Scenes From Our Sunday Hike With Friends

 We started off with a leisurely stroll at Asticou Azalea Garden in Northeast Harbor.   

Well, actually after a hardy brunch we got as far as the parking lot before we dug into our little white bakery take out bags. 

Ever notice how fresh air makes you hungry?

The day was glorious, yet still a bit chilly in the shade. 

But we had places to go and things to see. 

Maintenance had to be called in at one point though. 

When someone made a footprint in the Japanese Zen garden. 

At least that's what I think I saw happen.  Not that I have any incriminating evidence. 

As you see, I was too busy taking pictures.  

Creating enough havoc in the garden for one day, we decided to head over to Acadia to do the 3 mile loop around Jordan Pond. 

I'm not saying we had a "whiner" with us, but at one point I heard him muttering about his leg being broken and that there was no way this was only 3 miles.  (We found it best just to ignore him.)  What would we do without our Danny constantly entertaining us though?  We love you man!

We did a lot of picture taking and posing against this gorgeous backdrop. 

Henri checking the water temp.  Still cold. 

A rustic bridge at the half way point. 

View from the bridge looking up from the right. 

Oh I almost forgot this shot Diane took of us posing at Northeast Harbor at the beginning of our day. You can just make out the tight grip Henri has on that white bakery bag. 

What a great time we had enjoying a hike with friends. 

  And communing with nature. 

Bon Voyage To Our Friends

Our friends Jeanne & John are about to embark on an exciting new adventure.

They are moving to Florida, and tonight was the only time we could all get together to celebrate their departure. They sold their house 2 weeks ago and the closing is this Tuesday!




So we decided to all meet up at a local restaurant to celebrate for one last time together before they head South.

We sure are going to miss them.

We first met them through our friends Danny and Diane.

So, after we ate we planned to head back to our place for dessert. Dessert that I decorated at the last minute with some flowers from my yard.

And some garnish from our flower boxes.

I warned everyone not to eat the flowers though.

The cake is lemon.

And I even had enough to make some cupcakes too.

A plastic palm tree container served as a vase to hold some more flowers from the yard.

John already seems to have that "just think, no more snow" look.

We will miss them, but we are tickled pink that everything has fallen right into place for them to begin their new adventure in Florida. Congratulations you two!

Easter With Friends

We spent Easter with our good friends Diane and Danny starting out with brunch. Before having dessert, we all decided to take a walk. Diane and I veered off course for a bit to do some Easter sea glass hunting.







The tide was coming in fast, so we had to abandon walking on the shore and finish our walk on the road.

It seems like just overnight the blooms have now popped out everywhere!

After our walk, it was time for dessert of my white bunnies and pecan linzer cookies (recipe found here).






Here's my Easter bonnet cake I tried to make. I used a shell shaped cake pan and a small mixing bowl to bake it in. I really didn't have a plan to decorate it, so I just stuck some of the white chocolate candy shells and little blue pearls on the top. Oh well, it kind of looks like an Easter bonnet, sort of. But at least it tasted good.

It was such a beautiful day, so after dessert we decided to go outside and fire up the raku kiln to further enjoy this warm spring weather.

Here's the first pot fresh from the fire.

And Diane with a couple of her masterpieces.

As I type this, Henri is firing up the last pot and our friends have left for home. It was such a wonderful Easter and I just noticed I even feel the sensation of a faint sunburn on my face. I hope your Easter was wonderful too!

Impromptu Potluck Complete With Mud Slinging

At noon today our friends arrived for an afternoon of potluck and art. Since we just decided late Friday to all get together, there was no time for a trip to the store. So I just used what I had on hand for my share of the potluck. Day old bread and a cookie cutter to make some finger sandwiches.

With a drizzle of olive oil, I popped them in the oven until toasty and then made up a quick batch of egg salad for a spread. At this point, I completely forgot to take pictures of the rest until my friends arrived.

We had shrimp cocktail, clam dip, champagne, for appetizers and ended up making 3 different kinds of home made pizza.

The first pizza. And then I lost track of taking pictures again.

This is our friend Jeanne emerging from throwing her first pot. {Photographed by her husband John. }






Another shot of Jeanne courtesy of John.






This is John and he's done this before, but reminds us it was 30 years ago. How old are you anyway John? I noticed he did not take off his watch to throw.

Ever since I found a spot to hold jewelry, I have noticed sometimes they forget to put them back on before they leave. I think maybe John must be onto me.

John's first pot in 30 years.

Posing with their masterpieces. I see John made a "Jeanne" bottle, or so he told Jeanne. That's our friend Diane in the middle with her impressive new bowl. And Jeanne thought she may use her masterpiece to hold toothpicks.

I just love how they are posing for me, so that's why you get to see another photo.

I already can't wait to see their finished pieces!