forgot the Loon

Merry Christmas from Four Rivers

Our marsh is icy this morning for Christmas. Snow has just started. We've had our pancakes with hot dog (Tofu Pups) pieces (Annelle's favorite and pretty good, actually) and Jittery Joe's coffee so we're set for the day. The pencil sketch is to make a trip to LL (open 365 days a year. Why not?) then have coffee with the McNeely/Wise kids. Fish chowder is in the crock pot. Our hopes to have Matt here for Christmas didn't work out, but we will enjoy our first Christmas at Four Rivers hoping he will be here before long.
We're getting pretty bruised up from pinching ourselves so often.

Merry Christmas Eve

A beautiful, sunny, 21 degree day. We took a little walk on the ET at Pine Point Rd and saw 2 loons in the marsh!! One was very close, so we got a nice look at her. Think we will repeat tomorrow. it's another High Astronomical Tide time so the marsh is frozen up to the back yard. I threw a couple of rotten apples out earlier today and a squirrel is way up a tree enjoying one of them. Pretty cute. A crow picked one up and flew a short distance with it before deciding to drop it and munch on it where it fell!
Things we've learned about driving in Maine:
1. Do not speed. If you do, a Camaro, Charger, Mustang or other unmarked muscle-car will pull you over. I have heard about and have seen this. Hopefully that's all I'll experience.
2. Carry an extra coat and gloves in your car. And a flashlight. And a blanket.
3. And a shovel (to dig your wheels out), ice scraper w/brush, and a bottle of windshield-wiper fluid. This last item flummoxed me until I drove the other day on icky, wet roads. I see filling up in the very near future. Luckily, every store you enter has stacks and stacks of gallon jugs of this available.
I'm starting to realize this may be a bigger change than my head has actually understood yet. So many everyday things are similar: the routines of work and housekeeping. And most all the things in between are so different: living near a big city, living with water everywhere, the climate. Things people value are mostly similar, though there is intensity in different areas. Individuality is valued more than doing/being like everyone else. People seem to be more accepting of each others differences, not just "tolerant."
We miss you and hope for a happy holiday season for all.

24 degrees

OK, y'all, it's officially COLD. No whimpy Georgia winter weather here. I thought my legs were going to get frostbite while I was putting gas in the car! Now we know why there are so many full-service stations up here. I think I need a different winter coat from the one I brought with me from GA ( though it's from Bean and I thought it would be fine.) The rivulets in the marsh have frozen edges. Yep, winter.
Went to a cookie exchange party today and came home with a tray of wonderful treats. Met some new people and had a nice afternoon, thanks to Elizabeth. Getting the holiday spirit, one day at a time.

The "living"room

The top photo is where we spend lots of our time at home. We can look out the windows, read, watch TV. As you can see, Jack also enjoys relaxing there. The living area is oddly shaped, so (bottom photo), we have another area behind the loveseat that's the actual living room. The dining room and the stairs to the bedrooms are to the left of Jack's perch. I'll post other photos of the house so you can picture our place.
We are enjoying living in Maine every day, enjoying coming home to our marsh retreat.

Snowshoes

This weekend is LL Bean's annual Winter Sports Weekend and we're in! They produce some snow and let people try out various winter fun things: skis, skates, sleds and snowshoes. We have been looking forward to snowshoeing as a way to get out of the house in winter, have some fun, and get exercise. And since we know nothing, this is a perfect opportunity to get tips and try different models to see what will work best for us. Who knew there were so many parameters? As soon as Annelle comes home from work (yes, it's Saturday) we're headed north (Bean is about 20 miles).
Started the weekend yesterday with a lovely day off. After spending a lazy morning drinking coffee while looking out the window, then doing a little cleaning, I spent an even lazier day in the rocker reading. No errands or projects. No "I should" feelings. A really free day that I much appreciated.
Do any of you readers have a favorite soup recipe (no meat) to share? I'm gearing up. Barbara sent a fabulous homemade tomato that I plan to make this weekend. Soup and cornbread- yum.