A Trip to the Farm Stand

The other morning as I was enjoying my coffee (because I do that now), I overheard the discussion at the table next to me.  Three people were sipping and chatting about events of the day: Was JoJo or was JoJo not a little fast with the men on the season premiere of The Bachelorette? (The verdict: "I'm glad she's not my daughter...")  They then moved on to discussing in some detail "that Kardashian that used to be the father".  One member of the group, a man who looked to be in his late 70's, declared that "she's good looking but not my type" summed things up to finish off the coffee klatch.

My eavesdropping, while amusing, provided to be beneficial as well.  One of the chatters mentioned that his next stop was Patten's, where he was planning to pick up  a pie and some berries.  Apparently Patten's was a place I needed to know about because they were all very excited.

I had to ask.

"Excuse me," I said.  "I don't mean to interrupt, but I'm new to the area. What's Patten's?"

Maine, and specifically Kennebunk, is a friendly place.  They were all too happy to tell me all about Patten's.

"It's the best farmstand in The Kennebunks. Make sure to pick up a pie."

So, later in the morning, I zipped over to Patten's.  The berries were beautiful.  They also had lovely plants, and a nice selection of homemade pies, including my fav strawberry rhubarb.

The strawberries were deep red, something you just don't see in supermarket berries.  They actually looked sweet and delicious.  The blueberries were sweet little wild berries, also never seen in the local grocery store.  I was quite excited.

And then there was the pie.  How could I not buy one? I mean, they had strawberry rhubarb.

Needless to say, I will be adding an extra mile or two to my morning walk.  A slice of pie? An extra mile? I'd say it's a fair trade.

Patten's Farm 
79 North Street
Kennebunkport, ME 04046

Stop, Sniff, Sip

Do you know that saying "stop and smell the roses"?  Well today, in a totally uncharacteristic move, I did just that.  Scary, I know.

I was taking my morning walk and there I was, face to face with this huge lilac bush.  Honestly, I could smell the lilacs halfway down the street, and I stopped.  And I smelled the lilac bush.  Okay, so it wasn't a rose bush, but I actually stopped and smelled the lilacs.  Who is this person I've become?

Those of you who know me know that I'm not really a stop and smell the flowers kind of gal.  I always have a plan and most of the time I'm either on my way somewhere on returning from somewhere.  I have places to go and people to see.

In an even more amazing twist, I stopped for a coffee and I actually got it in  a real cup not to-go and I sat down and sipped leisurely. Who am I?  A flower sniffing, coffee sipping version of my former self?

The funny part of all this is that I think this suits me.  The weather is lovely up here in Maine and honestly, there's no reason not to take full advantage.  So I am.