My Birthday Weekend in Maine
Earlier this month, I posted a blog about preparing two of my Friesian horses for their journey from my farm in Bedford, New York to Skylands, my home in Seal Harbor, Maine. I also posted a blog about a terrific walk with representatives of Maine Coast Heritage Trust. Since then, I’ve been so incredibly busy and it dawned on me recently, that I never blogged about the actual birthday weekend itself, which was an action-packed fun-filled few days.
1 At Skylands, every weekend starts with an exciting hike. For my birthday, three friends - Doug Newhouse, Dan Hinkley, and Robert Jones - climbed to the top of Beehive, one of the most exhilarating hikes in beautiful Acadia National Park.
2 As I said - exhilarating!
3 Boat rides are also a very important activity. Here is half of the group about to board my boat. We went off in search of seals.
4 We were all amused that this pair of ospreys decided to build their nest atop a channel marker. A great spot, actually, as they have a bird's-eye view of fish swimming below.
5 Along the way, we navigated through wisps of mist.
6 When we arrived at Bunker's Ledge, a small island in the mouth of Seal Harbor, we found lots of seals. They just love this seaweed covered mound.
7 In the evenings at Skylands, we play pool, ping pong, and shuffleboard. Daytime activities include bike riding along the trails in Acadia.
8 Breakfast the next morning was alfresco. This day we had nectarine pancakes, waffles, and Canadian bacon.
9 The grounds of Skylands look magnificent!
10 These walls never cease to amaze me.
11 G.K. looking statuesque in these fine surroundings
12 And speaking of statues - there she is! A larger-than-life bronze 1934 nude, reclining woman, called La Riviere, by French artist Aristide Maillol!
13 This urn on the terrace, planted with begonias, was glowing in the sun.
14 And these purple begonias are stunning! The cascading green is baby's tears.
15 The terrace gardens are quite lush and the Orienpet lilies are amazingly full and tall.
16 You may recall when this Eric Soderholtz urn was planted with Alocasia last June. Its growth is fantastic!
17 There were so many lilies in the garden to cut and decorate the house with.
18 This is an arrangement of alocasia and feathery asparagus fronds from the vegetable garden.
19 Another amazing lily arrangement at the front entry way
20 Two of my guests brought their horses to join me riding through Acadia on the carriage roads.
21 My Friesians, Rinze and Ramon, enjoy visiting Skylands and Acadia National Park.
22 Muffin and her husband Jimmy really enjoy riding on these pristine carriage roads.
23 And I really enjoy their company.
24 These carriage roads were carved into the granite peaks and built to last.
25 Another boat ride took us to Islesford Dock on Little Cranberry Island, where we had a delicious lunch. Jane Heller had a great time.
26 Many of us ate steamed lobsters, served with lemon and drawn butter.
27 Another hike was to Great Head in lightly falling rain. Here we are on top of the highest cliff overlooking the sea. Andy Nussbaum and Muffin Dowdle are two wonderful friends.
28 And so are Dan and Robert!
29 Another great breakfast - smoked salmon from Russ and Daughters, New York bagels, watermelon, and beautiful fruits from Olson's in Silicon Valley
30 A hike on Sand Beach was another diversion for me and my guests.
31 Sand Beach is the largest and prettiest sand beach on Mt. Desert Island.
32 My chow chow, Ghenghis Khan, in the carriage house before a Bar Harbor buckboard, designed for use by hotels as a beach wagon during the holiday season. It was built around 1915 in the town of Bar Harbor, the biggest town on Mt. Desert.
33 Three close friends - Charlotte Beers, Dr. Holly Bannister, and Memrie Lewis
34 Sarah Carey made my birthday cake - a giant baked Alasaka.
35 We took a jaunt to visit the amazing Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden in Seal Harbor.
36 This garden was designed in the late 1920's by renowned landscape designer and local Mt. Desert Islander Beatrix Farrand in close collaboration with Abby Aldrich Rockefeller and John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
37 This lovely and colorful garden has been passed from generation to generation and is meticulously cared for to look pretty much as it did in its original form. It's only open to the public for a few days per year at the peak of bloom.
38 When you're on the go, as we are in Maine, you get really hungry, especially when the food is so fresh and delicious. These beautifully prepared vegetables are all from my garden.
39 Lightly toasted crusty bread from Balthazars
40 All make for a healthy and gorgeous lunch - sauteed artichoke hearts, haricovert salad, sauteed green pepper, French potato salad, and sweet sliced tomato.
41 One night we had barbecue and everything was delicious.
42 One of the many delicious desserts we made for the weekend - a fresh apricot galette - very flaky and yum!
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
What a wonderful birthday weekend!!! All the guests look happy, and Skylands is BEAUTIFUL!!!!
I really like all the ferns and moss and rocks, and dream that if I live long enough, I can have something like that on a smaller scale...much smaller.
I think it is great that you don't mind having your picture made, even when you're all wet.
Gloria G!!!!
Posted by: Gloria | August 19th, 2011 at 12:17 am
Wow! The photography was absolutely exquisite on this blog post. Everything just pops! Thanks for sharing a part of America regularly that I'm unfamiliar with. I appreciate it.
Posted by: Karen | August 19th, 2011 at 12:54 am
Happy birthday Martha, thank you for your website. Me and my family are enjoying a lot of food recipes that I saw and tried from your website. Again, thanks.
Posted by: ivy | August 19th, 2011 at 2:14 am
Hi Martha,
The garden is so beautiful. I love to see those beautiful flowers.
Posted by: Ma. Elena Inaligo Panta | August 19th, 2011 at 2:41 am
Looks like a great birthday weekend, thanks for sharing.
Posted by: ann | August 19th, 2011 at 6:44 am
So nice to see you enjoying your birthday. It was great to see G.K., too! He is so handsome. Thanks for sharing.
Sharon
Posted by: Sharon | August 19th, 2011 at 7:29 am
What a beautiful week you had! The weather was gorgeous. And the BeeHive is a very fun hike, but I do enjoy all the steps on Dorr Mountain.
Posted by: Margaret in Maine | August 19th, 2011 at 7:44 am
Happy Birthday, Martha! Looks like you had an exciting weekend! What an impressive cake!
Posted by: Simple Girl | August 19th, 2011 at 7:48 am
You must be so excited every time you get to go to your home in Maine, it is beautiful. I can never get enough pictures of that area. GK looked stunning in the carraige house. The views of the ocean and the seals, amazing. Thank you so much for sharing your birthday weekend with us. May you enjoy many more.
Karen
Posted by: Karen Tracy | August 19th, 2011 at 8:05 am
Happy birthday Martha, am a new friend from Egypt , hope to you best dayes than last time ago , hope to be so happy as you now, as you hope as you like, thank you for your time
Posted by: amin | August 19th, 2011 at 8:37 am
I know you travel but being home is the best. You had a great birthday weekend. Great photos.
Posted by: ga447 | August 19th, 2011 at 8:51 am
We are all so fortunate that you have taught us how to turn 70 years of age. Thanks
Posted by: ann | August 19th, 2011 at 9:11 am
Hi Martha,
I can only imagine the memories created from your birthday weekend. You are such a great host. I remember a spread in your magazine several years ago of another birthday celebration at Skylands for all the August birthdays of your friends. I couldn’t believe all the people who attended and I know I was in awe of all the tables on the terrace and so much food. I think your friends are very lucky to spend these nice occasions with you and the pictures indicate that everyone was having a great time. Thanks. Trish
Posted by: Trish | August 19th, 2011 at 9:39 am
Hi Martha, Thank you so much for taking the time to share this beautiful birthday blog post with all of us! I love every bit of it and these photos are not only stunning, but very superior! Much of the weather there near Skylands is very similar to our weather here close to Puget Sound. We have fog, sunny days, and misty areas over the sound quite often. This morning it was sunny and suddenly it's now foggy. All of the flowers that were planted at Skylands last spring on your terrace are absolutely beautiful and the flowers inside your home are, also!! Your birthday must have been superb especially with all of your very close friends there at Skylands! Seeing Dan Hinkley, Jane Heller, Memrie Lewis, etc., etc., etc. is so much fun! They all looked so happy! Sarah Carey sure made a beautiful birthday cake for you and all of the food looked delicious! Having smoked salmon and bread from your friends in NYC-fabulous! Loved seeing G.K.-what a handsome fellow! The photos from the MCHT website are outstanding, also! Am going to view these fantastic photos again and then check out The Daily Wag to see how F.&S. Fill in for Susie While She is Away! Have a terrific weekend! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 19th, 2011 at 10:47 am
Looks like you have a wonderful, very busy birthday weekend! What a great way to celebrate...with all your closest friends at beautiful Skylands in Maine. Everything looked gorgeous, as always.
Posted by: Judy | August 19th, 2011 at 10:50 am
is this the party alexis threw for you?
Posted by: chris | August 19th, 2011 at 11:11 am
Many more!!! Baked Alaska -- WOW...how elegant and beautiful....surrounded by beauty and good people....living well is the best...thanks for guiding us to do the same with all your forms of communication...wishing you continued good health!
Posted by: Teresa Touey | August 19th, 2011 at 11:35 am
Hi Martha! Happy Birthday!...and Congraulations on your beautiful grandchild. I have five children and eleven grandchildren...my youngest is six, they are all loved equally. I have been an admirer for years and loved seeing the pix of your birthday journey. I'm a plein aire artist, as well as a portrait artist, and would have loved to set up on one of the spots you visited. Many Happy Returns of the day...and Spoil the grandkids with lots of love and attention! Regards...Sheila
Posted by: Sheila Larsen | August 19th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Martha,
I'm glad it dawned on you that you had not blogged about the weekend. I'm so glad to see all the going-ons of the weekend. I wondered if you had a good birthday. It seems to me you had a great birthday you had all your good friends present. Thanks so much for sharing the weekend blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | August 19th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Martha, you really know how to celebrate! Looks like a blast! Hiking, boating, riding, eating and celebrating with your friends. I need to learn to do that more. Life goes so fast and I love how you are so active, fit, beautiful and inspiring! p.s., love the carriage roads,the lush gardens of Skylands, its all wonderful to see!
Posted by: Frances | August 19th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
Martha:
Felicidades mi admiración y respeto para ti en tu cumple. desde Puebla México.
Gracias por tus aportaciones
Posted by: azucena montiel | August 19th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
...oh there are just not words. Yum Yum Yum.
If our move to upstate NY doesn't work out, I'm heading to Maine.
Posted by: Leigh | August 19th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
Very best birthday wishes, Martha. Looks like it was a very memorable birthday weekend!
Posted by: Bobbie | August 19th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Hi there Martha,
I want to thank you for sharing your birthday weekend!! Wow, I love your blogs and I look forward to them. I think you're an incredible human being. I'm pleased you enjoyed your birthday and that you were able to celebrate it with some of your great friends! The pictures are all so beautiful. I can tell that you had a wonderful time! The view was georgeous when you made it to the top of the area with the bee hive on the grounds of Arcadia National Park. I wish you many more great birthdays!! as well as everyday. I love the food pictures too, very yummy indeed. Thanks for being Martha....
Martha
Posted by: Martha | August 19th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Happy belated birthday, Martha! It looks like you had a wonderful birthday in Maine-gorgeous!
Our family made the frozen rainbow chiffon cake in honor of your special day. You have made such a difference in our lives through your fabulous Living ideas that we just had to celebrate as well. The world is definitely a better place because you were born. Cheers!
Posted by: Morgan Dickerson | August 19th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
What a great set of pictures and experiences you shared. Looks like you enjoyed an amazing birthday.
Thanks for sharing.
David
Posted by: David Shepherd | August 19th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
Hey Martha,
Just love all your ideas and recipes. I have been a fan for many years, but first time for writting. Happy birthday(sorry, I do not know when it is, I feel terrible) but if it is today we share the same day. Beautiful pictures and love your animals. I wish you the best!
Posted by: Jeanette Bream | August 19th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Very lovely celebration and great photo memories! We should always try to 'Live a Good Life'...as evidenced on this blog!
Posted by: sherey | August 19th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
Amazing photos & a wonderful birthday !! We live in Maine & love it !! Happy belated birthday !! Wishing you all the best,
Ellen
Posted by: Ellen Turner | August 19th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Martha, thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures. Happy birthday. You look great!
Posted by: Charmaine | August 19th, 2011 at 7:41 pm
Happy Birthday Martha, You are my favorit person and thank you for leting us injoy your pictures. thanks,
Cora Lee
Posted by: Cora Lee Wallin | August 19th, 2011 at 7:47 pm
You are simply the BEST of the BEST
Posted by: Danielle | August 19th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Happy Birthday, Martha! It looks like you had a great time! Thank you for sharing your pictures and stories.
Posted by: Molly | August 19th, 2011 at 8:23 pm
Dear Martha: You infuse that magical house with life and in return it loves you for it! And so do we. Happy Birthday again! .. Bravo ..
Posted by: Chas Jos Taylor | August 19th, 2011 at 8:30 pm
Martha, Happy Birthday. Maine is sure beautiful and your estate is amazing. I hope to visit that area soon. Arlene
Posted by: Arlene Vastano | August 19th, 2011 at 8:33 pm
You have such a privileged life, can't imagine what you'll come back in your next life, it seems you've reached the pinnacle in this life.
Posted by: mary | August 19th, 2011 at 9:02 pm
Looks like you had an amazing and wonderful birthday in Maine. My hubby and I would love to visit there some day.
Thank you or sharing!
Debi B
Posted by: Debi | August 19th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
Happy Birthday to you Martha! You certainly have made a lot of people happy over the years. You deserve to be happy yourself! Jim North P.S. Does August 22, 1957 mean anything to you? I moved far away the next year.
Posted by: Jim.North | August 19th, 2011 at 11:33 pm
In my next life I want to be the blonde in the window of picture #20. This photo diary was especially wonderful to see after having seen the horses getting prepared for the trip. Thank you so much for sharing.
Posted by: Patty G | August 19th, 2011 at 11:46 pm
Happy Birthday Wishes Martha! Thank you for sharing these memories with us. It all looks so wonderful. I wish more of us would take the time to do this with friends and family. Time away from the busy day to day life is just what we all need...time to strengthen our relationships. The photos are fantastic.
Posted by: Elizabeth Hugh | August 19th, 2011 at 11:53 pm
What a great Birthday in Maine. My favorite place Maine .Happy Birthday and many many more . I am hoping to see canning recipes since the summer is over and the canning season is on .I just got Cranberry Beans and need to pod them and cook them and can them any recipe for canning cranberry beans ? This is the first I have ever seen them or used them . I got them at the Scranton Farmer's Co Op Market in NE PA
Thanks .
Posted by: Joan Iva Buchinski | August 20th, 2011 at 8:15 am
The pictures of your Birthday celebration at Skylands were fantastic. My Husband and I were in Bar Harbor that week in our Motor Home. It truly is a beautiful place.
Posted by: Donna Z | August 20th, 2011 at 8:31 am
Osprey almost always make their nest on markers or duck blinds here. They have even tried to make a nest on our boat top!
Posted by: Mary | August 20th, 2011 at 8:55 am
Dear Martha I loved seeing your pics of your birthday weekend, beautiful home and gardens and wonderful pictures of your friends, tables and food...
We hope as Canadians we will get to visit your part of the USA one day... Lov your show luv your magazines. here in Canada we don't get hallmark anymore and so I really miss your show wish it cow
D be different... But it is what it is... Luv Linda Benedict
Posted by: Linda benedict | August 20th, 2011 at 10:28 am
Martha,
Love it.
Thanks ever so much for sharing your pictures and remembering to blog about the birthday weekend.
Posted by: Margie | August 20th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
Happy Birthday, Martha! I was scouring WP for downloads and came across your site being used as an example. What a wonderful blog! I look forward to reading more of it for tips this coming holiday season.
Wishing you the best year yet for your Birthday...
Posted by: Lisa | August 20th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
Hi Martha, We are just about the same age, Mine is Christmas and I will be 70. Jim and I lived in Maine for 3 years when he was in the Navy. He is a devoted backpacker. He did 3 portions of the A trail while there and we have wonderful memories. We settled in Idaho near the Tetons, so he could backpack and climb these mountains. He actually did the crest of the Tetons about 15 years ago by himself. Last year he and four others did an 8 day hike in Yellowstone. The newspaper called the picture Old Geezers because no one was under 65. Enjoy Maine this summer. There is nothing better. Many more happy healthy birthdays. Lenorah
Posted by: LENORAH DEANGELIS | August 20th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Beautiful weekend on your birthday. Amazing photos Martha Love love
Best of luck and success wish you a blessed year. Mwah
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | August 21st, 2011 at 3:38 pm
What a wonderful birthday weekend. All of the food looked so delicious, especially that bright red lobster and the baked Alaska. Thanks for sharing your pictures. Happy belated Birthday!
Posted by: Festive Party Girl - Angie | August 21st, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Wow! That looks like a very involved "stay-cation." Only YOU could pull that off.... and manage to enjoy yourself along with your guests. I always find it difficult to be event coordinator and also relax and enjoy the event. I guess there will always be more that I can learn from you.
So glad you posted this post-birthday blog entry, as we all turned to your blog on August 3rd to send birthday greetings and there was no birthday blogging.... although we managed to send greetings on entries before and after your birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGAIN, dear Martha. I'm sure you will outlive us all, as you already have.
Posted by: Barbara Gookin ~ Nantucket | August 21st, 2011 at 4:34 pm
Martha! Happy Birthday glad you had a great time, i love the gardens,your horses are so wonderful!
Posted by: Robert A. Carey | August 21st, 2011 at 9:54 pm
I so enjoyed your lovely pictures. What a fantastic weekend!
Posted by: Jane Eiseman | August 22nd, 2011 at 3:22 pm
Always nice to see something about the Aldrichs! My Grandmother is related to the Aldrich's...Abby Aldrich Rockefeller is an interesting character!
Posted by: Allyson | August 22nd, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Happy Birthday Martha!
I also celebrated my birthday over the weekend. I turned 50 this year, and have been reading a book, "Second Spring" to learn how to age gracefully. It just occurred to me that I need only turn to my role model to see how it's done. That would be you!
This may be a bit too cheesy, but one day not long ago, I decided that I needed a female role model (as I was treasuring one of your magazines). I thought hard about females living or dead that I admired, and the reasons why. None seemed to display my curiosity for nature and life, nor were they known for any creative talents that I could identify with. I pondered long over this before I looked back to the magazine still in my hands. As I looked down, my eyes saw your smiling face. Immediately, it registered that I was looking at a naturally classy, multi-talented yet gutsy lady, who has shown a lifelong passion for helping others... all things I could identify with.
Martha, thanks for being the mother, sister, aunt, all rolled into one, that some of us never had. Now when I need someone to show me the way, I know where to turn. Suddenly, the years ahead seem full of wonderful promise and untold opportunities!
One of your many grateful fans,
Debbie from Illinois
Posted by: Debbie Vandemark | August 24th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
Happy (Belated) Birthday Martha! The pictures tell a beautiful story of your celebration. I loved the seals and carriage road. We haven't had much rain in Texas, so not too much in the way of fresh garden produce here.
Best Wishes!
Heather in Texas
Posted by: Heather S | August 25th, 2011 at 10:27 am