Here's What I Did Last Summer....

I decided to take the summer off from blogging, in case you didn't notice. I forgive you if you didn't. I understand that life is busy. Which is precisely why I took the summer off from blogging. 

I have always taken my birthday week off in July. And this July my dear sister treated me to an overnight stay in Belfast, Maine at the fine AAA Four Diamond Belfast Bay Inn Boutique Hotel. If you have never been to Belfast, Maine, you must make time for a visit. It's quiet and quaint. Nothing like the hub-bub in Bar Harbor, which is also one of my all-time favorite places to visit in Maine when I feel the need for more action. Belfast is for people who want to be quiet for a minute and just breathe. Why do we have to do something wild and crazy all the time? Why can't we just be? Well, my sister and I did. We calmly relaxed in suite 301 at the Belfast Bay Inn.

{This is the front view of The Belfast Bay Inn from Main Street. See the tipy top where the black iron balcony is? That's our room. Suite 301.}

Of course we didn't stay in the room the whole time. Although, I would have been quite happy to. We took a walk around Main Street and did a little shopping. I always love to stop at Cyote Moon and find something eclectic to add to my mostly preppy wardrobe. 

{Welcoming red doors at the entrance of The Belfast Bay Inn}

{The courtyard in the back}

{The living room}

{Another view of the living room. I love how she had Maine Magazine's displayed on the coffee table. How perfect!)

{The view of Main Street from the balcony in our room. Lot's of people and traffic, yet we didn't hear a thing! The room is extremely well insulated.}

{Sorry. Kind of messy. I should have taken this photo before we started eating our snack! But you get the idea. Gouda cheese & a baguette that we purchased from The Belfast Co-op dipped in Vinolio blood orange olive oil and raspberry balsamic. And of course, my sister didn't forget the champagne! 

CHEERS from my sweet sis and I! 

{The kitchen}

{Learning to sail in Belfast Bay}

{The most beautiful impatient's I've ever seen!} 

{My birthday dinner at Delvino's on Main St. in Belfast, Maine. Lobster tortellini!}

{My birthday cake made from scratch by the pastry chef at The Belfast Bay Inn. A white raspberry filled double layer cake with the lightest buttercream frosting you've ever tasted. Delicious!}

{Time to wash up for bed! This is the luxurious bathroom in Suite 301.}

{King size bed. I think this might have been the most comfortable mattress I have ever slept on in my life.}

{Breakfast was served by the owners themselves! Such a wonderful surprise treat!}

{Judy Hemmingsen and I. Judy owns and runs The Belfast Bay Inn Boutique Hotel with her husband Ed. They made me feel like a princess during my stay on my 42nd birthday this past July. I will never forget this most wonderful experience! Thank you to my sister and my brother-in-law for giving me this very special birthday gift.}