Some of the lobsters above (at Perry's Lobster Shack in Surry, Maine) weigh in at over 4#!
I just got back from another trip to Maine. I've been there three times in three months and am about a month behind schedule on the cottage project. Problem is, that most skilled Mainers work like mad during the warmer months to make up for lack of work when the arctic blast of winter moves in. So, as a newcomer to the area in need of carpenter, plumber, electrician, and painter, I am essentially last on the list of important people. I'm generally fine with the fact that I'm a nobody, but not at this particular juncture....
Finally (thank you Randy at EBS!!!), someone gave me the name and number of a local fix-it guy who does nearly everything and is actually reasonable. A mutually beneficial working relationship is what I'm looking for, and this guy may just be my saving grace. The fact that he's got a odd nickname, the heaviest Maine accent I've ever heard, and has enough character to fashion a novel around only adds to the fun!
The good news is that the cottage is already booking weekly renters to begin later this month, which is both a source of stress and relief at the same time, as it's not entirely done. I will be heading back up again in two weeks to finish up the place and to give a tour to a family who wants to rent the place all of July 2018.
I spent four days scouring local antique shops, garage sales, and craig's list first for basics. The cottage has furniture stacked up to the ceiling in three rooms, out of the way for the drywall and painter fellas. The carpenter will be putting trim on the ceilings and tidying up the place before the cleaning crew come in and give it a good bathing.
Apparently, the person who lived there prior was a hoarder, according to my new fix-it man. He said I should have seen all the stuff hauled out of the place when she was finally removed (she was renting). That explains a lot. The first thing I did was rip out the carpets and get wood floors put in. This was not ideal, as wood floors generally go in last, but those carpets had an odor that I can't explain without expletives and I am a neat freak. I couldn't stay there and work in those conditions...and this is coming from a gal who spends two weeks off the grid in Northern Michigan each year.
Anyhow, the lady who ultimately sold the cottage is not going to believe what we did with it. It's going to be adorable!
Today I purchased the last few things online to round out the details...a settee from Wayfair for the upstairs wood-clad room and some odds and ends from Anthropologie. I have yet to find a better place for statement lamp shades or tea towels.
I will be finishing up my lobsterman piece for over the couch in the cottage living area. If you are reading this, please send me good vibes and pray that my children can sit still for about fifteen hours (in three hour increments) so that I can get the dang painting moving.
This summer thing is severely boogering up my work schedule and I've had a hard time finding my happy colors again after losing my dog two weeks ago. I'll be picking up his portrait from the Annapolis Maritime Museum this Sunday as the Flora and Fauna show will be over this week. Please stop in and see it if you can. I'm really relieved that it didn't sell, as I'll be keeping that one for myself for sure now.
Happy Birthday America! I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday yesterday!