Didn't do too much Halloween this year but had to do a little cause grandchildren love it.     It's a fun time I used to really look forward to as a child and they do too.

Had to take the skull in because of dampness, will put out later.

little clip of dancing devils I picked up from a shop in Maine.  

Stephens house

 Bangor Maine and it's most historic block sits  a 19th century Victorian home.  Originally built in 1870, Stephen King moved into it in 1979.   I read where his kids didn't want to live here because they thought it was haunted.  He doesn't live here now. Time is spent at two  homes, one in Lowell Maine and a home in Florida. This red Victorian is not up for sale as it is in the process  or may already be at this point rezoned to house his archives.  King's guest house next door will used as a writers retreat.  

Click on pictures to enlarge

Surrounded by a wrought iron fence.  The front gate is a giant spider web.  You can see the spider. 

Two bats to greet on either side.  

I zoomed in on the window upstairs and it looks to be a spider web of stained glass.

At the end corner of yard is this giant hopping frog.

I read that it's a little over 4,000 square feet .

Looks like a body wrapped on front porch.

Randy and Steve checking out the parameter .  

Next

On to Bucksport Maine and final resting place of  Colonel Jonathan Buck who fought in the American Revolutionary war.  He founded Buckstown which later became Bucksport Maine.

Before he died in 1795 his mistress put a curse on him.    Over a hundred years later the curse was mentioned in an article in 1899  by J.O. Whittamore.  

Bucks mistress's name was Ida Black. As her looks began to fade he found himself a younger mistress.

In mid 1700's stories of witches and witchcraft needless to say put hysteria in minds of the people.   Buck conjured up his own story.  He accused Ida of witchcraft and was believed.  Ida was sentenced to death by fire.

As the story goes she cursed Buck.  She said she would dance on his grave after his death.

Here is the boot print to prove it.  It is said it gets more and more noticeable as it ages.  

At the grave site is this plaque of the legend

on one side of monument is a heart 

There are several stories written about Buck.   Read three and you get three different takes on the legend. 

Well that is it for now.  til next time

Maine 2019 in late September

 I never posted all of the pictures of our Maine trip in the Autumn of 2019.  Autumn this year is a good time to do so.  

Near Guilford Maine is Lowes  bridge, built  over the Piscataquis river originally in 1857. it was washed away by flood waters in 1987.  In 1990 it was rebuilt on the same abutments.

On our way to Belfast Maine and Camden, not sure of area but so pretty.

Lots of wide open spaces  and not congested with every piece of ground built upon.

Camden area

Camden, a town on Penobscot bay. Maines Midcoastal region.    Jewel of the coast it's called.   A setting for many movies such as Carousel and Peyton Place.

Wealthy Northeasterners from Boston, New York and Philadelphia spend their summers here.

19th century homes.  

Lynn and Randy

 The next day, Moosehead Lake in Greenville

Looking in a shop window checking out the real estate listings.  Yes, I wish. Not gonna happen.

He was listed at  just under $2000.00 I believe it was.    

We had our lunch at Flatlanders and they are known for their broasted chicken

Our meals.   When we ordered fish at any restaurant in Maine,  they delivered huge pieces.  Mine was haddock.  Lynn and Steve ordered the broasted chicken.

Randy and Steve's meal

Here -  Post one of Maine trip  

Here   - Stephens house in Maine

Happy Sunday

Few Autumn pics

 A few decorations outside.  Grand girls love this time of year.  I always did and especially as a child.  Cookouts of hot dogs over open fire, roasted marshmallows and yard games.  Something about Autumn just makes me feel good.   A respite from the horribly hot and muggy days of August especially.  Not too terribly long before the really cold weather comes.  Probably a lot of snow this winter.  I hope so anyway.

Coming into the drive I pause to take a picture.  

A bale of hay and a few decorations at the lamp post

I didn't put out many this year.  I am going to put out my scare crows soon for Halloween. I guess there will be the same few children in the neighborhood and then grand girls come over in their costumes before they go out with a few friends in their neighborhood whom they know well and see almost everyday.  I love the neighborhoods like theirs where they are friends with the young children, their parents and they always chat when outside with a few seniors who walk their dogs the same time every day.  Nice friendly people.  People stay put many years who live there.  

Our side entrance and a small decoration. 

 My husband purchased this tree trunk.  The pumpkin sitting on top has place for a candle inside and it glows through the punched design.

Back to raking and taking care of pulling weeds on Saturday.  Lots to do.  Never ends.

Basil and jelly

NOTE: I forgot to mention that I did add a little green food coloring just because I wanted to.  You don't have to..............

 I made basil jelly again this year.  It's spicy Basil  and Thai Basil, which has a sort of licorice taste to me.

I used a different recipe this time.  I like the recipe except  I prefer to use the powdered pectin.  I think it makes it a little thicker.  I may have used a little tiny bit more juice from the basil   It turned out jellied but I just like it a little firmer.  My husband really likes it over cream cheese on a cracker.

 This recipe called for a little vinegar.  We do like vinegar here on anything.

A little less sugar used in this recipe also.  The taste is a little stronger which I like.

Recipe is found here....https://herbs.motherearthliving.com/basil-jelly-recipe/

Cream cheese with basil

The jelly  made last year below address

This recipe uses more sugar
https://beth-wildwoodhome.blogspot.com/2019/08/basil-jelly.html

For dinner a few nights ago I baked chicken  cut into strips, mixed sour cream, ranch dressing and dry packet of dressing.  spread over the chicken sprinkled with parmesan and baked about maybe 50 minutes.  Carrots and rice on side.  Children ate it.