The Romance of the Sea

Whether you call them Windjammers, Clipper Ships, or Schooners,  these classic 19th century sailing vessels are what I find myself more and more drawn to lately.   This is a shot I took last May of the 4-masted schooner known as the Margaret Todd that sails out of Bar Harbor, Maine.  

Since then I have managed to find a few items that have turned my interest into a minor passion for them.  For the record, I've only been sailing one time and I don't prefer it, but I just love the romance the image of these ships conjure up for me.  Here's a scrimshaw brooch that I found at a local thrift store.

My fabric with a repeat of this iconic image in blue was perhaps what started my interest to begin with.   It's not that I intentionally went out looking for these things, but rather they unexpectedly starting appearing before me.  And I started taking them home with me.

I was pretty smitten when I came across this sealing wax stamp.

Can you imagine the romance of letting a candle drip over the envelope of a handwritten letter to your love?

Here, I just used glue gun sealing wax to make them.  They are such fun to use, I may even include them on my bills.

Then, a couple of Sundays ago we were out with friends and stopped by an Antique Mall in Searsport, where we found an authentic ship's wheel.  Here it is on my mantle.

Although I didn't need much convincing, when our friend Danny pointed out the places on the outer spokes that were worn from where the becket lines were tied during a storm to keep the helm secure, I knew this bad boy was coming home with me.

It was also his opinion judging by the patina of the wood that this wheel must have spent some time at the bottom of the ocean, much like my barnacled bottles that I have displayed alongside my new treasure.

It's interesting how our collections are often influenced by the world that can be seen right outside our window.  I feel so lucky to be able to live by the ocean.  It was always a dream of mine and now a reality that I truly savor.

Still Life

I took this picture back in January and never posted it because it just didn't seem to fit in with any of my other pictures in my posts.  Until today.

While I was in town today picking up a few groceries I had planned to pick up some more tulips for my kitchen.  However, when I got there and saw the available selection they were a little rough looking.  Then my eye caught the sight of some roses.

A small colorful bouquet for the same price as the tulips.  Can you believe just a little over $5?!  

I couldn't resist trying to photograph them in the fading light of our bedroom.  First on our French settee and then in front of our favorite marine painting of a night seascape.  It is particularly dark in there because our bedroom is painted black, a Sherwin-Williams color called sealskin.  We get teased for having a "boudoir" look in there, so you can chuckle if you want to, we're used to it.

I like how they look inside my silver plate teapot.  The lid to the teapot is broken, so it works out really well as a vase.

I normally like to buy roses in all one color, but I think this is my new favorite.  I like the drama of them against the dark background.  

Plus the colors go so well with the sunsets we often find around here.  And most importantly I was finally able to show you the drama that a local mussel dragger silhouetted against a January sunset can have too.  

March in Maine

March is windy. 

The extra light at the end of the day is most appreciated by all.  

Here's what the moon looked like a couple days ago during our walk.  Even though I know it's a full one tonight, I think it's very beautiful at this stage too.     

While driving along the shore we noticed this lobster boat and we stopped to capture a few shots.

Even though we were far away, we were spotted.  It's also very lonely here this time of year before the summer people return.

 Taken today in Sorrento Harbor on our way back from the post office.

It was 57 degrees here today and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to mention it in contrast to the snowstorm we just had this past Monday.  March is surprising like that.  

Creatures of Habit

Across the street is a small pond that I can see outside my kitchen window.  Every once in a while we'll catch a glimpse of a fox over there like we did yesterday. 

Just look at the size of the cattails over there. At least I think that's what they are.

We decided to start walking over there to avoid the dust from passing cars while there's still so much sand on the roads.  That's Henri over there on the shore dressed in black.

The pond is unsafe to walk on, so maneuvering the field requires using a whole new set of leg muscles.  It's good to change it up now and then, right?  Too often we become creatures of habit.

As evidenced by the fact that we went walking over there again today.  Right before it started to snow really hard.

By the time we finished lunch the snow was starting to collect and so were the finches looking for food that Henri scatters inside our empty flower boxes.

Henri captured this sweet little creature for me while I was writing up this post.

Outside, as our front yard fills up with white . . .

Inside, our kitchen counter looks a bit more spring-like.

I'm thinking the winter has finally found it's way to our place this season after all.  It seems as if just when we were getting used to the lack of snow, Mother Nature has decided it's time to change things up a bit too.  

The Winter Has Been Gentle

This morning as I stood by the window snapping a few pics,  I noticed that the plumage of our little American Goldfinches is already starting to brighten a bit.  Although, it may just be wishful thinking on my part. 

  

Off in the distance I heard the familiar sound of our chainsaw and decided to bring my camera outside while I caught up to Henri.  It was surprisingly mild and so I took a little look around dreaming of when I may get back into the garden.  

These dewy branches are the last remains of the dusting of snow we received late last night.

During our walk today, it was a little hazy looking across Frenchman's Bay where I noticed there was still a faint bit of snow left on the mountains of Acadia.  I never tire of this view.

We noticed these gulls out on the lichen-covered ledge taking a mid-morning snooze.  We made sure to tiptoe by, so as to not wake them.  Not that they would ever return the favor, but after all they did provide an appreciated photo-op on this hazy morning.

Back at home, another birdie serves as sentinel to my tiny backyard greenhouse that I am just itching to get back into.

A little reminder to me that as gentle as the Winter has been so far, it would behoove me to not let my guard down quite yet.  Nevertheless, the softening ground had me eager to get back into my rubber boots.

 Mud season, I'm all ready for you now!  Anyone else getting a good case of Spring fever too?  

Friday Night in the Neighborhood

Since the winter solstice we have gained about an hour of daylight in the evening, so we find ourselves once again enjoying this time of day for our walks.  

If only we were as tall and thin as our shadows make us look this time of year. That's me on the left and Henri is carrying his walking stick on his right side.  Notice the lack of snow around these parts for this time year.  

Here it comes, that warm glow of the setting sun starting to work its magic on these bare branches.  

The reflections in the water are incredible and it's hard for me to capture the beauty of what I see in person.

It's the end of the workday for these sternmen headed back to the shore.  Their commute takes them right into the setting sun.  

And then, as the sun sinks closer to the horizon a few boats in the harbor take on the eerie sight of a fire at sea.

Thus concludes the end of another beautiful walk and the beginning of a quiet Friday evening 'round these parts.  Thanks for stopping by to visit, and if you're a sports fan I surely hope your team wins this weekend, as long as you're rooting for the right one that is.  GO PATS!  [For the record, I am not a sports fan, but I can appreciate those that are, and so for my sweet friend Jeanne, this one was for you.]

frenchmans bay tea co.

It's time I introduce my new blog to you and invite you to come take a look at what living in a small town on the coast of Maine can do to your mind during these long cold winter months.  Yep, it's official, I have succumbed to a fantasy land where I dream up places that exist only in my imagination. Thus, I've blended my desire for sweet desserts, hot cups of tea, dreamy garden spaces and some much needed retail therapy and rolled it all up into a new exciting (for me) place where I can explore this wild imaginary dream I have.

Come on over for a few minutes and step into my dream world where I plan to give my imagination full reign.   You can find me here:  frenchmansbaytea.blogspot.com