Yay for 2012

In about 7 hours from now, a beach ball covered with lights will be dropped from a building in downtown Bangor, ME signifying the start of 2012. (Times Square has nothing on us, baby!). It's fun to reflect on the old year--all the great Madder Root milestones--and think ahead to 2012. Thank you all for your continued support and inspiration. We hope that you and your family have a happy, healthy and joy-filled New Year! --the madder root gang

A Heartfelt Thanks!

Christina, Andy and I give a heartfelt thanks to everyone who's made Madder Root a success this year. Your support and kind feedback truly gives us inspiration. We'll be taking Dec 22-27, 2011 off to be with our families and friends. Our Etsy shop will remain open. Orders placed during that time will be shipped starting Dec 28. In the meantime, we wish all of you happiness in this holiday season and success in the New Year!--Janyce

The New England Outdoor Center

We had a great time at The New England Outdoor Center in Millinocket, ME this weekend where we participated in the River Driver's first annual craft fair. We thank Sarah, all the people at NEOC, and the other exhibitors for showing us such a lovely time in a warm and cozy environment. The clouds even lifted a bit to show off the lake and Mt. Katahdin. What a view!

Here are some pictures from the event:

Abbot Village Bakery

It would make a great story if we said we braved the blizzard yesterday to get skidder tire donuts at the Abbot Village Bakery and Cafe. "It was a dark and stormy night" kind of thing. But, really it was just a dusting of snow, the sun was peeking out, and it was 10 o'clock in the morning. Still, Christina's donut radar was on with visions of a donut place "somewhere up here on the left." Sure enough! We weren't disappointed. The welcoming woman at the bakery served up donuts that were, in size and taste, just what the Bumble ordered!

(The donuts didn't last long enough for a picture!)

Cheers!--Janyce

Free Holiday Shipping

We know the holidays can be a crazy time--especially when it comes to getting gifts wrapped and sent to that special someone. To make it easier, we're offering free shipping to our facebook friends for orders placed through our Etsy shop. Just join us at http://www.facebook.com/madderroot to find the coupon code to use at check out. The offer's good now until 12/31/11.

USPS has posted its holiday shipping deadlines. We'll be filling orders throughout December, but won't be able to guarantee orders for Christmas after December 10, 2011. Ideally, orders with destinations outside the United States should be placed before the December 10th deadline.

For more information about USPS holiday shipping deadlines, please check out their website.

Hope your holiday season is a relaxing and fun!

Lubec, Maine

Ya know? It's easy to miss the gems in one's own backyard, but I have to say I had the best time in Lubec recently. This post is a nod to the small business owners who went above and beyond the call of duty to make my stay memorable.

First up, Sue and Dennis of the Peacock House. OMG! Words can't really describe the artistry these two people use to put their guests at ease. I call it "Peacock House magic." Thanks for the great conversations, relaxing atmosphere and yummy breakfasts.

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Cohill's, too, provided friendly service and a hearty dinner just right for a rainy October evening: warm spinach artichoke dip with chips, tomato and feta soup, portobello mushroom sandwich with feta and balsamic vinegar (almost too pretty to eat), and ginger pumpkin pie for dessert. (Oh, and beer. Don't forget the beer. It is an Irish pub, afterall!).

Northern Tides is the go to spot in Lubec for hand crafted items: art, pottery, pysanky, madder root tea towels and napkins (had to slip that in), lotions, soaps, scarves and much more. Since Lubec is on the Canadian border, selections include some marvelous pieces from our neighbors to the north. Deb was sick with laryngitis and bronchitis when I stopped in, but I had a great chat with her husband, Jerry. Feel better Deb! 

If you enjoy quiet, slower paced get-aways, I'd definitely suggest you check Lubec out yourselves. This time of year, though, you might want to call ahead first, as many shops, B&B's, and restaurants will soon tuck in for the winter and won't be open again until spring.

Cheers!--Janyce

Schoodic Point

Got in a bicycle ride at Schoodic Point in Acadia National Park this weekend. Lovely day! The temperature was just right, the views were spectacular. Here are a few snap shots of the ride. Enjoy!--Janyce

Paint Penobscot County Purple

October is "Domestic Violence Awareness Month," and our local agency, Spruce Run is sponsoring their third annual Paint Penobscot County Purple campaign. To show our support for those affected by domestic violence and for the dedicated staff and volunteers at Spruce Run, we are donating $1 for each dusk purple lupine tea towel or napkin sold in our Etsy shop from October 1 to October 31. If you can't make a purchase at this time, we hope you will check the Spruce Run website for ideas about how you can help make your support for safe, healthy relationships visible in your own community.

Day Three at The Fair

We had a great time at The Common Ground Fair. Thanks so, so much to all the people who stopped by our booth to say hello and support us. We met and talked with people from all over the world. What a great way to spend the weekend! We hope to see you all again at CGF next year.

Day Two at the Fair

Here are just some of the many sights at the Common Ground Fair. We'll be there again today. Looks like it's going to be mostly sunny today, so if you're in the area, please do come and join in the fun!

First Day at the Fair

Hi All! Here are a few images from the Common Ground Fair. Two more days to go, so we hope you'll stop by and join in the fun!

Countdown to Common Ground Fair

A week from now, we'll be setting up our tent, tables and displays for the Common Ground Fair in Unity, Maine. We've been anticipating this event since our acceptance to the fair came in at the beginning of the year. Now, it's almost here!

We'd like to thank the Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community (and especially Jane Searles at the Bangor Regional Center) for the mini-grant we received for advertising. Here's the ad we ran in the fair issue of the MOF&G.



If you're planning to be at the fair September 23-25, please stop by and say hello!

Baxter State Park

A friend recently spent time at Baxter State Park. I thought I'd share some of the spectacular views from the hike. Enjoy!--J

Grand Lake Stream Folk Art Festival

I visited the Grand Lake Stream Folk Art Festival for the first time last weekend in Grand Lake Stream, Maine. So many sights and sounds: craft booths, demonstrations, food, music. Had a great time talking to artisans. Here are some highlights.

Fly Tying - Jim Merlihan, Darlington, MD. (Seeing this reminded me of fly fishing with my dad).



Hand Spinning - Karen Cornell of CrowsRise Farm, Anson, ME.



Traditional Wooden Snowshoes - Robert Howe of Maine Guide Snowshoes, Bingham, ME.



Handmade Instruments - Thomas Knowles of Dragonfly Instruments, Lee, ME.



I'd highly recommend marking your calendars for a visit to Downeast Maine in time for the Grand Lake Stream Folk Art Festival next year!--Janyce

St. John's Biennial Quilt Show

What a treat to see all these wonderful quilts this weekend presented by the Ironworks Quilters of Pembroke, Maine. Traditional, contemporary, hand-pieced and quilted, machine pieced and quilted, yo-yo's, applique, cathedral window, stained-glass--miles of thread and fabric in every color imaginable. No corner of St. John the Evangelist Church was left uncovered! Here are some highlights:






The Ironworks Quilters meet weekly on Tuesday evenings, 6:30pm at the Pembroke Library on Old County Road in Pembroke, ME. They welcome anyone who loves quilts and/or quilting. FMI: call Iva Kinney at 207.726.3935.

Summer soup

I know it's warm. But I couldn't resist making a soup when I got some great bac choy and garlic scapes at the Farmer's Market. The thought of a garlicky broth with bac choy and dumplings floating in it was just too much to resist. So even as the temperatures climbed higher and higher in my kitchen I made filling, steamed dumplings, cooked a veggie broth and brought it all together in a very satisfying meal.
If you've never made your own dumplings or dumpling wrappers Use Real Butter has a great recipe. I make mine veggie but lots of different fillings work.

The Claw Foot Tub

We'd like to introduce The Claw Foot Tub of Amherst, MA as the newest vendor to carry our tea towels. Please do visit their website and, if you're in the area, drop by and say hello for us!