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!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
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!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
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!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
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!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Monhegan. Magical. Mysterious. Moody. Misty. Marvelous. Miraculous. Mythical.
Oh how I love this place! Catch you back here tomorrow!
What can I say? I love this place. It’s gorgeous. It’s peaceful. It’s a little bit of heaven on earth!
Enjoy your Sunday!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
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 ;) !!!!!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
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.
Magical. Absolutely magical!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
F L A S H B A C K !
O n e Y e a r A g o: Monhegan Boat Line – Port Clyde, Maine
T w o Y e a r s A g o: Featured Artist: Connie Hayes!
T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: I won!
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!
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.
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!
F L A S H B A C K !
O n e Y e a r A g o: Charleston Wine & Food (2013)
T w o Y e a r s A g o: Brilliant kitchen tool: The Microplane!
T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: Artist to watch… Ken DeWaard!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
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!
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…
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 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!
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! 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.
F L A S H B A C K
O n e Y e a r A g o: How to make homemade hot chocolate mix (using water)!
T w o Y e a r s A g o: How to make hot chocolate from scratch!
T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: Bowtie pasta with sundried tomatoes and scallion cream!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
When you go to my blog and type “Monhegan” in the search box at the top right, you will see many posts appear… so many gorgeous photos, art, and interesting people… Lots of them. The next few Friday’s I’m going to share some of my artists photos from Monhegan. If you are an artist and haven’t been to Monhegan yet… you are in for a treat. There are wonderful places to stay like the Island Inn, or for the more artsy, the Monhegan House. I hear artists love to stay there because they paint all day and talk about art all night. What. Could. Be. Better? Monhegan is a small island about ten miles off the coast of Maine. You take a ferry to get there and there are no cars (except for the locals with trucks for deliveries). You will see easels set up everywhere! It’s a jaw dropping time, truly!
I took this photo the first year we met artist Tim Bell. What an interesting guy! So full of knowledge that he was sharing, I was writing notes like a crazy person. I was like a sponge trying to absorb all of his information. We spoke with Tim a good bit on this trip. A few times I hung out by his easel while he took a short break (very rare for Tim), and everyone who walked by commented (thinking it was my painting)… I did a lot of explaining in those few short minutes, but also got to feel what it must be like if you’re good. Really. Good. For an artist like Tim who receives so much attention, he is the most down to earth person you will ever meet. He quickly became a friend to treasure for a lifetime. Through Tim we met another artist with the same down to earth abilities even though his paintings are award winning time after time… Ken DeWaard. One day it would be cool to all be on Monhegan at the same time. Just think… you would all have a free photographer, ha ha…
Ok, here are some more…
This is the second year we met Tim on Monhegan… he was painting Uncle Henry’s, and what a fabulous painting that turned out to be!
Cool shot, eh? Nice stance Tim! Look at all the artists set up painting. I’m pretty sure this was the day that there were big winds and artists flocked to paint the surf. See that house in the distance? For those of you who aren’t familiar it is owned by artist Jamie Wyeth. He bought it from artist Rockwell Kent. (Cool article about the two of them from Fine Art Connoisseur). What a view it must have. I cannot imagine!
A close up of Tim’s set up. I’m not even sure I could lift it let alone hike with it. You wouldn’t believe how organized some artists are… it’s impressive.
GO BIG OR GO HOME. I bet that’s Kevin’s motto. He is the one artist you see walking down the street with a HUGE canvas… he comes back at the same time each day to catch the same light. His work is incredible and talk about a nice guy. We met Kevin the first year and have stayed in touch. The coolest people go to Monhegan!
Ahhh, this artist here… love this guy… HI DAD! He’s a great artist too! He has painted in Port Clyde, Maine when we rented a cottage on the ocean there. What a dream vacation!
This was right in front of our cottage. That cottage was truly a dream!
Ooooh… and who might this be? What?! It’s me… hee…
F L A S H B A C K
O n e Y e a r A g o: Battling Clutter… streamlining your kitchen drawer!
T w o Y e a r s A g o: 2012 Restaurant Week
T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: Utility Canvas Throw – one of my favs!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
This photo was taken on that walk that I’ve mentioned in previous posts… Fred, Charlie (woof) and I were zipping along at a brisk pace while I was trying desperately to sneak in some photos… I love this early morning light, there’s nothing like it!
The Wentworth Mansion is one fabulous piece of architecture! It’s a top of the line bed and breakfast, I haven’t been inside, but need to do that one day. They also have a fabulous restaurant, Circa 1886 for those of you who are interested! “Travel & Leisure Magazine World’s Best Awards survey ranks locally owned Wentworth Mansion® with top spot in the US for best service and #2 in the world trailing The Peninsula in Hong Kong by just one-tenth of a point!”. Check out their beautiful rooms… oh heavens! Some you are able to see a 360 degree view… check it out, see what all the buzz is about!
F L A S H B A C K
O n e Y e a r A g o: It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood!
T w o Y e a r s A g o: Footlight Players – Charleston, SC
T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: Eat, Pray, Love… What would you do with your final hour?
Catch you back here tomorrow!
This photo was taken several years ago… at Christmas time… the grass was beautifully blanketed with snow just in time for the arrival of my in laws. I was thrilled that they would see the beauty that I spoke of. They did great driving around in it. We had a wonderful time. It seems like during the winter you cook… and eat… and cook… and eat… Whew! My parents live on a big river, and across the river is Canada. Big hunks of ice float by, sometimes getting jammed. The river is entertainment all year around!
By the time you read this I am headed back from this magical place. Back to the sunny south. That same sun that I curse in the summer I adore in the winter months. When you live in Charleston, you really shouldn’t complain about the winter, ha ha… I’ll be back to my normal posts next week!
Update… today, 12.14.13 – funny that I chose this photo for today… over a week ago I wrote this post. Today, as I get ready to pack up and head to the airport it will be the snowiest day of the year 4-6″ expected by tonight! Windy and snow… absolutely beautiful, but…
Catch you back here tomorrow! I’ll be back to my normal posts next week!
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… Featured Artist… Aaron Westerberg!
T W O Y E A R S A G O… Artist to watch… Dan Corey!
Ahhh, I get a little homesick for Maine each year. No, it’s not my home, but it feels like it should be. It’s a wonderful place, with people who are so genuine. I absolutely love that. They are hard working and honest (honor system to buy flowers, vegetables along roadside stands… and it WORKS!). I’m happy when I’m in Maine… no worries… of course I am on vacation, ha ha… which is so much different than real life!
For such a small island there is something to be seen no matter where you are! This photo is of White Head on Monhegan. To get to it, you can walk down through town, turn at the Monhegan House, walk past the Novelty (if you can keep walking past the best pizza and ice cream on earth), up to Horn’s Hill, past Don Stone’s studio, and follow the path to this gorgeous setting!
To sit on the ledge and listen to the ocean, watch for whales and just be… in silence… it’s a treat beyond measure. Sometimes the best gifts are the most simple. Quiet. Peace. Beauty.
For the next week, I’m going to keep the posts short… I’ll be back to regular posting the following week! Hang in there with me! I appreciate you visiting, stop by and see what tomorrow brings! Ooooh, I like that, might change my “catch you back here tomorrow”… ha ha…
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… Randy Higbee 6″ Squared Show (2012)
T W O Y E A R S A G O… Gift Idea (2011, BUT they still make these!!)
Catch you back here tomorrow! Stop by and see what tomorrow brings… (whatcha think??)
earPlanes… these discreet little ear plugs that relieves that horrible air pressure pain that many of us feel when we travel. Have you heard the babies and young children screaming in pain during descent when flying on an airplane? The pain is excruciating. I have the same pain. Every. Time. I. Fly. I seriously dreaded it until I ran across these earplugs years ago… they carry them all over, Walgreen, Walmart, etc. They’re usually in the aisle of the store that contains eye drops/ear drops… They’re good for one round trip flight. I would not get on a plane without them… They come in adult and child sizes. If you know of anyone who suffers from this pain – tell them about these!
Before inserting, pinch nose and blow to clear your ears. For best results, always insert EarPlanes one hour before landing. Remove after landing and when the cabin door is opened.
Chronic sufferers may also insert EarPlanes just before takeoff. EarPlanes may be removed when the airplane reaches maximum altitude and reinserted one hour before landing.
For maximum results, use your opposite hand to pull the top of your ear upward. Insert the ribbed end and turn like a corkscrew until snug.
Recommendation: Do not reuse after two flights since pollen, dust, and moisture will reduce effectiveness.
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… Featured Artist… Kathryn Turner!
T W O Y E A R S A G O… Cable Car – San Fran, CA = Big fun!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Image via Walgreens.com
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