The Guardians of the Lodge

Our faithful friends who travel up to the Lodge each time we do, just as excited to be there as we are. They run the field, sniff the woods, hunt for chipmunks, throw sticks in the air and play fetch with themselves... and just plain add a lot of joy to our lives. We love and appreciate them each and every day.

Flashback to Fall

I love this picture of Nutshell... and even so it was taken at Thanksgiving prior to the last post, I just want to put it in as a "pat on the back" to Eric and I for having started this project long before it would have appeared to be necessary. Particularly, Lawson and Alexa, just love it! Both at Thanksgiving and even Christmas, Nana played with each of them until fingers began to get too cold. Then, thanks to laundry baskets and sleds, we simply piled the toys up and shuttled them up to the Lodge. Not quite the same as playing at Nutshell, but much warmer!

Winter Comes to the Lodge

Just before Christmas we got a beautiful 8" snowfall. Bath only got an inch or so, but Nobleboro was blanketed. We had hung the lights the weekend before, so I was all set to take some pictures!

Thanksgiving at The Lodge

The way time goes, Thanksgiving is a bit of a blurry memory, that is

for sure, but I was hoping that the family photo would not represent that! UGH!

The turkey is far sharper than the "flock of turkeys" I really wanted you to see. We had a wonderful time and were really blessed to have the Mulligans as guests. I am glad they are familiar with large family broohas, so it didn't come as too much of a shock to dine with our

family! There were so many things to be thankful for this year, from weddings to beautiful Baby Peighton, to three other bright, beautiful and healthy grandbabies, to my wonderful husband, to a good year at the print shop, to more gardens added, to seeing some wonderful family and dear friends throughout the year... well, the list goes on and on. But, one of the main things I was thankful for is the beautiful finish on the Lodge floor! Hallelujiah!

Ready, Set.... Well, at least we're ready!

This fall, we managed to complete, (minus a couple trim boards) the driveway end of the Lodge peak. We did the opposite end in time for Erica and Casey's wedding, but this one was of less importance so we waited until fall. Although we have already done a fair amount of research on zero clearance wood burning fireplaces, we have decided that such a big expense, around $8,000 without the chase built, deserves more consideration, so we backed off our big push to get it in for this heating season. We have left the open area ready to build the chase as soon as our decision seems right. We are now discussing the "Mud Room" entryway we wish to put on this end, to help with the blast of cold which enters the Lodge each time the center front door is opened. We hope to also get that underway next summer. In the meantime, we will just enjoy... no more "tinfoil"... insulation showing on the building!

Halloween at Boootanicals!!!!

How do you combine a holiday which is meant to be scar, with little ones 2-1/2 or younger... with their short attention spans, early bedtimes and need for constant supervision???? Why... you take them to a late afternoon event at the Botanical Gardens in Boothbay! Grandad dresses as a beekeeper and Nana as a flower, so no one will be scared. Jess and Pete were Girl and Boy Scouts, (in the proper gender) and Lexi and Della were the cutest little Girl Scout Cookies you could imagine! Drew and Vanessa were characters from Curious George with Lawson playing the lead ... a very good part for the little monkey I must say! Kat and Pat were a Prince and Princess with Peighton as the dragon... surely the Prince will not slay this dragon! I still did the pumpkins... and made cupcakes for the "after-party"! It was a good transition from scary adult parties at the Lodge

to something much more "kid-friendly". We are already thinking of ideas for next year when the party returns to the Lodge.

Remembering to Look Around

Since we began building the Lodge, one of the things we have paid close attention to, was to make sure that we take the time to appreciate how far we've come. I think that is probably why we started the tradition of our "Cocktail Garden Tour" at the end of almost every working day from early spring until the snow falls. It gives us a chance to just admire how the gardens are coming along and to look up at the Lodge itself and admire how handsome it is with its seasonal plumage, be it daffodils and forsythia in the spring; beebalm and catmint in the summer; or mums and swiss chard in the fall. For the past five years, we have been so intent on getting projects done on the Lodge that we have not taken much time to visit our favorite haunts, such as Pemaquid Point. The photo was taken just at sunset and is just one of those moments you are lucky enough to capture in a picture that each time you look at it, you will know what a beautiful world exists beyond Oak Hill.