{ pumpkin land }

Pumpkin Land in Mechanic Falls, Maine.

Last year when we made the same trek, Paige was only a few weeks old and swaddled in blankets. This year, she was climbing on pumpkins, toddling through the corn maze, and petting the animals in the barn.

Aidan, as he did last year, took the most direct route straight to the vintage fire truck that was parked on the edge of the farm.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

{ kennebunkport, maine }

It seems rather fitting and somewhat appropriate to learn today of the death of Osama bin Laden, taken down by some of our nation's finest -- the U.S. Navy Seals.

Not only was today a perfect spring day, but also full of fresh memories from my weekend excursion to beautiful Kennebunkport, Maine -- the family vacation home of former Presidents Bush.

It was a special trip on its own merit, but even more so now, peppered with the knowledge that the most evil man in the world is no longer able to mastermind attacks against the innocent.

"We will not tire, we will not falter, we will not fail." -- George W. Bush

divine

On a meandering drive this past Sunday, we stumbled across the most beautiful church I’ve ever seen – St. Peter’s by the Sea in Cape Neddick, Maine, est. 1897.

It’s exactly what a church should be – strong, beautiful, unique, and welcoming. And nestled in the snow in the dead of winter, the majesty was even more magnified. And the red front door was exquisite.

St. Peter’s describes itself as …

… an Historic Summer Chapel located in Cape Neddick, ME, minutes from Ogunquit, Wells and York. We offer the opportunity for worship and fellowship during the summer months, welcoming people of all faiths, whether they are full-time residents, part-time residents or visitors to the Southern Maine Coast.

How beautiful and perfect. I’ll be attending at least one service this summer, and my heart is full even thinking about it – worshipping by the sea in such an historic part of our country.

I’m certain it will be memorable.

{ lunch with a view }

We took a cold, snowy drive up the road to Maine today and had a super lunch with a spectacular view at Jackie’s Too Seafood & Grill in Perkins Cove, Ogunquit, ME.

Mussels, wine, falling snow and a churning ocean-front table (indoors, of course) made the experience just about perfect. And when the friendly wait staff oohed and ahhed over Paige, insisting on holding her so we could eat, I almost wept with gratitude (as I ordered another Chardonnay).

I can’t wait to return during the summer months ... again and again. What a fantastic spot in an awesome little town.

fall glory

We took a drive through scenic Maine on Sunday on our way to "Pumpkin Land" in beautiful Mechanic Falls, ME.

Amazing color. Amazing view. Amazing day.

clams & lobster

We've been craving seafood since we first arrived in the northeast, and it seems sort of sacrilegious that it's taken us almost a week to finally take the plunge and have some. But Aidan isn't too adventurous in that realm yet, so we've pretty much been forced to stick to the basics (as well as make him EZ Mac in the hotel microwave more than a time or two). It's pretty shameful, actually.

But Ty finally reached his limit tonight on the amount of time he could continue to go without having a lobster roll, so he made a take-out run on a quest for an open restaurant on the 4th of July that serves a decent, authentic lobster roll.

I navigated from the hotel room with my cell phone and laptop (googling for lobster rolls), and low and behold, together, we found a damn good place. So good in fact, Guy Fieri of Food Network fame (Diners, Drive-ins and Dives) recently visited and did a show -- Bob's Clam Hut in Kittery, Maine.

Holy crap, was it good.

Our dinner tonight: a lobster roll for Ty (hopefully that'll shut him up on the subject for a while), fried clam strips for me, and clam fritters for the both of us.

We -- Ty, me, and Guy Fieri -- chose well.