An Extended Date Night

 M-S and I took an extended date night this weekend. Yesterday afternoon we drove through the twisting and turning roads of western Maine into the NH to stay the night at Snowvillage Inn. I picked it because it was close to a show I thought she might like and it has its own snowshoe trails. Our room was very cozy:

 We had dinner at the inn, and it was spectacular.

 Every night they have many delicious choices, and one is always a "wild" dish. I, of course, went for that and last night was antelope in raspberry glaze:

 After dinner we were shuttled back into Brownsfield, Maine to go here:

 The art center attracts some great talent and only holds about 200 people:

 We saw Paula Cole. The show was truly fantastic.

 This morning we had breakfast at the inn and looked out at Mt. Washington as we ate. Click on the picture to make it larger:

 Their trail system is well-maintained and we had a lot of fun.

I wouldn't be surprised if we went back to another show sometime down the road. Life is good.
~MET

It Took Awhile to Get on the Ice...

 ...but it was worth the wait. I went to Jackman to fish Big Wood Lake, which has been my place to start ice-fishing for years now. There were no cabins available so I stayed at the Jackman Motel, which can only be described as:

 small, but clean. It had a flat screen and I created my own end table:

 The salmon I caught on my first flag of the year might be the best fish I'll ever catch. You have to like a fish that doesn't fit on the cutting board. Notice the hook jaw:

 When I came off the ice people on shore wanted to take pictures of it, saying it was the biggest native salmon pulled out of Big Wood in years.

I had 9 flags and caught 8 fish, but the lunker in the first picture is the only one I brought home. M-S and I will be having it for dinner. It was great to get back out there and I will probably find a place around here for tomorrow. Life is good.
~MET

Today Was All About...

 ...great food and planning for 2016. M-S and I used the day to talk about where we might visit in the year ahead. I have several trips for work, but M-S and I also have plans for MANY weekends and other excursions. Between our talks we enjoyed two incredible and very local meals. This is what brunch looked like:

 The biscuits, bacon, and the eggs are all from local farms. Dinner was equally as delicious:

Again - all local - and very Maine. We had a fantastic day even though the weather sucked. Keep an eye on this blog in 2016...we are planning some epic adventures. Life is good.
~MET

Continuing to Usher in a New Year

 M-S and I are going to fit as much as possible into my last couple of days of vacation. We ended today with a lobster and mussels feast after a very nice visit from the Hargroves.

 Jesse, Ciara, and the boys, and Kori, joined us for brunch this morning...I really do love brunch. We had sausage wrapped in French toast with a big fruit salad. We also exchanged some simple, wonderful gifts. M-S made them bacon jam, and local cheddar cheese and french bread. They made us tomato infused vodka and bloody Mary mix - all made with their veggies. We also gave the boys these pillowcases:

Those who know us know that we are addicted to the products of two artists: pottery made by Robbi, and pillowcases made by Patty Scully. The boys love Batman and Superman, so these were a big hit. Patty will make just about any theme - she's awesome. Tomorrow is the last day for me, M-S is off all of next week, so I can see another brunch and more activities tomorrow. Life is good.
~MET

Happy 2016

 Today was all about walking and errands. M-S and I took Baxter on a long walk early in the morning,

 and then we went to Gardiner to pick up a few things and walked for a couple of miles on the Kennebec Rai Trail. The weather was beautiful.

We had lunch at Fat Toad's, went to a huge antique store and are now just relaxing before we make dinner later on. I do miss fishing today, but its been a good day.