Slow Transformations

As we've mentioned previously, the slower winter season is our time to work on our projects at Brewster House (it is also our time to take a break and travel or visit family, but that is a post for another time!).

This year the transformations began early - before Thanksgiving - with the changes in Room Five, the front room on the second floor, with a bay window. It had been a nice shade of gray, appearing almost blue-gray in certain lights. The room had a red, white and blue floral bedspread which needed to be replaced.

We located a very pretty new bedspread, with matching valances for the windows, in aqua, with gold accents. We found a honey-colored paint for the room, and painted the bath the same aqua as the bedding. We also updated the bath with some new features. New chairs for the bay window completed the transformation.

Room Six, one of our two bedroom suites on the third floor, has also had its bath painted and renovated.

After Christmas Ruth began painting the third floor hallways and the front stairs, to match the second floor halls. She was precariously atop a ladder, over the deep stairwell in the front, painting the top of the highest walls. More recently, she has completed the halls and been working her way down the back stairs. In the accompanying photo you can see here atop a ladder, at the almost two-story rise of the back stairwell.

More exciting changes are in the works, and we will be posting updates throughout the Spring months (interrupted by some family vacation time, as well).

A Cozy Blanket of Snow

Our forecast was for about 3 inches of snow yesterday, but when we awoke there was already 9 inches on the ground and more coming down. We ended up with nearly a foot, at least in our parking lot.

It was the kind of snow, light and fluffy, that makes you want to go outside and make snow angels, running and playing like you were a small child. In fact, our neighbor's small children were doing just that, enjoying the day off school, as it was a holiday. They sledded down the small hill in the yard, and you could hear the happy voices for a while.

It was also the kind of snow, and chilly, yet mild, temperatures, that makes your cheeks flush when you come back inside, and all you want is a cup of hot chocolate and to curl up by a fire with a good book. Mmmmmm.

The snow was also greatly needed, and appreciated, by the ski operators in Maine's mountains, as we haven't had a good snow for several weeks, so this provided a nice addition to the ski slopes. It will also make for great snowshoeing and cross-country skiing around Freeport, and also at the many area locations.

We're hoping to get out to visit one of the cross-country ski areas nearby, to try that graceful sport.

What is your favorite thing about snow?

Letting the Cat Out of the Bag - Flavors of Freeport!

As previous Flavors of Freeport visitors will recall, the first two Flavors events took place in February, which is heart month, and were to benefit the American Heart Association.

While the Flavors organizers (the members of Destination Freeport) were very pleased with that relationship, the decision was made a year ago to move the event to April, and broaden the areas of support, by involving United Way and Freeport Community Services. To that end, the planning committee has been busily working to pull together the 2010 Flavors of Freeport event, now being held April 9-11.

The new website and detailed schedule of events have not yet been disclosed (the new website should be up and running in about a week or two), there are some exciting changes in the works, so we decided to "let the cat out of the bag" on a few of them.

The major events will be, as previously, the Chef's Signature Series and Libations Sensations event, from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, April 9. with 20 restaurants, purveyors of spirits, and local chefs providing samplings of their culinary skill. On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be Lifestyle Demonstrations, cooking, decorating and setting demonstrations from local experts and professionals. The third major event will be the new for 2010 Block Party at Freeport Village Station. The Block Party will include free entertainment, exhibits, and a celebration for all ages.

Last year the Historic Freeport Bed and Breakfasts provided a Chocolate Challenge at the Chef's Signature Series, which was extremely well-received (hard to go wrong with chocolate desserts!). For 2010 the B&B's have again prepared a special event - basing the idea on the recent film, Julia and Julia, each B&B will prepare a dessert for sampling from a Julia Child recipe. Doesn't that sound tempting??

Tickets will be available for advance purchase online, and some participants (especially lodging properties) will offer packages that include tickets to the events. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Happy New Year!

Our New Year started with a Nor'easter - which we hope is not a sign of the year to come! We were well prepared, as the weather reports had said that a big storm was moving up the Atlantic coast on January 1, and like many big storms, turning to the northeast, toward Nova Scotia. Had that been the entire story, the storm would have missed us.

This time, however, the storm had a backward movement, settling back onto the Maine coast, and dumping feet of snow on Maine, accompanied by strong, gusty, winds. We ended up with about 16-18 inches of snow overnight on January 2, with even more snow north and west of us.

Thankfully, since the snow had accumulated relatively slowly, so by plowing and snow-blowing frequently, the cleanup was quite manageable. By January 3 the temperatures climbed above freezing, and some of the snow melted, then turned to ice overnight, so we had a bit of an icy driveway by January 4, but it is all cleaned up now, and we're back to normal.

Like many shopping areas, the after-Christmas sales are in full swing. However, unlike many after-Christmas sales, here they continue to get better and better, usually throughout January and February. For example, L.L. Bean is currently in the midst of a Winter Sale, with many items up to 50% off.

If you're interested in more active pursuits, they have their Walk-On Adventures underway for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. For the more independent, Wolfe Neck Woods State Park and the Coastal Maine Botanic Garden have trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and a full set of groomed trails, rentals, lessons, etc., are available at Pineland Farms, just a short drive away.

We're continuing our Shop, Dine & Stay package through January 31, so if you're coming, book that package for a two night stay and receive a $100 L.L. Bean Gift Card (combine that with their sale prices to really stretch your dollars!) and a $50 gift certificate at Azure Cafe. The package price is $499 (taxes included). Add a third night for just $100.

We look forward to helping you plan your winter getaway!!