Baked beans, the awful truth

"Old Farmstead," 10X8, by Carol L. Douglas, oil on canvasboard.

“Old Farmstead,” 10X8, by Carol L. Douglas, oil on canvasboard.

I’m a lousy cook. A friend advised me, “Remember: if it starts to burn, turn the black knobs to the left.” That was after I made her scrambled eggs and toast and managed to burn them both.

I was invited to the new Riverbrook Preserve in Waldoboro for the Medomak Valley Land Trust’s annual potluck summer picnic. It would be horribly rude to show up without a dish to pass. Yet the words “pot luck” strike terror in my heart, especially since the person who asked me is a professional chef. How intimidating!

The view that got away. I plan to go back to paint this, though.

The view that got away. I plan to go back to paint this.

My daughter, who is a superlative cook, tells me that her rule is to only cook things she likes. It’s easier for me to list the things I don’t like: things I have to make, and trips to the store.

I mixed a bunch of things I had in the house in an approximation of baked beans and threw it in the oven. Then my painting partner called to tell me he was heading out earlier than we’d planned. I turned the temperature up really high and went outside to load my car. When I was done, I deemed my dish done.

Working in the shade is a great luxury for the plein air painter.

Working in the shade is a great luxury for the plein air painter.

The Land Trust protects the land along the Medomak watershed from development, which in turn protects the birds and animals that live there. It is one of a mind-boggling 99 land trusts in the Maine State Land Trust Network.

Last year an anonymous donation enabled them to purchase this almost-400 acre parcel along the river. It includes 1.5 miles of frontage on the Medomak and more than two miles on Meadow Creek.

The property also included a 19th century farmstead with house, stables, barns, outbuildings, a riding ring, an-ground pool, and a small orchard, all meticulously maintained. That, along with 11 acres of land, has been parceled off to be resold.

If I hadn’t just moved into a new house last month, I would be sorely tempted. In every direction there is a wonderful view, and they are protected forever.

I dropped off my dish-to-pass and headed down the hill to paint. I finally stopped in mid-afternoon to collect a plate of food. Imagine my surprise when I realized that all of my beans had been eaten.

They ate it all! Yikes!

They ate it all! Yikes!

I’m absolutely certain it was a case of beginner’s luck. And if there’s an outbreak of ptomaine poisoning in Waldoboro tomorrow, you can’t pin it on me.

Let me know if you’re interested in painting with me on the Schoodic Peninsula in beautiful Acadia National Park in August 2015. Click here for more information on my Maine workshops! Download a brochure here.

Carol Douglas

About Carol Douglas

Carol L. Douglas is a painter who lives, works and teaches in Rockport, ME. Her annual workshop will again be held on the Schoodic Peninsula in beautiful Acadia National Park, from August 6-11, 2017. Visit www.watch-me-paint.com/ for more information.