Beach combing in Maine this past weekend
This past weekend, a nice group joined me at Skylands, my home in Maine. We were busy with business meetings and also a television shoot for my upcoming season. We were watching the weather reports intently, as Hurricane Bill was looming out at sea. Being outdoors is a major part of visiting Acadia National Forest and we managed to have some great walks before inclement weather arrived. Beach combing is great in Maine.
1 Before Hurricane Bill arrived, a group of us went beach combing at the Seal Harbor beach. Here I am holding up a large piece of triple growth kelp.
2 Sharkey and Francesca always love the beach - even when it's windy and cool.
3 Here is Francesca foraging in the seaweed-covered beach. With the churning surf, so much seaweed had been washed ashore.
4 A little boy played with his truck - he reminded me of my nephew, Charlie, when he was small.
5 Franny looks so small against the pink granite rocks on the beach.
6 Sharkey looking out to sea - as though sensing a bad storm was imminent
7 Holding up another monstrous growth of kelp
8 Something smells good to the dogs - perhaps a mussel?
9 So much to see and smell - crabs, mussels, kelp, and other seaweeds
10 The dogs must be wondering why no one is in the water. People have been warned of the approaching storm.
11 What do you suppose Sharkey is digging for now?
12 Whatever it is, Francesca is interested in it also.
13 Oh doggies, it's just a gull feather from a gull friend.
14 Sharkey loves smelling this empty muscle shell.
15 The rest of the gang from New York City had just spotted us on the beach. - Lisa Wagner and Charles Koppelman
16 Hannah brought her dog to Maine, as well. It's a havanese!
17 James, Hannah, Kim, Mary, Lisa, Charles, and me
18 James and Hannah
19 I loved my seaweed so much that I carried it for a long time. It was so leathery.
20 A child was playing with these little trucks - or are they shoes?
Martha !
You are so adorable with Sharkey and Francesca "beach combing" as you drag around your prized "leathery" sea weed. Something about the seashore turns all of us back into children
You are so lucky to be there. Can't wait for your new shows to begin in the fall 
keep having fun!
michele aka the crafty cameleon
Posted by: michele gallagher | August 26th, 2009 at 1:00 am
I am the first time in twitter and I don´know how goes, and clickt at your link, for now love regard klaus h, Duisburg, Germany
Posted by: Klaus h | August 26th, 2009 at 3:26 am
Love the pictures of the dogs, looks like they had a great time 'skinny dipping' in the water.
Posted by: Lily VonSchtup | August 26th, 2009 at 6:13 am
I love the seaweed your carrying. Hurricane Bill churned up the New Jersey coast too. We had ferocious rip tides. Those pink granite rocks are beautiful. I love Maine. I've had a number of vacations in Maine. Thanks for sharing your pictures.
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: Linda | August 26th, 2009 at 7:27 am
you should collect the sea weed very good for the garden, and also leave in water and use the contents for strengthening roots of shrubs and trees.
Posted by: aussie gal | August 26th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Martha dear,
You absolutely crack me up with that seaweed! It's like, was that the only treasure you found throughout your day of beach combing? Ha! And speaking of 'combing', love you hair so undone...Martha in "real" time!
Also loved the little guy with the truck.
Francesca and Sharkey were up to their normal sniffing and searching..."F & S Investigative Services"! Very cute.
So, I don't know what you do with seaweed from Maine but down here in Florida we rinse it and through it in the compost pile. What ever became of your lovely limp treasure?
Nice group of beachcombers, I might add!
Posted by: tinay | August 26th, 2009 at 10:37 am
In spite of it being somewhat of a 'working' weekend, it looked like a fabulous time, even despite hurricane Bill's looming. Everyone looks so content and relaxed, like one big happy family! Franny and Sharkey, of course, are included as 'family' status, as well! [giggle]
Over on the TheDailyWag today, the girls, as you are already aware, talk about their beachcombing experiences, too. (The 'gall' of their gull friends, who are only friendly when they're offered gullgoodies!) [grin] Since my little Edgar's passing in late July, his little sister Mandy is now beginning to have a voice there, and she posted today that no way, was she going to get her precious paws wet in the ocean surf! For any cat owners who are part of your blog family, they can ONLY imagine or envision this potentially humorous scenario, I'm sure! [giggle]
I mentioned on Twitter this morning, too, that I KNOW the first show of your new season, beginning September 14th, will be a good one. From taking summer off of watching already familiar shows from the previous season, in seeing you again since your hiatus, it will be like reuniting with an old friend. And yes, I'll prob'ly get teary-eyed (I can't help it!), and my love for you and all-things-Martha will well up so in my heart and spill over with a little mistiness.
I am looking forward to it!
=^..^=
"Scatter thus your seeds of kindness ~ All enriching as you go ~ Leave them. Trust the Harvest Giver, He will make each seed to grow."--Anonymous
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | August 26th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Looks like fun! Love the little red shoes!
Posted by: Kim Smith | August 26th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
So cute how your little doggies love being at the beach! My nephews also have those little "truck shoes". That movie was so popular with little boys!
Posted by: Alyzabeth | August 26th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
saute that triple growth kelp with butter mmmm
Posted by: Erv Server | August 26th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
You are a breath of fresh air from all the political stuff going on.
Posted by: Linda | August 26th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
very nice!!love il!
Posted by: Emanuele | August 26th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Looks like great fun! We just missed you; my husband, daughter, parents and I were in Bar Harbor in the middle of the week. One of my favorite places to visit!
Posted by: Beth | August 26th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
the rocks in the shoes reminded me of the beautifully fascinating collaborative Zen Garden/Rock Cemetery/Stonehenge-esque playground at the foot of the Pemaquid Pt. lighthouse in Maine. We were there last week. My kids are teenagers and it took us a good hour to get them out of there - they were so busy with their creations.
P.S. Martha, I'm so excited - just got tix to a Premiere Week show! Yippee!! Can't wait! Hope you're ready!
Posted by: Joanne | August 26th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Kind of looks like cousin It!
Maine is somewhere I would love to visit someday I'll be sure and watch your show.
vickie
Posted by: Vickie Morgan | August 26th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Ghost In The Rain
This love that won't leave me my bane,
Makes me feel like a ghost in the rain.
As I circle and twist try to break free
The feeling of losing keeps coming o'er me.
There seems no direction guidance in life.
I have done nothing to warrant this strife.
The flick of a switch,a rotation of degrees.
My past meant nothing I fell to my knees;
The helplessness I felt,the futility of it all.
There's no one to know my incredible fall.
A ghost in the rain, and the windows are closed.
There must be escape, a safe way out I suppose
Love shouldn't be painful or filled with regret?
Joy and respect surely that's what to expect?
No envy or criticisms, no jealosy or hate
Longing only to love, and the world to abate.
First I must find you, I know where you are
Much too far to reach, my elusive shining star.
Hope, great expectations evaporate into mist.
A message in a bottle with an unusual twist.
0__________________0
Posted by: celia stock | August 26th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Thanks for sharing the photos. F&S look so happy! Haven't combed Maine's beaches, but the Pacific Coastline yields wonderful treasures. I have a whole mason jar full of beach glass in the window.
Posted by: Curious Domestic | August 26th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Hi Martha, What a fun blog! I love the photos of you and the girls enjoying your beach combing. The photos of you with the cool kelp are magnificent. We have neat kelp here on Puget Sound, but it is long and tubular. My little Dudley Do Right sure would love to go beach combing with Francesca and Sharkey here on Puget Sound or up there at Seal Harbor!!! Sure missed you on Ask Martha today, but look forward to Aug. 31st and Sept. 10th. Really anxious for your new show to begin on Sept. 14th. Will it be about your beautiful home, Skylands?! I sure hope so!! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 26th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Thanks for the posts, and have a great day!!
Posted by: kristin svens | August 26th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
I love walking up and down the beach whenever I'm near one. It's calming and good exercise! Looking forward to September 14!
Posted by: Kari | August 26th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
.
"Nothing is impossible if you want it badly enough," said Burnett Clark Spencer to his child.
To Celia's ghost locked in the mist, your words are your gate. Keep wording.
Burnett's Kid
.
Posted by: http://andyjspencer.blogspot.com/ | August 26th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
My favorite book as a child was One Morning in Maine and this brings that back to me.
Posted by: MarthaAndMe | August 26th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
What a great shot - so cute. There's just something so special about 'little shoes'.
Posted by: pat merewether | August 26th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Beachcombing is perhaps my favorite pass time! Thank you so much for sharing - I needed a virtual vacation.
Posted by: pat merewether | August 26th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
It looks like a wonderful weekend!
Posted by: The Consummate Hostess | August 26th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Hello Martha,
This seems to be an amazing place I need to visit.
What a great piece of seaweed you found!
~ Gabriela ~
Posted by: Gabriela | August 27th, 2009 at 8:50 am
How ironic! I was camping this past weekend at Acadia National Park when I thought of you and wondered what town your home in Maine was located in. The beach combing was great for sure...but I only pocketed one seashell and a piece of clear sea glass before the big waves hit.
It was a treat being on the show with you back in March and I look forward to seeing what's new on your Halloween shows this fall!
Posted by: Crystal | August 27th, 2009 at 9:09 am
A day of beach combing in Maine = a perfect day!
Posted by: Julie Young | August 27th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Wow!! Flashback, I also loved that seaweed. I can feel it and smell it. I grew up in RI, great beaches, and live in SOFL, tropical beaches. Heritage's from Maderia. I love the Atlantic Ocean, Just clickin around and found your blog. I'll be back. =)
Posted by: Norma Dauer | August 27th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Martha, I just love all of your button down shirts. Is there a particular brand or store you buy them from?
Posted by: Jana | August 27th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Martha, love all of your Acadia pictures. I miss it so much, wish I could make it over there every year!
Posted by: Michelle | August 27th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Love the pictures - you're lucky, when my doggies are interested in something on the beach it's usually a dead jellyfish or donkey poop, both of which they find excellent to roll in or snack upon!
Linked to your site in my latest blog entry: http://blog.mrandmrsx.com/2009/08/28/from-russia-with-love-part-2.aspx
Posted by: Christine | August 28th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Martha, I thoroughly enjoyed looking at your photos. Having grown up on Long Island (I now live in central New York), most of my fond memories are beach-related. When I bring my two children to visit family, a trip to the beach is always made. Indeed, when we visit at Christmas, instead of going to the malls to hit the sales, we pack a picnic and head to our favorite beach on the north shore. we comb the beach and then make a wood fire to warm us up. We grill over a charcoal fire and "kick up" the fare each year. It has become one of my family's favorite traditions.
I miss the beach and my family so much. Regrettably, we have not been able to make the trip this summer, but we're looking forward to venturing down this October. The beach is beautiful then as well!
Posted by: Chris B | August 28th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Great pictures.It reminds me of how much I truly miss living near the ocean.Looking at these pictures,I can almost smell the salt in the air.Maybe someday,I'll move back to Nova Scotia.
Posted by: Marlene S | August 30th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Looked like a lot of fun for you and the dogs. I have never had seaweed. Guess when you think of seaweed you think of a weed not something you would eat. I have never been to the coast so I am pretty ignorant when it comes to some of your food choices. Thank so much for sharing the pics and information. I find them so interesting and educational.
Posted by: Judi Geiger | August 31st, 2009 at 4:21 am
HAVE BEEN TO THE EXACT SPOT IN SEAL HARBOR! EVERY JULY! ALWAYS LOOK FOR YOU WHEN WE GO TO THE BEACH OR DRIVE THROUGH!
Posted by: Meredith Entin | August 31st, 2009 at 3:34 pm
What a large see weed your holding. Your an adventurer indeed.
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Posted by: remove acne fast | September 1st, 2009 at 5:21 am
I have just found your website and love it! Thanks for sharing. I would also love to read a book by you about your experiences in the prison. I have never heard much from you about it and think it would be interesting. Thank you.
Posted by: maryanne merritt | September 1st, 2009 at 6:37 pm
i enjoy the antics of your little frenchies. i have two min. doxies and they can really crack me up. whenever i see sharkey she has a mellow look in her eyes, francesca has an attitude look most of the time
Posted by: janelyn johnson | September 4th, 2009 at 1:55 am
I love the little truck shoes!!
Posted by: fantastykVoyager | September 5th, 2009 at 9:52 am
I like kelp's you holding. I have never seen the real one before.
How do you feel when you holden it? You are brave person i thought.
Posted by: Wedding Invitation Boxes | September 6th, 2009 at 4:48 am
I've recently met a few Frenchies in person - they stole my heart! Such personalities!
Posted by: WJYD | September 29th, 2009 at 4:21 pm