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We always look forward to Memorial Day as an unofficial start to the summer season. Kennebunkport celebrates Memorial Day on Monday, May 28th with an old-fashioned parade of military veterans, floats, and the high school marching band. You might even see George H. W. Bush (#41) and Barbara participating in the ceremonies. The celebration brings the community together and is equally enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

Another fun upcoming event is the 3rd Annual Flower Power Fashion Show - Caring in Full Bloom presented by the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, May 31^st from 5-8:00pm at The Colony Hotel. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served from 5-6:30pm. The event will feature a runway style fashion show showcasing the latest styles from Kennebunk’s finest in fashion. There will also be a silent auction and goody bags with many great prizes! Some proceeds from the event will benefit the Maine Cancer Foundation. Tickets can be purchased through the Chamber website: http://www.visitthekennebunks.com/events/2012_flower_power_fashion_show/

You also won’t want to miss the opportunity to check out the Designer Show House at the former Kenneth Roberts Estate, Rocky Pastures, in Kennebunkport. From Saturday, June 23, through Saturday, July 14, the Kennebunkport Historical Society is sponsoring the Show House. The Kenneth Roberts Estate is a sprawling stone house that was built for Kenneth Roberts in 1938 by the architect Frazier Forman Peters of Westport, CT.  Set in rolling meadows and wooded areas with ancient stone walls, Rocky Pastures is a 6,000 square foot house with 12 rooms that was recently updated, combining old world charm with modern conveniences.  The property is a stone’s throw from Kennebunkport’s picturesque Ocean Avenue.  It was here that Kenneth Roberts penned his popular novels of historical fiction that earned him a 1957 Pulitzer Prize in the Special Awards and Citations category. This is the first time the house has ever been open to the general public.  Tickets are $20 per person and are available through the Society, the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce, and the Nonantum Resort.

As crocus and daffodils begin to muscle their way through the soil after their long winter nap, another kind of awakening is taking place in town. After taking breathers of anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, many local restaurants are throwing their doors open again for business. We are very fortunate to have an absolutely amazing selection of restaurants in the area, ranging from humble lobster shacks to white tablecloths and china to pretty much everything in between. So wake up your palates and come sample some of the wonderful food that can be found in and around the area.

Some places that recently opened for the season or will open soon are:

Arrows - Opening April 7th - Arrows is a true country restaurant:  proscuittos and charcuterie are created on premise, fish of all types are prepared in the onsite smoke house, breads and pastries are created by a master pastry chef, and Arrows organic garden provides up to 90% of the restaurant’s produce needs. www.arrowsrestaurant.com

Bandaloop - Opening April 17th - Bandaloop is known for its use of organic and local foods, many vegetarian and vegan options, and an array of appetizers, entrees, and sauces to choose from. Everything is created in house, from the organic bread and sauces straight through to the desserts. www.bandaloop.biz

Cape Arundel Inn - Recently extended their hours to include Tuesday - Saturday from 5:30-9 PM and Special Sunday Suppers from 4-7 PM. - Cape Arundel Inn offers a combination of inventive Maine cuisine paired with warm, professional service and breathtaking ocean views. Be sure to arrive early to have a cocktail in their cozy living room or on their ocean view porch. www.capearundelinn.com

Hurricane - Opening April 6th - Hurricane serves only the freshest seafood and lobster and they feature many satisfying vegetarian dishes. Steak and chop lovers will easily find something on the menu to tempt them and their in-house pastry chef will delight your sweet tooth. www.hurricanerestaurant.com

Kennebunkport Inn's One Dock - Opened March 30th - After a total off-season makeover One Dock is now open with a fresh new look. Situated in a wonderful location overlooking the Kennebunk River, One Dock offers creative, contemporary New England cuisine and traditional Maine favorites with a bold fusion flair. www.onedock.com

Mabel's Lobster Claw - Opening April 5th - Owners Stephanie and Robert Fischer take great pride in serving the freshest quality pieces of  fish, steaks, and lobsters available.  Homemade pies, blueberry bread, and corn muffins are baked every morning on the premises. www.mabelslobster.com

On the Marsh - Opening April 5th - Ethnicity of cuisine flows through On the Marsh's menu which features the freshest products from local growers. All of their cuisine is prepared in house with a focus on the individual's palate. www.onthemarsh.com

Ryan's Corner House Irish Pub - Opened March 17th (of course!) - This Irish Pub is the real deal, serving up plates of Bangers and Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, and loads of potatoes!

If you primarily associate March in Maine with mud and the still real and present danger of snow squalls, you may want to recalibrate your thinking. Marking its fourth year of providing a late winter culinary pick-me-up, Maine Restaurant Week kicks off February 29th and runs through March 10^th, offering the perfect opportunity to cozy up and flirt with all of those restaurants with whom you keep meaning to make a date.

Restaurant Week is more than just a celebration of the depth and breadth of Maine’s fantastic food scene. The buzz it generates gives restaurants a much-needed boost by getting people excited about eating out during what can be a slow time of year. Plus, thousands of dollars have been raised for local non-profit organizations since the inaugural Maine Restaurant Week in 2009.

A list of participating restaurants is available at www.mainerestaurantweek.com.The list will continue to expand through March 1, 2012. At this point, over 70 restaurants throughout the state are confirmed for this year from towns including Portland, Kennebunkport, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Auburn, Camden, Brunswick, Bangor and more. As in years past, the three-course dinners range in price from $20-$40 per person and some restaurants will be offering three-course lunches for $15. Restaurants also have the ability to identify vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options on their menus.

The Signature Event will launch Maine Restaurant Week on Wednesday evening, February 29th from 5:30-8:30 pm at the Portland Harbor Hotel, 468 Fore St., in Portland. This event will once again feature a People’s Choice competition for best cocktail and a People’s Choice competition for best dessert. New this year is the introduction of a professionally judged cocktail and a People’s Choice award for best table display. Tickets to The Signature Event start at $35.

The Incredible Breakfast Cook-off will take place Friday morning, March 9th at the Seadog Brewing Company, 125 Western Ave in South Portland, 7 am - 9 am. The Good Table, Cape Elizabeth, will return for the third year to defend its two-year title of People’s Choice winner with its decadent Crème Brulee French Toast.

For more information go to www.mainerestaurantweek.com.

Event tickets are available through www.mainerestaurantweek.com/events or www.brownpapertickets.com.

Stay informed through www.facebook.com/mainerestaurantweek and www.twitter.com/dineme.

Maine Restaurant Week is sponsored by the Swan Agency-Sotheby’s International, US Cellular, L.L. Bean, Down East Magazine, Shipyard Brewing Company, Native Maine Produce, Maine Today Media and Cumulus Radio.

 I drove down River Road in Kennebunkport one day and this is what I saw!

It seems as though there is a compost pile under this tree where the owner has disposed of pumpkins in years past. The vines then climbed the tree, seemingly unassisted and now it seems as though we have our very own pumpkin tree. Authentic and so cool! Just a little confusing when I try to explain to the three year old I nanny for that pumpkins grow on a vine on the ground and all he sees is them growing on a tree!

When I moved here I thought I would desperately miss my proximity to all my favorite retail stores. I am by no means a shopaholic, if I had to pick between shopping or walking on the beach, the choice would be easy, sand over shopping any day. But let’s face it, there comes a time in every girl's (and guy's) life where they need or would like a new piece of clothing to spice up their wardrobe. Little did I know that this fabulous town I was moving to had everything I needed within walking distance!

Yesterday I had an hour break during nannying and I was able to walk into town, get a gorgeous vineyard vines top, cute white capris, and black peep toe heels for the next night’s charity event. The whole shopping experience was effortless and relaxing. Now it does help that I'm a local so I know Caroline who owns Green and Pink Tangerine and she knows exactly what I love, but regardless she is good at what she does. She knows clothes, she knows fashion, and she carries all the designers I could hope for! And to top that off, she’s nice, personable and has great taste!  At Port Shoe I didn’t know the girl that helped me personally but she too was knowledgeable, accommodating, and extremely friendly.

The Closet, in downtown Kennebunk is always advertising the new in-style jeans, along with great tops and dresses for a fun night out on the town. Zen and Company in lower village Kennebunk has the most comfortable dress, shirts and skirts anyone could ask for. Then there is Carla’s, a unique boutique with fine clothes for everyone, and where my mother got her “mother of the bride” outfit, which was fabulous by the way! For the men, it is more limited, but what man needs numerous options anyway! Green Tangerine carries the essential vineyard vines men's wear, Dock Square Clothier has a great men’s section and for the more sophisticated man, Kings Wharf always has something for an outing. Portmanteau also carries great weekend and sports outside gear for men and women!  The list can literally go on and on.

So whether you need a Kennebunkport memento or a fabulous outfit it's all within a short walk into town (or a quick car ride away if you want to go to Kennebunk) and the experience will always be enjoyable.