tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78483421007177184772008-04-16T11:27:32.927-07:00Camden Maine Bed and Breakfast ExperienceCamden Maine Innkeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16853100059052242079noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848342100717718477.post-47358556423981207162008-03-25T12:45:00.000-07:002008-03-25T13:22:28.070-07:00Teaching an old dog new tricks?When odd things happen in your life, you may need a little time to digest it before you <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">truly</span> understand what happened. Then like a light bulb, you get it and it all makes sense.<br />I recently joined a women's networking group here in Camden. We meet once a month at a bakery for coffee and discuss women related business topics. The group is fun and a great networking <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">opportunity</span>. Towards the end of the meeting, each member gets about 2 minutes to promote themselves and tell about their services. There was this one lady that was very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">familiar</span> to me and I could not remember how, until one day I was able to put it all together.<br />My dad is your traditional jolly, fun going, beer drinking, football watching type of guy. He enjoys going out, being with friends and celebrating life. When out or celebrating my dad's choice beverage is always a beer. In my 34 years, I have never seen my dad drink wine. This is an important part of my story so bare with me.<br />My parents came up from New Jersey in 2007 and as a fun day trip I invited them to go to the local winery with me. My mom, unlike my dad, loves to drink wine. The winery had just been renovated and under new management. We drove up to the winery and when we got their we enjoyed the atmosphere, my kids loved running around the place, my mom and I were enjoyed the wine tastings and my dad just seemed out of place. He did not want to taste the wine nor was he comfortable with my kids running a muck. The women behind the bar noticed my dad was a little obtuse and invited him to join in the tasting. My father was reluctant but he was flattered that the pretty, well built women had asked him to join us. I say well built in the kindest sense, she was very shapely and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">womanly</span> if you get what I mean. This part is also important because this is the magic power that I thought was at play. The women asked my father again to taste and he declined, she somehow, without him tasting, got him to actually purchase a bottle of wine. She convinced him that it tasted like beer and he fell for it. My mother and I did not understand his impulse to buy, but were convinced that the women's fine looks were the reason for the purchase. We teased him in the car all the way home.<br />Back to the networking group. One of the members of the group called out to my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">familiar</span> women, "hey didn't you used to work at the winery?" She said yes, "yes I created the wine <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">speel </span>and was their best selling agent." I was shocked and remembered her to be the women that sold my father the wine. I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">asked</span> her what her profession was and - you are not going to believe this - but, she is a clinical hypnotist. She hypnotises people before surgery, if they are fighting with an addiction, or need a new direction in their life. I couldn't stop laughing when I realized that all this time - perhaps my father was hypnotized into buying that bottle of wine. Case solved. Now whether or not the wine tasted like beer, I will never know. But the fact that he broke out of his comfort zone and tried something new was impressive to me. The shapely women no longer works at the winery but I highly encourage all to go and see the winery and experience the wines. <a href="http://www.mainewine.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Cellardoor</span> winery. </a>A Great <a href="http://www.windwardhouse.com/">Camden Maine Lodging </a>: Camden Windward House is 5 miles from the vineyard and is offering a lodging discount when you sign up for the cooking classes.Camden Maine Innkeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16853100059052242079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848342100717718477.post-67075847617327585622008-03-10T06:03:00.000-07:002008-03-10T06:16:02.650-07:00Winery Cooking Classes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/R9UyGwT_2hI/AAAAAAAAADY/M5WBkNG979c/s1600-h/cooking+classes+at+the+winery.bmp"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The local winery has these great cooking classes. The winery itself has been <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">remodeled</span> and the new owners are just fantastic. The new owners put in a test kitchen where local chefs can come in and teach their craft to those of us that like cooking and wine. Bettina is always looking for food to pair with the wines and with the price of the class you are offered several different wines to try with all the foods. The class started at 11:00am and went to 2:00pm. I was not quite ready to start drinking wine at 11:00am, but by the end of the class, I had tried all the samples that were there.The class was full of interesting people and the discussions were fun. My Inn, </span></span></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.windwardhouse.com">Camden Windward House</a> would really like to support this winter time activity. We offer our guests, when coming to town for this class, a 5% discount on room rate along with a complimentary bottle of the Local wine upon arrival. The class ticket is $50.o0 and is an additional fee. The next class is at the end of March - check our site for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">details</span> and reserve a room. It is a nice weekend getaway. </span></span><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/R9UyGwT_2hI/AAAAAAAAADY/M5WBkNG979c/s200/cooking+classes+at+the+winery.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176098438361635346" border="0" />Camden Maine Innkeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16853100059052242079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848342100717718477.post-90918893503738270782008-03-04T05:09:00.000-08:002008-03-04T05:24:26.686-08:00Spring Is ComingThe snow is starting to melt here in Camden Maine. The birds are starting to come out and the sun is rising a lot earlier. Camden Maine is almost the eastern most point of the US and the sun comes up very early. Here at the Inn, we are preparing for another busy summer. We purchased new washers and dryers (LG), put new floors into some of the bathrooms and painted some walls. But much more is needed before you can host over 1,900 people for the summer. Basically a strategic plan is needed to make all go well. Jesse and I have owned the Inn now for 3 years and just starting to understand how this place works. We are evaluating our vendors, considering going "green" for the summer and updating our website so that our guests can use it as a useful tool in planning their trip to Camden.<br />One of the things that I very excited about to be able to offer our guests this season is an upgrade on our sheets. We have always had nice sheets on beds but now we have upgraded some of our sheets to 500 thread count. I was reading a trip advisor posting about our Inn and they labeled it "I think they iron their sheets". She is right we do iron the sheets. Does anyone do that at home? In fact I complain to the other Innkeepers about how much time we spend ironing sheets - and most just laugh at me and say "you do what? I just hand iron them when they come out of the dryer". Which might be ok for some, but to have a nice ironed sheet is luxury. I can't really complain about the ironing because my husband actually does the ironing. He plugs in his computer, puts a movie in - in front of him, and watches while he irons. He also sometimes puts in a book on CD to help get him through this tedious task. He never complains, I think he finds it meditative. Hope all of you are starting to enjoy the thaw. Get those chores done!Camden Maine Innkeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16853100059052242079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848342100717718477.post-44651181532769007012008-02-25T05:24:00.001-08:002008-02-25T05:27:38.292-08:00Skowhegan: Maine's maple syrup season begins<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>One of the things we anxiously wait for here in <a href="http://www.windwardhouse.com/">Camden</a> is the Maple Syrup to start flowing and this morning - we got the news. Stay posted for local events that celebrate March Maple Sunday!</p><p>Windward House Bed and Breakfast uses only Maine Maple syrup for breakfast. We also have a great package March in the Mud </p><p>The best way to deal with the Mud is to get out and enjoy it. Better yet, hiking in the mud provides that little extra exercise one might need to get that winter weight off. Package includes:</p><p>2 night stay in a warm and dry fireplace suite, Mid Coast Maine Hiking book, local hiking trail maps and bubble bath for that bath you will need when you come in from your muddy adventure.</p><p>-prices start at 325.00 Package is available the months of March, April and May. </p><p>Quoted from <cite>http://bangornews.com</cite>:</p><blockquote style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><p><a href="http://bangornews.com/news/t/midmaine.aspx?articleid=160677">Skowhegan: Maine's maple syrup season begins </a></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px" align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:16;">SKOWHEGAN, Maine— When conditions are just right — mild days, cool nights — the sap flows and Maine’s maple syrup season begins. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:16;">The season can start anytime between mid-February and late March, but whenever the sap is ready this year, producers are hoping for one thing: a season that will break the three-year trend of a downturn in production.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:16;">The USDA reported that New England temperatures last year were 60 percent too cool, 21 percent too warm and 19 percent favorable during the season.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:16;">Bob Moore of Bob’s Sugar House in Dover-Foxcroft is looking forward to a more productive season this year.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:16;">"Last year was bad," he said. "But there is no way to know what will happen this spring. It all depends on Mother Nature."</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:16;">Moore said many producers, including himself, have already started tapping their trees even though the flow has not started yet.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:16;">The good thing about the marketplace is that supply and demand balance each other. Because syrup supplies were down last season, producers got a higher price for their product.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:16;">To herald the syrup season and celebrate the millions of dollars it brings to the state’s economy, Maine Maple Sunday is celebrated this year on March 23, with many sugarhouses opening for business and providing entertainment and samples for visitors. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:16;">In central Maine, the town of Skowhegan has adopted the maple syrup season as cause for a week full of fun.</span></p></blockquote></div>Camden Maine Innkeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16853100059052242079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848342100717718477.post-15213884758502337632008-02-24T18:35:00.001-08:002008-02-24T18:35:55.056-08:00Innkeeper Launches Destination Wedding Site<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p> </p> <blockquote style='margin-bottom: 0;'> <p><a href='http://my.mainetoday.com/story.html?ID=2091'>Innkeeper Launches Destination Wedding Site </a></p> nnkeeper Launches Destination Wedding Site Camden Maine Newest Wedding DestinationContributed by <a href='http://my.mainetoday.com/member.html?m=94147'>Kristen Bifulco</a> 2008-02-24 <br/> <br/> Camden — Camden, ME February 24, 2008 -- Kristen Bifulco, owner and innkeeper of the Camden Windward House B&amp;B in mid-coast Maine, has launched a destination wedding website, Mycamdenwedding.com. <p> The new website assists brides in planning a wedding in Camden, one the most photographed coastal villages in Maine-popularly known as the Jewel of the Maine Coast.</p> <p style='margin-bottom:0;'/> <p style='margin-top:0;'> The site features four signature, wedding packages unique to the natural surroundings of Camden: Ocean View Weddings, Mountain Top Weddings, Coastal Garden Weddings and B&amp;B Weddings.</p> <p style='margin-bottom:0;'/> <p style='margin-top:0;'> Ocean View Weddings feature ceremonies aboard a schooner, in front of a lighthouse, on the beach or at the yacht club. Bridal parties can choose to dine aboard ship or picnic on an island with a Maine lobster bake.</p> <p style='margin-bottom:0;'/> <p style='margin-top:0;'> For a Mountain Top Wedding, couples exchange vows atop 1300 foot, Mt. Battie with views of the harbor and downeast to Cadillac Mountain. The summit is home to the famous "kissing rock" from the classic movie, "Payton Place" and a verse from Camden's romantic poet, Edna St. Vincent Millay, carved in the granite. An elopement mountain venue includes Maiden's Cliff overlooking Lake Megunticook or the summit of Ragged Mountain with vistas to Penobscot Bay.</p> <p style='margin-bottom:0;'/> <p style='margin-top:0;'> The Coastal Garden Wedding packages feature private gardens, Harbor Park and the Bok Amphitheater at the head of the harbor, and the Vesper Children's Chapel in Rockport overlooking Penobscot Bay. The village foot bridge at Tannery Lane with its cascading waterfall and flowering shrubs is a favorite spot for wedding photos.</p> <p style='margin-bottom:0;'/> <p style='margin-top:0;'> A B&amp;B Wedding is for bridal parties desiring privacy after a ceremony at a white-steepled church or backyard garden. Camden is home to twelve premier inns, most of which are listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. The Bifulco's Camden Windward House Inn is an 1854 Victorian home with Greek Revival features. It is nearby the Bok Amphitheater and the trailhead to Mount Battie. A July 7, 2007 wedding at the Windward House was recently mentioned in a New York Times vacation escape article. The bride had reserved the Windward House B&amp;B sight unseen.</p> <p style='margin-bottom:0;'/> <p style='margin-top:0;'> . Mycamdenwedding.com offers wedding planning tools and advice, access to local wedding services, wedettiquette, honeymoon and mini-moon packages.</p> <p style='margin-bottom:0;'/> <p style='margin-top:0;'> Says mycamdenwedding.com developer, Gen X-er Kristen Bifulco, "When my husband and I got married, this is what we were looking for. We were turned off by big halls. We ended up celebrating our wedding with a tent in my brother-in-law's backyard garden. It would have been great if it were a weekend affair in a charming coastal New England town."</p> <p> The wedding destination site is on-line at www.mycamdenwedding.com or Kristi at bnb@windwardhouse.com or 1-877-492-9656.</p> </blockquote></div>Camden Maine Innkeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16853100059052242079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848342100717718477.post-89269668474028875872008-02-16T13:30:00.001-08:002008-02-16T14:02:51.145-08:00Bare Foot in the Snow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/R7ddUHaUnrI/AAAAAAAAAC8/FD6ozW2fpMs/s1600-h/IMG_0144.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/R7ddUHaUnrI/AAAAAAAAAC8/FD6ozW2fpMs/s200/IMG_0144.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167701697599151794" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Windward House is surviving another Maine winter. The 2007- 2008 winter season is intense. We have seen several feet of snow, below freezing temperatures and lots of ice. I am always surprised that not everything in this house does not freeze. The house was built in 1854 and was originally a private residence but then was made a rooming house for lobster men in the area. About 25 years ago the Windward House was finally made into a Bed and breakfast, of course still welcoming lobster man - when they are in the neighborhood. One special boat man comes from Australia every year and stays at Windward House with us for sometimes months on end (mind you never in the winter!!). The past owners have really put a lot of love into this house. The original clap board on the front of the house was taken off and insulated and double windows were put on. The insulation, which I find rather funny, was not for heating purposes, but to soundproof the front of the house from the noise of the street. Jesse and I are sometimes hesitant to tell people this because it may imply that Rt 1 is noisy, which to us, coming from NY, it is far from noisy. But, some might notice the occasional truck or traffic in the front. There is no other Inn on Rt1 that can offer this amenity - that of a quite in-town room.<br />Anyway, being an Innkeeper in the winter is a job and a half, and has a very high stress level. It is our constant job to clean away snow, make sure ice is not unbearable and unsafe, pray that pipes do not freeze and oh yah, always make sure the 100 year old furnace is working.<br />Couples have been coming to Windward this winter, some to look for a summer house, some for a private getaway, some for toboggan weekend, some to ski and others looking for the perfect wedding venue. Windward House has stayed warm, thank goodness, for all the great winter guests. I think it is only technically half way through the winter. The Windward House is now offering a great Bare foot in the Winter package - so if you want to come and see how the old house is holding up in the winter, please call and make a reservation. The package is $99.00 room rate and a bottle of Bare foot champagne upon arrival. The package is good for any of the fireplaces rooms, excluding Quarterdeck Room.Camden Maine Innkeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16853100059052242079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848342100717718477.post-41120294791787523622008-01-17T13:20:00.000-08:002008-01-17T14:58:59.543-08:00Thank you to our guestsI once went to an "Innkeeper Course" and learned little things here and there about Innkeeping. There is a lot to this job, much more than baking cookies and decorating (which I have to say are the fun things). At this course they discussed marketing, networking and the talent of book keeping and reservation organization. There was also a discussion on how to know if you are doing all these things, including the baking and decorating, correct. The woman at the seminar said, if after you give your guest a bill and they say "thank you", then you know you did all things right. Since then I anxiously waited to hear thank you from my guests, kind of a validation to my efforts. Well, everyone has said thank you and I think they always did say thank you. Bed and Breakfasts guests are generally really cool and polite people. But just a couple of weeks ago, I received this really neat thank you in an email. A really nice couple in the state of Washington, whom came back to the Windward House to celebrate their 10 year wedding anniversary (they honeymooned here in 1997) wrote a blog entry about us <a href="http://http//creaturebug.typepad.com/creature_bug/2008/01/a-love-project.html">http://creaturebug.typepad.com/creature_bug/2008/01/a-love-project.html .</a><br />I was so happy to read this blog that has been put out into cyberspace. It even has sent us some business. So many of our guests have written nice things about us on Trip Advisor and similar sites. We even enjoy when guests call us to say hello, or ask about the leaky roof problem we had (which by the way Chris with the peacokes, is finally fixed, carpenter put nail through floors radian heat) , or just to check in to see how things are. We also receive a lot of hand written letters from our guests that are always a welcomed surprise. Jesse and I really appreciate all our guests kind words. We have the best job. To our guests, I wish there was a website that I could go and proclaim what great people you are, but to date there isn't, so here it goes - Thank you, Thank you , Thank you, Thank you for making my business a home and happy place - you all are the best.Camden Maine Innkeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16853100059052242079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848342100717718477.post-20793486221747192552007-11-20T04:14:00.000-08:002007-11-20T04:36:10.070-08:00The Last Leaf Fell<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/R0LT2K2fmaI/AAAAAAAAACI/EknxTplkq0w/s1600-h/dec06tofeb070186_RJ.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/R0LT2K2fmaI/AAAAAAAAACI/EknxTplkq0w/s200/dec06tofeb070186_RJ.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134899452735101346" border="0" /></a><br />I didn't realize how much I would dread the end of fall before I moved to Maine. The Camden Windward House <a href="http://www.windwardhouse.com">Bed and Breakfast </a>is an acre in- town property that has lots of trees. I kept asking my husband to go out and rake the leaves but he said - "I'm not doing anything until the last leaf falls." Yesterday November 20th 2007 - the last leaf fell and my husband spent the whole day cleaning up the yard. The yard looks awesome now, everything is dead but it looks so clean.<br />Now that the leaves are cleaned up it is time to decorate for Christmas. Oddly enough, the town of Camden noticed the last leaf fell yesterday also. The town trucks were out and the work men were busy hanging the Christmas wreaths on the light posts and decorating with twinkle lights. The coastal village looks so quaint this time of year. Almost like a Norman Rockwell picture. The Festival of Lights Celebration is this weekend in Rockland Maine and Christmas By The Sea is the weekend after that, November 30th , December 1st and 2nd. The Inns in Camden have a wonderful Christmas Tea and Inn Tour that weekend here in Camden. The Opera House has a great performance of The Nutcracker and Santa arrives by Lobster Boat.<br />I wonder if my husband will have a cute answer when I ask my him to clean up all the Christmas and Holiday lights and decorations. I can hear it now, "I'm not going out there until the last snow flake falls. "Camden Maine Innkeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16853100059052242079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848342100717718477.post-68925235676698457142007-10-22T09:57:00.000-07:002007-10-22T10:12:56.801-07:00Will the Little Old Lady Dance?I read a review recently that likened Camden Maine to a nicely kept little old lady. Which strangely enough, I agree with. There is a kind of respect for such a person. The title of this blog entry is in reference to Camden Maine and the conversation that I had with a guest today at breakfast. We were discussing the changing face of Camden, which is a common topic around here, and where the future of Camden is. Among many things that were discussed over coffee, one was the upcoming event being sponsored by the Camden Harbour Inn - Weekend with Edie. I think it is fantastic. Weekend with Edie is a dinner and show that features a drag queen (Edie). This is not a typical show to be seen in Camden Maine. It will be interesting to see if the community supports the show (dances) or blushes and turns a polite cheek. The Camden Windward House is doing a special around this weekend, because a dancing old lady is fun and funny.<br />Spend the evening at the Camden Windward House and we will provide you with discounted tickets to the dinner and show. Saturday November 17th 2007.Camden Maine Innkeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16853100059052242079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848342100717718477.post-75454817667760370522007-10-22T05:12:00.000-07:002007-10-22T06:07:31.915-07:00The Leaves Are Beautiful - Where is Everybody?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/RxyflHGVOnI/AAAAAAAAACA/9bFOW9nsBG8/s1600-h/S6300179.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/RxyflHGVOnI/AAAAAAAAACA/9bFOW9nsBG8/s200/S6300179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124145935950363250" border="0" /></a><br />The leaves in Camden Maine are in full peak color this week, October 21 - October 28<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span>. The colors are fantastic. As innkeepers we try to predict when the leaves will peak so that we can help guests make their vacation plans. We predicted the 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">nd</span> week in October - I guess we were 1 week off - not too bad, but we don't have any guests to see the leaves. The last 2 weeks in October are usually a slower time here in Camden. The Pop tech conference (which is the 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">nd</span> week in October) left and the 600 people that came for it - left also. If you have a minute and want to see some awesome color and have a great Inn and town to yourself, come to the Camden Windward House.Camden Maine Innkeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16853100059052242079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848342100717718477.post-86957512836270351692007-07-22T13:30:00.000-07:002007-08-15T15:12:33.721-07:00southern Hospitality?Someone <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">accused</span> me of Southern Hospitality. In our rooms we have a little book that we welcome our guests to write a message about their stay. In one of our rooms at the Camden Windward House, someone wrote "great stay - and thank you for your Southern Hospitality". I do not know if perhaps these people were from Canada, where we would be seen as southern, but I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">don't</span> think they were. I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">truly</span> think they <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">meant</span> this as a sincere term of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">endearment</span> and compliment. When you come to the Inn, it is my pleasure to make your stay as comfortable as possible. I am sorry that Northerners are not seen as hospitable, as I am as northern as they come. I grew up in New York and speak Staten Island-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ese</span>, a special dialect of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">English</span> - that only <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">people</span> in Staten Island speak.<br />I took this comment as a compliment because just the other day we had a true southern bell at the Inn and believe it or not, she asked to help me with the dishes. I almost fell over because she was so sweet, and her accent was so charming. I did not let her do the dishes but she made me smile because the Southern Hospitality she showed me at my Inn.Camden Maine Innkeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16853100059052242079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848342100717718477.post-7326185982036409422007-06-05T16:53:00.000-07:002007-06-05T17:34:23.674-07:00<div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/RmX_RfLfL1I/AAAAAAAAABw/XfidAhdzDAc/s1600-h/breakfast+room.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072741231195270994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/RmX_RfLfL1I/AAAAAAAAABw/XfidAhdzDAc/s200/breakfast+room.png" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>The Aussie and the Animal Communicator</div><br /><br /><div>We are getting ready for high season, and have very little time. The house painting is behind schedule. Late spring early summer are really special times here, and we have had some absolutely amazing weather. Just look at this picture of the lillacs, and also the baskets that one of our guests helped us pick out. </div><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/RmYAvfLfL2I/AAAAAAAAAB4/HKB-pamreH4/s1600-h/sign.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072742846102974306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/RmYAvfLfL2I/AAAAAAAAAB4/HKB-pamreH4/s200/sign.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We had a return guest from last year, a sailor from Australia. He's a sun and wind bleached trim fellow, hard working and fast talking, and immensely practical. He doesn't have too much time for frivolities, mostly while he's here he takes apart and puts back together his entire sail boat for racing season, takes a break now and then for cigarettes, and has a few beers at the end of the day. </div><br /><br /><div>I decided to take him to Barley Joe's green house to help me pick out some hanging flower baskets. </div><br /><br /><div>I said, why don't we divide and conquer, you go that way, and I will work on these herbs and flowers for the cutting garden.</div><br /><br /><div>It wasn't long before I noticed he was intent upon conversation with a well dressed, slender and dignified older woman with neat short hair. I walked over to see what progress he was making. </div><br /><br /><div>He was examining a wave petunia basket from underneath, as if inspecting its hull.</div><br /><br /><div>"This lady seems to know an awful lot about this stuff and she's been really helpful."</div><br /><br /><div>The woman smiled coyly and gave our sailor a look with her very blue eyes.</div><br /><br /><div>"Are you his employer?" she asked me. "The plants here are so beautiful, and" she says "the woman is an animal communicator."</div><br /><br /><div>"What's that?" says the Aussie sailor.</div><br /><br /><div>"My cat had some trouble a little while back, just before my partner and I were planning on a trip to Machu Pichu... I wasn't sure I should go."</div><br /><br /><div>"What - had puss been watching too much cat t.v. or something?"</div><br /><br /><div>"No." she said, "It wasn't that at all.. you see..." and as the woman began to explain the complexities of her cat's emotional troubles, and their diagnosis and treatment by the animal communicator, -, a treatment that took place over the phone no less (because the animal communicator had actually met the cat in person before) I watched as my guest's face turned from suspended disbelief, like he was waiting for the punch line, to indignation as in "she's having me on" to, "no really, she's serious", to "that lady is <a href="mailto:f!@#ing">f!@#ing</a> nuts!" Which he actually exclaimed aloud, along with a few more saltycomments, both to, before and about the lady, in his brand of english so fast I am pretty sure only I under stood him, and only because I had been talking to him over the last few days.</div></div>Camden Maine Innkeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16853100059052242079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848342100717718477.post-44985835581942440332007-04-27T11:52:00.000-07:002007-04-27T12:33:10.028-07:00Camden Maine loves dogs<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/RjJNjqxkNbI/AAAAAAAAABo/U_pkDxUqNIw/s1600-h/IMG_0929.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058190606663431602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/RjJNjqxkNbI/AAAAAAAAABo/U_pkDxUqNIw/s200/IMG_0929.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>When I moved to Camden Maine, I felt it imperative to get a dog. Everyone had a dog and and having a dog <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">meant</span></span> meeting everyone. Last year there were 602 dogs registered in Camden. The town is only 18.5 miles long with 5, 400 residents (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">probably</span></span> a little less that half of those residents are not year round). This meaning that there are 33 dogs every mile in Camden. Downtown has 3 stores dedicated to pampering the pooch. Most of the dogs in town are full breed dogs. Really fine animals, nicely groomed and a pleasure to see.</div><br /><div>The dog I chose to get was a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">labadoodle</span></span>. I own an Inn (<a href="http://www.windwardhouse.com/">Camden Windward House</a>)and it is important to have a good dog as well as a "clean" dog. I certainly chose the right breed for us, because she is a wonderful creature. Her name is Moxie. Most people in town know her name, but still many do not know my name. My children over the winter have been training Moxie to enter her into the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Windjammer</span> dog show in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">September</span>. We have discussed what kind of costume she should wear and which one of the children should be her master at the show. I was hesitant to enter Moxie last year because the sign said "good dogs may apply" at that time Moxie was still a pup and we didn't know what she would do around a big crowd. The children are still debating whether she will be dressed as a belted <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Galloway</span> cow (belted -doodle) or a lobster. We are working on the tricks of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">stick'em</span></span> up and holding a treat on her nose. I certainly think Moxie and her selected child master for the day will steal the show at <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Windjammer</span> Weekend. </div>Camden Maine Innkeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16853100059052242079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848342100717718477.post-60692004115266212332007-03-31T04:50:00.000-07:002007-03-31T05:14:50.127-07:00Camden and Ice Cream<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/Rg5QPUVqJ7I/AAAAAAAAABg/7RQjofkuT6I/s1600-h/lobstersmall.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048060456416716722" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/Rg5QPUVqJ7I/AAAAAAAAABg/7RQjofkuT6I/s200/lobstersmall.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This winter <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Haggan</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Daz</span> had a contest for the new ice cream flavor. I myself love ice cream, as do my children. Camden Maine has 3 ice cream stands and New England is the ice cream vacation place. Every little village and town along the coast of New England has quaint ice cream shops or stands. There is a store in Bar Harbour that sells Lobster Ice Cream, they say the taste is disconcerting, but thousands each year feel compelled to buy it. This contest caught my attention and in my spare time I would dream up ice cream flavors. My children would often be my sound boards &amp; tasters for my ideas and they were always supportive of my ideas. My first creation, which I tagged as "Camden Cream" was an interesting mixture. I wanted to mix elements of our coastal village and create a cream that screamed Camden. I went to Maine Gold to look for ideas. Since there are so many creams already out there, I had to push to be different. I bought a bottle of Maine Gold's cranberry chutney with walnuts (sounds good doesn't it?). To me this was going to bring color, flavor and original <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ingredients</span>. My husband could only say "Isn't chutney what you put on pork?" I did not let his doubt deter me from the ultimate Camden Cream. I made a vanilla ice cream from scratch, added my chutney and froze. The next day I let my assistants have a taste. As you may have guested, no one, not even our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">labradoodle</span> dog liked it. It tasted like it should be on pork, not mixed with cream. Try 1 shot down. I have to say that experience has <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">deterred</span> me a little in my quest to make the best Camden Cream. Although I do from time to time try to think up new <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ingredients</span> for my Cream. The contest has closed and I think Sarah <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Moultin</span> is deciding between 3 flavors for the new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Haggan</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Daz</span> flavor. Needless to say, non of those flavors include lobster or chutney.</div>Camden Maine Innkeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16853100059052242079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848342100717718477.post-3824937799311508032007-03-06T16:48:00.000-08:002007-03-06T16:55:09.868-08:00New Wedding Venue in Camden<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/Re4NDOeULeI/AAAAAAAAABU/kXePHtecqAU/s1600-h/lone+schooner+in+harbor.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5038979382150180322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/Re4NDOeULeI/AAAAAAAAABU/kXePHtecqAU/s200/lone+schooner+in+harbor.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>There is a great new website in Camden Maine that is dedicated to helping brides choose Camden Maine as a venue for their wedding weekend destination wedding. This site that outlines the finer points of Camden very nicely is <a href="http://www.mycamdenwedding.com">www.mycamdenwedding.com</a>. </div>Camden Maine Innkeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16853100059052242079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848342100717718477.post-21252551796471898712007-03-06T16:36:00.000-08:002007-03-06T16:47:26.509-08:00Cold Cold Winter in MaineThe weather started to get warmer last week but this week we are back below zero degrees. Believe it or not, I saw a girl today at the gas station filling up her car and she had no jacket on and her hair was wet. She did not even look cold. The temperature on my car thermometer read 2 degrees. It is hard now to imagine the schooners in the harbor and people hiking up Mt. Battie. The children do not go in the playgrounds and recess is held in the gyms because it is too cold to go outside. The Mid Coast Magnet Group, the group of young professionals in the area, held a meeting last week at one of the bars in town and in the email invitation it said, get out of the house and into the light, that's right I called you pasty ! Everyone is ready for a little sun and fun again here in Camden Maine. The ducks seem to be the only ones that are still content. I was in the Camden Deli last month and witnessed the mating ritual of the ducks right in front of the big window overlooking the waterfall. As we were getting our dose of nature, right in front of our eyes while eating our lunch, someone was throwing bread crumbs out a top floor window to the ducks. So - the duck were mating and eating, what's better than that in the bitter cold months in Maine.Camden Maine Innkeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16853100059052242079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848342100717718477.post-73200574105279802342006-12-29T17:19:00.000-08:002006-12-30T17:54:38.945-08:00Brides coming to MaineAt the <a href="http://www.windwardhouse.com/">Inn</a> we get many calls to host weddings here. Many lucky beaus must have proposed over the Christmas holiday because the <a href="http://www.camdenmainebnb.com/">Camden Windward House</a> has received many inquiries about using the Inn as the place to celebrate their wedding next year and even looking for 2008 dates. The Inn is a great place to have a downeast family wedding. The Inn is on an acre lot in - town. The Inn is walking distance to all there is to do in Camden Maine. The house has that historic feel but has all modern amenities. Every room has air conditioning, TVs, private bathrooms, some with Jacuzzis and <a href="http://www.windwardhouse.com/harbor_carriage.htm">claw foot tubs</a>. I like to think that Camden is a unique place because it does not have the bells and whistles of a fluorescent-lighted town. It does not have the high rise buildings and impersonal catering halls. It is a beautiful harbor town where the mountains meet the sea. <a href="http://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/doc/parks/find_one_name.pl?park_id=14">Lots of nature trails,</a><a href="http://www2.blogger.com/www.camdenmainesailing.com/"> Schooner</a> day sailing, fishing, swimming in lakes, swimming on small beaches and reading in a library that overlooks everything and is called the castle of dreams by the local children. All of these things makes having a wedding fun for the bride and the guests. It is an event that is more than a couple of hours, but a fun weekend.Camden Maine Innkeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16853100059052242079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848342100717718477.post-57552406940998732042006-12-29T06:18:00.000-08:002006-12-30T17:43:06.675-08:00Camden Maine in the Winter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/RZcUfw6qHSI/AAAAAAAAAA8/-sJoBA5H6gw/s1600-h/copyfirst+snow+2005_46.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/RZcUfw6qHSI/AAAAAAAAAA8/-sJoBA5H6gw/s320/copyfirst+snow+2005_46.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5014499246039768354" border="0" /></a><br />The Harbor in Camden looks quiet to the local or passer by. The windjammers and schooners are wrapped in protective white covering so they are not damaged by the cold and wind. The water however in the harbor is not frozen. The ducks still come around and look for tourists. The waterfall still runs and I anxiously await the return of the <a href="http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/12/title12sec6505-A.html">eels</a>. The fisherman will be putting out their nets to try to catch the teeny tiny eels as they try to migrate up the waterfall. The fisherman can be seen sitting in anticipation of the prize. The seals can also be seen swimming around looking to see if anyone is looking for them. Many come to Camden and Rockport looking for seals because of the (true)legend of <a href="http://www.roadsideamerica.com/pet/seal.html">Andre </a>the Seal. Yes, the harbor looks quiet and unbusy but the true workers of the harbor, the ducks, seals, eels, and fisherman are still here and in full force making the harbor a working winter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/RZcVbQ6qHTI/AAAAAAAAABE/_6tMlCxZ0LQ/s1600-h/icesculptures.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_OyVzGsYZivk/RZcVbQ6qHTI/AAAAAAAAABE/_6tMlCxZ0LQ/s320/icesculptures.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5014500268241984818" border="0" /></a> harbor and a wonderland. <a href="http://www.windwardhouse.com/">The Camden Windward House</a> looks quiet and empty also to all that pass. Inside repainting, decorating, cooking, baking, relaxing is happening. From time to time a traveler will appear at the door and be welcomed into the warm comfortable Inn. It doesn' t take long before the traveler discovers that Camden in the winter is a wonderful place. A quiet inn and a wonderful working harbor make for a great getaway. The Inn is also 1 block from the Mr. Battie Trail were a fun .5 mile hike can work off any holiday stresses.Camden Maine Innkeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16853100059052242079noreply@blogger.com