The Cottage of Miss Rumphius

Maybe some of you have read the children's book by Barbara Cooney called "Miss Rumphius". It is based on a woman named Hilda Hamlin who really did many of the things described in the book, including living on a cottage by the sea and spreading lupine throughout Maine. The Caswell family, along with our good friends the Ruff Family, were lucky enough to be the first non-family members ever to stay in her cottage. Or rather the cottage now owned by her daughter in-law.
It was enchanting and charming in so many ways - from it's antique construction to it's many antique (and breakable) baubles; It's position on the top of a hill at the end of peninsula to it's gardens (Yes - even though it was August, there still were some Lupine in bloom). Waking up to the ocean air was incredible.
The house was accessed by a short, rocky path. Somehow the 82-year old owner is able to lug everything she needs up the uneven and narrow path. To the left of the entrance is a large covered deck (piazza) overlooking the ocean. Incredible views of open ocean were had over meals, cups of coffee, games of Uno, children dressing. We spent as much time out here as the mosquitoes would allow.

It's hard to capture the view from the house with a camera as part of the amazement came from the broad view of the open water allowed by the location on a peninsula. What an incredible vacation spot! We wish you all could have been there with us!

On the rocky beach

We had great fun with the rocks at the "rocky beach" as Gemma called it - to differentiate it from the "sandy beach". There was great variety of rocks, perfect to play restaurant with or build statues.
A couple of steps down a path from the cottage led to a private rocky beach. We found a great deal of beach glass in a variety of colors - even purple.

Eleanor loved to goof around both at high and low tide. Notice the seaweed hairdo.

Gemma made friends with a pup who came to visit. She sat and talked to it and patted it for a long time. This girl needs a dog.
The girls especially had fun at low tide, though the going was pretty slick.

Fun around Juniper Knoll

The girls favorite part about the trip was having their friends Zoe and Calla available to play at all times. Each night was a slumber party for the four girls, who did an admirable job holding the giggles to a minimum.
There was plenty of time to just sit around and read, play games, or just relax. The kids got along wonderfully. Of course, one adult always seemed to be on duty - trouble solving any snags and providing entertainment for the kids. As you can see, Jud did more than his fair share of this duty, including waking up early and letting all the other adults sleep for an extra two hours.
The adults had a chance to catch up in the evenings, with games and Carter's home brews.

Hanging with the Hartter's

I can't tell you how good it is to be able to visit with 3 Jay and Ray practically whenever we want.

The Caswell's went down to hang out with Ray when Joel was on his trip. We had fun visiting and going to the beach. And the girls have a great time checking out all of Jude's toys. We had to bring a treat for our favorite picky eater - He did well by a chocolate sprinkle donut.

The Hartter's spent the night on Friday on their way to visit friends. Rachel makes a killer berry pie. Jude seemed impressed by the girls' toy car collection.

Horses with the Hartter's

Eleanor lately had been saying that she wants to live in Texas when she grows up because that is where all the cowgirls and cowboys live. Rachel was kind enough to take use to the UNH stables and show her there are some options for horse lovers on the East Coast.

Caswell Get Together

Jud's cousin Karen came to Maine to visit and invited the whole Caswell clan.

The girl's got to hang out with their cousins and second cousins, including Lorelei and Jack and Enzo. It was a wonderful visit.

Eleanor around town

Everywhere one goes with Eleanor is an adventure. A trip to Sears led to a fashion show in the dressing room. Attending a concert to a photo op with the bassists.

Beer all around

After picking strawberries, Jud treated us to lunch and "beers" at a local tavern where he often plays. The girls were tickled that they could each have a bottle of "beer" as well.

4th of July Pub Scouts

The family was honored to be a part of an Irish kazoo band marching in the 4th of July parade. The band was sponsored by a pub Jud plays frequently called Byrne's Irish Pub. The group won the judge's prize for best in the parade! After a number of blocks, the girls and I rode in the town trolley that followed the group and waved at the crowd. What a memorable 4th of July!

Strawberry Picking

After weeks of rain, we finally got a chance to go strawberry picking. Eleanor was the taste tester. Gemma picked a whole quart by herself with not a single mushy berry, despite the high percentage of such berries in the field.

Clean Fill

Jud and I are exhausted after shoveling 24 yards of clean fill to under the deck as support. The girl's dug, climbed, slid and rolled in the pile, which seemed taller than I.

When done, they stripped down and played in the pool. The girl's were devastated that we were working to get rid of the pile. When we were done, Eleanor announced, "My heart is broken".

Summer Camp

The girl's have just finished their time at camp. Gemma was so proud she could attend "mini camp" at Eleanor's elementary school.











Eleanor spent a week at the Wolfe's Neck Farm in Freeport - Taking care of sheep and goats and playing at the beach.














The camp also had a theater production of the last day. She was a confident and clear narrator for her group's "In the Barn" play.

Camping in NH with the Hartter Clan

Rain, rain and thank goodness for book sales

Our June has been much wetter than normal. There have been two sunny days since I was done with school 10 days ago. Jud and I spent much of one of those days digging to the bottom of the concrete foundation in order to seal a crack that has resulted in major flooding in the studio.

The girls are pictured above engaging in their latest outdoor interests which they pursue whenever it is not actively raining. (Notice the wet ground and rain boots).

On rainy days, it is fortunate we now have an indoor swing. The girls also love to read. Gemma feels that since Eleanor now can read independently and "in her brain", that she can as well. So she will sit with books for a half hour "reading them" to herself, or making up stories that go with the book. No pictures needed, as she enjoys text books and manuals as well as picture books.

Today we went to the library book sale. The girls had a bag they could fill with as many books as would fit. At $2 a bag, we cared little about what they chose. Gemma found a stack of books that are her "'pecial" books. She has carried them around all day, reading them and talking about them. I had to steal up to her room after she fell asleep to get the titles to share:

- A Day at a time - Daily reflections and prayers based on the "spiritual foundations of Alcoholics Anonymous". No pictures, but it is a handy 3X5 inch size.

- Calling All Girls - Girls magazine from December, 1962. Ideas for how to make Xmas gifts and recommendations about knit wool hoods, hi-fi record players, and bowling bags.

- Suenos - A level 1 Reader...Completely in Spanish

- Heroes and Outlaws of the Old West - 2 page summaries of the lives of these folks with no pictures

Better bring the books back up to her room or she will miss them. Eleanor is sleeping with three of the books she chose under her pillow.

Last Day of School

Eleanor's last day of kindergarten was June 22nd. She is now a first grader!










We wanted to go to the beach to celebrate the beginning of summer break, but the rain kept us away. The rain, however, could not prevent a trip to the Dairy Freeze where we could shiver under the awning and lap at some ice cream!