fruits, according to sweet cravings
Beverages: Grain-based teas, herbal teas, vegetable juices, and so on
Oils, nuts, seeds, and limited dairy products: Approximately 5 to 10 percent natural vegetable oils, nuts, seeds or limited dairy products.
Reduced animal protein: Approximately 5 to 10 percent of fish (preferable) or meat (optional)
Swing percentage: Additional percentage of whole grains or more vegetables, according to your needs
New foods: Devote a small percentage of your dietary template to exploring new foods, such as sea plants or fermented foods (sauerkraut, pickles, miso, and so on)
Pleasure foods
“WYW”: Whatever You Want means exactly that. Enjoy the best quality and control the volume of what you eat.Read more: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/macrobiotics-for-dummies-cheat-sheet.html#ixzz1LtGOTq2C

Starting Tomorrow........

I've had enough of feeling horrible on the weekends from lack of sleep, going too fast and eating crap all week. Going Macro.

Mother's Day

Deer Food

YumYum, Little Guy and their friends should come to Portland with Ava and me. They would be in heaven in the neighbor's front garden.

Molasses Pond - What a difference a day makes...

New Position at Danforth

I think I was thinking of myself when I wrote the job description for the new position at Danforth. I wish I could....

The concierge/event innkeeper at the Danforth Inn is responsible for the guest amenities,concierge services and events at the inn. This position is salaried with six shifts per week at the inn in addition to meeting with event clients and actual event management.

Applicants should be very familiar with Portland and it's restaurants, attractions, shopping and nightlife as well as have an interest in cooking and baking, have experience with hospitality and event planning preferably with knowledge or an interest in wine.

Complementing the General Manager role, the Concierge/Event Innkeeper can be a live on site position. Salary is dependent on housing and experience.

The Concierge/Event Innkeeper will work with the owner to increase the event business at the inn as well as implementing guest amenities such as wine bar, stay/play packages and guest booked events as well as music/art/food productions.

Room 8 Danforth ReDo

I couldn't resist, the zebra chair has been ordered. The paint is bought, the headboard is decided. You will not believe the before and afters of this room. Going to be TOTALLY different.

First Print Ad

Kinda Crazy

Trying to figure out where I can use this - big enough for 3 or 4 people to sit on. May have to build a whole room around it.

Hair

Just found this pic looking for another - Austria, Christmas 2004 - want this hair back.

One of Ava's Boyfriends

Duncan Karu and Murphy Karu are Ava's boys who live in Cape Elizabeth. Their Mom, Candace, is one of our favorite people. Duncan's "Dunkin" photo is pretty fantastic. How could Ava not have a crush?

Adopt Me!

This is great, one of the great rescuers in Maine took this sweetheart that needs a home today on walk through Bath and Brunswick with his "Adopt Me" sweater on - 5 people inquired and the local paper wants to do story. Curley is an older guy that is a doll!

Northeast Harbor Building

Our office building in Northeast Harbor is complete, signs are up, The First Bank is all moved in, going to be a great summer.

More design inspiration

Patrick - Awwww....

Look at this beautiful baby, so happily sleepy, trusting that he is in a great place with people that love him and no bones showing. Patrick is such an inspiration to rescuers throughout the world, there is no reason that this guy should be alive, no reason at all except for LOVE. He has come from being moments from going to the Rainbow Bridge to this healthy, happy, well loved guy. There are good people in this world and Patrick is their inspiration to continuing the fight.

Declan

Seriously!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you want a puppy/dog - you can find one to rescue. If you don't have time to search and are tempted to just go to a breeder, let me try to find a baby for you. Check out this little guy. Unbelievable that he doesn't have a family, what a doll.

Bella

Well, Ava and I had our home visit and interview last week to see if we are a worthy and safe family for little Bella. Jean was here for quite a while, with treats in her pocket. Ava never stopped barking for a treat, never. I'm not sure we passed ;) As I have said before, we are leaving it all up to God - if Bella is meant to be with us she will be - if not, there is a better fit for her and we will totally respect Sue, her rescuer's, decision.

In the meantime, the following update is on Sue's site, toypoodlerescue.net this morning. We are very glad to hear that she is doing well.

*Update* 4/23/2011Bella had her eye removed yesterday and is doing well. We had a sleepless night making sure she was monitored after her anesthetic and comforting her. She already wants to run around today and is having a hard time with her forced restricted activity level, there is no holding this girl down. She has already figured out that we are snuggleing her and holding her more and if your hand stops petting her she lets out a tiny wimper. I was petting her while dozing and at one point I must have been falling asleep and she let me know immediately I was not doing my job. We could not have helped this little girl without everyones kind and generous donations, we are so so grateful to all of you who gave to help her. It has been a long road and soon she will be able to go to her forever home, totally healthy and fully healed and ready for a new adventure. Be proud that you have helped send this little one on her way. As always we could not do what we do without all of you, again Thank you.We will post new photo's when she is looking her best and before she goes to her new home for all to see.

555

Just saw this gorgeous photo on Facebook from 555 in Portland, one of my favorites and certainly a Danforth guest favorite.

DogfriendlyMaine.com

OMG. I just realized it is 3pm and I have been building this new website and FB page since 630 this morning, a little ridiculous. Must take a break. Using cute shot of John's friend's puppy, Riley, for profile pic. Ava not happy but I don't want it to be ALL AVA.

Taste Test

This weekend is a taste test with Ava and Mulligan, the testers, for organic dog bones that Mom and I are going to make. They will be in lobster shapes, have to find that cookie cutter.

Happy Earth Day

Love this shot of Smuggler's in East Boothbay to celebrate.

Pet Friendly Travel

Having fun researching pet friendly travel. Important, since I will never go anywhere if Ava can't come.... In over two years I have only spent two successive nights away from her once.... I know there are others as crazy.

Pet Friendly Smuggler's

Having fun making plans to make Smuggler's Cove pet friendly.

Home Visit

Ava and I are having a home visit today on behalf of the Rescue Group that has Bella, the little girl who we have offered to take into our family. Kind of interesting to see what this is all about, what they want to see. Like, closets, bathrooms?? I'm sure fenced in part of yard etc.... If they don't think we will work then that is the way it is... not sure why that would be but you never know. Casa Ava is a pretty cool spot.

More Cupcake Research

C'mon Sun!

I have two dogs patiently waiting for this storm to pass and the sun to come out - okay, patiently may not be a good description. Mulligan, Ava's Golden cousin, is much more patient and he is even antsy. The moment the sun is out, we'll head down to Schooner Head.

Michael Abbott Band

SOOOO psyched for our friends who have launched their Facebook Page with new music. We are really excited about what is going to happen for these guys. People who love Maine music and want to support it are going to love this - here's link to my favorite song of their's. Check it out! http://soundcloud.com/michael_abbott_band/everything-changes#

Quote

"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."

Summer Project

Working on a Maine Singer Songwriter Showcase for several performances this summer in various venues. Exciting.

AND hoping that stars line up for a television show featuring our Amazing Music of Mainers CD project, could be AMAZING!

First Photo for new campaign. Final Decision.

Top left to right, Mary Herbert and Christine Holt.

Bottom left to right, Kim Swan and Brianne O'Donnell

The Swan Agency Sotheby's International Realty's GPG. Greater Portland Group.

Quote

"You can say any fool thing to a dog, and the dog will give you this look that says, `My God, you're RIGHT! I NEVER would've thought of that!'" - Dave Barry

Need Foster or Forever Home for Hope

Trying to help my wonderful rescue friends find a home for Hope. Hope had five puppies at a high kill shelter and they were ALL going to be killed the next day if Cynthia hadn't saved them. They are now in Maine, all of the puppies have been spayed and neutered and are now all on ways to new homes. Hope, who was very scared and depressed when she was first saved has done a great job being a Mom but now it's time for her to find her own home. If we can't find a forever home right away, we really need a foster. She is a sweetie.

Shifting research to cupcake factory....

Flor

I have never used carpet tiles before but I am designing a new room for Danforth and seriously considering them.

Restoration Hardware... again

I want to walk in a really fabulous house that we are listing and see this in the study. or maybe I'll just do it.

Saturday on the Couch

Ava and I are watching The Kennedys mini series I DVRd. Just looked over at her on other couch, don't think she is that interested.... poor thing is wiped out from barking at deer.

Greater Portland Group The Swan Agency Sotheby's Int'l Realty

Not my very favorite but a fun shot from our Iconic Real Estate marketing campaign.

Protest

There's a sit in going on at our house this morning and it has nothing to do with Politics.

Schooner Head Road House

When we were buying in Florida, many years ago, I asked the broker we were working with which house she would buy. She took us to two condos and a house with a FABULOUS pool, we bought the house. We loved that house and did well when I sold it. Now, if someone were to ask me what house I would personally want, other than the one I am in now, in Bar Harbor - this one would be it. This is my favorite part of town, furthest south you can get in Bar Harbor without being in Acadia. Private beach, funky modern house, privacy - love it!! and now that we have reduced price to under $2M, I know it is going to sell.

Sneak Peek of Photo Session with Jack Michaud

So, the Swan Portland ladies and I enjoyed (got through is more like it :-) a photo shoot for our ICONIC REAL ESTATE marketing campaign with Jack Michaud, who is fantastic. I already recommended him to a friend whose band is going big time for shots of the group. Anyway, there are lots of good ones but this is my particular favorite, of Av - she takes the cake :) THIS is who I am but probably nobody buying or selling real estate would care.

Professional Puppy Pic of my friends from yesterday :-)

Visit to Community Spay-Neuter in Freeport, Maine

Sunday Prayer

NO KILL REVOLUTION QUOTE OF THE DAY... Dear God, We are thankful today because of the many new friends you have brought into our family. New friends that will stand with us in our cause and cry with us when we lose a battle to save a life. Please let us always remember your mercy and help us show compassion to all of your creatures. M...ost of all give us the strength to endure until the end and our battle is won... Amen!

Cygneture Board of Directors

Had a good meeting this afternoon with the Board of Directors of the newest company, coming soon, Cygneture. One of the Directors is 14 and spent most of the time trying to figure out who is hotter, Josh Duhamel or Johnny Depp - she thinks Josh. The other Director is 6 and she was far more intent on flavors and staffing the business but has forbidden anything with nuts or jelly, yukkk. I think the one accomplishment was that the pictured flavor has made the menu.