Thursday, August 28, 2014

Oh, HELL NO! (and yes I am in love with Arkansas!)

It has been about a week now since I returned from Arkansas. I am finding myself drawn into that country way of life thanks to one hillbilly guru. So much so, that I am not even sure what to post other that Greer's Ferry Lake (FM12++) is beautiful, but bring your own alcohol as the county is dry. Don't plan on doing much more than relaxing and be prepared to jump off cliffs. Coffee on the porch swang is way more pleasurable than any plain ole porch, despite the skeeters. Killing and skinning a rabbit was about the most spiritual thing I have ever done in my life! A must, if you're visiting, is a stop at Joe Bruhin's place -Fox Mtn Pottery and yes you should buy a pot! (FM 10+)

What I will give you about this trip is my insight on messy sex: 

You will need:

1 avocado per person
2 eggs per person
a few slices of a chili pepper - we used hatch
a few slices of cheese (we used apple smoked cheddar)
picante sauce
english muffin toasted per person

Halve the avocados and then slice a bit from the bottom so that the half will stay upright. Place in a pan.
Place a slice of chili pepper in the avacado
Crack an egg into each half
Cover and either place in oven, on the stove or if you are in AR then on the grill is best! (especially if the grill is next to that porch swing) 
Put down the english muffins
Cook until the top of the egg starts to show some white (loosely cooked) 
Top with cheese and continue to cook until cheese melts (do not overcook the eggs - for this to have that true messy sex mouth feel… oops maybe I said too much)
encourage each person to SMEAR the messy sex contents all over the english muffins 
 ENJOY IT like it will be the last time in a long while

Mainely Disconnected (but we did have fun)


This post should have gone out weeks ago, since then things have changed. I am moving on and  I am far more balanced and happier than I've been in a long time. Life has a funny way...

August 9, 2014
The day came, it had been suggested for the past six months that he and I go away with the intention of trying to reconnect. By the time we got to this point however it seemed that maybe it was too little to late. My heart has begun the process of being plated and is now sporting a nice new titanium shine to it. I found that gate in the fence last week and decided it was time to see if it was usable. Sporting a new tattoo to remind me of that newly discovered boundary, my heart was not so willing to fall for the bits of hope thrown at me regularly. The grass on the other side of the fence really is the same, only the new quieted space has a tremendous appeal. I found the porch of my soul and a wonderful new place for my sunrise coffee meditation. Well lets just say, coffee it good at any time of the day, especially when its shared with the child within, and good friends, The sweet air that goes along with it is like a prayer of love, and comforts me beyond my wildest dreams. I’ve realized I am less afraid of crossing those monkey bars that C.S. Lewis talks about. You cannot move forward unless you let go. My white wolf is cooing and the black one is comatose.

Off we went to our little cabin in the middle of no-where on the Bluehill Peninsula.

Maine has always been one of those places that riveted both our souls, and with that said, I was quite nervous that a trip here would reek havoc on my peace of mind, maybe build hope that had no business dominating my thoughts anymore. I made sure that there were enough new things in our itinerary to keep me from falling back on sentiment, because I knew in my heart that there was no way he would feel any connection, the freshly pressed skirt he has been shacking up with has sunk deep into the depths of his soul. Lets just say we mixed it up, a little hiking paired with oysters and yes a “little black dress’ .

Where we stayed: We found a cottage on Air B&B that was located in Brookfield, ME which is a tiny little town with almost nothing to do but relax.  Breakfast was included and it was extremely quiet and could, if you were so inclined, be the perfect romantic getaway. It has tremendous sex appeal.  Shirley and Fred treated us so well that we felt like we were old friends by the time we left.  (FM rating 10++)

On the way up we stopped in Portland at Po” Boys and Pickles, which was not new to us, but definitely one of those places that is a must stop if you find yourself driving through and need a sandwich.  (FM rating 9)

In Bluehill:

The Boatyard Grill, which is located in an active boatyard is like a tiki hut, or backyard BBQ space that had lots of Pina Colada getting  and caught in the rain ambiance. However, the food was mediocre and the beer served to warm. Sometimes its hard to visit places like this with him, the romance is the thing that gets left standing in the rain. There is a coolness factor here (FM rating 8)

Deep Water Brewing is located next to this really fancy restaurant , They share the same courtyard in fact. This makes it the perfect place to get out that little black dress, you know the kind that you can rock at a black tie or at a honky tonk, one merely needs to change the shoes. We shared a flight, a salad, the hanger steak, and some duck fries, served with garlic aioli. The beers were ok, but this brewery doesn’t market itself so without being in the pool of competition, they fall short of missing the mark The food was great though and the place was welcoming. (FM rating 8.5)

Marlintinis is located just outside of downtown. It packs a crowd on any given night. We only went there for drinks, which in out case we were the only non locals in the place.  The menu is standard pub fare I think. (FM rating 8)

In Ellsworth:
We went to dinner one night with the yen for something more than what we could find in Bluehill.. It had been a rainy afternoon and we had just spent two speechless hours pretty much ignoring each other in a cabin during a thunderstorm. This may have been boredom This may have been just the need to not talk.  We had after all had a day of  hiking, touring Belfast, and visiting several breweries. Maybe we were just tired. As we sat there nibbling on cheese and crackers and sipping a growler of beer from Strong Brewing, reading whatever seemed to strike our individual fancy, we contemplated dinner. We found Finn’s. an Irish pub in downtown Ellsworth. The food was decent and they had an incredible tap selection, though some of the taps had been rotated out. The issue with this was not the selection but that whomever was doing the rotating was not paying attention to the menu thereby creating a huge hopless whole in the middle. There were a fine selection of big beers and an equal amount of wheats and summer ales, but the IPA’s and Pales that kicked were not replaced with a like kind.. The energy in this place was fantastic, and for a town that seems to roll up the sidewalks on a Thursday night at 8, it was a great find. (FM rating 9.5)

Belfast:
This is a cute little town that loves its artists so the town alone is a must visit (FM10++)

Marshall Wharf is clearly the place to eat. This brewery sports a tasting room that serves local fare and it known for its oysters. (of course we indulged, what girl in her right mind would turn down a half dozen Pemaquid’s?) We split a flight as usual and then each ordered our favorite beer. It was a nice way to spend an afternoon. (FM 10++)

There was this BBQ place just across the parking lot from Marshall Wharf we tried based on the smell of smoke. It was so non-descript and bland that I cannot even remember the name. I am making note of it here so that readers can be aware that the meat lacked the flavor that one would expect. Did they even know how to use a rub? I wish I had been satisfied with just the oysters we had before this.

While in Belfast please consider buying work from a local artist instead of a tourist shop.

Bar Harbor:
Acadia National Park . This oceanside mountainous park is a MUST (FM 12++) . Especially if you have like to hike, scramble, climb or bike .  Two must hikes for everyone (not restricted by age) are Cadillac Mtn (consider becoming part of the sunrise club, packing along breakfast) and both Bubbles. Though there are many others too.

Cherry Stones: We hit this bar up for oysters and beer  after getting caught on the mountain top in weather.  The bartenders were friendly enough and actually made us laugh quite a bit (He was sporting his Yankee hat in Sox country- though his knowledge of BoSox trivia helped save his ass J )  They have a local beer list  but its not extensive.  (FM rating 8.5)


Saturday, August 2, 2014

Sitting at the Bar at the Farmer and the Fish=Oysters and craft beer of course

When I was growing up it was drummed into my head that a proper lady does not go into a bar on her own to just "hang out".  Heck, a proper lady does not get tattoos either.  I found myself lonely and alone for dinner a few months ago. I couldn't take the house, and all the emotions that went with it. I was sad over the fact that one of the things I had come to enjoy in this despair was hanging out with the lively crowd at the Farmer and the Fish (FM rating 9 - not for those with a peanut allergy ) on any given night. The place has great seafood, despite being small, a great bar, and they play amazing tunes. He and I would go for the Red, White and Blue special and the Scallop Salad. That day I found myself lonely, I was so distraught that I picked myself up and decided if there was no room at the bar, I would take a table and sit and eat dinner. I even armed myself with a book, just in case. There was room at the bar and the bartender made me feel comfortable but I remembered something else my mother taught me, the best way to meet and talk to people is to talk to people. So I struck up a conversation with the people sitting around me. I had a blast. Funny thing was I had an incredibly meaningful conversation with complete strangers that I most likely will never see again. This is where I truly learned to love oysters. I learned that a proper lady can go into a bar alone without the world ending. By the way, this lady sports ink, proudly. 

Where was I going with this? We went for beer and oysters last night, and yes while I know this blog is more about my rambles around the planet, close to home is a journey for someone else. What I learned about oysters is that like anything else, you are better off buying a few good ones than ordering the cheapest on the menu. While I do like the Red, White and Blue special (6 blue point oysters or clams, a glass of wine or PBR with the option of upgrading to a craft), exploring the rest of the oyster menu is highly recommended. Its like eating only the frosting on a cupcake if you don't. What I have learned to do, order the RWB special as a warm up to the culinary explosion of the other types of oysters. My favorites? Pemaquid (ME), Spinney Creek (ME), Moonstones (RI), Quilcene (WA) and Chefscreek (BC).  I was not disappointed last night. 

Another dish on their menu well worth indulging in is the Seared Scallop Salad. A few years ago when off on one of my Adventures with Pete I found out just how good a scallop was raw. I was served up this delicacy by his friend Ubby, while we were out lobstering. I admit I was scared but considering I chickened out of biting the head off a bait fish, I decided to bite the bullet and eat it. OMG, I am talking orgasm in a shell incredible. The seared scallops on this salad are just barely cooked and as close to that AWP experience I have ever come across. Don't be afraid of the fried egg on the greens, break open the yolk and enjoy the richness it adds to the bitterness of the frisee. 

The next time you find yourself wondering, yes, get dressed up, pony up to the bar, order yourself something wonderful from the rawbar and LIVE a little. Also, check out their farm stand, it's really cool, especially if your into living local! 

*people with a peanut allergy beware, just like 5 guys there are peanuts galore and the shells are just dropped on the floor. 

#farmerandthefish #oysters #westchester #NYmetro #happyhour #livelocal #dinneroptions #craftbeer