Dorys day out

Today we treated Dory to a special day and went to her fave spot in the harbor, Wishbones Pet Boutique & Barkery http://www.wishbonespet.com/ or find them on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/wishbonespet?sk=wall.

If you have a pet this store is an amazing spot for food, treats, toys, leashes, apparel....really anything a pet needs. Located in The Mill Wharf parking lot Wishbones is a fantastic spot to shop for a special treat for your pup or for everyday needs. Outside there is always water available for your dog and the signature wishbone shaped mulch landscaping out front really adds to the charm of this special store. The owner and staff are so friendly and love all the animals that visit the store.

Today Dory got an extra special treat, peanut butter frozen yogurt especially for pups! Perfect way to cool down on this hot day. She absolutely loved it and licked every last bit of it.

 

 

We also treated Dory to a new stuffed lobster. She was playing with it in the store so we just had to get it for her!

Dorys new favorite toy

Dorys pink and turquoise lobster harness from Wishbones

There really isn't another store in Scituate quite like this one so if you are an animal lover and like to sometimes spoil your best little buddy definitely check it out!

Dory exhausted from her big day out in Scituate Harbor!

Coastal Maine

My cousin Melissa and I are OBSESSED with finding the best lobster rolls in New England. With me in Scituate and she in Kittery ME we have abundant of choices around us. On a recent trip up to visit her we made the short ride to Kennebunkport ME. It is absolutely one of my favorite places that I have visited in ME. Melissa, myself and my favorite little buddy Riley headed out for a coastal girls day!

cutest little sidekick!

First stop was a  coastal cruise on aboard a lobster boat. We saw beautiful houses, inns, beaches and former President George Bush summer compound. It is a great way to check out the scenery from the ocean, we also spotted a few seals and pulled a lobster trap that had a few lobsters. The crew was very friendly and knowledgeable, it was a fun activity especially for Riley!
http://www.firstchancewhalewatch.com/kylieschance.php

Riley checking out the action!

Next we headed in search of a lobster roll, we landed at Arundel Wharf Restaurant. This place is a short walk out of the center of town. It is right on the water with patio seating as well as a tented deck that has the same feel of being outside. We had a few pints and delicious lobster rolls, this one is up there as one of our faves! They keep it simple with just a tad of mayo and on a toasted bun but they really do not skimp on the lobster. Definitely visit if you are in the area.
 http://www.arundelwharf.com/

View from Arundels patio

Afterwards we strolled through the center of town where there are plenty of unique shops, art galleries, ice cream shops and restauraunts. I love going to the little shops and hope to find some cool coastal finds for our house. Kennebunkport is really a great town that is worth the drive. It is a quaint coastal New England town that has something for everyone and is beautiful year round.

Mill Wharf

 I have a special soft spot for the Mill Wharf Restaurant as I was a waitress there for many many years. This restaurant is broken up into two, the pub upstairs and finer dining downstairs, it also hands down has the best view and patio seating in the harbor.

View from upstairs patio at The Mill at dusk

When I visit the Mill these days I prefer to sit downstairs, if you sit at the bar or at one of the cocktail tables you are free to get the upstairs pub menu as well. Personally I love cocktail table dining and just splitting  a few apps (wood grilled shrimp are amaze). You will usually always encounter friendly staff and the best espresso martinis i have ever tasted(esp on Sat nights).

On a recent visit here GiGi and I sat downstairs at the bar for some fresh seafood nibbles. We enjoyed delicious oysters(my new obsession) steamers(a summer staple) we also indulged in some stuffed mushrooms (cheesy and delish!) Also an AMAZE raspberry margarita made by Mr. Keith Lewis himself!

If you are in the harbor The Mill is def a place to stop by, it is a multi purpose restaurant with something for everyone. Great for a casual meal upstairs, fine dining downstairs, drinks and oysters on the patio. As I mentioned before I do have a bit of favoritism for this restaurant but it is definitely worth a visit!

http://millwharf.com/index.html

Summer Floating

My new fave summer thing to keep cool is relaxing in a tube in the ocean. Such a simple obvious idea right?!?! I can not believe I haven't been doing this for years! On a recent unbearably HOT day  GiGi and I decided to get floats so we could literally be in the water all day long. Off to CVS we went and got some tubes for the bargain price of $2.99! We headed down to my favorite secret beach, Museum Beach( next to yacht club where you have the a view of the light house and the harbor). This is the perfect place to float not as busy as the ocean and if your so relaxed and fall asleep you most likely wont be swept out to sea just maybe into a sailboat.

I highly suggest for your next beach day grab a tube and hang in the ocean all day. You will stay cool and if you drift far enough you will also get a little arm and leg workout paddling back to shore!

cocktails and appetizers

One of my fave things to do in the summer after hitting the beach all day is to sit outside have some wine and some snickys! I do love slaving over the stove and cooking a full on meal but I have to stay most of the time I would much rather make a few different apps to snack on. On a hot Saturday night who wants to feel all stuffed from a 3 course meal and as much as I love wearing my apron I certainly don't want to be sweating while cooking in my kitchen.
This past Sat I had one of these great evenings w my BFF GiGi, after a day spent at the beach  I defrosted some shrimp cocktail(prob frowned on by some esp since my bf is a fisherman but they were still good. )I had already prepped some bruschetta and most importantly sangria that morning so we were ready to sit outside  snack, drink and gossip. A great evening.

Contrary to some recipes I've found I made the sangria that morning and it was delicious. I still have not decided on what the best red wine is to use but I am more into Spanish reds so I tend to use those. This particular time I added strawberries, watermelon(which i think made it), raspberries, lemon, lime, orange, simple syrup and peach schnapps. Before serving I add soda water and a wedge of lime. Delish and refreshing summer cocktail!

Bruschetta is another recipe I'm flexible with. I prefer to keep it simple w halved small tomatoes, and then whatever herbs you have on hand! Lucky for me I have a decent selection in my herb garden, I added basil, oregano, and thyme, olive oil and salt and pepper. I grilled french bread and that was it.

 I like to keep my platters simple I am usually always using a wooden cutting board for serving apps, I also usually have a white or coastal themed platter. This amazing fish bowl was a gift from my very dear friend  Christine.

Also come mid to late summer I try to always have fresh cut hydrangeas, my newly planted bushes are not ready for picking but lucky for me Rachel my close friend as well as neighbor had so many I just had to pick them. Add a few rocks in the vase for a true coastal living feel.

Adopt a pup!

One of the first days we had Dory

Dory at the Beach

We adopted our little puerto rican mixer just about 1 year ago and we can not imagine our life with out her! We rescued Dory from the Caribbean Connection Puppy Rescue http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/MA379.html which is out of Marshfield. They work with an organization in Puerto Rico that rescues Satos(stray street dogs) and has them transported to the US where they have a much better chance at being adopted. I don't know if you have ever been to PR or any other Caribbean island but most of them have TONS of homeless dogs roaming he streets and beaches looking for a meal or some love. It makes me so sad to picture my poor little pup roaming the streets wondering if she would find something to eat....

I started the search for Dory on www.petfinder.com this is a GREAT adoption site if you are looking for any animal to adopt just pop in your zip code you can even be specific on breed if you would like. I think that rescue dogs really appreciate the homes that they come into they had it tough living on the streets being mistreated, fighting over food and territory, sleeping on the sidewalks. When we got Dory she had only been in the US a few weeks she was barely 10 lbs, every bone in her body visible and very skittish. Now she is a fun loving energetic pup now about 20lbs whose biggest worry now is wondering what toy to play with!

There are millions of animals in shelters just waiting to find there forever home. Some are born in shelters, some are turned in by owners who can no longer care for them, some are found wandering alone on the streets. A shelter animal just wants a family to love and a home to be a part of. If you are interested in adding an animal to you household you should consider adopting a dog from your local animal shelter, if not be sure to choose a responsible breeder. Do whatever is right for you but no matter what just don't buy from a Pet Store! Pet stores support the cruel visious cycle that keeps Puppy Mills in business.

First Friday Night Scituate Harbor

The First Friday of every month the shops in Scituate Harbor stay open a little later, most shops have wine and some even provide light snacks. It really is a perfect girls night out! That's exactly what brought me there this past Friday night, girls night out with some work friends!  Scituate Harbor Merchants http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scituate-Harbor-Merchants/179687063826 has a great facebook page that always keeps you informed on whats going on down the harbor. It is a great evening out that everyone should definitely take advantage of. Some of the highlights from our night out were checking out the goods at Joye, this store is my go to for jewelry (especially the Jo Jo Bling!) and unique finds for you home. If I am shopping for myself or someone else this is usually my first stop!

Joye
http://www.joyegifts.com/Joye/Welcome.html

Another great stop was at Roman Table this is a fairly new shop specializing in olive oils, balsamic vinegars, European housewares as well as cooking classes.  I love sampling the unique flavored oils also this past Friday night they were serving up a delish champagne cocktail punch that I sure hope they are serving next First Fri night!

The Roman Table
http://www.theromantable.com/home.html

We ended the evening at Riva where we split amazing butternut squash ravioli and a tasty pitcher of red sangria!

Riva
http://www.rivarestaurant.net/

Even if you aren't looking for anything in particular you are bound to fall in love with something at one of the many local shops or pop into any of the restaurants for a delish meal and some drinks! Support local business and be sure to check out Scituate Harbors next First Friday Night!