A Grand Day

Today is a grand day.  My youngest granddaughter's birthday.  She is two now.

Today, her dad took off work so that the family could go sledding.  This is a family who knows how to have fun.  Mainers dress for the weather.  In any home, you will find a mud room.  There are always lots of hooks on the wall for coats, up to fifteen at times.  Often each family member will have  three or four coats hanging on the hook.  Changing weather and all.

Then there is the boot rack.  We changed ours out recently and I added a bookshelf.  Keep in mind this is a family of three.  Each shelf has slippers, shoes of every sort and one, two or three pairs of boots, weather dependent.

There is always a bathroom in the mud room.  Running in and out of the weather.  The mudroom is just next to the garage and often next to the family room.  In most Maine homes, shoe removal is a must.  So if you visit, be sure to bring your slippers.  It really saves on the wear and tear of the floors.

In my family's home, the wood floors are beautiful.  Solid wood floors.  Not manufactured.  I am told manufactured last longer.  I do not know.  I have manufactured and I much prefer those floors to mine.  So much richer  in grain.

Most Mainer homes also have an outdoor shower.  Since southern Maine families are frequently on the water, it keeps the sand from both the winter salt/sand and summer sand out of the house.

If you visit friends or family in Maine, be sure to bundle up.  Most homes are kept about 65 during the day.  Fuel is very expensive. Most of it is oil.  The bathroom in the mudroom may be in the low 50s so prepare yourself.  It is mighty cold!

A brief conversation with my youngest granddaughter this morning was fun. She was stirring her oatmeal and so proud of herself.  She is eager to participate in just about everything.  And her favorite word right now is, "MINE."

It is always lovely coming home.  I was in Maine for just about a week.  The temperature today is colder than Maine.  I just de-iced my driveway for the third time.  A tiny path to get me out and about hopefully in the early afternoon.

Have a grand day.  I sure will!