How Do You Celebrate Halloween?

     I hate Halloween. The whole premise makes no sense to me, and it seems to get worse every year. I can't wait for Thanksgiving - but we have to get by this waste of time to get there. This year I decided to make it a little more special. I went to Barrel's in Waterville and decided to get M-S a few gifts. Tonight she'll get a new pair of home made mittens, a bottle of Katahdin Red bottled in Union, and some cannoli from Holy Cannoli's. Happy Halloween!
~MET

Fantastic Weekend

 This has been another beautiful fall weekend. On Friday dad came out for dinner. I made a sausage, spinach, and black bean soup:

 It was very good, and we had a nice visit. Saturday morning I went to South Portland to meet with new local association leaders. Its always great to talk public education with MEA folks. Then in the late afternoon I went to Belfast for the 6th Year of Beer & Mussels Festival with Jesse.  We decided to spend the night...

 ...and use the boardwalk to get downtown:

 Just like last year, the food was amazing and the beer was even better.

 Its all outside in heated tents with family style seating. We met some interesting and fun people:

 The highlight was getting to see the Toughcats again:

 If you ever get a chance to see them - do it. They have a very unique style, write their own stuff, and have a LOT of energy. Its kinda like if Green Day and Hank Williams morphed into one band. I got home early this morning while M-S and Bax were out for a walk and made them breakfast.

After we ate I did "the big loop" to get groceries. I start at the Randolph IGA to get the non-perishables, then hit the fish market and Slates bakery in Hallowell, and finish at Emery's Butcher Shop in Augusta. All local, all fresh, all free range. I also did something I've always wanted to do. I ordered our free-range turkey for Thanksgiving. No frozen bird this year. Its a lot more expensive, but I can't wait to taste what I'm sure is a big difference. Life is good.
~MET

Happy Birthday to My Little Girl

My talented, brilliant, beautiful, witty, hard-working, and wonderful daughter is celebrating a birthday today. I love who she is right now because she makes me proud on a daily basis...but I love thinking about her when looked like the little girl in the picture also. My birthday message is simple: Sarah makes the world a better place. I love you. Can't wait to see you in your next show! Happy birthday.
~MET

Columbus Day Will Be Baxter's Vacation

 We've decided to take Baxter on vacation a couple of times a year (and friends are welcome to join us), and Columbus Day weekend will always be one of those trips. He had a fantastic time - we spoiled him to death - and we are already looking forward to another trip with him. For some reason my pictures loaded all out of order, but be sure to click on the good ones to make them bigger. Baxter loved the lake and went in several times (above pic) He also loved the camp, and made it his own very quickly:

 As I said in my last post, the camp was rustic. This was how I watched football yesterday:

 Whenever we travel to different parts of Maine we try to bring a little piece home. This is an example from this trip:

 The Northwoods Gourmet Girl ketchup and relish. Can't wait to try them...again the pictures are out of order. Baxter loves walking around and smelling new smells - there are lots of pictures of him doing just that:

 We hiked Kineo with him yesterday.

 The trails are awesome.

 Old fire warden's cabin:

 Almost to the top:

 It was a very nice day for a hike, and the views were amazing:

 Baxter LOVED the boat to Kineo! After the hike he could not wait to get back on:

 Yesterday morning we started the day with Chris and Lauren and a big breakfast:

 We had slow-cooker breakfast with a bacon cocktail:

 It was nice to have the two of them up there, and we went out early to try to see a moose, but we were shut out.

The last pic is of Kineo from the docks. I'm pretty sure that we will go back there some time. The owners (Bonnie & Ron) are awesome, the camps are great, and Baxter loved it. Life is good.
~MET

Upta Camp with Baxter

 This is our cabin on the shores of Moosehead Lake, and the view isn't bad:

 Its a very rustic and cozy place with a great porch:

 Very rustic:

 Baxter likes to hang out on the porch:

 Chris and Lauren have come up to spend one night with us.

 I thought Tut would like to know they were throwing some shoes:

 Chris being Chris:

M-S made some killer chili tonight, and we are getting ready to watch the Sox on our 12 inch screen that sits on top of the fridge...life is good in the great white north.
~MET

Kicking Off a Long Weekend

    I am so excited for the weekend. I've had a TON of work over the last month, but I have a real break on the horizon. Jim is up for a few days with Tut and they came out for dinner tonight. It was a very nice visit, and I can already feel myself beginning to shake off the work stress and starting to relax. I have a teacher workshop tomorrow, and then on Saturday its off to Moosehead with M-S and Baxter! I simply cannot wait. Life is good.
~MET

After a Long Day of Meetings...

...it was nice to come home and cook a dinner for M-S. Here are my meals over the next two weeks:

• Spaghetti pie - casserole with cream cheese, sausage, sour cream, with jack and cheddar.  (tonight - can't wait)
• Slow cooker pot roast with mushrooms, potatoes, and carrots.
• Italian black bean, sausage, and spinach soup.
• Slow cooker chicken tacos.
• Meat loaf with roasted tomatoes.
• Veggie lo mein.
• Smoked salmon chowder.

Looking forward to it all!
~MET