February Sunshine

While the Mid-Atlantic has been getting pummeled with inches upon inches of snow, we've been sitting up in Southern Maine with hardly a flake insight. Amazingly it is February and there is more grass to be seen than piels of snow. I'm sure we'll get hit with a doozy of a storm as soon as I post this, but in the meantime, Mr. Cleaver and I have been taking advantage of this February Sunshine.

Last weekend we took my first trip to the Maine Audubon sanctuary in Falmouth. In the past, Mr. Cleaver has gone to the sanctuary to cross-country ski, but we just wandered the trails, holding hands.

It was still cold and breezy, but the sun was so nice we sat on the ground and soaked it in.

I didn't think it possible, but this weekend was even nicer - so we went to the beach.

We picked up pizza and pier fries at Lisa's Pizza and took a walk along the shore at Old Orchard Beach - one of those places that is crawling with tourists in the summer, but lovely and quiet in the winter.

We're currently at a 50% chance of snow for Tuesday, but in a Maine winter, you take what sunny days you can.

First Snow

Last night was our first real snow of the season in Portland - around 6 inches.

Between the snow, seeing the Nutcracker Friday night, and the balsam pine scent of our $8 roadside wreath, I'm starting to feel very much in the Holiday spirit.

Only 19 days left to go!

Getaway in Boothbay

Mr. Cleaver and I have a somewhat annual tradition of a mid-winter getaway: that time somewhere between late January and mid-February when we get stick of being stuck inside and need to get away from the house. Ironically, we have often gone to somewhere colder than we're leaving, but its always been good for the soul nonetheless.

When we were dating it was a rainy day-trip to Boston. Two years ago we went to Lake Geneva, Wisc. where I had hands-down the best meal I've ever had in my life. This year we headed an hour north to Boothbay and stayed at the charming Kenniston Hill Inn. 

This year's trip was a bit of a last minute decision, but we are both so glad we went. We spent two days at the inn, eating Valentine's cake and drinking tea by the fire, both in the living room and our room at the inn.

We wandered around Boothbay and nearby Wiscasset, and while a number of places were closed for the season, we still found some great antiques stores to visit (including one where I got a new apron for my collection), some tasty places to eat and my new favorite fabric store in Maine. 

When it wasn't too windy we took in the area's outdoor area. In a park in central Boothbay someone had hung hundreds of fabric hearts from the trees.

We also attempted to visit the Coastal Maine Botanic Gardens, but the cold and lack of trails turned us back after about 20 minutes. We did see some small bits of green before we left.

All in all it was a fantastic time, which has bolstered our spirits in the continuing winter. 

p.s. there's more photos of our trip on my flickr account (see the sidebar for a link).

Ice and Inspiration

So last night we had a big ice storm: power lines are down, traffic lights are out and the roads are covered in ice and sleet - so I'm taking one of my four snow days  today.

For those of you not from places that get lots of snow and ice, you may wonder how an ice storm differs from a snow storm. Well, the ice storm is generally thought to be more dangerous because everything gets covered and encased in a thick coating of ice. This causes problems for trees and powerlines especially, because the added weight often snaps branches, etc. That said, it's also rather pretty.

Also, I was tagged a little over a week ago by Bitter Betty to list 6 things I'm inspired by right now, so here's goes:

1. My newest blog find - sew I do. She makes the cutest clothing for herself, her adorable son, and husband. It makes me glad that I saw some unexpected sewing time available today!
2. The song "Charlie Darwin" by the Low Anthem - it was on the latest Paste sampler cd and I keep playing it over and over again.
3. Portland's Buy Local movement/business alliance. I'm aiming to make all my Christmas gifts be handmade or locally purchased and since we have so many great shops here, it's not hard to do! Seriously- if you're ever in the area and want some suggestions - just ask!
4. The smell of pine - we already have our wreath and we're getting the tree tomorrow - hopefully it's still in one piece!
5. Pushing Daisies - this show has lots of pie, adorable clothing, and a P.I. who stress knits - I am so sad this show is canceled, but at least we have TV on DVD.
6. Handknitted sweaters and socks- I've been wearing the ones I have and I want to make more and more!

Snow!

With somewhere between 8.5-10 inches of snow on the ground outside right now, I thought this was as good as time as any to post some belated photos from my Christmas in Maine.  

Some serious icicle action, on a lovely red house.

I grew up in California, I have an entire childhood of snowball fights to make up for.

Make a little birdhouse in your soul.