This is what they call "foodporn"

OK - I don't eat lobster but.... Leslie just sent this shot of the Eggs Benedict with Lobster from Danforth's special Sunday Brunch last weekend and I'm thinking... yumm... and I could pick out the lobster. :-)

BLUR...........

Whoever said the cheetah is the fast animal earth has obviously not witnessed a Yorkie running from window to window chasing squirrels.

Smuggler's Cove in East Boothbay

I can't decide if I should describe Smuggler's as being ON the water or IN the water. I just know I want it to be summer and I want to go there.

Portland Magazine

Looking forward to seeing this month's Portland Magazine. I understand from friends that have seen the new issue that there is a great mention of our new Maine Innkeeping Academy and we are also included in an article about Portland hotels - psyched to see.

Thank you God for the day of rest.

Yeah, I worked today but overall had a great day off. I looked over at Ava at one point and she was just sitting there looking at me and I smiled for the millionth time over her just being so amazing. We have been a family now for a year and thank God for that too. She is so sweet.

Of course on a day off, my mind spins and I think of so many new ideas. Looking forward to talking with John about them tomorrow - Ava is tired of listening.

Favorite Portland Haunts

I seem to have a different favorite in Portland all the time but a lot of my decision is based on how they make a Cosmo with Grey Goose. The last two weeks, Local 188 has gotten it right. AND the leek, onion and garlic risotto the other night with Leslie and Dana was amazing! Strongly recommend.

Dark Harbor House

Keith sold Dark Harbor House on Islesboro yesterday and it made me think of so many good times out there. Seems like so many really special people went out to Dark Harbor. Need to find a new place like that.

Spring, spring, spring....

What a gorgeous day in Portland. Ava and I are both exhausted but it has been an amazing time down here getting things done. Had a fab meeting today with Jason Spooner, really excited that he is going to be helping Aaron and I with our Maineville Music project. Tomorrow conference calls with Aaron and and his television producer friend, our friend, Jimmy on our big secret project that is going to ROCK :-)

Music sparking creativity...

Now listening to new Aaron Benward music and just made the most AMAZING frittata.
Carmelized onions, shallots and garlic in unsalted butter and austrailian olive oil and a dash of sugar, deglazed the pan with a little balsamic and then added fresh spinach to pan and added all that to eggs, cream, and a huge handful of parmesan. It is DELISH. Hope I can save some to share for lunch tomorrow.

Sunday...

After a summer like Saturday where Ava and I actually fell asleep laying in the sun on the deck - today is a little different, even saw some snow flakes. Great day to get things done. Listening to a Jason Spooner CD and thinking this is my new favorite. Great stuff. Go to jasonspooner.com

Great Dinner

Love eating early at Town Hill Bistro. Kate and I met there tonight at 5:30. Shared a bowl of basil and asparagus soup and then had yummy salads and then shared gnocchi with an incredible sauce. Two great glasses of wine, a chardonnay and a cabernet/syrah AND the best - chocolate, caramel, pistachio tart. I MUST stop again.

Cousins

Ava is such a good girl and responsible. I was trying to corrupt Ev and get her to have green ice cream for dinner with me to celebrate St. Pat's Day. Ava was guarding her. I won in the end though. Went to Ben & Bill's for dinner, I had a large mint chocolate chip and Ev had cookie dough with jimmies. Just realizing, Ev's wasn't green.

Ava's Zoo

Wish I had pictures.

Ava barked at the squirrels most of the morning and early afternoon. Then a big fox lumbered out of the woods and she barked at him or her for a while. A short time later I heard the deer alert bark and six deer were here for dinner. NOW? the biggest, fattest raccoon I have ever seen is munching away outside the guestroom window and she is yelling at him and he couldn't care less. I am guessing he is at least three times her size.

Good Time at Danforth

This is Danforth Month so we have all sorts of special events going on. Last night Don Gooding premiered his Frank Sinatra show in Portland. Great time - had three feature cocktails - Ole Blue Eyes, Frank-tini and a Pink Lady. Yummy apps and a nice crowd. Ava was SUCH a good girl, she was a good girl all week. So thankful that we have each other.

Insane

I have had perhaps the most chaotic, crazy week of my life but have never gotten so much done. Ava has found her way to deal with it all and I think she has the right idea. Just make sure next time you are at the Danforth to ask if you are sitting at the the table that doubles as Ava's bed. She also slept through a great guitar/vocal performance, 5 feet from her on Tuesday. Would be so nice to be able to be so relaxed as long as she is close to Mom.

Spring in Bar Harbor

Ava has spent most of this gorgeous day outside. Usually I check on her every 30 seconds but many minutes have gone by at times today. At one check she was chewing on some splinters in the deck boards. I suggested a rawhide may be a better choice. She agreed.

Quote - LOVE THIS!

Monday is a lame way to spend 1/7 of your life. ~Author Unknown

Calories vs. Miles

My new thing is to watch calories on the treadmill and not time. Unfortunately calories go even slower. This is after over 1 mile and over 16 minutes, and I get bored after 4.

Quote

I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it. Voltaire

Mom....

Seriously, put the camera down, it is time for bed. Mom, really, I've had a long day, that's enough. MOM. Put. The. Camera. Down. You. Crazy. Woman.

Busted

We have discovered today that a squirrel is living in the gas grill. Ava is harassing them so badly they'll probably move soon. I told her there might be puppy squirrels but maybe it is too early? Please Lord, don't let there be wildlife babies all over this season, I can't go through that again.