Neighbourhood Outings

Last weekend was the 3rd Biennale de Déco et Création d'Art in Pantin. It was gorgeous autumn day and my mom and I walked walked from our place along the canal to the Centre National de la Danse where the Biennale was held.

This part of the canal is going through quite a transformation. Much of it is already nice but some parts have junkier, old industrial buildings that have been standing empty (or squatted) for years. Most of those buildings are now been done up into fancy loft spaces. Hermès is also part of the change of course. Their new ateliers are mostly done now and a few new restaurants and stores are opening around there.

Anyway... I was talking about the Biennale...There were two artists that I particularly liked. One was a potter named Elise Lefebvre. She made beautiful plates, bowls, vases, adorable doodads, jewellery etc. I particularly loved all her bird themed pieces. The other artist I liked a lot made beautiful etchings. I ended up buying this one. I actually ended up buying quite a few things from various people. I gave myself a budget that I absolutely did not abide by. Oops. I bought a hat by this woman too.

On the way back home we came upon the Marché sur l'eau which I definitely want to sign up for. What fun! We are loving our new neighbourhood!

Fall is here

One of the highlights of the summer here in Boothbay is the amazing Farmer's Market held every Thursday morning on the town common.  Everything is local.   The farmers are there to chat.  There is music and you inevitably run into friends and neighbors.  I tried to do as much as I could of my produce and dairy shopping there.  There is a wealth of deliciousness.  My favorites: Goranson's Farm for veggies, eggs and some memorable blackberries & blueberries; Hahn's End for aged cheeses that can hold their own against anything you'll find in a Parisian fromager (especially City of Ships and Virginia of Sagadahoc); and Chase Farm for butter, raw milk, cream, yogurt, buttermilk and of course the pumpkin donuts!

 
So, now I'll have to drive a bit further to the Bath or Brunswick winter markets, and content myself with my Goranson's winter shares.  And go pick apples sometime soon!

Along with the end of the Market, there are other signs that fall is definitely here.  It was a cool 0° Celsius when I woke up this morning.  Many of the local shops and restaurants close this weekend and won't reopen until spring (except for one special day around Thanksgiving when people apparently shop in their pajamas . . . will tell you more about that when the time comes).  And the leaves never cease to amaze us.  As we drive, the kids (or I) cry out, "Look at that tree!  It almost looks fake."  I wonder if this émerveillement will last through the years . . .

Fire starter

Marlowe has been learning to build a fire, and as fall temperatures begin to dip into the thirties at night, we all enjoyed his talents for warming the house this weekend.  

The kids have quickly adapted to the American tradition of making s'mores!  We even discovered that they make a delicious pre-dinner treat . . . "like an apéro" Marlowe noted.

Yum!

I love Q.

So . . . I just overheard Bea telling her friend Achille: "I don't have a boyfriend, but I am kind of falling in love with my best friend Quinn."  I don't even know where she picked up that vocabulary, but the feeling is clear: she loves her dear friend Quinn.

Magic on Squirrel Island

Yesterday, the kindergartners went to Squirrel Island for the day.  It's a magical place.  101 summer homes and a year-round caretaker on an island inhabited by fairies, pirates, ghosts and squirrels.  There has even been the occasional devil sighting . . . in his bathtub!  Bea's teacher has a gift for storytelling and a sense of magic that should be a requirement for teaching kindergarten.  I want to take you and Q and Z there next summer!

Land art fairy ladder

 Stopping for a snack

Peering into the devil's bathtub

 Bea's fairy house

 Fairy house in the fairy woods

 More fairy houses

Looking out at Pirate's Cove

Old-fashioned mythical communication device

Fall is just beginning

Lunch on Sea Glass Beach

Ferry ride home with wildflowers

When we got home, Bea took a 2 hour nap.  All that fresh air can wear a girl out.  Have a great weekend.  Wish you were here!

Sunset on Hunting Island

We have been lucky enough to have met some amazing people since we got here just a few months ago.  Mainers have the reputation of being wary of those of us who are "from away" and I had been warned it may take a while before being welcomed into the community.  So far, our experience could not be more different.  The people we have met have not only been kind, helpful and welcoming, but they have introduced us to their friends, making us feel as if we already have an impressive circle of interesting, warm friends.  On Thursday, one such chain of friends came together in an incredible place: our new friend Kate's beautiful home on Hunting Island.  The kids spent an evening boating, exploring, collecting shells and sea glass and watching the sun drop into the water.  Wow!

 On board the Escargot.

 Exploring the water's edge.

Bea's collection.

 Not a bad place to watch the sunset.

 Enjoying every last second of daylight!

Our new bike!

Our new bike arrived and we LOVE it !! 

It's definitely handy to be able to pick both kids up on one bike... and it's surprisingly easy to ride. 

It was hand made in Germany by this company.