Friday Foods

High calorie count today, off the wagon a bit but I'll get back on it tomorrow. Lunch today was my first visit to the "Hot Suppa" restaurant on 703 Congress Street. Accompanied by my office cube farm neighbor Michelle, we took the ten minute walk up the street from our office location to Hot Suppa's small and cozy niche in one of the older Victorian multi-use buildings. With it's varied clientele, quick friendly service and plenty of coffee we soon had our meals. Michelle had ordered the Eggs Benedict whereas I was served shredded corn beef hash, toast, fluffy scrambled eggs and crispy home fries. Neither of us were disappointed and we left quite satisfied.

Hot Suppa's Eggs Benedict and Shredded Corn Beef Hash plates.

After we returned to the office the building's management company was holding their annual tenant appreciation ice cream Sunday day. We returned to the office and rounded up Dave to join us at the makeshift ice cream bar in the lobby. At this point I may as well pile on the calories.

Michelle and Dave enjoying some very good locally made ice cream. Mine was the Heath Toffee.

So if that wasn't enough once Carol and I got home we were joined by Ian, home from his research project and we took off for supper at the Maine Bean in Windham where we each had one of their piled high sandwiches. Mine was the Turkey Bacon Rave, Carol had the Ultimate Tuna and Ian went with the Supreme Turkey Melt. I hope to be very active tomorrow to counteract everything I consumed today.

Can't you hear the thunder, better run, better take cover

Oh, yeah, that describes E'owyn, the fierce Airedale in residence. She would take on a pit bull terrier, a bear or a mountain lion with one paw tied behind her back but let a little thunder roll up Ledge Hill she tries to crawl up on us, paces constantly and pants insensately. Last night's storm was a doozy. Scariest thunder and lightning I've experienced in years with a torrent of rain that seemed like it could flatten a bus, all just before bedtime. Meanwhile, there's Patches... laying flat on the floor calm as Madawaska Lake at sunrise. There was a moment when a deafening loud crack of lightning flashed that seemed to have struck right near the house, that got Patches' attention. Afterwards he settled right back down. Generally I love a good thunder and lightning storm, it fascinates me but with a dog freaking out it kind of takes the enjoyment out of this particular weather extreme. Well the storm blew over after about an hour or so and in spite of how humid it was we all got a bit of sleep. E'owyn did want to go out at around 2:15am which suited me just fine as a breath of relatively cool outdoor air probably helped me fall back asleep. The fear of thunder thing is really E'owyn's biggest fault, otherwise she's a terrific member of the household, has a lot of fun and makes a great watchdog. Just don't be bringing that thunder around here!

How wet is wet?

More of the same on the weather front, yesterday delivered a lot of rain. Today is suppose to be better though at the moment we're having a shower and scattered thunderstorms are forecasted for later in the day. No matter, there is plenty to do inside or out, rain or shine.

Where do I sign up?

After another "more hectic than it needs to be" day at the office I'm ready to enlist for the alien abduction program if one exists. Then again maybe I'm already in it.

Beautiful day for a family get together

Today was cousin Donny's annual family get together at his and Debby's house. For me this has turned into the best yearly opportunity to visit with relatives on my mother's side of the family. The food is potluck and I enjoyed each of the dishes I chose from. I especially enjoyed talking with my Uncle Don and his brother Bert. Don is a victim of Alzimeters, to some extent he recognizes names but keeps up in conversations with supporting stories and laughter.

Cousin Tim talking with Judy, Ike, Uncle Gerald and Aunt Arlene.

Sister Doreen enjoying the "going ons".

Deb, brother Dennis and Judy.

Sister Kathy and Mom.

On the go - an old story

Well, so much for blogging my recent vacation that ran from the 4th of July through the following week. I'd write something for the blog, something would come up and before I knew it another day had gone by. So I'd rewrite the blog a bit and then... the cycle continued and I never did post anything and I've been on the go since returning home. So here's a quickie of my vacation in a nutshell: Though Tuesday the 7th the weather at the camp was damp, sometimes rainy and the rest of the week was sunny and nice. We brought the camper up with us to stay in as with the various guests and all the happenings the camp was needed for others and a few get togethers leading up to our niece's wedding. Even though it was cloudy over Madawaska Lake on the 4th the private fireworks by some of the camps went off as planned and the family with the best put it off a night to do their's - spectacular. Several cookouts, campfires, Carol and I took our long walks. There was the annual Swedish pancake breakfast and the 4th of July parade in downtown Stockholm, we did a little work around the camp and assisted Bev (mother of the bride) with any tasks she requested. Once Ian arrived he and I managed to sneak away to play 9 holes of golf at the Caribou Country Club and then there was Lena's wedding which was a beautiful outdoor event at her mother's family farm just a short distance from the camp. This write up by no means is inclusive of everything that went on, we met a lot of wonderful friends and relatives of the bride and groom, Jim L. I didn't mention the food over the course of the week (plentiful and tasty) and I can't leave out Patches as he wandered in and out of most of the gatherings. I did get some of my reading done and I think I may return next month to do some of that and just gazing out at the lake.

A little cloudy on our arrival at Madawaska Lake.

We're all set up for a week lakeside.

Johnny, Bev's Dad, driving his tractor in the 4th of July Parade in Stockholm, Maine.

Myself and Bev at the spaghetti supper held at the camp.

Bev's brother Graydon with Lena and Jim L.

Kristen, Graydon's granddaughter helping me out with the cooking for the hamburger and hotdog cookout also held at the camp.

Sarah, one of Lena's friends and a bridesmaid, singing one of many songs by our campfire.

The view of the lake from our camper after the weather broke for the better.

Carol and I arrive for the wedding.

The wedding was held up by the trees, a couple of golf carts were available for those who perferred or needed a ride from the parking area.

Ian was a groomsman here with bridesmaid Traci. The Pastor and Jim L. await Lena as she is escorted down the aisle by her father, Greg.

Vows are exchanged.

Patches patiently waited in the truck for the conclusion of the event.

As close as I had time for to take a picture of the sunset at Madawaska Lake.

Is this Seattle?

Hardly but if the weather was any sort of indication then I'd be hard pressed to argue the point. Seeing the sun is a rare occurrence over the last month or so. It's been too wet to mow though I've managed to keep the backyard where the dogs have access pretty much trimmed. Most of the outer extents of the yard is quite overgrown and when the time comes that those areas are dry and I have the time I'll be hard pressed to use the lawnmower without putting in some heavy string trimmer work first. As of today the sun could come out for eight days straight and nothing will get done - we're leaving for the Independence's Day holiday and a week's vacation up to the camp at Madawaska Lake. We'll be towing the camper with us as there be extra relatives around who will use the camp itself. Ian will be around the house for most of that time until he comes to join us for his cousin Lena's wedding a week from today. The weather forecast for the next four days up there isn't great so sunset pictures may not be available for the blog but I'll do the best I can. Heck, even pictures in the rain or cloudy conditions can be interesting.