Beer anyone?

Summer in Maine is fantastic!

If you love black flies, construction and humidity that makes you feel like a bloated sponge, then the extreme Northeast is the place to be! I mean, come on, who doesn't love being overrun by tourists or having that crippling traffic on Rte 1 (just North of Bath) all the way to Rockland and points beyond?

My favorite season is Autumn, and you'd think that by then, the tourists would have all flown the coop and gone home. Leaving us to our crisp walks along the boulevard, apple picking at Thompson's Orchard, and a milder crowd at L.L. Bean. Oh, no. Of course not.

Winter in Maine isn't always easy, thankfully people from everywhere else know that and the only real visitors we have are the die hard skiers or the die hard snomobilers. We also host our trails and mountains to those folks from a ways south of us, who just *think* they're die hard snowmobilers. Those are the ones that are fun to watch. Big gas guzzling trucks, pulling fancy trailers with a couple of brand new sleds. On the way out of state, you see those same guys hauling a fancy trailer full of sled scrap. heh heh heh.

Spring is the equivalent of mud season and the beginning of construction season (known in other states as Summer) here in Maine, and because my birthday is in Spring, I like that season best. Plus the flowers are starting and everyone gets spring fever. And sometimes... that is more fun to watch than the wintry visitors from out of state. Especially from my view onto Congress street from the studio. Since I started at Frank and have been at that window seat, I've seen it all. I promise....

Why do I bring this up now?

Well, says I... Beer.

That's right. Beer is what is making me consider all the seasons of Maine.

No matter what tourist season it is, we have a beer for it. Ahh, beer... For example, tonight for dinner, I decided on a Sam Adams Hefeweizen with a slice of lemon. I chilled the glass, and threw in the lemon slice, poured the beer and was in refreshing adult beverage heaven. I grilled up some chicken and tossed a Caesar salad. Grabbed the marinated olives/cheese/artichokes and some left over Asian noodle salad from the holiday weekend and tied on the feed bag with the kids.

If it were autumn, perhaps a Shipyard Pumpkin Head Ale? If flavored beer isn't your thing, may I recommend a Shipyard Export or a Brown Ale of your choice.

Winter time has me thinking thoughts of Guinness - Ok, actually I have thoughts of Guinness all throughout the year, but find it best in the Winter/Spring. Ahhh. Guinness. There are also many 'winter' ales available.

Spring has me wishing for flowers, and my birthday! Since we're blessed with a great place here in Portland (that I visit religiously every year near my birthday) called The Great Lost Bear I can walk in and order a sampler of beer! Have you ever heard of anything more genius than that? It's great! You pick 5 different kinds of beer to sample...very handy if you can't decide what you want. (Also great if you have commitment issues toward a full 16 or 23oz. that you've never tried.)

Yes, Maine is a great place. If not for our miles of coastline, our gorgeous lakes, rivers and State Parks. Our Ski Areas, our seafood, our laid back and friendly ways, our blueberries, our prime real estate (that is rapidly being purchased by some folks just south of us) and our diverse cultures; people would still be coming here to Maine just to drink our beer.

Can't say as I blame them.

Unless they drink too much beer...
We'll have to visit that another time. My beer awaits.

Rock on with your bad selves,
H

Wednesday 6/25/08

So... I get home today (after running all over hell and creation for my kids) and think, "Ahh, I'd sure love a nap! I stayed up way too late last night watching Wipe out and I survived a Japanese Game Show on T.V.! I will grab the dog, a glass of water and head to the solitary, dark room at the back of the house where I keep my bed! I will have a nice little nap and wake up refreshed and ready to face the beautiful afternoon, do my chores, make dinner, hang out with the kids - maybe get a double scoop blueberry ice cream cone later from Smiling Hill Farm. YUM!"

I got the dog, the water and closed the door to my room shutting out the household noise. I plugged in my phone, pulled back the curtains, opened the windows and lay down on the bed. I got all comfy on my pillow, grabbed a light blanket, (I am not the kind of person who can sleep without covers - no matter the temperature outside or in my room...I think that is a security thing, but in all my years of therapy, it never came up so I can't really say for sure) closed my eyes and thought of nothingness.

I was in a complete state of bliss, and am sure I would have been drooling had my phone not rang and shattered my silence. I looked at the phone and didn't recognize the #, so my finger automatically hit silence. Then I reconsidered and remembered that I had a new phone# and the only people who have this # are people I've personally given it to, so I decided to go ahead and answer it.

It was my friend Dan from high school! He called to say that he was coming through town and wanted to stop and say hello. He lives in Laurinburg, N.C. and I haven't seen him in years! How exciting! I am so glad I took his call!! He is going to come over for dinner tonight, and we're going to catch up on what's happened for us in the past ten years. I can't believe it's been that long. Has it really? Goodness! How time flies!

When we hung up, I jumped out of bed, grabbed my phone, my purse and my keys and headed out the door for dinner. While I am driving out of the yard, I say to myself, "Heidi you know what you have to make for dinner...this is a special visitor...go to the Meat House and get some Burgundy Wine Tips and whatever else they have that looks good! I drove over to SoPo and of course forgot about that stupid STUPID construction traffic there at exit #3 of 295.

I finally made it to the Meat House and not only did I get my Burgundy Wine Tips, I got some Sun dried Tomato marinated chicken, some asparagus, some fresh Mitchell's salsa (OMG so good) and some nacho strips - but they had some red potatoes with garlic pepper seasoning, all cut up and ready to throw on the grill as well! I made a few other selections from the beer case and for about $40 I have a meal fit for a king, AND my friend Dan! Not to mention I will have food for tomorrow's left over night! Way cheaper than going out, and so much tastier!
I know you hear Bill and I talking up the Meat House - Yes, it really IS that good!!!
Plus, I get the satisfaction of making the meal while hanging out in the kitchen spending time with my friend!

On my way home, I let a city bus driver, pull out into traffic ahead of me - much to the chagrin of the motorists behind me - and saw the delight in his face because I wanted him to go first. That was my good deed for the day, and now I am free to eat 'meat candy and drink beer' for the remainder of my day.

Rock on with your bad selves,

H