Wedding Blessings.....Citrusy Summer by the Sea!

 In August of 2010, Darling and I  attended the summer wedding of April and Ross at the impressive, expansive area known as Prout's Neck, Maine and laid our eyes on the Black Point Inn. The actress Glenn Close resides in Prout's Neck which is a small, picturesque community winding along the rocky coast. We were immediately struck by the beauty of this New England Inn and I thought what a perfect place to exchange wedding vows!

A quintessential Maine seaside resort known as The Black Point Inn is where the wedding party could enjoy the exquisite cuisine, exemplary service, luxurious accommodations and dramatic water views for which this landmark property is known. Presiding over one of the most spectacular settings along Maine's ruggedly beautiful coastline, Black Point Inn is nestled on lushly landscaped property located at the tip of Prouts Neck. Here, surrounded by water on three sides, you'll be captivated by the Inn's majestic cliffs and ever changing seascape - a view so inspiring that noted American painter Winslow Homer maintained an artist's studio steps away.

Prout's Neck is actually a peninsula in the town of Scarborough and is mostly a seasonal community, always has been. There are a number of old summer cottages that have been in wealthy blue blood families for generations. As you can imagine, these families are from away, Massachusettes and Connecticut mostly. These folks have a habit of co-opting Maine summer life. How exclusive? So much so that in 2004, the community of Prouts actually purchased the Black Point Inn. Quickly the sprawling 85 room property with an outdoor and indoor pool, and an expansive Bayview Room was scaled back.

Today, there is one smaller outdoor pool and 25 guest rooms. But the biggest change is no more big outdoor weddings with bands. The "community" likes absolute quiet you see. However, when considering a wedding in communities such as Prout's Neck, research the limitations and the size of your wedding party. The Black Point Inn is indeed an absolutely gorgeous spot for a wedding, but these days you will have to scale down your celebration a bit. If you are still enamored with the gorgeous setting, and who isn't, and want to get married there, here is what we recommend -- purchase the whole house, all 25 rooms. for your wedding weekend!

Soft Summer Colors of Peach and Yellow


Orange Buttermilk Cake
1 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
5 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon orange extract

In a bowl, cream butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Beat well after each addition. Stir in extracts.

Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Serve on beautiful vintage plate with a lovely orange custard sauce!

Orange Custard Sauce

1 cup granulated sugar

5 tablespoons flour

dash salt

finely grated zest of 1 orange

1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup orange juice

3 egg yolks

1 teaspoon butter

1 cup heavy cream

In a heavy saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, flour, and salt. Add orange zest, lemon and orange juices, and egg yolks. Blend well. Cook over low heat, stirring, until thickened and smooth. Stir in butter and cool. Whip the cream and fold into the cooled orange mixture.

Summer has always been considered to be the most romantic of the four seasons.
 The clear skies, the blazing sun, the gentle summer breeze, and the lazy afternoons
 flavor the season with passion and warm love.