So, where were we...

I'm attempting to get back on track; eating right, working out, blogging regularly, crossing items off of my to do list, all the good stuff. Why wait until 2011? Now is as good a time as any. My focus - healthy living, physically and mentally. (Anyone else get those happy endorphins when checking an item off of your to do list?)My winter challenge - make one positive change each week. Can you help keep me going? Razz me when I slack?

Change one: Water
Winter is dry, the wood stove makes the humidity in the house low, and except for the fantastic local moisturizing products I use - I need to drink more water. A bit of wisdom from a wonderful woman, Miss Georgia Deane, the fountain of youth is sweat. My rationalization; sweat keeps your skin moist and soft, the physical activity you do to create the sweat keeps your body young - so it must be true!

So I'll continue to slather on Maine Mountian Soap Company's Lanolin Balm on my hands every night before bed, moisurize my skin a couple of times a week with Soapwalla's Moisturizing Body Oil, and keep my cheeks rosie and bright for the holidays with H.G.O. Lab's Neroli Face Oil. As for the water - tea to keep me cozy and hydrated, and water, water, and more water. By Klean Kanteen will be joining me as my sidekick yet again. My goal - 2 bottles of water a day, plus tea, juice and anything else that comes my way. 

Another bit of wisdom from Georgia, stand straight, when you lean on one leg or the other you get saddle bags - the bit of chubby on your hips and butt.

Seasons bring change.

We're packing up to move into a new house on the river for the winter. The Crock-pot is out full of hearty foods, warming our bellies on these brisk fall days. Frost is a mainstay in the early morning and the leaves are almost gone. We've been using the wood stove in the kitchen for a few weeks now and Kody is sleeping on our bed again.

Mom and Dad were just up with Courtney and Goldie for a peek at Maine's incredible fall foliage. They were definitely happy to be back on pavement after all of our adventures traveling the dirt roads, but we saw incredible falls and enjoyed hiking.

We even stopped to take some family photos at Grand Falls. After climbing those steps we needed a rest.

I'm hoping we will see a little more of fall before the snow comes, but we've already seen light squalls. Next time Mom and Dad are here we'll be snowmobiling.

Maine has been full of new adventures for all of our family members. Brian's Mom and Ted will be joining us up here starting in December. They've purchased a camp rental management company and are finally making the move. It will be good to have family so close.

Here's to a healthy happy Fall and an exciting change of the seasons. And plenty of warmth cuddled with the ones we love.



Kodiak, Our Little Bear.

By now many of you have met the lovable, cuddly, snuggly, adorable puppy who has joined our family. Kody has been keeping us, along with everyone we know, very busy. At 13 weeks, he is 21 pounds and growing far too quickly for my adoring, loving heart. Kody is a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy full of life, love and bounce. His teething and energy have kept us busy. He is the most well socialized pup I've met. When work calls friends visit Kody all day long to keep him active and from peeing in the house. He has a very busy social calendar, with a trip to meet Grandma and Grandpa Willette at the Greenville Sea Plane Fly-in, a week at Pop and Nana Spalton's while I'm traveling with work, apple picking, and frequent trips to Northern to see his friends. His list of visitors is astonishing and thankfully never ending as we share in his excitement.

Our friends Elyse and Sonya have taken him for a swim, he's been bathed by Pappa, and he's lots of new canine friends. Soon we'll start walks with some other friends in the neighborhood and we can't wait for snow.

Our love abounds for our new addition. If you haven't met yet, he may melt your heart as he has ours. If I love this little guy so much, I'll be a puddle of mush when it comes to our babies. Good thing I have plenty of time to pull it together.

See you soon.

Mangia! Eat, eat.

Brian and I finally got to spend some time together - no work, no appointments, just him and me and 2 days to do whatever we wanted. After weeks (months, really) of chaos we nixed camping and decided to get our things done around the house. 

First thing Saturday, after sleeping in late, we headed to the Farmer's Market. Fresh veggies, bison steaks, and some homemade goat cheese filled my tote. Brian enjoyed his first trip to the Skowhegan market. And we headed home to cook after a quick stop at Hannaford's for a few more things. We cooked away alongside each other, covered in flour with me learning all sorts of new tricks.

First up was bread - loaves, knots, and baguettes.

Loaves turned out the best, along with the knots. The soft roll recipe is not really best for baguettes, but we had so much dough we figured we'd try. Next up was a bolognese, with ground beef and sausage.

Master of blanching and peeling tomatoes, I left the heavy lifting (seasoning) to Brian. It was delicious and way easier than I ever thought. Bonus, our tomatoes were paste tomatoes from One Drop Farm, who got the seeds from a family friend - whose Italian grandmother had been growing and using solely this type of tomato for sauce making in her family for generations.

Whole wheat fettuccine provided a hearty base for our bolognese. Eggs and flour, simple as pie. The KitchenAid pasta tool worked like a pro - the most fun part (except for stealing kisses from my hubs).

Brian hard at work.

Thinning out the dough.
(And looking adorable in my apron thanks to Mom!)

We finished up the day with an apple crisp, complete with cranberries, walnuts, and apples from Maine.  Friends, Elyse and Emily, joined us for a feast and brought great wine.

Sustainable Love.

With wedding planning done, it is time to turn focus inward and start taking care of my hubs and me. We may be a small family, but I love taking care of us.

Sustainable, local living has become increasingly more important to me - and Brian likes my enthusiasm and appreciates my focus on keeping us healthy. So I've decided to finally start concentrating on integrating local foods into our meals. By the time we have children, I would like to be eating only foods that were grown, raised, or produced with a conscious. The main reason: a healthy lifestyle for my family - to avoid the hormones and antibiotics, the pesticides and cruelty that commercial farming often passes on.

My goal not only includes food, but all products that we use. Green goods made by renewable resources from carbon neutral or limited companies also makes a difference. It's about a healthy home for my family, and a sustainable lifestyle that is good for our earth.

I'll keep you updated on how we are coming along. First up, researching the resources in our area and making connections with farmers. And hopefully soon, canning some of the delicious produce that we will only have for a short time, as the leaves are already beginning to change.

Here we go again.

Things are never quiet in our crazy little world. Since the wedding we have been super cute and domestic. Brian's been cooking and grocery shopping. I've been reorganizing and getting laundry done. But then a little bird sent a reminder, we don't live a quiet life. Enter, chaos.

It's "angry august" here at Northern, when guides get burnt out and staff gets tired. Everyone has been pushing through doubles and weeks with no end since July. It's the race to the finish to make money before everyone heads their separate ways before winter. Separate ways? Oh yes, that means ARE WE MOVING?

Our fabulous house, with tons of space and some mice is far too big for heating without some wood. And scaredy me doesn't want to heat with wood in the old house when Brian's at work all night. So, we need something smaller. No biggie - except the question in all conversations. Will that be in MAINE or MASS? Oh, boy.

We've been stealing quiet conversations over lunch, trying to figure out where we fit best. And there's the prodding new discovery, Brian's job in Mass he has been working towards for years is hiring. Yes, they called - and yes, he'll be in Mass next week.

But we're here now, semi-settled in a town with no school for the future babes. Moving is a must - but location is debatable.

Calling all brides.

Be happy. If you do nothing else on your wedding day; be happy. Don't worry whether or not everything is in the right place, or if you've forgotten something. It will all be perfect, after all, at the end of the day you will be married to the love of your life. (and if you can follow through with the other two hints - everything else will get any needed attention)

Surrond yourself with incredible people. I was overwhelmed by the excitement that surrounded our wedding. Our family and friends were abuzz about attending our wedding, how happy they were for us, and how much they were looking forward to our celebration. A big part of this was vacation time, as our wedding was a destination for all of our guests and many stayed a few days before and after. But it wasn't just about a few days off - people we really EXCITED for us to be husband and wife! I love it! (and my amazing hubby!!!) What made it even more special were the friends that shared their talent - a sweet friend was my bridal attendant (a huge help and lets you breathe deep), a new friend played his guitar for our ceremony (one of the sweetest gifts), my wonderful cousin did our ceremony reading (with love and some tears), and at a last minute request to lead Amazing Grace, three dear friends stood up and sang their hearts out for us.
{Advice: People love you, let them share their gifts on your big day - it is truly a most special gift}

Include everyone, or at least as many people as you can. This was the key to my sanity. My bridesmaids have always been amazing people and they were superstars for my wedding. We also had a ton of hands helping us make our big day - aunts baked cookies, his mom and grandma made table runners, my father cut card holders and refinished a beautiful screen, my mom did a thousand things, friends of the family cut fruit at our cabin, helped us with hair and make-up, made fabric flowers (I love this project!), and my aunt came through in a last minute request with the most beautiful sentimental something borrowed a girl could ask for. And then we overtook one of my bridesmaid's parents inn room in a whirlwind of dresses and make-up.

Many hands - when all have open hearts and focused hands - do indeed make light work.

With love,
Mrs. Crater

Wholly Moly - Hold ON

Last few weeks have been a whirl wind - like HOLY MOLY WE ARE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE1

Put on rose colored glasses, hold on tightly to my chair and make sure nothings coming from behind to throw me back into the tornado.

WHEW!  I think we're safe.

Quick recap:

• Brian cut his leg WIDE open (first ambulance ride since we've been together)
• Guide Training (more on that later) week of beating my body to a pulp
• Mom-mom passed - heartbreaking loss, she will be truly missed
• Nikki, my boss at Forrester, left to become the Chief Home Officer for her family
• We started moving into the house we are renting for the summer
• My sister is getting MARRIED this weekend

Oh yeah, and there's that wedding of my own that's getting closer everyday!

Enter major time on the computer, family crafts, and lots of hugs from my new friends in Maine. Trying to convince Brian that getting 20 small tasks that have no looming deadline makes me feel better than doing 1 big thing = my sanity is returning.

Soapwalla Kitchen

Back in middle school I had a friend who's mother was a nurse and switched her to aluminum-free deodorant. And that's when it started - my search for a natural product. Back then I only wanted it because my friend had it. But now I realize my momma blessed me with beautiful skin and don't I owe it to her and myself to keep it safe and healthy?

After years of casually searching for something (those rock sticks you wet, totally ineffective natural producs)that actually worked, I stumbled upon the Earth Friendly Weddings after a recommendation from a friend. Second post I read - all about a fantastic deodorant from where else, but my favorite place Etsy!

Soapwalla Kitchen makes an all-natural, aluminum-free deodorant cream in her Brooklyn apartment. It is fantastic! It smells incredible, is as smooth as lotion, and isn't irritating after showering. I highly recommend it, even if you aren't looking to change deodorants. I forgot to stir it before using and it wasn't very effective, but on the second day after some stirring it worked great. Dry and smelling like roses, I'm HOOKED.

And a bonus, I needed more body oil (way better than lotion in the summer, I put it on one night a week and no slimly lotion skin when you get sweaty, by the way) so I tried Soapwalla's Luxirious Moisturizing Body Oil. It's HEAVEN and smells delicious.

Mmmm...Avacado.

I love food. And right now I'm hooked on this delicious treat:

A fresh, soft roll from the Good Bread @ R Family Farm picked up at the Skowhegan Farmer's Market toasted; topped with melted goat cheese, cool slices of ripe sweet cherry tomatoes, and avacado.

True heaven. And best enjoyed with a glass of Three Blind Moose Riesling.

Try it for yourself - let me know what you thinkg!

Oh Greenville. My Love.

The town of Greenville is the epitome of a classic New England lakeside town. It bustles in the summer with tourists hoping to catch a moose sighting, decked out in their Maine sweatshirts and flip flops. In the winters things quiet down while many shops close up and residents hunker down waiting for the first major storm.

Greenville is why I fell in love with Maine. Our save-the-dates needed to be just as charming. They are the town's first introduction to our family and friends. The solution, vintage postcards.

Vintage photographs of Greenville were reprinted into post cards by a local vendor, Vintage Paper Image. They are perfect. I could print all of the information right on the card, and finished it with a personalized stamp from Sugar Letter on Etsy. Adorable.

Pitter patter...goes my heart.

I know, I know....I've been a terrible blogger. What have I been doing? Planning my all consuming, help me I'm drowning, but I love it so much I can stop starting new projects WEDDING!

Why have I been so selfish and not shared? Cause I've been sucked in and don't want to come up for air. But, all good things must be shared...plus this is what I want to do for the rest of my life, so I'd better let out the secret that I have new found skills. Crafting like a maniac and loving every minute of it. <3

Get ready...

A little-bits crazy - A lotta-bits fun.

This past weekend my sister and soon-to-be brother-in-law came to have some fun in Maine. My used-to-be adventerous, wild and crazy, have no fear sister is now the spitting image of my "we are going to fast, will you just slow down you crazy maniac" momma. Out for a spin on the snowmobiles, she was all bunddled up and ready for a ride. Half way to our destination she was ready to be there and Michael may have been internally bleeding from all the hitting to slow down. But we made it to Jackman.

Refreshed from lunch, it was time for a change. We had to have the sleds back at 4:30 p.m. and at 2:45 with 35 miles to go 20 mph wasn't going to cut it. Laura was bold...she let me drive with her on the back.  Michael rode my 1-up sled and Brian was on the F6...zooom! off we went.

I checked-in a time or two to make sure she wasn't totally freaking out (or had fallen off) and it was smooth sailing. That is till I took a wide corner at 40, slid on some ice and almost knocked her and I completely off. But Laura was the perfect passenger, she stuck her leg far enough out that if we tipped all the way over she wouldn't get stuck and she pushed us back up before we ever stopped forward motion. Whew!

Everyone made it back in one piece, and no interal bleeding for me. Laura's quote of the day, "I didn't hit you to slow down cause I knew you wouldn't care. Rachel'd just get off the sled at the end of the day and ask "why are you such a pansy?""

It was an awesome trip!

So many UPDATES.

What a bad blogger I've been...so much has happened in these past few weeks!

Brian took a new full time job dispatching for Sommerset County. He misses being a cop; and the importance and meaning in his career so he's making his way back to law enforcement. First stop dispatching, next stop police force.

I'm back at Forrester working 15 hours a week. I have my own desk in the Northern office and I can walk down the hall to my computer in my sweatpants. It's been awesome so far. There is even a table full of snacks which brings memories of the girls back in Boston.

And we're looking at camps! With Brian's new job he'll be working a 12 hour night shift which means it's time to move out of our Northern Outdoors apartment. Our one room apartment isn't ideal for opposite schedules. And with no windows its hard to do anything in the daytime without turning on a light or two. Rent up here is just as much or more than a mortgage payment and utilities would be with real estate so cheap so we're looking at camps/year-round homes. That way if we ever want to move we still have a place here for vacation. (And visitors can stay for free!)

A little taste of home.

I finally got around to making baked beans. Boston Baked Beans, as if there is any other kind. They are pretty yummy, a little bland but perfection takes time. Brian went back for seconds so they can't be half bad.

Now if you don't already know, I'm a total foodie. I love food! I'm particularly fond of the hunt for the best food; restaurants, speciality shops, and organic everything. My beans had a mix of the best stuff  - organic onions, hickory smoked thick-cut bacon, sugar, molasses, navy beans, mustard.

In case you'd like to try them for yourself. I edited the recipie I followed so that yours will turn out more flavorful. If they come out a little bland and lighter colored at first don't worry, they get tastier and darker the next day.

Boston Baked Beans
1 pound beans (navy beans work well)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 pound bacon or salt pork (bacon gives a smoky flavor)
1/2 medium onion (peeled, not cut)
4 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Soak your beans in a bean pot or casserole dish overnight.

In the morning pre-heat oven to 325˚ and fill a dutch oven half full with water and baking soda. Bring to a boil and add beans, cooking for 10 minutes. Strain beans, saving the water they were boiled in. Rinse beans with cold water, set aside.

Line bottom of bean pot with half of your bacon/salt pork. Place your onion in, then cover with beans. Use remainder of bacon/salt pork to cover the top of the beans.

In a bowl mix all other ingredients with 3 cups hot bean water. Stir till combined well, pour over beans. Baked covered for 6 hours checking hourly for moisture. Beans should be moist, but not flooded.

Pleasant Pond Mountain.

Wednesday we decided to hike to the top of Pleasant Pond Mountain. The first tracks up the mountain of the new year. Greg, one of the snowmobile guides/groomers, gave us directions - leaving out one fact that newbies must discover for themselves - turn left at the fork!

With our snowshoes on we hiked in to the sign that said 1.3 miles to the top. Doesn't sound too bad? Except there was two feet of snow on the ground and if you don't know; snowshoes does not mean that you float. We made it to the Appilachian Trail hut where Brian found the sign for the toilet. Then headed around to a logging road following the trail before seeing the sign that said 1.1 miles to go!

Apparently we took the long way up and around the back side of the mountain, which added almost another mile. So up we went -and up and up and up. We stopped halfway up for some crackers and cheese with an incredible view through the trees.

After a snack, off came the snowshoes as we had to climb (me falling every step of the way) up the mountain. Grabbing onto tress and slipping on the snow we made it up the steep embankment only to see the trail kept going. Not long after it was time for lunch.

Thanks to Mom we enjoyed organic tomato soup. All warmed up it was time to head back down which was much easier now that we knew the shortcut.

Over The River.

And through the woods, into the great big snow we go!

Saturday night's storm dropped almost two feet of fresh snow. And today we had a day off so we strapped on the snowshoes. Brian got a good laugh as I attempted to tromp down a path along the Kennebec River. After a mile and 10 stops to catch my breath (a foot of snow on top of your shoe is HEAVY!) we decided that I am the most out of shape skinny person we know.

But we couldn't call it quits; not with all that powder. I rented a sled and Brian hopped on his and off we went. After lunch down at The Hawk's Nest something crazy happened. I actually took Brian up on the offer to ride his Arctic Cat F6 SnoPro. My first reaction, "It's like a magic carpet!" I was whisked away over the bumps and up the trail. I have since apologized and let Brian know that I am sorry, but I can not give his sled back. It is mine now. (He thinks that's the okay for a new sled) Silly boy.