Some of the best memories are of times spent taking in nature’s beauty. Being in a splendid location with people who are near and dear to your heart. It gives you a chance to recharge from the hectic normal days of life.
I swear you can find some of the most peaceful spots on the island of Monhegan. This is one of them. A place to sit and just be. Sit and watch the birds. Here, Fred is joined by a friends dog, Ella Pickle. She’s so sweet, everyone on the island loves her. What a great place to be a dog, can you imagine?
Looking forward to sitting here in this spot again!
Remember to set your clocks BACK one hour tonight before you go to bed! (If you go to bed at 10, set your clocks back to 9)
We’re GAINING an hour of sleep tonight, woohoo! We should all wake up a little less puffy ;) – I usually change one clock in the morning, so I can remember to switch the rest of them at night… Then for weeks I will say to myself “but it’s really x:o’clock” ha ha… My goal… to not do that this year!
Have a great weekend! Catch you back here tomorrow!
Fred. Sweetest guy in the world! Love of my life! Well, I just have to wish him the happiest of all birthdays, because if anyone deserves a happy birthday, it would be him!
So my dear… you will probably also get the audio version (sorry!), hee hee, but it’s tradition!
Happy Birthday to you!! Happy Birthday to you!! Happy Birthday deeee-aaaar Freeee-eeeeed, Happy Birthday to you… and many more!!!!!
Whew!
This photo was taken on Monhegan, Maine. Gorgeous. Fred is very happy here, who wouldn’t be?!!!
View from Pulpit Rock on Monhegan. A friend told us how to get there. Wow, you could easily spend the day sitting on the rock staring out over the water! It was stunning and beautiful and was everything we had hoped it would be! If you make it to Monhegan, buy one of those trail maps. Check out the different places – each offers a view that is different, gorgeous and breathtaking!
Well, this may not be the stairway to Heaven, but it sure feels like it! This is the boat ramp for the Laura B (Monhegan Boat Lines) – this, sadly, was our departure from the island. You can see the regal Island Inn at the end of the ramp (in the distance) with it’s flag flying. Oh how we love this place!
Good bye Heaven, hope to see you next year! Have a great weekend!
A classic view on Monhegan. The winding dirt roads leading to the Island Inn, which is stunning in every way! So many beautiful flowers blooming. Cool homes, great people.
Monhegan Island, located ten miles off the coast of Maine. It’s a small island with the most creative, amazing people you will ever find. They find ways to entertain (other than TV, electronics, etc.) – This Jamboree was brilliant! Talent like I’ve not heard in a long time. It really is like life the way it should be!
Appreciate the little things in life, those little things are the best things!
I have never seen a fresher farmer’s market than the one I saw on Monhegan this year! They were literally picking veggies right before the market opened. The table was set up with beautiful displays. The veggies didn’t last long. *POOF* gone! What a treat!
Wherever you are, treat yourself to fresh fruits and veggies. Check out your local Farmer’s Market, or your local store that may carry local produce!
Ok, we’re just back from a trip to Monhegan, so I need to catch up on a few things, and I thought I would share just a few photos this week of Monhegan, then I promise, I’ll be back to my normal posting!
This was taken during dinner (sorry Fred!), grabbed my phone and headed outside to get a few shots of the stunning sunset. Monhegan is situated across from another island, Manana. The light on the right is on the wharf (Monhegan). Lobster boats dot the coast.
This place is Heaven. Truly!
I was so happy to meet up with old friends, new friends and everyone in between! This was a super special trip. One I will always remember!
Sitting majestically at the top of the hill is the Island Inn on Monhegan, Maine. It is such a wonderful place to stay. The people are fabulous, the food… divine, and the views… well, “out of this world” doesn’t even begin to cover it!
I would like to thank the Island Inn for a job well done. Every stay has been amazing, but this year everything seemed just a bit better. I am so grateful for our same friends that we met on the island years ago, for returning at the same time each year. How cool is that? (We need to come up with a name for ourselves!) We keep up with each other throughout the year, it’s quite amazing.
Monhegan is a place to forge strong bonds… I guess without TV, and places to go other than the church Jamboree, you spend time talking, sharing your life stories with others and become connected in a way far deeper than being home allows. Without work, and our day to day schedules to take away our attention, all of our attention is focused on the island, the people (and the food!)!
I am so grateful to have met a friend that will be in my life forever and ever… Fred and I met her through her brother who is no longer with us. While that is still hard to comprehend at times, the fact that she is there is just the coolest thing in the world and I am so grateful!
We were also able to spend a little time with a couple (and their adorable daughter) who works at the Island Inn and lives near us here in Charleston during the off season. They don’t get much spare time, so the fact that they shared it with us meant a lot! Looking forward to seeing everyone again soon!
I guess you could call this “taking a personal day” – there is a lot happening today!
This photo was taken back in 2008. My parents had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and they joined us in Maine. We had the best time… rented the coolest cottage on the ocean in Port Clyde, then headed to Monhegan. In this photo I zoomed in and cropped out the surrounding area… they were standing on the rocks looking out towards the ocean at sunset. Gorgeous isn’t it? I know they would like to be back there right now… as would we!
Maine is such a special place. I told Fred the first time we went… that I didn’t feel like I was supposed to leave, ha ha… What a place!
Hey, happy anniversary mom and dad! So this is your 56th Anniversary?!!!! Wow! Congratulations!!
Love you more than anything! xoxo, me
Oh! And a happy birthday to my sister Bridget who was born X-0 years ago this year! Woohoo! It only gets better from here, trust me ;) !!!!!
Fred and I have been so fortunate to always have such fabulous weather when we visit Monhegan. This wonderful Maine island that sits off the coast is so special in every single way. What makes it so beautiful (other than the surroundings)? The everyday things, from the stacked lobster traps to the colorful clothes on the line blowing in the wind.
Island Inn. Monhegan Island. Maine. Vacation. Heaven! Wow, back in 2009 my mom and dad, Fred and I rented a cottage in Port Clyde, then we came to Monhegan for a few nights. What a dream! My dad had recently had knee surgery, so those of you who have been to the island know what a challenge that can be. Right as you step off the boat you have a rather steep hill to climb. He did it, no problem. (Dad, you were a sport. You had to pass on the hike through Cathedral Woods, but you stayed mighty busy. I’ve told you all about a sketch book that he surprised me with. Full of fabulous ink/watercolor sketches of our time on Monhegan and a few other things. I cherish that book!
Joe Fidler – Monhegan Island
The island is such a fabulous place to just be… to do what you want to do… you see all kinds of people, lots of artists and bird watchers. You meet the most interesting people and life long friends on the island.
Sheila Fidler hiking on Monhegan…
This is the day we went hiking. Mom found a great walking stick… part way through Cathedral Woods she said, whew! That’s far enough… Noooo Mom!! You have to see the “reward”… the peacefulness of Cathedral Woods cannot be matched anywhere in my opinion. But when you get through that trail to Squeaker Cove your jaw drops. Wow! Mom was thrilled that she went the entire way! The beauty is breathtaking!
As promised… more Monhegan artist photos… this is the last batch until I can get there again to take more photos!
Fred and I watched David Kasman (above) paint one afternoon and it was fabulous. This man is good. Really good. We didn’t want to bother him until he was finished… then I walked up and asked him WHO ARE YOU? He clearly didn’t set up, fumble around like I might do… he set up, got to work, painted away… and it was fabulous. It’s in our Monhegan Collection!
Caleb Stone teaching a workshop and Kevin Beers (not in the workshop) painting his heart out….
In this photo you see Kevin Beers painting off by himself (top right). On the bottom left hand side of this image is artist Caleb Stone giving a student assistance during a workshop. This is the one cool sight that you will see over and over on Monhegan. Groups of artists painting. Some are in workshops, most are just artist out painting like Kevin…
Tim Bell after he finished a painting…
We caught the last half of Tim Bell painting this gorgeous drop dead painting… Tim has the ability to set up, paint an entire painting without getting a drop of paint on him or on anything else. He neatly puts everything away, and when he leaves… there is no trace! This striking painting… in our Monhegan collection!
Kevin Beers painting by the Barnacle on Monhegan
Kevin draws a crowd when he paints because he paints on such a large canvas. It’s interesting to watch each artist paint. Artists all have different techniques, yet they all turn out fabulous paintings. Which just proves there isn’t just one way to paint. Do what’s best for you!
Tim Bell… Monhegan
A lot of people (me) like to set up out of the way, like out on a cliff somewhere… but I would say there are many more confident painters here… like Tim, he’s comfortable painting anywhere.
Joe FIdler (dad) painting in Port Clyde, ME!
Joe Fidler! He sets up and paints anywhere… he goes with the flow, doesn’t worry about things. Paints nice painting. Needs a website ;)
Maine is such a great place to paint. You can be close to others, off by yourself or somewhere in the middle.
