June 30

Bar Harbor house is ready, weekly rentals start today.  Ava's and my first night at our little "camp" at Mom and Dad's camp and excited to do up our little studio in Portland this week.  Ava got a last kayak trip of June in -- happy little girl, but tired.

Friday Nights at the Lake

Ava and I love the peace and serenity of Friday nights at the Lake, great way of ending the "regular" work week.  We did have a run in last night with Mommy Duck and her ducklings.  I yi yi!  They were very curious about the yapping noise coming from the little creature on the dock - she would have SO jumped in if I didn't hold her back - wonder if she could catch up, I doubt it :)

Main Street Bar Harbor Building

Even though I own more buildings that I can possibly handle already, I keep wanting more and get all distracted thinking what I could do...  This is one of them, built as the Bar Harbor Water Company in the late 1800s after a typhoid/scarlet fever outbreak in Bar Harbor - it is SO great looking.  Needs tons of work inside but I'm up for it.  But alas....  will have to be the broker instead of the buyer. 

Beach Today

Ava and I ran down to the beach today to take some pictures for the rental site for our house.  We aren't going to be in Bar Harbor a lot in July and August this year so renting for some weeks. 

Problem is, we were supposed to run down and back, got distracted looking for seaglass - found some blue AND teal. 

Wild Iris on Murch Island

Dock at Kerrwood - a joy to show this property.

Hmmm..... really good.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short – enjoy it..

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. 

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it..

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive but don’t forget. 

29. What other people think of you is none of your business. 

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does..

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Cute

Danforth Dining Shots

FB Wisdom

Life is like a dogsled team. If you ain't the lead dog, the scenery never changes...Lewis Grizzard

FINALLY closed on a big one today.  John couldn't be happier to put up this particular SOLD sign.

Lily and Ava - cute

From Conde Nast Traveler

Late night meeting at Carmen at The Danforth

Carmen at The Danforth

Summer 2012 Menu 

For the table
Artisan Manchego fritters 8
Maine lobsters fritters with key lime mayo 13
Crispy green plantains topped with smoked salmon, fried capers, mustardy sauce 14 
Monkfish croquettes, Romesco sauce 12.5
Berkshire pork bites with chunky relish 11.5
Siberian sturgeon caviar, house chips, traditional garnishes and crème fraîche
Half-ounce 36 Ounce 72

First plates
Avocado, heirloom tomatoes, local farm greens, queso blanco croutons, creamy cilantro vinaigrette 9.5 
Dodge Coves oysters two ways, fresh shucked, mignonette and crispy fried, mango dipping sauce 28 
Chicken liver mousse, tamarind-rum gel, pickled veggies, breadsticks 12
Razor clam ceviche, roasted corn fritter 15
Grilled baby flower octopus, chayote slaw 14

Second plates
Maine Hake, boniato mash, artichokes, Criolla sauce 24
Black sea bass, fresh garbanzos, house chorizo and nettle stew, warm tomato relish 27
Luce’s Meat pork tenderloin, sweet plantain mash, pork demi 24.5
Rohan duck breast, braised duck leg roulade, corn flan, warm baby spinach, toasted garlic, fresh lemon juice, late bottle vintage port sauce 28
Grilled Painted Hills Farm skirt steak, hand-cut yuca fries, chimichurri 25
 
Sides
Warm baby spinach, toasted garlic, lemon juice 7
Crispy green plantains 6
Hand-cut yuca fries, roasted garlic aioli 9

Calling it a day...

Even a couple hours with a change of scenery for work was great but Ava and I had to call it a day at camp.  Best 4 hours of the week! 

Fishing

If you have to work all the time, you can at least improve your surroundings.  About once every hour or so Ava and I have walked down to the dock this afternoon.  She is looking for fish to bark at, none yet today.