Summer has spun ever faster this year, but suddenly we are nearing the moment when the merry-go-round man flips the switch, slowing us down, easing us--whether we want it or not--into that last turn towards Fall.
August in Maine is always spectacular, and this one especially so, which we needed after a winter of record-breaking snows, a spring of bitter rains, and a July that was either light-the-fire cold or run-to-Walmart-for-a-window-AC hot. The last two weeks have been blissful, sunshiny warm. The coneflowers and brown-eyed Susans have thrived, the dahlias have exploded like fireworks, and the roses have bloomed, bloomed, and bloomed some more.
I am working on a garden post to show you how much the new beds have grown. Summer in Maine is short. Gardening's a challenge, especially since we are under snow so much of the year, but those months of bloom that we do get are all the more special for it. And for me, September just might be the best of them all, so I will have much to show you.
In the meantime, I wanted to share a few links to special places in our area. If you live here or are planning a trip to Maine soon, here's a very short list of summer/early fall love:
Dining Fancies
The Well at Jordan's Farm (dine by candlelight in a field of flowers)
Kettle Cove Creamery (dessert after the The Well perhaps :)--take it to the beach to watch sunset)
Five Islands Lobster Company (Real Maine food in a stunning location)
Adventure Fancies
Casco Bay Lines Sunrise Cruise (leaves at 5 a.m.--absolutely beautiful tour of the bay)
Portland Trails (walk or bike for miles on beautiful trails)
Coastal Maine Botanical Garden (an award-winning garden right on the coast--loads of walking trails)
I'll have more links soon!
For now, I hope all of you in this hemisphere are soaking up every last bit of summer beauty you can.
xo Gigi
I am soaking it up and hope to continue until the first of October. Tonight will be dinner out in our garden house. Enjoy soaking up the sun and savoring the flowers.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, Gigi. Yes we've had such an unexpectedly lovely summer here in Ireland, and I am ready for these first whisperings of autumn, though not for school!
ReplyDeleteHere's to a spectacular autumn!
I have loved summer this year (we didn't have one last year) and appreciate the fact that when it does have to leave us at least Autumn replaces it - a season which I love. Wouldn't it be awful if Winter came straightaway, at least we are broken in gently - and with such colour, scent etc....
ReplyDeleteIt's been an interesting summer what with the cold/warm/cold thing going on for most of it. It was the first year for my flowers so not much in the way of spectacular, yet. Next year will be much better and by the third year, well, need I say more?! We haven't made it to Maine this year but I'm hoping for a mid-fall visit. Thanks for the links, I'll be sure to check them out... ahhh, Maine in the fall - heck, Maine anytime of the year for me! :D
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Beth P
I am going to save this list for next summer but how oh how am I going to remember I did? Thanks for these great suggestions...so many wonderful places to visit in/near Portland.
ReplyDelete