Put another Log on the Fire

Dear Santa:

GrampE Bob and I hope that you have a fun time delivering gifts in Acadia National Park this year.

It should be easy since we have SO MUCH SNOW.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We hope that you bring us a new snow shovel

so we can keep the snow off the roof at GramEpat's Cabin on Long Pond! We gave up trying to shovel the decks!!

I bet our summer guests cannot begin to imagine what the little cottages on Long Pond look like this time of year.

We hope you also bring some new snow shoes and some new batteries for the electronic lock boxes. I would hate to have to snow shoe to a listing with my 'key card' only to find out that the battery quit on the computerized lock box systems.. (PS:Santa...Please don't forget to bring the little tool gadget that's needed to change the battery!)

Thanks for the ladder last year...GrampE Bob really appreciated it. He practically wore it out, getting on the roof during each snow storm to clean out the snow in the satellite dish.

This year, he wants a wireless router for his new DLS service. (He gave up on the dish service!) Says he's too old to be climbing on the roof whenever he wants to go Internet surfing (one of his favorite winter sports).

However, he still loves the ladder that you gave him....without it, how would he be able to use his roof rake..?(Raking snow off a roof ?...Gotta' love Maine winters... Ho! Ho! Ho!)

He said to remind you that GramEpat wants a new tea pot , an ax, a log carrier and a wood splitter. He knows she really want those things because she has been recently going around the cabin singing the song 'Put another log on the fire'..

(Thank you, GrampE Bob, for putting up with my foolishness, for being such a good sport , and for being my best friend for the past 42 years)

We left some snow on the roof for you and some of GramEpat's homemade yeast bread warming by the fire. Hope you have a safe trip to Mt.Desert Island.

"Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow"

(Thank you, Gail, for sharing your talent)

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Fishin' for ideas

I was wondering how to repurpose the empty milk carton this AM (other than some of the obvious art projects)...When it dawned on me how my mother used to freeze seafood in repurposed milk cartons.

When I was a little girl, I used to love to go fishing with my father. When we came home with our 'catch'...and the fresh fish was prepared for consumption, my mother would put the fish in empty milk cartons, fill them with water (making sure that all parts of the fish were completely submerged in water) then place the containers in the freezer. The fish would stay fresh tasting for months that way. (Of course, with our large family, I should have said 'weeks' that way :)


I also remember that she would freeze large blocks of juice to put in the bunch bowl, make frozen decorative ice candles, and freeze blocks of soup stock.
(As they say in Maine: My Mom was 'wicked smart'. I miss you Mom!)

Realtor GramEpat
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Jackie "O" How Extraordinary

This morning as I was replacing the paper towel roll, and about to toss the cardboard tube, I knew there had to be a zillion uses for what I was about to throw away. So I googled ‘cardboard tubes’ and came across an interesting ‘advice and how to’ web site: “Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things”
I knew there were many craft projects just waiting to happen…but wondered what other practical purposes there might be for the tubes.
Here are a few re-purposes that sparked my interest:

Trying to stay warm this winter? Don’t toss out your Cardboard tubes!
Use as kindling and logs!
Turn toilet paper and paper towel tubes into kindling and logs for your fireplace. For fire starter, use scissors to cut the cardboard into 1/8-inch (3-millimeter) strips. Keep the strips in a bin near the fireplace so they'll be handy to use next time you make a fire. To make logs, tape over one end of the tube and pack shredded newspaper inside. (or dryer lint w/wax) Then tape the other end. The tighter you pack the newspaper, the longer your log will burn.

Another re-purpose that I found helpful….(and if you ever saw GramE’s closet, you would know why the light bulb went off in my head when I read this one .)
Keep pants crease-free!
Ever go to your closet for that good pair of pants you haven't worn in a while, only to find an ugly crease at the fold site from the hanger rack. It can be frustrating and time (and energy) consuming to have to iron the pants each time. It won't happen again if you cut a paper towel tube lengthwise, fold it in half horizontally, and place it over the rack before you hang up your pants. Before hanging pants, tape the sides of the cardboard together at the bottom to keep it from slipping.

And I must confess that I also remember the ‘good ol’ days when we used to use cardboard tubes to roll our hair…So that we could give it that ‘Jackie O’ look back in the 60’s !! An extraordinary outcome using ordinary things!

The website article mentioned above also included detailed ways to:
Extend vacuum cleaner reach
Keep Christmas lights tidy
Preserve kids' artwork and important documents
Keep electrical cords tangle-free
Make boot trees
Make a plant guard
Start seedlings
Store knitting needles
Store fabric scraps
Store string
Keep linens crease-free
Protect fluorescent lights

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Isn't FREE Just DUCKY!

Check this out! It's great and saves a good deal of time.
Just leave it up to Google to come up with something like this!!!
Here's a number worth putting in your cell phone, or your home phone speed dial: 1-800-goog411. This convenient service from Google is FREE-- Great when you are on the road.
No need to waste your money on information calls or waste your time manually dialing the number.

For instance, if we are driving along in our automobile and we need to call a hotel to confirm our reservations, and don't know the number, I can just hit the number on my contact list that I have programmed.

When the call is made, the voice at the other end says, 'City & State.' I say, ' Orlando, Florida' He says, 'Business, Name or Type of Service.' I say, 'Peabody Hotel.' He says, 'Connecting' and Peabody answers the phone. Isn't that JUST DUCKY? (<- click the link to see the March of the ducks) How cool is that?

This google service is nationwide and FREE!



Realtor GramEpat
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EGGcellent Ideas

What Else Can I Do with an Egg Carton?

I've been storing my egg containers...thinking that my grandchildren might enjoy using them for building blocks when they come to visit. It seems shameful to just throw them in the recycle bin.

I decided to google 'recycle egg containers' and came across many other useful purposes.

(Kermie...Why Wonder? It's Easy to be Green!)

Here are a few that sparked my interest.

Ball Storage - An egg carton makes a great place to store extra golf balls. It makes it easy to sort by brand and condition and they are stackable so they can be stored neatly.

Craft Helping Hand - When working with small round items, use an egg carton to old the item while you paint one side, or just as a holder while they dry.

Fire Starters - fill the paper egg cartons with dryer lint, then pore melted wax over the lint. You can tear apart the sections and use for fire starters when you are camping, or in your fire place. FYI: Use left over candle pieces for the melted wax. (I especially like this idea. If I MUST use the dryer, at least there is a green purpose for the lint!)

Charcoal Fire Starter - Similar to the idea above for fire starters... Using a cardboard egg carton, fill each section with melted wax so that it's about 1/3 full. Place a piece of charcoal (one brickette) in the wax. Close the carton and place on a shelf until you're ready to use. To use, remove the top of the carton, and place the bottom half in the grill. Light the carton. Wait a few minutes and then add more charcoal. This will eliminate the need for lighter fluid.

Plant containers or seed starters Poke a few holes in the bottom for drainage. Fill about 3/4 with potting soil and vermiculite. Plant seeds and set in a sunny window.

Money Container - Use old egg cartons to store your change for garage and yard sales. Egg cartons are good for this because you can separate all the change and it is easy to access.

Craft storage - Is your craft work area a nightmare? Use an egg carton to store all those little pieces you don't want to lose track of while you're working.

Have any suggestions that you want to contribute? (It's Easy To Be Green)

Realtor GramEpat

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Halloween in Acadia

Hope you have a Happy Halloween.

If you happen to be in the village tomorrow, please stop by. Every Halloween is Open House all day..and into the evening at GramEpat's Place in Somesville!

Traditionally , in our village, the neighbors leave their lights on for the welcomed ghosts and goblins.

Don't forget to stop by my office for your 'photo session'.

Kids...Have fun at the school parties and parades. Hope you enjoy the hay ride in Hall Quarry....and don't OD on all the candy you accumulate on "Ledgelawn Ave" in Bar Harbor.

Realtor GramEpat.com
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Good Things Come in Small Packages

This tiny deer , Little Rupert ,was delivered by Caesarean section at a wildlife hospital after
his mother was killed by a car.




Please be careful when you are driving
on the Maine Roads.
As the weather gets cooler,
the deer are 'out and about'
looking for food.
They feed between dawn and dusk
(and especially love apples).

Photo Les Stocker / Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital
"I Love How You Love Me" Bobbie Vinton
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Wind Surfing with the Eagles

A stormy morning on the coast of Maine.

I wonder if the local ducks and loons are hovering by the Somesville Bridge

or congregating by the Mill Pond Dam.

“Celebrate your success and stand strong when adversity hits,

for when the storm clouds come in,

the Eagles soar while the small birds take cover”

Author unknown

"Some Times I Fly Like an Eagle" (John Denver)

Realtor GramEpat

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Dance Like No One is Watching

"You've got to sing like you don't need the money,

Love like you'll never get hurt.






You've got to dance like no one is watching.















It's gotta come from the heart, if you want it to work." Susannah Clark
Realtor GramEpat
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"Something of the Marvelous"

"In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous. "- Aristotle

When I looked out my dining room window last night, it 'soothed my soul'.

Fall Foliage in Acadia...Could it get any

better than this?

"I dream my painting, then I paint my dream."-Vincent Van Gogh

(Thanks, ALF, for the chuckle! ) Realtor GramEpat

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There's No Place Like Home

When Autumn Leaves Start to Fall,

There's No Place Like Home.

Realtor GramEpat

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Autumn in Acadia

Autumn in Acadia National Park

and paintings by local artist,

Gail Ribas.

Both are Truly Amazing!

"and the joy we share, as we tarry there, none other has ever known"

Realtor GramEpat

Thank you Gail for your sharing your incredible talent!

Realtor GramEpat

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A Lone Loon and the Full Moon

The lone loon that hangs out in our cove was feeling pretty frisky this evening!

**Wonder if he's looking for a date?

Ever wonder about the full moon making people looney?

A lot of people base a full Moon as a probability of success, and a time where people buy and sell stocks and also make decisions about other investments, such as real estate.

If you're feeling looney, and anxious to make a decision, I will be happy to help you find your "PEACE' of Maine ;)

(Gail , Thank you for letting me insert your loon painting in the corner of the photo that I took this evening in our quiet cove on Long Pond.)

Many thanks to the volunteers, interns, and financial supporters of the loon study program at the Somes Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary on Somes Pond.

**It is believed that loons mate for life. How awesome !

I hope that my bachelor loon soon finds his soul mate!

Realtor GramEpat

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What a difference a day makes

What's the difference between a bad hair cut and a good one?

About a WEEK!

(I can't take credit for that comment...but "how true it is" !!)

Realtor GramEpat's Repurpose Products tip: If you run out of fabric softener, just dump in the contents of one of those little hotel conditioner bottles!...Clothes come out soft and fragrant!

"What a Difference a Day Makes"

(Hang in there, Don! We're thinking of you!)

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When Autumn Leaves Start to Fall

As I was walking in our historic village, admiring the beautiful Fall Foliage, I remembered how much fun we had as kids, ironing Fall leaves, hoping to preserve their beauty. We used to pick our favorite ones, place the leaves between 2 pieces of wax paper ...and then iron them until the wax melted. Of course, it probably also melted to the bottom of the iron and all over the ironing board cover!

If I remember correctly, we attempted to dry the leaves with paper towel first.. (kids today would probably dry them in the microwave)...then we placed them in-between two sheets of waxed paper, waxy side against the leaves. We ironed them for a minute or so, until the leaves were coated with wax. ..then peeled off the paper and admired the end results.

"You don't have to spend a lot of money to have a good time"..When Autumn Leaves Start to Fall.

Maine Realtor GramEpat

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Berry Good Autumn

The storm has passed us by! The colorful foliage is still in tact!

Time to put away the emergency kits, grab your LL Bean hiking boots and camera, and join the Leaf Peepers headed for the National Park . Another beautiful day in paradise!

Let me know if you want to come to MDI for Columbus Day weekend.

There are still some cottages available...I'll save a spot for you.

Realtor GramEpat

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(Thank you, Gail Ribas, for capturing the beauty in your 'Berry Good Autumn" Painting)

Better Hurry. The Storm is Brewing

Hurricane Kyle is headed for the Maine Coast. Time to fill the water jugs, locate the radio, flashlights, candles and matches, fill the kerosene lamps and load the wood stove. Thank you, Cindy, for the blog posting offering great suggestions for a home emergency supply kit. (...now..if I can just remember where I put the kit! )

Thanks, Gail ,for the Acadia National Park Ocean Drive Photo

Realtor GramEpat

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I BELIEVE....
"Every time I hear a newborn baby cry,





Or touch a leaf,








or see the sky,










Then I know why, I BELIEVE .
(Happy Birthday, Matthew) Realtor GramEpat

Thank you, local artist, Gail Ribas for sharing your incredible talent.

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Red Tea and Roses

Walking to the Village Post Office this past week, I noticed the abundance of rose hips on the Rugosa bushes that line the sidewalks. Ever wonder how to make rose hip tea? I asked several of neighbors if they knew how to do it.... and no one seemed to know the process. I couldn't imagine that it was too complicated. I promised them that I would do a Google search and share the recipe. Now,...if I only owned that row of bushes that so regally landscapes my neighbor's yard!

Realtor GramEpat

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Sunset and Moonrise Cruise on MDI

Last night was the perfect opportunity to enjoy

the sunset at Bass Harbor Light

and the moonrise at Seawall!

"There are so many things all around us, if we Just take the time to see".

Thank you, Acadia Region Corvette Club

for coordinating the cruise around

Acadia National Park.

And a special thanks to GrampE Bob for the photo and to local artist, Gail Ribas, for capturing the beauty.

"Moon River....I'm crossing you in style some day"Realtor GramEpat.com

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Carriage Roads & Memory Lanes

'A Walk in the Park'

"I'll be seeing you

In every lovely summer's day

In everything that's light and gay

I'll always think of you that way"

September on Mt.Desert Island...

"Could it get any better than this" ?

(Thank you, Gail, for capturing the beauty)

Realtor GramEpat

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September Sunsets

A few incredible September Sunsets on Mt.Desert Island.. and before we know it, it's Saturday morning again! ...Time to head to downtown Somesville Maine. I wonder what's going on at the local Library this AM? Thank you , Gail , for capturing the magic of Acadia in your paintings. (The bench was placed on the lawn in memory of my friend, Elaine Reddish. She loved a 'good read'!)

If you are strolling thru the village this AM, stop by Realtor GramEpat's place to say Hi. The welcome mat is always out!

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Berry Beautiful

Another 'berry' beautiful September morning on Mt.Desert Island.

I wonder if the any of the Acadia Workshop Artists are 'out and about' ?

Thank you, Gail , (Local Artist: Gail Ribas) for letting me post your incredible artwork on my blog!

Realtor GramEpat

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