Get Dayana Knits blog posts by e-mail:

* indicates required

A Warm (OK, That's Figurative) Welcome from Maine!




I did it!  I made it!  I am back in Ameeeeeeeeehrica (jiggle your singing voice on that 'e', people).  Bar Harbor, Maine to be exact.  I've been talking about this move for awhile, and as due penance for not writing much lately, I owe you guys a nice, juicy, newsy post about my new home.

You may have heard of the charming tourist town Bar Harbor, but it's just a small part of a larger tourist island, Mount Desert Island.  It's the second-largest island in the U.S. (2nd to Long Island).  Now, don't you go pronouncing it like there are cactuses and lizards about.  Pronounce it like you are about to finish your dinner with a ginormous piece of chocolate cake.  Yes, mount de-SERT, not mount DE-sert.  I kid you not!





As you can see, most of the island is covered in green: 47,000 acres of Acadia National Park.  There are only 59 National parks, you know, and 23 states don't have any at all, so it's pretty incredible to be, basically, living inside of one.  In fact, there's really a limited number of houses on the island because of land restrictions, so there is a premium if you decide to live on the island versus off the one lonely bridge leaving it.  Not to mention that a lot of the houses are multi-million dollar ocean view estates, so they are seriously off limits!  Apparently, 5 billionaires have homes here, and some famous types as well: Tim Robbins/Susan Sarandon and Martha Stewart.  (So guys, do you think I can weasel my way into her place and teach her ladyfriends some new knitting techniques??)

Also, while this move is a 180 degree flip from an urban lifestyle, it is the ultimate changeable place.  There are 10,500 of us now, but come summer, 2.5 million people will make their way through here to see its beauty.  And it really is what they say it is.  I was all "whatever, people always exaggerate, it's like when everyone tells you a movie is great and then you see it and it sucks".  But, noooo, they're right this time.  Not only is there this great undulating marriage of sea and forest and mountain in seemingly instant transformations, but there is a glow of light that I am having trouble understanding.  Every day you catch this light, movements of pinks and blues and searing rays and lava-like glows.  They are everywhere, reflecting off so many different landscape changes.  You know, to put this mildly, this could be the most lovely place I'll ever live.

As for why we are here, my husband will be starting his own lab as an Assistant Professor at the Jackson Laboratory, which is near "downtown" Bar Harbor.  This is why we wanted to be on the island, despite the higher prices and us having no chance at all of any kind of sea view.  Check out what I saw in the local paper the first week I arrived!


Actually, the "Driver flees, foot run over" story is also pretty damn entertaining...




I subscribed to the newspaper right away, that's my baby in there after all!  Local newspapers are so effective in the country, I'm excited.  From little ads I've already scored a plowing service (sorely needed) and fixed my sewing machine!


You only went in reverse in Montreal, and now WE GO FORWARD IN MAINE, you hear?!

The physical move from Montreal was fine despite the weird holiday timing.  The apartment was packed and emptied Dec. 23rd.  Why hotel when we could "camp" on an air mattress, hey?  That was fun.  Then we hitched a Greyhound bus across the border to Boston on Christmas because we couldn't rent a car and leave it in another country.  U-Haul would allow us to rent a truck, but for $550 with nothing in it!  Boston was incredibly warm that weekend, and we shopped for lots of vinyl (we are starting a collection) and maxed out the card at IKEA before making our way to Maine.

I should say that throughout this whole seemingly charming time, I was actually perceptibly aging and going gray for other very stressful reasons.  It all had to do with the down payment we had to have ready by Monday, Dec. 29th for our closing.  Any Canadians following will know that the exchange has been absolutely horrible.  After the US elections in November, the dollar tanked, so we waited hoping it would get a little better by the holidays (for the record, it didn't).  We then made a decision to use a foreign exchange service to get a better currency value, and this required 2 wire transfers.  Long story short, because of total bank incompetency and bank holidays, by the time of the morning of my closing I learned with my heart in my throat, "Ok, we see the problem, you will get your money tomorrow."  WHAT?!  Tomorrow is too late!!  My mortgage broker said there was nothing he could do.  The currency service said there was nothing they could do.  I desperately held back tears throughout the final walk-through of the house, my stress level had been through the roof for a week and at this point I was ready to fall to the floor and have a good old toddler tantrum.  Well, I am not a believer in anything except the reality I see in front of me, but some ethereal ray must have kicked in, because when we arrived back at the hotel for 11am (the closing was at 1pm), the money had arrived.  Why?  How?  Is this down to liars or angels??  I will never know, will I.

When my husband saw my pale face at hearing the good news, he poured me some bourbon like I was in a 19th century Russian novel.  (ok, that was probably brandy, this is the American version!)  Thank god we had stashed some in Boston.




And then suddenly, we had the keys to our own house, in our hands.  We had several priorities we wanted in a house.  First and foremost, privacy.  Second, some land to maintain the privacy.  Third, enough space for my yarn.  OK OK, that was not husband's #3.  His was probably something good and Swiss, like "utility".

We also didn't want to spend a lot of money, so we chose a modest home.  It's not a looker on the outside, not in any way or form.  It's a 2-story box with vinyl siding!  But it's got a bottom and top deck facing South, sunrise and sunset all day, and a beautifully cleared parcel of land to look out on before the forest closes in.



This is where B. will put his SAUNA!



In fact, part of our land and the land that is further down our private road is preserved land that can't be built on.  So we are pretty safe on our privacy goals!  Interestingly, there is a property down the road with a hobbity-house.  I need to go to the library and look for old newspaper microfilms, but I hear that it was a bunch of homesteader-type students living there from the local College of the Atlantic.  They clearly had animal enclosures, eco-water/shower systems, and had built a 3-story round house out of stones and logs.  The roof is thatched à la Lord of the Rings, I'm serious!  The fireplace hearth went upwards through the center of the 3 stories, but that's when things went wrong, as they clearly suffered a large fire and abandoned the land.  Now, the land is preserved and no further building will be allowed, so all that is left of humanity is a sign:




I will definitely be doing many a photo shoot there, the land is cleared and filled with tall grasses and wildflowers.  So let's save that property to show you for another day, shall we?

Back to our house.  The inside has it's own, ahem, charm, depending on what you like.  The house was originally one story, and it's been completely panelled in wood.   Ceiling and walls... and wouldn't you know, the 2nd owners put in a clashing wood floor as well!




We have been debating on whether to paint the walls or the ceilings a cream-color.  We just can't live in a sauna.  Or is it a coffin?  You decide!  We are leaning for the walls, because that will separate out that floor and wall clash.

The open-concept room itself is lovely though.  A huge hearth with a wood stove, and a view to love.







The other side of the open plan is the kitchen and dining room.  I met with someone just this morning to design an island, marked in tape.




Yes, our old table is the same color as all this wood, doh!

I just got that awesome glass case above at IKEA by the way -- I highly recommend it, and we even installed lights on the top like you see in the showrooms but never actually install!

Also, I finally found a use for my super-sweet vintage strawberry curtain fabric.




Upstairs is an entirely different story, literally, added recently with tall ceilings and no wood panelling (thank god!).  We love the space up here.  There is a huge window facing the "office".  Two large built-ins including this bookshelf.  The built-in on the right that you can't see has a cushions for hanging out.






The bookshelf you all wanted to see filled!

Voilà the transformation!





There is also a room-cozying propane stove in the corner to warm the floor.




Actually, all this is very new to me.  Electricity is very cheap in Quebec because all of the energy they get from water, I am told.  This house has 4 ways to heat it: wood, oil, propane and electricity.  Which to pick?!  When?!  Totally confused about this, honestly.

The house has 3 bedrooms.  We have chosen the "kid's" room as our bedroom.  Yes, every morning we are greeted by a chorus of Good Mornings from a bunch of creepy teddy bears.  (omg, can't wait till they come to paint next week).




The "kid's room", probably forever to be known as "teddy bear room" even when they are banished from this earth forever, has beautiful morning light and is small enough that it doesn't get too cold.  But also, it has a "mountain view" in the winter!  Our only view, yahoo, but we got it!  I still don't know which mountain it is.



See all those hiking trails and old-school horse carriage roads near my house?  Score!

The master bedroom, which has a big upper deck and a humungo walk-in closet will be our fun room.  We'll have our in-house cinema set-up, a place for B. to practice double bass and a sewing table for me.

The third bedroom will be my craftroom.  Ok, I guess I can stuff some guests in there amongst the yarn, too.  Before:





Semi-after!





I've upgraded my plastic bins.  They're expensive but the lids lock down really tightly to stop those exploding Ziploc bombs from peeking out the top.  It's exciting to have all the yarn visible at once for the first time ever!

Actually, one wonders why one spends so much on things that are empty, but I also have fallen for a bunch of "knitted" wicker baskets made in Vietnam that are all over TJ Maxx and IKEA right now.




As for my knitting, I haven't been doing very much because of the house.  Funnily, we needed blankets for our air mattress adventures, but they had to fit in suitcases suitable for a Greyhound.  So I thought, why don't I just bring my Kaffe Fassett KAL afghan, and I can just work on the knitted-on border whenever I like?




See more on Ravelry here

YES, I SLEPT UNDER THIS WITH THE KNITTING NEEDLE AND BALL ATTACHED AT ALL TIMES!!

Otherwise, I actually made an entire pair of socks, too.  So I guess we can count this all as "Dayana's Basal Level of Knitting" which I realize is probably more than some others might accomplish.  #stillaknittingknut

As for my future knitting group life, who knows?  I am putting that on hold for now, slowly testing the waters as there is no rush.  Even by not trying I see that there are library knitting meetings every week, and a painter came to look at the job and said when she saw my craft room yarnsplosion, "Yeah!  You knit?  I own an alpaca farm and a spin roving, I'll bring a skein to show you!"  (Snugglemagic Farm) Ah well, I think I've moved to the right place, don't you?!

Want to know when I have a new blog post?

Never miss a limited time free pattern again,


Comments

  1. Moving is very stressful at the best of times. At least you have a great sense of humour.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish someone had told me that on closing day... because you're right! Humor is what gets you through. :)

      Delete
  2. Yay, what a lovely place to live, Dayana. Stay cosy, I can see snow outside of the house. And what a funny coincidence running into an alpaca farmer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Konrad! It is pretty cold. Last night -20C -- no different from Montreal. The farmer has 10 alpacas, I think I will be able to visit!

      Delete
  3. This is a lovely blog. I have so enjoyed reading it. Your new surroundings look idyllic and I am sure that you will soon have the house looking the way you want it. You have made a good start with getting to know the locals and you should have a ready supply of alpaca yarn! I hope you are very happy in your new home.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Elizabeth! I went to a knitting meeting at the local library last night, too, and I learned so much about the area. :)

      Delete
  4. Lovely place. My suggestion is paint the ceiling and pickle the walls.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would *love* to pickle, but the painters that came by said that it wouldn't work on already stained and varnished walls... that it needed to be "new" wood?

      Delete

  5. I'm so glad to see a new post from you Dayana. I'm happy to read that the move went relatively smooth (as far as moving to another country goes). I see you got the most important thing about moving, the instalment of the stash, covered! Have fun getting to know your new surroundings and settle in your new house. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I'm baaaack! I am way behind on reading blog posts as well, there is a nagging and embarrassing 99+ on my Bloglovin' Chrome meter, oh DEAR. Thanks for the good wishes. :)

      Delete
  6. Yay! Looks like you are in a great house in a beautiful setting. I agree about Maine, no words could ever brag enough about it, right? You are lucky. I'm coming to visit you and I'll sleep in the wool room please! xo

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a lovely blog Dayana and beautful home and outlook. What a fantastic sight to see in the mornings. I guess the snow will hang around till Feb at least, but so beautiful on the trees. I look forward to some fantastic photo shoots in and around the area, in your newly knitted garb of course. You have done so well to go through all the moving, packing and un-packing, stacking and knitting!!! Good lucky to your husband too in his new venture. Do take some photos of the Alpacas too. I love them animals.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The snow is gorgeous, but I hear rain for next week. We have some 50 miles of cross country trails right nearby, I guess I better play on them before the deluge! Thanks so much for the good wishes, and yes, the photos will be LOVERLY for sure.

      Delete
  8. 4 sources of heating? Must get cold in Maine :) You have made major progress already...the important stuff taken care of (stash and knitting books). An island in the kitchen will be great! You must be so excited....glad it all worked out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Anne! Yes, now I have my cardboard box island (and actually it is so sturdy we have been chopping on it already, lol. The wood source confuses me. I think the stove is just too big, you need to start it off with a TON of wood, but if you go to work or to sleep, you can't maintain it... how DO people do it I wonder.

      Delete
  9. Awwww...what a lovely place you have shifted to !!! I am so happy for you !! The house looks beautiful !!
    My best wishes for a lovely life ahead !
    Happy new year !!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dayana, so jealous of your wood stove, right about now. It is super cozy and what a great template to work with! Can't wait to visit your handiwork soon :)

    SunnyBunny

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sunnybunny, there's a place carved out for you right in front of it. <3

      Delete
  11. Congrats on the new home, Dayana. I really enjoyed reading about it. I've always wanted to visit Maine and your island has been on the list of places to see, for sure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh goodie, so I can expect a visit? ;) Thanks for the congrats.

      Delete
  12. So jealous Maine is beautiful. Bar harbor especially. My brother lives in Portland. As a former native of New Hampshire your post made me homesick. However it's nice and warm here in Arizona! Lots of great yarn in Maine!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I am still sad that I moved to such a cold place -- I really did want a break from Montreal. But it's prettier here, so that makes up for it. A lady at my knit night last night was talking about her son in Arizona and her daughter living in St Croix... I was like, hmm, they left pretty far away from Maine!

      Delete
  13. If i can make a guess about ''which mountain'' (by using google map) i will try the little mountain between Eagle Lake and Jordan Pond.. ''North Bubble'' on your map !

    :)

    Maine is wonderful for walk and hiking ! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fred, you may be right... or now I think it could be Sargent. I need to find a compass!!

      Delete
  14. Welcome back and thanks for letting us have a peek into your new home. I'm really glad you've settled in now and making the place your own. The surroundings look very peaceful and beautiful - very inspiring for a creative life. Your Kaffe afghan looks right at home - I love the colours you chose. I'm . . . ahem. . .only three squares in but determined to get that small cushion done by 2016! Looking forward to seeing more of Maine as the seasons change.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 2016 is a noble deadline, lol! Well, after that sock yarn square extravaganza, we can all give you a pass on that. ;)

      Delete
  15. Happy news! Looks like you've landed on your feet, despite all the hassles. And Basile got his picture in the local paper upon arrival: how fun is that? You've got beautiful views, even if a sea view isn't among them, and the house looks good, too. Just wait till the wood walls and teddy bears are covered - it'll be great.

    Wishing you much happiness in your Bar Harbor home,
    stashdragon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks -- I think I've successfully created a teddy bear brain filter where I don't even notice them anymore, ha! At knit night I told everyone that B. was starting his lab at The Lab (that's what they call it here) and they all chimed in, "oh, was he the one in the paper?". So, yeah, everyone knows EVERYTHING around here!

      Delete
  16. OK where to start: first, so great to hear from you, I was wondering how your move was going. Second, when came I come and visit ? Seriously, if this is a modest home, I wonder what the neighbouring houses look like. Land, lakes, trails, and the sea near by. Wonderful. Third: you totally moved to yarn country - Maine, great craft shops in Portland, yarn producers, dyers, etc... not too far either. A knitter's paradise. Fourth: I love the wood pannelling, but can understand it could be too much. If you like Swedish style, you could just sand everything down and paint it white. Or ivory, or pale blue, you know, Scandinavian style. Anyway, agree with you on the creepy bears, they have to go. To think that some poor child probably woke up to this every morning..... Keep us informed, and welcome to your new life. A welcome change from Montréal currently covered with ice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YES, thank you for still thinking of me despite the silence!! You are so welcome to visit, and yes, I will tell you it is modest because I know people who looked at the house and were like, "meh, no not for me". Maybe it's the low ceilings downstairs, I don't know, but I really liked the place and the sellers were highly motivated to sell, yay. Everyone moving here sees the same houses funnily... my broker actually sold this house to the other owners 10 years ago! We are going to do an ivory/eggshell thing for the walls. We'll leave the ceiling for now... someone said that they see wall panelling all the time here, but never ceiling panelling, so maybe it would be nice to keep a bit of "old school" fun around. We'll change the awful ceiling lights to tracks and spots, and it might just look uber cool.

      Delete
  17. I hope it's only somewhat creepy that I've already pretend invited myself over for weekends of knitting (obviously in the summer months). The house looks amazing and I am not showing my husband for he will be deeply jealous. We will definitely have to try to meet up when next I come to Maine!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But, my dear, I already have a cut out of you sitting on the couch next to me! (creepy x 1000) OH I WOULD SO LOVE TO KNIT WITH YOU IN PERSON. F that, we probably wouldn't knit a stitch, just drink and laugh. :)

      Delete
  18. Welcome to Bar Harbor, Dayana. I'm so glad you found our knitting group. It was great to meet you last night. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yahoo, how exciting is this?! I am so very happy, I'll see you again soon!

      Delete
  19. Hi, Dayana, and welcome to MDI! I'm a friend of Jen's (above)--we teach and knit together at the high school. Hope you are settling in happily and enjoying life on MDI--it's a remarkable place in many ways.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, wonderful!! I'm excited to meet you. I already learned a ton last Thursday, including that the property behind me was referred to as "The Dark Continent". SPOOKY. ;p Thanks for visiting my blog, too!

      Delete
  20. Wow! Looks like a successful move after all - crazy how everything was at the last minute!

    So will your knits be influenced by your new setting of woods and water now? ;)

    ~aersknits

    ReplyDelete
  21. So glad your move was eventually successful and you are getting settled in & organised - stash first, naturally!
    Love your views - I've been to New England, but not Maine (unless I touched a corner on one of my visits) So I know bits of Vermont; upstate NY (Alnbany and Lake George); Mass. - especially Harvard/Cambridge & Cape Cod - so nearly all further south than you. Also know bits of Canada but not Montreal!
    Great that you've found a local knitting group too. Ruth x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Well, I grew up in Albany, NY, so that's where our experiences cross, hee hee.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Thanks for your comment! :)

Click to contact me

Most popular posts in the last 30 days