The High Point of Our Summer

Henri and me posing with our daughters this past week.   

This is the first time in several years they have come here together at the same time.  Here's the view from the summer house they rented right here in Sorrento named Highpoint. 

Our oldest daughter Jen and her family.

Our youngest daughter Angie and her family.

The youngest grandchild is 22 mos., but that didn't stop us from all going on a 3 mile hike together. 

A good friend of mine that I have known since high school was here visiting as well, so there were 16 of us all together on that hike.  Our 4 year old grandson Noah bringing up the rear.  I'm so proud of all of the little ones for being able to complete the not so easy hike around Jordan Pond with us. 

During their week long visit we only had a couple overcast days, but that didn't stop the little ones from wanting to go swimming at this local lake known as Flanders Pond.  The water was cold and the air was only about 60 degrees that day, but another beautiful memory was made. 

Our oldest daughter and their Yorkie, Emma in Bar Harbor where we all went to go shopping and eat ice cream. 

More hiking together on Ship Harbor Trail in Acadia.  Little Emerson Rose had the best seat in the house on the trails. 

And right across from the summer house rental was another great seat. 

Our oldest daughter Jen out collecting buttercups for the summer house on the first day they arrived. 

Our son-in-law Danny Mac finds some perfectly frosted sea glass on the shore. 

Our son-in-law Joey taking a boat ride with our grandson "Captain" Noah. 

Our grandson Michael found a metal toy tank while out hunting for sea glass. 

Our grand daughter Taylor found one of the best pieces of sea glass I have ever seen here in Sorrento.  It's purple with an impressed pattern.  And check out that pretty piece of blue and white china she found too.  The 7up piece in the photo above was also one of her finds. 

Tonight Sorrento is just not the same here without them all. 

It's always so hard saying goodbye to them at the end of their stay and I can't even tell you how very lonely it is here tonight without them. 

Lost in a Sea of Lupines

Right now in Sorrento, the lupines are the star of the show. 

After 2 days of cold and rain I brought my camera on today's walk to try and capture them while the sun was still out. 

We were busy discussing our neighborhood's annual bulky trash pick-up scheduled for this weekend, when we saw something that took us both by surprise. 

You're going to think it sounds a little Peyton Place-like if I don't explain it right though.  

So here goes.  There is this couple we know that were for a long time not together anymore.  And today while we were out walking, they drove past us smiling and waving, just like it was old times.  It felt good to see that.

Between the scent of the lupines (I think they smell like patchouli) and the sea roses, I almost failed to notice the pile of cast off items way up ahead of us. 

Items that were put out for the bulky trash pick up that is scheduled for this weekend.  So just what is this bulky trash pick up you ask?  What it is, is pure delight.  Everyone in Sorrento gets to dispose of items they no longer want and are too bulky for a normal trash pick up.   Most of the items kicked to the curb never actually get picked up by the garbage truck.  It becomes more of a neighborhood swap and anyone is welcome to anything they can find in each other's bulky trash.  The good stuff goes fast.  Like this painting we spotted tonight.  It's not quite finished though, but I was instantly drawn to it and immediately recognized the spot in Sorrento where it was painted. 

Henri's spur of the moment reaction to seeing that couple together again.   

Amidst the salt air, lupines and roses, it really is a lovely place to be in love. 

And to get the chance to lay claim to a discarded treasure for your very own too.

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. 

Crushed

If you asked Henri, he would say it's the most favorite vehicle he's ever owned.  So it was only fitting that I took a picture of it yesterday sitting in our driveway before we left for a 5:30 appointment at the Toyota dealership.  It's a 1997 with 118,000 miles without a speck of rust. 

It's been a couple weeks since we've been out for a walk due to all the rain we've had here lately.  Here are some scenes from our walk tonight. 

Just for fun, we took a different route than what we normally take. 

This is a view from Sorrento Fish & Lobster.  In the foreground is the pen where they keep the lobsters until distribution. 

Near the end of our walk we noticed the fog was starting to roll in over Sorrento Harbor. 

Henri walking away from his beloved truck for the last time last night.  Toyota bought is back due to a failure on the frame.  He was crushed. 

We asked them what they will do with the truck.  We were told it would be crushed. Even though we suspected that was the case, we couldn't help but physically wince a little when we heard it.  On the upside, we were given one and a half times the blue book value for it that will go toward our next used vehicle.  But he really did love that truck. 

It's Been Way Too Long

When a few of you recently checked on me to ask if I was okay, it made me realize how long it had been since I last posted.  And it also made me feel fortunate to know I was missed.  Thank you guys for that!  So in between all the rain we've been having here lately, here are a few shots of the happenings right outside my window.

It's getting awfully green around here. 

Everyone is so hungry! 

Henri found a new use for our raku pottery. 



And from where I sit at my laptop, thanks to Henri I now have some pretty pink flowers planted inside my flower boxes. 

The view as the fog rolled in this morning just before we left for our trip to Bar Harbor. 

So I've been having a food craving ever since I bought these adorable little whoopie pie earrings from Lisa over at Pink Porches.  She hand crafts all sorts of items to look exactly like the real deal over at her Etsy shop, and she does custom orders too!  

The one and only place that has my most favorite edible version of them is Epi's in Bar Harbor.  They are so fresh, individually wrapped in saran wrap.  See it right there on the top of our takeout lunch? 

Objects may appear larger than life when you get to eat the entire whoppie pie all by yourself.  Mmmmm. 

Foggy and misty, it's still a nice day to visit Bar Harbor. 

Gearing up for tourist season there's that certain excitement in the air again around here. 

I just love seeing the old familiar sights and sounds again. 

And belly full we head home, content that all is well in Bar Harbor land.  Let the season begin!  Thanks so much for stopping by to see what's up in our neck of the woods, you really do know how to make a gal feel special, you know!