Monday, October 31, 2011

Salem

Salem, Massachusetts, famous for its witch trials, remains unspoiled. I love its lived-in feeling and the lovely old houses that are cheek-by-jowl next to weathered beauties. I am told the tourist and visitor activity reaches a frenzied pace all throughout the month of October until Halloween. Little shops selling potions and spells do a brisk business and haunted houses open their doors to all who will venture in...in the spirit of competition! I think this year's festivities will be especially cold and spooky after the recent storm that just pounded the northeast.

Salem was still a sleepy New England town on September 30th, the day of our visit, just a month ago. The following photos were taken on a warm bright morning...Salem in sunshine!

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Information on the Custom House in Salem, Massachusetts.

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The sun was high by the time we reached The House of Seven Gables and I really was not satisfied with the result in color. I'll soon be posting a series in sepia which suited this lovely house much better for the time of day.

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Shooting the tourists shooting the tourists!

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The house where Nathaniel Hawthorne was born and lived for the first three years of his life. The house has been moved several blocks from its original location.

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How lucky to spot a house under renovation with an open door! The stairway and woodwork are beautiful and I love the basket of knitting on the bench.

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The beautiful light and shadow filled Peabody Essex Museum. The architecture is a wonderful reflection of the town.

Who knows if the ghosts and ghouls will be out tonight? Happy Halloween everyone...must run to poach a little "Eye of Newt!"

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Afternoon in Black and White

I like photography best when the image pulls the viewer inside the frame so he, or she can create their own story about what they are seeing. Here is an afternoon in black and white. Three of the images are fairly straight forward, a pianist, a singer and a day dreamer sitting on the dock, splashing water with her feet. The other two photographs are curious because of the strong sense of isolation within the scene. All of the individuals seem to be looking inward, focused on an unknown history.

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Afternoon in Black & White 01

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Frosting

Frosting

Dad probably won't see this post. He's too busy supervising renovations on the house, reading a dozen newspapers, researching a painting, watching sports and the stock market, paying bills, visiting with friends, reading his emails and sending jokes on to me. It's his 96th birthday today. I think he's the frosting on the cake!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Time to Leave

Fwd: Cooper

Cooper bounds through the leaves on our last visit to the cottage of the season, closing week....and what turned out to be the only sunny day.

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Fog rolls in and clouds gather. It's cold and raw and wind seeps between the windows and all the crack and crevices. The view outside is bleak!

Photo taken with my Ipad using an app called Paper Camera.

Fwd: Sketchbook

Cooper, however, is exhilarated by the rich heady scents of the wildlife that is already reclaiming the shore, now that most of the cottagers have left. Even inside, his nose leads him on a futile and frantic trail as he follows the comings and goings of critters taking refuge under the house. We are certain there is a skunk, raccoon or porcupine in residence beneath the floor boards. The animals must prepare for a Maine winter and so must we...time to leave!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Full Moon Supper

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Peter found the article by accident. A celebration of food in Maine, from earth to table at Salt Water Farm in Lincolnville, Maine. Once a month, when the full moon glows over Penobscot Bay, a group of talented women apply their culinary skills at a community supper.

They were fully booked when Peter called, but a few days later there was a cancellation. We were on our way, driving the nearly deserted coastal route on a chilly October night.

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The location is beautiful. We descend on a series of stone steps to a terrace overlooking the bay. Warm light shines through the French doors with a view of the kitchen and long farmhouse table set with pretty china, centerpieces of autumn produce and twinkling candlelight.

After an enthusiastic greeting, we mingle with the other guests. There is a cheery blaze in the fireplace and a leek and salty cheese tart with orange peel and fennel soprassata on the granite kitchen counter for nibbling.

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The young women work on the finishing touches while everyone appreciates the savory smells. The pace is relaxed and the women occasionally join in the conversation, chatting about the menu and the diverse places where they have both learned and applied their culinary expertise.

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Ladleah checks the temperature of the stuffed pork loin with porcini mushrooms, roast heirloom carrots, and rainbow swiss chard which will be served over a creamy polenta.

Ladleah's training began at her mother's side, also a food professional. Ladleah said, "I could barely reach the counter at my mother's restaurant and she would say, 'Ladleah, I need eight crab quiches!'"

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Bowls of pumpkin soup with sauteéd apples, local bacon and caraway on the counter. Followed by trevisso, poached farm egg, garlic and anchovies and croutons that have been crisping on a large tray by the fire.

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Chocolate beetroot cake and créme fraiche. The surprise is how the beetroot is so deliciously compatible!

There are probably six to eight parties seated at the long table, many of whom were strangers to one another at the beginning of the evening. When coffee and tea arrived, we had all found a connection; places and people in common. I think six degrees of separation can be halved in Maine!

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Although heavy late night rain is in the forecast, a small misty moon is visible as we say our goodbyes.

We've made our reservations for November and December!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

A Year Ago....

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A year ago...two people in love and an autumn wedding. Wishing JCB and her gentleman much happiness as they celebrate their first anniversary today.

Friday, October 14, 2011

An Evening on Maquoit Bay

Perhaps an alternative title could be "Same Old View, Different Light." I've shot this scene thousands of times, but seldom have I seen such a dramatic change in light, all in the space of one evening. The following sequence began late on the afternoon of 24, September until sunset. You can see the weather front moving in.

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Maquoit Bay Light 02

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Beautiful Maine!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Bird Song

Little Birds

Two photos in sepia.

The small wooden birds on the cottage dining room mantle were a gift from JCB years ago.

Bird Shadow

As autumn arrives, the sun's angle casts a new shadow across the old wood at the cottage. This interior light always startles me after the bright days of summer. At this time of the year, the rooms are briefly filled with light washing over objects I scarcely notice in the midst of joyful and hectic visits from family and friends.

The sounds also change with the season. Gone are the gentle slap of tide against the boats and the clang of unsecured lines. Now, the wind shifts rattling windows and shutters. There is always the squawk of blackbirds, the scream of gulls, but the musical chirp of the song birds is missing.

Next spring I'll unwrap JCB's little birds and put them back on the mantle and listen to the chorus outside.

Today's link from You Must Remember This.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

The Unhelpful Photographer

I wonder how many photographers miss dozens of little dramas played out around them while focused on the subject through their lens? I know I'm guilty!

Here is the second series I captured at the Fall Gathering of the Fleet in Brooklin, Maine. Who knows what I overlooked!

The Unhelpful Photographer ~ Series of 9

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Older posts you might enjoy....