Taking a bite out of summer

One of only four Birchwood cherries from 2010

© 2010 Iris Eichenlaub

My trusty digital camera is on the fritz. Images tend to inspire my writing so ... no photos, no posts. Lucky for me friends are willing to share. Iris sent me this snap (check out Unfurlingferns) taken in our backyard.

Other news from Birchwood Motel:

• Our green efforts are getting noticed. Birchwood Motel is now a certified Environmental Leader in Hospitality!

• FINALLY free WiFi is now available in ALL guest rooms. In past the sound-proofing between rooms made this difficult. Thanks Heriz-Smith for solving this problem in an economical fashion.

• 3 more lines were added to our solar dryer to accommodate our busy day linen turnover. Sheets dry in under an hour on sunny days. So wonderful!

• Noticeable evidence uncovered that others are following suit. Borax – usually in plentiful supply – is SOLD OUT at our local store for weeks now! Keep it up, Camden.

Busy days of summer are here.

Kermit was wrong...

It is easy being green, at least Iris makes it seem that way.

Despite yesterday's rain folks came out for our "Green Your Laundry" event. Inspired by and led by the talented Iris Eichenlaub – author of "Creative Endeavors in a Busy Life" blog – the morning discussion was a lively exchange of ideas and a hands on demonstration of DIY laundry soap.

Iris in action – an honor for to have her speak at Birchwood Motel

grate 3- 4 oz. bars of Castile soap – many hands make light work

the happy innkeeper mixing up our Birchwood formula – join us on Facebook to get the recipe

double i. alert: my favorite item in her chemical-free household gift basket -a scouring pad hand knit from twine...oh that Iris!

Stay tuned for more green-inspired events and news from Birchwood Motel as our season progresses.

Greening your laundry

Announcing Birchwood Motel's new solar dryer — ok, it's a clothesline, but a pretty unique one, huh? To celebrate our return to line drying — construction on the main house caused a 3 year hiatus – Birchwood Motel will offer a "Green Your Laundry" Workshop.

Blogger Iris E. – Creative Endeavors in a Busy Life — will lead the talk/demo at Birchwood on June 23 at 11am. Learn how to make your own laundry detergent, share ideas, save money and lighten your chemical load. All attendees may take a detergent sample home. Workshop is free but advance registration is appreciated. To register friend/like Birchwood Motel on Facebook and leave your RSVP there.

Chores are so much sweeter under a blue sky, warm sun

and new pergola that looks out to Penobscot Bay

green before it was cool...

These days just about everybody makes this claim. But Birchwood Motel has long walked the walk. That is until construction around the main house caused a three-year hiatus from our 40+ year history of hanging clean laundry out to dry. But our solar drying days will soon return. Christian Andrus, of Pine Ridge Carpentry, suggested a few years ago our place needed a pergola. Eric, of Birchwood Motel, suggested we combine that idea with the return of the clothesline. Take a peek at the first stage of what will soon be the fanciest clothesline in town, if not the world!

Next year, should we grow grapes on the arbor or hops...I vote for hops!

Why all the effort? Sun-dried linens smell great (begone chemical softeners and dryer sheets!) and the UV rays lend additional bleaching/sanitizing power and all without financial and environmental costs.

Gratitude to Iris E., Creative Endeavors in a Busy Life, for inspiring us to put this plan into action. Please check back in soon. We'll be posting a shot of the line in action and update you on how our new laundry formula from craftingmamalibrarian is working.

Gently down the stream

Friday I tweeted that the weekend would be gorgeous. Heeding my own prediction we took the kayaks out for a run on the St. George. Bluest of blue skies, shining sun, no wind, bald eagles and osprey with catch in their claws soaring just over my head, a seal following behind our kayaks. Just the most perfect day.

Sweet pea back on the water

Pulling out of the water in Thomaston put us right near Billy's Tavern, a great Irish pub just behind the main drag. Time to stop for a pint of Boddingtons and a mound of handcut french fries (chipotle mayo and curry ketchup on the side). Hey, we earned it!

Done for the day, reward time

If you are looking to paddle around Midcoast – perhaps during a stay at Birchwood Motel in Camden – my only recommendation is Ducktrap Kayak in Lincolnville. Whether to buy or rent they have the best gear, great prices and offer sound advice.

Signs of the season - Smoothie Shack reopens

Looking for relief and a sweet treat after a long ride to Maine? Pull over at the pineapple flag, just past the Union Street/Elm Street stop sign crush. Alicia's adorable Smoothie Shack awaits serving up incomparably thick, fruit-packed smoothies of perfect consistency. (She cites the machine and the quality ingredients for making the difference.) Freshly prepared wraps are also available. If you want to do more than grab and go a picnic table and a few chairs are available for lunch in the sun.

Sweet Alicia recommends Tropical Breeze to an indecisive customer

Owner/chef knows her audience. Tropical breeze is a hit.

Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda

Still feeling glib over our El Camino post that ran before Maine. The Magazine. (Birchwood Motel, so on the pulse!) Rockland is featured in their "48 hours in" section. So great. Seemed tumbleweeds blew down historic Main Street when we first arrived. Now vibrant, aliveRockland celebrates the best of Maine and remains a favorite local place to visit, stroll, dine, enjoy.

Urbanite roots foster our passion for finding the local latest greatest and sharing this with our guests. Lest Maine. The Magazine ever scoop us, here's a list of posts we had intended, but just didn't get to, in 2009:

supplier to top restaurants and the place to call for air-shipped seafood. Jess's...THE FRESHEST.

Jess's Market

Sheepscot Valley Brewing Company

Sweetgrass Winery

June marks the start of Gin & Tonic season – Sweetgrass Winery's Back River Gin or nothing!

Farmer's Fare

Willow Street Bake Shop

Suzuki's Sushi Bar

Tableside pickles keep us busy during the short lunch wait at Morses'

Morse's Sauerkraut

Chase's

Three Tides

Boyton & McKay

Add those to your return list, Anthony Bourdain. Your first Maine visit is a charmer but you just scratched the itch. Next up – Common Ground Fair. Some lamb kabob, a little cardamom ginger ice cream, arts & crafts, music, ag fair stuff with a twist...this 32 year strong scene put the loco in locavore, being seriously into local, green and organic way before it was cool. Call us, Tony. (But maybe leave Zimmern at home.)

loofas are grown from a gourd...who knew?

Foodies, artists, outdoor enthusiasts and other kinds of hipsters know choosing the Birchwood means a comfy bed, a wicked clean room and waking up with change in your wallet so you can indulge in more of Midcoast. Our loverly view, light breakfast and good, strong locally-roasted coffee (fair-trade, organic!) included each morning is just a bonus.

Hey, Maine. The Magazine – don't get scooped again...it's not too late to write us up!