North Country

One of my jobs at the conference was to work with a group of students from St. Lawrence University to write lesson plans for the Frederic Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg, NY. We got to visit the museum to take pictures and find inspiration for our lesson plans.

Frederic Remington was a very talented artist. He was best known for his bronze sculptures, Nocturnem paintings, and his work, "Rough Riders".

It was a neat conference and I am looking forward to next year.

Lamoine State Park

I have been recovering from the flu, therefore we kept the adventures to a minimum this weekend. Saturday we spent the day lounging around our home and watching Singin' in the Rain. On Sunday we did manage to sneak a little trip to the beach by visiting Lamoine State Park.

A tidal pool has formed in a busted, open pipe.

 If Mount Desert Island is the outgoing popular girl at a party, Lamoine State Park is her quieter, lesser-known best friend. Lamoine State Park is about fifteen minutes away from Ellsworth and across the bay from Mount Desert Island. You can easily spot Cadillac Mountain and Blue Hill in the distance. It is a sweet little place to camp, picnic or read a good novel in the summer sun. This would not be the ideal place for the avid outdoorsman, however it is a wonderful spot to relax and enjoy the salty breeze.

Also I was seriously entertained by this miniature of the East Lamoine Meeting House, now the Lamoine Historical Society. I guess fairies need to go to church too. It was apparently built by a local resident Neil Walker in the 1950's and was housed in the Eagles Lodge Motel in Ellsworth until last year.

Castine History

The town of Castine is a historian's playground. The vast majority of the buildings date from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Although I would have loved to explore every nook and cranny, most of these buildings do not exactly allow animals. We contented ourselves with visiting the sites that were outdoors.

One of our first stops was Fort George. Fort George was established by the British in 1779. It was the site of the worst American naval defeat prior to Pearl Harbor. Little remains of the original fort, however we still enjoyed running around its walls and grooves.

I also took pictures of the Dyce Head Lighthouse. There was not a whole lot to this particular one, but I would recommend visiting it if lighthouses are your thing. Apparently there is a Midcoast Maine Lighthouse Challenge you can participate in every June.

Our last stop was Fort Madison. Fort Madison was originally built by the US in 1809, but switched hands several times during the War of 1812. It was officially abandoned at the end of the Civil War.  The fort no longer remains, however you can still climb on the earthen mounds.  It is the perfect place to take your dog for a walk or enjoy the coastal scenery.

I hope that you have enjoyed this three-part series on Castine. I am eager to return and to better get-to-know this gorgeous town.

Castine Forests

Witherle Woods Preserve is currently part of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust. Throughout its history it has been used by the French, Dutch, English and Americans as a trading post, a site for forts and missions and agricultural activities. This little copse witnessed military action in both the American Revolution and the War of 1812. You can find the remains of this history as you wander through the woods.

Witherle Woods was beautiful. The hike was invigorating, but not exhausting. All of us enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it to others. Just look a Freckles beaming! For more information, check out this site.

Summer-Inspired Dinner

Summer has finally hit in the state of Maine. I find myself craving fresh fruits and vegetables, a ton of ice cream and Mexican-inspired foods. Last night I tried my hand at a few new recipes and was really pleased with the results. Our dinner consisted of Margarita Chicken, Cilantro-Lime Rice and Homemade Mojitos. Enjoy!

Margarita Chicken- Adapted from Iowa Girl Eats

Yields 4 Servings

Ingredients

1. zest of 1 lime +  juice of 4 limes
2. zest of 1 orange + juice of 2 oranges
3. 1/4 cup tequila (I used rum because that is what I had on hand. Still delicious)
4. 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
5. 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon agave nectar or honey (I opted for two teaspoons of sugar instead)
6. 3 crushed garlic cloves (I used garlic scapes from the farmer's market)
7. As much salt and pepper as your little heart desires
8. 4 small chicken breasts 

Directions

1. Combine ingredients from lime zest to salt and pepper in a large bowl or ziplock bag then mix well. Add chicken breasts then cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 1-4 hours. (I would honestly let it marinate no more than two hours. Any longer and you might as well just eat a lime).  
2. Grill or saute over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes a side, or until cooked through

Cilantro-Lime Rice- Adapted from Iowa Girl Eats

Yields 4 Servings

Ingredients

1. 1 cup long grain white rice
2. 2 cups water
3. 1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil (I used olive oil because I am a rebel)
4. 1/2 teaspoon salt (this is not super necessary)
5. Juice of 1/2 lime
6. 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro 

Directions

1. Bring water, oil, and salt to a boil in a saucepan. Add rice, place a lid on top, then turn heat down to medium-low and simmer until rice is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir to fluff then add lime juice and chopped cilantro.

Homemade Mojitos- Adapted from Delightfully Tacky

Directions are for one drink. Add accordingly.

Ingredients

1. 2 ounces light rum (or more. I won't judge)
2. 12 mint leaves (or more. It's your life, you make it as minty as you want to)
3. 0.5 ounces lime juice
4. 1 tablespoon of simple syrup
5. Crushed Ice
6. Club soda

Directions

1. In a highball glass, muddle 12 mint leaves with 1 tbsp simple syrup and .5 oz lime juice. Add 2 oz rum and nearly fill the glass with crushed ice. Finish the rest of the glass with club soda. Garnish with mint or lime if you are feeling fancy. I was.