SUSAN TAKES MANHATTAN: Friday Festivites in Maine

Friday was the day the official wedding festivities really kicked into high gear. I begged my friends for just a couple of hours in the sun before we headed out for the day. They obliged, but I had to wake up quite early to take advantage of some time at the lake that morning. I attempted to swim, but was too scared when I could see fish swimming around and couldn't see another human being in the entire lake. I don't like to be in lakes or oceans by myself. So, I just layed out on the dock for a while before getting ready. Tamara, Elizabeth, and I had been put in charge of some wedding errands, so we went to an area of town with lots of shopping and got everything done pretty quickly. We then headed downtown so they could show me Stephen King's house...cool & creepy!

He also owns the huge house next door!

We stayed downtown for lunch at Friars Bakeshop...it's a tiny little church with a restaurant in it - very interesting. The Friars serve the food and Tamara had been there earlier that week and they had promised her to have mac & cheese on Friday. They did not disappoint and the mac & cheese was fantastic. Also, they had whoopie pies and I had to try one - wow, best one I've had!!! SO yummy! They are really big though, so I saved half for another day.

Tamara and her delicious pie!

From there, it was on to Tonya's for the big rehearsal. The first run-through seemed a little chaotic, but by the 2nd time through, it began to come together nicely. It was obvious that this was going to be an awesome wedding! I was doing the scripture reading and talking about Tonya, which seemed easy enough and although I didn't run through it at the rehearsal, I was prepared for what I would say.

Tamara practicing her bridesmaid walk!

Amy, Tonya's childhood friend, pulled out

an umbrella when it showered a bit

Ohara, super cute flower girl!

Aiden, Sean's nephew and dog
walker for Duke, the ring bearer

Tonya's sister, Cim

The lovely bride!

The wedding party receiving instructions

After the rehearsal, we walked up to Sean's neighbors garden for the rehearsal dinner. His neighbors basically have a huge compound with multiple buildings and then a beautiful garden...it's even been featured in "Better Homes & Gardens". All their kids & grandkids visit for a month each summer and it looks like they have a blast!

So pretty!

The owner told me the garden is a ton of work,
but it's also her life-long dream come true.

A "senior portrait" was necessary

in such a pretty garden!

The dinner was under a tent in their garden...it was perfect and it did rain cats & dogs during dinner, so thank goodness for the tent! We had lobster and/or steak for dinner and it was excellent!! Whoopie Pies were dessert...my 3rd and final whoopie pie of the trip. I tried the peanut butter version, which was excellent, and the regular pie I tasted from someone else's was also good, but I've got to give the Friars my #1 spot for best whoopie pie. Dinner included good conversation and lots of laughter over the newbies trying to crack open their lobster followed by gifts for the wedding party.

Tonya in her cute apron watching Sean

and his friends do all the cooking

People mingled under the tent until dinner was ready

Everything you need for a lobster dinner, including

a plate with instructions on how to eat it!

Tamara and Amy with their lobster dinners!

The bride & groom digging in

After dinner, there was a cocktail party under the tent for anyone who wanted to come, so a lot of our other friends and Tonya & Sean's co-workers and Maine friends came out for that. It was a fun night.

Tamara and Tonya's brother, Deek,

gave their toasts during the party

Tamara & Elizabeth

Amy and I

Elizabeth, Vickie, Tamara, Jennifer, and I

I got Tamara and then Jennifer to sneak off with me to explore the mini-cotttages on the property that were built for the grandchildren. There is an adorable life-size "doll house" and a music cottage. So fun for those kids!

Outside of the "doll house"