This week I’m sharing brunch at The Alna Store, vintage treasures from an outdoor market, a digital frame update, and early thoughts of fall.
Labor Day Weekend
Happy Labor Day Weekend, and greetings from Michigan!
I’m here visiting my son and daughter-in-law in their new home. It’s warm, welcoming, and full of fun color. (Oh, hello, orange music room!) It always makes me happy to see how my three kids have inherited a love of home—each in their own unique style.
I know many of you are busy with holiday weekend festivities, or simply soaking up the “last” (debatable, in my opinion…) days of summer. So let’s get right to this week’s post!
One of the things I love most about Maine is the truly exceptional places you can stumble upon in the most unexpected corners. The Lost Kitchen in tiny Freedom is probably the best-known example—a destination dining spot in a very unlikely location. Or The Place Bakery in Camden, housed in what is essentially a renovated garage, which was recently voted one of the best bakeries in the country.
Last Friday I had brunch at a relative newcomer, The Alna Store, and I’m so excited to share it with you!
Then on Saturday, I went to a small outdoor vintage and antiques market and came home with a couple of treasures.
And while I’m not decorating for fall just yet, I am starting to think about it. I’ll share some favorite posts from years past to help get our creative juices flowing.
Lastly, I have an update on my Aura digital frame—plus another great dinner made with late-summer produce. (It’s a sheet-pan recipe—couldn’t be easier!)
Let’s jump right in!
Brunch at the Alna Store
Last Friday, I went out to eat with a friend to celebrate our birthdays. When the restaurant we had planned on was closed for a special event, we pivoted to brunch at The Alna Store.
Let me just say, Friday brunch feels genius. If you’re retired, on vacation, or have a flexible schedule, it turns an ordinary Friday into something special. And it was easy to get a last-minute reservation.
A Restaurant Earning National Praise
Since reopening under new ownership in 2022, The Alna Store has been named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant, voted Best New Restaurant by the Portland Press Herald, and was the only Maine spot to land on the New York Times’ list of the 50 best restaurants in America.
I’d already heard the buzz, but after chatting briefly with co-owner Jasper Ludwig at a local Trekkers fundraiser this summer, I promised myself I’d get there before the season ended. (Read more about the Trekker’s Fired Up event here.)
Arriving at The Alna Store
After winding through a maze of back roads (my friend remarked, “I have no idea where we are”), we pulled up to a crossroads and a simple building with a big deck and picnic tables.
Inside, though, it’s bright and modern, with a bustling kitchen in back, a cozy bar, and a curated shop offering local foods, housemade bread, flowers, and craft beers. Their philosophy is simple but special—locally rooted, thoughtfully elevated food that feels both sophisticated and completely unpretentious.
What We Ate
As vegetarians, my friend and I both ordered the same things: sourdough bread with rhubarb jam and cacio e pepe heirloom grits with romano beans, scrambled eggs, pecorino, scallion, and tomatillo jalapeño salsa.
For dessert, we shared an olive oil cake with orange and almond—and of course a glass of cava to celebrate. Every bite was out-of-this-world delicious.
I can’t wait to go back for dinner.
The Alna Store is open year-round: Thursdays 4–8 pm; Fridays–Sundays 10 am–2 pm and 4–8 pm.
Vintage Hunting at an Outdoor Market
On Saturday I went to a small outdoor vintage/antiques market. Just a casual grouping of a few vendors with tables in a grassy lot.
Of course I didn’t walk away empty-handed…
A Classic L.L. Bean Boat and Tote
My favorite find at the market was a vintage L.L. Bean Boat and Tote. It is similar to the ones still sold today, but the faded canvas, softened handles, and perfectly worn-in patina set it apart and give it more character.
Beyond the surface wear, the details reveal its age. The retro green-bordered label reads “Made by L.L. Bean, Freeport, Maine, Boat and Tote” — a style used in the late 1970s into the very early 1980s. Inside, the canvas is raw and the stitching is chunky, with an extra reinforcement row at the base. The navy handles and bottom date back to the years when Bean first introduced color options.
The Boat and Tote was originally designed in 1944 as an “ice carrier,” tough enough to lug blocks of ice from car to chest. Renamed in 1965, it has become an icon.
Perfectly broken-in vintage versions often list online for $100–200, but I scooped this one up for $75. To me, the wear and tear is what makes it so special. My only regret? That I didn’t hang on to the one I had years ago.
My new-to-me tote is a medium size and I plan on using it as a casual purse. It also looks pretty cute just hanging on the hooks by the front door!
I did give it a soak in Retro Clean, a gentle solution that lifts age stains from old fabrics. After all, I wanted the tote to look broken in — but not grubby!
If you are interested in more about LL Bean, I wrote an entire blog post about the company and its history.
A $3 Wicker Treasure
The other piece that came home with me from the market was a wicker-covered bottle. I was immediately drawn to its timeworn finish and rustic texture.
And at just $3, really—how could I pass it up?
Now it’s tucked in among the jumble of pieces on the corner hutch in my dining area. The warm wicker ties in with the rope elements and plays nicely against the blue and white pottery.
Sometimes design really is all in the small details!
Thoughts of Fall
While I won’t be bringing out the fall decor until later in September, I am starting to think about it. The cooler nights, the fading summer blooms, and the shift in light all have me looking ahead.
And since I know many of you are already diving into your fall decorating, I thought I’d share a few favorite posts from years past. Hopefully they’ll spark some inspiration—whether you’re easing in slowly like me, or fully embracing the season already.
Fading Flowers, Pumpkins & Lobster Buoys | A Coastal Maine Fall : Outdoor fall decor with fading blooms, pumpkins, and a unique coastal Maine twist.
A Cheery Table Setting Inspired by the Colors of Coastal Maine Fall : A simple, cheerful fall table setting that echoes Maine’s autumn palette.
Welcoming October With Nature-Inspired Fall Fireplace Decor – Vibrant nature-focused fireplace styling to welcome the season.
My Seasonal Living Room | Evoking All the Fall Feels – A cozy living room refresh with layered textures and warm hues.
For now, I’ll be tucking these ideas away until I feel ready to start decorating for fall.
My Digital Frame Update
I thought I would give you an update on the Aura digital frame my kids gave me for my birthday.
Easy Set-up
Some reviews I read said the setup was tricky, but I didn’t find that at all. You just download the Aura app, set up an account, plug the frame in, and connect it to Wi-Fi. Then you’re ready to start adding photos—similar to posting on IG. Easy peasy!
(Or maybe I’m just a tech whiz! 😉)
Style and Quality
When I first started looking at digital frames, I wanted one with a wood surround—if I’m displaying it in my home, I would prefer it to be beautiful. While mine is actually a composite material, it’s heavy, looks great, and the image quality is clear and bright—so much better than my phone!
Placement
The one thing I didn’t really think through is that the frame needs to be plugged in. I had hoped to keep it on the kitchen island, but the cord would have snaked across to the outlet. So instead, it sits on a kitchen counter—not quite as central, but still visible.
All in all, I couldn’t be happier with this frame. I love how it catches my eye in the middle of daily life, giving me a little “visit” with family.
Aura frames are Wirecutter’s top choice, and now I understand why. I’ve linked mine below!
From Farm Stand to Sheet Pan
Let’s keep rolling with the fresh summer recipes!
I couldn’t resist some organic broccolini at a local farm stand recently—some of the florets had even burst into tiny blooms.
But what to make with it? A quick search in my favorite source, NYT Cooking, turned up an easy sheet-pan recipe.
Combine broccolini, cherry tomatoes, red onion, lemon slices, and feta on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with cumin, crushed red pepper, and salt. Roast in a 400-degree oven for 15–20 minutes.
Serve over farro or orzo. (I went with farro, of course!)
So easy, so fresh, and so good!
Here’s the link to the recipe: Sheet-Pan Baked Feta With Broccolini, Tomatoes, and Feta
This is the kind of simple, colorful meal that makes late summer so delicious—and so hard to let go of.
Here is the link to the recipe: Sheet-Pan Baked Feta With Broccolini, Tomatoes, and Feta
This Week Into Next
I’m finishing up this post while sitting at the Portland airport, waiting to board my (delayed) flight to Michigan. I’m choosing to see the extra two hours as bonus writing time—so I can fully enjoy being with my son tomorrow!
This week at home, before leaving on this trip, I tackled two tedious but satisfying tasks around the house—and I have to say, it feels good.
Bluebelle
You all know I love Bluebelle, my big BlueStar range, but with her open-burner design she can be a lot of work to keep clean. Of course I wipe spills as they happen, but there are plenty of nooks and crannies to trap messes.
The other day I took all the burners apart and gave them a good scrub in the sink, then cleaned the surfaces underneath. Let me tell you—it can get grimy (think restaurant ranges, which share the same design). For now, Bluebelle is sparkling—as much as cast iron can!
Brown Scale
Meanwhile, my Schefflera plant had been looking sad for months—dull blotchy leaves, dropping foliage, and a sticky residue on the leaves, floor, and wall. Clearly something was wrong.
When I brought it outside for a closer look, I found small brown bumps on the leaves: brown scale. Out came the soapy water, and I wiped each leaf one by one, then gave the whole plant a hose-down, a spray with Neem Oil, and a dose of seaweed fertilizer.
The plant looks beautiful now—bright and glossy again. I know it’s not fully out of the woods, but I’ll keep a close eye on it and hope it’s on the road to recovery.
Time to head to my gate—wishing you all a wonderful holiday weekend!
