Brooklin Rocks

The power's knocked out, not surprising with 50-60 mph winds predicted. I'll be at the shop with flashlights. Nixed a generator this year due to cost.Gotta make a "cheese run" to meet distributor in Blue Hill early this morning for Brillat Savarin, pate, Red Dragon, condiments, etc.

Attended the chamber of commerce annual dinner & awards gala last night and The Cave won "Best New Business." Nice way to start a day. Lots of thanks and love to everyone who supports the shop.

Spring

Maybe its because February in Maine has been feeling and looking a lot more like April, or that I know time has a way of careening past when one's busy living life, but my thought to the business for the months ahead all have to do with the glorious warm, long days of spring and summer. Daylight savings is in a mere few weeks. I need to procure some simple, comfortable seats for inside but especially outside so people can relax and chat. Need another case for inside to house cheese. I am determined to get an iced coffee/tea system set up, but I'm befuddled and blown away at the cost. However I and others love a tall cold glass full of ice and coffee on a warm day. Searching out recycled take out ware, bags, wine carriers & the like. A freezer? A fridge? Would make things more efficient. Keeping the truffles cool(a must) in warm weather. Another AC? A fan? Contracted to have a handicap access ramp built in May. Looking for a low cost loan. Well I'm rambling, but that's where my noggin's at at this hour. Soup in the sumer? I don't think so, unless we get a raw, wet snap of weather....it's Maine, so likely. Speaking of soup, gotta get off and finish building the watercress soup for today at The Cave.

Ciao

Walter Gaffney Kessell

Somehow blog links crossed.

Fizzy Funny Fuzzy Poetry For Kids: The Cheese Moon

"I've heard it said by many around,
That the moon is made of cheese they found.
It's mined by little spacemen mice,
Who sell it for a handsome price.

The cheese we eat all comes from there,
From cheddar valleys beyond compare.
And in the rivers of Wensleydale,
The mice scoop cheese in metal pails.

If you peek up you might just see,
The Gorgonzola heights of Ghee.
And to the left and up a bit,
On Stilton mountains mice do sit.

So next time you sit down to cheese,
Remember the mice on Parmezan seas.
Who work non stop in their spacemen hats,
Just glad that they're out of reach of cats!

©2003 Gareth Lancaster"

The Brooklin Mall

When "Brooklin Mall" is bandied about one will not find a food court, a parking lot filled with shopping carts, a cineplex, or any big box shopping experience. Instead park your car, bike or boat and stroll slowly through Brooklin's serene country roads. There are artist studios, boat builders, markets, restaurants and a beautiful library. Thank you for visiting.

http://www.brooklinmaine.com/

Walter Gaffney Kessell

If you're not familiar with Walter's work, please stop by The Cave and see his beautiful watercolors. They are available for sale as well as numbered prints. He is as lovely and thought provoking as his art. http://www.northlightgallerymaine.com/kessell.htm

Recent news at The Cave is that Eliot Coleman's "veggie mobile" will be at The Cave every Wednesday from 9-11. Further details to follow. http://www.fourseasonfarm.com/

Last but certainly not least, check out NECN's spot on Black Dinah Chocolatiers.http://ow.ly/16jwO

Thanks for your passion

Wee hours

My office assistants Hannibal and Clarice have recently subscribed to the routine of retiring by 9 and rising around 3. This is conducive for a lot of organizing, punch lists & the like when the world is asleep. There's a lot to do everyday. Thursdays I rip apart Betty cheese by cheese, give her an aggressive bath with steel wool and bleach and lovingly rearrange her contents in the most provocative way possible. In the days after V-Day, I tore down the red hearts, flowers, etc. and set about to create a new front window display. What to do? The thought of a prez day theme was a tad too titillating for me. Anyway, after placing orders, cleaning, email, making soup, slicing cheese, yada, I stripped out the front window, cashed out and dashed to Ellsworth for hair triage, meanwhile leaving the window well, bare. This is unsettling. I grasped for ideas the next morning and well, you gotta work with what you got. I love to have the opportunity to delight peoples senses and be a conduit for a lot of happy exchanges between neighbors and strangers in the shop. There is always laughing and smiles. Cheese for World Piece? Again, it's 4:23 am.

Ciao

Brooklin Farmer's Association

Well, had always wanted to provide a marketplace for the farmers and producers of the community. With a lot of help and input a casual meeting is slated for March 1st, noon at The Cave, Brooklin. If you are a grower, or know someone that is and they reside/grow in Brooklin please come. Refreshments will be served. Details and ideas about day of market, acceptable fare, fees, insurance, etc. will be discussed. More to follow.

The Cheese Stands Alone

Pretty baby Humbolt Fog. She is a favorite at the shop. Well look at her. Saucy goat's milk cheese from Cypress Grove Creamery, CA.
Three weeks to go before I close down for two weeks. The trick will be keeping my cheese case interesting, fresh and varied, but also to sell down most of what I've got before leaving town. I will judiciously have to let some cheeses run out for a bit. I can't sell smelly cheese. Stinky cheese I love to sell, but definitely not smelly. You can all help. Come by The Cave and eat up some cheese.

Thank You

The Cupid's Crush event was fantastic thanks to all the friends of Brooklin who stopped by to shmooze, smile and sample the fare. English cheddars paired with a local apricot habanera jam, Brillat Savarin with itself. Tinderhearth mieche and delicious olive oil. Thank you Zack & Nate. I am very touched by all the support and the collective sentiment was that people felt as though they were at one great dinner party with friends.

Spring Training

The Cave will be closed from March 8th thru March 22nd.

Cupid's Crush

A Valentine's celebration of cheese, chocolate and wine and oh maybe French olives and pate. Chocovive................a marriage of red wine and chocolate. Constant Bliss- an immortal leap for milk if there ever was. Please bring a friend as long as they are twenty-one or older. I suspect as many wine and cheese lovers pop in as last December's event. And if you decide to purchase some wine, cheese, or chocolate or a little of everything and it sets you back fifty dollars, we'll give you a beautiful 4 pc. box of decadent dark truffles. Marilyn's Jam Session will be spreadin' the Bulgarian Bebop, Maple Cider Rag and Apricot Habanera. Kim, from Garden Side Dairy will tempt you with chocolate chevre truffles. When? Friday, February 12th from 4:30-6:30.
The Cave
5 Bay Rd
Brooklin, Me.