Apple Season a Bust

You never know what you will see while sitting in your Hot Tub at the Inn. This is a photo of my Brother in Law, Fred flying around the Island and entertaining both himself and quite a few people on the ground.

Apple Season is here and the growers have taken a huge hit. One grower said that he had lost 90% of the crop due to a late frost in May. Aimee and I went on the kids Apple/ Hay Ride Fieldtrip this week and the only thing plentiful was the pumpkins. It was such a warm Summer that the pumpkins came early. Some growers could even plant a second crop. According to the growers the trunks froze and all the blossoms toward the bottom of the trees froze. So if you are lucky and tall like Matt you could pick them using a ladder. Mother Nature who can figure her out. Like today, it is 80 deg in the end of September.

We are open only 35 more days this season. Every year it seems like it goes faster and faster. I am very happy to say we have had 100% occupancy this September, can't do much better than that. September is beating out August.

The whole town is a buzz and very happy for our local standout Mark Rogers who is pitching with the Milwaukee Brewers. He has closed a couple games with no hit innings and started his first game last night against the Florida Marlins.

The answer to the pole question was Florida, which 66% got right. The Withlaooochee River is both in North Central and Central Florida.

Peace and Health
Alicia

Sunrise

The sun is just rising at the same time I arrive at work now. The days are shorter, and brisk. We even had to light the fireplace one day. I love this time of year! Only problem is that we close in 6 more weeks. I get asked frequently if I am anxious to close, and the answer is "No". I love the Log Cabin. Our crew is the best anyone could ask for. Our guests are the most amazing people. I also love to cook breakfast. Today I am making waffles, ham and banana pecan muffins. Laura will be in shortly to make the fruit. This morning all 9 rooms are return guests---making it feel like one big family.

Last night was a silent auction for the Harpswell Community Nursery School. I was very brave and gave Aimee and Alicia a signed check and told them they could bid for me. I wonder what I bought, and how much I spent? Will let you know.

Off to cook breakfast! Sue

September 11

Today is such a glorious day with the sun shinning and a slight breeze. It was just like Sept 11th nine years ago. It was one of those days that everyone will remember and I am no different. Jon and I were still working on a Yacht together and we had just left Montauk, Long Island, NY headed to Nantucket when we heard. We just couldn't believe it, our Boss at the time owned all the fiber optics layed in NYC and his office was Downtown. We tried several times to reach him but all phone lines were tied up. Finally the next day we heard that he was safe and not yet made it to work when the Towers came down. A very good friend of ours, Larry Silverstein owned the Twin Towers. The devastation that he and his family had to endure was unbearable. They have already rebuilt 7 World Trade Plaza and have tenants occupying the building. It is truly a beautiful place with a park and art work every where. It has been a painful process dealing with the Port Authority on the Twin Tower location but progress is being made there on the rebuild as well. God Bless the families that lost loved ones and the Hero's that are still with us.

As I reflect on this day I am grateful for my beautiful family and the happy and magnificent place that I work at.

The poll question was almost a landslide, 90% of the people were correct that Danny is in Second Grade, and lovin it. Josh and Terrence started Nursery School this week and after a rough start Josh is still going and Terrence would go every day.

PS. Just so you are not confused, Alicia wrote this post, not Sue.

No Rooms Available

What a summer we have had! The No has been out on the sign almost every day. And September is already 93% full with reservations. There is more room open in October if you would still like to come visit.

Some weird things have been happening too. Matt had a gentleman ask where the closest hardware store was. Matt asked what he needed, and he said he needed to fix his leg! He had a prosthesis that had broken. So, Matt fixed it for him! One of our regular guests said "Well you guys really do it all!" And I had an egg casserole blow up in the oven---what a mess. So, I spent 2 hours in the 90 degree heat cleaning that up! Now, we have guests here for 2 separate weddings with the Hurricane Earl predicted to pass by. Actually, it looks like it will miss us. I will let you know.

School has started back up. One of the long term morning news broadcasters said "I can't remember ever broadcasting that schools in Maine were closed due to the heat." We had a 4 day heat wave this past week that was very uncomfortable. I cannot ever remember Bailey Island being hot for this many days. It should cool down after the storm passes by.

Hope all is well with all of you, Sue

Just a little leak

Sue isn't headed off to the Plant Store today but I think that is only because it hasn't stopped raining in 24hrs. We needed the rain though, it has been a fairly dry Summer. I hope everyone enjoyed the basil photo. Sue planted it in the vegetable garden and I use it all the time. I think it will last until we close or first frost.

I was just looking at the Reservation Book and we do not have a whole weekend available until October 15th. I know I shouldn't be surprised by this right??? but I have also never seen September so full before it even starts. We already have 231 nights booked for next year. Those August guests do not like to take a chance that their room is going to be taken.

One day last week Sue and I were looking at flower photo's in the office when Emily said "You better come quick there is water pouring out of the back of the kitchen ceiling." There is nothing like water to make 2 people start running. It is always trying to find the source at 9am with a Full House that is fun. We called Plumber Matt and traced it to a closet behind the bathroom in the York Room. Ironically the gentleman staying in the York Room was a plumbing contractor. So now the guests do dishes, move furniture and fix our plumbing.

This is our last Friday with the kids at Stover's Cove and we are going all out with a full Lobster Bake and Grill set up. It is hard to believe it is back to school time but what a great Summer we have had.

By a narrow margin more people thought I was making Blueberry Pie which would have been true of the rest of the Summer but that day I decided to make Apple so Apple people win.

Alicia

Plant shopping

Okay, okay, okay.......yes, I do like to plant shop.....and Alicia likes to mock this "habit" I have. But, as you can see in the picture, she was excited about the giant basil plant I brought back yesterday! One thing about plant shopping this time of year is there are deals out there.

We have been 100% full so far in August. Actually, we could have rented 2-3 times the rooms we have. September looks very busy as well. We are launching a new web site this week. Our web designer is coming to train Matt and Aimee today. So be on the lookout!

Have to go plant the new plants! Sue

Bon Apetit

I think Sue is on a quest this year to look through cooking magazine's and find the hardest recipes that she likes and wants me to make. This week the mouth watering picture in Bon Apetit of a lime curd tart with fresh blackberries and blueberries was her choice. This was worse than making the Ice Cream. It took me a day to make the lime curd and another day to assemble the whole thing. It may not look exactly like the picture in the magazine but I think it is pretty close.

My other picture is of our room guest Mr. Kasper moving the blow up bed from one of their rooms to another.So not only do our room guests do the dishes but they also move furniture and he and his wife bring us each the most wonderful box of chocolates.

The Lobster Bake Fundraiser at the Post Office was a great success. I am just happy that people actually bid on my Blueberry Pie. It was great to see some of our Room Guests there showing support for the Community.
Two more weeks and the local kids are back in School. This has been the best Summer for weather by far. I have never been to the beach so many times. Speaking of the beach the majority of you were right on my poll. There is controversary surrounding the access to Cedar Beach. The property has always been privatly owned and the people were gracious enough to let the public use it. Now they would like to sell the Right of Way to the Town and this is where the "Legality" of the situation arises. You can still access the path to the beach but have to use the larger beach to the Right of Cedar.

I am off on a Family trip to Northern Maine, Mooshead Lake this weekend and hope this is not the one weekend all Summer that it decides to rain.

Enjoy.. Alicia