Oh, Food: A few old and new favorite Maine eateries

Well friends, it's been a while! I returned to the woods a couple of days ago after a refreshing stay with family and friends. I was happy to be able to visit the Old Port for the first time in three years...it had been too long!

I am not a girl who likes to shop. Take me to a mall or a Walmart, and I immediately become overwhelmed and uneasy. Overload! There is a reason why I shop at Machias Hardware and Hannaford in my hometown before coming back to Clayton Lake. I know where everything is and I know the names and faces of people who work there. I like to keep it as simple and familiar as possible. As far as clothes shopping goes, if I'm being honest, there's no reason why I need to go shopping until I leave Clayton lake because my daily outfits consist of flannel pajamas, my husband's socks, and a baggy t-shirt or comfy sweatshirt. Isn't that what we all wear when we stay at camp?? Sorry, husband. :)

Oh the bread....and butter....

I AM a girl who LOVES to eat. When I think of Portland, I do not think shopping. I think FOOD. Fore Street is one of my favorites, and is a must for me when in Southern Maine. An old brick building with an open kitchen, wood burning ovens, and dim lighting gives off an old fashioned tavern vibe like no other. When walking on the cobblestone streets of the Old Port, you know you're getting close when the heavenly combination of wood, fire, food, and ocean fills your senses. Local, fresh, and delicious food...every single time!

I've been following the Holy Donut on Facebook for weeks now. Not sure why I do that to myself when they post mouth watering picturesevery day. I'm not exactly a stone's throw away to be able to go grab a couple of their donuts! When you walk in and see the simple mouthwatering display of fresh donuts.....it's a little hard to choose just one. The bacon cheddar stuffed donut....oh goodness. Salty, creamy, and a hint of sweetness. And they are made with a bit of Maine....Maine potato in every bite!

Visited Local 188 for the first time and it was delicious! Loved the atmosphere and the local, fresh food. Pickled quail eggs, strawberry margarita with jalapeno infused tequila, parsnip cream risotto, delicious hummus with fresh pita bread....noms.

I couldn't go back to the woods without stopping (several times) at my favorite diner in my hometown. Homemade éclairs, thin shaved Pastrami, crispy haddock burger...just a few of my favorites at Helen's Restaurant in Machias. My only regret was that my strawberries were not slathered in the same rich chocolate that coats the éclair.

So.....I know this is a little different than most of my posts, but most likely, it will not be the last time you hear me rant about food. Happy eating, friends!

The Clock on the Wall

One of our visitors last month

Slow living. To live without a schedule, without an agenda, without appointments, without a calendar.....I consider it a luxury, my friends.

We have a clock on the wall in our kitchen. It is a pretty clock. It serves no real purpose. It's a thing. An item that hangs there looking pretty. The batteries have been dead since we moved in 5 months ago. It is bizarre to live life and not feel a need to know the placement of the hands on the clock or even the day of the week.

Five months. A short amount of time and yet, it has had such a significant impact on our little family. Moving here, we knew that we would be one of the privileged few who have had the opportunity to live this life. It sounds so silly but we feel such a possessive attachment of the experience.
You may say that it isn't healthy to live this way....that structure is needed. We have structure. The structure is built with stable materials. We laugh a lot, we drive each other a little crazy, we talk, we cook and we eat, and we play. We are making memories. Honestly, I can't even type this without tears coming to my eyes because I know that it will not be like this forever. I struggle with trying to figure out a plan for our future...a way that we can somehow hold on to this slow way of living.

Evan and I recently had a conversation about what life is going to be like when we move back into the "real world". This conversation took place somewhere around mile 43 on the Realty Road. It didn't end up being much of a conversation because I can't talk about it without crying. I know that our time here is limited, and that when we go back, reality is going to hit us like a ton of bricks. You know that feeling that you get to camp....when you've left everything behind. You're able to relax and lounge and feel completely stress free? That is the life we are living here...every. single. day.

Why is life here so stress free? Because we have such LIMITED options. The biggest decision we make when we drive out of the driveway is whether to go right or left. There is no one waiting for us. We aren't in any time crunch. There is NO schedule!

While I feel sad about the day we will have to leave, I also look forward to a life that is a little more convenient, a life closer to my family. It is annoying to feel so conflicted! The experience has set a precedent for us, and we will do everything in our power to mirror this stress free life. If anything, it has made us realize the importance of slowing doooowwwwnnnnn. And for that, I will be forever grateful.