The Wedding Cake House

How beautiful is this house! Yes, it's a bit over the top, and it is unique. Just look at all the fretwork. I can't imagine how talented one had to be, and how long it took to add all this adornment.

If you've been to Kennebunk, Maine you have probably driven by this very famous and most photographed house in Maine. It's formal name is the George W. Bourne House. The home was built in 1825 by Mr. Bourne.  Mr. Bourne was a very successful sea captain who fell in love with the European Gothic style.  When he came home he began creating and adding his handiwork to his home.

Above: A close up of the fencing & the home's sign

Below: X's & O's on the posts & a long view of the fence

The "Wedding Cake" name was applied to the house due to its wedding cake-like appearance. There are at least two legends about how the house came to be. The first legend is that the busy Bourne, a sea captain, had done the carpentry work to atone for not having taken his bride, Jane, on a proper honeymoon.

The second legend is that it came to be that the carving had been done during the long lonely hours aboard ship by a recently married sea captain wh had to leave his bride before he even had time to eat his wedding cake! These legends are not the case, but it's a great story isn't it!

Bourne was a highly skilled carpenter and did all the work himself. It is said that his skill knew no limits. In 1852 the barn caught fire and Bourne had the carriage house demolished to keep the fire from spreading. Bourne rebuilt the barn with the assistance of one friend, that was his only help!

Bourne descendants lived in the home until 1983! I find it amazing that this home remained in the family for 158 years!

In 2005 this private home opened to the public for the first time, to raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I'm patiently waiting for the next opening . . .

I found it amusing that the "Baker's" lived across the street from the Wedding Cake House! LOL!!

I hope you enjoyed my trip to Kennebunk, Maine and a brief history of the most photographed home in Maine!

What's Under Your Skirt?

I was raised not to show anyone what was under my skirt, as were most ladies, however, there is an occasional exception!  I purchased this cozy in Bermuda on our 5th wedding anniversary. I was told she was called a "Parlor Maid" tea cozy because of her fine outfit.  

Tea cozies are wonderful when you want to keep a pot of tea hot - they really work!  They are designed to insulate the teapot.  If you like tea, you'll love a tea cozy, especially if you're having a tea!  The first documented use of a tea cozy was in Britain in 1867!

Now, do you want to see what my little friend is hiding under her skirt?  

I have coveted this teapot since I was a young girl, it belonged to my mom, she received it as a wedding shower gift, and she used it all the time.  It now belongs to me, and it makes me smile, every time I look at it.  I can't wait to use it with friends and family when my dining room renovation is complete and my home is put back together!

To complete my mini tea party for myself, I broke out my Old Country Roses china tea cup, tea strainer and some Irish breakfast tea that I purchased at a farmers market in Maine.  I buy tea from Nellies Tea every time I see her at the market. She has the best tea around!  Stop by for a cuppa when you have a moment!

Brew, drink & enjoy!

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Pie

My Stonewall Kitchen Peanut Butter & Chocolate Pie!

Most of you know that I make a lot of pies, and I spend a lot of time in Maine at our cottage.  One of my favorite stops is Stonewall Kitchen in York.  On a recent trip, I came across one of their recipe cards for Peanut Butter and Chocolate Pie . . . well, I stopped dead in my tracks!  I knew I had to make this!  I knew it would be a hit!  One of the things I admire most about stopping at Stonewall Kitchen is you can sample just about every product in the store - and when I sampled the Chocolate Peanut Butter Sauce I was sold!  This pie would be a winner!

I immediately thought I'd make this pie for a recent family get together.  When my 4 of my 5 nieces heard I was bringing this pie they ALL turned up their noses . . . HOWEVER . . . when they tried a slice they said it was amazing!  In fact, one of them brought back 2 slices back to college with her! 

I will tell you that this pie is extremely rich, and a nine inch pie will usually feed 6 to 8 people, however this pie will feed 12 - easily.  

Bake, eat and enjoy!

Ingredients

Crust:

●      1 1/2 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs

●      6 Tablespoons butter, melted

●      1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar

Filling:

●      1 cup Stonewall Kitchen Creamy Peanut Butter, room temperature

●      1 cup confectioner’s sugar, sifted

●      8 ounces Mascarpone cheese, room temperature

●      1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

●      1-cup heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks

●      1/4 cup mini chocolate morsels

●      1/4 cup pecans, chopped and toasted

●      1/4 cup English toffee bits

●      Stonewall Kitchen Chocolate Peanut Butter Sauce, heat until pourable

1.      Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2.     Crush chocolate graham crackers in a food processor fitted with a metal blade or by placing the crackers in a zip-lock bag and crushing them with a rolling pin.

3.      Add melted butter and 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar to the crumbs and mix. Place crumbs in a 9 inch pie pan, pressing to line bottom and sides of the pan. Bake crust 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.

4.     In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment combine the Creamy Peanut Butter, 1 cup confectioners' sugar, Mascarpone cheese, and vanilla extract. Mix on medium speed until combined making sure to not over mix. Gently fold in whipped cream and chocolate morsels. Spread the filling evenly in the baked crumb crust.

5.      Sprinkle the pecans and English toffee bits over the top of the pie. Generously drizzle Stonewall Kitchen Chocolate Peanut Butter Sauce over the top of the pie. Chill pie until ready to serve.

this photo is from Stonewall Kitchen's website because I forgot to
photograph a slice of mine!

Happy Easter & Passover Friends

Joy

The blooming lilies

The empty tomb

A welcome respite

from winters gloom.

Easter is here

To bring us joy

And happiness

to each girl and boy.

~Author Unknown

Easter Peepers Cocktail

Here's another Easter cocktail.  This was made and served by a friend of mine who runs a small catering business.  I hope you enjoy this cocktail as much as yesterday's cocktail!  

1-1/2 ounces marshmallow vodka
1/2 ounce of Godiva White Liquor
1 ounce cream
Sugar

Directions:

Pour a small amount of Godiva onto a plate and sprinkle sugar onto another plate. Dip rim of glass into Godiva and then into sugar to coat.
Put vodka, Godiva Liquor, and cream in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake.
Strain into glass and garnish with a Marshmallow Peep.

Easter Cheers

I saw this on Pinterest and thought it was adorable and delicious looking! I hope or "hop" you like it too!  I have a companion cocktail I'll post tomorrow!

For the cocktail:

Rim a martini glass with thick simple syrup and then dip into dyed green coconut flakes, then adorn with a little marshmallow peep!

Prepare the glasses ahead of time and put them on a tray decorated with jelly beans and other seasonal delights for a stunning effect.

For the cocktail:

1 1/2 ounces cherry vodka

1/2 ounce Triple Sec

3 ounces half and half or milk

Shake with ice until chilled, pour into decorated glasses, garnish with peep and serve!