Food, Entertainment, and Arts

Food, Entertainment, and Arts

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine




207. GOGI, Korean and Mexican restaurant on Congress St:  lunch was delicious~~sweet potato fries--crisp outside; fried pork dumplings--crunchy and hot; fish and chicken tacos--soft shell and fresh ingredients.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Merry Christmas


From my house to yours......

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine



206. Limo Service from Affinity in Buxton Maine:  Great way to travel in luxury.  We enjoyed seeing the Christmas lights with our expert and friendly driver Amanda.  http://affinity-limousine.com/

Sunday, December 11, 2011

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

205.  Standard Baking Company on Commercial Street (behind Fore Street Restaurant):  This outstanding bakery has fabulous breads of all types~~most notably their baguettes.  At the holidays you can also find delicious treats like these lobster shaped sugar cookies.

Friday, December 9, 2011

How to Seal Out Drafts and Seal in Comfort

Published: December 14, 2010 By: Jeanne Huber

Seal air leaks around your windows and doors to prevent wasting precious home heating and cooling energy that costs you money.Effort: Low 3-4 hours

Investment: Low $25-$37
Caulking and adding new weatherstripping can make old windows more efficient.
An average home loses up to 30% of its heating and cooling energy through air leaks. The most significant air leaks tend to occur around windows and doors. To stop air leaks and prevent your home heating and cooling dollars from vanishing in the wind, it’s important to seal any air leaks around windows and doors.

Check for air leaks
With windows and doors closed, hold a lit stick of incense near window and door frames where drafts might sneak in. Watch for smoke movement. Note what sources need caulk, sealant, and weather-stripping.

Seal air leaks around windows
If you have old windows, caulking and adding new weatherstripping goes a long way toward tightening them up.

Bronze weatherstripping ($12 for 17 feet) lasts for decades but is time-consuming to install.

Self-stick plastic types are easy to put on but don’t last very long.

Adhesive-backed EPDM rubber ($8 for 10 feet) is a good compromise, rated to last at least 10 years.

Nifty gadgets called pulley seals ($9 a pair) block air from streaming though the holes where cords disappear into the frames.

Seal air leaks around doors
Check for air leaks, and replace old door weatherstripping with new.

Foam-type tape has an adhesive backing; it’s inexpensive and easy to install. If it comes loose, reinforce it with staples.

Felt is either adhesive-backed or comes with flexible metal reinforcement. it must be tacked or glued into place. It’s cheap and easy to install, but it has low durability.

Tubular rubber, vinyl, and silicone weatherstripping is relatively expensive and tricky to install, but it provides an excellent seal. Some types come with a flange designed to fit into pre-cut grooves in the jambs of newer doors; check your existing weatherstripping and replace with a similar style.

Check exterior trim for any gaps between the trim and your door frames, and the trim and your siding. Caulk gaps with an exterior latex caulk ($5 for a 10-ounce tube).

Jeanne Huber Jeanne Huber is the author of 10 books about home improvement and writes a weekly column about home care for the Washington Post.

Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/maintenance-repair/seal-air-leaks-around-windows-and-doors/#ixzz1g4BX46VG

Thursday, December 1, 2011

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine



204.  Wine Bar on Wharf Street in Old Port: Relaxed, inviting atmosphere with comfy chairs and couches and fireplace plus friendly staff and good food make this a great meeting place.  Oh, and the wine selection is great, too!

Closing in Portland~~ Happy Seller

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

203. New bakery alert: Bakery on the Hill --Munjoy that is.  A very pleasant seating area and friendly staff make this a must for all your elegant holiday desserts and a shopping break spot with plenty of yummy treats.  I brought home a delicious creme brulee.  Here is the  "before" picture.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine


202. Siano's Brick oven pizza in Freeport location:
Delicious pizzas with choice of whole wheat crust and lots of toppings in large attractive setting.
http://www.sianosbrickoven.com/

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine



202. Skillins Greenhouse in Cumberland
Get all your Christmas greens and decorations at one of their locations.
They have Amaryllis, Paperwhites, and Hyacinth bulbs, too.

7 Ways to Have an Eco-Friendly Christmas

Published: December 10, 2010 By: G. M. Filisko
With a few conscious choices, your merry Christmas can also be an eco-friendly Christmas
Create some inexpensive decorations by stringing popcorn and cranberries together. It's a fun project for the kids, too. Image: Andersen Ross/Blend Images/Getty Images


‘Tis the season to consume and decorate, which can leave your bank statement and the planet a little beat up. Celebrate an eco-friendly Christmas and nip your seasonal costs in the bud:


1. Light up with LEDs. LED lights use at least 75% less energy than conventional holiday decorations, according to Energy Star. That saves the average family about $50 on energy bills during the holiday, says Avital Binshtock of the Sierra Club in San Francisco. Or douse the lights and use soy-based or beeswax candles; their emissions are cleaner than those from paraffin candles.


2. Make your own decorations. Save money and keep your kids busy by hand-crafting eco-friendly decor—strings of popcorn or pine cones—instead of buying mass-produced holiday flare.


3. Wrap with stuff you already have. Get creative with reusable shopping bags, magazines, and newspapers instead of using wrapping paper. Even gift bags that recipients can pass on make for a more eco-friendly Christmas, says Brian Clark Howard of The Daily Green.


4. Buy a real tree. Real Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands are renewable and recyclable, Binshtock says. Real trees mean an annual cost, but that may be a wash if you tend to buy a faux tree several times a decade.


5. Say “no” to glossy paper decorations and wrapping. Shininess and color come from chemicals not easily recycled. Alternative: Decorations or wrapping papers that use soy inks or natural dyes.


6. Package it in cardboard. Plain, corrugated cardboard is good for packaging because it’s easy to recycle. If plastic factors into your holiday plans, look for No. 1 and No. 2 plastics, the easiest to recycle, says Ben Champion, director of sustainability for Kansas State University.


7. Create precious moments that don’t leave a trail of debris.


Do something experiential like taking the family to a museum.


Give a gift certificate or donation to an organization meaningful to the recipient in the receiver’s name. Happy holidays to you: No sales tax.


Buy fair-trade, organic, or locally made products, which are often one-of-a-kind and may not need as much packaging and shipping, Champion says.




Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/green-living/eco-friendly-christmas/#ixzz1estO10EG

Monday, November 21, 2011

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine


201.  Looking for a good reason to go to the Maine Mall?  How about cupcakes?  Yes, right in the center isle, you can pick bite size, regular or supersize.  I tried a vanilla cake with berry frosting--bite size.  The cake is very moist and the frosting is buttery and rich~~just the way I like them.  There are several flavor combos to pick from and I plan to go back to try more.  This is a local Cape Elizabeth company.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving to all

                                        Click on link below for Thanksgiving Message:

     


101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

200. Simply Divine Brownies in Freeport:  All flavors imaginable of rich decadent fudgy brownies!  Nuff said....
http://www.simplydivinebrownies.com/

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Portland on Another Best of List: Deering Center Neighborhood

I have always lived in Portland and love the older Victorian homes in Deering Highlands and Center.
Call for more information or to find out what homes are selling for in this area.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20466773_20916750,00.html

Friday, November 11, 2011

Energy-Efficient Fireplace Options

Published: September 21, 2010 By: Rich Binsacca
Fireplaces & Chimneys


Energy-efficient fireplaces, both wood-burning and gas, let you enjoy the glow of a fire without letting your home heating energy go up in smoke.Effort: Low 3-4 hours (pro install)
Investment: Low $300-$500 (glass doors installed)


EPA-qualified wood-burning fireplaces regulate how much air is used for combustion, reducing energy use and emissions. Image: Industrial Chimney Company


A traditional wood-burning fireplace adds warmth and romantic ambience to a home’s interior. But most are energy hogs, converting only 15% of wood’s energy into useful heat. Fortunately, new energy-efficient fireplace designs are helping wood-burning fireplaces achieve efficiency ratings of 75% or more. Fireplace inserts and gas fireplaces are even more efficient.


Energy-efficient wood-burning fireplaces

If you’re adding a wood-burning fireplace, avoid the standard design, which sends too much of your home’s heated air up the chimney. Consider these energy-efficient wood-burning fireplaces:


Rumford fireplaces feature a shallow box design that reflects more heat into the room.


EPA-rated fireplaces have good performance and high energy-efficiency ratings. They are designed to pull in outdoor air for combustion, and circulate room air around the firebox to extract as much useable heat as possible. In addition, EPA-approved wood-burning fireplaces produce much less air pollution than standard fireplaces.


Fireplace inserts are sealed metal boxes designed to fit inside masonry fireplace openings. They use outside air for combustion, and are designed to circulate and warm inside air. Inserts burn a variety of biomass fuels, including wood and pellets. Some units are rated at 80% efficiency.


If you already own a standard wood-burning fireplace, make it more energy efficient by installing glass doors. Glass doors limit the amount of room air that is sucked into the fireplace during combustion.


Glass doors work particularly well when a fire is burning down for the night and you must leave the damper open. Otherwise, glass doors block radiant heat; keep them open when your fire is blazing. Expect to pay $300 to $500 for glass doors, installed.


Energy-efficient gas fireplaces


If you want the convenience and low maintenance of a energy-efficient gas fireplace, you have two good options:


Direct-vent gas fireplaces, which use two-way vents that supply outside air for combustion, have energy-efficiency ratings as high as 77%. That’s better than the top gas fireplaces connected to a chimney.


Vent-free gas fireplaces are even more energy-efficient because they don’t send exhaust outside. But they release a lot of moisture into inside indoor air.


Tax credits for fireplaces


Some types of fireplaces qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $300 until the end of 2011. In addition, certain states may provide tax credits for various types of energy-efficiency improvements, including fireplaces.


Rich Binsacca has been writing about housing and home improvement since 1987. He is the author of 12 books on various home-related topics, is currently a contributing editor for Builder and EcoHome magazines, and has written articles to such magazines as Remodeling, Home, and Architectural Record, among several others. He intermittently uses the wood-burning fireplace and the gas-fueled freestanding stove that came with his current home.






Read more:  http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/fireplaces-chimneys/energy-efficient-fireplaces-wood-burning-gas-burning/#ixzz1dQHHefl0

Day of Remembrance

Thursday, November 10, 2011

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine





199,. Clay Hill Farm in Cape Neddick: Enjoy fine dining in a beautiful woodland setting with crackling fireplace.

Valet parking, excellent servers, and delicious menu choices.  Pricey but worth it!
http://www.clayhillfarm.com/

Monday, November 7, 2011

Wine Happy Hour at The Front Room~~Portland

The wines are only $2 a glass during their Happy Hour.  Pair a glass with a bowl of fab French onion soup with gobs of cheese and you have a $8 meal! http://www.thefrontroomrestaurant.com/

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Set Clocks Back This Weekend 11/6

Time to set your clocks back one hour before bed on Saturday night.
This is also a good time to change batteries in alarms and smoke detectors.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Special Mention in Woodstock: Mountain Creamery

Speaking of mountains~~These hot fudge sundaes are piled high with topping including the best hot fudge sauce ever!


Their mile high apple pie!

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

198. Overnight trips from Portland: Queechee and Woodstock Vermont:

Truffled Fries at the Elixir in White River

Toy Museun Queechee Falls

Antique Group Shop

More toys





Lunch at Bentley's in Woodstock

The perfect fall trip to see the Gorge, the falls, covered bridges, foliage, antiques and old toys, and to enjoy some great meals and tasty treats.