keeping the home fire burning

One of the questions I get asked most often by my family in the south is "are ya keepin' warm up there?" My answer is "Yes, too warm!" I am warmer here during a mild Maine winter than I ever was during the coldest North Carolina winter. Samson has spent all winter walking around the house in his Phineas and Ferb underwear. I'm wearing shorts and flip flops in the house. I crack a window when I'm cooking in the kitchen. I turn on a fan at night.

We use a wood burning stove to heat the house and also have a fuel furnace for times when we are not home to tend to the fire and to keep the house from getting too cold when we go away for the weekend. But since we are usually home, the furnace is not used. And there is really no way to turn down the fire. And everbody knows that once you get a good fire going, you keep it going, you don't let it die down just to crank it back up again when the house gets chilly. So it stays super warm - no, make that hot - in the house most every day, all day. But it feels extra good when coming in from the cold and wet. And it's totally acceptable to walk away from work to go check the fire so you don't come home to a cold house at the end of the workday.

Other than Maine, we have always lived in a mild climate and never had the need for a high heat source. The only downside is when I have a (fake) blonde moment and burn myself. It's happened at least 3 times this winter. And I'm literally scarred from it. Now I put pot holders on my hands when I have to add wood to the stove. (Let's hope I just don't catch them on fire now).

Spring Sprung Snow

This time last week, it was 80 degrees on the island. Today it snowed. I don't know which I prefer. I like both.

Want summer work? On an island?

Our year round population of around 40 grows to over 250 in the summer. Plus we get a lot of tourists and day-trippers. There is no shortage of working age people here, but there is a shortage of working class people here. So if you are looking for summer work, let me know. We would love to help you get up here.

But there is also a shortage of living space here. Well, affordable living space anyway. Summer rentals go for $2,000 to $4,000 a week. Last year, we had a couple of people stay at our house and had tons of fun. Hey, we're fun people, right? Right? Well, anyway.

Here are some of the opportunities I know of right now: (1) a cook for the general store's cafe. Experience preferred but not required, attitude and good work ethic is more important. (2) general store employees (3) Child care workers (summer nannies) are most always needed. Some of these may also offer living space. If not, you are welcomed at our home!

And ask my sister, Amber. She stayed with us one summer and found work taking care of a summer family's children. She made good money and we had a blast. Right, Amber? Right? Well, anyway. Or ask Heather S. from church. She found work at the general store last year and stayed with us too. We had so much fun with her. And she loved it here. Right, Heather? Right?

I'm telling ya, we ARE fun people.

Spring Has Sprung!

We are at least 6 weeks behind "home" in North Carolina, for season changes. We are just now getting Spring like weather. But we love it. I don't need the heat. Huh-uh, no thank you. And I for sure don't want the humidity. We are well suited for Maine, I guess. I'd gladly trade a longer winter for a cooler summer.

As soon as the weather changes, everyone heads outdoors. So we spent some time in Acadia National Park. These pictures were taken on different days but Samson is wearing the same orange coat so it doesn't look like it!

Samson also lost his first tooth recently. We didn't do the tooth fairy. I didn't really want to but it didn't matter anyway cause he lost the tooth within an hour of pulling it. He was playing with it on the bed and lost it. We still haven't found it. Maybe if I was a better housekeeper...

at Bass Harbor Lighthouse

waiting for the ferry to take us back home to Cranberry

testing out Mandy and Scott's new dinghy

Town Meeting

Until we lived on the island I never cared for local politics. It's easier to be more "civic minded" here living in such a small town. Town meeting happens once a year. It can be quite a day. There can be shouting and arguing and name calling. But there are two things you can count on: a great lunch and a long day. This year's meeting lasted 9 hours. Great Cranberry and Little Cranberry alternate hosting the meeting each year. This year it was on Little Cranberry.

Riding the ferry to Little Cranberry for the meeting

walking up the dock

In the meeting

OK, is this adorable small town stuff or what?! The chair you sit on upstairs for town meeting is also the chair you sit on downstairs for lunch. They break for lunch and then there is a ruckus of chairs against the floors as eveyone folds their chair and heads down the stairs.

Lunch is served!