Maisie's Blog About Maine

Have you ever bought a lobster, taken it home, and boiled it?

My answer: Only once. Even though I live in Maine I've only done this once. The price of lobster doesn't fit my grocery budget.

Here's a way to make 1 lobster stretch for a few people:

Maine Lobster Rolls Recipe
from the Food Network Site

13 Facts About Lobsters

2008-07-24T00:04:00.001-04:00

Thursday Thirteen

they have less calories and saturated fat than chicken or turkey
they swim backwards
they can regenerate legs, claws, and antennae
their blood is clear and turns opaque white when cooked
they shed their shells to grow (molt) 4-5 times per year until they have reached full size
they can be right or left handed - depending on which side the crusher claw is on
they are different colors - blue-green, yellow, white, orange and red
they all turn red when cooked (except the white ones) because their pigment is masked except for the underlying red color
The most plentiful and most popular size of lobster are ones 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 lb. each
warming water will put a lobster to sleep
steam escapes from the shell as the lobster cooks and makes a little screaming noise
if you find a clump of little red balls in the lobster's tail, they are the female's immature eggs (called coral)
of the 10,000 eggs that a female releases at once, less than 1% will survive

Maine Artist Paints with Watercolors

2008-07-23T00:04:00.000-04:00

Artist: Marnie Souza of Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Christmas in July

2008-07-22T00:02:00.002-04:00

Heads or Tails Prompt: Sit and Stand

Do you celebrate Christmas in July? They do in York, Maine.

Christmas in July is a yearly tradition that kicks off the York Days Celebration. The Nubble Lighthouse is lit up in white lights and a concert takes place in nearby Sohier Park. This event gives the summer visitors a chance to view the station decorated just as it is at Christmastime.

This year:
The event will take place July 27th, 2008.
The concert begins at 8pm.
The lighting will begin around 9pm.
There is no charge for this event.

Some facts about the Nubble Lighthouse are:

it stands 41 feet tall
it is also called the Cape Neddick Light
the light was automated in 1987
it is still being used to aid in navigation
The lighthouse and grounds are not open to the public.
Sohier Park provides an excellent, close view of the lighthouse
about 250,000 people visit the park annually
Nickel Creek recorded a music video in front of this lighthouse

This Mainer Supports....

2008-07-21T00:07:00.009-04:00

My Daughter's T

My Neighbor's Crocs

Belongs to the Littlest Fan

To honor Maine's loyal fans, the Red Sox named Sunday, July 1, 2007 as Maine Day at Fenway Park.

Mashed Potato Wrestling Returns

2008-07-18T12:01:00.003-04:00

Great news for those attending the Potato Blossom Festival this Saturday. The popular Mashed Potato Wrestling event will return after being on hiatus for a couple of years. It has been my understanding that the event wasn't part of the festival because of the lack of paid sponsorship for the event's needed insurance policy.

It's not too late to make plans to attend this event. Mashed potato wrestling will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 19. This year, it will be sponsored by WCXU Radio and HSF Foods. It will be held at 227 Main Street in Fort Fairfield, Maine - in Aroostook County.

The current weather forecast for this coming Saturday is a lovely 81*F and dry.

All the information you need about the festival's events are at The Potato Blossom Festival Site.

13 Wildflowers Growing Naturally in My Yard

2008-07-17T10:19:00.004-04:00

Sweet Williams (pictured)
Lupine
Devil's Paintbrush
Foxgloves
Black Eyed Susans
Purple Trillium
Wild Strawberry blooms
Wild Raspberry blooms
Wild Chokecherry blooms
Buttercups
Rugosa Rose
Daisies
Purple Clover

5 minute Interview with Martha Stewart

Martha talks about the new botanical gardens, growing plants in Maine, and antiquing in Maine. Video courtesy of WLBZ2 TV news in Bangor.

Martha Stewart was in Boothbay Harbor, Maine yesterday as honorary chairperson for the Maine Antique Dealers Association Show. She participated in the Preview Party at the Gardens.

The Antiques in the Garden show is taking place today (7-17-08) at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay Harbor from 9am - 4 pm.

There are miles of trails to walk, plants and native wildflowers to enjoy, forests, and views of the coast in this 248 acre garden. You can learn much more at their website.

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Maine Artist Paints with Acrylics

2008-07-16T00:03:00.002-04:00

Artist: Thea Flanagan of East Holden, Maine

Maine Natives, Transplants, and From Away

2008-07-15T00:09:00.003-04:00

Tim Sample is a native Mainer (Fort Fairfield).

He entertains audiences with his jokes about Maine.

Maine Potatoes - They're in Bloom

2008-07-14T00:01:00.002-04:00

Maine Potato Blossom Festival Calendar of Events
7/12 - 7/20, Fort Fairfield

Show and Tell - Whoopie Pies

2008-07-11T00:00:00.003-04:00

These are a big deal up here in Maine.

They aren't really like a pie at all. They are a hamburger sized cake sandwich. The original ones are made with two chocolate cake circles and a generous amount of vanilla-cream filling. Some Maine bakeries make them in the shape of a mussel.

Mainers claim that Whoopie Pies started in Maine. However, many people believe that they originated with the Amish, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Whoopie Pies are popular both places and quite a treat with the tourists.

Here's a recipe if you want to make your own.

Whoopie Pies:
2 c. sugar
3/4 c. shortening
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 c. milk
2 tsp. vanilla
10 tbsp. cocoa
4 c. flour
2 1/2 tsp. soda
Pinch of salt

Filling:
1 1/2 c. shortening
1 1/2 c. confectioners sugar
12 tbsp. marshmallow fluff
2 tsp. pure vanilla

Cream shortening and sugar. Combine beaten eggs, milk and vanilla and beat into creamed mixture. Slowly stir sifted dry ingredients into the creamed mixture, and beat on medium speed about 2 minutes. Drop with tablespoon onto greased and floured cookie sheet (enough dough to make a baked cookie about 2 to 2 1/2 inches). Bake at 350 degrees until cookie just springs back when pressed in center with finger. Remove to rack and cool completely before filling.

Combine fluff, shortening, and vanilla and beat until well mixed. Slowly add confectioners sugar until well mixed. Place a generous amount on the flat side of one cookie and top with another cookie. Makes about 2 dozen whoopie pies.

13 Interesting Facts About Moose

2008-07-10T00:07:00.001-04:00

The moose is the official state animal of Maine.
There are about 25,000 moose in Maine - most are found in the northern part of the state.
They live 15-25 years.
A male can weigh up to 1500 pounds.
They have very poor eyesight, but their hearing and smell are excellent.
The flap of skin that hangs beneath the throat is called a Bell.
A male's antlers can weigh up to 40 pounds.
He sheds his antlers every Winter and regrows them in the Spring.
Most of their food comes from aquatic and marsh plants such as horsetails and pond weed. (when the water isn't frozen)
In the winter, they eat tree bark, leaves, twigs, balsam fir, white birch, and young aspen.
They can run up to 35 mph.
During the winter, moose are drawn to the sodium spread on the roads.
Causes of death to Maine moose are: hunting, collisions with cars, parasites, malnutrition due to gum disease, and black bears.

A Maine Artist Paints Seascapes with Pastels

2008-07-09T00:00:00.001-04:00

Artist: Lousie A. Frechette of Kennebunk, Maine

Orono - Home of the University of Maine

2008-07-08T00:06:00.003-04:00

The main campus of the University of Maine is located in Orono, only 8 miles from Bangor and 140 miles north of Portland. There are 11,250 students enrolled. (That's 3 times the size of my hometown.) Tuition for Maine residents is $9152 a year.

The university has 88 bachelor's degree programs, 64 master's degree programs, and 24 doctoral programs.

UMaine is known for it's excellent engineering programs. It has undergraduate and graduate degree programs in forestry, environmental sciences, computer science, resource economics, business, social work, psychology, journalism, plus a full range of liberal arts, fine arts, and social sciences areas of study.

Besides the University of Maine at Orono, there are 6 other campuses in the University of Maine System. These campuses are spread throughout the state to offer more convenience to Mainers wanting to attend higher education.

Interesting facts about the University of Maine:

It was officially founded in 1865.
Stephen King graduated from UMaine in 1970, with a B.A. in English.
There are more than 200 student organizations.
The Maine Black Bears are the athletic teams which represent UMaine.

According to stateuniversity.com, the top 5 degree programs completed at UMaine are:

Business Administration and Management
Psychology
Nursing
Elementary Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development

Maine Road Signs

2008-07-07T00:08:00.003-04:00

Big News for the Boonies

2008-07-05T14:55:00.010-04:00

A Border Crossing from Maine into Canada

Anything big ever happen in your hometown?

Something big to a small town Mainer isn't necessarily big to others. But this incident was a big deal to Border Control. Recently, some guy tried swimming across the river to illegally sneak into Canada to be with his girlfriend. The funny thing is that he did it right next to a small town border crossing. We found this quite humorous.

About 7 years ago, I was watching the TV news. The big story for the night was about a guy who had broken into a convenience store. He stole some money, cigarettes, and a package of Slim Jims. The police ended up catching the guy, because they followed his trail of empty Slim Jim wrappers.

A few years ago, our local TV news added a new feature called Crime Stopper. One night, I braced myself as I listened to the story of the dangerous criminal that needed to be caught. In a small Maine town of 1225 people, someone had stolen the petty cash box from the file cabinet in the town office. There had been a couple hundred dollars in the cash box. There was no sign of forced entry either.

Searching for the Elusive Moose

2008-07-04T00:02:00.004-04:00

When some friends came to visit us, they couldn't wait to see a moose. But whenever you're looking for a moose in Maine, you don't usually see one. Naturally, they left our great state without having seen one.

Searching for the Moose of Maine
by Beth Hooe Gilbert

"I love the state of Maine. I love the climate, even in the winter. It reminds me a little of my home in West Virginia except for our hot summers. The similarities in the scenery may be why I love to visit Maine, and why one day I would love to retire to Maine with my husband and boys.

My family and I have been traveling to Maine for vacations for over 8 years now. Maine is a beautiful state with many chances all over the state to see wildlife in their natural habitat. We spend most of our time at Moosehead Lake. It's a beautiful, large lake in northern Maine, and the name would indicate that there are indeed many moose to be seen. However, in all of my years visiting, my family and I have not seen one moose"......more of her story

You Know You're a Mainer If:

2008-07-03T00:06:00.002-04:00

your 4th of July picnic was moved indoors due to frost.
you have 1 month, after the snow melts, to do all your outdoor projects before the black flies hatch.
you measure distance in hours.
you know several people who have hit a moose more than once.
you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.
you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction.
griving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow.
your neighbor throws a party to celebrate his new shed.
it's warmed up to 40*, so you can drive with the windows down.
you have more miles on your snow blower than your car.
you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both unlocked.
one week after the snow melts, the neighbors set up their pools.
you think landscaping is a statue of a deer or a black silhouette of a bear in your front yard.

A Maine Artist Paints Canvas, Antlers & Mushrooms

2008-07-02T00:04:00.002-04:00

Artist: Brenda Moore Stickney of Andover, Maine