This weekend is a special weekend for me. My birthday is on Sunday, and both days of the weekend are filled with all things good—-dinner at some friends’ house; brunch with two other friends at Petite Jacqueline in Portland; a walk on the beach; and a meal at my daughter Shannon’s house. I am a firm believer in celebrations. Not big expensive bashes, of course, but instead simple pleasures—good food and spending time with family and friends.

From Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association: A program to encourage farmers in Washington County to sell food to schools.

From the Portland Press Herald: A new food co-op is coming to Portland, and the emphasis will be on locally grown and produced food. (Shannon and Mike, take note.)

From NPR’s The Salt: Sometimes it is all right to play with your food, especially if the results are as snappy as Christopher Boffoli’s photographs, which are vignettes using food and plastic toys.

From Travel & Leisure: Standard Baking Company in Portland makes the list for one of the best bakeries in the U.S.

From the New York Times: A story about Michael Pollan, James Taylor, and a pig named Kosher.

From the blog Letters from a Hill Farm: Nan writes about Meals-on-Wheels, old age, and Bailey White’s short story—surprise!—“Meals on Wheels.”