maine memories

We had some fun times over the weekend. We headed to points north in the great state of Maine, also known as "vacationland." We drove up on Friday night in the wet miserable rain. Saturday was kind of wet and gloomy too. But Sunday was a gorgeous day to be in New England. We made the most of all of our time there (when we were actually awake).

Papa Seal and the pup decided to take advantage of the comfy hotel bed and sleep in. A great way to start the day, apparently. After waking up, it was off to our favorite breakfast resturant.

Bintliff's is the resturant by which we measure all others for breakfast fare. Try not to go on Sundays, it's packed (think sardines).

Our breakfast was extra fun because I got a chance to catch up with a good friend that I met when I worked in Portland. It's always good to talk to the people on the other side of your cubicle, you might like them (and they might even like you)!

After breakfast, we headed up to Freeport to check out L.L. Bean. It's interesting that the place is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You never know when you might need a flannel shirt, or something.

I am so excited about this coat. Can't you tell?

We needed a good coat for the pup. Winter's coming and he has outgrown his other winter wear.

After Freeport, we headed to Brunswick and Bath to visit a few yarn shops (Purl Diva and Halcyon Yarn), a Wandering Seals Family tradition (at least as far as I am concerned).

Since the forcast was for sun on Sunday, Papa Seal decided to wake up at sunrise to shoot a few shots of Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth.

I decided to let me inner photographer sleep that morning. The pup and I went back with Papa Seal later, at a more hospitable time.

It was also fun to drive by our old apartment (which is really nice now, they tenants have garages even!) and by the cute little lighthouse that was near our old place.

Bug light. A cute little lighthouse, no?

More pictures in flickr.

we love new york; the upstate edition

We had some good times over the past weekend. We drove up to Rhinebeck, New York to go to a fiber festival, usually just referred to as "Rhinebeck," by those in the know. This was our second year attending, so we were well seasoned to the ways of Rhinebeck. It was great. On the way there, Simon the Subaru joined the 100,000 mile club.

Pretty exciting, for us intrepid roadtrippers.

Even Anders found it pretty cool.

Usually there is a lot of equipment for herding and shearing sheep at these fiber festivals; but, this year it seemed like the fiber merchants outnumbered those selling sheep management equipment--not necessarily a bad thing for me.

The main goal this time around was to test drive a spinning wheel, it's fun getting a lesson for free!

There were lots of pretty things to look at and buy...

But Anders was most impressed with the livestock.

Especially when there were people riding the livestock.

We also got a chance to meet a blogging friend and her family (we've never actually "met" before finding each other at Rhinebeck...fun stuff!).

After we left Rhinebeck with loads of fibery fun, we headed further north to Saratoga Springs.

We had a great meal...a grown up meal (don't let anyone tell you pumpkin ravioli sounds weird...so good), even (though, the place is VERY kid friendly).

And then the next day we spent time in Congress Park walking around...


watching ducks....

riding the carousel...

and enjoying the fall foliage.



It was a quick trip, but we had a lot of fun.

There are lots more pictures over in flickr, as always.

a little hibernation

No, we have no idea.

Antarctic seals (or no seals, for that matter) hibernate, so we will just call our little absence an anomaly, shall we?

I went to a conference over the past weekend, Papa Seal and the pup held down the fort at home. There was a meltdown or two...and the pup had a few tantrums too (hardy har har).

The previous weekend was a good one with lots packed in though. We went to the CGA to celebrate homecoming festivities (and eat lots of crackers).

Noticed some friends while taking pictures of the Windjammers warming up for the halftime show at the football game.

It's always fun to catch up with all friends. Especially when it's unexpected!

And then we wandered to Providence, Rhode Island for dinner and festivities with local friends.

We watched "Water-Fire," ate dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and then watched a few hundred breast cancer research supporters light the night while raising money for a good cause.

Our biggest recent adventure has nothing to do with wandering anywhere, however. No, our big thing now is saying goodbye to our friend "the cage."

And saying hello to Anders' new friend.

Good times, indeed.

You know where to find more pictures.

adventures with alpacas

Over the past weekend, the Seal pup and I wandered to Bozrah, Connecticut with some friends to visit an alpaca farm.

Alpacas offer a hypoallergenic alternative to wool. Alpaca fiber is soft and very warm. It's fun to knit; and, it's also great for spinning.

It was a good day for a picnic and fun with fiber. Anders had a good time (it was especially fun to chase the alpacas and put them in fear for their lives).

Hello. This is the face of mischief.

Having just returned from Texas, Papa Seal decided to go to work during the great alapaca adventure; but, he joined us later for fun at the playground.

He also joined in for ice cream at our favorite ice cream place (Michael's Dairy!). This is a picture of someone who has had too much banana ice cream.

Tons more alpaca and fiber fun over in flickr!