Penny Goetjen

I have to apologize to everyone who is reading The Precipice late at night. So many people have complained that they can't put the book down and they end up staying up way too late!!

What a beautiful day in New England!! Almost summer! Great time to go to Maine and hit the beach (just don't go in the water. It's freezing!)

Beware of Rogue Waves

The raw natural beauty of the rocky coast of Maine draws vacationers, photographers and artists alike. Ocean waves crash against jagged rocks up and down the coast, creating a dramatic spectacle with a roaring sound and salty sea spray. Surf watching becomes risky when the intensity of the waves increases during a hurricane or tropical storm, even a storm that is offshore. Waves are unpredictable without the added dimension of a storm surge so, in spite of warnings, surf watchers can be injured or killed by the occasional rogue wave. Rogue waves appear without warning and are much larger and more powerful than previous waves in the same location. Standing on rocks that appear dry does not guarantee a refuge from the powerful ocean. Rogue waves are totally unpredictable and can be extremely dangerous.

A recent rogue wave tragedy occurred in Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine in late August 2009. A large group of people gathered in an area known as Thunder Hole to watch and experience the thunderous surf. The park was under a high surf advisory due to the effects of Hurricane Bill that did not hit Maine directly, but was still stirring up the surf from offshore. Mesmerized by the unusually large waves crashing against the rocks below, the group never expected a huge wave to make a direct hit. Four people were washed into the sea below. Victims were plunged into frigid waters and thrashed against the jagged rocks. Three suffered broken bones and other injuries but were plucked from the ocean. A seven year old girl wasn’t so lucky. The girl was finally rescued after hours in the water but never regained consciousness.

Rogue waves along the coast of Maine play a role in The Precipice, a murder mystery written by Penny Goetjen.

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.