Maine Seaside Winter Moments

I'm hooking up to Vee's notecard party!

It was a balmy 35 degrees in Maine this Saturday!  It was like a heat wave!  In case you haven't heard, our temps have been in the single and negative digits, factor in the wind chill and we were running as low as -18!

This afternoon my husband and I ran a few errands and our our way back to the cottage we stopped at a few of our favorite spots.  I hope you enjoy these beautiful Maine winter moments.

The Pier at Old Orchard Beach, Old Orchard Beach, ME

The pier, the main attraction of the beach would be bulging with people on a summers day, today it is shuttered closed and void of people as the waves kiss it.  The beach, is usually filled with people and the smell of sun tan lotion, relaxing on blankets.  Today, the beach had a soft white blanket of snow on top of the sand.  It was refreshing and restorative to stand on the beach and breathe it all in!

The amusement park at Old Orchard Beach, Old Orchard Beach, ME - it will be busier in July

In the summer you can hear screams of excitement, laughter, bells, whistles and sirens from children, adults, amusements and games - today it was the sound of large waves crashing on the surf.

The Saco River, Saco, Maine

In the spring this hillside will have thousands of daffodils, and lots of foot traffic, but today it was snow laden and only us - we loved it.

The breakwater at Camp Ellis, Saco, Maine

 I have to tell you, when I saw the ice on the breakwater it took my breath away, it was so beautiful - I was also very careful stepping out on to it!  What was even more amazing - not a whisper of wind, anywhere today!

It's amazing how much beauty we found in these winter moments.  .  I hope you enjoyed our brief escape!

Stunning Red & White Quilt

Hello dear friends!  Where does the time seem to go lately?  It seems like we were just celebrating Christmas & New Years, and now it's Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend and almost the end of January.  Soon February will be around the corner.

There has been lots going on!  I'm very busy at work.  As many of you know, I'm a teacher.  I'm also involved in an after school activity and a fund raiser.  In addition to that I also have another small side job that I've taken on at work.  Toss all that on to a new teacher evaluation system . . .

my contribution

There has also been some personal sadness.  My dear friend Susan at From Beyond My Kitchen Window lost her mom just before Thanksgiving.  I've known Mrs. D since I was a teen and I will miss her dearly.  My heart breaks for my friend's loss and sadness.

I've also had a dear friend from Maine who was diagnosed with uterine cancer.  Her surgery is this Thursday.  She will have to go through radiation and chemo - but her outlook is good.  My husband and another neighbor "Doc" are talking about shaving their heads when "A's" hair falls out.  She is a single woman with not much family or family near by, but she has a huge network of friends, both personal and professional who are lining up to help her get through this!  We will be doing everything we can when we are in Maine on weekends.  Please keep "A" in your prayers.  She's like a sister to me.

The quilt was made by my husband's cousin Merrie, isn't she talented.  For some reason, showing you the quilt and talking about everything that's been going on seems to fit - somehow.  It's comforting.

The back of the quilt with signature block

Merrie also included a hanger in the event that I want to hang the quilt on the wall.  I also love how the back came out, and the signature square she included.  Believe it or not, I did one of the lighthouses, as did my husband's cousin Clare!  It was a true family effort, although Merrie did 99% of it!  I hope to undertake a quilt on my own soon!

I told Merrie that I wanted a red & white quilt with Maine light houses.  I also suggested lobsters and crabs in the corners and sides.  I showed Merrie an inspiration quilt and she came up with the design.  Once I approved it, she began working on it!  The hand embroidered lobster & crab are part of the sides and corners, along with a sea shell!

I feel blessed, to have an abundance of family, good friends, good health, a great job and to know that I'm loved.

I'll try to be more diligent with my posts . . . despite everything friends, I wish you a blessed and very Happy New Year!

xo

P.S. I'm not happy about my beloved N.E. Patriots losing tonight, but Denver did a good job.  Good luck Denver and Seattle in the Super Bowl!!!

Merry Christmas

Wishing you and yours all the best for a wonderful and Merry Christmas!  

Chocolate Pecan Pretzel Pie

Hello everyone, I have no idea where November went!!!  I apologize for being gone for so long!  So I thought I'd start off with one of my new favorite pie recipes!

Would you like to join me for a slice and a cup of tea?

This rich and delicious pie will easily serve 10!  Enjoy!!

Ingredients

1 pie crust, store-bought or homemade

2 large eggs

1 cup(s) light corn syrup

2 tablespoon(s) unsalted butter, melted

1 teaspoon(s) pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup(s) packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon(s) grated orange zest

1/2 teaspoon(s) ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon(s) kosher salt

2 cup(s) pecans

3/4 cup(s) (about 18) mini pretzels, broken into pieces

3/4 cup(s) bittersweet or dark chocolate chips (we used Ghirardelli)

Directions

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Fit the pie crust into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Fold the overhang under itself to create a thicker rim of dough and crimp as desired. Refrigerate until ready to fill.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, corn syrup, butter, vanilla, sugar, orange zest, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the pecans, pretzels, and chocolate chips. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pie crust. Bake for 30 minutes.
• Cover the pie with foil and bake until the filling is puffed and the center is just set, 15 to 20 minutes more. Transfer the pie to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature.

Thankful Thursday & Acorn Inspired Crust Design

Thankful for a few things today.

My family.

Wild Maine Blueberry pie with and acorn inspired crust.

Red Sox winning the World Series at home!

Old Fashioned Apple Crisp

My experience with making apple crisp is limited.  I never felt that I could "nail" the crisp part of the apple crisp, which is a key part of the recipe!  LOL!  Well, I found a recipe from Ina Garten which inspired me!!!  It was delicious.  I tweaked it quite a bit, and I've noted my changes below.

Serve this warm, or at room temperature with a scoop of vanilla ice cream - it's the perfect autumn treat, you won't be disappointed!

Ingredients
5 pounds McIntosh or Macoun apples (I used Cortlands)
Grated zest of 1 orange (did not use-didn't have any and it was 10:00 p.m.)
Grated zest of 1 lemon (did not use-didn't have any and it was 10:00 p.m.)
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice (did not use-didn't have any and it was 10:00 p.m.)
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (did not use-didn't have any and it was 10:00 p.m.)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (I used a 1/4 cup)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon)
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg (a pinch)

For the topping:
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup oatmeal
1/2 pound cold unsalted butter, diced (I used 1 stick + a 1/2 stick)

I added a pinch of ground cloves 

I added a pinch of allspice

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9 by 14 by 2-inch oval baking dish.

Peel, core, and cut the apples into large wedges. Combine the apples with the zests, juices, sugar, and spices. Pour into the dish.

To make the topping, combine the flour, sugars, salt, oatmeal, and cold butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until the mixture is crumbly and the butter is the size of peas. (I did this by hand, but the mixer would have made it easier). Scatter evenly over the apples.

Place the crisp on a sheet pan and bake for 1 hour until the top is brown and the apples are bubbly. Serve warm.

I know I made a lot of changes, so it's not really Ina's recipe, but it was still very delicious, my husband loved it!  

Go Red Sox!!!

Halloween ~ ha ha ha

Boo!!!  No, I haven't gone off my rocker - yet!  I was looking around on Pinterest for some simple Halloween decorating and menu ideas.  I found some really cute things that don't take a bazillion hours to create or prepare. Seriously, who has that kind of time today?  I hope you enjoy my little spooky post!

Some fun decorations

Fun with dips!  Guacamole or spinach, or a traditional pumpkin!

Cocktail ideas

Spooky tablescapes

Sweet Treats

Cute Candy Corn

I hope you enjoyed my Halloween post!  

Here's a post I did two years ago!  Have fun!

Scary Movies!