Islesboro Island + Camden | Maine

Maine....

The Way Life Should Be

Vacationland

A beautiful state to get engaged!

What a whirlwind this summer has been so far! I tend to get pulled away from the computer + blog the most in warmer months - more so than I would like even though I'm off enjoying life! Weekends have been filled with the unbeatable summer in New England routine - beach, lake, camping, hiking - then pile on extremely busy work weeks (and even a work weekend), add in weeknight blog events, a dash of planning for my sisters wedding shower and bachelorette party and it all adds up to less time for this little hobby!

June went by in a blink - we celebrated a lot - really soaked it all in and enjoyed telling friends and family about our engagement in person. We had a lot of home time and city time - cookouts, gardening, drinks and dinners. Simultaneously, I mourned the loss of a dear friend I've had since childhood, an unexpected death that really shook me and the entire Yarmouth/Dennis/Cape crew/community I grew up with. A reminder for sure to live it all to the fullest.

We spent 4th of July at the (sister in law + brother in law's) house on Lake Winnipesauke followed by a camping + hiking weekend in Crawford Notch. Back to back New Hampshire weekends in the Lakes Region and the White Mountain National Forest, respectively, reminded me of how much I love that state.

And how each New England state now holds a really special place! MA - everything! my forever home! // VT - my winter home! skiing! // NH - UNH! college! // CT - where both my parents grew up, endless family gatherings // and now ME - engaged! (Sorry, Rhode Island, I've got nothing of importance!) 

I digress. I wanted to share more Maine photos! Hope you enjoy!

1-5 | Maine State Ferry - Lincolnville --> Islesboro

6-11 | Exploring the charming, tiny Islesboro town center: Dark Harbor Shop / Antiques / Williams Bros. Plus a little engagement lunch from the Dark Harbor Shop counter - melted ham and swiss w tomato + onion on an English muffin.

12 - 18 | Our memorable Friday night dinner in downtown Camden at the distinctive + precious Harstone Inn. My stuffed lobster tail with parmesan risotto and zucchini + summer squash ribbons and that lemon poppy seed soufflé were so, so good. (Saturday night dinner coming in a separate post.)

19 - 24 | Camden Hills State Park: Camden Harbor views from Mount Battie Tower + a hike to the summit of Mount Megunticook.

La Bastide Bed & Breakfast + Dundee Eats

I can't say enough about how lovely our accommodations were in the Willamette Valley. La Bastide Bed & Breakfast was comfortable, relaxing, and a touch romantic; the perfect spot to end our Oregon adventures. The innkeepers Mark and Elizabeth built the house just recently in 2014; the name referring to a country home in Provence, France, with a nod to their personal style and the style of wines in Dundee. Our second floor room had soft new carpets underfoot, crisp white linens, tasteful artwork, breezy curtains, a walk in closet, a gas fireplace and a spacious bathroom. We had a charming view of the neighboring Hyland Estates. And if the photos are any indication - Elizabeth's elegant two-course breakfasts were also a highlight of our stay. 

La Bastide is located just off the main road in Dundee. It was an easy walk to dinner and it is within two miles of 25 tasting rooms and wineries. Currently they are operating 3 guest rooms and plan to have 7 up and running in the coming months. 

La Bastide Bed & Breakfast
21150 NE Niederberger Road
Dundee, Oregon 97115

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 We enjoyed thoughtfully prepared Northwest wine country cuisine and a romantic setting at Tina's for dinner on our first evening.

We started with classic cocktails. An Old Fashioned ($11) Makers Mark with muddled cherry, orange & a bitters-soaked sugar lump for him and an Añejo Marguerita ($11) classic, everything fresh squeezed with Cointreau & a salty rim for her. The House Salad ($8) with organic greens, shallot vinaigrette, parmesan & hazelnuts is substantial and the Pumpkin Soup ($8) divine. Entrees are hearty and gorgeously executed. The Duck Breast ($34) is seared and roasted with creamy fried polenta, braised greens and a green peppercorn sauce. The Lamb Rack ($44) features heirloom green beans, Yukon gold-horseradish rösti and a Riesling beurre blanc. For dessert a Chocolate Soufflé Cake ($10) with house made ice cream is a perfect end to a wonderful meal.

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And on our second evening after a full day of wine tasting (our last one just upstairs at Domaine Trouvere) it was the casual vibe and good eats at Red Hills Market that drew us in.

 We kept it simple, sharing a couple beers served in mason jars, a delicious Potato Soup ($5) and wood fired Margarita Pizza ($12). 

And that's a wrap! We're done with Oregon! I'm officially ending on a Margarita Pizza and beers in downtown Dundee. Thank you for following along as I got to re-live this adventure. If you are considering planning a trip to the incredible state that is Oregon - DO IT!!

Albert 1er | Chamonix

Luxury (two Michelin star) dining in Chamonix, France at Restaurante Albert 1er was one for the books. Yes, it was a splurge in comparison to your standard meal in Cham, but for a Michelin starred experience, all of it simply exceptional, the six of us who ventured here considered it a reasonable one. (It was 156 euros each and this included two bottles of wine, one was a magnum bottle.) All of us would highly recommend it.

 Robert Blanc green asparagus | black truffle, green herb pasta and parmesan
Foie Gras de Canard two ways | sautéed with mango et passion fruit caramel (pictured) | “ballotine” with quince jelly and apple chutney (not pictured)

Grilled Saint-Jacques scallops | fennel et green apple slaw

"Perle de la Dombes" | duck lacquered in an orange crust w. stewed leg, almond, coriander and lemon preserve, chickpea fritters.

Cheese Trolley | choice of fresh and mature French and Italian cheeses

Dessert Trolley | pastries, cakes, homemade sorbets and ice cream

Warm green Chartreuse soufflé | homemade Chartreuse ice cream
(Unbelievable. Hands down the best soufflé I have ever tasted.) 

Petit Fours, chocolates and caramels

Hameau Albert 1er - Hotel Chamonix

38 rue du Bouchet 

Chamonix Mont Blanc, France 77400