Sitting by the Dock of the Bay

If you walk maybe 3 minutes down the block from my brother-in-law John's house, you reach this rocky beach. The Belfast Harbor is so beautiful. I sat on a log in the afternoon sun, pondering the rhythm of the ripples in the fresh clear water. I meditated.

Then I walked by the harbor and up the hilly street lined with great shops like The Good Table [for cooks and foodies]. I went to my beloved Belfast Co-op, and got a candy cane cupcake by Suecakes--to go--for Figgy [vegan, sticker shock, $6.07]. Then I decided I wanted to try one, so can attempt to make for Fig at home. It was a treat. Ever since girlhood, I've been enchanted with the stylish candy cane: its swirly, two-tone design; slender, curving shape; cool peppermint Christmas taste. So that mountain of minty pink and white icing peaks was like a fairy tale to plunge a fork in.

I also went to Camden briefly, that storybook town nestled in a sea cove. I love it there, as much for the destination as for the road you take to get there, rising and falling in the winter sunset. I went into Jo Ellen Designs on Main Street--it's a magical place, and the owner, Jo Ellen Stammen, designs incredible rugs and bedding--and found an enchanting book of Christmas stories on sale at 40 percent off. It includes "A Christmas Memory," by Truman Capote, my all-time favorite Noel story. Somehow, I misplaced my copy this year. When I read it later today, I intend to reclaim some old-time Christmas peace.

Good night to you.

TCOY

1. The walk and sitting by the water.

2. The Co-op.

Fairy-tale vegan cupcakes made with beet juice, local sea salt, dark cocoa...

I dashed into Suecakes on Beaver Street just as Sue was closing up.
I bought a box of vegan whoopie pies for family gathering Sunday.