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HOTTEST TRENDS IN HOT TEA, TEA ROOMS, TEA DRINKERS, JANE AUSTEN AND P. D. JAMES’S NEW BRITISH MURDER MYSTERY ALL BLEND TOGETHER AT COASTAL MAINE B&B BOOTHBAY MAINE

January 28th, 2012 by richard-pamela-riley

Surrounded by cookbooks, magazines, and my dog-eared notebooks, my head is swimming with the possibilities

Today here at Hodgdon Island Inn, it is a stay-inside-and-drink-plenty-of-warm-beverages kind of day so I am using it to do some more research on one of my very favorite subjects:  recipe development!  As I sit here sipping a cup of Red Rooibos tea infused with blackcurrant extract I am in seventh heaven.  Surrounded by cookbooks, magazines, and my dog-eared notebooks, my head is swimming with the possibilities for new breakfast starters, entrees and desserts.  Just think poor Richard will have to suffer through yet another round of “taste testing”.

In between reading up on the latest cooking trends, healthy ingredients, the importance of shopping locally and thinking about which recipe(s) we will try this week, I have been riveted to P.D. James’s new mystery novel, Death Comes to Pemberly.  It is every bit an exciting sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice as it is one of James’s very British murder mysteries (I keep waiting for Commander Adam Dalgliesh to appear)!

But I digress … I digress because I came across an interesting fact on the Internet today – January is National Hot Tea Month – which caused my mind to begin to wander and connect the dots between my delicious cup of Red Rooibos tea (infused with blackcurrant extract – yum) with the cure-all cup of tea in Regency England with what the so-called hottest trend in hot teas is at the moment.

January is National Hot Tea Month

According to the experts, this year’s hottest trend is “flowering teas”.  It is amazing to watch as hand-sewn sachets of tea and dried flowers bloom!  If you have a few seconds to spare, check out this video link:   http://www.whas11.com/video/yahoo-video/January-is-National-Tea-Month-13 and once you get there you may have to type in “January is National Hot Tea Month” in the video search section …

Now we know there are wonderful coffee shops and bookshop/cafes around the Boothbay Harbor Region where we have the occasional fresh-brewed cup of coffee and the calorie-busting frappucino, but I have to admit, under normal circumstances, to being a dyed-in-the-wool tea drinker.  In fact, legend has it, that my mother (being fromIreland), used to put milk with tea in my baby bottle.  And I am afraid I am not just a tea drinker, but I am a discerning tea drinker which means that I require water that is at a rolling boil, the appropriate steeping time, coffee-free vessels, and whenever possible, china cups or mugs.

So Richard and I have set out in search of local tea purveyors and found a gem right here in Boothbay:  McNab’s Tea Room up the road from the inn off Back River Road.  http://www.mcnabsteatoom.com/

Well, I’m off to put the kettle on and make dinner.  A possible new breakfast entrée is on taps for tonight:  baked eggs in bread bowls with Panko-crusted baked tomatoes.  I’ll be sure to let you know how it turns out – you know if it is thumbs up or thumbs down from Richard.  Be sure to stay tuned … :-)

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SNOW DAY AT HODGDON ISLAND INN BED AND BREAKFAST NEAR BOOTHBAY HARBOR, MAINE

January 19th, 2012 by richard-pamela-riley

Snow Day at Hodgdon Island Inn

In nearby Boothbay Harbor today it is 28 degrees Fahrenheit, the humidity is at 92%, the winds are from the north at 5mph and it’s snowing!  Here at Hodgdon Island Inn I am sitting at my desk looking out at a landscape which only can be described in terms of not black and white, but grey and white.

A multitude of grey for that matter!  As I look westward across the Inn’s circular driveway I can just barely discern the water at the end of the yard.  It looks like molten pewter, the sky overhead looks like a soft dove grey, the trunks of the horse chestnut trees are the color of ashes and the boughs of the giant pines standing watch over the north corner of the yard appear to be a dark brownish grey.

The water looks like molten pewter beneath a soft dove grey sky

The seagulls that can normally be seen perching on the rooflines of both the Trevett General Store and the Mill Cove Lobster Pond across the street are almost invisible as their grey and white feathers blend perfectly into the background. Of course all of these surfaces are being covered with lots of very wet and very white snowflakes.  In short, it’s beautiful!

It is so nice to be at home sitting at my desk.  Richard and I (and Charlie) have just returned from our annual sojourn south to celebrate the holidays with family and friends back in Kentucky.  We hope your holiday season was as joyous as was ours.  It is always nice to catch up on the “gossip”, overeat, visit the old haunts and in short, make wonderful new memories, but it is always good to come home.  And home it is here at Hodgdon Island Inn!  Last night’s run to Hannaford’s in Boothbay proves it:  we ran into someone we know at the grocery store! :-)

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Boothbay Region beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

December 18th, 2011 by richard-pamela-riley

One week left … seven more days and it will be Christmas.  I have to admit that with yesterday’s snowfall and today’s chilly temperaures, it is beginning to feel like any miute Santa and Co. will be pulling up on our rooftop here at Hodgdon Island Inn in not-so-balmy Boothbay, Maine! (Richard just came in from outside and commented that the pool is beginning to get slushy – oh my!).  But none-the-less, we are listening to Christmas carols and sipping cappucinos while wrapping presents to take with us tomorrow for the folks back in Kentucky.  So before we left town, we decided to take a little stroll (yes, I said stroll) around the harbor.  The following images are just a few of the beautifully turned out windows we wanted you to see vicariously!  Happy Viewing!  And if you would like to share some pics of your hometown, please do so in the comment section.
 

 

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PACO’S TACOS, DAMARISCOTTA, A FAVORITE EATERY OFTHE INNKEEPERS AT BOOTHBAY B&B HODGDON ISLAND INN

June 17th, 2011 by richard-pamela-riley

PACO'S TACOS Damariscotta, Maine

By now if you’ve read any of our blogs, you know that Richard and I, in addition to spending time in Boothbay Harbor, like to hang out in
Damariscotta.  Damariscotta is a great little riverfront town on the Pemaquid Peninsula located about twenty minutes from Hodgdon Island Inn www.boothbaybb.com, Boothbay.  The town has a wonderful array of shops, fun things to do and some great eateries.

One such eatery is Paco’s Tacos www.pacostacos.info.  Paco’s is located at 1 Tacos Alley. The alley is just off Main Street, between Sheepscot River Pottery and Puffin’s Nest (really neat shops by the way, but I won’t digress). Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Free WiFi is available (and it works better than a lot of public accessible WiFi we have encountered throughout our travels). Their telephone number is 207-563-5355.

Paco's is in the basement of the Sheepscott River Pottery Building

Their menu www.pacosme.com/menu2.html
offers a wide range of tasty dishes that not only please the palate, but are very easy on the wallet (everything is priced under $10)! We plan on working our way through the menu, but our favorites to date include in no particular order:  the Loaded Veggie Burrito with choice of beans (red or black), cheeses, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, rice, onions, olives and sour cream; Nacho Grande – a large plate full of yummy salsa chips topped with your choice of meat or beans, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, salsa, guacamole and sour cream; and the Taco Pescado (aka Fish Taco) which features a fried redfish fillet wrapped in a soft tortilla seasoned with a mildly spiced tartar sauce and topped with lettuce and tomato, served with a side of chips and salsa. Most days we prefer the Medium Salsa, but our best friend really likes the Hot Salsa.

Paco’s is in the basement of Sheepscot River Pottery building.  We love
opening the door and inhaling the air thickly permeated with the smell of fresh chili peppers, cilantro and all of your other favorite Mexican spices.  The décor is
very pleasant – fun colored tables, chairs, and benches with lots of striped
pillows and exposed brick walls painted white and all spotlessly clean.  Owner Mike Frame and his crew are very pleasant and take excellent care of all their patrons.  As you can probably tell, Richard and I give Paco’s Tacos in Damariscotta a “thumb’s up”, but don’t take our word for it, stop by and try it for yourself.  To
visit them on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/pages/Pacos-Tacos/225673352787

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A PERFECT MOTHER’S DAY GETAWAY AT HODGDON ISLAND INN’S SPECTACULAR LOCATION CLOSE BY COASTAL MAINE BOTANICAL GARDENS & BOOTHBAY HARBOR

March 29th, 2011 by richard-pamela-riley

A Perfect Mother's Day Getaway!

A Mother’s Day Promise … 

A quiet, relaxing weekend away at Hodgdon Island Inn is just the ticket – all our rooms have comfortable beds, private baths and water views.We promise Mom will be pampered each morning with sumptuous gourmet breakfasts and scrumptious homemade desserts each evening …

A breakfast treat just for Mom

 

 … Hodgdon Island Inn also offers the best front row seats around for beautiful pink sunsets.

If shopping is on the agenda, then Boothbay Harbor is just minutes down the road and we promise MOM will find everything her heart desires from hand crafted jewelry to fine art and to the latest in fashions and home furnishings …or if a quiet romantic outing on the water is her preference, there are plenty of cruises to choose from.

Tea and flowers

Mother’s Day wouldn’t be Mother’s Day without flowers and of course, a cup of tea to relax and while the afternoon away with.  We promise Mom will find just the ticket at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ Tea & Tulips Spring Tea in the Kitchen Café on Saturday afternoon.

Homemade Lemon Glazed Blueberry Pound Cake

 

And of course, since Hodgdon Island Inn is the closest Bed and Breakfast to the gardens, we promise Mom will have time to come back, relax, maybe sip a glass of her favorite wine on the front porch overlooking the water before changing for a lovely dinner at any one of the area’s fine restaurants like Jordan’s,  Tug Boat Inn , the Boathouse Bistro or the Damariscotta River Grille.

 

A Mother's Day Promise ...

We promise to help you tell Mom just how much you love her!  Call us at 1-800-314-5160 or send an e-mail to stay@boothbaybb.com  Richard and I will be more than happy to help you plan your Mother’s Day Gift Weekend for that special lady in your life!  And don’t forget to take advantage of our “Come Stay in May in Boothbay” special:  book a two-night minimum stay at Hodgdon Island Inn anytime during the month of May and save 21% on the room of your choice.

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THREE AND A HALF HOUR DRIVE FROM BAR HARBOR TO BOOTHBAY’S NUMBER ONE RATED ACCOMODATION, HODGDON ISLAND INN

March 27th, 2011 by richard-pamela-riley

Boothbay’s Number One Rated Accomodation the nine-room Hodgdon Island Inn is at the halfway point between Boston and Bar Harbor.   Driving time is three and half hours each way.

 

They searched for years to find it.  Pamela and Richard love Boston and they love Acadia National Park and feel that the Boothbay Region allows them easier access to both.Innkeepers Pamela Byrne Riley  and Richard B. Riley are particularly fond of their home on their tiny island in Maine. 

Bar Harbor, Maine

For the trip to and/or from Bar Harbor they recommend taking Route 1 as there are so many real Maine places to see and explore along the way.  Leaving Bar Harbor, the first recommended stop is in the Searsport area.  The Penobscot Narrows Observatory and Fort Knox State Historic Site which is open daily 9-5 May through November.  Another not-to-be-missed stop in this area is the Blue Jacket Shipcrafters.  Blue Jacket is Maine’s largest selection of classic and contemporary ship models and nautical crafts.

Mt. Battie Round Tower & Overlook

From there Route 1 meanders along to the Greater Camden area and the next recommended sights to see include the 6,000+ acre Camden Hills State Park  with Mt. Battie at its summit and can be reached from the road that starts at the park entrance off Route 1 just north of the town of Camden.  The views are spectacular.  Also in the park is Mount Megunticook (1,380), one of the highest points on the Atlantic seaboard.

Sightseeing can make one hungry and if that’s the case by the time you arrive in Camden a great place to eat is Cappy’s Chowder House. It’s located on Main Street and is open year-round.

Scenic Drive - Belted Galloway Cows at Aldermere Farm

If time allows be sure to take Pamela and Richard’s favorite “scenic drive”.  Begin on Chestnut Street in Camden and follow this incredibly peaceful road by a lily pond and by the herd of belted Galloway cows (black on both ends and white in the middle). Take Calder Lane through the woods; continue along Beauchamp Avenue to Rockport Village and harbor, and return to Camden via Union Street.

The next area for sightseeing along Route 1 after Camden is the Rockland area.  You will be spoilt for choice here as well.  Located in the heart of Rockland is the Farnsworth Art Museum and the Wyeth Center.  The museum is incredible!  It houses a 6,000 piece collection of 19th and 20th century Maine-related American Art and features works of three generations of the Wyeth Family (Nathaniel, Andrew and Jamie).

Owl's Head Light

Directly outside of town is the Owl’s Head Light State Park – one of Maine’s many dramatically placed lighthouses and the Owl’s Head Transportation Museum.  The transportation museum has a reputation for being a “premier facility for celebrating wings and wheels”.

From the Rockland area it’s about another 40 – 45 minute drive to Hodgdon Island Inn.  Pamela & Richard like to recommend that the stops along the rest of the way be done via day trips from the inn, but are always willing to work with their guests to personalize their agendas – just let them know your preference.

Follow the signs to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

To get to Hodgdon Island Inn from Rockland follow Route 1 South turning LEFT onto Route 27 to the Boothbay Region.  Follow 27 to the Civil War monument on the Boothbay Green.  Turn RIGHT at the monument onto Corey Lane.  Go straight at the stop sign.  After a quarter mile, bear right onto Barters Island Road.  The Inn is about 1.2 miles down the road (you will go past the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and cross over a bridge under construction) and the Inn’s driveway will be on the left just before the Trevett Draw Bridge, General Store and Post Office.

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Hodgdon Island Innkeepers spot sign of spring in Freeport: “18 Days and counting till Ice Cream Season starts”

March 26th, 2011 by richard-pamela-riley

LL Bean Store Window Freeport, Maine

Today, Richard and I made a trip into Freeport with some very dear friends from “back home” (Kentucky & Ohio).  Freeport is only 45minutes away from our nine room inn on our tiny island here in Boothbay, Maine .  Our day started off with grey skies and about an inch of snow giving our friends a taste of winter 2011 in Maine, but by noon it was all gone and Mother Nature had decided to smile.  The sun was shining and Freeport was hopping.  The huge parking lots behind L.L. Bean were pretty full.  It felt like everything and everyone was waking up after a long winter’s nap.  As we came around the front of the L.L. Bean home wares building, we were stopped dead in our tracks!  People of all shapes, sizes, genders and ages were learning how to cast fly fishing rods. 

One of Pamela's favorite haunts - Bridgham And Cook LTD.

It was mesmerizing to watch, but we eventually tore ourselves away and headed for Main Street and some of our other favorite haunts like Jones of New York, Mangy Moose, Cool-as-a-Moose, Brooks Brothers, Clark’s of England, Bridgham & Cook British Importers, Sherman’s Bookstore and of course, all of the L.L. Bean stores.

In the course of all this “exercise” we got thirsty and were in the process of trying to decide how we would quench our thirst when we spotted the sign that read “18 days till ice cream season begins!”  Just think – tonight the moon will be the fullest it’s been in 21 years; tomorrow is the first official day of spring and in just two weeks and 4 days (April 1st) ice cream season will be here!  How cool is that?!

To celebrate we tried out the new coffee shop/café located on the lower level of the L.L. Bean Flagship store.  It was fun and it was good.  The coffee shop showcases Coffee by Design from Portland. This was our first time to try their products and I have to say we enjoyed our Cappuccino (Richard) and Mocha (Pamela) Frappes respectively and our friends enjoyed their Roasted Red Pepper Quiche and hot teas.

Then it was down the street to the Georgetown Pottery and Edgecomb Pottery.  I’m afraid I could spend hours in each and still not see all the beautiful shapes, glazes, art and giftware there.

We finished our Freeport adventure off with dinner at the Muddy Rudder.  There was a brand new menu to choose from and between us we sampled Panko Baked Haddock, Hanger Steak, Baked Haddock and sirloin tips accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes with a side of crisply steamed julienned beets.  It was all very good and our waitress was cheerful and attentive.  It was, as they say, the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Directions to Freeport from Hodgdon Island Inn:  turn RIGHT out of driveway onto Barter’s Island Road; make a slight LEFT onto Corey lane; turn LEFT onto ME-27 to US-1 South; turn LEFT onto US-1 South through Brunswick; take I-295 South to Freeport Exit 20.  Follow signs to Freeport and parking lots.

P.S. At the time of this posting the number of days left til ice cream season is now six!

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March Madness Prevails at Boothbay Harbor Region Bed and Breakfast

March 14th, 2011 by richard-pamela-riley

Our westward view over the Sheepscott

All those sayings that we are all too familiar with regards happenings in March just happen to be swirling around in my head today.  You know, sayings like:  “Beware of the Ides of March” or “March comes in like a Lion and goes out like a Lamb” or “When Irish Eyes are smiling – they’ll steal your heart away” – you know those sayings.  It all started this morning as I sat at my desk in the Owner’s Quarters here at Hodgdon Island Inn  looking out of the window.  The window showcases our westward view over the Sheepscott and it appears that our snow fortress is weakening. 

Our snow fortress is weakening!

 The walls of snow are melting away before my eyes.  I am reminded of that infamous “I’m melting “ scene in the Wizard of Oz when Dorothy douses the Wicked Witch of the West with the bucket of water – only here on our tiny island in Boothbay, Maine, Mother Nature is doing the dousing and our once wicked white world is turning into a pool of spring greens and browns!

OMG!  March is a very busy month in the State of Maine! Kicking off the month  there was the annual yum-yum fest known as Maine Restaurant Week, March 1-12th, where one can get scrumptious three-course meals at a set price; then we had the 2011 Flower Show in Portland this past weekend, March 10-13th, titled “The Enchanted Earth”. The show is a collaboration of green industry landscapers, growers, gardeners and industry retailers dedicated to the continued success of everything about “Gardening in Maine”.

Beware of the Tides of March!

Higher tides than ususal predicted this weekend

Next up is the Ides of March (March 15th), but the TIDES OF MARCH is much more appropriate.  Why you ask? Because at every full moon, when the earth and the sun and the moon are lined up in space, the gravity of the sun and moon reinforce each other and the earth’s tides become particularly high.  It is predicted that the tides will be higher than usual, especially on Saturday hence the “Beware of the Tides of March”.

 Now we’re counting down to St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th.  For many it is a day of partying, parades, eating corned beef and cabbage and drinking green beer  (Sarah’s Cafe, fun restaurant on Route 1 in Wiscasset). For others it is a day of prayer and contemplation. For me it is a day filled with many memories, lots of love, much laughter, a few tears, good Irish music and an Irish jig or two.   I may have mentioned that I am first generation American-born of Irish ancestry, but I don’t know if I mentioned that I am also an Irish step dancer.  My mother, Sheila, was born in a town on the coast outside Dublin, Ireland not too dissimilar from Boothbay Harbor. 

Currant soda bread is cut in wedges to serve;whole wheat soda bread is featured.

But most importantly of all:  one must eat Soda Bread on this great day!  Now I could write an entire blog on Irish Soda Bread because there are as many different recipes for it as there are shades of green on the Emerald Isle, but we stick to the Byrne Family recipe which has been handed down for many generations.  I have shared this family heirloom with you in the recipe section of our blog I hope you enjoy it!

And the last of this month’s fun activities here in the Pine Tree State is Maine Maple Sunday set for March 27th .  Most sugarhouses offer free maple syrup samples and demonstrations on how pure Maine maple syrup is made. Many farms offer games, activities, treats, sugar bush tours, music, and so much more. 

March isn’t the only month with lots of things to do and see here in Maine .  Come and see for yourself.  And as always, if you need a place to stay, we’ll be here on our tiny island and as is customary in Ireland, Richard and I will  bid you “cead mile failte” {Cade (rhyming with “wade”) meala fault cha. Fáilte is said quickly} – a hundred, thousand welcomes!

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Hodgdon Island Inn is located about an hour northeast of Portland; three hours from Boston; three hours from Bar Harbor

March 7th, 2011 by richard-pamela-riley

Follow signs to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

By Air

Fly into Portland International Jet Port (www.portlandjetport.org ); rent a car, call for a limousine service or make arrangements to be met by a Boothbay Harbor Region(www.boothbayharbor.com) taxi.  Private planes may fly into Wiscasset Airport; rental cars and taxi services are available.

By Car 

From Portland (www.portlandmaine.gov) follow I-295 to Brunswick.  Take Exit 28 or Exit 31 to Route 1 North.  Follow Route 1 through Wiscasset.  Just across the river bear right onto Route 27 out of Edgecomb south to Boothbay (www.boothbay.org).  After 9.3 miles, bear right at the Boothbay Civil War monument, across from the town common. Go straight at the stop sign.  After a quarter mile, bear right onto Barters Island Road.  The Inn (www.boothbaybb.com)  is about 1.2 miles down the road (you will go past the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (www.mainegardens.com) and cross over a bridge under construction) and our driveway will be on your left just before the Trevett Swing Bridge (www.youtube.com), General Store and Post Office.

 

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BOOTHBAY, MAINE INNKEEPERS’ NITE OUT: DINNER IN BATH, AN AUSTEN PLAY IN BRUNSWICK AND NARY A MUMMIE OR A ZOMBIE OR A SEA MONSTER IN SIGHT …

February 24th, 2011 by richard-pamela-riley

Our "first date" in our new home ...

Last week Richard and I decided it was high time we went out on our “first date” in our new home and what better time to do it than around Valentine’s Day.   So we made plans … dinner first, followed by a play.  We were both very excited and found ourselves looking forward to our night out!  It was a huge success, I am happy to report!

For dinner we chose a restaurant in Bath recommended by a fellow Barter’s Island Community Club member. 

Solo Bistro decor is "Maine Modern"

The Solo Bistro (www.solobistro.com) was super!  The décor is “Maine Modern” with pale wood tables and brightly colored chairs.  The choices were wide ranging and the prices competitive.  We opted for the three-course Prix Fixe menu of the evening.  We had no regrets as we savored our spinach salad with vanilla white balsamic vinaigrette; Maine Shrimp Risotto with tomato, leek, eggplant and Greek olives; and chocolate chip cookie sandwich with pumpkin marshmallow ice cream drizzled with caramel sauce.  Our waitress was friendly and attentive, but not intrusive and we left knowing that we would definitely put the Solo Bistro on the “must do that again” list.

Then it was off to Brunswick and the play.  The play was a production of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice at the Theater Project adapted by Joe Hanready and J.R. Sullivan and directed by Christopher Price.

The Theater Project (www.theaterproject.com) was founded in 1972 as a non-profit community-based theater in Brunswick, Maine.  Its mission is “to change young and old; to enrich and inspire their living, and provide a safe environment for original and dynamic exploration.”  If this production of P&P is any indication I would have to say that they wholeheartedly fulfill their mission.

Now I must admit I am a Jane Austen devotee and am pretty fussy about adaptations of her work, but I am happy to say that the performance and staging at the Theater Project was fabulous – just fabulous and did Miss Austen’s work great justice!

The auditorium seats about 75 or so and it was a SOLD OUT performance.  The ages of the audience ranged from vivacious and charming college students to low key and charming old timers (like us). But one thing was clear – everyone there was enjoying the play.  The set consisted of one small round dining room table, four would-be Chippendale chairs, two upholstered benches, two wooden benches, two topiaries and a crystal chandelier that magically appeared or disappeared as was needed to indicate that we had moved to Pemberly or to the infamous residence of the infamous Lady Catherine de Bourgh.  The furniture was moved in and out of position by two young ladies attired as servants who occasionally draped a lace tablecloth over the small round table and topped it off with a vase (pronounced with a short “a” sound of course) of flowers and who always curtsied. 

The ensemble cast was very good, especially the actress playing Elizabeth.  She was delightful and I would liken her performance to that of Jennifer Ehle’s in the A&E version also starring Colin Firth.  But it was the actor playing Mr. Collins, who in our opinion stole the show!  He was awkward, self-effacing, slimy, cow-towing … and that smile – Yuk! In short, he was perfect!

Richard and I thoroughly enjoyed it – we discussed it on the way home and again over the next few days.  And of course it inspired me to once again drag out my much beloved, dog-eared copy of P&P … you know what they say:  once an Austen devotee, always an Austen devotee.

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