Warm days and cool nights. Sunlight sparking on blue water. Lush gardens and farm stands overflowing with fresh produce. It’s late August, and I am still making the most of summer in Maine!
I’m Back!
Hello, friends!
I am back after a break from both the blog and Instagram.
For the last two weeks I have had various combinations of my kids and grandkids at the house.
It was so wonderful!
Wonderfully crazy most of the time — with up to 9 adults, two toddlers, 3 dogs, and two cats in the house at a time.
Phew!
There was a full refrigerator and a constantly messy kitchen.
Daily trips to the beach.
And to the transfer station with trash, recycling, and compost.
Climbing the rocks and skipping stones at the lighthouse.
Plenty of deck time.
So many showers, baths, dishwasher runs, and loads of laundry that it necessitated an emergency visit by the septic guy…
Lots of “snacks” dropped on the floor by little hands for Maddie and Cisco to gobble up.
Board books, bubbles, and blocks.
We celebrated all the summer birthdays. And then I celebrated mine again with a dinner out with just Leah and Jamie.
And then, inevitably, everyone headed back to their own busy lives.
Leaving me with a full, and, at the same time empty, heart.
You all know me as “Molly in Maine”, blogger and content creator.
But really, in my truest form I am simply a mom. And now a grandmother.
Once all the “kids” leave, it always takes me a few days to transition back to Molly in Maine.
So, I am keeping this post brief, with more photos.
Because, while my summer guests have all come and gone, I am still enjoying summer!
Late Summer
Let me be clear.
It is August — definitely still summer in my book.
In fact, I enjoy “summer” well after Labor Day and into September.
These late summer days are actually my favorites.
Warm days and cool nights.
Sunlight sparkling on blue water, as a sailboat glides by on the horizon.
The hum of a lobster boat, idling as it hauls traps up from the ocean floor.
My limelight hydrangea hedge (all 26 plants!) in full bloom.
And the wildflower meadow bursting with life — tall grasses, delicate Queen Ann’s Lace, bright goldenrod. Bees and butterflies flitting from blossom to blossom.
The local farm stands overflowing with summer’s bounty — tomatoes of all colors, just-picked lettuces, zucchini and green beans. Happy sunflowers and rainbow-hued zinnias standing in buckets of water.
Vacationers and locals alike lingering at the dock in the morning with a cup of coffee.
The harbors full of pleasure boats and the local fishing co-op buzzing with activity.
Our little beach full of families — parents trying to sneak in a few pages of their summer read, children exploring the tide pools, dogs chasing balls, and hardy souls taking a quick dip in the chilly water.
Today I am sharing all the beauty of late summer in Maine!
I hope these images help to prolong this magical season for you too!
This Week Into Next
Banana Republic Factory Store
After I dropped Leah and Jamie at the airport on Thursday, I stopped in Freeport at the outlets.
I needed a little retail therapy…
And boy did I find the deals at the Banana Republic Factory Store!
I think BR has done some rebranding since I last shopped there. The racks were full of simple classics that I know I will reach for again and again.
In fact, I liked what I saw so much, that I did some online shopping when I got home.
Everything was 50% off, plus an extra 20% off on summer styles. I got shorts for $12, chinos for $20, and more! These pieces will be great for late summer and transitioning to early fall.
I definitely recommend you check out the Banana Republic Factory Store website!
A new-to-me cookbook
An interesting salad made with lots of fresh produce might be my favorite type of food.
Particularly this time of year.
A friend of mine knows me well — she gifted me a new-to-me cookbook, Salads: Beyond the Bowl by Mindy Fox, for my birthday.
I can’t wait to dig into it!
It is an older cookbook, from 2012, so I found a used copy of it for just $1.51 on Amazon, which I have linked below. I am sure you can google it to find other copies.
That’s it for today!
Next week I will be sharing some late summer/transitional decor. Can you believe Labor Day weekend is upon us?!
I hope you have all had a great summer. I certainly have!
Be well!
I feel the same way here at the Jersey Shore. I treasure the last days of summer and do my best to make it last. I love your house, etc. I have nieces that live in Maine so its always nice to feel closer to them via your posts!!! thank you. Happy Summer!!
Angela (from NJ)
Hi Angela! I think it is particularly hard to bid summer farewell on the coast! These summer days are the best! Enjoy the rest of them!
Just came back from spending time at our ocean beach with my daughter and grandson. What a pleasure. He is only 19 months old but loves the beach. My daughter is on vacation! She picked a good week. I love the summer and August has become my favorite month!
Writing this as my grandson naps!
Hi Kathleen! Hope you had a fabulous visit with your grandson! It was so fun spending time at the beach with Jamie and Poppy. Jamie, who recently started walking, had to tromp through every tide pool. And Poppy was happy to settle into one tide pool and play with the water, sand, seaweed, and hermit crabs!
So glad you’re back! It sounds like a wonderful time with family. I’m sure it was just as hard for them to leave as it was for you to see them leave. It takes awhile to get accustomed to a quiet house again. Maine looks like it was showing off the beauty and culture it is known for. Those hydrangeas are gorgeous! Again, so glad you’re back. I’ve missed my Saturday morning virtual trip to Maine.
Hi Julie! Thank you so much! Yes, Maine is so beautiful this time of year! We had the best time here, but my kids all have busy full lives that I think they are always happy to get back to. I will take whatever time I get with them, though!
Dear Molly,
I look forward so much to your columns! Your spirit of joy and appreciation for Maine are a great lift and a potent reminder of the life we love and are living in Maine.
Thank you for everything you write and share.
anne
Thank you so much for your kind words, Anne! Maine certainly is a special place and I love living here! I appreciate your support for my blog!
We have had a very hot and humid summer here in Southeastern PA. I’m not ready for summer to be gone and the fall-like weather right now is wonderful but it won’t last. As exhausting as it is with all the family there, you are building wonderful memories! Enjoy what’s left of summer.
Hi Dianne! I loved having everyone here, as chaotic as it was at times. Hopefully your hot weather will soon be behind you and you can enjoy some cooler late summer days!
I ordered the salad cookbook! I’m so glad you had a wonderful time with your family. You are a great ambassador for Maine as I yearn to visit when I see your beautiful photos!
Hi Jane! The cookbook will be a great way to use all that fresh produce from your large garden! You definitely need to visit Maine and see all the beauty I share in person!
One of my favorite posts yet! We do/did celebrate summer into September. All your beautiful photos and descriptions certainly brought back vivid memories for me. Thank you!
Hi Beth! This is the best time of year! Happy late summer!
Beautiful Post Molly! We also love Maine. I think there’s something poignant about this time of year. Summer is still here but Fall is calling. I agree with the thought of living in the moment, not always “pushing” for the next! Loved hearing of your family celebrating life together ,taking time for each other. Speaking of salads, years back I borrowed a book from our library, Raising The Salad Bar,
Catherine Walthers. I sooo enjoyed this book and did something I never do, paid full price for the book through Amazon. It was a just out book so I couldn’t buy it used, the only way I usually buy my books. I have been buying used for years and have never had a problem. My goal is to make every recipe and it has a great chapter on dressings. Favorite shopping in Freeport : L.L.BEAN! Enjoy these last warm days of Summer.
Hi Barb — We did have the best time together, even if things were a bit crazy at times! I will definitely check that cookbook out. I love a good salad! And yes, LL Bean is a must-stop!
Hey there Molly, sounds like you had the best kind of August. And it looks like one of the prettiest months of the year in Maine. And that’s saying something. Hope you continue to enjoy these final weeks of summer. The tradition to fall is my favorite time of year here in California. So happy to leave the heat behind us. Welcome back! xo
Hi Juliet — We did have such a great time together! And now I miss everyone. I think September is one of the most beautiful months here in Maine. And early October too. I like winter, but it is very gray and very long here. I miss the color. Fall and winter are probably beautiful in California! Enjoy your cooler temps!
Happy Birthday! How wonderful when we have a houseful of the people we love.
I’m with you; Summer is far from over and I’m all in! This time of year the air feels soft, and smells good. The sun is bright, but not too hot. The summer produce is at its peak and I eat my fill of it. It’s a perfect time to enjoy the moment and reflect on all that has gone on this summer. Soak it all up and enjoy
I agree with all that you say! I can’t get enough of all the amazing produce this time of year. It is heaven! Enjoy every last moment of summer!
My husband and I just recently spent a little over a week in Maine driving the coast, seeing every lighthouse we could fit in and just exploring the small towns. I came home telling my husband it was by far the best vacation we’ve taken and he agreed! I brought back so many treasures! Your pictures take me back immediately. What a beautiful state you live in!
Hi Tracy! There are so many incredibly picturesque small towns here in Maine, and I am fortunate to live in one! I am glad you enjoyed your visit to this beautiful state!
Summer weather will last long past Labor Day in Florida. We sort of skip Fall or I guess our winter temps are more like your Fall.😀 To be completely honest our temps do lower and we enjoy sitting outside in the evenings. I enjoy getting back to schedule(even though we’re retired)
Hi Nancy — Yes, I am sure you feel differently about summer, living in Florida. I think sometimes your winter temps are like our summer ones, ha! Stay cool!
I love this blog for all the lovely pictures of your property and local Maine sites! Keep some summer for when we get to you! You certainly did have a great 2 weeks with all of the family. So many memories! See you soon!
Amy
I am trying to hang on to summer, but it is definitely fading. The field is still growing wild, though!