My time in Maine is always fun and packed with great activities and gatherings.
Thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes and comments you’ve shared - I am glad you’re enjoying these photos from my annual trip to Maine. As you can imagine, aside from all the great hikes at Acadia National Park, and visits to nearby gardens and farms, we also ate very well. We dined at some of my favorite eateries around town. I also hosted large dinner parties at Skylands using foods from local fisheries, farmers markets, and my own vegetable gardens.
Here are more photos - enjoy.
On the way to Skylands, we stopped at this popular spot in Kittery – Bob’s Clam Hut. We come here for the seafood combination platters – clam strips, oysters, shrimp, and calamari. http://www.bobsclamhut.com
Bob’s Clam Hut was first established in 1956 before this section of Route-One became so busy. It continues to be one of the most popular seafood stops for both locals and travelers – we love eating here.
On this day, we enjoyed a lovely lunch at the Islesford Dock Restaurant on Little Cranberry Island in Islesford, Maine. The restaurant is right off the harbor with pretty views of the Acadia National Park mountains. https://www.islesforddock.com/
Sitting at our large table – my friends, Douglas Friedman, Kevin Sharkey and Hannah Milman.
It’s a great place for farm and sea to table food – everything is cooked fresh. This classic beer battered fish and chips is a big favorite.
Here I am with a birthday dessert.
Whenever I am in Maine, I generally bring a chef with me, so there is a professional to mastermind all the cooking. There are at least 15 to 20 for each meal. During this week, Chef Pierre Schaedelin and Sous Chef Aron Cutuc managed the meals. My friend, Federico, who loves to cook, helped in the kitchen – he had a great time and was such a delight to have around.
I love paella – and it is such a great option for parties. One weekend, I hosted a gathering at Skylands for 20-guests. Here is the paella cooking – it requires very attentive care.
Here is Chef Aron stirring the rice with the seafood, chicken, pork and vegetables. The round grill ensures even heating during the cooking process. Unfortunately, just before dinner began, it started to pour, so everything had to be moved indoors to my dining room – it was a big scramble.
But, we set a lovely table with a very cheerful setting.
Here I am with the finished paella just after it was brought into the house. Everyone was so hungry.
I have two of these 36-inch paella pans – they’re perfect for feeding this large group.
Everyone loved the paella – many wanted seconds.
For dessert, homemade peach pie and sorbet. And of course, the peaches came from Frog Hollow Farm – the same peaches I am selling on QVC – order yours now! goo.gl/kKDQxK
On this day, we enjoyed a pleasant brunch on the West Terrace.
Kevin put together this pretty arrangement using colorful zinnias from the garden along with very colorful plates to match.
Here I am with Chef Pierre behind our buffet table. I always work very closely with Pierre to plan the meals. We use local food sources as well as whatever vegetables are in season in my gardens.
Here, we enjoyed Pat LaFreida’s jambon-style ham, smoked salmon and delicious fresh fruit.
Pierre cures the salmon, marinates it and then slices it – such a beautiful presentation. This salmon is from our friends at True North Seafood Company. http://www.truenorthseafood.com/
I just love this photo of our poached eggs on purple cabbage leaves – so easy to prepare and so beautiful.
The following week, Chefs Molly and Nick came up to Skylands to oversee all the food preparation. And Federico was ready to cook some more – he loves learning how to cook!
Here is a table setting I put together for another dinner at Skylands. This outdoor gathering was under clear skies.
We prepared braised leeks from my garden. First we browned them in a skillet, then we braised them for hours with a vegetable stock we made with the leek tops.
Here’s Chef Nick making blinis. Blinis, smoked salmon, dill, and creme fraiche make great dinner-party starters.
We also had pommes d’anna. Chef Molly sliced potatoes on the mandolin and shingled them in concentric circles and brushed them with clarified butter between layers. Then she seasoned them with salt and pepper and baked them until golden brown.
Also on the menu – split lobsters with buerre blanc. The lobsters were poached to cook them half way, then they were split. Next, the lobsters were grilled and brushed with beurre blanc and herbs – they were excellent.
And for dessert, Chef Molly made this stunning upside down peach cake. Kevin took this photo in just the perfect light. The peaches are from Frog Hollow Farm. goo.gl/kKDQxK
We also enjoyed Chateau D’Esclans rose from Whispering Angel.
It was a wonderful summer dinner at Skylands. Everyone has such a good time.
Did you see who was eating this delicious ice cream on my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48? Take a look to find out, but it’s a cone of “Moose Tracks” ice cream from Tracey’s Lobsters + Clams in Sullivan, Maine. It was the perfect afternoon treat. On my next blog – more photos from Skylands, my beloved summer home.
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Comments
Love, love, LOVE the flower arrangements in photos 22 and 29!!! Those are some of the prettiest yet! I love how the green flowers match the green on the table cloth! What kind of flowers are those pretty green ones, anyway?
Posted by: Vicki Powell | August 25th, 2018 at 9:51 am
I am enjoying looking at these photos of your time at Skylands! You had a very busy, but fun filled vacation. The food is always so elegant, beautifully presented.. and the tables look lovely. I love the floral arrangements and the settings. You look lovely, Martha. I like the two shoulder less tops you're wearing in a couple of photos. Blue is your color. I look forward to the next installment of your time in Maine. Thank you, Martha.
Posted by: Judy | August 25th, 2018 at 9:51 am
Martha, the food looks gorgeous and delicious. What a great time you had! It’s already making me nostalgic for the summer days that have passed. Summer always seems to rush right by us. These photos are fantastic!
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | August 25th, 2018 at 10:11 am
Well dear another candle added to. Your pretty cake not really I saw no candles ..
Love love always pics from Acadia when your enjoying your beloved home so good to see your birthday events.
I Am a lil behind in amount of candles
Jan 1
I will have 77 candles
Gees we do look fab girl
Love
Gail
Kevens flowers are out of site
Like the faux lime green cloth with grey naps
Posted by: Gail clarke | August 25th, 2018 at 12:01 pm
Hi Martha,
I always thought I had a pretty good imagination but I would fail if it were my job to plan such fantastic meals for all those guests! Impressive paella, lobster, peach cake, ham and salmon and the flower arrangements are amazing! I love the ones lining the table in photo #22. Wow! You are the expert with meal planning and your guests are lucky to be the recipients! Thanks for sharing. Trish
Fabulous! Where to start. The zinnas were gorgeous.Love them.Chef Pierre Schaedelin is the best!! The paella looks scrumptous as does all the delicious food you both prepared.
Frog Hollow is out my way & I see him/them every Saturday @ our farmer's market. They have lovely, delicious fruit.
Posted by: Joy | August 25th, 2018 at 1:31 pm
Hi, Martha;
This is a whirlwind of a blog and one can get dizzy with the sights of delicious food, happy chefs happy to be around fire and stoves, happy guests around pristine table settings, commanding flower choices as center pieces and appetizing food arrangements.. 😀
The love for good seafood and fresh garden produce is show in all menus.
Weather changes and rain make such times more memorable in the long run and add some adventure spirit to otherwise precisely organized moments.
Very inspiring to see many of your crafts also taking prominent positions on the table and on the side.
Thanks for sharing and have an amazing weekend.
Yildiz
Posted by: Yildiz | August 25th, 2018 at 2:45 pm
Beautiful pictures as always. Martha, could you please share who make or where can I found the round grill you use for making the paella. I love it!
Posted by: Damaris | August 25th, 2018 at 4:21 pm
Martha,
I've been so enjoying your photos from Maine. You should spend at least a month there in the summer. The food looks fantastic and Kevin's floral arrangements are gorgeous. I also love the Whispering Angel, such a luscious wine and our local Costco has it at a great price. What a treat it must be to be a guest of yours at Skylands, and just imagine all the wonderful memories you're making for Jude and Truman!
Posted by: Sara Stewart Wainwright | August 26th, 2018 at 12:15 pm
The presentation is half the "yummieness"! (Is that a word?) -Love the look of the potatoes and poached eggs!
Posted by: Kandy Maharas | August 26th, 2018 at 12:46 pm
Martha & team,
I have said so before but you have no idea what it means to be able to read and enjoy such a well documented and photographed blog. Having spent 3 weeks ill at home lying in bed, your blog was once more one of the highlights of the day.
Thank you
Bee
Posted by: Bee | August 27th, 2018 at 3:51 am
So beautiful and delicious.
Posted by: Sallyhicks | August 27th, 2018 at 8:37 am
I look forward to your posts from Skyland, the pictures are always so beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Brenda.V | September 4th, 2018 at 9:21 am
Beautiful post I love Maine, the food the flower arrangements. Kevin always amaze us with his beautiful flower arrangements and chef Pierre with his dekdious and beautiful food presentation. Everything looks perfect Martha, the table settings and the decor and the lighting love it
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | September 25th, 2018 at 10:49 am
Love, love, LOVE the flower arrangements in photos 22 and 29!!! Those are some of the prettiest yet! I love how the green flowers match the green on the table cloth! What kind of flowers are those pretty green ones, anyway?
Posted by: Vicki Powell | August 25th, 2018 at 9:51 am
I am enjoying looking at these photos of your time at Skylands! You had a very busy, but fun filled vacation. The food is always so elegant, beautifully presented.. and the tables look lovely. I love the floral arrangements and the settings. You look lovely, Martha. I like the two shoulder less tops you're wearing in a couple of photos. Blue is your color. I look forward to the next installment of your time in Maine. Thank you, Martha.
Posted by: Judy | August 25th, 2018 at 9:51 am
Martha, the food looks gorgeous and delicious. What a great time you had! It’s already making me nostalgic for the summer days that have passed. Summer always seems to rush right by us. These photos are fantastic!
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | August 25th, 2018 at 10:11 am
Well dear another candle added to. Your pretty cake not really I saw no candles ..
Love love always pics from Acadia when your enjoying your beloved home so good to see your birthday events.
I Am a lil behind in amount of candles
Jan 1
I will have 77 candles
Gees we do look fab girl
Love
Gail
Kevens flowers are out of site
Like the faux lime green cloth with grey naps
Posted by: Gail clarke | August 25th, 2018 at 12:01 pm
Hi Martha,
I always thought I had a pretty good imagination but I would fail if it were my job to plan such fantastic meals for all those guests! Impressive paella, lobster, peach cake, ham and salmon and the flower arrangements are amazing! I love the ones lining the table in photo #22. Wow! You are the expert with meal planning and your guests are lucky to be the recipients! Thanks for sharing. Trish
Posted by: Trish | August 25th, 2018 at 12:56 pm
Fabulous! Where to start. The zinnas were gorgeous.Love them.Chef Pierre Schaedelin is the best!! The paella looks scrumptous as does all the delicious food you both prepared.
Frog Hollow is out my way & I see him/them every Saturday @ our farmer's market. They have lovely, delicious fruit.
Posted by: Joy | August 25th, 2018 at 1:31 pm
Hi, Martha;
This is a whirlwind of a blog and one can get dizzy with the sights of delicious food, happy chefs happy to be around fire and stoves, happy guests around pristine table settings, commanding flower choices as center pieces and appetizing food arrangements.. 😀
The love for good seafood and fresh garden produce is show in all menus.
Weather changes and rain make such times more memorable in the long run and add some adventure spirit to otherwise precisely organized moments.
Very inspiring to see many of your crafts also taking prominent positions on the table and on the side.
Thanks for sharing and have an amazing weekend.
Yildiz
Posted by: Yildiz | August 25th, 2018 at 2:45 pm
Beautiful pictures as always. Martha, could you please share who make or where can I found the round grill you use for making the paella. I love it!
Posted by: Damaris | August 25th, 2018 at 4:21 pm
Martha,
I've been so enjoying your photos from Maine. You should spend at least a month there in the summer. The food looks fantastic and Kevin's floral arrangements are gorgeous. I also love the Whispering Angel, such a luscious wine and our local Costco has it at a great price. What a treat it must be to be a guest of yours at Skylands, and just imagine all the wonderful memories you're making for Jude and Truman!
Posted by: Sara Stewart Wainwright | August 26th, 2018 at 12:15 pm
The presentation is half the "yummieness"! (Is that a word?) -Love the look of the potatoes and poached eggs!
Posted by: Kandy Maharas | August 26th, 2018 at 12:46 pm
Martha & team,
I have said so before but you have no idea what it means to be able to read and enjoy such a well documented and photographed blog. Having spent 3 weeks ill at home lying in bed, your blog was once more one of the highlights of the day.
Thank you
Bee
Posted by: Bee | August 27th, 2018 at 3:51 am
So beautiful and delicious.
Posted by: Sallyhicks | August 27th, 2018 at 8:37 am
I look forward to your posts from Skyland, the pictures are always so beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Brenda.V | September 4th, 2018 at 9:21 am
Beautiful post I love Maine, the food the flower arrangements. Kevin always amaze us with his beautiful flower arrangements and chef Pierre with his dekdious and beautiful food presentation. Everything looks perfect Martha, the table settings and the decor and the lighting love it
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | September 25th, 2018 at 10:49 am