Wolfe’s Neck Farm Giveaway Winner & A Garden Find

jenniferhazard — Fri, 18 May 2012 19:17:35 +0000

Thanks to everyone for entering our latest giveaway! Congratulations goes to lucky #16…. Sara Yates! Sara and her family have won a free family pass to Wolfe’s Neck Farm’s Spring Festival.

With all of this beautiful sunny weather (finally), we have gardening on our minds. Of course, MP can’t help herself when it comes to fun garden finds. Check out this elephant watering can she discovered at our local hardware store:

Too cute to pass up, right?

Wolfe’s Neck Farm Spring Festival & Giveaway

jenniferhazard — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:17:10 +0000

The team at Cute Potato has always enjoyed Wolfe’s Neck Farm in Freeport for its spectacular, coastal setting and inspired events for families. This Saturday’s Spring Festival promises to be a treat for all ages. Kids can take part in crafts and games (CP#1 made a beautiful beaded bracelet in the past), scavenger hunts, hayrides along the coast, and face painting. Local musician Matt Loosigian and Parent’s Choice Award-winner Roger Tincknell will also be performing live.

Resourceful families will enjoy learning about sheep shearing, raising honeybees, composting, wool spinning, and more homesteading activities. And if that weren’t enough, there’s a plant sale going on, too!

Want to win free admission for your family? Tell us what you’re looking forward to most at the Spring Festival. One winner will be chosen at random, and announced on Friday, May 18 at noon EST. Good luck!

Wolfe’s Neck Farm Spring Festival & Annual Plant Sale
Saturday, May 19
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
$5/pp and $20 per family

184 Burnett Road
Freeport
wolfesneckfarm.org

Mother’s Day Flowerpot

jenniferhazard — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:43:17 +0000

The kids have a stockpile of Highlights High Five magazines on their bookshelf. On rainy days, they’ll often revisit those magazines in search of an easy craft project. CP#1 and #2 wanted to try the Patchwork Flowerpot in the July 2011 issue, so we gave the project a go. All you need is a small terracotta pot, fabric glue (we like Aleene’s), paintbrushes, and fabric scraps.

MP recommends cutting the scraps with fabric scissors in small squares ahead of time, and covering your table with newspaper or a vinyl mat. The kids glued the fabric pieces on their pots one square at a time. When they were finished with their pots, MP glued over the pieces that needed a little extra attention.

We found small Hydrangea plants at our local Hannaford, and added them to our pots for gifting. We think Grandma Patty and Grandma Cookie Potato will love these for Mother’s Day!

What a Mom Wants

jenniferhazard — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:25:22 +0000

MP will admit it, she loves Mother’s Day. It’s like having a birthday all over again. She’s treated to breakfast in the morning, homemade cards from the kids, and the family road trip of her choice.

Sometimes, if she’s been an especially good Mom, there might be a small gift waiting for her at the kitchen table. There are a few beautiful items that are on her wish list this year. Her dream gift is a bag from Michelle Rose of Minka in Kennebunkport. MP has long coveted Michelle’s artfully designed leather handbag, but now Minka is offering a sleek looking shopper, too. Decisions!

A Mom can never have too many beautiful bags.

Not long ago, MP purchased lace earrings from Kate Clark of Shoreside Chic, thanks to a special offer on Mainely Mara. MP loves the clean simplicity of Kate’s designs, like these silver tear drop earrings.

MP also adores sweet treats, While she has many favorites, her dessert of choice is a chocolate cupcake from Two Fat Cats Bakery in Portland. Simply visiting this cheerful shop makes her grin from ear to ear.

Giveaway Winner & Sweet Nursery Prints

jenniferhazard — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:44:10 +0000

Congratulations to lucky #5… Suzanne Lafreniere, who wins a VW Bus onesie from The Wishing Elephant! Thanks to everyone who entered our Friday Flash Giveaway.

With a new nephew on the way, MP has baby on the brain lately. MP thinks this wonderful print from Hop Skip Jump Paper might be just the thing for his nursery.

A sweet sentiment for MP's nephew to be in New Jersey.

Of course, if your little one was born in Maine, MP loves this print from My Roots.

Happy gifting! xo, MP

Friday Flash Giveaway

jenniferhazard — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:41:24 +0000

MP’s sister is having a baby in August. As you can well imagine, MP is so excited to have a new nephew! The baby shower is fast approaching and MP has been on the look out for some unique handmade gifts.

While searching Pinterest, she discovered Carolyn Caffelle from The Wishing Elephant. The talented, New England mom was featured on the Martha Stewart Show last October for her adorable sushi costumes. Carolyn also makes the cutest cotton bodysuits for babies in all kinds of creative designs—from hamburgers and French fries (for twins) to these irresistible Love Bus onesies.

Carolyn's original appliques are made from hand-cut, Eco felt.

Want to win the VW Bus bodysuit from Cute Potato? Visit Carolyn’s shop, The Wishing Elephant, and tell us below which design you like best. We’ll pick one winner at random. Contest ends Sunday, May 1 at midnight EST. Good luck!

Pirate Play at Winslow Park

jenniferhazard — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:42:34 +0000

We’re traveling this week, but MP has been thinking about some special things to do when we return. Not long ago, we discovered this beautiful new pirate ship at Winslow Park in Freeport. The tremendous, wooden play structure is designed for hours of imaginative play. From the bow of the ship, kids have a wonderful view of Casco Bay.

CP#1 makes her best pirate face from the hull of the ship.

In addition to the pirate ship, Winslow Park has trails to explore, a family-friendly beach, picnic tables, and another big playground area. The park has always been one of our favorite places to visit, and now that there’s a pirate ship on site, we’re thinking there are a lot of weekend picnics in our future.

Friday Flash Giveaway

jenniferhazard — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:25:22 +0000

SteveSongs, known to the preschool set as “Mr. Steve,” is an award-winning children’s musician and co-host of the PBS Kids Preschool Destination. The charismatic performer will be appearing at the Sanford Junior High Gymnasium on Saturday, April 21. Steve’s interactive show promises young fans will be singing, dancing, and laughing along in no time.

Want to win four tickets to the concert? Simply comment below, and we’ll choose a winner at random. Contest ends Sunday, April 15 at midnight EST. Good luck!

For ticket information on SteveSongs Concert, visit here. Want to learn more about Steve? Find him on Facebook.

Steve Songs Family Concert
Sat., April 21, 10:30 a.m.
Sanford Junior High Gymnasium
708 Main St. (Route 109)
Sanford, ME

Edna & Lucy’s

jenniferhazard — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 02:30:27 +0000

Every so often, MP will drive past an intriguing restaurant, hoping one day she’ll finally have the time to check it out. This was the case with Edna & Lucy’s in Pownal. The little red restaurant, which is right near Bradbury Mountain State Park, is known for its incredible homemade donuts and ‘wicked good’ sandwiches. So on a Friday during winter vacation week, MP and the kids joined some friends at Edna & Lucy’s for an early lunch.

Step inside and the casual restaurant is painted in warm, earth tones—orange, cinnamon, and mustard yellow. There are rocking chairs, colorful local artwork on the walls, and an old sewing table displaying those highly touted donuts. The kids were instantly drawn to the treats, as you can imagine, but were promised a donut after they finished their lunch.

The day’s menu is posted on a black board. The kids all opted for hearty, turkey and cheese sandwiches with a slice of tomato on homemade bread. The kind staff noted that a full-size sandwich is quite large, so CP#1 and #2 decided on half-sandwiches. Each sandwich came with cucumber slices. Best of all, the food arrived fast, which was greatly appreciated by the two moms at the table.

MP and her friend ordered breakfast sandwiches with eggs, cheddar, and sausage. The focaccia bun was flavored with rosemary, which was a perfect complement to the savory eggs and sausage. We helped ourselves to coffee from Wicked Joe (also appreciated).

The room we dined in offered a few tables and counter seating by the window. It’s wide and spacious enough, so that little ones can roam around a little and be in view after they’ve finished lunch.

Afterwards, we all took our time choosing between a traditional or cruller-style donut. And wow, are they good! The inside of the donut is dense but remarkably moist, and there’s just the right amount of cinnamon and sugar.

We’re so glad we found this wonderful, family-friendly restaurant. And what better way to burn a few donut-infused calories than a hike up Bradbury Mountain after lunch?

Edna & Lucy’s
407 Hallowell Rd.
Pownal
207.688.3029

Last Minute Easter Picks

jenniferhazard — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:06:11 +0000

Since we’ve been away, MP is a little bit behind on everything, especially her Easter shopping. She likes to put some candy in the kids’ baskets, but small gifts are always fun and memorable. This sweet mouse from Laika Handknits is just the right size for little hands:

For pocket change, hair bands, and small collectibles, MP loves this soft, felt wallet from Harrington’s Five Fireflies:

For infants, this brightly colored bib from Bibs, Blankets & More is perfect for spring:

And of course, what basket could do without a handmade, Easter rabbit? We love the polka dots on this sweet creation from Belfast’s Rabbit! Rabbit! Softies:

Happy Spring, everyone!