Penny Goetjen's Blog, page 7
August 12, 2013
Sisters In Crime, Inc.
Check it out! Sisters In Crime, Inc. is an international organization created many years ago to support mystery authors. Its website, http://www.sistersincrime.org/, is currently featuring The Precipice in its book cover banner that scrolls on the bottom half of its homepage. Pretty cool!
August 11, 2013
Recharging the Batteries in Maine
Ahhhhh.....Just returned from a couple days of R&R in Maine. Soooooo beautiful. Stayed at Harraseeket Inn in Freeport. Beautiful inn. Great location to use as a jumping off point. Spent some time on Popham Beach. Dinner at Spinney's on the water right down the road from Popham Beach. Also visited Boothbay Harbor, then had dinner on Robinson's Wharf on Southport Island. Nothing like having seafood on the docks where the fishermen bring in their catch! Can't get any fresher than that! Afterwards stopped into Newagen Seaside Inn further down on Southport Island, right on the water. Great place to stay. Absolutely beautiful. Can't wait to go back to Maine.....
July 16, 2013
Thank you!
So many readers entered the contest to win one of five signed copies of The Precipice! Thank you all for participating. The books are on their way to the five lucky people whose names were drawn. Enjoy!
July 7, 2013
Summer in New England
What a BEAUTIFUL time of the year! Love the summer heat. Some are complaining that it's too hot and humid but I LOVE it! Waited all winter for this. Keep it coming. It doesn't last long enough for me.
Days are for heading to the beach, finding the perfect spot on the sand, breathing in the salty, sea air, listening to the somewhat mournful cries of the sea gulls, getting hypnotized by the waves crashing against the beach.
Evenings are for taking a long walk with a glass of pinot grigio in your hand, gazing at the clear night skies, getting mesmerized by the tiny twinkling stars. Distracted only by the occasional firefly to blink into view.
Days are for heading to the beach, finding the perfect spot on the sand, breathing in the salty, sea air, listening to the somewhat mournful cries of the sea gulls, getting hypnotized by the waves crashing against the beach.
Evenings are for taking a long walk with a glass of pinot grigio in your hand, gazing at the clear night skies, getting mesmerized by the tiny twinkling stars. Distracted only by the occasional firefly to blink into view.
The Pennington Point Inn
Sitting atop a majestic precipice, on the coast of Maine, is the Pennington Point Inn. Family owned and operated, the inn has been in the Pennington Family for several generations. The inn was originally run as a private school for girls, but currently is a popular destination for vacationers looking for lodging that goes beyond the ordinary. Amelia Pennington, the family matriarch, is at the helm of the inn, ensuring every guest receives a warm welcome and has an enjoyable experience. Weekend highlights include a twice-monthly clambake on the beach and an award-winning brunch, featuring Amelia’s Orange Macadamia Nut French Toast, popular with guests and locals alike. Guests can also tag along with a local lobster fisherman on Wednesdays and Saturdays to learn about lobster fishing and see first-hand what a lobster fisherman’s life is like.
The Pennington Point Inn is set on 125 wooded acres of unspoiled Maine coastline and features nearly a mile of pristine sandy beach with dramatic waves crashing along the shore. Hiking and walking trails abound in the surrounding woods and an historic lighthouse occupies the end of the breakwater jutting out into the ocean. The main building of the inn is a stately looking structure, set back from the edge of the cliff above the water, with white clapboard siding and multi-paned windows set off by black shutters. Two other guest buildings are located behind the main inn. Rumors have circulated over the years that the Pennington Point Inn is haunted but the rumors have never been substantiated.
Although there are many beautiful, old inns in the state of Maine and throughout New England, the Pennington Point Inn is fictitious and exists only in the murder mystery, The Precipice, written by Penny Goetjen. The Precipice is a must read for anyone interested in the charm of an old inn, the lure of the tumultuous Maine coastline and an intriguing story that a reader can’t put down.
The Pennington Point Inn is set on 125 wooded acres of unspoiled Maine coastline and features nearly a mile of pristine sandy beach with dramatic waves crashing along the shore. Hiking and walking trails abound in the surrounding woods and an historic lighthouse occupies the end of the breakwater jutting out into the ocean. The main building of the inn is a stately looking structure, set back from the edge of the cliff above the water, with white clapboard siding and multi-paned windows set off by black shutters. Two other guest buildings are located behind the main inn. Rumors have circulated over the years that the Pennington Point Inn is haunted but the rumors have never been substantiated.
Although there are many beautiful, old inns in the state of Maine and throughout New England, the Pennington Point Inn is fictitious and exists only in the murder mystery, The Precipice, written by Penny Goetjen. The Precipice is a must read for anyone interested in the charm of an old inn, the lure of the tumultuous Maine coastline and an intriguing story that a reader can’t put down.
Still time to enter to win!
There is still time to enter to win one of five signed copies of The Precipice. Enter today! The Precipice is a great summer read. It's a murder mystery takes place on the rocky, tumultuous coast of Maine in an old family run inn.
June 30, 2013
A Sequel to The Precipice
A sequel is in the works! An apology to everyone who is losing sleep staying up late to finish reading The Precipice. I've had such feedback that Elizabeth's story needs to be continued! Okay...it is in process.
Let's go to the beach!!
Beaches of Maine
A summer vacation to Maine should include a visit to the majestic coastline. Miles and miles of rocky formations with crashing waves are punctuated by pristine beaches of golden sand. Three favorites, of vacationers and locals alike, are Popham Beach State Park, Reid State Park and Old Orchard Beach.
Popham Beach, located in Phippsburg, consists of 529 unspoiled acres on the mid-coast region of Maine. Just a short distance down the road from historic Fort Popham, Popham Beach is a large, soft, sandy expanse so it is often not crowded. Facilities include a picnic area with charcoal grills, showers, and trails. Consistently strong surf provides dramatic waves crashing onto the beach. Activities include beach strolling, shell collecting, surfing, swimming, bird watching and hiking. Next to Fort Popham is an old culinary favorite, Spinney’s Restaurant, specializing in local seafood. Fresher fare would be hard to find. In addition, Spinney’s offers rooms in a guest house and cottages for rent.
Reid State Park is also in the mid-coast region of Maine and is located in Georgetown. The park has one mile-long beach and a half mile beach of soft, golden sand. Beach goers can choose from high surf or more subdued, protected swimming. The park carries the distinction of being the first state-owned saltwater beach. The land was donated by a successful local businessman, Walter E Reid, in 1946. Reid State Park also offers picnic areas, charcoal grills and showers. The shear size of the beach area lends itself to not being crowded.
Old Orchard Beach is a seven mile, hard-packed sandy stretch of beach also located along the mid-coast region of Maine. It is geared toward families and has been described as honky-tonk because of its arcade, Ferris wheel and amusement rides. Food vendors are located on a pier that juts out over the water. The pier has been partially taken out by storms from time to time over the years and is currently 500 feet long. Visitors can enjoy such delights as bumper cars, cotton candy and old-fashioned salt water taffy that is twisted and stretched while patrons watch. Old Orchard is a popular family vacation spot so area hotels and motels fill up quickly during the summer season.
No matter which beach is chosen, be sure to bring along a good book to read. A great choice for summer reading is The Precipice, a murder mystery by Penny Goetjen that takes place on the coast of Maine.
A summer vacation to Maine should include a visit to the majestic coastline. Miles and miles of rocky formations with crashing waves are punctuated by pristine beaches of golden sand. Three favorites, of vacationers and locals alike, are Popham Beach State Park, Reid State Park and Old Orchard Beach.
Popham Beach, located in Phippsburg, consists of 529 unspoiled acres on the mid-coast region of Maine. Just a short distance down the road from historic Fort Popham, Popham Beach is a large, soft, sandy expanse so it is often not crowded. Facilities include a picnic area with charcoal grills, showers, and trails. Consistently strong surf provides dramatic waves crashing onto the beach. Activities include beach strolling, shell collecting, surfing, swimming, bird watching and hiking. Next to Fort Popham is an old culinary favorite, Spinney’s Restaurant, specializing in local seafood. Fresher fare would be hard to find. In addition, Spinney’s offers rooms in a guest house and cottages for rent.
Reid State Park is also in the mid-coast region of Maine and is located in Georgetown. The park has one mile-long beach and a half mile beach of soft, golden sand. Beach goers can choose from high surf or more subdued, protected swimming. The park carries the distinction of being the first state-owned saltwater beach. The land was donated by a successful local businessman, Walter E Reid, in 1946. Reid State Park also offers picnic areas, charcoal grills and showers. The shear size of the beach area lends itself to not being crowded.
Old Orchard Beach is a seven mile, hard-packed sandy stretch of beach also located along the mid-coast region of Maine. It is geared toward families and has been described as honky-tonk because of its arcade, Ferris wheel and amusement rides. Food vendors are located on a pier that juts out over the water. The pier has been partially taken out by storms from time to time over the years and is currently 500 feet long. Visitors can enjoy such delights as bumper cars, cotton candy and old-fashioned salt water taffy that is twisted and stretched while patrons watch. Old Orchard is a popular family vacation spot so area hotels and motels fill up quickly during the summer season.
No matter which beach is chosen, be sure to bring along a good book to read. A great choice for summer reading is The Precipice, a murder mystery by Penny Goetjen that takes place on the coast of Maine.
Sunday Brunch
There is an old New England inn where guests make return visits as much for the view and location as the cuisine. Perched atop a precipice on the Maine coastline, Pennington Point Inn offers quaint accommodations and amenities that would please the most discriminating traveler. Weekend brunches are popular not only with the guests but also with the locals. A longstanding favorite dish is Orange Macadamia Nut French Toast. The Pennington Family recipe has not been altered in decades and continues to delight. Amelia Pennington is the matriarch of the family and still oversees the day to day operations of the inn’s kitchen, ensuring the quality and care that are the norm and expectation for the Pennington Point Inn.
Although the Pennington Point Inn is a fictional place from the murder mystery The Precipice by Penny Goetjen, the recipe for Amelia’s Orange Macadamia Nut French Toast is shared below. Imagine sitting outside with a view of the ocean while enjoying this breakfast treat. Listen carefully. Even hundreds of miles away from the coast, the wind in the trees has a way of sounding like the surf crashing gently against the precipice. Enjoy the salty sea air!
Amelia’s Orange Macadamia Nut French Toast
1 loaf of French bread, cut into ¾ inch to 1 inch slices
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/3 cups orange juice
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2/3 cup macadamia nuts, chopped
Butter the bottoms of two 9” X 13” pans. Place bread slices flat on the bottom of the pans, arranging them to fit as many as you can in each pan. Whisk together the eggs, orange juice, milk, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon until well blended. Pour over bread slices, dividing mixture between 2 pans. Flip each bread slice twice, to ensure complete coverage with egg mixture. Cover and refrigerate a minimum of 4 hours up to overnight.
Drizzle melted butter on bread slices. Bake, covered, at 400 for 10 minutes. Remove covers, sprinkle with nuts, and bake an additional 5 minutes. Sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar and serve with maple syrup. Makes 6-8 servings as a main dish.
Although the Pennington Point Inn is a fictional place from the murder mystery The Precipice by Penny Goetjen, the recipe for Amelia’s Orange Macadamia Nut French Toast is shared below. Imagine sitting outside with a view of the ocean while enjoying this breakfast treat. Listen carefully. Even hundreds of miles away from the coast, the wind in the trees has a way of sounding like the surf crashing gently against the precipice. Enjoy the salty sea air!
Amelia’s Orange Macadamia Nut French Toast
1 loaf of French bread, cut into ¾ inch to 1 inch slices
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/3 cups orange juice
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2/3 cup macadamia nuts, chopped
Butter the bottoms of two 9” X 13” pans. Place bread slices flat on the bottom of the pans, arranging them to fit as many as you can in each pan. Whisk together the eggs, orange juice, milk, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon until well blended. Pour over bread slices, dividing mixture between 2 pans. Flip each bread slice twice, to ensure complete coverage with egg mixture. Cover and refrigerate a minimum of 4 hours up to overnight.
Drizzle melted butter on bread slices. Bake, covered, at 400 for 10 minutes. Remove covers, sprinkle with nuts, and bake an additional 5 minutes. Sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar and serve with maple syrup. Makes 6-8 servings as a main dish.
June 23, 2013
Book Giveaway!
Enter to win one of five signed copies of The Precipice. Great summer reading!
