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.