Summer summer summer

Going, going, gone... August was a whirlwind of sending guests off to the local swimming areas, doing some research in restaurants and at events, and just enjoying the scrumptious weather.

I volunteered one day at the quarry park in Stonington. Opera House Arts (OHA), in collaboration with local conservation group Island Heritage Trust (IHT), presented a preview of a new “story at the quarry.” “Q2: Habitat” is a multidiscipline performance commissioned by OHA and directed by founding artistic director of Pilobolus Dance Theater, at the historic Settlement Quarry. “Q2” is a theatrical spectacle including professional dancers in aerial performances; community members; steel drum music from a live community band; giant puppets; and heavy equipment operated by Rick Weed of Deer Isle and Charlie Peabody of Stonington. “Q2: Habitat” is in its first of two years of development leading up to a spectacle at the quarry in August 2010.

On the way back to the inn, I stopped for lunch at the Bagaduce Lunch. What a view. I would be hard pressed to know which take out place had the best view. There's the Bagaduce, the Bayview between here and Castine, the Breeze in Castine. In Blue Hill, we have to make our own by getting take out at the Fish Net and heading to the town park. The steel drum band has been playing there the last few Mondays.

And speaking of live music... Had you been able to come to the Innkeeper's Birthday Party, you would have gotten to hear the University of Maine--Machias Ukulele Band! Gary Bushee, aka the singing waiter, has been a friend of mine since 1988. He suggested inviting the ukulele players to the birthday bash. To the delight of guests and party goers, they played all evening, taking requests and ending with a full on dance party!

In the kitchen, I'm loving Jeff's three-pepper biscuits. We offer them at breakfast and with hors d'oeuvres. Matt has been making his fabulous popovers which give guests a vehicle for tasting Nervous Nellie's jams. I continue to make the pecan coffee cake--it's an easy crowd pleaser (the recipe is on the Oct. 4, 2007 blog entry. I will often bake the batter in a pie plate, rather than muffin tins, as I like the wedge shape.)

Guests have been so complimentary about the staff here. I cannot agree more. I must have the nicest, most talented staff of any inn in Maine. And staff are talented in many directions: Elizabeth Sawyer is a painter whose work in being shown in a number of places in the area, including the Castine Historical Handworks. This is one of her pastels. Heather Lyon, a new staff member at the inn but someone I worked with back in the Left Bank Cafe days, has a self portrait in Rockport's Center for Maine Contemporary Arts show, "Just Look at Yourself!" Jon Imber's work can be seen there, too.

More soon, I promise. There's so much to tell you about this fall, including a class in Artisan Chocolate Making to be held here at the inn with Kate from Black Dinah Chocolatiers! during our Foliage, Food and Wine Festival Oct. 16-18. Call the inn for more details.