Life as I know It

My photo
San Luis Obispo, California, and South Bristol, Maine, United States
Author ~ Illustrator ~ Lecturer

Monday, September 5, 2011

"It's Just So Maine"


"I delight in the everyday Way, myself
among mist and vine, rock and cave,
wildlands feeling so boundlessly free,
white clouds companions in idleness."

Han Shan
The Poet of Cold Mountain 
8th century

We awoke to tranquility after terrifying surf and high winds. Hard to imagine that things could change so quickly, but look at this perfect Maine day. Or, as Jeff and I have been saying a lot lately, "It's just SO Maine."


Less than 24 hours after the storm.


And less than 24 hours after the storm the boats were put back in the Western Gap.


And the little sailboat with the red sails returns.


And antique dealers set up tents for the wares at the historic old Round Top Farm. They breathed a sigh of relief when the storms passed.



Billy Quinn of Alna, Maine ALWAYS has great country antiques. 





And we all breathed a sigh of relief that a wedding, which we worried would be spoiled by storms, took place in the little stone chapel by the sea on a perfect Maine day.

The chapel is steps from the ocean...


The high tide broke against the rocks just a couple hundred feet from the doorway...



...and directly across from the chapel the Ram Island lighthouse foghorn serenaded us. Heck, I am saving my money for a new camera...I can't get good far away shots with this one.



Attendants carried shells filled with Maine offerings.



And the bride (who just might be a mermaid) wore jewels of the sea.


We drove to the old Sprucewold lodge for the reception. A host of birdhouses greeted us on the front porch. Now you will have to forgive me for the quality of the next few photos. I borrowed Jeff's camera and had it on the wrong setting. But I want you to get the feeling of the reception, which was just so quintessentially Maine.


Inside a zillion little lights, flickering candles, great food, and...


...two fireplaces warmed us.



Traditional lodge twig furniture.




The guestbook was a treasure chest.


A Nantucket basket held tiny bags filled with shell-shaped chocolates.


On the tables were candles, shells, and small Nantucket baskets.

We loved every joyous moment with our family friends. Only one other wedding has ever rivaled it for the authentic Maine flavor...and here it is. The wedding of a lobsterman to his bride on a local lobster boat. My friend Jody Holihan had her camera handy and I asked her to photograph the wedding party as it passed through "The Gut" a small body of water between the mainland and our island. The swinging bridge opened and sounded its bells, and the wedding party toasted and waved to us on shore. We cheered. It was just so Maine.


My "office."


So this afternoon of perfect weather I moved my "office" out to our little porch. Here I sit writing, answering e-mails, and composing my newest posting, which is visible on the screen. Could life be any better than this? It is just so Maine.

Sending love across the miles (and a big thank you to Lori times Five for the wonderful antique card),

Sharon

49 comments:

Leanne said...

Oh the brides head wear is just wonderful! what a lovely wedding!

Love Leanne

Rose said...

Hi sharon i am a new blogger,your photos are lovely. i have ordered one of your books for my grandaughter...we cant wait for it to arrive. jackie

jean said...

The bride really does look like a beautiful mermaid! Your posts on the storm and after it were very interesting. I saw the tiny hummy. Love birds myself. Maine is a beautiful state, especially along the coast. Even though, I can only tell by pictures. So glad you "weathered" the storm all right.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

What a great post about your local offerings. The wedding with the shells is great! No shells here. Way too land locked. Thank you for sharing. Good to see happy life after the storms.

Susan said...

Life does goes on. I've certainly found this to be true no matter what adversity is thrown at us. Thank you for the lovely day and the invite to a beautiful wedding. XOXO

Julie Marie said...

Hello Sharon, so glad the storm has passed... your photos are just beautiful and I love the little chapel! What a wonderful spot for a wedding, and the bride is precious in her seashell tiara... your office view is just stunning!... xoxo Julie Marie

Sonia said...

OH so pretty!! The view from your porch is wonderful!!
What a beautiful bride...I think that is the first time I've seen shells on a bridal headpiece..stunning!! So glad the storm passed without damage! I enjoy your blog!

Miss Bloomers

Michelle said...

What a lovely wedding and the bride does look like a beautiful mermaid.

GRACE PETERSON said...

What a sweet seaside wedding. I love the little baubles and that stone church is amazing. I've been noticing more and more evidence of Faerie visits lately. Their little Handkerchiefs are everywhere. :)

Anonymous said...

now thats a wedding,, wow wow wow, could anything be more perfect for a summer wedding,, thankyou for sharing this,

Pondside said...

I can't wait to show the bride's tiara to my daughter - too lovely!

donna said...

The bride may be the prettiest bride I've ever seen. Stunning. The stone chapel...that's really something special. A wedding to remember.

donna

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Dear Sharon ~ What a delightful post, complete with wedding photos. Maine looks to be a beautiful place to live.

I have enjoyed your sweet home there in Maine for many, many years now.

What a great little antique show and I'm so glad the weather was nice for it.

It really is amazing how calm the weather is after a storm, no matter how fierce the storm was.

Love and hugs to you,

FlowerLady

Rebecca said...

I'm not sure I'm ever going to get to Maine in person...but visiting via your camera & commentary makes it come alive for me! I "felt" like I was there reading this post, Sharon.

Thea said...

what a lovely, different seaside wedding! t

Unknown said...

beautiful Sharon! I'm happy to see that things are pretty much back to normal after the storm! I can't wait to visit Maine someday- and you make me want to see it even more!

Pat said...

How perfect the setting for your friend's wedding - everything is so evocative of the sea...love the shell's in the brides hair along with her lovely necklace...

And the Nantucket baskets - both large and tiny complete the scene.

Lori ann said...

dear sharon,
i have an aching desire to be in maine now. it's such a different world from southern california (although it does look a bit like the central and northern coast).

the weddings were lovely, and oh that darling bride, she had a perfect day. the chapel near the water is so amazing.

when you get back be sure to get your camera from samys. they'll answer all your questions on your new dslr (they are so helpful).

so glad the mail was forwarded to you!

hugs and love from california,
lori

Darla said...

Glad the storm passed and everyting is getting back to normal. Very interesting wedding(s) here. Love your porch office.

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

I just found your blog and really enjoyed it. My husband and I have a summer home in Maine...a small cottage on a lake and your photos capture why we love Maine so much.

La Table De Nana said...

The bride is beautiful as well as everything else !
What an enchanting post..
You should paint this charming wedding:) She does look like a sea princess..
The church location for some reason reminds me of the Mama Mia church..looking out:)

Main..is loved by my daughters..my husband and I too:)

Lili said...

Seeing these pics makes me want to get married all over again (to the same man of course) but this time in Maine! So much creativity and the gorgeous bride is absolutely glowing in that shot. Yes, there is something about this place and "it's just SO Maine" sums it up perfectly! xoxo ~Lili

Maggie said...

It's so VERY Maine, I can't stand it!
Many thanks for stirring up good, I mean great, memories of our trips to Maine.

Larkrise garden girl said...

Hi Sharon, What a beautiful bride with a wonderful wedding! Looking at your view while you write you can't help but get inspired. Do you ever pinch yourself at your interesting life.Cheri

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

Dear Sharon, Never get tired of going places and being taken into your life! Thanks for sharing as always. Blogging is the greatest, isn't it? xxoo Nancy

Vee said...

I'm grinning here at the "so Maine" comments. Perhaps at the coast, but inland...well, I've never seen anything like either wedding, though both seem very cool and one even seems magical.

Hope that the days continue to be blissful...

Erin | Bygone Living said...

What a view you have! I don't think I'd ever leave your porch! :p
Maine is so gorgeous, and honestly is the only New England state I've yet to visit... I'm planning to change that next summer! Kennebunkport, here I come! ♥

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful pictures, Sharon...always a delight to share in your blog. As they say about Maine...."the way life should be"! Loved our time at your charming Comfort Found Literary Lodging. Hope you found a treasure at the antique show!
Cindy in ME

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Dear Cindy,

What a pleasure it was to have you visit Comfort Found. Honestly, when Jeff and I walked into the apartment it looked like nobody had been there. You two are immaculate...I though that I was the most compulsive clean-freak, but you win...I give up.

I enjoyed the show. How about you? Billy Quinn always has fun things. Didn't buy anything, but did find a wonderful, long, painted bench elsewhere. Jeff is picking it up tomorrow. Did you visit Cherry Gallery? They were at the show.

Best wishes,

Sharon

Bonnie K said...

It sounds like a wonderful and rewarding trip.

Mozart's Girl said...

Dearest Sharon...what a wonderful post (yet again) and a reminder that nature always balances herself somehow. Stillness is even more beautiful after a storm, I think. Love the atmospheric wedding photos too...sending a big hug xoxo R

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Thank you once again for sharing
I want so to visit Maine
You make it sound so wonderful.
Love all the photos
You sound rested :)
I was concerned over you....

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hello Sharon!

I'm so glad the storms passed by without much damage!

The stone chapel/lodge wedding and was so charming and unique, as was the one on the lobster crawler.

I do know what you mean by "It's so Maine"! The beauty of travel is experiencing life in different surroundings and customs.

Your view is lovely!

The Gathering Place said...

Thanks for the visit. If I had an "office" with that view I'd be working there all the time! What a beautiful view!

Dog Trot Farm said...

What a lovely stone chapel, a perfect setting for a most beautiful bride. Glad to read you are enjoying your time in Maine. The view from your writing nook is just breathtaking. I just returned from the Island where the surf was loud, tide high and most noticieable, the abundance of rocks and seaweed dispersed along the beach, courtesy of Irene. Maine, the way life should be!

Bonnie K said...

I figured if you went to a wedding a trip was involved. Guess it was just down the road. Sure looked like fun. I love a celebration.

kj said...

i'll be coming by....


kj

Anonymous said...

Hi Sharon long time since I post on your blog, this is Izzy of Patchwork sails now I have my blog up finally and wanted to ask you to spot on by !!! Very nice what you have been up to ..http://sunflowercottage21.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

OH dear that should be STOP on by LOL !!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely lovely wedding in typical Maine spirit! One wouldn't believe that a storm passed through a few hours earlier...but that just probably adds to the gratitude of being safe and having the area beautiful and quiet and enjoying it, appreciating it...as it seems everyone did! Enjoy your dearest Maine...wouldn't I love to visit you for a tea in that "office" of yours!
Bises
Ronelle

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Sharon, what a lovely post. I haven't gotten over to visit with you in such a long time..and I was thrilled with what I saw. I called Howard in to take a peek. I think he is homesick. His family are all there...and we didn't get to go home for the past two years. The family has an island just off the coast called Ingalls Island which is our last name. Lovely place.

Privet and Holly said...

Our 25th is in two weeks
and I would love to do
it all again, with a Maine
theme ~ SIGH ~ so lovely!
I'm sending a link to a
friend who lives here in
MN, but whose heart is in
Maine : ) Know she'll enjoy
it like I did!
xx Suzanne

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Well hi there Suzanne,

Once you've fallen in love with Maine (like your friend from MN), you never get over it!

Have a great weekend!

S

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Sharon, This post is wonderful...the wedding is so up our alley. I will send this over to my daughters. Your pictures are beautiful.

softearthart said...

Great pictures, and a beautiful bride, cheers Marie

Here I Am Carrie said...

Nothing like a good storm to clear the skys. So glad everything turned out for the wedding and life can get back to it's normal Maine life. My view is nice from my window where I sit at my computer, but yours I could take for awhile as well. Hope you continue to have great weather.

Vicki Boster said...

Hi Sharon - thanks for sharing the wonderful flavor of that fabulous place that you call home. Maine is such a colorful place - so much variety and life - the wedding photos are wonderful - love that beautiful chapel by the sea.

Your office is such a peaceful place - no wonder you love to be there.

Vicki

Carol said...

Dear Sharon,
Tranquility and beauty all around you . . . it must be hard at times to work there. I love your porch "office" . . . how inspiring. I look out over hills and clouds while you look out over the ocean, rocks and clouds. I wish I could trade with you or someone nearby you for awhile. Lovely tour of unusual weddings and country fairs. So glad the storm did not cause much more than alarm in your world there. Maine is so special. I have not visited for years. Cape Cod . . . North Truro tends to be my destination but I should love to head north for a change, when I am up to it. Thank you for another inspiring post. Carol

a woman who is said...

Mmmm enjoyed the tour of Maine. I can just imagine it all but the scent, it must be glorious. I have stacks of your books these days. Roots, Shoots, Buckets, and Boots is my number one baby shower gift these days =)

All those new mommies out there are wanting to reconnect them and their children to nature. I find your writing the best on the subject!