Tag: Maine

Turkey Tracks: Quilts, Quilts, Quilts: “Star Light, Star Bright”

Turkey Tracks:  February 12, 2012

Quilts, Quilts, Quilts:  “Star Light, Star Bright”

I’m still quilting like a madwoman.

And, having such a good time making creative use of 10 years of scrap fabric cut into useable pieces.

I sent off three quilts this week.

Here’s “Star Light, Star Bright”–a baby quilt made for a little boy–Meyer James Kelly–who will be born any minute now.  The bed gives you some size references.

 These blocks are in the “La, La Log Cabin” style, taught to Coastal Quilters by Rhea Butler of Alewives Quilting in Damariscotta, Maine.  For the centers, which are deliberately cut “wonky” so the block develops “wonky,” are a set of blocks from a Wynkin, Blikin, and Nod line of fabric that I used in another baby quilt.  I loved the blocks so much that I couldn’t bear to toss what was left.  I had to make two star blocks–I traced the star on a blue fabric, fused it to the star print, and blanket-stitched around it.

Here’s an upright view:

Here’s a close-up of one of the “Wynkin, Blinkin, and Nod ” blocks–there were different pictures in the blocks:

I quilted with a big meander pattern broken by stars–so it will be soft–and tried one of my curved templates in the border.

I love the orange binding with blue stars.  That fabric was a find.

The backing is plain–and I’ve been printing labels and hand sewing them on to the back of the quilt.  I like it that I can put in little sayings, poems, how the quilt emerged for me, and so forth–even pictures!  You can see both backing and the label in this pic:

So fun!  So happy!

Turkey Tracks: “Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway”

Turkey Tracks:  February 12, 2012

Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway

Friday night held a special treat for us, besides dinner with good friends:  Neil Berg’s “100 Years of Broadway,” a Bay Chamber winter concert.

WOW!

Neil Berg is a very successful composer/lyricist–“The Prince and the Pauper,” “The Twelve,” “The Man Who Would Be King,” “Time and Scrooge,” “Heidi,”  and on and on…   He oozes music and knowledge about the history of Broadway.  He puts together this show where he asks major Broadway stars to join him in singing and dancing many of the songs/dances that they, themselves, have sung “on broadway.”  Along the way, we all learned a little Broadway history and some “insider” tales.

Berg played the piano, and there was a drummer and an electric guitar player.  And boy could Berg play the piano!

This show started with Natalie Toro singing some of the major songs from “Evita,” in which she starred.  She also had major roles in “A Tale of Two Cities,” “Les Miserables,” “Cats,” and “A Christmas Carol.”  Her gorgeous voice is laced with passion.

Rita Harvey is a major Broadway star, probably best known for five years as Christine in “The Phantom of the Opera.”  She’s married to Berg, and she has an astonishing soprano–clear and true.

Danny Zolli is probably best known for “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and he blew us out of the Camden Opera House with some of that music–but not before singing “Sherry,” from “Jersey Boys,” which made us all want to sing along and get up and dance.

Ted Louis Levy is a master tap dancer with a mellow voice and a soft-shoe pleasing manner onstage.  He made his Broadway debut in “Black & Blue.”

David Elder danced and sang “Singing in the Rain,” a la Fred Astaire style.  He’s been in “42nd Street, “Kiss Me Kate,” “Once Upon A Mattress,” “Damn Yankees,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Titanic,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Curtains.”

Were we ever spoiled or what???

One of the joys of living in a small town with a huge cultural component is that we get to see traveling shows like this one.  The Camden Opera House was sold out.

It’s Sunday now, and we’re still walking around humming bits of songs we heard Friday night.  And, we’ve checked our stash of Broadway CD’s to see what’s there.

The show ended–after three hours with an intermission– with “Seasons of Love” from “Rent.”  We think we’ll order some of the Broadway DVDs and have some fun on these cold winter nights.

If this show comes to a place near you, GO!

Turkey Tracks: Yarn Road Trip

Turkey Tracks:  February 2, 2012

Yarn Road Trip

Giovanna McCarthy and I hit the road one day last week.  Our destination:  Romney Ridge Farm Yarn Company in Woolwich, Maine, which is about an hour south of Camden.

There is a history to this story.

Last summer I met Kelly L. Corbett, the owner of Romney Ridge Farm Yarn Company, at MOFGA’s Common Ground Fair in September.  (MOFGA is the Maine Organic Farmers and Growers Association, and they have a spectacular fair each year.)  Kelly had asked Aloisia Pollock, a master knitter, to make a sweater showcasing Kelly’s yarns.  Here’s the sweater–which uses a method of carrying two colors to make the little diamonds.

When I got home from MOFGA I went into our new knitting store here in Camden:  The Cashmere Goat.  They LOVED the idea of carrying Kelly’s yarns and hosting a class taught by Aloisia Pollock to make her sweater–and they have a wonderful space to take such a class.  The three groups came together, and that class will be taught in early April 2012.  The sweater is now hanging in the store, alongside some of Kelly’s yarns.

But, Giovanna and I wanted a larger yarn selection than The Cashmere Goat presently has, so we called Kelly and went down on a cold, wintry to pick out the 7 skeins we needed for this project.  We were blown away by all the colors, the possibilities.  Both of us were paralyzed for long moments.  Giovanna summed up what we were both thinking.  “How can I pick seven colors when I want every single one here!”

Here’s what I came home with–the yarn on the far right is the “natural” undyed color of the sheep’s wool.  And, the dark purple yarn above the mauve color isn’t showing up well in this picture:

I also came home with a turquoise yarn I thought would make a great scarf for my black winter coat–AND that will go with my Noro sweater and hat:

Kelly’s farm shop is easy to get to from Route 1.  She’s just below Wiscasset.  Her web site is www.romneyridgefarm.com.  She has a blog as well on that site.

Aloisia Pollock lives in Jefferson and runs the Sunset Cabins on Damariscotta Lake–www.sunsetcabinsmaine.com.

The Cashmere Goat is at 20 Bayview Street in Camden–www.thecashmeregoatknit.com.

Giovanna and I are going down to see Aloisia next Wednesday, and we can hardly wait!

Turkey Tracks: Delvino’s in Belfast

Turkey Tracks:  January 26, 2012

Delvino’s

Belfast, Maine

I didn’t know there was a new Italian restaurant in Belfast, Maine.  Neither did my book club whom I told late yesterday afternoon.  My lunch partner yesterday, the legendary long-arm quilter in our area, Joan Herrick, introduced me.  Delvino’s has been open for a year now.  Who knew?

Delvino’s is at 52 Main in Belfast.  For locals, it’s on lower Main, on the right as you go downhill to the water, near the inn, the kitchen store, and Coyote Moon.   The telephone number is 338-4565.  It’s open as follows:

Sunday 11-8:30 p.m.

Monday to Thursday 11:30-8:30 p.m.

Friday/Saturday 11:30-9 p.m.

Joan and I had a lovely lunch, complete with dessert and coffee.  All the food is fresh, homemade, and is quite good.  We shared bruchetta (I don’t think this is spelled right, but I’m in a hurry this morning) that came with lovely toasted baguette slices.  I had spinach and ham-stuffed ravioli with a roasted garlic cream sauce; Joan had gnocchi (ditto) in a cream pesto sauce.  Salad and nice bread came with the meal.  I had a flourless chocolate cake with raspberry sauce that was as rich as fudge.  And Joan had tiramisu that was as light as can be.  The coffee was great, and they even found me some honey with which to sweeten it.  The waitress was terrific, and we felt quite welcomed and spoiled.

The menu read really well–there were lots of non-pasta choices and a daily soup selection.

I highly recommend it.  I meant to take a picture, but it was—brrrr–cold with the wind off the water, and we rushed to the car afterwards.

Books, Documentaries, Reviews: Semper Fi: Always Faithful

January 23, 2012

Somehow I seem to have not shared with you the amazing weekend in late September/early October we spent at the Camden International Film Festivalk or CIFF, as we know it locally.  We’ve attended almost since it began–maybe missing the first year.  Every year it gets better and better, and it’s been fun watching many of the films we’ve seen go on to national prominence.  CIFF’s national and internationational reputation is growing, growing, so that helps with the quality of the films submitted.

Many of the films have the power to blow holes in the watcher’s head.  This year we saw a number of those.  Among them was SEMPER FI:  ALWAYS FAITHFUL–the story of one of the largest water contamination disasters in U.S. history.  The location, the Marine base Camp Lejeune, where the Marines, for DECADES, covered up the fact that the drinking water was lethal.  The tip of the iceberg here is that this kind of pollution is likely to be found at many military bases and is, also, being covered up.  The hook of the film is that Marine (myth?) is that the Marines are one big family where family members are loved and protected.

Here’s a recent Washington Post story about the film.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/documentary-reveals-how-contaminated-water-at-the-nations-largest-marine-base-damaged-lives/2012/01/10/gIQAfpy4GQ_story.html?wpisrc=nl_headlines

And, here are some other titles to watch for or be aware of:

HELL AND BACK AGAIN–the CIFF opening night film about a 25-year old career soldier whose wounds in Afghanistan mandate his return to a civilian life and to a life where his physical well-being is compromised forever–something young soldiers, who are willing to die during service, somehow, never see coming.

DOWNEAST–this story of the struggtle to replace a closed canning factory way up “downeast” with a lobster-packing business–which replaces 128 lost jobs with new work–garnered a standing ovation from the audience–especially when the audience realized the new owner and his family were present in the audience.  Entrepreneur Antonio Bussone runs headlong into entrenched local politics–to include those on the local boards who also work with lobsters and who do not want his business to come to fruition.  The film is an excellent look at the complexity of local change, of what happens when businesses close locally and move elsewhere–in this case to Canada.

A “SECRET CINEMA” early screening of an unnamed film about a social movement in South Africa protesting evictions from squatter homes near major cities.

Another “SECRET CINEMA” early screening about “the unregulated international machine that produces–though ambition, emotion, greed, hope, disillusionment–beauty.  Set in Russia and Japan (Russian girls are chosen to go to Japan to work as fashion models), the film details the terrible exploitation that occurs to under-age Russian girls.  In many ways, the practices detailed in the film play into the sex trade.

UNFINISHED SPACES–a film set in Cuba about architects chosen in the early 1960s to design and build Cuba’s National Art Schools.  The amazing buildings were halted before they were fully completed–for political reasons–and are now being completed.

BETTER THIS WORLD–a chilling film about two young men from Midland, Texas, who attend the 2008 Republican convention with the goal of protesting.  But, they have been drawn into these actions by a man hired as an undercover government informant.  They are arrested by a zealous prosecutor on terrorism charges, though they did nothing violent.  (They made molatov cocktails, but abandoned them.)  One is turned against the other through threats of prison time and promises of plea bargains.  It’s a terrible story that every American should know.

A program of short films started each day, and for the first time we attended and enjoyed them.

Turkey Tracks: Rose’s Pretty Eggs

Turkey Tracks:  January 17, 2012

Rose’s Pretty Eggs

Rose Thomas has the prettiest eggs in the whole world.

I got some over Christmas as our own flock was mostly resting and as Mike, Tami, and the four kiddos were coming.

Here’s what one sees when one opens one of Rose’s egg cartons:

The really dark brown egg is from a Copper Black Maran.  The white egg on the far left is from a Barbanter.  The blue eggs are from Americaunas.  The rosy tan eggs are from Red Sex-Links or Freedom Rangers.  I’m not sure what the other darker brown eggs are from–maybe Marans who are not painting so dark.  And, that little olive egg on the far lower right is from a Cooper Black Maran and Americauna cross.

They’re like Easter Eggs, right?

And the yolk color is a deep, amazing orange.

Rose feeds organic feed grown and sold in Maine–which has some soy–since she has a big flock–but she supplements with milk when she can get it, seaweed, whole grains, greens from her hoop houses, and household leftovers, including meat and fat.  On cold winter mornings, she takes her flock some warm mash–made from grains.

Please Maine farmers, grow and mix us some feed that is SOY FREE!

With a small flock, I can mix my own whole grains–and there is a good recipe elsewhere on this blog–but those with larger flocks cannot afford to do that.

Turkey Tracks: Lunch in Wiscasset

Turkey Tracks:  November 18, 2011

Lunch in Wiscasset

The day before we fly out of Portland, Maine, we usually drive the 2 hours south to Portland and spend the night in a Portland motel–where we leave our car during our trip.  The motel takes us to the airport the morning of our flight, and we don’t worry about mishaps getting to the airport and about not having a place to park in the airport parking garage.  We have time to poke around what used to be a Borders Book Store and which is now something called Books A Million, or BAM, and the Maine Mall.  We could, but have not yet, seen a movie.  And, we have dinner out.

We always start out around late morning and have lunch on the road.  This time we stopped in Wiscasset, which calls itself “the prettiest town in Maine.”  It IS a pretty town, and we enjoy spending an hour or so there.  This time we ate at Le Garage, which is at the end of the same street where the restaurant called Sarah’s sits.  Sarah’s, which has lovely fresh food, sits on a prominent corner in Wiscasset–across from Red’s Eats–an outdoor stand that is truly famous for its lobster rolls.  Sarah’s always has three huge vats of homemade soups and platters of homemade bread of many types–alongside many other menu choices–like fabulous pizza.  And, Sarah’s desserts are also fabulous!

Here’s John inside Le Garage:

Here’s the view from the restaurant windows out over the Sheepscot river.  Most of the lobster boats are now gone, and while we ate, we watched several lobstermen loading hauled traps onto their dockside trucks.

Le Garage is kind of a funny restaurant.  The menu reads really well, but the food that arrives is short of expectations.  For instance, my French Onion Soup had a delicious broth capped with a just-right size of toasted French bread that was coated with lovely melted cheeses.  But, the onions inside the soup had not been carmelized enough, so I was eating square pieces of onion, rather than slivers that should be nearly melting into the broth, that tasted undercooked and harsh.  The expensive dessert crepe, nearly $6, wasn’t tender and soft with a layer of ice cream inside.  Rather, it was as hard as a large, tasteless cannoli, and it was stuffed with way too much ice cream and smothered with a bought, nasty caramel sauce and fake whipped cream.  There’s really no excuse for faked whipped cream in Maine where we can get heavenly real, raw heavy whipping cream.  My salad lettuce was right out of a package–or it seemed that way–and the “lemonade” dressing had no oil in it and was tasteless.

My instinct is that Le Garage could be quite good with just a bit of a push into a more discerning direction.  Certainly, one feels its heart is in the right place…

The railroad tracks go right by the river, which would make for a scenic journey.  Here’s the view just outside Le Grange:

Books a Million, or BAM, is a big bookstore, much like the former Border’s.  Except its political section was so radically imbalanced that we opted not to buy anything in the store.  I’ve never seen so many far-right, highlyl charged texts in one place before.  No wonder large sections of the country are so intolerant of any other viewpoints if they are not exposed to any kind of balance in their reading materials!

PS:  On our way home, we stopped in Sarah’s for pizza.  Here’s what we took home:

Turkey Tracks: Pie Pumpkins and Pie

Turkey Tracks:  November 13, 2011

Pie Pumpkins and Pie

The best pie pumpkins are long–like a huge salami.  They’re dark green that starts to turn orange in patches–they turn orange when you cook them.

I usually get one from our CSA, Hope’s Edge.  And I buy a few more, roast them, and freeze the meat–for winter pies.  Organic, of course.

Just slice the pumpkins in half, scoop out the seeds, put them on a shallow pan that has some sides–the roasting pumpkins can give off juice–and roast them for at least an hour at 350 degrees.  You’ll know when they are done–they’ll smell delicious and will fork easily.  Let them cool, scoop out the meat, and freeze or make a pie.

It takes about 2 cups of pumpkin to make a 9 or 10-inch pie.  Each of these halves makes about two cups.  Convenient, huh?

My favorite recipe comes from NOURISHING TRADITIONS, by Sally Fallon and Dr. Mary Enig.

Start with a flakey pie crust of your choice.  (Use butter or really good lard–not any of those fake fats like vegetable lards or margarine.)

2 cups pumpkin

3 eggs–if small, use 4 eggs

3/4 cups rapadura–which is dried cane juice.  I also use organic sugar.  The rapadura has a stronger taste, but the pumpkin can take it.

1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon each salt, powdered cloves, nutmeg

grated rind of lemon

1 cup piima cream, or creme fraiche–piima is a cultured cream.  You could also use sour cream.

2 tablespoons brandy

Mix everything together well, pour into your pie shell, and bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes.  The time will depend on the size of your eggs and the liquid in your pumpkin.  I used 3 small eggs, and the pie took more like an hour to puff in the middle.  If it takes longer, cover the  pie with some parchment paper to prevent burning.  (Don’t use aluminum foil!  For anything!!)

 This pie is as light as a feather and absolutely delicious.

Serve with REAL whipped cream.

Turkey Tracks: Road Trip to Fiddlehead Artisan Supply, Belfast, Maine

Turkey Tracks:  October 29, 2011

Road Trip to Fiddlehead Artisan Supply

Belfast, Maine

A few weeks back, a quilting friend and I decided to go see the new quilting/artisan supply store in Belfast, Maine.  It was the perfect day–pouring rain.  We looked forward to seeing the store, having a warm and cozy lunch at Chase’s Daily, and shopping in the Belfast Coop.  As predicted, we had a wonderful time.

Fiddlehead Artisan Supply is a terrific addition to our local quilting scene.  How many people have access,within 45 minutes, to so many good quilting stores:  Fiddlehead in Belfast, Nancy’s just outside Belfast, Quilt Divas in Rockland, Mainely Sewing in Nobleboro, and Alewives in Damariscotta  Mills.  Each of these stores is very different from each other.  We have nearly as many really fabulous yarn stores as well.  Truly, I live in an area rich with fiber arts materials.

Fiddlehead carries a unique variety of items.  Yes, there’s fabric–both quilting and decorator–but also other, electic goods, like fabric paints and unique ribbons.  There’s a nice book and pattern section as well.  And, they are selling consigned quilts.

When my sister visited this past summer, she thought our little towns were very European in nature.  I agree with her, and I think that’s part of why I like New England so much.  Here’s what the street scene looks like where Fiddlehead is located:

Here’s what you see when you go inside the door:

Here are some of the unique ribbons:

And, Fiddlehead has ALL 500 embroidery colors:

Makes you want to start a new project, doesn’t it?

Turkey Tracks: Finished Debbie Bliss Sweater

Turkey Tracks:  October 29, 2011

Finished Debbie Bliss Sweater

One day last spring, I think, several of us took a road trip down to Halcyon Yarn in Bath.  I saw a sweater made up  there that I really liked.  I found the pattern in a Debbie Bliss book and bought it.  The sweater called for wool, but I wanted a nice heavy cotton sweater for spring/summer.

Here’s the book:

And here’s what the sweater looks like in the book–sorry about the flash on the page:

Helen at Heavenly Socks in Belfast helped me find a cotton/wool blended yarn she thought would be a good substitute for the wool in the pattern.  I had a hard time with tension, however.  But, the finished sweater is also kind of funky, and I do like it.  And, it fits, though the sleeves are perhaps a tad too long–I’m getting more confidence with measuring and deviating from the pattern as I go along making things.  Helen told me later that sometimes with cotton, knitters say to unknit your last row when you pick up your knitting after stopping.  That doesn’t sound like fun.  And, the tension issues happened all through the knitting anyway.  I think it’s more about this particular yarn…since I don’t usually have tension problems.

Giovanna McCarthy showed me how to sew the pieces together properly and oh! what a difference!

And, there is a mistake in the pattern, but when you get to it, you’ve done enough of the pattern to figure it out.

Anyway, here’s the finished sweater–with me with wet hair!