Vacation Photos: Food in Bar Harbor

Last week, I shared a bunch of photos of Maine and hiking and views.

This week, it's all about the food.

I will also say that we are creatures of habit, and we go to the same restaurants often. 

West Street Cafe - this was our second time here and it was magical both times.

I love the decor; there are so many plants.

I forgot to take pictures of the food, but the seafood mushrooms and the lobster mac & cheese are impressive 

Testa's Bar and Grill 

(picture taken from website)
We went to this restaurant for the seafood alfredo.

I'm a big fan of lobster. 

Pink Pastry Shop 

(picture taken from website)

Their peanut butter cookie is to die for. I had to go back for seconds. 

Rosalie's Pizza

This is a favorite pizza spot. 

The eggplant is my favorite. If you're lucky enough to get a table, it's so worth it. 

The crust is great. The tunes are even better

Route 66
(Picture from their website)

Pulled pork with mashed potatoes - I was not expecting this kind of meal here.

It was delicious! 

We go to CJ's Big Dipper every night for dessert when we are in town:

Peanut Butter

Campfire S'mores

This was a delicious trip and I recommend all these places to eat.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

Review: Better Than Revenge

 

Finley hasn't been preparing to be named to the school's podcast team for years. It's the first step towards her future. Her boyfriend decides that he's also going to audition too. He makes the team, taking her spot as a host. Instead, she's given a research position.  

But that's not all, after the announcement, he's overheard saying that Finley wasn't right for the job. He's not surprised when they break up, but he doesn't understand why she's so upset either. 

But then Finely has an idea. She'll try out for the kicker position on the football team. Finley asks Jensen's enemy to help train her. As Theo and Finley begin hanging out, they more they become friends. Can Finley take everything away from Jensen like he did to her?

My Thoughts: I really loved this book; I didn't want to put it down. It's not really a sports book, because most of the book is training, but there is a good football part. I loved reading about Theo and Finley. Their relationship worked nicely. I couldn't believe that Jenson could be so obtuse. I really liked Finley's grandmother, and I enjoyed her story too. Finely had a great group of friends. The podcasting part was interesting. I liked the students' reaction to their school's podcast. I love how the book turned out. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Why I read this book: Revenge!

Library Recommendation: A fantastic romance for your school and public library

Hand this to: Readers who enjoy podcasting, enemies to lovers trope, and a cute romance. 

* This book is dedicated to Taylor Swift and I'm here for it. 

Review: Maya in Multicolor

 

Maya didn't have the best first semester at college. She started dating a boy who kept her from spreading her wings. Once she leaves him, she starts working on a new version of herself. She asks to be chair of the Holi committee. Last year it didn't go very well, but she hopes to bring back the traditional aspects of the celebration - like the ones she enjoyed with her grandmother.

Maya isn't thrilled to discover she must work with an upper-class man. Nishant is a DJ, who dates plenty of girls. He only goes on 2 ates with each of them. He has big ideas into Holi a multi-day event. Maya just wants the event to run smoothly. The more time she spends with Nishant, they start to become friends. Can they pull off the biggest event of the year without killing each other?

My Thoughts: This was such a cute college romance. I love that Maya left Thomas and that she started spreading her wings. I love that she's a baker and loves GBBS. I loved her moments with Nishant. I love how they both opened up to each other and learned to trust each other. Neither of their lives were easy, but they managed a true partnership. I enjoyed how they navigated through creating the event for Holi. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Why I read it: I love books about college 

Library Recommendation: A fantastic romance for your public library's collection

Hand this to: Readers who want to read about college and readers who enjoy enemies to lovers trope

Picture Book Review: Today

Time can take forever or fly by in a blink. Summer is finally here and it's time for cousins and family and fun. 

The illustrations are charming. I can feel the summer sun as I look through them. I want to be at the lake with this family too. There is a note at the end from author about being in the present and mindfulness.

Top Ten Tuesday: TBR lists

 This week's topic is your TBR for the rest of the year. I feel like I don't have too much, but I always think that. I'll try to keep this shorter - only the most important books. And as I'll do a separate post for holiday reads, I'll leave those off the list.

Loved Stephanie Perkins YA romances

I loved the first book, which I reviewed for Fresh Fiction

Sold by the tagline: Gilmore Girls meets Jenny Han

Love Jane Austen - here for it.

Here for the Taylor stories! 

Love these books

Honestly, the cover sold me on this one. 

Love Jenn's books. 

How could I resist this title? 

Billionaires and bookstores

Oh and one in January:

What else should be on my list?

Middle Grade Review: Crumble

Emily and her aunt Gina have a special gift. They can bake magical treats, which make people feel better. The one rule - you can't bake when you're feeling bad.

Which Emily does after her Aunt dies. She's drowning in grief. Baking helps her feel better. But the outcome is bad: the bake is terrible but people can't stop eating...

My Thoughts: I really liked this graphic novel. Of course, I loved baking and the magical elements. That would be such a cool bakery to frequent. I felt terrible about Emily losing her Aunt. The bakery clearly struggles; Emily's mom runs the business part of the bakery. I bake when I'm stressed, so I understand how Emily can't stop baking even though it's not helping. Grief is a tricky emotion to handle - but I felt bad for Emily that her mother wasn't able to help her. Her mother was barely able to help herself. 

Cover Thoughts: Funny

Source: My Library

Why I read it: I love baking

Library Recommendation: A Great Graphic novel about grief and dealing with your feelings

Hand this book to: bakers and for those who like books about ALL the feels.

Vacation Photos: Acadia

We just got back from a trip to Acadia and Bangor Maine. We go there every couple of years. Lots of great hiking and it's so pretty. We stay in town and walk around after hiking in the morning, napping in the afternoon, and then grabbing dinner and ice cream in town. 

Here are some pictures from that trip (minus the food, I'll do a separate post on that)

First night, sunset on Cadillac Mountain 

First night, sunset on Cadillac Mountain 

First night, sunset on Cadillac Mountain 

First night, sunset on Cadillac Mountain 

First night, sunset on Cadillac Mountain - the sun disappeared behind some clouds

Jordan Pond - the Bubbles. The walk around this pond is one of my favorite hikes ever. 

Jordan Pond planks

Up Sargent Mountain

Up Sargent Mountain

On top of Sargent Mountain

On top of Sargent Mountain - great views here 

Asticou Azalea Gardens

Asticou Azalea Gardens - which were lovely and peaceful

These were fun to walk across! 

Thuya Garden - doors

Thuya Garden - gates

Lupines in the wild

From Beehive trail

At Bowl Lake - my second favorite place in the park

Coming down from Gorham Mountain

Ocean Path

View from Ocean Path

Bubble Rock

Eagle Lake from the Bubbles

I miss it already!