Monday, October 15, 2012

Vacation at last! And TUSAL as well. Looooooong

People were wondering why I was wordless last week.  :D  Well, part of the reason was that I wasn't home and didn't want to say I wasn't home.  lol!  We did go up to Boston to visit the boy child for Parents Weekend -- and it was wonderful to see him and clean his apartment for him.  lol!  The cleaning was my idea, not his.

But after that, we went up to this.


That's the view out the window of the cottage we rented up in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.  Right on the ocean.  Love it!


It was our first vacation in 3 years (I'd been saying two, but I was wrong.).  And it was our first empty nest vacation too.  Very odd feeling!

We had lots of fun.  Visited some of our usual haunts.  Like Boothbay.


Which of course included our favorite ice cream joint.


We did a bit of outlet shopping at Freeport.  Which, of course, is dominated by LL Bean.


Ate at the restaurant of one of the Beans.  Yummy Lobster Rolls.  Mmmmmmm.


And found a British Goods store, Bridgham & Cook Ltd.  And went a bit crazy.


Loved it!


This is inside the store.  They even had shelves full of scarves which were the colors of the different colleges of Oxford and Cambridge.  So cool!


These are my purchases.  Couldn't resist.


(Sorry for the sideways pic.)  And we also had to get some of this to try.  Been curious about it ever since I saw some commentators trying it at the Australian Open.  (Yes, it's Australian, not British.)


We also went to Wiscasset.   Finally tried the lobster rolls at the famous Red's Eats.


(That's the father type with his man bag.)

This is the bridge between Boothbay and Wiscasset, which always gets backed up due to the human traffic waiting in lines for Red's Eats.  In the summer, there can be quite a backup -- both human and car.  Which is why we've never tried Red's Eats before this time.  The line was always too long.


We went antiquing in Wiscasset.  Fun things to see.  These pics are from Waterstreet Antiques.  Lots of neat stuff.


The tag said the fabric on the right is from the 19th century.



(A collection of planes.)




I found the most items at the Showcase Antiques Gallery.  Love this display.


My purchases -- the father type found the little coronation jug for me.  I was thrilled!


The jug, darner and little Japanese car are all very small.  And look at the lip of the jug.


Love it!

We also did some of this, of course.


This is at Ocean Point.  So pretty!



Wouldn't you love to live in that house?  Or this one?


Right there on the edge of the rocks with those views!


(Have man bag -- and iPad -- will travel.)

Oh, and we also lazed around the cottage.  Which was quite cozy.


Love this stove.


Ignore all the luggage.  This is when we first arrived.

The cottage actually had quite a few stitched pieces around too, some embroidered, some cross stitch, some in needle point.  This one took me back -- I still have one exactly like it that I think my mom stitched.


Before I forget, here is my TUSAL for the month.


Mia was sooooooooooooo happy to see us when we got home.  This is the longest we've left her since she was a kitten.  She'd probably given up on us.  lol!   She just kept purring and meowing and meowing and rubbing, and being very excited and happy.  Now she's sacked out on the Bridgham & Cook bag.


Sorry no stitchy pics this week.  I was working on my Susan Singleton SAL, which we don't show till December.

Thanks as always for stopping by and saying hi.  I hope everyone has a great week!

62 comments:

Nicola said...

This is everything I love about blogging. Thank you for sharing.

If ever you want anything from the UK just let me know.

Can you post food items into the States?

Sherry said...

What a great vacation for you both. I am sure the boy child was happy to let you do the cleaning! I know Mia was glad to get you back home!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Lobster Rolls.... yummy! What a fabulous place to go on vacation. I miss the East coast so much... and seafood... I miss fresh seafood a lot.
Great finds at the antiques mall. I would have loved shopping at the British shop.

BrendaS said...

Great pics Margaret! Thanks for sharing -- so glad you had a good time:))

barbara said...

Next time you're in Maine, you MUST tell me! You were only a few hours from me, and I'd have loved to meet you!! Sounds like the perfect vacation week! :)

The Inspired Stitcher said...

What a great vacation you two had! I love the UK store you found. I'm glad to see another UK lover too. I have that exact mug! Your cottage was adorable too. I'm go glad you two were able to slip away. Welcome home!

cucki said...

such a beautiful post..thank you for sharing..
so glad you had a lovely time..
big hugs xxx

Erica said...

OMG! What a wonderful trip you had!
I am sooo jealous! It has been far too long since I have been back to Maine (or anywhere for that matter)!
I bet Mia was glad to see you!

Carole W. said...

Love all your pictures....makes me want to trail behind you!

Carole W. said...

Love all your pictures....makes me want to trail behind you!

Glenna said...

I adored your vacation pics--we've meant to go to Maine off-season for years but put it off and now I must must must go. Thanks for encouraging it--we haven't had a vacation (visiting relatives on the Cape doesn't count) for 6 years now and I'm so ready. Love your purchases and the shots of the lovely antique store goods.

Annie said...

That looks like such a beautiful place with so many fun stores and restaurants. Plus a gorgeous cottage, beautiful views and just great seaside living.

That was a great reward for doing a little cleaning!

And if you get tired of the coronation pitcher, I'll give it a good home!

Keeper of the Crowes said...

Wow, loved seeing pictures from your get away. Looks like you had a wonderful time!!!
Linda

Teresa S. said...

That looks like a wonderful vacation! I haven't been to Maine since I was a kid.
And lobster rolls sound like something I want to try!!

Love that "have man bag and ipad-will travel" :)

Mugwump Woolies said...

What a great vacation! I have only been to Maine once, but it was so beautiful...I'd love to have a longer look someday. Lobster rolls are the best! You came home with some great goodies.
Have a good week,
Robyn

Beth said...

What a wonderful vacation! My sister just came back from Maine visiting Acadia Nat'l Park. It's a LONG way from Oregon though...

Cari said...

Looks like you had such a fabulous vacation. Maine is beautiful. I love your finds too! Hugs to sweet Mia for being such a big and good girl while you were away. Welcome home and hugs !!!

Joy said...

Oh, how I envy your vacation...how beautiful. I could spend weeks in that cottage with books and stitching. Now mom, some day you will have to quit cleaning for the boy child...he will want to do it his way. I was crushed when I was told this:) Thanks for the tour...have a wonderful week.

Vickie said...

Thank you Margaret. How wonderful for the two of you. I got goosebumps though. Your first vacation as empty nesters!

Krista said...

Looks like you had such a fun time up in Maine, great shops, great pics! Maine is soooo beautiful. And who doesn't love a good lobster roll! yum! Oh, how excited Mia must have been to see you home, so excited she tuckered herself out then needed a nap! lol! Have a great day!

Melanie said...

Very nice vacation!!! I haven't been to Freeport in agesssssss. I always forget how pretty it is up there. What an adorable little place to stay. It's perfect!
The vegemite scares me a little. Heh.

Deb said...

It sounds like a wonderful time. That is one place that I've never been too - I think I'd probably go just for the Lobster Rolls - those sound yummy!!

Anonymous said...

Great pictures! Makes me homesick (I grew up on the East Coast). Poor little Mia - she will probably follow you around for days!
Thanks for sharing your vacation!
Sue

Liz said...

Looks like you had a wonderful holiday and lots of goodies to show...you can keep the vegemite..seriously, really detest it. the rest of the family are all vegemite kids though and love it on their toast...
Lizzie
xxx

z3mom said...

Love Boothbay Harbor! We were up there in August, staying at Spruce Point, facing the ocean too. Took a boat ride out to Monhegan Island; you've got to go there! I know exactly what you mean about the lines at Red's, which is why the only time I've stopped there is in October! But the rolls are very good ;)

woolwoman said...

I had a good friend who had a home in Boothbay Harbor which they had to sell during the economic crunch - I was invited to visit 2 or 3 times - I sure should have done so - I know it is a beautiful place - I am always intrigued with the photos of that show on SciFi channel called Haven. Looks like you had an awesome time. Won't you be finished with Susan by December LOL ! take care Mel

samplerlover said...

Hi Margaret, it looks like you and DH had a wonderful time away. Some wonderful photos. My youngest DS would love your cup and I love your Battle of Hasting book.

Ah Vegemite. A wonderful Aussie staple. Have you tried it yet. If you haven't, it is wonderful on hot buttered toast. The secret of it though is that you don't put to much of it on the toast. Probably the very tip of a knife and you scrap it on. It is one of those things that it takes a while to get used to, but once you are, you can't live without it. Australian babys start eating it at an early age. It is ok on just bread but wonderful on hot toast. Don't cover the bread with it otherwise you will think that it is disgusting. Let me know what you think - Sandra.

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Deborah said...

Maine is the best and the lobster rolls are to die for! What a great vacation.

Ellen said...

It sounds like you all had a wonderful trip. We've only been to Maine once and stayed in Boothbay Harbor too. We loved it up there-so beautiful and wonderful seafood.

Love your antiquing finds!

Mary said...

Great photos Margaret. The scenery is beautiful but surely it must get very wild on that coast at times ? Loved the shops especially the British one. I love all of the keep calm stuff. I could have sent you the Vegemite. Let me know if you get a taste for it.
Mary

Mary said...

So glad to hear you made the time to get away Margaret! It looks from all you beautiful pictures like you were there at the peak of the , Thanks for sharing all your awesome finds.

Linda said...

Wow Margaret. Looks like you had an awesome vacation. I like yours better than mine. I'm not a sea person. Great pics.

Linda

Alison said...

I have always wanted to go to Maine & especially L L Bean! I love their stuff. All your photos are gorgeous and it looks just like I imagined it.

You have some good advice here re the Vegemite. This is the advice I always give to my US Vegemite-virgin friends - do not use it like peanut butter! It only needs a tiny bit. It's good on sandwiches with cheese too. But again, only a tiny bit. A little goes a long way. Enjoy!

marly said...

You deserved some R & R after the stressful summer. Looks like you had beautiful weather and a nice trip!

P.J. said...

Oh my goodness you were in my neck of the woods! I love Wiscasset, was Stitcher's Corner open? We have yet to eat at Red's for the same reason. We always eat at Sarah's across the street. Crazy to see pics of some of the places we haunt! So glad you had a wonder vacation!

Laura said...

What a fabulous trip!!!!! I love the scenery and all of those stores! I have wanted to go to Maine for the longest time....someday soon!

Glad you had such a good time!

valerie said...

Sounds like you had a fantastic vacation! Yay!

Donna said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful vacation. We went through Wiscasset by Reds and over the bridge so many times this past 2 years on the way to Bristol the harbor over from Christmas cove. DH had his dream down east boat built there. We ran her down to MA in April 13 hours by boat. Beautiful area

merumo said...

Beautiful vacation! Love t!! I haven't seen the ocean for a while nor been to the east coast :( Lobster is calling me loudly.

Isabelle said...

Thanks for sharing all these beautiful photos with us :)

Giovanna said...

What a great vacation. The cottage looks idyllic. Thanks for sharing the lovely pics.

Evelyne said...

What a wonderful trip you had and what an great pictures Margaret!
It looks like you had a wonderful time
Welcome home .
Evelyne

Myriam said...

Super un chouette voyage à deux! Que de belles photos, merci! Et pauvre Mia....mais ouf vous êtes rentrés et elle peut se faire câliner!

Kate said...

Thanks for sharing all those lovely photos.
I love vegemite, but like others have said, you only need the tiniest bit on crunchy toast for your first taste.

Chris said...

looks like a perfect vacation!
Very relaxed. I know that Miss Mia is so happy to have you home.
Have a great week!
I can't wait to see your stitching progress :)

Carol said...

How nice to get away alone--it does seem very different than a family vacation, doesn't it, Margaret? Somehow more relaxing and slower paced, but still nice :)

And your photos brought back very special memories for me--you see, we honeymooned in Boothbay Harbor 35 years ago!! Oh, it was so cold even in mid-July, but still a lovely place. Thanks so much for sharing your pictures :)

Dawn said...

What a great trip - I have always wanted to go to Maine. Glad you took an empty nest trip ;-)
Thanks for sharing - now I want to plan a trip!

Siobhán said...

Wow, great pictures, Margaret! Maine looks amazing! Fantastic finds at the antique shop. My family would go CRAZY for the lobster rolls!

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

Oh I love the beautiful pictures !!!!

thank you for the partage !!

bisous de France my dear

Melody said...

Margaret, It looks like you had a great trip! So nice to get away! I am sure boy child was happy to have you visit as well.

Jackie's Stitches said...

It looks like you had a great time! I've always wanted to visit Maine with my husband. It would be tons of fun. The coastline is completely different than what we have here and we also don't have much in the way of antique shops. Plus a cottage on the water? What could be better?

How was the Vegemite? I have to admit, it's never sounded appealing to me.

Veronica said...

Oh, sure looks like it's been a wonderful trip. Gotta admit, I'd have gone a bit crazy in most of the stores you visit too :P

So how do you find the Vegemite? I'm most curious to know ^.^

Cute, cute Mia :D

Hugs,
Veronica.

Lois said...

Looks and sounds like you'd a fun time away! How are you getting on with the Vegemite?!?!

Lindsay said...

I can imagine how excited you were to find a UK store, I get the same way I find one here that sells US things

Sally said...

Wow fantastic vacation photos! Looks and sounds like you had a fantastic time.

Jean said...

Great vacation, sounds and looks like fun.

Brigitte said...

Great pictures from a great vacation. Maine is on top of my list of places in the US to visit.

Anne said...

Wow! What a fabulous trip Margaret!! I'm so glad the two of you got away. I would've loved browsing in that antique store for hours!! You got some great little items. Love the darning spool thing! Those houses are spectacular set along the rocky beaches. Your little cottage is so darling and sweet!!!

Aww Miss Mia was missing you like crazy!!

Patty C. said...

Glad you had such a good time -enjoyed the photos especially since i'm stuck using crutches - i feel like i got out of the house - lol

Catherine said...

Loved seeing all of your Maine pics!! I'm still waiting to get back there for a visit ~ it's been waaayyyy too long! Guess you are glad you aren't there this week with Sandy cruising up the coast!