2010 in Review

Last night I skimmed though the last year of posts. It was great to look back and reminisce 2010. In this digital era where photo albums are often lacking I am thankful that I document some of our journey here. The goal for 2011 is to post a picture everyday but I have yet to decide if that is doable so we will see. I made 2008's archives into a book and when I have some extra cash I will be ordering 2009 & 2010 through blog2print. The kids, family & friends love looking through it and it is a great back up of my blog if and when the internet ever crashes.



As I looked though the posts there were a few I thought would be worth sharing again before they were buried in the archives.

• In January I did a post on Grapenut pudding - I often retrieve this recipe from my archives. Good way to use up milk and eggs if you have an abundance and it is popular with the older population, Maine Man likes it too.

• I have been saving bacon fat since I wrote about making bird food. I plan to make it again soon.

• It is nice that I no longer have to purchase pie crust at the grocery store when I can make it at home for a fraction of the cost.

• Soon we will be planting leeks. I look forward to cooking up some more of this potato leek soup

• This year I plan to pickle some of the fiddleheads I forage. Can't wait to go out this Spring!

• If you ever visit Maine you must visit Acadia National Park. 36 years in Maine and this year was the first time I ever went there.

• We had an amazing growing season in 2010 thanks to the greenhouse that supplied us with produce from April to December. Next year we plan to plant earlier for winter greens.

• This morning I at some of this garlic scape pesto mixed with farm fresh eggs along with the BEST toast ever.

• Tonight I made up some yummy broccoli soup using my own chicken stock. I cannot even stand the thought of buying that stuff in the store as it can be made at home for pennies and there is no comparison in taste & quality. I usually have a stash in the freezer and even canned some this year but with soup season in full swing my stock is depleted. Now I have to plan ahead.

• This summer our fresh air child will be returning for 2 weeks instead of one. We can't wait to see her again.

• Lastly..... do you remember the duck that hatched out 26 ducklings? That is just crazy!

Looking forward to MANY more Adventures in 2011!

Maine Adventures

We ended school vacation week with a trip to Acadia National State Park. A place I have wanted to visit for quite some time. Most certainly a place we will continue to explore in years to come for SURE!
Maine Man looks small in comparison to that rock!
The natural beauty is just unbelievable! Before we headed out we read about the history of this park in a lovely book I got from the community treasure chest . Using that book we were also able to pick out a hiking destination. We choose the Gorham Mountain/Beach Trail. It was a 3.5 miles hike....perfect for a family!

We stopped at "Thunder Hole". A narrow area surrounded by rock that waves crash into making a tremendous sound.

I worried that Flower Girl would not be able to keep up the pace....that was unnecessary because she was the leader of the pack throughout much of the hike.

The forecast called for rain but we had sun, sun, sun. It was a beautiful day!

View from the top of Gorham Mountain

Always fun to make it to the top!

Then we made our way down and walked along the beach trail.

We still had a ways to go but the water was just too tempting!

Take note her pants are NO longer rolled up

Imagine that?They were soaked to their belly buttons, then covered in sand.

To be a kid again!

We hope to return again this summer with the Fresh Air Child we are taking in for a week in July. We plan to go on several hiking trips a year from here on out so I will share them here. I am adding a side link(label) of "Our Maine Adventures" as a way of sharing great places to go with fellow Mainers & visitors and as a memory for my children.