Sunday, October 26, 2014

Boo tiful time!!

It's almost Halloween!! Wikipedia, the source of all sources, true or false, says: the traditional focus of All Hallows' Eve revolves around the theme of using "humor and ridicule to confront the power of death". 
I'll drink to that. 

So off Mr. Downeastdoingstuff and I went to find humor and ridicule each other...

Yesterday, LL Bean, up in Freeport, Maine, celebrated their annual Pumpkin Festival to 'confront the power of death'. Thousands of folks contributed an hour of their life finding a parking space and then gave donations to help fund Camp Sunshine, a camp for very ill children and their families.

A friend of ours carves massive pumpkins into ultra creepy things. By massive I mean, around 1,000 pounds. (Other than a recipe I have for pumpkins cookies that ends up making 1,000 lbs. of cookies, I don't know any food that weighs a 1,000 pounds or more.)
There were activities for all ages from noon until 8 p.m.

Pumpkins were either carved there or groups carved them off site and lugged them in.

Each and every orangey pumpkin was loving placed along perimeters everywhere. EVERY SINGLE pumpkin had a candle put in it.


AND THEN.....volunteers.....(you'd have to pay me to do this...)...went around with one of those impossible to light kitchen lighters and lit...every.....single....candle....one....at.....a......time.
(See that volunteer? If this photo had sound, there would be curse words flying out of her mouth.)
(ever use one of those things??) (I rest my case.)

Suddenly, nature called and we had to leave the spooks and stroll down the street for a glass of wine. (That's the 'nature called' part....happens often.)

Ended up at the Tuscan Bistro. Never went there. Very good!!




By now it was dark, so we knew all the pumpkins would be lit and the trauma tent would be full of the volunteers suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. 

It was a sight to see.



Another Bootiful adventure in the beautiful state of Maine!!





Thursday, October 23, 2014

Cellardoor Winery for a Wino.


I like to do things, by that I mean, go places. 
Interesting places.
Maine has lots of interesting places. 
We found one a couple of weeks ago.
The Cellardoor Winery in Lincolnville, Maine
A little off the beaten track aka Route One, it is a gem.
On a hill, overlooking their vineyards. And. Free. Wine. Tasting!
Yup, I’m all over that!!






Sampled about 5 different wines. Then bought a glass of some. Then bought a bottle of Prince Valiant Red.
Very good day!