Thanksgiving at our Favorite Bed and Breakfast….

Did you know that Maine has not ONE but FOUR State Slogans?
(Another random useless fact brought to you by Chris Miller…sponsored by UselessFacts.com)

Click on Map to see the Miller's Map of Kittery with Places you must try

Maine's State Slogans

"Worth A Visit, Worth A Lifetime"
"The Way Life Should Be"
"Vacationland" (On the license plate)
"It must be Maine"

If you have ever been to Maine, then you know how picturesque it is or how true one of their four state slogans are (do they really need four?). Since coming to Boston, Allison and I have had a chance to visit and really take a liking to a place most people say is really just northern Massachusetts. That might just be, but to us Kittery Point, Maine is a wonderful little town on the coast just north of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which has served as a great escape for us from Boston.

It also just so happens to have a wonderful little place that we have found to stay that is on Barters Creek just off Crockett Neck Road. It is a wonderful Cape Cod style home which doubles as a Bed and Breakfast, with wonderful caretakers (a family actually, with a Weimaraner named Vinny, serving as mascot and protector).

It is truly an amazing place. No reservations needed, no high room rates, the service is out of this world (they may just send you home with a doggie bag from your meals, if your good that is), and if you feel up to it, they will let you play with the snow blower, the kids, and Vinny (not all at once, I think there may be a law against that or they do not want to endanger the snow blower or something).

If you ever find yourself driving along the coast in Maine near Kittery, please drop by our favorite place to stay "The H" (what we like to call it) and say "Hi" to Michael, Barrie, Margaret (aka Maggie, who will be attending either Harvard or Dartmouth soon, she is trying to decide which is better), and Michael, Jr. (aka Cheekers, he smiles a lot.) Also, bring a bone for Vinny the Weimaraner (just like the one in the movie "Best in Show" but the owners are way cooler), some Cherry Wheat Beer for Mike (not sure why he likes it so much), and a nice bottle of red wine for Barrie.

If I have you hooked by my description (and well, you should be), you are now going to be disappointed. It is NOT a B&B, but rather the home of the Hanlon Family. They made the mistake or were kind enough to invite/take-in us Southerners on several occasions, including Thanksgiving, when Barrie made a great dinner (Vinny the dog almost ate the real turkey, not the one below) and she sent us home with a doggie bag with treats for the following day. Also, the picture below was our contribution to the day, besides offering up many thanks for being included in their holiday celebration.

That's right a Turkey Cake, which is going to become a tradition at the Miller's for Thanksgiving

Some how each time we went to the Hanlon's two things happened- apart from having a wonderful time 1.) The Miller's were always late. (The Miller's Late? No, not us!) and 2.) We ended up spending the night.

I am not sure if Barrie or Mike ever extended an invitation to spend the night at their home, but man are we happy they never kicked, especially in the middle of our first Nor’easter, that I kept wishing to see (I got the Nor’easter and a Foot of Fresh Snow and Mike introduced me to his snow blower, Is the snow supposed to hit you in the face?). In fact, they always offered Pie. I guess Pie is a big thing in Maine, Mike kept asking “Hey Miller, want a piece of Pie and a Cherry Wheat Beer?”, now that is a true friend.

From our very first time in Boston on my Birthday in 2007 (aka The Great Lobster Shortage of 2007-No seriously, I think Barrie beat up some old lady at the grocery store to get the last two remaining lobsters in Maine that weekend) the Hanlon's have taken us in and treated us like family.

They always made sure that we had a place to go for the holidays or to get away to for the weekend. They are some of the best hosts I have ever had, so if you get the chance to visit 'The H", DO, it is totally worth it.

Barrie and Mike, if you read this, please keep our room ready- you never know when we might drop by (and as usual invited or not, we are staying the night) and more importantly THANK YOU!

This Blog entry sponsored by Mike Hanlon's wallet and the following establishments:

Popovers on the Square in Portsmouth, NH (the best egg sandwich ever…no kidding….you can not eat just one…just ask Maggie…ok, just ask me)

flatbread company in Portsmouth, NH (great pizza with fresh ingredients, a fireplace, great beer, and a enjoyable tree hugging atmosphere and crowd)

Cafe Mediterraneo in Portsmouth, NH (wonderful Italian food with servings that are huge, not to mention they refuse to serve people who gave up wine for Lent)

Flo's Hot Dogs in Kittery Point, ME (On heck of a Hot Dog and I am not just saying that)

Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier in Kittery Point, ME (A Lobster anyone?)