Cooking With Dysarts

I bought a cookbook to add to my library.

Dysarts is a truck stop with chops.  It is well known for its breakfasts and is a stop for truckers and the post-bar crowd.  They serve hearty food at a good price.  I was happy to see their recipes on sale for a cause. 

So was my eldest.  Lover of all things pumpkin, she baked the pumpkin bread from the book.

It was moist and filled with walnuts and chocolate chips. 

It made a nice snack.

Be seeing you.

I Should Have Bought It . . .

. . . when I saw it at Marden's.

Sorry . . . I couldn't resist finishing the familiar jingle. 

Mainers love a good deal.  Canadians doubly so.  Especially now that the Canadian dollar is much stronger.

Mardens does this by buying surplus items and selling them at discounted prices.  I have seen coloring books, yarn, furniture, flooring, clothing and tchotchkies.  During bad weather (like the ice storm of '98), people would watch for generators being sold. 

It is a favorite for the locals.  Conversations would crop up on the benefits of certain locations (the stores are scattered around the state and each location develops a distinct personality).  They would share with their friends what gems they found their last trip.  If you have a open mind, you can find some great deals.

The picture above is the sign for the Presque Isle location.  The locations in Aroostook County are Houlton, Presque Isle, and Madawaska.

There are two other discounters, Renys and Millers.  But Mardens touts that it gets its merchandise surplus.

I admit, I don't take advantage like I should.  Pity, because I like a good deal, too.

Be seeing you.

More About Buttons: Using Blogger

I made a second, nicer button.  This is the image.

But it got me to thinking.  The grab my button tutorial on Manic Mother which I will relink here, uses Photobucket to store your images.  I wanted a way to do this without using Photobucket. 

My solution: use my Blogger Pages.  I don't plan to use my pages.  Why not make a page to store my images?  This way, they are accessible, and I know exactly where they are.

There is a drawback to this.  But I do have a possible solution.

Let's get to it, shall we?

Step One: Create a page.

In the left hand column under "Posts" is "Pages."  I opened the page.  You can create a new page here.  My newer page is called "Pics."

This is where the drawback comes in.  If you show your pages, you will show this image page, too.  I put my pages as "don't show," so this is not an issue for me.  You need people to access the image.  They don't need to access the whole page. 

Step Two: Place your image.

Open a new page, and a familiar page comes up.  Place your image here.  You see my two button images on my page.

The square next to "Link" is your image placement button.  If you haven't added images to your blog, this is easy and fun.  If you have, you are well familiar with this button.

Step Three and Four:  Copy Link Location and Save.

I put these two together because they can go in either order.  Once the image is placed, you can get a link location.

But please, people, save your work.  Just a friendly reminder.

If you right click your image, a drop down box appears.

Click "Copy Link Location" and the direct URL will copy to your clipboard.  You can do this in edit mode or on the actual page.  That way you can get it when you are ready.  Just go to "Pages" page and view your page.  It is a long link, so you want to use your clipboard.

See, you are good to go.  And you did not need a Photobucket account.

So, about that drawback.  You show your pages but you really want to do this without showing your storage place.  You just need to manually link your pages. 

You could even make buttons to do this, and add the HTML to your gadgets.

But that is way past my skill level to teach.   Hope this tutorial helps.

Be seeing you.

The Center of it All

Welcome to the geographic center of the State of Maine.

Yes, the Milo Public Library is considered the geographic center of Maine.  I think they measure it by drawing a circle from this point.  Maine is such a funny shaped state, it is the only way to do it. 

I don't live far from there.  So you can say I live in the center of it all.

Be seeing you.

Idle Hands . . .

. . . are the devil's playground. 

Okay, okay, I get it.  But where I had time this week, I wanted to make a button. 

This is the image. 

The picture is from Market Square in Houlton.  It was part of this post here.

I used the photo editing software that came with my camera to make the image. I shrunk the image (standard buttons are no bigger than 125 x 125 pixels.  Mine is 124 x 70) then added the text.  It looks much better in its intended size. 

After looking at some online HTML tutorials, I was able to make my "Grab my Button" box.  The tutorial on Manic Mother was the most helpful at setting this up once I had my image.  You can see that tutorial here.  I used Ironspider.ca to understand creating and inserting images as hyperlinks.  You can access that here.  I would rather link these sites than reinvent the wheel.  They were very helpful to me. 

So grab my button, if you like.  Or create your own.  I only have some basic HTML skills.  If I can do it, so can you.

Be seeing you.

Blogger's little helper

I upgraded my phone . . .

. . . to the HTC Hero.  My carrier doesn't have the iPhone.  This suits me just fine.

And look.

I can blog on the go if I so choose. 

The camera is quite good.  I took the Bangor shots yesterday with it (I had left my camera at home).  I loved them so much I made a collage and updated my banner again.

I know, I just did it.  But this is so cool.

Oh . . . yeah . . . the other changes.  I kind of lost my way when I was updating (oops).  I like the new look better.  It is a template I can keep and change my banner with the seasons or my moods.

I also made my gadgets a little more accessible. 

Hope you like it.

Be seeing you.

The Obligatory Bangor Picture

Okay, let's get this over with.

This, my dear friends and followers, is Stephen King's house.

He lives in Bangor.  His house is on a road full of huge Victorian Era houses.  It is a benefit of Bangor's logging past.  For the most part, he lives a fairly normal life.  People in town just let him live.

Although, I heard him speak at the Bangor Auditorium once.  He related the story how a bus full of Canadians were flashing pictures of him taking out his dog.  He was amazed at how many pictures were being taken of his dog taking a dump. 

Here is the thing.  Love him or hate him.  Love his work or reject it.  Stephen King has been very, very good for Bangor. 

He and his wife Tabitha have put their money where their mouths are when it comes to the city.  They donated money and did fundraisers (the talk at the Auditorium was one of those) for the Bangor Public Library  He donated money to build a ballfield in town.  Both projects were successful.

He also owns a radio station in town. 

I am sure there are other endevors.  Those are just the ones I know offhand.

Let's face it, Bangor has benefitted from having Stephen King reside there.

And you gotta love the detailing on his gate.

Be seeing you.

Reminds Me of My Childhood

 

I had errands to do in Bangor, and we were hungry, so we ducked into Massimos Bakery on Hammond Street.

 

 

It is in downtown Bangor.  Downtown Bangor full of older buildings and nooks and crannies.  Most downtowns are a street or two.  But downtown Bangor encompasses streets both great and small.  Hammond is one of the greater ones. 

 

 

They also have a restaurant which is what we were looking for, but it was closed for the week.  No big, the bakery was welcoming enough.

 

 

We got our lunch and ate in the car.  My husband got a panini.  I got red pepper and onion pizza.  No cheeze on it, but it was delicious. 

 

For dessert, crostatines (little crostata).  They are jam filled pies with a cookie-like crust.  I have had plenty of bad crostata with flavorless, dry crusts.  This was sublime.  The crust was buttery with a hint of almond.

See, I have a confession to make.  I am Italian-American.  I grew up in Southern Connecticut where good Italian food is easy to find.  I don't miss the crunch and hustle of Connecticut, but I miss good Italian food.

I found the Holy Grail.

Real, bubbly, crusty Italian bread.  You bet I brought a loaf home. 

It was just like when I was growing up.

Be seeing you.

 

Header Change

I love this picture because it was a crisp and clear day.  You can truly see for miles.

But I have blogged about this image and more sites along US1 in Aroostook County.  You can read about it here.

Be seeing you.

Storytime: Hobnobbers Pub

I thought I would welcome you the way I was welcomed on Valentine's Day.  Our table had a window cling to mark our reservation and a treat. 

Now are you sitting comfortably?  Then I shall begin.

Hobnobbers Pub took the place of a little bistro at the end of the downtown block in town.  This strip would be straight ahead as you headed up Route 16 into town.  Some of the recipes from the bistro were kept including their Bistro salad.

We opted for the pear-raspberry salad for our dinner.

Unfortunately, disaster struck the pub.  A man robbed the place.  In order to cover his tracks, he set a fire behind the restaurant.  The result: the majority of the downtown strip was destroyed.  It was a big tragedy in town.  We had assistance from surrounding communities. 

Sad thing about a small town, many of us watched the firefight.  My kids asked to go watch.  I said, "Okay, but stay out of their way." 

Thankfully, everyone got out alive.  There were a few apartments above the businesses and the residents got out safely.  Only one business survived the fire intact.  Hobnobbers was destroyed.

As with my dinner (my husband and I both had wonderful prime rib), Hobnobbers story has a happy ending. 

The offender was quickly caught and sentenced for his crime.  The town made a deal with the owner and it now resides at the former site of Milo Community Hospital.  They have pictures of people who were born at that hospital on the walls as well as a floor plan of the former hospital. 

Because of all that, we left fat and happy with leftover beef and potatoes we cooked for breakfast the next day.  We love Hobnobbers!

Be seeing you.

Personal Story: IPA and hot sauce

I tend to be a bit of a hermit when I am on the road.  Most times, I hide in my room when I am not working.

Sometimes, though, I will take myself out for a nice meal.  I will grab a table with a book or my cel or my Dsi.  When I am feeling particularly social, I will sit at the bar.

So one day I decide to sit at the bar in a restaurant in Calais for some prime rib.  India Pale Ale (IPA) has been my least favorite beer.  I like darker, full-bodied beers, but I always found IPA to be too bitter.  So I surprised myself and ordered it.

The bartender asks me if I want hot sauce for my beer.  He explains to me it is a common way to drink IPA.  Feeling adventurous, I say "sure."

Then the heavens opened up, and the angels begin to sing.  The bitter elements that make IPA unpleasant for me mellow out, and the beer takes on a pleasant, rounded flavor.  You can get a real hit of hot sauce in the bottom of your glass, but that can be fun, too.

This is now my new favorite beer. 

This picture is Baxter Brewing Company's IPA from my Valentine's Day dinner at Hobnobbers Pub.  I love the glass they serve it in.  It is a fine brew.

I have explained before about the good food at Hobnobbers.  This restaurant has an interesting tale behind it. 

That story, and more pictures from our romantic meal, next.

Be seeing you.

Dinner Out at Home

I wanted to take my husband out to dinner.  He does so much for the family, I try to get him out for a good dinner he did not have to cook.  We were going to go to Bangor, but we had kids and grandkids later than we expected.

Thankfully we have a nice restaurant in Milo.  Hobknobbers Pub is where we go to get a nice meal.  We have two diner/family style restaurants in town.  This place is a little nicer. 

We had a tasty meal and some beer.

And for dessert a chocolate lava cake.  With good food so close, it can be hard to drive 45 minutes.

We were so happy, we made reservations for Valentine's Day.  On holidays like that, they serve a special fixed-price meal.  It should be a good night.

Be seeing you.

The Blessed Cookie

I am taking a break from my drive because my husband brought home another treat from Bangor.  He bought cookies from the Friars Bakehouse.  As the name suggests, Franciscan Friars run this gem downtown.  They bake all sorts of goods: breads, scones, cookies.  Once Lent starts, you can get excellent hot cross buns.  They use dried, not candied, fruit, and it makes a world of difference.

But there is more.  They make a nice lunch.  I love walking in when they are making Minestrone.  The whole place smells of vegetables and Italian herbs.  You can buy and eat a hearty bowl of soup that warms the soul. 

Speaking of soul food, there is a chapel onsite.  It truly can feed you body and soul.

I love the Franciscans and what they stand for.  I was really glad my husband gave them some business today.  And I was glad my five year old granddaughter got to see the Friars.  I don't think she was sure what to make of them, but that is okay. 

At least she was exposed to the humble order.

Be seeing you.

My Drive: Houlton to Bridgewater

I get off I-95 in Houlton, the County seat.  Route One in Houlton looks more like Route One in other parts of the country.  It is lined with businesses.  Not as built up as in Southern Connecticut where I grew up, but in this part of the country it is a lot.

It doesn't take very long before it starts to look very different.

More homes, more farmland.

There are still businesses.  They are just more spaced out.

When it is the growing season, you can get fresh produce from roadside vegetable stands.

You meander along through smaller towns.  In good weather, at times you can see for miles.

I will leave you today just shy of Mars Hill in a very open space of land.

It sure beats wall to wall shopping mall.

Be seeing you.

My Drive: I-95 Howland to Houlton

I drove up to Caribou on Friday.  I thought I would share some images of what my drive looks like.  A lot of I-95 looks like this.  Pine trees on both sides of the road.  It can be beautiful.  But it can be monotonous, too.

One of the things I like about my Scion XB is my speedometer dial is right up on the top of my dash.

I have a ding in my windshield.  Random rocks can kick up from other vehicles on the road. 

Well I will leave you guys at the Smyrna exit.  The route 1 Houlton exit is another 11 miles from here.  Exits north of Old Town are quite a few miles apart.  We will pick up the drive in Houlton next time.

Be seeing you.

Fort Kent Blockhouse

I have been saving this photo because this is one of the major stories I wanted to tell.  I love hanging near the blockhouse when I go to Fort Kent.  It is a very peaceful area, and I love being near history.

The history in this case is the Bloodless Aroostook War.  This is my understanding of the conflict.  The Treaty of Paris in 1783 marked the end of the Revolutionary War, but left the border between Maine (Massachusetts at the time of the signing) and Canada (Nova Scotia at the time).  The Crown wanted the St. John Valley south of the St. John River.  The lush farmland and forests were coveted properties.  Not to be outdone, the young republic thought the border should be north of the St. John River.  Troops were sent to the disputed area from both sides.

This is a by-product of the conflict.  When the snow melts, and I am up there next I will get more complete shots of the area. 

The Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842 resolved the conflict making the northern border the St. John River.  It seems to be the most reasonable resolution to the conflict for me.  Both sides got a piece of the lush farmland.  So it is the reason why the border at Fort Kent spans the St John River.

Some of the conflict still exists today.  Canadian loggers have a time complying with the rules about logging in the State of Maine. 

I guess, in a fashion, some things never change. 

Be seeing you.