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Rock Paper Scissors Store in Wiscasset, Maine

Erica Soule, owner of my favorite store, Rock Paper Scissors

I just simply love this store. Rock Paper Scissors, located in Wiscasset, Maine is an eclectic mix including housewares, accessories, art supplies, stationary, textiles, books, jewelry, children's toys, etc. etc.--all beautifully curated to include items of the highest quality and top notch sense of design...The owner of this small, independently owned shop, Erica Soule, has an uncany ability to choose the best of the best from all over the world. In her own words: "Over twenty years ago, I opened rock paper scissors in my hometown of Wiscasset Maine. Spending days as a kid on the coast of Maine with my ever-curious grandmother peering into tidal pools, I learned to look for the small moments of wonder in the world. Finding a perfectly smooth stone, oddly colored lichen, and searching for only the yellow periwinkles started my love of collecting, the search, the hunt."

Rock Paper Scissors is now online for everyone to enjoy. It has been one of my favorite stores for a long time now and a go to place for all kinds of wonderful gifts. It was a summer destination for me and my family. My daughter Morgan used to buy many of her school supplies there: Japanese folders, cool pens, interesting notebooks—not your usual Staples fare. My sister Judy would always get herself a special piece of jewelry every year on our summer vacations. And I would always find something unique: a cool mug, beautiful earrings, unusual patterned origami papers…

Erica has carried some of my Smilow + Mathiesen products over the years and I’m proud to be a part of the Rock Paper Scissors shopping experience.

Follow Rock Paper Scissors on instagram.

A Simple Beautiful Refreshing Salad

CUCUMBER MANGO SALAD
Courtesy @beeyawellness
Serves: 4 portions
Prep time: 10 mins

Ingredients:
✨1 english cucumber
✨1 ripe mango
✨2 green onions, sliced
✨1 green chili pepper, sliced
✨1 tsp grated fresh ginger
✨1 lime, juiced and zested
✨1 Tbsp fish sauce
✨1 Tbsp sesame oil
✨handful of cilantro

Instructions:
1️⃣ Use a vegetable peeler to create ribbons of cucumber and mango.
2️⃣ Toss ribbons with green onions and green chili pepper in a bowl.
3️⃣ Whisk together grated ginger, lime juice, zest, fish sauce, sesame oil and chopped cilantro to create a dressing.
4️⃣ Toss everything together. Add salt to taste if needed.

Story Songs of the 70s: Tom DiMenna with Eddie Holm

Click image to follow Tom DiMenna on instagram

I just got back from traveling for a couple days with my musician friends Tom and Eddie (sounds like a cartoon!) who were performing first in Cohasset, Massachusetts at the historic Red Lion Inn and then last night at City Winery in Philadelphia after a ten day tour in Canada and the Midwest of the United States.

Maine-based singer/songwriter Tom DiMenna has an impressive vocal range and guitar style, perfected by decades of stage performances. Accompanied by the talented bass player Eddie Holm, they bring to life Story Songs of the 70's, performing classics by Gordon Lightfoot, Cat Stevens and Harry Chapin. With their permission, I thought I would share some of the video clips I took of them from the last couple of days…

Gordon Lightfoot, Sundown

Cat Stevens, Father and Son

Harry Chapin, Cat's Cradle

Gordon Lightfoot, Race Upon The Ruins

If you would like to hear more, go to www.tomdimennamusic.com for their upcoming shows and follow them on instagram and on youtube.

Painting of the Week

Pam Smilow mixed media on canvas 50” x 80” approx.

Charity of the Week:

About The Author

New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow, began writing the creative lifestyle blog “things we love” in an effort to foster a sense of community during times of isolation and reflection. To read more about her and her art, visit her website and check out the essay written by Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.