Freedom!

That was the rebel yell during 4th of July festivities last night. Guests made it to the Deer Isle parade, thoroughly enjoying the small town charm and humor. One guest got a late start and said she missed the first pass of the parade but caught them as they went by the second time after they turned around! Others headed off to Harborside, even taking part in the pie eating contest (a third place winner!). Here in town the steel drum band's street dance had old and young alike boogying. You can catch them in the area every Monday night so don't think you've missed it all.

If you do suffer from FMS (fear of missing something), which I do, terribly, then you must come to dinner frequently because the menu changes often--these were the offerings last night.

Chilled Summer Gazpacho, with farm tomatoes, garden herbs, local cucumbers and bell peppers
Spring Salad of Carding Brook Farm greens, spiced pecans, Four Season Farm roasted beets, Great Blue Hill bleu cheese, with a lemon vinaigrette
Bagaduce River Oysters Two Ways, three on the half shell with Four Season Farm cucumber mignonette and three grilled with Smith’s Smokehouse peppered bacon, cayenne pepper, and Carding Brook Farm garlic scapes
Fresh Stonington Lobster Spring Rolls, with an herb salad and a spicy dipping sauce
Barbeque Pork Ribs with Braised Pork Belly, caramelized onions, bourbon barbeque sauce and potato puree
Seared Frenchman's Bay Halibut, salsa of tomato, leek, and Four Season Farm basil with Four Season Farm roasted new potatoes
Summer Ratatouille, Four Season Farm squash, Carding Brook Farm herbs, tomato, and corn over creamy parmesan risotto
Long Island Duck Breast, native strawberry and port compote, Old Ackley Farm beet greens, and mashed turnip

We are certainly celebrating strawberry season this week! Pillow chocolates, generally organic Lake Champlain chocolates, were fresh strawberries, dipped in dark Callebaut, and rolled in toasted almonds and sea salt. And for dessert, luscious strawberry crème brûlée, with native strawberries, mint from our garden, and a dark chocolate drizzle. Let's hear it for summer fruit! You can pick your own at Homewood Farm--and you might meet Maple, the springer spaniel!