News from Brewster House Bed & Breakfast, Freeport, Maine

30 Events in and Around Freeport This Year (and then some!)

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Thomas) — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Our website has long been a source of information on Freeport and Maine coast events, as well as about things to do near Freeport Maine, and along the Maine midcoast. We've just finished updating it with more events for this year, and there are over 30 events (and many are multiple day events) available for you to participate in, yet this year!

Of course, one of the biggest is the all-year-long L.L. Bean 100th Anniversary, but its Hometown Celebration in its home of Freeport, Maine, is July 4-7, 2012. This includes the Fourth of July celebration, parade, fireworks, as well as activities during the day, and free concerts July 6. July 7 will have the largest fireworks display in Maine history.

Throughout the summer there will be free concerts on select Saturday nights (the L.L. Bean Summer in the Park was formerly called the L.L.. Bean Summer Concert Series), as well as other activities for the entire family.

In addition there are festivals galore! There is the Great Falls Balloon Festival, the Yarmouth Clam Festival, the Moxie Festival, the Maine Lobster Festival, the North Atlantic Blues Festival, the Freeport Fall in the Village Art and Music Festival, the Maine Highland Games, and more!

We'll also have the Lobsterman Triathlon, the Great State of Maine Airshow, the Maine Bike Rally, the Topsham Fair, plus local college Parents and Family weekends, homecoming, orientation, and more!

Practically every week throughout the summer and fall there is something for everyone. Lest we forget, the winter months will also bring Freeport's beloved Sparkle Weekend, with parade (of course!) and Santa riding into town on a lobster boat, L.L. Bean's giant Christmas tree, the L.L. Bean New Year's Celebration, and, as Spring rolls around, the annual Spa, Knit and Spin weekend.

See you here!

Scott & Ruth
Brewster House Bed & Breakfast, Freeport, Maine

Freeport's Outlets and Shops - Something for Everyone!

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Thomas) — Tue, 01 May 2012 12:19:00 +0000

Many people are aware that Freeport Maine is the home of outdoor retail giant L.L. Bean, and still others are aware that Freeport can be said to have been something of a town filled with shops and outlets. However, neither of these statements adequately conveys what a delightful and special place Freeport is. For those of us who live in Freeport, it is easy to forget that so many people (even throughout the New England region, let alone the rest of the USA or worldwide) have never heard of Freeport or L.L. Bean.

Because of that, instead of writing, as we often do, about things to do in or near Freeport other than shopping (including our recent article for the Maine Innkeepers Association blog), this time we wanted to provide more information on the five L.L. Bean stores, and the other shops and outlets in Freeport.

Following Freeport's time as a shipbuilding town, it became a shoe manufacturing town. Later, young Leon Leonwood Bean started a mail-order catalog featuring his Maine hunting shoe. That small family business has grown into a huge enterprise, with 5 stores in Freeport (four of which are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week - only the L.L. Bean Outlet closes at night and on Christmas Day). Eventually, Freeport reinvented itself as an outlet town (before America had outlet malls in almost every city). As outlet malls became more common, Freeport changed again, into an unusual mix of outlets and retail, with many local Maine-owned stores, interesting retail shops.

In addition to the five L.L. Bean stores (the flagship store, the Hunting and Fishing Store, the Home Store, the Bike, Boat and Ski Store, and the L.L. Bean Outlet), Freeport is home to many other shops and restaurants. In fact, it feels a bit like living in a huge, outdoor, shopping mall. Many of the shops are members of Freeport USA, Freeport's marketing organization, and therefore are included on the Freeport USA map. Many others, however, are not included on the map, yet do a thriving business in Freeport.

According to Freeport USA there are well over 140 shops and restaurants in Freeport. They range from L.L. Bean's five stores to small shops like Isabella's Sticky Buns. There are well-known clothing and shoe stores, like Talbots, Jones of New York, Banana Republic, Polo, and J. Crew, Clark, Bass, Nike and 9 West. There are specialty shops like Georgetown Pottery, Cuddledown, Freeport Knife & Kitchenware, The Mangy Moose, and Cool As A Moose. You'll find fine jewelry, like R.D. Allen or Brown Goldsmiths, and crafts such as the Beadin Path. From the Pet Pantry to the Coach Factory Store, there is something in Freeport for every member of the household.

Let's not forget the many restaurant, specialty food and candy shops, and more. There's Wilbur's of Maine for local chocolate, When Pigs Fly bakery, and Wicked Whoopies for a whoopie pie. There is coffee and tea from Starbucks to Coffee By Design to Jacqueline's Tea Room, serving a formal tea, as well as selling teas. Restaurants include Azure Cafe, Jameson Tavern, the Broad Arrow Tavern, the Maine Dining Room, the Mediterranean Grill, and more. You'll find lighter fare at Corsican, or just stop in for a cup of chowder at the Freeport Chowder House or Linda Bean's Maine Kitchen and Topside Tavern.

These are just a few of the wonderful shops and restaurants you'll find when you visit Freeport. Don't just allow a couple of hours to walk through the shops. First time visitors often tell us they had no idea there was so much here! Plan at least a day, just to walk through all the stores.

Ruth & Scott
Brewster House Bed & Breakfast, Freeport, Maine

Touring Maine Lighthouses (with Lighthouse Map)

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Thomas) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:30:00 +0000

One of the most common things visitors to Freeport Maine want to do, it seems, is to visit our Maine lighthouses. We love lighthouses, so we completely understand. Nevertheless, there are over 60 of them in Maine (and some are miles out to sea), so seeing more than a few can be quite a challenge. However, our lighthouse map will help you find a way to include most Maine lighthouses on your tour.

If you click on the lighthouse icons, you can get driving directions to any of the lighthouse from the Google map below.

View Maine Lighthouses - Brewster House Bed & Breakfast in a larger map

We find the most effective way to make use of your time is to establish a base of operations in an area that is centrally located to several lighthouses. That way you can visit several lighthouses without having to move yourself from place to place too often.

For example, if you stay in Freeport, you can visit several lighthouses within an hour or so drive either to the north or south. A two- to four-night stay in Freeport will give you the opportunity to visit up to 13 lighthouses (and see at least three more offshore). Some of these lighthouses are in extremely picturesque locations - by their very nature, they are on high points overlooking the ocean, so these places are all great fun to visit, and to take photographs, in their own right.

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

A hop up the coast to visit our friends in Camden, at the Inns at Blackberry Common, will give you an opportunity to see several more lighthouses in the mid-coast region (though some, like Curtis Island Lighthouse, can only be seen by air or from the water). While you're in that area, don't forget to stop at the Lighthouse Museum in Rockland.

If you stay on, or near, Mount Desert Island (whether in Bar Harbor, or one of the other lovely villages nearby), there are wonderful lighthouse on the island, or farther north, even up to Lubec, on the Canadian border.

Of course, as we've noted previously, you can actually make a visit to Lubec, and West Quoddy Head Lighthouse (the easternmost point in the United States) a day trip from Freeport, though it is a long day - about four hours each way.

If you are interested in lighthouses, Maine is the place to visit, as there are so many lighthouses, and they are remarkably accessible.

Scott & Ruth
Brewster House Bed & Breakfast, Freeport, Maine

Hyacinth and daffodils

noreply@blogger.com (Brewster House BnB) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:36:00 +0000

We always love to see the spring flowers begin to bloom.

Is it time yet? When is Fall Foliage in Maine?

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Thomas) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:03:00 +0000

It seems early to be thinking about fall foliage, doesn't it? In much of the northeast, except for that weird week or two recently when the temperatures were near 80°, we're just beginning to finish mud season and head into spring.

However, one of the most common questions we've received in recent weeks is "When is the best time to visit for fall foliage?"

The short answer is "it depends" but since we're essentially talking about the weather, that should come as no surprise.

The State of Maine has a foliage website which not only reports the current status of foliage from about mid-September through the season, but it also has a chart of historical foliage data, showing when the foliage changed for each of the various regions of the state.

Freeport is in Zone 1 on the chart, so a quick scan shows that our peak foliage has historically been between the 14th and 20th of October.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind about the dates, however. First, the foliage season in Freeport usually extends from about the first of October (sometimes the last week in September) through the end of October (sometimes slightly into November). That means that there will usually be good foliage viewing in our area for at least four weeks, though the peak may only last a few days.

Second, as the chart on the Maine foliage website makes clear, the peak foliage occurs at different times in the different regions of the state. In a very general way, the peak moves from north to south and west to east. Having said that, there are areas in each region that will appear "out of step" with this pattern, due to the temperature, amount of sun or shadow, etc. Consequently, all through the foliage season there can be areas of beauty that are either early or late for their region.

Finally, one other thing to consider is the calendar. Since the peak foliage season is near mid-October, it conflicts with several other dates. Three local colleges have homecoming or parents' weekends between late September and late October. That can make competition for available lodging very stiff. Add to that the Columbus Day (US - Candadian Thanksgiving) holiday in the middle of it, and you'll find it more difficult than usual to find a bed and breakfast.

Our late-September and October weekends already have some bookings, but as of this writing there is still plenty of availability for our foliage weekends. Check our availability and book early to get the dates you want. Don't forget to consider our Fall Foliage Surf & Turf special - called "A steal of a deal" by Smarter Travel magazine.

Beaches Near Freeport Maine?

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Thomas) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:26:00 +0000

When folks are inquiring about things to do in our part of the Maine coast, one of the questions they ask is where they can find the nearest beach. If you've never been to the Maine coast, it is understandable that you would ask, since most of us associate beaches with coastline, perhaps picturing a sandy beach with the warm wind wafting over the dune grasses, much like you might find in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, or elsewhere, where you can wade into the warm waters and relax.

In Maine, our coast is a bit different. Most of it is rugged and rocky, pounded by the wind and waves of the North Atlantic (often with lighthouses perched on the rocks). It also averages about 10-20^° F colder than the water temperature in the Carolinas, so the beach experience in Maine is a bit different than you'll find farther south.

With all that in mind, there are indeed some sand beaches not far from Freeport that make for a very enjoyable visit.

Winslow Park, Freeport. In Freeport you'll find Winslow Park - a large park with acres of grass along Freeport's harbor, with excellent views of the nearby islands, and a tiny sand beach area. The grass makes it a perfect spot for activities, but the beach is not large enough for many people to share it.

Popham Beach State Park. The Maine mid-coast area is made up of islands and peninsulas, so very few things along the coast are also near the primary north-south road up the coast, US-1, and Popham Beach is no exception. From Freeport, you travel north just a few minutes to Bath, but then turn right and go out a peninsula past Phippsburg, to Popham Beach State Park. The park is quite large, and contains a large beach (with some of the grasses and dunes people expect), and is very popular with families during the summers. There are also a number of interesting antique shops and coastal villages to explore on the way from Bath to Popham.

Reid State Park. Bath is on the south side of the Kennebec River. Crossing the bridge to Woolwich, on the other side of the river, you turn right and cross a small bridge to Georgetown Island. Driving nearly to the end of the island, you come to Reid State Park. Almost directly across the river from Popham, Reid is another State Park with large, sandy beaches, as well as other areas for hiking and exploring. Nearby is Five Islands, where you'll find the Five Islands Lobster Company, and it's wonderful lobster shack. Georgetown Island is also where you'll find Georgetown Pottery and the Robinhood Free Meetinghouse - a fine dining establishment run by a former Maine Chef of the Year.

The beach experience in Maine is unlike any other. If you are open to something different, you'll find it along Maine's rocky (and sandy) coastline!

Ruth & Scott
Brewster House Bed & Breakfast

33 Recipes for Breakfast, Snacks, Dessert, or Whatever

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Thomas) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:55:00 +0000

It's here!

We've been writing for a few weeks about the upcoming release of Breakfast at 8, the Brewster House cookbook, and it is now back from the printers, full of bed and breakfast recipes, and is almost ready to go!

Whether for a special breakfast (some of our guests like to use these recipes for Christmas morning, or other special occasions), or for just a special breakfast on a quiet weekend, there is something for everyone in Breakfast at 8. In addition to loads of selections of sweet and savory main breakfast dishes, there are plenty of fruit starters (many of which make wonderful desserts in the evening, as well), scones and muffins, cookies, and more!

Those who pre-ordered will be receiving their copies as soon as we can get the shipping materials together (we expect to begin shipping by about April 10). New orders will go out as quickly as possible after the pre-orders.

If you haven't ordered your copy, you can use the convenient shopping cart at right (you'll be taken to a secure area using Google Wallet to put in payment info), or on our website's gift shop page. Either way, the price is US $17 (includes US sales tax, if applicable, and shipping in the USA). If you need expedited shipping or shipping to other countries, please contact us, and we'll determine the shipping rate to apply.

We hope these recipes will bring you as much enjoyment (and good taste!) as they have for us!

Ruth & Scott
Brewster House Bed & Breakfast

Our Cookbook "Breakfast at 8" is at the Printers!

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Thomas) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:35:00 +0000

Over the years guests have regularly urged Ruth to release a cookbook. Sometimes it is because they love the sweet or savory breakfast main courses we serve at Brewster House, sometimes it is the fruit starters, sometimes the cookies, scones, or whatever. But the consistent request is that Ruth put together a cookbook.

We can now tell you, the time has arrived. We went back and forth on the idea for a couple of years, then decided to prepare the cookbook last year, but ran out of time. This year, however, we made it a priority, and pulled together all the recipes. Ruth started with over 40 pages of them, then chose her favorites, made some changes, additions, and all the tweaks that go with the editing process, and Breakfast at 8 was born!

It went off to the printers for assembly and proofing, some additional changes were made, and we are now awaiting delivery of the first run of books.

We expect to have the books available for sale by some time in April, and hope to have online ordering available, too. We are taking pre-release orders now by phone or email, at $17 (tax and shipping included).

Ruth & Scott
Brewster House Bed & Breakfast

Secret Lobster Shacks of Maine (with Map to the Treasure!)

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Thomas) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Tucked away in a hidden harbor, nestled between two buildings, at the end of a pier, Maine's lobster shacks may be where you least expect them. Oh, sure, many visitors have heard of some of them - Red's Eats, Barnacle Billy's, The Clam Shack. But we think there are many, many more that far fewer have discovered. Some have been "exposed" by Travel + Leisure magazine's 2009 article, "10 Best Lobster Shacks in Maine", but many others are found only by a few who stumble across them, or are given directions and recommendations, by a sympathetic innkeeper or host.

Several years ago we created a map of Maine lobster shacks that remains one of our most popular links today. We'll be using that map, expanded and updated with photos where possible (many are our own photos - where that wasn't possible, we've included photos from the website of the lobster shack, if available, so apologies if any links end up broken due to moved photos).

The full map is below, and we'll be journeying from south to north up the Maine coast, with 19 lobster shacks to visit.

View Favorite Lobster Shacks (and similar spots) in a larger map

1. Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier, Kittery Point

Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier

Just across the Piscataqua River bridge from Portsmouth, NH, at Kittery Point, Maine, is Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier. They've been boiling and serving for over 50 years, and are well known by visitors and locals alike..

2. Shore Road Lobster

Off a back road, along the coast, in York, is a little red country store that serves excellent, fresh, and inexpensive, lobster and lobster rolls. There are a few picnic tables outside, as well as a small dining area inside. They don't have a website, but their reviews on TripAdvisor are glowing! We've tried it, and we loved it. Shore Road Lobster is only a short drive from Cape Neddick Lighthouse (the Nubble), so it made for a great afternoon for us!

3. Barnacle Billy's, Perkins Cove

Barnacle Billy's

Perkins Cove is, itself, a well-kept secret. A beautiful hidden cove, just down Shore Road from Ogunquit, appears almost magically, as you leave the world behind. Barnacle Billy's is an institution for those who've tried it, and a secret well-concealed from those who haven't. Enjoy a wonderful lobster dinner (or other great seafood meal) at the waters' edge, and just across the way is Goat Island Lighthouse - another gem rarely seen by visitors.

4. The Clam Shack, Kennebunkport

In beautiful Kennebunkport, on the bridge over the Kennebunk River, the Clam Shack is considered (along with Red's Eats) one of the best, if not the best, place for lobster rolls in the entire State of Maine. Eat outside and stroll along the bridge, enjoying the sights and sounds of the harbor and the town.

Nunan's Lobster Hut

5. Nunan's Lobster Hut, Kennebunkport

Like the Clam Shack, Nunan's is a no-frills experience, that has been serving up the great red treat for over 50 years.

6. The Lobster Shack at Two Lights

Taking its name from the twin lighthouses across the road, the Lobster Shack at Two Lights sits atop a bluff, looking out at Casco Bay. Dress warmly if you visit, as the wind across the bluff can be fierce, but the views are as wonderful as the lobster! If you walk out the rocks below the lobster shack, on a clear day you can see Portland Head Lighthouse in the distance.

Days Crabmeat and Lobster

7. Days Crabmeat and Lobster, Yarmouth

Just along the side of US-1 as you pass from Yarmouth to Freeport is Days Crabmeat and Lobster. Not only can you eat at the takeout area, but this is one of the best places for lobster to take home (packed to travel) in the area.

8. Cindy's Clams, Freeport

Barely known outside of Freeport, Cindy's Clams has been recognized as having the very best clams (not to mention some pretty fair lobster). It's funky atmosphere and silly signs just makes dining at Cindy's more of a pleasure!

Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster

9. Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster, Freeport

Freeport's harbor is about a mile or so from its well-known shops, but most visitors find their way there to enjoy fresh, local, lobster, right off the boats. Eat outdoors or inside, you'll have a nice view of the harbor, and across to the lovely peninsula where Wolfe Neck State Park is located. Arrive early in the summer, as lines can be quite long.

10. Linda Bean's Perfect Maine Lobster Roll, various locations

Linda Bean is L.L. Bean's granddaughter, and has certainly inherited good business sense. Linda's lobster roll shops are in Freeport, Portland, Rockport, Port Clyde, not to mention Hull, Massachusetts and Delray Beach, Florida. She also has Linda Bean's Maine Kitchen and Topside Tavern in Freeport.

Estes Lobster House

11. Estes Lobster House, Harpswell

Estes Lobster House has been serving lobster since 1947, but since it is at the tip of Harpswell Neck, it can be a bit off the beaten track for visitors. For example, the directions include "follow Route 123 until you come to the sea." Not surprisingly, you can also arrive at Estes Lobster House by boat, as the dock is just feet away. Harpswell is a classic lobstering town, so you're assured of the best and freshest seafood you can find!

Five Islands Lobster Co.

12. Five Islands Lobster Co., Five Islands

Five Islands is located near the tip of Georgetown Island, along the Maine coast. The drive is beautiful, as you pass harbors and villages, then the entrance to lovely Reid State Park with its rocks and beaches. Five Islands is a hidden jewel, with lovely islands just offshore, and a lighthouse across the water. Lobster is served at picnic tables on the dock, so you can watch your supper being brought in by the lobster boats.

13. Lighthouse Lobster Shack, Wiscasset

Located at the relatively new Maine Heritage Village, the Lighthouse Lobster Shack is right along US-1. The lobster shack gets fresh lobster daily, so their seafood is always fresh.

Red's Eats

14. Red's Eats, Wiscasset

Reds Eats in Wiscasset, like the Clam Shack in Kennebunkport, is a perennial nominee for the best lobster shack in the state. They do not have a website, but they finally did get a Facebook page (the link above is to their Facebook page). In the summer the lines for this pound-size lobster roll can stretch around the corner and down the walk near the river, as visitors wait to sample the delicious fare.

15. Trevette Country Store, Barter's Island

The Trevette Country Store doesn't have a website, but it certainly has its loyal customers! Just over the Barter's Island bridge, the store serves up lobster rolls said to be fabulous and inexpensive.

The Lobster Dock

16. The Lobster Dock, Boothbay Harbor

More a restaurant than a lobster shack, the Lobster Dock has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and magnificent views of Boothbay Harbor. Watch your lobster slip into a big pot with an ear of corn, and wait for the succulent delight as your meal is served at a table on the deck overlooking the water. Mmmmmm!

17. Shaws Fish and Lobster Wharf, New Harbor

Located near Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, in New Harbor, Shaws is a perennial member of the Travel + Leisure "Top Ten" list. It is situated overlooking the beautiful harbor, where you can also take puffin watching or whale watching tours in this tiny coastal hideaway town.

Waterman's Beach Lobster

18. Waterman's Beach Lobster, South Thomaston

Down the hill from the lovely town of Thomaston, Waterman's Beach Road leads to the water, and to Waterman's Beach Lobster. Over two decades of serving lobster has made this a local favorite, and, for those visitors who can find their way to it, a favorite of visitors as well.

19. Bagaduce Lunch, Brooksville

Other than its mention in Travel + Leisure, and lots of favorable online reviews, Bagaduce Lunch is another "best kept secret." With no website we can find, there are still loyal fans who post glowing reviews of the tiny lobster shack in the gorgeous Blue Hill area.

Thurston's Lobster Pound

20. Thurston's Lobster Pound, Bass Harbor

Not far from Bar Harbor, but, once again, out of the mainstream, Thurston's is at Bass Harbor, not far from Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Exploring this area is a real treat, and the beauty of the coast, the offshore islands, and the lighthouse can easily be rewarded with a treat of lobster at Thurstons.

No doubt there are others (certainly we haven't hit them all - yet!). Feel free to suggest your favorites in the comments!

Scott & Ruth
Brewster House Bed & Breakfast

Maine Lighthouses Near Freeport

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Thomas) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:35:00 +0000

You may also want to view our newer article, Touring Maine Lighthouses (with Lighthouse Map).

"Where is the nearest lighthouse?" "How long will it take to visit a lighthouse?" "Can we go up in a lighthouse?"

These and other questions are routinely asked by guests at Brewster House Bed & Breakfast in Freeport. A couple of years ago we wrote an article introducing some of our favorite lighthouses, and our Maine lighthouse map.

View Maine Lighthouses - Brewster House Bed & Breakfast in a larger map

As you can see from the small version of the Maine lighthouse map, above, there are actually a number of lighthouses not far from our Freeport Maine bed and breakfast. The nearest ones you can see are off the coast just a little north on US-1, and can be seen from Harpswell Neck or from Bailey Island's extreme end (called Land's End), but neither is accessible without a boat. A bit farther up US-1, turning toward the coast from Bath, Maine, there are several small lighthouses along the Kennebec River, and can be seen from either side (from the road to Phippsburg, Maine, or from Georgetown Island), and then there are more lighthouses on islands offshore.

Similar to the smaller lighthouses elsewhere, Portland Harbor has two small lighthouses that can be visited, but the lighthouse most want to see in the Portland area is Portland Head Lighthouse. Commissioned by President George Washington, the lighthouse is the oldest in America, and is beautifully restored. The museum in the keeper's house is very interesting, and provides wonderful insights into the life of the keeper, and area history. The park is a great place for a picnic, or to just while away the afternoon, watching kites overhead and sailboats on Casco Bay. You can only go up the tower at Portland Head on Maine Open Lighthouse Day, each year in September.

The nearest lighthouse where you can climb the tower is Pemaquid Point, near Bristol, Maine. It is about an hour from Brewster House, and is open whenever there is a volunteer available to assist you, seasonally. This lighthouse stands at the top of a rocky bluff, with ocean waves crashing on the rocks below, making a dramatic place to enjoy the lighthouse and the natural beauty of the area. As the map above indicates, there are many other lighthouses to explore, and quite a few of them are not far from our bed & breakfast. In fact, our Lighthouse Tour special will help you find your way to several of them!

Ruth & Scott
Brewster House Bed & Breakfast

5 Shortcuts for Planning Your Maine Vacation in Record Time

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Thomas) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:35:00 +0000

Are you getting ready to plan your Maine vacation, but dreading the planning process? Take the pain out of the process by using these timely shortcuts for a great vacation, planned in record time!

1. Plan Where You Want to Spend Your Time.
Maine is more than the Maine coast, and more than its mountains. There are eight distinct tourism regions, from the beaches in the south to the sparsely populated area in the north. They are described briefly in the Regions page at the State of Maine's official tourism site.Our blog has an article with more details for each one in our guide to a Maine vacation, "Visit Maine Like A Mainer." Some will want to tour all (or at least most) of the regions, while others prefer to find a region or two that they love, and spend their Maine vacation in those areas.

2. Decide When You Want to Visit Maine.
For a quick overview, the Seasons page from the Visit Maine site will provide basic information on seasons, and some activities that are particular to a season.The most popular time in most areas of Maine is the summer and Autumn (July through October). The weather is generally warmer, temperatures are mild for the most part (though most years see a week or two when we are happy to have air conditioners in our guest rooms). Later Spring can also bring Summer-like weather, with fewer visitors. Fall is the foliage season, of course, and is a very popular time to visit. In the mountains, Winter is very popular with downhill skiers, and cross-country skiers will find great locations throughout the state.

3. Take Advantage of Local Knowledge
If you plan to visit the Maine coast, to see lighthouses, visit Maine's beaches or rocky coastline, you'll want the latest information on the nearest lighthouse, the best beaches for your style of vacation, or the best locations along the Maine coast for photography. The very easiest way to find out where to go is to stay at the perfect alternative to a traditional Maine hotel -- to stay in a Maine bed and breakfast, such as our Freeport Maine bed & breakfast. Your B&B innkeepers will be able to give you the information you need to find just the kind of activities that will suit your interests.

4. Look for Packages, Specials or Tours
Many bed and breakfasts will offer vacation packages, specials or tours to help you with your planning. For example, at Brewster House we offer several packages throughout the year, as well as seasonal specials, a Lighthouse Tour package and a Fall Foliage Tour package. If you take advantage of these specials and packages, you not only save money (there is even a small savings in the busy summer season), but you'll have several activities pre-planned, so your Maine vacation will have plenty of opportunity to see things that many visitors miss, and you won't have to spend your valuable vacation time wondering what to do next.

5. Be Sure to Include Unique Opportunities
For some, the uniqueness of Maine is the opportunity to visit the rocky Maine coast. For others, it is to see moose during their Maine vacation. Still others want to visit as many of Maine's lobster shacks as possible.Whatever your interests, be sure you do a bit of homework (search the web, contact the innkeepers at your B&B, visit the VisitMaine website, etc.) to be sure you will be able to see the things that will make your Maine vacation a memorable one.

So what are you waiting for? Start planning your Maine vacation!

Ruth & Scott
Brewster House Bed & Breakfast

Technical Difficulties on a B&B Website

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Thomas) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:19:00 +0000

Over the past weekend we discovered that our website was down. Our email was down, as well. Naturally, we immediately contacted our hosting company to make sure they were aware of it, and working to restore service. They were.

While they didn't share with us the cause of the problem, we suspect it was quite serious. Hosting companies can occasionally have downtime for maintenance, and occasionally for a short time for technical problems, but ordinarily service is restored in a few minutes, or at most an hour or so. This time the outage didn't go away.

After several hours, we were able to get to the server, but the website was completely gone (we presume they had wiped the server clean and were restoring a backup version. We put up a temporary page apologizing for the problem and providing our phone numbers and links to our reservation system, and held our breath.

We kept checking, but there was no update over the next day or so.

Finally, we noticed that portions of the website were on the server, and we were able to get the site back online. We again contacted the hosting company, as email was down, and they informed us that they would have that up again once the websites were all up and stable.

In all, our website was down for the better part of two days, and email a bit longer. We're very grateful that it is working properly again.

We know of some folks who were trying to view room photos and other items on the site while it was down. If you were unable to reach the site, or contact us by email, we certainly apologize, and hope you'll return or contact us again, as things are now back to normal.

We are also upgrading our hosting with a new company, as well as working on a new website design, all of which we hope to have rolled out in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, we're just thankful that this didn't happen in the summer, when far more people would be using the website!

Ruth & Scott
Brewster House Bed & Breakfast

A Culinary Winterfest - Flavors of Freeport 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Thomas) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:43:00 +0000

The 2012 Edition of Flavors of Freeport, Freeport, Maine's annual culinary winter festival, will take place on February 17-18, 2012.

The event kicks off, as usual, with the biggest event, the Chef's Signature Series, with chefs from area restaurants, cooks from our local Bed & Breakfasts (including Brewster House Bed & Breakfast!). There will also be tastings from local beverage merchants, and lots of food to sample.Tickets for that event are available online, or, if you stay at Brewster House, may be included with your stay (see below).

In addition to the Chef's Signature Series, there will also be an ice bar, featuring a martini luge, Freeport-oriented ice sculptures, and barbecue from Buck's Naked BBQ. Maine Foodie Tours is also doing a Freeport Chocolate Tour.

This year the organizing and marketing of the event has been taken over by FreeportUSA, who are promoting it exclusively through the Flavors of Freeport Facebook page. The Flavors of Freeport website still has photos from prior years, showing some of the activities and food that was presented.

Brewster House is offering a special package for the Flavors of Freeport weekend (February 17&18). If you stay one night, Friday, February 17, you'll receive two tickets for the Chef's Signature Series for the price of one. If you stay both Friday, February 17 and Saturday, February 18, you'll receive two tickets to the Chef's Signature Series at no charge. Advance reservations are required (so we can be sure to get the tickets!). Just let us know when you book that you want the Flavors of Freeport package!

Ruth & Scott
Brewster House Bed & Breakfast

Afraid of Valentine's Day? Here's a Simple, Romantic, Solution

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Thomas) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:34:00 +0000

It's a little-known secret that a fair number of men are intimidated by (or even afraid of) Valentines Day, or other romantic occasions when they feel that they are supposed to "perform" by coming up with a special surprise that sparks romance in their relationship. We have just the thing to overcome that fear, and make you the hero you you know you want to be!

We won't hide anything here. There's no question that this includes a visit to Brewster House Bed & Breakfast in Freeport, Maine. Our Febuary is for Romance package (available the entire month of February) is just the ticket - a two night stay (you might try one of our fireplace rooms, if one is available), with a romantic dinner at Azure Cafe (a gift certificate is included in the package). By day there is shopping in over 160 Freeport outlets and shops (remember, this is for her! Besides, there are plenty of sports and other shops for men, including L.L. Bean's 5 stores, plus several others.), or schedule a massage (or a couples massage) in the privacy of your room at Brewster House.

Of course, your visit to Brewster House will include our fabulous hot gourmet breakfasts each morning, along with afternoon refreshments. Your package also includes a Maine welcome basket, with goodies for you to enjoy.

Oh, yes, and how do you go about doing this in a romantic way? First, book your visit to Brewster House, and be sure to let us know if you want to schedule a massage, add some flowers (roses are a nice touch!), or add something else. After that it is up to you, but we can tell you a story about one way to do it!

We know a man who took some time to plan. He booked the room at the B&B, but didn't tell his sweetheart. He secretly packed a bag with clothes for both of them for a couple of days, including toiletries, and all those other things people need. He went off to work as usual, then returned home an hour or so later, suggested his wife make some sandwiches, and took her for a drive (without telling her where she was going, of course). They drove along for a couple of hours, while the wife unsuccessfully tried to guess where they were going. Eventually they arrived at their destination, with the wife thrilled to think they would have a wonderful day trip. Near the end of the day, the wife commented that they would be getting home rather late, so the husband casually agreed, but then drove around to the B&B and asked the wife if she'd like to stay overnight. Of course she would, she said, but she didn't have her things with her. The husband smiled and went inside (actually to check in, but the wife thought he was just inquiring about rates). He returned with a key, and she again protested that she didn't have her clothes and things. He said, "That's what you think!" and produced the suitcase. Needless to say, it was a very romantic getaway.

Now we aren't suggesting you follow that example as a script, but if you're not sure what to do for Valentine's Day (or any other occasion that calls for a bit of romance), we thought that example might give you some ideas of your own.

Be creative (and romantic)!

Ruth & Scott
Brewster House Bed & Breakfast
Freeport, Maine

What Would You Put in Our Cookbook?

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Thomas) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:30:00 +0000

We need your help!

Our guests have been telling us for years that Ruth should publish a cookbook. We've decided that this is the year we want to do our best to make that happen, and we're looking for your suggestions on the recipes to include.

If you've had a dish you really enjoyed here, whether a main course, starter, or even our cookies and other afternoon refreshments, or if you've seen us posting a comment on our breakfasts here, on Facebook, or Twitter, and would like us to include the recipe, please let us know!

On our Facebook page we're asking our followers to vote for the recipes they would like to see included, or to suggest others that we didn't mention. If you're on Facebook, feel free to vote. Otherwise, please leave your votes in the comments below. We can't promise to include every recipe that is mentioned, and we do have some that may be new to our guests, but we'll be sure to see which are the most requested and try to get them into the book.

We are hoping to have it available for purchase (both at the B&B and online) by late spring.

Thanks for helping us make this cookbook something you'll really enjoy!

Scott & Ruth

Are you on Pinterest? Brewster House is now on Pinterest

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Thomas) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Are you trying out Pinterest? We had been reading about Pinterest and created a new profile there for Brewster House. We've found that the warnings are accurate - it can be very, very, addictive!

What is Pinterest?

To us, it seems like Pinterest is a combination of social bookmarking sites (like Digg or StumbleUpon) and photo sharing sites (like Flickr or Photobucket), with a dash of Twitter and Facebook added for flavor. Using it is ridiculously simple. Once you sign up for an account (it is currently limited access, so you can sign up with a Facebook account, or request an invitation - if you need an invitation, just send us an email) you can "pin" pages from around the web. The easiest way is to add a "Pin it" bookmarklet to your web browser, then click that button when viewing a page you'd like to share. You can search for interesting topics and people to follow.

If you need more information, there is plenty of help, or a good article on how to use Pinterest here.

You can create boards on pretty much anything, but they give you some samples to get started.

Why not follow Brewster House on Pinterest, and let us know! We'll follow you back!

A Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Brewster House BnB) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:41:00 +0000

We're coming to the end of the calendar year, and the end of our busiest year ever. As we look forward to a bit of time with family for Christmas and over the winter, a bit of R&R, our winter guests and our projects around the house, we wanted to pause for a moment to thank all our guests, and to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and to express our hope that you will have a wonderful New Year.

We look forward to seeing you over the winter, in the spring (before the crowds arrive in Freeport!), or throughout the year!

Ruth & Scott

What a great time to be in Freeport!

noreply@blogger.com (Brewster House BnB) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:42:00 +0000

What a beautiful time of year to be in Freeport! The leaves have fallen, we've seen a couple of snowfalls (though they've since melted), and the crowds of summer vacationers and shoppers have gone back to school, jobs, etc.

It's time for us to put away the fall decorations and begin decorating the house for Christmas. The carols are playing in the house, and the dining room, entryway and living room, as well as the guest rooms, themselves, take on a festive air.

This is the time when our "old friends" -- the guests who come back frequently, or even annually -- come to Brewster House. They've seen the beauty of the Maine coast in summer many times, so they don't mind if the weather isn't perfect. They've visited most of the lighthouses and lobster shacks, so they don't mind having their lobster at one of the fine Freeport restaurants instead of along the water.

These guests are here to relax, do a bit of Christmas shopping, and remember the good times they've enjoyed here over the years, and maybe take in a bit of the L.L. Bean Northern Lights Celebration (through New Years' Eve).

We always look forward to these return visits - it's a bit like having your extended family visit - whether they're here to visit their own family, do a bit of shopping, or just looking for a bit of relaxation before the holidays.

We hope to see you here!

Recipe: Pumpkin Scones with Cinnamon Glaze

noreply@blogger.com (Brewster House BnB) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:45:00 +0000

Every season Ruth seems to find something that represents the season, then uses it in a lot of her baked goods. In the autumn it is pumpkin, and one of the favorites of all our fall guests is our Pumpkin Scones with Cinnamon Glaze.

Without further ado, do try this at home!

Scones

2 cups all-purpose flour
7 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
6 tablespoons cold butter
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
3 tablespoons half-and-half
1 large egg

Spiced Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
2-3 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 pinch ginger
1 pinch ground cloves

TO MAKE THE SCONES:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and spices in a large bowl.
Using a pastry blender, cut butter into the dry ingredients until mixture resembles a coarse meal, and no chunks of butter are obvious. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin, half and half, and egg.
Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients with a fork. Don't over mix! You can incorporate any dry when you form the mixture into a ball.
Form the dough into a ball.
Pat out dough onto a lightly floured surface and form it into a 1-inch thick circle. Cut into 8 "pie" pieces. Place on prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 14-16 minutes. Scones should begin to turn light brown. Place on wire rack to cool.

SPICED ICING:

Combine the ingredients for the spiced icing together.
Drizzle this thicker icing over each scone and allow the icing to dry before serving (at least 1 hour). A squirt bottle works great for this, or you can drizzle with a whisk.

Add mini chocolate chips for a whole new level of deliciousness!)

Bon Apetit!

Winter: The Perfect Time to Visit Maine Lighthouses?

noreply@blogger.com (Brewster House BnB) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:45:00 +0000

The guests at our Freeport Maine Bed & Breakfast almost always enjoy visiting lighthouses. Many are looking for an opportunity to take nice photographs of the lighthouses and their spectacular ocean scenery.

We enjoy helping the guests plan their route to the different lighthouses, sometimes making a full day of it (or more), and sometimes just a quick visit to a single lighthouse.

One thing that sometimes stands in the way of the "perfect" lighthouse photo is the other visitors, all trying to get their own lighthouse picture. Is there a way to avoid this? Of course there is!

If a warm-weather picture is what you're after, your best bet is to try to visit in late May through June. While the weather isn't as reliably dry as it will be in mid-summer, most years we have a lot of good weather in these months, and there are far fewer visitors, so it is a perfect time to get those photos of lighthouses, and other popular attractions, without having to work around others who are after the same thing.

If you want a really different kind of picture, try coming when there's snow on the ground. How many people do you know who have taken photos of lighthouses, and other Maine coastal icons, with a blanket of snow on them?

In addition, in December Cape Neddick Lighthouse (the Nubble) is lighted for the holidays, so that makes for even a more unusual photograph. For the less intrepid, however, the lighthouse is also lighted in July, so more people can see it that way.

Whatever your preference, Maine's lighthouses are ready for your photographs, all through the year. We're here, too, ready to help you plan your stay.

White Christmas? How About A White Halloween?

noreply@blogger.com (Brewster House BnB) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:45:00 +0000

When we were children it seemed people always wondered whether or not we would have a white Christmas. That is, would there be snow on the ground by Christmas Day.

We can't answer that on (though we could hazard a guess...), but this year we had snow before Halloween.

By late morning some of the snow had begun to melt.

By Saturday evening (October 29) the storm that had formed over the southern Atlantic coast had moved north, dropping snow on Washington, D.C., and several other locations from New Jersey to Connecticut. It went up the east coast of the US, then the winds backed up onto northern New England, forming a classic nor'easter.

The storm began to drop big, soft, white, flakes on Freeport about 7:00 p.m.

We awoke in the middle of the night to find the heavy weight of the snow had knocked the power out, and began planning for a breakfast that could be prepared without electricity.

Our stove is gas (propane, actually), so we quickly changed the planned breakfast of a baked egg dish and scones (that needed to be baked in the morning) to Ruth's special scrambled eggs with bacon, roasted potatoes, and muffins - all of which could be prepared on top of the stove.

The next challenge was the coffee. Since we use French presses the only requirements were boiling water and grinding the beans. The water was easy, since we could boil it on the stovetop, but the electric grinder wasn't going to work. We double-bagged some beans, and smashed them with a rubber mallet, to get them as finely "ground" as we could, and served up fresh coffee - just not quite the "usual" strength.

The guests were all delightful about their "adventure" and ate breakfast by candlelight. Two couples decided to sleep in, just appearing for a cup of coffee, while the others enjoyed the sense of camaraderie that comes from shared difficulty.

Just as the last guests were finishing their breakfast, the lights flickered, then stayed on. We all breathed a sigh of relief, as the power was back, hot showers awaited, and a good time was had by all (wasn't it?).

Do You Sparkle? Will You Sparkle in Freeport?

noreply@blogger.com (Brewster House BnB) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:09:00 +0000

Sparkle? What is Sparkle? More specifically, what is Sparkle in Freeport and why would I want to do it?

Sparkle weekend in Freeport, Maine is traditionally the first weekend in December each year, and marks the kickoff of the Christmas season with a Parade of Lights, Talking Chrismas Tree, Tuba Concert, and many other favorites. This year it is December 2-3, 2011, with the Jingle Bell Run taking place on Main Street on December 4.

Sparkle follows close on the heels of our Moonlight Madness even on the Friday after Thanksgiving, November 25, where you can shop in Freeport's outlets in the wee hours of the morning.

All of this activity takes place throughout Freeport Village, while L.L. Bean is simultaneously hosting their Northern Lights Celebration so there is plenty to do for the entire family.

There's a lot going on in Freeport in the coming weeks! Be sure to check our availability calendar to see when you would like to book your room!

That was fast! Final foliage report for Maine...

noreply@blogger.com (Brewster House BnB) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:56:00 +0000

It seems like only a few short weeks ago that we were excitedly posting the first foliage report for Maine for 2011.

Oh, wait. It was only a few short weeks ago! Where did the ~~leaves~~ time go?

Just last week we were driving along I-295, admiring the beautiful fall foliage, and thinking it would be just another week and the colors would be at their peak. But in the blink of an eye (OK, in just a few days) it has all passed, and we're now past peak in virtually the entire state.

Of course, there are still isolated spots with nice color, but the sense that everywhere you turn is filled with beautiful color is already gone. Sigh.

Hence, we are moving on, and posted about the less well-known November activities in Freeport earlier this week.

And, moving on from there, we will be posting more in coming weeks about Freeport's annual Sparkle Weekend, with its parades, sales, Christmas lights, and more, followed by all the holiday activities and the giant L.L. Bean New Years Celebration (don't forget, 2012 is a leap year!).

Freeport Maine: November's Best Kept Secret

noreply@blogger.com (Brewster House BnB) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:41:00 +0000

As the summer fades into a memory, and the fall foliage season flutters to a close with the dropping of the last of the leaves, Freeport becomes a quiet village again. Gone are the crowds of bargain hunters that filled the shops and outlets over the past several months.

Gone, too, are summer's high-season prices. Merchants are changing their inventory in anticipation of the busy Christmas season, so are clearing their shelves to make room. Many lodging properties have dropped their rates for the fall season, making it a great time to visit Freeport.

November can be a delightful time to be in Freeport. While autumn brings greater chance of rain, or even a snow flurry, weather is often lovely, significant snowfall is still a few weeks away, and the quiet stores make for easy shopping, to search out the best bargains.

Mid-November brings the Girlfriends Getaway weekend (November 11-13), with specials and sales all over town.

L.L. Bean's Northern Lights Celebration begins November 18 and continues through New Years' Eve. It includes lighting of a giant Christmas tree, demonstrations and displays all through the season.

A bit later in the month is Thanksgiving weekend, with more specials, and the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. On Thanksgiving Day, the Maine Dining Room at the Harraseeket Inn generally offers its all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving Dinner, with a huge spread of everything from traditional ham and turkey to lobster (contact the Harraseeket Inn for information and dinner reservations).

On Friday, November 25, Freeport's Moonlight Madness kicks off Black Friday, with fun, gifts, and sales throughout the village. This is a great way, and a great location, to start (and quite possibly finish) your Christmas shopping!

What a wonderful time of year November in Freeport can be! Don't miss it!

A Day Trip to See New England Fall Foliage

noreply@blogger.com (Brewster House BnB) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:40:00 +0000

Some of our guests in late September had hoped to be able to tour some of Maine's fall foliage areas and see the vibrant fall colors we are known for. While the leaves have begun to turn in many places, it is quite clear that the best is yet to come.

Meanwhile, areas to the north and west of us are well along in their colors. As a result, to see the better colors while it is still a bit early for the best color in the midcoast area, you can drive north and west to see some wonderful foliage.

Just about two hours drive from Brewster House will bring you to Rangeley Lake and all of its wonderful wooded areas. They are very scenic in their own right, and our guests tell us that the trees are filled with color right now. While there, if you wait until dusk, you may even find some moose grazing by the roads.

Another option is to drive west on US-302 to Fryeburg, Maine, on the New Hampshire border, where you can see an old covered bridge among the fall foliage, then continue to North Conway, New Hampshire, for a bit of outlet shopping and a drive up the magnificent Kancamagus Highway for a view of the fall colors in the mountains. Even with all that area to cover, you're still only about 2 hours from Brewster House.

Whether you visit the fall colors in other areas, if you come early, or here in Freeport, you'll love the fall foliage throughout the New England region.