Saturday, September 27, 2008

pine

It's not surprising that Maine's state tree is the pine, and that the state flower is the white pine cone and tassel (Pinus strobus, linnaeus).  I'll never forget my first trip to Maine; stepping off the plane at the Hancock Regional Airport near Bar Harbor, I was amazed at how thick the air was scented with the fresh, heady fragrance of balsam.  It was purely intoxicating.  That wonderful scent is one of the things I look forward to most about visiting Maine.  For those of us who can't enjoy the real thing every day, Auburn, Maine-based Paine Products, Inc., offers a wonderful selection of pine-scented items for the home, ranging from drawer sachets to incense.    

Friday, September 19, 2008

angela adams


One of my favorite artists/designers, Angela Adams, happens to hail from Maine. I'm drawn to the modern whimsy that her designs evoke. Over the past several years, Adams' line has expanded from primarily textiles to paper goods, furniture, and even jams and honey! I was lucky to snag a limited edition, signed/numbered print called, "Lulu" last year, which hangs proudly in the dining room.