Flashback: Island Inn Monhegan – Lunch in the Dining Room…

On May 3, 2016April 29, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Maine, Photograph4 Comments

Posting a few *Flashback* photos of lunch at the Island Inn dining room from 2015. I can tell you that each and every meal at the inn was a treat. The fish tacos were outstanding! And the iced tea, ahhhh… the iced tea is fabulous!

And… the Maine lobster roll was so extremely fresh, I believe it just crawled off the boat! Not full of mayo like many Lobster Rolls. Just delicious!

I’m not sure of this year’s menu, but whatever they come up with you know it will be good! In past years we have had lunch at the Barnacle, by the wharf. That’s always fun, you meet some interesting people that way! They used to have sandwiches in a refrigerated case, wonderful sandwiches, turkey, etc., then they served condiments on the side, which is nice if you prefer plain, etc. The refrigerated sandwiches are perfect if you’re not a fan of grilled sandwiches. Always something to look forward to (like breakfast and dinner, hee hee)!

Back to normal posting 5/16!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Mackinac Island Trail – Can you hear the silence?

On February 28, 2016February 24, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Michigan, Photograph4 Comments

Mackinac Island Trail – Michigan

Have you ever been in such silence that you can hear it? Most of us are in areas with noise, a lot of noise. From traffic to assorted yard tools the sounds are endless. When you get away to someplace wonderful like Mackinac Island and you bike and hike, if you get into the woods it’s the most wonderful silence. It’s just heavenly!

Who knew silence could be so loud, ha ha!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Peaceful Solitude…

On February 27, 2016February 24, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Maine, Photograph2 Comments

Peaceful. Quiet. Time for reflection.

This is the perfect place to listen to your inner self and relax. Sit back, close your eyes, imagine the sound of the water lapping against the shore.

I know! Peaceful solitude.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Sunset from Port Clyde, Maine – Marshall Point Lighthouse

On February 21, 2016February 12, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Maine, Photograph3 Comments

A sunset in Port Clyde, Maine several years ago. This is the Marshall Point Lighthouse (built in 1832).

We rented a cottage a few times while we were in Port Clyde. It was just a short walk to from the cottage to the lighthouse, what a treat! The cottage was on the ocean and was just a dream!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

A heartfelt thought on this winter day…

On February 20, 2016February 17, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Michigan, Photograph1 Comment

This bird is happy and free… the light from the sun is magnificent, leading you to another place and time.

This post is in honor of Randy Locke, a wonderful man who is loved by many.

I wish I had the opportunity to know him.

Godspeed. ❤️

Thinking of his family and friends, may they always feel Randy’s presence in their lives. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Have a peaceful weekend…

Calling all artists – Zimmie’s Artist Residence – Week Rental – Monhegan, Maine!

On February 19, 2016February 19, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn ART, MichiganLeave a comment

Image via Island Inn website

New… this year! Zimmie’s Artist Residence – The Island Inn’s home for working artists and students. How wonderful is that? Zimmie’s is in such a great location, close to the wharf, Island Inn, Novelty, Black Duck, hiking trails, etc.

Image via Island Inn website

Here’s a bit from the Island Inn website:

Named after Zimmie Brackett, a true Monhegan original, we’re thrilled to be able to offer this iconic space to artists as a place to live and create art together. Zimmie was a bon vivant, a legendary host, dancer and fun-meister. He made The Island Inn’s newest addition his home for over 40 years.

Zimmie’s is a 3-bedroom, 2 full bath, foursquare farmhouse located in the center of town, adjacent to Pierce Cottage, with views of the meadow and the historic Monhegan Lighthouse. The colorful gardens and clothesline have been favorites of visual artists for a decade…both are staying!

One of the nice parts of this is that you have your own space. Whether you rent one room or all three. I know most artists like to get up and get out and paint. This place to stay gives you that opportunity. There is a kitchen that is well-stocked with the basics, so you can put on a pot of coffee, grab a snack and head out.

Zimmie’s is a weekly rental. Arrivals and departures are on Saturdays – so see if you can plan your trip accordingly. Prices are wonderful. It’s so nice to have your own space. Zimmie’s is located right in the heart of things, right next to the Pierce Cottage. Be sure to check out the Island Inn’s website for more details, or call (207-596-0371) with any questions or if you would like to make a reservation! If you get a few more people who you plan to come to the island with, rent the entire house (all three bedrooms). What fun! Meals are not included, but hey, you can always whip up a little something yourself, or get something out! Options… lots of them! Be sure to check out the photos.. if you’ve been to Monhegan before you will recognize this house right away!

A little more from the Island Inn website:

This is a bright and spacious historic building built in 1922. A long time year-round residence, Zimmie’s has high ceilings, oversized windows, hardwood floors, original wood trim and doors, built-ins, and a one-of-a-kind shower tiled with pottery pieces and Monhegan sea glass. Common spaces include a kitchen well-stocked with cooking essentials, a dining room and ample common space to work, relax and learn together. The cottage has two full baths. The beautiful three-season porch overlooking the meadow is perfect for lessons, critiques, rainy day painting or just enjoying a Monhegan sunrise with a mug of fresh-brewed coffee.

You may recognize this wonderful clothesline – My photo

I’m happy to know that the flowers and the clothesline are staying! Every year I have wonderful photos from this very spot!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

The year before we discovered Maine…

On February 6, 2016January 28, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, TRAVEL2 Comments

I like photos that don’t show an entire scene. One that shows a cool element of a location. This photo was taken in San Francisco in 2005, TYBWDM. (The year before we discovered Maine). We haven’t been back. We had gone to San Fran in 2003 – 2005, then thought lets switch between east coast and west coast. So we headed to Maine and that was the end of that!

I love this cool window with the fire escape. San Fran is a great city, so much to do and see, and the weather… wow!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Monhegan flowers…

On January 16, 2016January 13, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Maine, Photograph6 Comments

Flowers against that beautiful September sky! Monhegan Island (Maine) has always been a place of beauty. Quiet days (in September), the bluest skies, and wildflowers growing in abundance.

Looking back through photos gets you through until the next visit!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Treats in Wiscasset, Maine…

On January 3, 2016December 28, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn Maine, Photograph, THOUGHTS8 Comments

I love to take photographs of this place. Treats is a wonderful location to STOP at if you’re riding through Wiscasset, Maine. If you’re staying there it’s even better, you can keep popping in, breakfast, lunch and dinner! They have such an interesting array of merchandise. Their food and coffee is out of this world good. Soup like you can only dream of… I took this photo last fall. What a dream this place is!

Treats of Maine – A place to gather, eat & share… their logo, love it!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Portland, Maine and Charleston, SC…

On January 2, 2016December 28, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn Maine, Photograph, THOUGHTS2 Comments

Exchange Street in Portland, Maine. All that cool brick and those beautiful buildings. So many interesting shops. Coffee shops, bakeries, bookstores, boutiques of all kinds, wonderful food.

Charleston, SC and Portland, ME have so much in common. They really are quite similar in many ways. Artsy, classy, beautiful and interesting! I could live here and be happy.

Funny, most places we go we say that we could live there, with very few exceptions (high traffic areas excluded)… Charleston, SC is such a charming town with so much to offer. You would be lucky to land in either location!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Desktop memories…

On December 22, 2015December 21, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn Michigan, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

I’ve always loved this photo. It remains my desktop photo for a majority of December each year. This is my parents front yard. The river is on the other side of the Christmas tree. The sky is magical, the lights are happy and it brings back good memories.

May all your memories be happy and bright…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Quiet Reflections…

On November 27, 2015November 17, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn Maine, PhotographLeave a comment

Look at this sky! This photo from the coast of Maine is very fitting for this time of year. Short daylight hours, the wild clouds in the sky. That wonderful light, however fleeting.

I think spending time after Thanksgiving reflecting on all you have to be grateful for is the perfect way to fast forward you into the upcoming year. Time flies so quickly!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Photo from the archives: Nothing like a river sunset!

On November 14, 2015November 6, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn Michigan, Photograph, TRAVEL1 Comment

Is there anything better than watching a sunset or sunrise? I absolutely love it. It makes you realize there is something out there greater than yourself. This is sunset from my parents front porch. I love this river. But the river with a sunset… WOW!

I have many photos of a stunning sunrise or sunset. There is something so magical about them. Have you noticed how quickly the sun sets? Once it starts going down, towards the end you can basically watch it drop behind the horizon. It’s amazing.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

The Finishing Touch…

On October 24, 2015October 11, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn Maine, Photograph, TRAVEL2 Comments

The sweetest little things are such a surprise!

How sweet is this little bouquet? These bouquets were on the tables in the dining room at the Island Inn (Monhegan, Maine). They add such a nice touch, don’t they? The finishing touch for sure!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

A happy mistake…

On October 18, 2015October 14, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn Maine, PhotographLeave a comment

Have you ever had your camera on the Manual setting by mistake? Sigh… at first I was disappointed and then I thought that the photos I took (my profile pic on FB being one) looked pretty cool, almost like they had an Instagram filter applied to them. Let’s just go with that, shall we? ;)

Misty Mae, Port Clyde, Maine.