Curiouser and curiouser...

On July 22nd, a perfect halcyon summer's day in Maine, we took a trip Down The Rabbit Hole out on the island of Islesford for our "Mad Tea-Party".  Guests gathered at the woodland estate of artist Sam Shaw to admire the completion of lansdcape artist Jen Macomber's project The Spiral Garden.

The Spiral Garden's stone path is reminiscent of a nautilus shell.  This beautifully elevated landscape is a focal feature to Sam Shaw's  enchanting woodland property.  The front porch of 'The Laboratory'  offers guests an elevated place to reflect on its design.

Sam Shaw's Islesford estate is, in itself, a work of art!  The following is a small glimpse this beautiful summer day spent at this positively magical island get-away.  We really did feel as if we had happened upon a strange Wonderland:

Arriving on Islesford from Northeast Harbor via Mailboat	Islesford Town Dock
Setting off down a long and winding dirt road...	... As if we've tripped and fallen down a rabbit hole, we arrive at The Laboratory of Sam Shaw.
It's lovely day for a walk in the garden.	Guests enjoying a warm beach breeze.
Mischievous ones.	A view of The Spiral Garden from The Laboratory deck.
An invitation to our Alices from our teacups. Drink Me.	In Wonderland... we discovered... some strange fruit...
Meeting and greeting.	A glimpse of part of our Tea-Table.
Artist Dru Colbert trying on a headpiece from Sam Shaw's hat-tree.	Sam Shaw invites guests to his Compliment Booth to shout out their praises.
A door in the woods. (Don't forget to knock twice).	Sipping tea and admiring the deep green sea.
It's late, It's late...	... Time to start heading back.
Islesford is such a beautiful place.	Goodbye Islesford! Heading home from one island to another.

Assembling as 'The Porkslap Ensemble', musicians David Palazola (percussion),  Chris Doyle (piano), Asher Kurtz (guitar), Rafael Aguiar (sax) and Rob Taylor (bass)  set the mood for the afternoon as guests float by in party-hats with teacups in hand.

Joanna Robinson of Joanna's Wicked Good Cakes donated an incredible and entirely edible (the cake-top tea party was delicious) three-tiered Alice in Wonderland cake! Joanna, we are amazed at your skill with fondant - this is one dessert that truly looked too good to eat.

Jen Macomber's Spiral garden is an undeniably unique and ponderous piece of landscape. While some may sculpt or paint as a means to create, she prefers moving large masses of natural objects. Multiple seasons in the making, Jen likes to think of The Spiral Garden as a work in progress. She explains that, while the project has finally been completed, she expects the thoughtfully chosen plants installed in the garden to creep and take hold of their surroundings adding an even deeper dimension to the landscape.

Jen Macomber stands in the mouth of her Spiral Garden.

We would like to extend a very special thanks to our host and Mad-Hatter Sam Shaw!

Sam, your woodland get-away is one-in-a-million. Thank you for helping us host our Tea-Party in this totally magical haven! Your world is a truly inspiring place to be.

Additional thanks to Amanda Kendall of Sassafrass Catering for her generous offering of many lovely little tea sandwiches and to Brian Smith of Mckay's for his donation of libations.

*For full pictorial tour of our Mad Tea-Party, please visit our Facebook gallery.