Tag: shopping

A is for Atayne | Even a couch potato needs good performance gear.

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Okay, so maybe it’s not fair to call myself a couch potato. As my many hiking posts show, I enjoy being active and love to be outside exploring Maine, but I’m not comfortable with the word athlete. I once tried with little success to play at that level. I ran track for one year in High School. My strongest memory from that season is consistently coming in last place for my event.

The reality is that I could never be a true athlete. I don’t have the physical aptitude and in all honesty no desire to commit to that level of training. However, I do understand the importance of living an active life and, when I’m not trapped at my keyboard, I am always looking for ways to move my body.

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Hiking Maine | Looking for something to do besides shop at Clarks Pond?

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Black Friday is coming. The official and frenzied kick-off to the holiday shopping season. While I enjoy shopping, sometimes you just need a break from it all. Nestled amidst the retail stores, and shopping plazas, of the Clark’s Pond area in South Portland, is the Clark’s Pond Trail. An unexpected oasis and peaceful green space where you can unwind.

Until goggling trails in the area one recent Sunday morning,  I never realized it was there even though I had been to this shopping destination many times. The start of the trail is easily accessed by parking in the back of the Home Depot lot, and walking a short distance to the well-marked trail entrance. The trail immediately immerses you in forest quickly leaving the stores behind although the steady buzz of cars never quite goes away and remains as a ready reminder that you’re still in an urban space.

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Portland Buy Local Indie Biz Awards 2016 Event & Winners

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I am fascinated by a good story, and some of the best are related to local businesses. From a young startup, to a long standing establishment, they all have a their personal stories. I am truly enthralled by the creativity and uniqueness that each entrepreneur brings to their business. So, when I learned that the Portland Buy Local Indie Biz Awards were open to the public, I was eagerly on-board for this event. I had done my due diligence and voted online for my favorites, and looked forward to learning more about some of the other businesses with which I was less familiar.

The event was held at Portland House of Music. While there was a small line when we arrived, things moved quickly. We signed in and got our auction number. There was both a silent and live auction planned for the event. Once the registration was completed, we entered the bar and were immediately greeted by the tempting smell of chocolate cookies which were displayed on one of the food stations placed near the entrance. We were off to a good start.

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#atozchallenge | E is for Edgecomb Potters

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I’ve always loved the pottery at Edgecomb Potters. When we make our summer trip up to Boothbay Harbor, we stop at Edgecomb on the way. The finishes on the pottery are so distinctive and unique. They also have many creative shapes and designs for their serving pieces. And, I love their Maine roots.

I’ve given Edgecomb pottery as wedding gifts in the past, but I haven’t yet invested in any myself. I did however buy a recycled license plate lobster at their Portland Store. It’s not pottery, but it’s pretty darn cute. It really has nothing to do with this blog post, but I wanted to share.

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Eventide Oyster Co. Bar

Enjoying a Lazy Saturday in Portland, Maine

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It doesn’t happen often, or at least not as often as I would like, but we found ourselves with no plans this past Saturday. Knowing that we would be house bound with some projects on Sunday, we wanted to get out of the house for a bit. While I like to hunker down, I’m not a true homebody. I get antsy quickly if I stay in too many days in a row. Fortunately, my husband shares my love of going out, although he can also successfully hunker for days on end. He’s multifaceted.

Enjoying the early spring weather that we’ve been experiencing in Maine this year, we headed into Portland for the afternoon. Temperatures were hovering just below 50 degrees so it was perfect weather to wander, and I was craving a lobster roll. For me, lobster rolls are best enjoyed sitting at a picnic table overlooking the ocean, but even with the unseasonably warm weather, outside seating was still not an option so instead we headed to Eventide Oyster Co. for their amazing Brown Butter Lobster Roll. While normally I’m a purist when it comes to my lobster rolls – hot dog bun, lobster meat, and plain drawn butter – Eventide has created something truly wonderful. The brown butter adds just the right touch and elevates the lobster roll to another level. I had only had it once before, at the Allagash Street Fair last summer, and I was looking forward to another taste.

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