Saturday, June 28, 2008

Romance at the Blue Hill Inn

I’m the sappiest of romantics, a believer in love at first sight, love lasting through decades and difficulties, and sweet gestures of affection. Apparently many of the guests here are, too. We’ve had guests stay here during their weddings, on honeymoons, and for anniversaries. Last week was our first proposal:

I had gotten a phone call from a gentleman making a reservation for himself and a lady friend who were coming up for the weekend. “Is there anything else I can help you with?” I asked in my innkeeper voice after we had settled on a room and the dates.

“I’m planning on proposing to her,” he said.

“Proposing!?!” I exclaimed, my heart aflutter.

We discussed wonderfully romantic plans—the Arborvine for a special dinner, a boatride on the schooner the Summertime, beautiful places to hike. I hung up and jumped up and down in the kitchen.

And so their reservation sheet had “shhhh” written in large letters and we staff had to ponder in private. After meeting them, we decided he was the sort who would have a ring with him before he proposed. We thought she would likely be very surprised. When they headed out for Deer Isle Saturday morning, we wondered if the ring were in his backpack.

What we didn’t know is that he had his bagpipes (bagpipes!) in his backpack (and he did have a ring tucked away, too)! “With a name like O’Shea, what did you expect?” he explained later.

And so after their sail, they hiked out to Barred Island. He serenaded her and then surprised her with a beautiful question and a lovely ring.

Did she say yes?

Of course she said yes. You can see the aura of affection, tenderness, and sweetness when the two of them are together. Did we have fun getting him to introduce her as his fiancée? You bet we did! Are we still celebrating on their behalf? Yes, secure that true love lives on. Awwwww.

Congratulations, T and S!

The Glamorous Life of an Innkeeper

If you ignore the fact that I’m writing this while sitting at the car repair shop, life as an innkeeper at the beginning of the 2008 season is gorgeous. Researching new restaurants and recipes and wines is a hard job, as they say, but someone has to do it and on behalf of you, I’ve stepped up.

Most recently, a friend Cara and I met at Three Tides in Belfast. People have been telling me for months to go there, but had described it as a martini bar. Not being a huge martini fan, I didn’t make it a priority. Big mistake. Back in Wisconsin, along the Mississippi, casual summer bars pop up along the riverbanks so boaters have destinations. Three Tidesreminded me of that, but with a fabulous Maine twist—a lobster pound right next door. Right on the water, you know the seafood they serve is fresh fresh fresh. And, and!, they brew their own beers! They have eight on their list right now and are developing a ninth in honor of the Celtic Festival. Cara and I sacrificed on your behalf and ordered the beer sampler tray—five beer samples for $5. My favorite was “Wrecking Ball Baltic Porter,” big and bold and sweet with molasses. When they described the offerings as “craft brewed,” they’re serious. Two are on nitro, some are dry hopped, and some are wheat. Dazzled by their choice of bubbly wines, I had to save sampling the Maine organic blueberry vodka for next time. Lest you think it’s just a bar, let me tell you about the delicious pear and goat cheese salad (pine nuts make a dish, don’t you think?). We also had mushrooms stuffed with crabmeat, artichoke dip with crostini, and an amazing carrot cake with a caramel filing (Cara is a great dining companion—she’s enthusiastic about drinking bubbly and leaves 99% of the dessert to me!). The great selections of food and drink and the magic location right on the water would be enough to warrant a swooning recommendation but there’s more! We ate our dinner on an outdoor deck, and then moved down to waterfront, fireside seats. And, Three Tides has the best, coolest bathrooms (well, the ladies room, anyway) this side of Francine’s in Camden. Owners David and Sarah are marvelously friendly, as all the staff seem to be.
I also had lunch recently, at the Cockatoo, on my way to hike to Barred Island (my favorite place in the whole world, as you know). My friend Sue was visiting from Brunswick, Maine, delivering a set of brandy snifters (note to self: sample brandies). I’m a sucker for a homemade French fry and the Cockatoo delivered. The view is the best ever plus you can hear the fog horn from Mark Island lighthouse. Pure Maine bliss—and that was without trying their lobster roll, which is fresh cooked and full of butter but no mayonnaise. I’ll try one next time and let you know.

This is my first spring at the inn and I’m marveling as each new season—not spring, summer, and fall, but the tiny seasons in among them like firefly season. This beautiful painting is by Robin Street-Morris. It's titled Firefly Watching II. You can call them lightening bugs. If you live in the big city, I’m guessing you haven’t seen them this plentiful since you were a kid. And on a clear night, the backyard is full of twinkling lights and so’s the sky. This is Maine in late June.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Lupine and Lilacs!

And kayaking! I had some friends come visiting from western Mass. and we rented kayaks from the Activity Shop, right here in Blue Hill, and went kayaking in the bay. Gayle and Dana got us set up with boats, life jackets, and information about where to go and how to be safe. We were a mixed crew with a variety of experience and the bay was a great place to paddle. We stayed fairly close to the shoreline and even got out on an island for a stretch.

So much to do this summer. A volunteer from the Jonathan Fisher House stopped by with information about the Antique Show, held at the fairgrounds Aug. 16. The Fisher House was designed and built by Fisher in 1814. He was the town's first minister and a very handy man--he made most of his own furniture and was an accomplished painter and writer. The house is open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in July and August.

The Schoodic Arts Festival is July 28-Aug. 10 this year and the line up of activities looks great.

And the Lupine Festival is June 20-22. How about a schooner trip? An airplane ride? Art? Music? Crafts? Eagle watching? I love a festival with a bit of everything. And the maps show where to spot big stands of wild lupine.

I'm leaving the inn in Assistant Innkeeper Maura's capable hands this week as I head to the Rusticator Restaurant at the Oakland House. The Littlefields are collaborating with Rich Hanson, from Cleonice--I have no doubts the results will be astounding. The location is gorgeous and Rich is an amazing chef. Again and again, guests tell me how pleased they are with the choice of restaurants in this area.

The newlyweds, who had been with us three nights, just checked out today, pink cheeked from a hike on Barred Island and sitting at the new deck at Lily's in Stonington yesterday. I mentioned the inn's game shelf didn't have a cribbage board yet--they bought one for us and said they'd play with me next year. So sweet!

We've been taking some photos for various ads (by "we" I mean Don Radovich of Downeast Dimensions). This is room 10, one of our first floor rooms with a fireplace.

And have I mentioned the tarts?! Matt is making these amazing fruit tarts with fresh strawberries or apple. Good thing Blue Hill Mountain is such a great hike.

Have you heard of the Maine Birding Trail? Check out this great birding resource. A guest from Florida told me about it.

I hope your June is going well, too, and that you'll visit us soon.