Memorial Day Weekend

Wow, it is Memorial Day Weekend.....we have been open for almost 2 months. It does not seem possible. As you can see, the gardens are very happy.....poppies, iris and lupine time. I will go pick a bouquet when I finish up this blog.

The weather continues to be fantastic. Bailey Island is very busy. Bowdoin College has their graduation this weekend, which brings many people this way. And of course, it is a 3 day weekend for most folks (unless you are in the Inn business).

Hope you all enjoy the weekend. And hope to see all of you here on Bailey Island soon!
Sue

HMS Bounty

Last one in the pool is a Rotten Egg. I think since the heat isn't on yet I will refrain, but the pool is open. The weather has been very cooperative, some sun, some rain and some sun. The flowers are just bursting with Thank You's. Aimee the boys and I took the first trip of the Summer to Stover's Cove this week. We did some beach walking, crab catching and chasing of boys in and out of the water. There was quite a bit or road erosion there this Winter and one of the cottages was washed away. The road is passable and it is always neat to look at Bailey Island from the other side of Harpswell.

Also in the area this weekend is the HMS Bounty at the Maine Maritime Museum. This is the replica ship built by MGM Studios in 1961 to serve in the film "Mutiny on the Bounty".It was made 1/3 larger to accommodate the film crews. There is always something interesting at the Museum and since Bath was named one of the Top 10 Small Towns in America it is a great day trip from the Inn.

I am giving the "Crazy Guest Award" so far this year to Bob and Betsy. They saw my blog about the Strawberry Rhubarb Pie and drove all the way here from MA and back in the same day just to get one of my pies.I hope it was good guys, and see you in September. I made something else new this week. Rhubarb and Crystallized Ginger Bread Pudding, seems to be a hit. I am back on track with our new freezer and this week I made Butter Pecan Ice Cream. Thanks to room guests Curt and Kathleen for bringing us those fresh nuts. Busy, busy time at the Inn, next weekend Memorial Day and Bowdoin College Graduation. Emily has Graduated Cum Laude and we are so glad to have her back with us.

It is so exciting for us to start seeing all our regular guests back again. Come stay with us and you will become a regular guest, I promise.

All the best... Alicia

Tulip gardens

The tulips were spectacular this year! They apparently liked the mild winter. They are just starting to go by--soon to be followed by the iris--and there are many of those as well. I have only made 3 trips to the garden centers.....planted the window boxes on the shed and garage so far. I will start on the raised gardens today and work my way around the building.

We are full with a wedding party this weekend. Sarah, one of our former employees is getting married in Mackerel Cove and her family is staying with us. The weather forecast is looking pretty good--we are keeping our fingers crossed for Sarah and Adam. Alicia is performing the ceremony. Matt, Aimee and kids are going to the wedding.....so is Laura. So, I guess that means I will hold down the fort!

All for now, Sue

From Start to Finish

Hi All... it's Alicia and it looks like gardening season has begun so Sue is abandoning the blog and I am back. As you can see I had a little helper today as the first Strawberry Rhubarb Pie of the season has been made. I had to hurry up and make something as we have 16 of 18 possible people for Dinner tonight. Lots of Lobster and Filet's will be flying around the Kitchen tonight.

We had a fabulous April, occupancy was up 30% from last year. We rented the Harpswell Room, the largest and most expensive, 90% of the month. As it stands our first Sat night opening for any room is June 26th. People are so excited to stay here we even have 47 rooms nights already booked for 2011. So if you are a procrastinator and want to stay here you may be out of luck.

Lots of new Restaurants opening on Maine St. in Brunswick. I sent some room guests to the Byrnes Irish Pub,last night, they had a great time and said there was even Live Music. We are taking a "Field Trip" this week to the newly restored Captain Daniel Stone Inn and Restaurant in Brunswick. Then over to the Quahog Bay Inn off Rt 24 in Harpswell, so there will be much to report next week. Now I must head to the kitchen and tackle Dinner.

Happy Mother's Day to all !!

May Day on Bailey Island

Breakfast creations

Here was today's breakfast.....a Laura creation. She made lobster eggs benedict in a puff pastry, with roasted potatoes on the side. Two of our favorite regular guests are here with us for 2 weeks, so we attempt to create some new and different breakfasts so they will not be bored! Lobster of course is a Maine tradition. This year is also looking to be a tough year for the lobster industry. So, we will do our part to support the lobster men and women.

April has turned out to be a very good month for weather. Today it is raining and chilly, but the forecast for the weekend is good. Our occupancy for the month is 28% better than last year. Yahoo!! So, if you are planning on coming to Bailey Island for a visit, give us a call!

All for now, Sue

No rooms available!

One of our favorite things to do is to hang out the "NO" on the rooms available sign. Alicia was the first to get that honor last night. It was a beautiful Saturday here and we filled for the first time this month. April has been considerably busier than last year. Of course, the weather has also been really nice. The gardens are 3-4 weeks ahead of usual. It is hard to see in the picture, but the magnolia is budding, the tulips are out, all the trees have buds. It is a great spring so far.

It is early Sunday morning, and I am off to the kitchen to make breakfast....cinnamon rolls, ham and oven omelette. Alicia will be in soon to make the fruit and coffee. It is looking like another beautiful sunny day. Hope you all enjoy!

All for now, Sue