Bar Harbor, Maine

The hubby and I are spending some of his earned vacation bucks in Bar Harbor this week. Due to the drama at Chicago O'Hare on Sunday, we lost a day and a half of our vacation, but we made it by Monday evening and have spent our first day eating, window shopping, driving around and enjoying the cool weather and fall colors. After a yummy breakfast of a frittata, maple muffin, and fresh fruit, I did 3.1 miles of running

I ran a few blocks, then cut down this road which turned into a path, that then turned into Ocean Trail, a mile long trail established around1880.

It was beautiful and mostly deserted with just a few middle aged walkers the closer I got to the busy harbor.

At about a mile into the run, I was at the harbor, so I turned around and ran back. I passed our B&B and ran a few blocks more towards the shopping area. It was pretty early still, so there weren't many people out milling around. Then back again. I kept taking side roads until I ran a 5k. Nice. After I cleaned up, Jim and I headed out for some sight seeing.

Then we drove the loop around the island or peninsula, whatever it is...

Lots of color, a few deer, then back for seafood. Yum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chase 5k

I did the second annual The Chase 5k in memory of four month old Chase Ruffner who passed away from SIDS. The charity is First Candle, an organization committed to safe pregnancies and infant loss awareness. It is a small race, which is good for runners my age. There were only two in my age bracket and I won first. I think the other mostly walked. Didn't break any records and was only a few seconds faster than last year. Today was a tough run. Very humid. Yucky. Why are they sometimes so tough?

Glad I did it. No matter how bad the run is, I always feel really good afterwards.

Below is the quilt I made for little Chase's parents, from his clothes.

 

Survivor

I had the pleasure of taking a friend to her chemo treatment yesterday. This women is amazing. Her story started 14 years ago with a breast cancer diagnosis. I believe she was about 38 years old at the time.

She has continued to work full time. She teaches a Sunday school class for children, just finished a masters degree (I think her second). She's had several surgeries and the cancer has come back time and time again. She will probably be on monthly chemo for the rest of her life. But what a life! She took the advice of her doctor years ago to not stop. Not stop working, not stop her involvement in activities, not stop seeing or being around friends, not stop living. She is the epitome of a survivor. My new hero.

I certainly had a renewed awareness and thankfulness for the wonder of life just by being around her. And speaking of life...I am so thankful for this little life. Pictures from Scotland......

 

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

I love souper Saturdays! In the fall and winter we eat a lot of soup. Today's was broccoli cheddar. Yum.

I used a friend's recipe, but halved it. Tweaked it just a bit. It tastes great. Can't wait to eat it with a piece of homemade wheat bread, sitting in the screened porch enjoying the cool air.

 

Fishing

Went evening fishing with the hubs tonight.....

I caught 23 of these little tiny stripe and crappie.....

Then a drum...

...and finally a pretty good stripe....

It was fun. Jim constantly took the fish off for me and handed me another rod. At times I was catching one on every cast.

My DIL sent me some great pictures of Emma today. Her first time on a swing!

Oh, how I love this child...

 

Sunday paddling

Went to a new place today after church. The water is getting cooler and I don't know how much longer I'll get to paddle board, so I'm trying to take advantage of the nice weekends.

Beautiful. Peaceful. God's creation.

 

Hearty breakfast cookie

Working ten hour days, there is no time to cook during the week. I like to try to make up some things on the weekends to last us all week. We love these hearty cookies. So good for breakfast with coffee or a snack.

The recipe makes enough that I can freeze some for later. Yum. The recipe is under the recipe tab. I am also making up some honey wheat bread for the freezer and some baked spaghetti. We really prefer to eat at home than eat out but unless we plan ahead.....it does take work, but worth it.

 

Labor Day weekend paddling

Wanted to post some pictures of our labor day weekend fun. This is me and my best friend's grandchildren. Had a blast!

 

Quick and easy supper

Had to throw something together for supper tonight. Ended up being a hit.

Microwave brown and wild rice, a few pieces of microwave bacon, two scrambled eggs, a bit of grated ginger, a handful of frozen peas, and a splash of soy and teriyaki sauces. Yummy.

 

Labor Day Weekend

I has been a nice active Labor Day weekend. Friday I took the paddleboard to a new place, an older lakeside neighbourhood.

It was fun to pass under this little bridge.

Then we put the board on the boat Saturday and took it to a friend's house. At one time I had a 9 year old, 7 year old, and 2 year old on the board with me. They all had a great time. I got to eat shrimp boil with them at their lake lot. Jim fished in a nearby cove while I was socializing and having fun. Fun day.

We went to church, and rested on the rainy Sunday. Perfect weather for a good long nap. Too bad I can't nap, but Jim enjoyed a nice one.

Today, Jim fished again and after I got in my three mile inside run, I paddle boarded again. I went to another new place, and met my friend there. She was a great sport and tried it.

She had a good time. She wanted to stand and started to, but decided she needed to get used to it a bit more first. She wants to do it again!

It was a beautiful day.

Then I got to see some neat pictures of my kids new home town, Edinburgh.

Of course I like the one below the best.....

Then, since after all, it is the first day of September......I decided to change out my summer quilts for the fall ones......

No sewing, but a very active weekend.