A Dispatch From Maine
We made it to Maine. On one hand it feels like we just got here and on the other, it feels like we’ve lived here for quite some time. We met the neighbors on our lane (and have exchanged baked goods), live a few blocks from the ocean, and the market down the street sets up accounts so you can just walk on over and buy a chocolate bar and say, “add it to my tab.” Is this real life?!
I think the biggest surprise so far is the amount of sun here in the winter – it’s perhaps Maine’s best kept secret. Of course, it’s much, much colder than the PNW but the sunny days make it feel much lighter and less oppressive. Also surprising: bountiful and very good bagels. Sam’s been loving the East coast sub sandwiches (he’s from New Jersey, after all) and the kids spend a lot of free time in the yard on the swing and slide, Ollie with his binoculars aiming to identify birds and Frankie pointing at all of the “baby squirrels” (all squirrels are baby squirrels to Frances). I can’t wait to see it all blooming and transforming in the spring.
Sam and the kids spend the days adventuring while I’m at work; in fact, I think they’re setting local records for number of places seen in such a short period of time. Then everyone picks a spot to show me on the weekends, and we set off. They have a whole routine on these weekdays: Sam packs a lunch and because Frankie refuses to walk, she typically gets pulled in the sled. They have two stops: first they find a “listening bench” and stop to observe and listen to their surroundings. Second they stop for sandwiches.
When they took me to the Audubon last weekend and told me about the listening bench, I felt deeply moved by it. I asked Sam if he made this concept up, and he looked at me strangely, as if it were no big deal. But the kids, as typically restless and crazy as they can be just … sit quietly. Staring at nature. It’s remarkable. And as I sat there following their lead, I felt my heart rate slow and everything settle into focus.
I’m trying to get outside once a day this month – more for fresh air and mental health than physical exercise, I think. But as I do so, I keep the listening bench in the back of my mind. While I don’t always physically stop and sit (I’m usually trying to fit it in right before the dinner hour), I keep the spirit of it close. Maybe you’d like to do the same?
See you soon (with baked goods).
Megan's book! 
Healthy Comfort Food
Thai Carrot, Coconut and Cauliflower Soup
People describe raising young kids as a particular season in life. I hadn't heard this until we had a baby, but it brought me a lot of comfort when I'd start to let my mind wander, late at night between feedings, to fears that we'd never travel internationally again or have a sit-down meal in our dining room. Would I ever eat a cardamom bun in Sweden? Soak in Iceland? I loved the heck out of our tiny Oliver, but man what had we done?! Friends would swoop in and reassure us that this was just a season, a blip in the big picture of it all. They promised we'd likely not even remember walking around the house in circles singing made-up songs while eating freezer burritos at odd hours of the day (or night). And it's true.
Oliver is turning two next month, and those all-encompassing baby days feel like a different time, a different Us. In many ways, dare I say it, Toddlerhood actually feels a bit harder. Lately Oliver has become extremely opinionated about what he will and will not wear -- and he enforces these opinions with fervor. Don't get near the kid with a button-down shirt. This week at least. He's obsessed with his rain boots and if it were up to him, he'd keep them on at all times, especially during meals. He insists on ketchup with everything (I created a damn monster), has learned the word "trash" and insists on throwing found items away on his own that really, truly are not trash. I came to pick him up from daycare the other day and he was randomly wearing a bike helmet -- his teacher mentioned he'd had it on most of the day and really, really didn't want to take it off. The kid has FEELINGS. I love that about him, and wouldn't want it any other way. But, man it's also exhausting.
Cheesy Quinoa Cauliflower Bake
I just finished washing out Oliver's lunchbox and laying it out to dry for the weekend. My favorite time of day is (finally) here: the quiet of the evening when I can actually talk to Sam about our day or sit and reflect on my own thoughts after the inevitable dance party or band practice that precedes the bedtime routine lately. Before becoming pregnant for the second time, I'd have had a glass of wine with the back door propped open right about now -- these days though, I have sparkling water or occasionally take a sip from one of Sam's hard ciders. Except now the back door's closed and we even turned on the heat for the first time yesterday. The racing to water the lawn and clean the grill have been replaced by cozier dinners at home and longer baths in the evening. You blink and it's the first day of fall.
Stuffed Shells with Fennel and Radicchio
I'd heard from many friends that buying a house wasn't for the faint of heart. But I always shrugged it off, figuring I probably kept better files or was more organized and, really, how hard could it be? Well, I've started (and stopped) writing this post a good fifteen times which may indicate something. BUT! First thing's first: we bought a house! I think! I'm pretty sure! We're still waiting for some tax transcripts to come through and barring any hiccough with that, we'll be moving out of our beloved craftsman in a few weeks and down the block to a great, brick Tudor house that we wanted the second we laid eyes on it. The only problem: it seemed everyone else in Seattle had also laid eyes on it, and wanted it equally as much. I'm not really sure why the homeowner chose us in the end. Our offer actually wasn't the highest, but apparently there were some issues with a few of them. We wrote a letter introducing ourselves and describing why we'd be the best candidates and why we were so drawn to the house; we have a really wonderful broker who pulled out all the stops, and after sifting through 10 offers and spending a number of hours deliberating, they ended up going with ours. We were at a friend's book event at the time when Sam showed me the text from our broker and I kind of just collapsed into his arms. We were both in ecstatic denial (wait, is this real?! Did we just buy a house?) and celebrated by getting chicken salad and potato salad from the neighborhood grocery store and eating it, dazed, on our living room floor. Potato salad never tasted so good.
Smoky Butternut Squash and Three Bean Chili
If your house is anything like ours, last week wasn't our most inspired in terms of cooking. We're all suffering from the post-election blues -- the sole upside being Oliver's decision to sleep-in until 7 am for the first time in many, many months; I think he's trying to tell us that pulling the covers over our heads and hibernating for awhile is ok. It's half-convincing. For much of the week, instead of cooking, there'd been takeout pizza and canned soup before, at week's end, I decided it was time to pour a glass of wine and get back into the kitchen. I was craving something hearty and comforting that we could eat for a few days. Something that wouldn't remind me too much of Thanksgiving because, frankly, I can't quite gather the steam to start planning for that yet. It was time for a big bowl of chili.
To Talk Porridge
Porridge is not the sexiest of breakfasts, it's true. It doesn't have a stylish name like strata or shakshuka, and it doesn't have perfectly domed tops like your favorite fruity muffin. It doesn't crumble into delightful bits like a good scone nor does it fall into buttery shards like a well-made croissant. But when you wake up and it's 17 degrees outside (as it has been, give or take a few, for the last week), there's nothing that satisfies like a bowl of porridge or oatmeal. It's warm and hearty and can be made sweet or savory with any number of toppings. The problem? Over the years, it's gotten a bad rap as gluey or gummy or just downright boring or dutiful -- and it's because not everyone knows the secrets to making a great pot of warm morning cereal. So let's talk porridge (also: my cookbook comes out this month! So let's take a peek inside, shall we?)
Julie clipner
This is where you and your family belong . Im so happy for you !!!
megang
Thank you, Jules!
Ann Clark
Love this Meg!
Melissa
I love seeing glimpses of life for you guys in Maine! And the listening bench. Holding on to that one. Sending love from Minnesota!
megang
Thank you so much, friend! Our door is open anytime for a visit!
Caroline
Although it certainly was not easy for you to leave Seattle and your beautiful home there, you seem to have taken the move in good stride. The photos are so beautiful and it sounds as if you make it quite easy for the children to be open to new adventures and to enjoy what life offers them. That is a huge gift. As someone who tends to be rather daunted by changes, I am impressed and encouraged. The listening bench is a gorgeous idea🥰
megang
Yes I'm not great with change either, actually. I think something about the pandemic kicked everything to the curb in that regard - the feeling of ... why not?! Thank you so much for the kind words.
Andrea
Ohhhh I am 100% trying the listening bench with the girls (and also with me)! I am with you on getting outside once a day. The girls are my motivation as without me, they likely wouldn't get outside as much. Peter gets them outside when he can but he's the one working right now. In any event, the longer days and slightly warmer weather are certainly helping as well! I read something about getting kids outside 1000 hours a year which sounded completely not possible for me but I thought well, I can try to at least GO outside once a day. That's my only goal so far!
megang
1000 hours?! Maybe in ... Florida? I agree that spring / summer are going to be a gamechanger. I might have a countdown on my phone to daylight savings time right now :)
Lynne Davies
I’ve been to that spot! Love mid-coast Maine! So happy for you all!
megang
Thank you, Lynne!
Janet
I love this! Scarlet and I often stop at a nearby park on our longer walks, choose one of its many benches, and sit for a little while. Usually I use the time to online shop for anything I've remembered I need while walking (a not-great habit!). I like this idea so much more!
megang
Ha yes! It's great to just try and sit and do nothing. We are so not wired for that anymore, right? And hooray for Scarlet. Love that as an excuse to get out everyday!
Maura Kenney
Welcome to Maine! I’m in Cumberland - blue skies in winter are a wonder. Just wait until summer, best time of the year!
megang
Lovely! We're close (in Falmouth) and my sis is in Cumberland. I can't wait until summer!
Pat
There art days, seemingly ordinary, common, eventless days, that you always remember. Sounds like you are making those memories. Welcome to Maine
megang
Thank you so much, Pat.
Susan
oh, I was so happy for you I have tears in my eyes!!! I'm from northern NH and am sooooooo jealous. Keep enjoying and awaiting you next baked goods!~! Love, me
megang
Thank you so much, Susan! Working on a springtime cake as we speak :)
Tara
We just moved to Maine in September and while the weather isn’t so different from where we lived in CT, we feel so much more inspired here in ME to get outside even in the depths of winter. Thanks for the Audubon rec - it sounds like a fun and beautiful spot! We’re a quick jump over from you in New Gloucester (on the Gray line). Welcome to Maine!
megang
Oh wonderful. We haven't checked out New Gloucester yet but my sister was just talking about the General Store there yesterday. So looking forward to getting out more with this gorgeous weather!
megang
Oh wonderful, Tara! So sorry for the delay. Hope you're enjoying spring - everything's blooming and I just want to take two weeks off of work and garden and sit in the sun. A girl can dream! Thanks again for saying hello :)
Lisa
I also live in Maine! Welcome! I live in the mid coast. Where are these great bagels you speak of? I’m from Philadelphia originally and I miss the great bagels of my childhood. Would definitely drive a couple hours to stock up on some good ones.
megang
Hi, Lisa! Rose Foods in Portland has wonderful bagels. And we've been wanting to Biddeford to check out Rover Bagels.
Heidi Seely
Rose Foods is amazing. Also check out Scratch Bakery in South Portland! Bagels=amazing
megang
Yessss! We still haven't made it to Scratch yet. On the list! Thank you.
megang
Thank you, Lisa!!
sam-c
Sounds wonderful and magical! I love that listening bench concept. Best wishes to you and your family as you settle into your new home and wonderful routines.
megang
Thank you so much, Sam!
denise
I am so happy that you are settling in nicely in Maine. It looks lovely - if there is one thing we have learned this past year is that we crave outdoor space as in a big yard and a garden. Thoughts of moving to a slower pace are definitely in the back of our minds as well.
megang
Yesss it's a lifesaver - the outdoor space. I truly can't wait to start gardening and eating dinner outside (soon! Soon!)
Lizzie
well now, isn't the world small! i was cleaning out my old bookmarked favorites and thought i'd see if your blog was still active. lo and behold, we are both mainers now! and of course, julie is here as well which i'm sure you remember. wonder what part of maine you have found?!
megang
You are?!? We're in Falmouth! Where are you?