Maine Maple Syrup

These yummy, chewy cookies are flavored with pure Maine Maple Syrup and coconut with a few pecans added for those who like a little crunch. If you prefer, you can add some white chocolate chunks, but be sure not to add anything that detracts from the wonderful maple flavor that the pure Maine Maple Syrup imparts.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening, such as Crisco
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 large egg, beaten,
1/2 cup pure Maine Maple Syrup - DO NOT SUBSTITUTE with pancake syrups or you will be disappointed.
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup shredded sweeetened coconut
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a large bowl, cream brown sugar, shortening until light and fluffy. Add egg, maple syrup, and vanilla flavor. Beat on medium speed until well-blended.
Add flour, coconut, and chopped pecans until just combined.
Place by rounded teaspoons, two inches apart, on parchment paper.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown. Cool on pan for 5 minutes. Completely cool on rack before storing in covered containers.

Read More About Maine Maple Products

You can purchase Pure Maine Maple Syrup online at the Maine Maple Products website.

Read the Abenaki legend – Gluscabe Changes Maple Syrup

When I was a child growing up in Portland, Maine,  the streets were safe. They were our playground. Jump rope, hopscotch, soft ball, and other games were more fun when played on the street. If a car should enter our playground we just moved out of the way and waved as they went by. There were several group games we -played; “Mother May I?”, “Red Rover,” “Giant Steps,” and “Dodge Ball,” were a few,  and there were two person games and games you could play alone. My favorite play alone game was one called, “PlainSIES, ClapSIES.” It involved throwing a tennis ball against the side of a building, usually the school or my house, and calling out certain hand actions, which you accomplished from the time the ball left your hand until it bounced back. It went like this:

First round: PlainSIES, ClapSIES, Roll Around, BackSIES, Touch Your Knee, Touch Your Toe, Cross Your Arms, and Away We Go!

With each word you tossed the ball against the building and performed the action. PlainSIES meant to simply throw the ball and catch it as it returned. ClapSIES meant you had to clap between the time it left your hands and returned. Roll Around required you to roll your hands around each other in the same time span. BackSIES meant you had to clap your hands behind your back. Touch Your Knee and Touch Your Toe meant exactly that. Throw the ball, perform the action before it returned. Cross Your Arms meant your left hand on the right shoulder and the right hand on the left shoulder and then catch the ball. Away We Go was a sweeping motion, spreading out your arms in a circular motion before catching the ball.

Now that all sounds relatively simple enough, but that is only where the game began. Once you had completed those successfully, (one mistake and you had to start over) it was time to up the challenge.

Second Round: You had to clap before each action, then perform the action and catch the ball when it bounced back.

Third Round: Once again, between the time you threw the ball and caught it, you had to roll your hands over each other and then perform the regular action.

You get the idea. It was a great hand/eye coordination developer. Just so you don’t think the game ended there, I must add that when you accomplished each of those actions, it then became triple action time. Throw the ball, clap your hands, roll your hands over each other and then perform the required action… all before the ball returned to be caught!

The ultimate goal would be to perform all 8 actions before performing the single action. I don’t recall anyone ever accomplishing that but I remember spending a few years trying, As we became more confident in our abilities we often held competitions at school during recess and lunch breaks. There were no prizes, but there was great satisfaction if you were the winner of the day!

If you grew up in Maine, we’d like to hear about the games you played as a child.

Maine Moose Cow

Grafton Notch State Park is one of my favorite places in the world. Its beauty is rugged and stark at times, and soft and muted at other times. It is breathtaking all year round. Fall is my favorite time of year in Maine, and today, amidst some serious rain, was a beautiful day to enjoy some of Grafton Notch’s beauty and wildlife.

Two or three miles before entering the park, a sweet cow moose was enjoying eating in a small boggy area. She was delighted to learn she was going to be the star of the week at MaineUSA, and posed for at least a half hour.

The moose is the most popular member of the deer family in Maine. You might see them anywhere, but the mountains are where they are found in the largest numbers. They like to hang out in bogs where they eat the little plants that grow in the water.

Always be careful when you see a moose. There are times when they can be dangerous, and times when they will ignore your presence. But… you never know which it will be. So always remain in your car, and if you have a camera, take photos from the window.

Grafton Notch is an amazing repository of nature’s handiwork. Canyons, caverns, caves, waterfalls, and beautiful rock formations are scattered throughout the park. Screw Auger Falls, Moose Cave, and Mother Walker Falls are a few of the spectacular sights. Wildlife is everywhere. Keep your eyes open for moose, deer, bear, coyotes, and eagles.

Grafton Notch Foliage

Whenever the rain slowed down, or stopped for a while, there was a beautiful combination of mist and vibrant fall foliage. I am guessing the foliage will hit peak in Grafton Notch around the second week of October. It’s really beautiful now.

There are picnic tables and grills at the Screw Auger Falls Area. Sit by the water and enjoy your picnic and cookout. You’ll probably see a little chipmunk looking for a dropped piece of bread or cracker.

Maine is beautiful from north to south and east to west. Grafton Notch is in the Western Mountains of Maine and only a few miles from New Hampshire. Those with keen eyes will spot moose tracks along the side of the road, as well as the many moose wallows and bogs that are along the roadside or just inside the trees. Keep your eyes open for a good photo op.

Drive carefully, occasionally there are logging trucks driving through the notch, moose crossing the road, or walking down the middle, and other wildlife could be in the roadway. Use caution, have fun, and Discover Maine!

Display your love for Maine by wearing this beautiful, quality, AMERICAN Made clothing.

Here are the details:

• Sweatshop-free American Apparel
• Made and printed in the USA
• 100% cotton
• Huge range of exciting colors
• Printed using cutting edge direct to garment technologies
• Four t-shirt styles for boys and girls—young and old
• California fleece hoodie

This is the perfect t-shirt for families vacationing in Maine and for people who wish they vacationed in Maine. This shirt is even great for people who live in Maine! If you don’t have yours, this is the perfect time to stock up on the needed styles and sizes. It’s almost time to go “leaf looking!” It’s almost foliage season. Watch for a great list of places to see spectacular Maine foliage to be posted in the next few days. One of those long sleeve shirts or a hoodie just might be in order!!

To order your shirt CLICK HERE

The Beautiful Rock Garden and Cody 030

I first became acquainted with Viles Arboretum a couple of years ago when a friend said it was a great place to get bird photos. All my friends will tell you I love to go places where my camera will get a workout. What a great surprise to discover it was so much more than a good place for birdwatchers!

It’s a beautiful place to visit year round. Viles Arboretum is open from dawn till dusk and, during the winter months, provides an excellent backdrop for cross-country skiing. There’s no charge for the use of this beautiful nature acreage, but I would suggest making a donation to help this organization continue to provide such a wonderful place for Maine families to visit, learn, and use.

Chestnut Celebration - Eric Speaking

Among the treasures hidden in away within the aboretum are the Hosta Garden, the Native Plants Garden, the Governor’s Grove, the Chestnut Collection, the Rock Garden, and the Spring Lilac Collection. That’s only a few things you’ll find there. A number of classes and learning experiences are offered. Call to inquire as class space may be limited. Fees are associated with most classes. Viles has also made sure there are some programs that are wheelchair accessable. If you have special needs, they do request you notify them in advance of your visit to insure your experience at the Viles Aboretum is pleasant and comfortable.

The Viles Arboretum is an independent, non profit 501 c(3) corporation. By becoming a member you help maintain the beautiful trees, gardens, and facilities for present and future generations. Your membership is tax deductable. You can check out the various levels of membership on their website.

Plan a day long learning adventure for your family this summer at the Viles Aboretum. It’s located at 153 Hospital Street in Augusta. Access is easy: CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS

Tour with Master Gardners

For more information on Viles Aboretum, visit their website

Norway Art Festival Winners

Art
Best of Show -  Barbara Traficonte of Waterford
2^nd Mary Brooking of Westbrook
3^rd – Diana Hertz of Gray
Honorable Mention – Debra LaGree of Norway
Honorable Mention – Roland Simard of Shelburne, New Hampshire

Photography
Best of Show – Steve Traficonte of Oxford
Honorable Mention- Bill Bramswig of Chappaqua, New York
Honorable Mention – Robin Priest of Otisfield

Artisan
Best of Show – Jocelyn Hoch, Ebb & Flow Creations of Lakewood Pennsylvania
Honorable Mention – Anne Bernard of Bridgton
Honorable Mention ­– Natalie Reed of Vinalhaven

In addition, the following choice awards were also given:

Purchase Awards
Richard Bader Physical Therapy – Nancy Engdahl of Waterford
Bessy Motors – Chris Bilodeau of Auburn
Norway Savings Bank – Julieanne Reed of Mexico

Norway Business Association
Merchant’s Choice Award – Heidi Wilde of Livermore Falls

The Norway Arts Festival is sponsored by Norway Downtown and the Western Maine FMI: www.norwayartsfestival.org

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Maine-USA/110317115650069

If you have a beautiful photograph of anyplace in Maine that you would like to share, please feel free top do so BUT remember to tell us where it is!! 

Maine Windjammer Parade and Anniversary Party––Friday, July 15, 2011 in Rockland.
The entire windjammer fleet participates in an afternoon Parade of Sail past the mile-long Rockland Breakwater, providing spectators with stunning, close-up views of Maine’s fleet of tall ships. Festivities also include tours of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, a free evening concert by folksinger Gordon Bok, a multi-media display of historic photos and more.

The Maine Celtic Celebration – July 15-17, Belfast, Maine
The Maine Celtic Celebration is a family oriented celebration of the rich Celtic heritage, culture and hospitality found along the coast of Maine. Admission is free on Saturday and Sunday, but the event relies on donations. Your contribution will help us fund the celebrations this year. more

Yarmouth Clam Festival – July 15 through July 17
Mark your calendar for Friday through Sunday, July 15 through 17, and come to the 46th annual Yarmouth Clam Festival! You can look forward to all the fun events that make this festival Maine’s summer favorite: A long, hilarious parade; spectacular fireworks; clam shucking contests; a firefighter’s muster; road, kayak, and bike races; a pancake breakfast; concerts; and, of course, a delicious array of food. Admission to the Festival and its events is free. To learn more about this year’s Yarmouth Clam Festival and see a complete schedule of events, visit www.clamfestival.com or call the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce at (207) 846-3984

Waterford World Fair – July 1`5 – July 17

Jul 15 thru Jul 17, 2011. Small community agricultural fair that has been running for over 150 years. Fair has a series of small farm and backyard workshops, a craft fair, many children’s activities and contests for all ages. more

Mollyockett Day Festival -Jul 16 thru Jul 17, 2011
The Annual Mollyockett Day Festival is a fun two-day community and family festival held on the Bethel Village Common on Broad Street. Events on Saturday include, arts and crafts fair, parade through town at 10am, contests, entertainment, jewelry & gem auction at 4pm, frog jumping contest, plenty of food, fireworks, and lots more. Sunday features the Mollyocket Day Classic Road Race at 8 a.m.. These offer a 5 mile run or 3 mile walk for teens & adults, and a 1 mile kids’ fun run, and at 10am a diaper dash. Plus more activities being planned for Sunday. more

An impressive lineup of artists representing every genre of fine
arts and artisan crafts imaginable is slated to exhibit at the Sidewalk Art
Show of the 44th Annual Norway Arts Festival July 9, 2011 when a full day of
live performances will also take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Maine Lakes

Fishing, swimming, and boating are family favorites at Maine lakes. There are plenty of rentals available for every preference. You’ll find cabins, motels, rv camps, and plenty of tenting sites also. From fancy to rustic taste, you will enjoy your stay in Maine.

Old Orchard Beach - Maine

 Pack up the sunscreen, the bug spray, the sunglasses, the bathing suits, the kids, and the family dog and head for a relaxing vacation in Maine!