The renovation is well underway! All the old wallpaper is gone, the flooring has been removed and assorted 'little' projects have been completed.

Yesterday and today the new linoleum was put in. So far so good! Tomorrow the hard wood goes in and I'm waiting to see how that will match up with the linoleum.

You can use this link to see up-to-date photos and progress.

We've been hanging out at Jameson Tavern on Sunday nights. The place is hopping, the beer is great and I've got a new favorite dish...Caesar Salad with lobster salad on top. Oh boy! There is enough salad here to take some home for lunch the next day. The Caesar dressing is just right and just enough. I am not fond of salad greens swimming in dressing so this salad is perfect for me.

With a nice glass of wine (Il Bastardo is what I opt for) and a look at the dessert list, it's a fun way to spend Sunday night after a busy weekend.

Rock still loves his lobster stew, although I did get him to try the lobster croissant this last time out. He really liked that as well. The croissant was flaky and it was piled high with lobster salad. The salad has just enough mayo to hold it together. Served with chips it's a great light dinner option. (Right, nothing 'light' about mayo, chips or a croissant, but it's certainly lighter than a 3-course dinner!)

We'll be taking the family out for dinner at Jameson Tavern next week when we have some of them here for Christmas. I know what I'll be having!

Merry Christmas!

Had a really nice surprise in the mail this week...we're in Everyday with Rachael Ray (Dec/Jan 2007 issue) AND in Down East magazine (Dec 2006).

We had been speaking with and corresponding with the folks at Everyday with Rachael Ray since September and were happy to see the article didn't get cut (check the YUM section).

The Down East article was completely a surprise. We thank them immensely for including us in their article on Freeport's Secret Shops. It's a quick little overview of some of the smaller, independent shops in Freeport that sometimes get overlooked in the shadows of the 'big' names.

There are not yet links to the articles online. I'll post them when they come up.

Hope you'll stop by and stay with us while checking out some of the folks in the articles...our favorite wine shop is in the Down East article...Freeport Cheese and Wine on Bow Street. And you don't want to miss Jacqueline's Tea Room on upper Main Street, 1 block north of us. Also mentioned in Everyday with Rachael Ray was Azure Cafe and their great ravioli, Cold River Vodka and, of course, LL Bean.

Down East highlighted 'local favorites' Earrings & Co, Pet Pantry, Freeport Knife and Thos Moser (all up at this end of town) along with some of OUR favorite restaurants, the Mediterranean Grill and Jameson Tavern. At the opposite end of town, Grittys, definitely a local favorite! For outdoor activities they highlighted Pettingill Farm (owned by the Freeport Historical Society) and Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park (a great place to snowshoe!)

Thanks again to the folks who put the articles together! If you have a chance, get the magazines and stop by to say hello!

We finally made the trek down Rt 1 to the Big Indian to have dinner at Conundrum. It was a Tuesday night and we were rather surprised, this late in the year, to see the parking lot quite full. Then we realized the license plates were all from Maine. Good sign.

Walking through the front door we were pleased by the jazz music, large bar and happy crowd. This was definitely a professional crowd stopping in for relaxed drinks and appetizers before heading home or heading out for the evening.

Conundrum has an extensive wine list and cocktail selections were au courant. We started with a glass of pinot noir for me and a Guinness for Rock. Our appetizer of salmon crostini was tasty and understated. The bread had a wonderful crust and was the perfect complement to the salmon.

For our entrees we selected the Sweet Sausage Puttanesca and the Moroccan Pork with Tarragon Carrots and Mashed Potatoes. The puttanesca was hearty (as the name implies) and the rigatoni was al dente. The pork was a tad overcooked but the Mango Chutney served with it was sweet and zesty. The tarragon carrots were about twice the size of 'baby carrots' and still had a bit of greenery on the top. Quite tasty.

The service at Conundrum was attentive and helpful but not overbearing. The price was right as well, setting us back a mere $60, including tip. This is definitely on our list of places to go for dinner or just a few drinks and appetizers.

Rt 1 South at the Big Indian in Freeport, Maine.

Bridgham & Cook Ltd, the British Goods shop, has moved its location from Bow Street to Main Street, right next door to Foreside Company. Walked by today and they have a large assortment of tea biscuits in the front window. Perfect season for a hot cuppa with biscuits by the fire! The original shop suffered smoke and fire damage earlier this fall.

Other news...The Blue Onion on Lower Main Street has been razed to make room for Antonia's Sports Bar. Not sure when that is scheduled to be built as the sign has been there quite a long time now.

There is some hustle and bustle in the former Freeport Flower Shop, also on Lower Main St and in front of Grittys. Looks like a clothing store is going in...more details next time I drive by. (Rapid River Clothing and Accessories is the name of the shop that has moved in.)

Jameson Tavern has been getting rave reviews for their lobster stew. Everyone is thrilled with 'how much lobster' is in the stew. 'Large chunks, looks like a whole claw in there,' was the most popular comment this past weekend. Also getting raves was the prime rib.

Azure Cafe has won the Chowdah Challenge held at the new Freeport Community Center. Azure is hanging on to that award, which they have won 3 years running. Azure's executive chef, Chris Bassett, was also featured on '207', Maine's local living show.

Fall is definitely prime time for delectable foods in Maine!

Just found this on the web...a video of Rock riding a Segway around the driveway. It takes a minute to download and be sure you have the sound turned on!

Check out the new proposed 'Village Center' for Freeport, ME

Plans for new construction are set to begin in January. This is certainly an exciting proposal for Freeport. Lots of new shopping and dining along with a 550-car parking garage.