Just catching my breath during our first summer in Maine. We are outside of Augusta on Lake Cobbossee, and since we got here the second week in June, we've been pretty much consumed with outfitting the house and entertaining lots of visitors, so not much time to spend on FLDG until now! I've missed you guys and want to share some of my observances with you.
It's such a different life here compared with where we are in the winter (the California desert), both food-wise and otherwise. So much simpler.... Non-existent zoning; Subarus vs. Mercedes, lots of "anytime" fireworks, wildflowers, round bodies, American flags, and cedar farmhouses framed by perky day lilies and adorned with primitive stars; fewer style-conscious people and less bad plastic surgery. It's absolutely wonderful and refreshing! We are loving every minute here.
We are about an hour from the coast. Our area is a bit rural, but 15 minutes from plenty of chain stores and restaurant. Closer to us though, we are blessed with some quirky local gems. I'm loving that I can do most of my food shopping without having to step foot in the local Hanaford grocery store.
Among these gems: An amazing seafood/wine/cheese shop down the street, which is where we get our lobster cooked and cracked, ready to bring home and eat (appx $8 - 10 per lb depending on size). Their seafood chowder is incredible. Just brimming with scallops and lobster in a flavorful cream base. Our favorite lobster rolls (in three sizes) come from a gas station down the street. We get them and eat them at the picnic tables adjacent to the parking lot at least once a week. (Len is trying to ween himself away from ordering the jumbo every time.) Locally-grown produce is available two minutes away at a wonderful permanent stand ("from June until the pumpkins rot") where they also sell local artisan breads, local maple syrup, homemade jams and fresh pestos, and the best shortcake biscuits we've ever had. We are still waiting to see the tiny wild Maine blueberries. (Need to ask around about those. Maybe it's not the season yet?) There is a wonderful butcher shop located down a residential street. It shares its space with a taxidermist in an old home, so there are stuffed animals surrounding the entrance. Creepily delightful. We had some amazing NY strips from there the other night and declared it will be the ONLY place we buy meat from now on. They also have amazing seafood, make their own seafood salads and cure their own beef jerky. We can drive down just about any residential street and see signs saying "Fresh Eggs." Not sure what the protocol is for this? Just knock on the person's door and say you want to buy some eggs? I don't think I'm comfortable with this. Anyone? Whoopie Pies are everywhere, from grocery stores, to farm stands, to gas station counters and restaurant menus. If fresh, they can be the best thing you've ever had in your mouth. Len, a native New Englander said his Mom always used to make them homemade. Who knew? Just found this out.
We eat outside a lot (see photo) and try to finish before the mosquitos come out and carry us away. (We've had tons of rain.) So, that's all for now. We are still exploring and learning about the area and how to be "Mainers" since neither one of us had spent more than a week in Maine prior to this new chapter in our lives. Us impulsive? Nah! Thanks for reading. And Carl, I'd love to hear your thoughts on any of this as well as what you think about Anadama bread!
