January 13, 2020 by jenniferhazard
Hi, it’s Jen from Cute Potato. Throughout the 10 years I’ve written this blog, I’ve used the moniker MP, but for this last post, it seemed appropriate to get personal.
When I started Cute Potato in June 2009, my son and daughter were 2- and 3-years old. I was still new to motherhood and trying to figure out how to give the kids rich experiences while also being true to myself. Sharing my family’s adventures on the blog proved to be the perfect creative outlet, and as it happened, a great way to connect with other young parents. If someone predicted then that the blog would eventually inspire The Maine Play Book, my first book, I never would have believed it, not for a second.

A 2009 photo of my two in Dollar Store hats.
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Posted in Family | Tagged cutepotato.com, jen hazard, jen hazard blogger, jenhazard.com, maine, maine families, maine kids, Maine writer, new england writer | 12 Comments »
November 21, 2019 by jenniferhazard
This Friday kicks off what has become one of Maine’s most festive events — the Northern Lights Celebration at L.L.Bean. A forest of twinkling lights at the Freeport campus provides the perfect backdrop for photos, and if that weren’t enough, Santa and his reindeer make a cheery red barn their home on the weekends. When it gets too frosty outdoors, visitors can grab a complimentary hot chocolate and warm up in a yurt that’s decorated for the holidays. With this annual event, L.L.Bean has created a little bit of magic in the heart of Freeport.

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Posted in Activities, Celebrations, Holidays, Shopping | Tagged Christmas in Maine, cutepotato.com, december events in maine, family events in Maine, freeport maine events, Jen Hazard travel writer, L.L.Bean Freeport campus, L.L.Bean Northern Lights celebration, L.L.Bean tree lighting, maine, New England, new england holidays, november events in maine, winter fun in maine | Leave a Comment »
October 12, 2019 by jenniferhazard
One of our favorite new fall traditions is picking pumpkins in our hometown. Each October, Spring Brook Farm in Cumberland hosts a weekend Fall at the Farm event. For one price, families can take a horse-drawn wagon ride to to the pumpkin patch. It’s a short trip, but well worth taking. Even with the weather growing colder, the fields are a rich green, and the trees just beyond are beginning to show their colors.

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Posted in Events, Farms, Food | Tagged cumberland maine, cutepotato.com, Fall at the Farm, farm market, jen hazard maine writer, maine farm stands, maine farms, maine pumpkins, October in Maine, pick your own pumpkins, pumpkin patch, pumpkin picking, Spring Brook Farm, Spring Brook Farm and Market | Leave a Comment »
September 24, 2019 by jenniferhazard
On a recent trip home from Belgrade, we made it a point to stop at Winterberry Farmstand. The historic, certified organic farm is run by owner Mary Perry and her children. Inside, the cozy farmstand is filled with homegrown veggies and flowers, sweet and savory baked goods, fresh eggs and jarred condiments of all kinds. Perry was there to say hello, and invited us to explore the farm if we liked (she accepts donations to walk the property).

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Posted in Farms, Food | Tagged belgrade, cutepotato.com, family-friendly farms in Maine, forever farms, jen hazard maine writer, Jen Hazard travel writer, maine, maine farm stands, maine farms, Mary Perry, MOFGA certified organic farm, the maine play book, visiting farms in Maine, winterberry farm | Leave a Comment »
August 23, 2019 by jenniferhazard

Small Feat Farm shares spaces with Caswell Farm & Wedding Barn in Gray.
We’re back from a summer hiatus, and like everyone, we cannot believe how quickly this dreamy season has gone. School begins for us next week and while it’s going to take time for our family to re-adjust to a regular routine, we are so glad one of our new summertime traditions will continue through the fall — namely, wood-fired pizza nights at Small Feat Farm, a flower and vegetable farm in Gray. In addition to growing flowers, husband and wife team Joanna Kraft and Brian Rhodes-Dewey, host monthly pizza nights with their business partner Catherine Caswell. At the farm, visitors can enjoy made to order wood-fired pizzas and salads, along with a local craft beer selection, wine and specialty cocktails. There is also lemonade and sodas for the kids. Continue Reading »
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Posted in Farms, Food, Uncategorized | Tagged Brian Rhodes-Dewey, caswell farm, caswell farm and wedding barn, Catherine Caswell, community pizza nights, cutepotato.com, family activities maine, flower farm maine, gray maine, jennifer hazard maine writer, Joanna Kraft, maine farms, maine food, maine travel, pizza nights at small feat farm, small feat farm, wood-fired pizza maine | 1 Comment »
July 11, 2019 by jenniferhazard
Each summer, our nephew C travels from California to visit Maine for a few weeks. We look forward to his stay as it gives all us the opportunity to play tourist in our home state. The Wiggly Bridge in York has long been on our bucket list, and with C in town, we decided to finally check it out.

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Posted in Adventure, Trails | Tagged Barrell Mill Pond Dam, cutepotato.com, dog-friendly walks maine, family adventures, family adventures Maine, family travel, family travel Maine, family-friendly york maine, Fisherman's Walk, jen hazard maine writer, Jen Hazard travel writer, maine, maine coast, Old York Historical Society, parking and the wiggly bridge, short walks in York Maine, Steedman Woods, suspension bridge, what to do with kids in southern maine, Wiggly Bridge York Maine, world's smallest suspension bridge, York Harbor, York Harbor Inn, York River | Leave a Comment »
June 17, 2019 by jenniferhazard
School break is finally here, and with the summer season comes plans for warm days and plenty of time outside! We love visiting 33 Elmwood for bowling and comfort food any time of year, but their new outdoor location, The Garden Spot, is the ideal place to enjoy a gorgeous summer day with family.

Photo courtesy Heid Kirn Photography
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Posted in Activities, Adventure, Food, Restaurants | Tagged bocce in maine, bowling in maine, cornhole in maine, cutepotato.com, family travel, jen hazard maine writer, Jen Hazard travel writer, maine and family, maine family travel, outdoor play space in Maine, the garden spot at 33 elmwood, westbrook maine | Leave a Comment »
May 3, 2019 by jenniferhazard
While this mom loves adventuring with her kids, it’s essential to her spirit, and quite frankly, her sanity, to carve out time for herself. Over the years, she’s learned that getting outside is the best medicine. Whether it’s running, hiking, biking or simply walking with friends, time spent outdoors helps restore her mind and body.

You can imagine MP’s delight when Alicia Heyburn, co-leader of the Ladies Adventure Club, reached out to see if she might like to be a guest at an upcoming adventure! The club hosts weekly adventures just for women–ranging from island walks and hiking with goats to expert discussions on how to prepare for a backpacking trip or bicycle safety on the road.
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Posted in Adventure, Trails | Tagged alicia heyburn, jennifer hazard writer, ladies adventure club maine, maine outdoors writer, nature walks maine, outdoors clubs maine, rines forest cumberland, southern maine walks, spring peepers, the maine play book, women's groups maine | Leave a Comment »
March 12, 2019 by jenniferhazard
Over February break, our family spent a few days in Boston. There were many highlights to the trip — a lively Boston College basketball game, a delicious tour of Tazo Chocolate Factory, and a visit to The Institute of Contemporary Art. Still, the favorite for all of us was seeing an incredible, three-story stained glass globe called The Mapparium at the Mary Baker Eddy Library.

Photo courtesy Mary Baker Eddy Library
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Posted in Road Trips, Travel | Tagged boston ma travel, Chester Lindsay Churchill, cutepotato.com, family trips boston, family trips massachusetts, February break trips, hidden boston, jen hazard maine writer, Jen Hazard travel writer, Mapparium, mary baker eddy library, neoclassical style building boston, New England, road trips from Maine, sightseeing in boston, stained glass globe, the christian science monitor, the world in 1935 | Leave a Comment »
March 1, 2019 by jenniferhazard
We think it’s safe to say that pom pom hats are having a moment. Their popularity makes sense — the hats look so darn cheerful in a gray, wintery landscape. And while we’ve spotted these hats in national retail stores, the best we’ve found are made right here in Maine. Wayne resident Brookes Smith custom knits soft, cozy hats from her home studio and tops each with a faux fur pom pom. Her Instagram feed features a variety of tempting colors and knits, which makes it a challenge to choose a favorite!

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Posted in Giveaways, made in maine | Tagged Brookes Smith, cutepotato.com, handmade knit hats, hats made in Maine, jen hazard maine writer, knit hats, knits, made in maine, made in the usa, pom pom hats, Wayne Maine, winter hats | Leave a Comment »
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