Finale of the Bakery and Baby Tour

I arrived in NYC by bus in the late afternoon--The KAPPS had given me directions on how to get over to their Chinatown apartment from where the bus had cast me off into the street....I being the tourist I am grabbed a starbucks and hopped on the subway- made it there with no problems!

When I arrived I was greeted by two of my favorite adults- David and Cecily Kapp---both very talented artists who live in this gorgeous apartment in NYC. They also live in the summer in Friendship- and own my favorite spot on earth---Briney Brow cottage. But that's a different post.

After getting settled- I took a walk on Broadway for an hour or two and than came back to have dinner with them at the house--they are two of the best cooks ever, so this is no small thing.
The next morning I woke up (still very very sick with a cold)- and decided I was going to walk from Chinatown to Central park---about 1 hour walk in my world, and like 60 blocks in NYC language. It was 60 degrees out and beautiful and I enjoyed every second of it. I stopped at two bakeries on the way: Wild Daisy on Sullivan St. which had amazing bread- so I stalked up and got one for lunch and other meals.
I walked through the village- which is my favorite part of NYC- and stopped in Washington Square Park- which for reasons unknown is my favorite park in NYC.... I think it's because it's near where the KAPPS use to live on MacDougal St. and I have visited it like every 3-4 years of my life starting at age 12. SEE REFLECTION AT END OF POST.
Then I found CITY BAKERY somewhere on one of the numbered streets- i think like 14th street. It was beautiful and had one of the best scones I've ever had in my life--- and they let me take pictures as they found it amusing that a girl from Maine was taking pictures of things like muffins and cookies.
I eventually made it down to Central Park where I sat on a rock and watched Ice-skaters as I ate my roll from Wild Daisy.... I have to say that is so satisfying to be on your own schedule in a place that you love to visit-- you can do whatever you want and not worry about the other person you are with. I mean you do get lonely and wish for someone to go have a drink with or what not--- but it is so awesome to just lazily stop at bakery's or any odd store along the way-- and then wonder around Central Park and not ask yourself a hundred times if the other person is having a good time. But maybe that's just me- I have sort of a guilt complex.
I came back to Chinatown via subway and met up with Cecily who gave me the best tour of Chinatown ever--- we visited amazing tea shops, had a chinese massage (very intense), went into seafood/meat shops and grabbed a bubbletea....it was awesome- besides that fortunes we received from the Buddhist temple that weren't very good--we threw them away in protest!
- and than went out with the KAPPS + their son Arthur (who I've known since he was like 3 years old) for dinner in Chinatown.
The next morning it was raining so I was dragging my feet a bit--- i went to some weird store with Cecily that she thought I would like--- but I hated it, and had to politely tell her it wasn't for me and made my way back uptown- where later in the day I was to meet my friend Julianne.
I decided I would visit this awesome bakery since I was back up that way--- it ended up being my favorite- 2 Red Hens. Since I had accidently hiked for 2 miles- I ordered the biggest piece of Pumpkin Gingerbread available and had a cappachino to go with it. It was the best meal in NYC.
From there I visited the MET briefly before squeezing in a short visit with Julianne---(I don't recommend trying to squeeze in 6-8 months of whatevers going on in your lives in one short visit---it makes people ansy- even good friends like us). I went back to the Kapps after shopping for Christmas presents on broadway- and they took me out for some amazing food in the village for my last night.
The next morning I left for Maine---and very happy to finally be returning to my husband, and animals!

REFLECTION IN WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK:
As I was sitting on a bench in WSP on a warm morning- I couldn't help but think about who i was 10 years ago when I was sitting in essentially that same spot. At age 17 I was fresh out of highschool and wondering about what college would be like...I'm sure I was more insecure and less sure of myself-- but I was pretty much the same person just in a different part of my life- wondering what the next journey would be like. At age 27 I'm sitting analyzing things like starting a family, my house, and how the hell I am going to get this bakery business going... I'm still scared as I was at age 17- but I'm also excited, and more positive things will work themselves out. It makes me wonder what I will be like at age 37---what will I be thinking of then? Will I be there with my kids watching them run around- and being excited about being in a big city with so much going on? Will I have the same feeling of contentment as I did at age 17 and 27-- that I can travel from smalltown, Maine by myself and be okay in a big city. That I'm not an incapable person- that I can handle things on my own- but secretly wishing that Ellery was with me? I hope that I'm still so amused by life and the places it takes me- and things it throws my way. I hope this girl from Maine will always get a kick out of traveling to places out of her comfort zone.
CHEERS.

Babies and Baked Goods Tour Part 2- Washington D.C.

For the second leg of my journey I traveled from Baltimore to D.C on the MARC train--after meeting up with Ellery at the Baltimore airport (he didn't think it would be right if I met our nephew before him).
We got into D.C around mid-day and first thing met our new nephew- Ethan Russell Lankin. What an adorable baby- and usually I don't find babies adorable right off. I had caught a ridiculous cold about this time so I couldn't play with him much which was sad--- but it's not like babies at this age can play very well anyway. They mostly just sleep, or poo, or eat or cry. Sometimes though they look off into space all googly eyed and you are suppose to act very impressed-- and say things like: "Wow he just looks so intelligent", "my god is he smiling?"-- but mostly every expression on a newborn is because of some sort of bowel movement or gas.
Its still sort of new to Ellery and I being an aunt and uncle....like we know in several years that this will be a much bigger deal- and we can't wait to have him up to Maine to visit his crazy relatives and take him hiking, lobstering, fishing, etc. Throw him in mud-puddles and such--- things he can't do in the city. But for now we just sort of stare at him like everyone else.

We went out for some awesome Sushi in D.C on our first day--- and this was one of Ethan's first outings. His parents were surprisingly not as nervous as I thought they would be....he slept for a lot of it which helped I think. Oh plus Thalia and Josh are pretty awesome parents so far.
We made dinner in that night.
The next day we visited Georgetown cupcakes-- which is the new hip place in D.C. There is literally a line out the door, and they have dozens of flavors of cupcakes a day. Ellery and I waited in line and ordered: Coconut creme, gingerbread, Chocolate-Mint, and salted caramel. All very good- could of used more cake and less frosting though. I also have a hard time understand the cupcake fad--- I mean I get it- little personal cakes....but I think a thick slice of a truly awesome cake is better-- or pie or cookies. Cupcakes usually lack something.
We then walked around Georgetown for a few hours, spotted another cool bakery--- and then went and had some beers and pizza for lunch before heading back to Thalia and Josh's for rest and eventually a dinner made by the men! (i was shocked also.)

At this point- although very happy to have hung out with two very cool babies---I was ready to head to NYC and be on my own schedule--- which involved my own feeding and sleeping times, and lots of more walking around. I left Sunday morning by bus onward towards NY- as Ellery flew back home by plane.

Bakery and Baby Tour of the East PART ONE

2 Weeks ago I left to visit Baltimore, DC, and NYC. I wanted to do a solo trip to prove to myself that I can travel places on my own and survive. Ellery did however meet me in DC for two days- but besides that I did it entirely on my own, and I am pretty proud of myself.
Here's what went down.

BALTIMORE:

One of my best friends lives in Baltimore- I like to be all poetic and think that fate brought us together as friends, because we happened to be neighbors when we both lived in Blue Hill 3 years ago( before she moved away--tear.). Someone told me a Lone cabinet maker lived behind me who was older than me....I went and knocked on her door and found an awesome, young, hip red-head who was only like 4 years older than me. Glad I decided to knock on her door.
Brooke's the kind of friend I can text at 5am in the morning to whine about something that other people would find very bizarre-- and she will answer with something that always makes me feel better. She's also a kick-ass Mom who goes to school full-time.
Brooke has one of the cutest little boys I know--CADE. He's a real charmer--oh man that smile. Even when he is crying hysterically because he's tired, or hungry, or needs a diaper change (I learned this is the three main reasons babies cry) he is still cute.
Most of my time in Baltimore was spent walking around with Cade and Brooke--we visited the waterfront district, but we mostly stayed around Brooke's neighborhood which is pretty cool. Nice shops and restaurants and such. I visited two bakeries while in Baltimore- Boneparte Bakery and St0ne Mill. At Bonteparte I had a Croissant the size of my head that was pretty good--- St0ne Mill was sort of all hype- it looked like it had good bread, but the baked goods were nothing special.
We took a sort of late night walk down to 34th street where the entire section of road is just filled up with awesome Christmas light displays. ...All decked out with Maryland Crabs, or hubcaps, or bike wheels..very cool.
Brooke's awesome husband MYLES picked us up some Indian food on my last night that was realllly good. And than I had to leave to make the Journey to DC via the MARC TRAIN.

ALL in ALL I liked Baltimore a bit more after this visit (I have been once before)...it's def. not my favorite city- but there are some decent places to visit. And their WHOLE FOODS is pretty awesome so it can't be all bad:)

Dear Sallie Mae- Please take my diploma

Dear Sallie Mae-

I have been involved with you for the last 9 years, when I turned 18 I was young, uninformed, and desperate to get a college education. Knowing that my parents were not able to help me out in any way financially I took it upon myself to find a way to pay for college- I took out Private Loans through you after taking out all I could in Federal Loans. I wish I had known then what I know now.
Over the course of the last 9 years you have caused me unbelievable frustration and anxiety. I had absolutely no idea that I would be asked to pay up to $900 a month for student loans; all on a college graduate salary of around 10-12$/hour. After Rent, Food Bills, Phone, Car Payments etc- paying $100 was the most I was able to come up with. I Deferred loans, I applied for economic hardship, etc etc....each time costing me 250$ in fees. 2 Years ago my loans went into Default.
I wish I could say I have a plan on how to pay you back- I am not looking to "screw the system" I'm looking to make a life for myself that doesn't revolve around feeling guilty for every thing I do. I am scared of doing all major things in life thanks to you. Marriage, a family, getting a used car, going on a trips- these are all things that I have to worry about you taking away or hurting.
I'm writing because I am SO FRUSTRATED. I'm sick of the phone calls from 8am-9pm, I'm sick of being threatened that every paycheck will be taken away from me, and if I ever in fact "make it" with a small business etc, you will take it away.
I reached my breaking point today when one of your representatives told me "I was better off being unemployed with nothing, because at least you couldn't take my money than." I am a healthy, able-bodied 27 year old woman- I am able to work and when I do find work in the near future although I will be incredibly angry that my whole check is going to blood-suckers like you- at least I have something you cannot take away- My pride, and morals- something you so obviously lack.
You threaten me with court, and fines- but at this point I'm ready for it...please bring it on- please let it end, even if I'm bankrupt or a judge has sentenced me to pay 50$ a month I'm sure it will be a better negotiation than what you are offering...which is essentially my head on a platter.
Enclosed is a copy of my diploma- I wish I could give you back my education, so you would leave me alone. Let me be and let everyone else who is in my situation stop suffering- our only crime is wanting an education.

Sincerely,
Sarah Havener
Sedgwick, Maine

The Unemployment Woes.

I have been Unemployed for over 2 weeks now- which is not 100% true I suppose- I have gardened, gone lobstering, and cleaned houses off and on over these longgg few weeks.
Being Unemployed sucks. There is no better way to describe it. I wake up every morning trying to scheme up ways to make a buck in the middle of Maine, in the middle of a recession, at the beginning of winter.
Plus I'm picky- I'm sick of taking dead-end jobs that I hate. I realllllyyyyy want to be working for myself baking, or at least working in a decent bakery.
Every week I make myself a gigantic list of things that i can do around the house (since we just bought one the list is never ending.)- I have scraped, puttyed, and painted two rooms in two weeks. I do the grocery shopping, the cooking, most of the chores that we wouldn't be able to get done normally. However I still feel like a failure.
I am a college educated, 27 year old woman looking for work. How did this happen?? I feel like I can't fully blame it on the economy. I always take jobs that start in April and end at the end of October- because in Maine this is when there are a plethra of jobs! And they are my type of jobs- outside work, lobstering, physically exhausting jobs, or the one I really scored with this summer- breakfast chef/baker.
Oh well I'm just singing the woes- but I can't help it.
Schedule for today:
1. Coffee + Breakfast
2. Long walk with Tess
3. Garden (yay 2 hours of work!)
4. Work on Sarahndipity Pies
5. Harass potential local employers for work
6. Bake to ease Anxiety/Woes.

Okay I'm done whining....I would just like to give a shout-out to all unemployed people out there going through the same thing....it's hard and it takes a lot not to just start freaking out.

Here's to finding some work.
Sarah

Abstract Thoughts.

Sometimes I want to lay in a field.

I walk by this ridiculously beautiful field with my dog Tess about once a week. It has this little stream that runs through it that leads to the ocean....at the mouth of the stream there is this tiny little red cabin, that contrasts so amazingly with the deep blue water, and yellow/orange of the field this time of year. I imagine what the people in the cabin must do at night, huddled by a small wood stove or fire, enjoying a hot toddy or playing cards. I want to retire like this. Old, with Ellery somewhere beautiful.
Every time I walk by this field I want to just go to the dead center of it and lay down...I feel like this would be the most comfortable place, and the most relaxing to calm my anxious soul. Am I alone in this feeling?
I often have urges like this. I enter someones kitchen and it smells of spices or soup or homemade bread, and I want to sit right down at the table with a cup of coffee or tea and start up good conversation. Or walking by the deep blue ocean on a hot day- it's like I HAVE to jump in, to feel what the ocean is like on my skin.
Sometimes I just want to be a color. Green yellow grass. Dark black night with a fall breeze. Blue Green ocean on the lobster boat. White snow prints through a trail in the woods. Dark Chocolate Brown Cake.
These abstract thoughts take over my brain- they relax me when the weight of the world is on my back. I found myself on my cellphone today when i walked by that field.....I stopped I said I had to go to the person I was talking too.....I feel like in a lot of ways, the only ways I've grown up in the last few years is by appreciating views, and moments that are important. But that's got to be something right?

Pie Tastings and Dragon Fly sightings

The Leaves this last week have turned from intense bright yellows, oranges, and reds--- to a more muted tone. It's this time of year that starts to give me some real anxiety (which is not anything new if you know me).... It is so incredibly beautiful out, and the air is perfect and the colors are amazing...but yet I start getting freaked out that snow is right around the corner...and a very long winter. I've caught myself more than once telling Ellery that I wish it could be like this all year, and never change. I guess if i wanted to beat the seasons, I should be living somewhere else. However- I think the reason I love Maine so much is because of the seasons--- you really earn your sort of spring/summer, and fall because you go through about 5 months of winter!

Anyway in other news- I had a Pie Tasting last week at THE CAVE in Brooklin- a fantastic wine, cheese, and chocolate shop that I use to work at. My friend Laura so generously let me have Pies and cakes out for sample to get the word out about SARAHNDIPITY PIES AND BAKED GOODS.
On the menu: Pumpkin Pie with a Chocolate Ganache (see picture), Apple-Raspberry Pie, Plum Torte, Flour less Chocolate Cake with a chocolate ganache, Bacon-Blue Cheese-Leek Quiche and Bucklyn Coffee Cake cookie bars. It went really well, and I'm really hoping I get loads of Pie orders for Thanksgiving!

Yesterday Ellery and I went for a hike in Cape Rosier (the prettiest place on earth)--- we found a pretty cool trail that led us down to a pond that beavers had taken over. We decided to take a nap in the sun and all of a sudden tons of Dragon Flys were landing all over us. They were beautiful reds and blues. I get a real kick out of moments in life like this. A seamlessly normal sort of day that really just lifts my spirits.... I know there are many perks about living in the city- but really I totally appreciate being a country girl in these moments. It's doubtful you would get to take a nap by your husband next to a beautiful pond on the waning days of fall and have these beautiful jeweled creatures land on you. Someone remind me of this in a few months when I'm complaining about the snow.

Cheers for now. -Sarah

It's been awhile

It's been quite sometime since the last time I blogged. Lots of things have happened. For one we bought a house in May, and than two weeks ago Ellery and I got married!
It was a blast, and I am so incredibly happy with every single second of it. I am so lucky to have such amazing friends and family and a beautiful area to live in that made the day amazing.

However two weeks later and I'm sort of still feeling a bit of the post-nuptial blues. Not in any way related to my love for Ellery or regretting being married. Just general blues, let down that comes from having a HUGE event in your life be over, and resuming normal life. I think you expect things to be gigantically different once your married- like all of a sudden things are suppose to be exciting and adventurous and all that fairy tale stuff. Truth is after the honeymoon, life resumes. You walk the dog, you go to work, come home cook dinner, (and in our case continually work on the new house), and than you go to bed. Nothing is that different. Life goes on. Also friends/family seem to want to avoid you after the big event is over....like they fear they are interrupting a very important part of your life. Truthfully I have been sort of a hermit- we haven't seen many people since the wedding. However I would just love it if someone wanted to do something and chat. I could use a distraction.
I've been baking a lot of course to pass the blues. Blackberry Apple Pie, Plum Torte, Upside down cakes, Homemade Mayonnaise, Pesto, Chocolate Chip Pancakes. My husband thinks I'm trying to fatten him up. Really I just love to bake.
I've started a Pie Business- Sarahndipity Pies- it's off to a slow start but I'm hoping someday it will take off, and I can just work for myself instead of working for others. I dream up Pies and Cakes during mundane activities--- i think of different flavor combinations before bed and when i get up in the morning. It's sort of an issue. haha.

Despite my post-nuptial blues I do have this deep appreciation for my husband (and I love saying my husband). Ellery is the single person in this world who gets me. He makes me laugh when I'm feeling like crap, even if I really don't want to laugh. He gets me excited for things ahead in life. He reminds me that our wedding was just one day- and the best is yet to come. I adore my husband. And I am so lucky to have met my soul-mate and be married to him. So eventually I will get over these blues (maybe if this awful rain would end!!), and we will have a hundred events to look forward to over the course of our lives. Till the next one, I think I will go bake a Pie.

I stopped crossing days off the calender

I am a little OCD---With more things then one as I have informed you before. My constant thing for the last few years has been crossing days off the calender every evening before I went to bed. It was like I was continuely waiting for some huge event to arrive- and by crossing days off it might suddenly appear!

Well I can say now that I no longer cross days off- (okay a make a tiny little triangle in the corner but still!)......this is because something huge event has finally happened.....I am ENGAGED! As of New Year's Eve- I'm sort of still on a high about it. Although a funny thing happened a week after where I started realizing that all the things I thought I DIDN'T have going on in life---well come to find out I do. We are planning a wedding for the fall, My Fiance (weird to say) is becoming partner in his business, and we are still looking to buy a house hopefully by summer if the right one comes along. 2011 seems to have some pretty spectacular things going on so far. (That's right 2010--take that you complete asshole of a year!....okay now I've probably jinxed myself.)

However me being me I must admit I'm COMPLETELY overwhelmed when I start to think about all of it. Everything I thought I wouldn't have for years might very well happen within a year or less? There's been a few anxiety attacks- a few small hyperventilating periods....but mainly I'm still very excited for this year. And thank god I have amazing friends and family who are willing and able to put up with me through all of this and help me out....(Thank you thank you thank you.)

In food news I have become quite the expert on the following:

Pear Upside Down Cake (Cooks.com has a great recipe- but I use cream instead of Milk)

And Quiche----try this one out: Bacon, Blue Cheese, Shallot--- or Sun-dried Tomato, Red Onion- Parm.

Basic Quiche:
6 Eggs
4 cups Half and Half (or Milk if you want less fat)
pinch salt and Pepper

*Whisk together the above ingrediants

Prepare whatever filling you are going to use---anything in the fridge really will work as long as you have some cheese in there I think that's key!

Add filling to pie crust- then add egg mixture.

Bake at 350-375 for about 45 minutes. Takes less or more time depending on stove. So good!