Traveling in Italy, @liquid_riot owner Eric Michaud fell in love with Fernet-Branca. It wasn’t just the bitter, herbal taste of the Milanese liqueur, but the ritual sipping of it as a digestif. So he and brother/head distiller Ian Michaud worked out their own version. They won’t divulge their blend of 22 botanicals, including various roots and herbs, but Ian notes they’ve imparted more mint flavor. Fernet Michaud won high honors this year from the American Distilling Institute and similar appraisers of spirits. And it holds up great as a cocktail ingredient, like in Liquid Riot’s Fruit et Fernet, with house-made beer schnapps, strawberry preserves, lime juice, and maple syrup. Photo by Benjamin Williamson.

Bringing groovy back at this Eisenhower-era ranch in Portland. Read and see more at the @mainehomesmagazine link in our profile. Photographed by @jaredkuziaphotography.

Bass Harbor Head Light, Bass Harbor by @mfphoto, for our 2018 Maine Lighthouses Wall Calendar (in our online shop). Of note: Built in 1858, Bass Harbor Head Light is one of three lighthouses in Acadia National Park. (The others are also included in the calendar.)

A colorful mixed woods frames a beach on Tunk Lake, an "area of statewide ecological significance" for its species-rich and little-developed shoreline. See more from our idyllic autumn road trip, including some out-of-the-ordinary stops and activities along the way. (Link in profile)

Making a chicken potpie is not a quick or effortless endeavor. First, the dough must be formed, chilled, and gently rolled into a pie dish. Next, seasonal vegetables and chicken must be coaxed into a savory filling, loosened with richly flavored stock and cream, then thickened with flour. And finally, the decadent mixture is set into the pie dough, covered with a second batch of buttery crust, and placed in the oven for about an hour, at which point it must cool slightly to set. Now you can invite your guests to the table to break through the glistening crust with a fork and dig deep into a day’s work. See the recipe on our website. #Mainelife #downeast #comfortfood Photographed by @benjaminwilliamsonphotography

The beautiful reds of the wild blueberry barrens of Cherryfield," by Carrie Johnson, for our photo contest. Vote for your favorites or submit your own #Mainelife photos (link in profile).

Seeking Maine gifts? This slate anchor from @aandestoneworks is hanging outside our Good Things From Maine Shop (at our headquarters on Route 1, Rockport). Stop by and visit during our upcoming ❖Fall Arts Day❖ on October 6, or during the week between 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Though they may not rise as high as their cousins, the Presidentials, across the border in New Hampshire, the Mahoosucs of Western Maine are a mountain range every bit as dramatic — and the trails that navigate them are as varied and challenging. Lace up your boots and check out these classic Maine trails. (link in profile) #Mainelife #hiking #trails ⛰ Sponsored content with @bethelmaine. Photo by Dirk MacKnight.

#Repost @mainehomesmagazine ・・・ Here are the two things I knew about Orono before my sister-in-law and her family moved there: it is home to the @universityofmaine and it’s the birthplace of Pat's Pizza, a chain that has become as synonymous with Maine cuisine as the Italian sandwich. Among the things I did not realize — and was delighted to discover on a recent visit — is how many glorious old houses there are here. See my favorites, including the 1840 Greek Revival-style Gov. Israel Washburn House (pictured), in #sarahsblog on the @mainehomesmagazine site and let me know your favorite Maine streets/towns for ogling old houses. I am making a list of places to visit!

If this is the era of narcissism and rudeness, as some lament, then Pittsfield is an antidote to the nation’s angry mood and a reminder that, despite losing hundreds of factory jobs these last few years, it has a lot going for it, not least its people. Continue reading and see many more photos by @gretarybus at the link in our profile. 😊