I fell in love.
I fell in love with the state of Maine.
Last week I lovingly, though hapazardly thrust tofu lemon cremes your way. I did so from my phone on a bus driving through Maine.
See… I went on a vacation and for a work-brain maniac like mine, it seemed… hard. Which (I know I know I know) sounds bonkers dumb.
I went to a place that solved many, if not all, of my work-brain maniac problems. Maine Maine the state of Maine! Maine doesn’t glorify work-brain-busy. Maine glorifies big blue skies, small farms, chicken coops, bee-keeping, and the connection of people over, well… my connection to the internet. It was just what I needed and I’m absolutely smitten.
Today I want to show you a particular part of my trip to Maine. It involved big sails, gusting winds, sailors, lobster, and big hearts. This leg of my Maine journey left me craving the comfort of Maple Granola… and that’s what bring us to this here point.
To follow: gratituous pictures of boats and lobster.
This is the J & E Riggin. It’s a national historic landmark… which is pretty incredible considering that I slept inside of her. The J & E Riggin was built in 1927 as an oyster dredger. Back in the day it was manned by seven big ol’ sailor dudes who worked this schooner up and down the coast of Maine collecting massive amounts of oysters. The schooner was transformed into a passenger boat in 1977.
These days the J & E Riggin is run and loved by Captain Jon Finger and Captain Annie Mahle. Each summer John, Annie, their daughters and sea family welcome people onto the schooner for 4 or 6 day adventures. When I say adventure… I do mean it! Cabins on the boat are small,cozy and are equip with a small cold water sink. Ok… I had one mild cabin freak-out because I’m a touch bit claustrophobic. Nothing a little red wine can’t solve. Besides, not much time is spent down in the cabins…
… not when view like this exist up on deck.
This is a neighboring boat. I’m pretty sure we’re racing.
Schooners like the Riggin are no joke. They take knowledgable people and strong hands to run. The guests help to raise sails, fold sails, do their dishes and pull in the anchor. It takes a village… and we’re not even raising a child.
Here, First Mate Scott is doing some sort of something to the sail. Porting? Starboarding? Hulling? Shucking?
Ok… to be fair, I helped to raise some sails, but I didn’t really do a good job of learning boat language.
We dropped anchor and explored a few tiny islands.
This is me not at all missing Breaking Bad or The Real Housewives of Awfultown. This is me just taking it all in.
Some of us went for a swim. When I say ‘us’… I mean that one dude went in the chilly Maine waters to lobster gawk.
We gathered on tiny Russ Island with one purpose… to put lobsters and corn in a kettle and eat them with too much butter.
This open fire kettle situation is my idea of romance.
Welcome to lobster-town.
This doesn’t happen in California.
Can I tell you what I learned about these darlings? In Maine we ate soft-shell lobster. These are the lobster that molt their hard shells and are in the process of building back their shells when they wander into a lobster trap. The shells are softer so they don’t really hold up to continental shipping. They also hold a bit more water than regular lobster… so they’re best eaten standing up, outdoors, with new people that you love.
Atop the lobster go the corn.
In the foil covered pitcher? BUTTER!
Atop the lobsters, atop the corn, beside the butter… piles of seaweed.
Seaweed sealer!
Grill some sausages next to the kettle… like it’s no big deal or whatever.
If we could just figure out how to make a chocolate cake in this kettle at the same time, my dreams would be complete.
Lobsters take about 30 minutes to bake. The perfect amount of time for Captain Annie and Captain Jon to read a story with their daughter Ella.
Time. Love. Tenderness. It’s not just an awesome Michael Bolton song anymore.
I don’t think my eyes have ever seen a finer moment…
Especially when an island beach lobster bake exists in this reality.
Captain Annie is the chef on the Riggin. When I say chef… I mean cheffy chef for real. She’s classically trained and her appreciation for Maine summer produce just shines. Food is fresh, thoughtful, and actually tastes like the place it comes from.
I’ve been to great restaurants and foodie (I hate that word) cities, but I’ve never had food so naturally considered and humbly appreciated.
Fresh oysters on an oyster dredging boat?
So many blessings abound.
Head on a schooner aka day something-or-other without a shower.
Feet on a schooner.
I just really like thinking about how old this wood is, and the different kinds of people who have trod across it.
Captain Jon and his maps.
Some vacations just happen to you, but other vacations really fill you up. My four days on the J & E Riggin with Jon, Annie, their daughter Ella, and the amazingly hardworking crew really blew me away. It was so special. It wasn’t about going to the right restaurants, rushing first thing to the best doughnut shop, or finding the best cocktail… it was about being a part of something much bigger and much older than us. There’s history, respect, reverence, and learning… and we got to take it all in (without instantly tweeting about it). It’s feels like what it might be like to ride a whale… with new friends and really good food.
Captain Annie along with her kitchen partner / fellow mastermind Toni coaxed some really amazing food out of the tiny galley kitchen. Her granola was my favorite thing (besides the view) to wake up to every morning. It was simple, studded with big coconut flakes and had a hint of bourbon vanilla. I flipped through her cookbook when I returned home to find her recipe.
It all starts with oats, ground cinnamon, a big pinch of salt, and unsweetened shredded coconut.
I am addicted to this big flake coconut that I often find at Whole Foods.
Granola needs a lubricant. In this case we’re working with olive oil, maple syrup, honey, and pure vanilla extract.
Let the good times roll. …that was a joke about oats.
This is the part where things get selfish. The best part of making your own granola is choosing exactly what makes you happy in it.
I love plump dried apricots, goji berries, toasted pecans, and big flaked coconut.
The toss. It’s easy!
So this weird thing happened in my house. It’s about me and my mixing bowl situation… namely that I don’t really have one. My largest mixing bowl is actually my big ol’ soup pot.
This granola recipe is inspired by Captain Annie’s cookbook Sugar & Salt. It’s just one of many totally comforting recipes. Plus, there’s all kinds of information about schooner living, which I’m now totally smitten with.
Warm and toasted. Suited and booted.
I adapted the granola just a bit by adding maple syrup and dried fruit. It tastes of comfort and love and is most fitting to gift by the jarful.
Maple Pecan Granola
makes about 12 cups
adapted from Sugar and Salt
1 to 1 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
8 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/3 cup honey
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 heaping cup coarsely chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup gogi berries
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large bowl, toss together coconut, pecans, rolled oats, cinnamon, and salt.
In a medium suacepan over low heat, stir together the oil, maple syrup, and honey. Stir until melted together. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract. Stir together.
Add the wet ingredients, all at once, to the rolled oat mixture. Toss to coat, insuring that all of the dry ingredients are coated in the maple syrup mixture. Divide the mixture between the two prepared baking pans. Spread into an even layer.
Bake granola for 45 minutes to 1 hour, removing the pans from the oven twice during baking to toss and stir. Once mixture is evenly browned and toasted, remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Add dried fruit and stire granola in an airtight container at room temperature.
Granola will last for several weeks.
Anna
Oh my god just started reading your blog and I am in love. The post you write about accidently seeing a photo of your ex melted my heart. So beautifully written. I hate facebook for that very reason. I once came home at lunch time just to delete my ex so I wouldn’t have to see his stupid face haha. Keep being awesome. I love reading your blog and you have much praise around the internet. xoxoxo
Natalie
I was looking for a new granola recipe and remembered saving this one of yours, so I decided to make it today. It is delicious!! I did notice, however, that it had really started to brown along the edges of the pan after 40 minutes. I may just reduce the temperature to 300 degrees next time to see if that helps. Love your blog!!
Erika
I’m a born & raised Mainah. Glad to hear you had such a good trip here. Might I ask what island you were hanging out on in these photos?
joythebaker
i believe it’s russel island
Lulu
I just came to your site via Sprigs of Rosemary and, of course, I love reading that you fell in love with Maine. It stole my heart 20 years ago and now I’m lucky to live here half of each year. What a gift! I will look forward to what you write about other things.
cristopt
nice share…
thanks
Janelle
I lived in Maine for about 18 months, and was actually there visiting friends the same time you were there (according to your Instagram, anyway…). It was amazing and I didn’t want to leave. I had to keep reminding myself what it was like in February. Maine changes people — your life will never be the same (in a good way) after living there, or apparently even after visiting.
Katie @ Oh Shine On
I love Maine… So glad you liked it, too. It looks pretty flattering on you :)
GingerMae
Thank you for reinforcing the involuntary eye-roll that happens to me when I hear the word ‘Foodie’! It ranks up there with ‘Diva’. And all things women-related that are pink…
Lindsay Harmon
I am so glad you came to Maine and loved our state- I am only bummed you didn’t fit in a bit of work to do a book signing! A reason to come back!
Lily
Did it by the book, and it was burnt to a black crisp by 40 minutes :(
joythebaker
a black crisp by 40 minutes? the oven is at such a low temperature that nothing should burn to a black crisp by 40 minutes. that’s strange. i’m so sorry the recipe gave you trouble. do you a thermometer in your oven to tell you the oven temp?
caroleena
Wow, Joy. I am so happy for you. This post actually made me tear up a little. It has been my life’s dream to vacation on a sailboat where the guests help run it. *sigh* And the views! Spectacular! And what a great experience for those daughters! So much cool – so much fun. Thank you for sharing.
Lady Jennie
This looks fabulouso. I have been wanting to make a GF granola.
You know what tastes so good that I used to eat when I lived in Taiwan? Corn on the cob that’s grilled with butter and barbecue sauce.
Oops, just had to catch that drop of saliva that fell. I used to drink bubble tea long before it was in vogue anywhere else. It’s called pearl tea in Chinese.
Maine Ski Trips
I have fun reading your blog and it shows that you really enjoyed your trip in Maine.
Cookie and Kate
What an adventure! I want to go to Maine now. I’ve hardly spent any time on the East coast.
Also, I thought you’d like to know that I listened to your latest podcast last night, after coming home from my friend’s house before the night really felt over, while I polished off the last glass of champagne and did the dishes. You guys are good company.
Sasha | Global Table Adventure
Lovely writing. I feel the fresh energy that Maine gifted you.
elisha ;)
YUM!!! I jumped right on this granola Saturday morning and it’s half-gone already between hubby + me. can’t. stop. eating. granola. must. eat. more. granola. If you’re thinking about making this, go ahead and get on that train! (ps. we didn’t have apricots or goji berries accessible, but it’s darn good without, and of course you could add some fresh fruit like blueberries or something wonderful like that).
…and Maine…ahhh…spent my honeymoon at a B&B on the Maine coast. Your photos brought back wonderful happy memories :D
Raquel Somatra
Gorgeous photos. Gorgeous you.
Have to admit, I looked for the photos of your shoes. I knew they were coming. And, of course, I love them.
x
Rachael
This makes me want to jump straight on a plane and head for Maine. Thanks for sharing your lovely adventures with us – you live a beautiful life!
It also made me make this granola and eat WAY too much in one sitting, straight from the box. I may have to wait a while before making more, for fear of developing a habit!
Jessica
Loved hearing about your trip…I just made a similar gushing post about Maine last week! Such a great place to de-stress.
Dominique
Tasty! Thanks for sharing
Jenny
I just returned from my annual vacation to Midcoast Maine last night, my family has been going up there every summer since I was born. We stay about ten minutes from Rockland, and always go to Rock City Cafe and when I went into Hello Hello Books I totally freaked (in a good but sort of stalkerish way) when I saw a signed copy of your cookbook. I chatted with the store owner and she told me you had also taken a trip on a schooner during your visit. Coincidentally, the previous day, my husband and I took a tour of a tallship in Camden and are planning to do a 4 or 6 day excursion next Summer. I’m so happy that you’ve fallen in love with Maine-it truly is the best state ever and I hope to move there someday. Yay for lobstah and all things Maine, ayuh!
Mia Davidsson
Thanks for a great blog!
http://statigr.am/feed/miadavidsson
anna
i love your granolas. what a cool trip! i live up in the northwest, so i’ve always wanted to visit the northeast and COMPARE.
Heidi
I’m so glad you love my State! (Even though I live in MA now). Your pictures made me want to load my kiddos up in the car and take a trip up to see Gramma and Grampa in Maine.
I’m a veggie (I know a vegetarian from Maine so no seafood when you live on the coast…obviously I have issues ;) so no lobster for me, but I’ve been on plenty of lobster boats helping friends who do it for a living and there is just something great about being out on the Maine coast.
I gush, I know, but I also really love Maine. And while this trip may not have been about “foodie” stops, there are lots of foodie places to eat in Portland and beyond. Breakfast is our State meal didn’t you know! So you should come back asap…mountains inland etc are also quite lovely. Convinced yet?
Kocinera
What a lovely vacation! I feel all cozy and rested just reading about it and looking at your pictures. Not to mention the major buttery lobster craving I now have. :D And that granola looks awesome!
Jesi
Joy, I think this is my favorite post of yours so far– and I’ve read your entire blog! Thank you so much for sharing your vacation with us. I’m glad you got to spend some time away from everything, and it brought me so much joy to read about it. I hope the trip left you refreshed and energized! Love to you!
erin
I love this post. It makes me want to take off adventuring, find new friends and connect with old ones, forage for good food and not care about anything to do with my own selfishness.
katy
I’m absolutely, totally, madly crazy in love with Maine. It’s my dream state (well, besides New Mexico) So glad that you went and had a fabulous time, although I would expect nothing less from Maine (and, given your cheerful disposition, from you; you could probably be happy anywhere).
Toni Ridout
Hehe. I’m a fellow mastermind. =)
I’m so glad to have met you and Hilton and Jen on your trip. Ya’ll were so lovely and sweet and made us smile with all your enthusiasm and help. I hope to see you again someday and in the meantime, have a great fall season!
“Hoot”
Lee
What beautiful photos. I love living on the east coast. We were just in Boston for a week and it was just gorgeous and the food was all amazing! You look so relaxed and boaty ! hehe….Thank you also for pictures of cute men in bandanas!! My favorite! hehe
Drew
Great recipe! I went out this morning to Whole Foods and bought all of the ingredients. Instead of using olive oil, I used coconut oil (Dr. Bronner’s fresh pressed virgin coconut oil). The kids loved it – organic Goji Berries, Turkish Apricots and all. I used Bob’s Red Mill extra thick rolled oats which gave the granola a little extra something. It got me to thinking about why we don’t bake/roast oats prior to making oatmeal cookies. Curiosity has the best of me, so, I’m going to make my favorite oatmeal cookie (Paula Deen’s recipe with browned butter icing) and I’m going to coat the oats with a honey, maple syrup, and coconut oil combo like in this recipe and then I’ll bake them for 25 minutes. After they are cool, I’ll continue on with the recipe. Baking the oats adds such a wonderful complexity and nuttiness… can’t wait to see how it turns out! JOY, really love your blog. Perhaps we were separated at birth? A foodie in Jersey.
melissa
I’ve always wondered the same thing, Drew! Please keep us posted as to how the cookies turn out. Thanks!
Lauren
that vacation sounds sooo amazing! I feel relaxed just listening to you re-live it! I love Maine and spend a lot of time there in the summers, I am going to have to check out that schooner! Can’t wait to try this granola, very excited about that coconut!
Carrie
I have already started looking the J & E website and planning my trip to Maine! This post is making me want to be on the water RIGHT NOW :)
Rachel
Ah Maine, I fell in love with it too. There is truly no better way to experience it than on a sailboat! My in-laws live on the shore of a beautiful bay there and I can’t think of any way I’d rather spend a summer than eating lobster, corn, and mussels on a picnic table by the sea.
I’ve got to get a hold of Annie Mahle’s cookbook! I’m always looking for new things to make at sea.
Jessie
Sometimes vacations can be so exhausting, but this seems like it was the opposite of that. I feel refreshed just reading about your trip and now I’ve added Maine to my list of places to go…thanks for sharing!
AP
Okay let’s get serious here how has no one else commented on this First Mate Scott situation?!
Rachel
Those people truly know how to live. You could easily forget the outside world. And that family is so sweet. It looks like they have it all figured out. So sweet seeing them reading with daughter. I loved this post and plan on sharing this with my husband.
Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com
Lori
Lovely…every word. This will be a yummy breakfast, but I might not wait until morning. :0)
Holly
This looks like a fabulous trip, a great time away. I’m glad I’m not the only one who hates the word foodie.
And maple syrup AND olive oil? You’re killing me!
Andria
When I woke up this morning I had no idea that by the end of the day I would be yearning to sail on a boat and craving coconut flakes too!
BTW goji berries in granola? You just might be a genius.
sherry tucker david
My son went to school at Colby College in Waterville, ME. I loved getting to know the state through his eyes. Long way from Texas, but found plenty of similarities. Enjoyed your comments, and will be making this granola.
Joyce Au
Hi Joy!
I tried out your gluten-free banana pancakes and they were TOTES AMAZE-BALLS!
I swear by to so many of your recipes, and I ALWAYS tune into your podcasts every week when I’m on my way to church.
Anyway, I just wanted to tell you how much you’ve inspired me as a person and a baker!
Love from Hong Kong,
Joyce
Jen M O
I hope I didn’t miss a book signing when you were here in Maine! I live in Maine and I refuse to go into the water. My children are crazy since the ice water doesn’t seem to bother them. I’m glad you had a great time here. It really is beautiful.
Ashley
I love these photos… Maine just looks magical! The raw beauty. Putting it on my vacation list, for sure! Thanks for sharing.
Shut Up & Cook
So glad you got to experience the wonderful escape that is Maine. There really is nothing better than sitting on the beach, eating a perfectly cooked lobster, listening to the waves crash in.
Was this the same trip, Use Real Butter was on?! You were in good company!
Seriously Sassy Mama
This looks so yummy! I love your pictures of Maine, and I love reading your blog!
Laura @ Sweet Life à la Carte
What a beautiful post! I felt like I was there for a moment.
Also, adding beach lobster bak to my life to-do list.
Ann P.
WOW! I need to go to Maine and get me some of that lobster and corn!! MMM!
Rocky Mountain Woman
You just made me so incredibly homesick for the east coast, that I might just have to drive straight to the airport and just go!
Emily
I’m so glad you had a good time and loved Maine so much, but that ship looks amazing so of course you had fun! I’m living in Maine, we moved down after living in Newfoundland for the past couple of years, and it’s nice to be back. And it’s been a crazy good summer for lobsters, we’re about to get a bunch from a friend and attempt picking and freezing them for winter, so we’ll see how that goes!
You should come back in the winter, it’s pretty great then too and cross country skiing here is super fun!
Claire
I LOVE Maine! It’s my favorite state, although sadly I don’t live there. My father did though and my grandfather. So many great memories of family vacations in rustic cabins by a lake and playing in the ocean. :) I’m thrilled for you that you got to experience it and in such a unique and special way!
Jaylee
This granola looks absolutely delicious. I love apricots in anything so I’ll definitely be making it.
The Life of Clare
What a wonderful adventure! And an absolutely stunning muesli!
Laura
I’m glad that you had such a great time in Maine! I am from Camden/Rockport and just love it here. The granola loos yuuuuumy.
Kendra
Thanks for sharing!
Your enthusiasm leapt through your writing and transported me there! I’m in Kansas, ha! I live in a Cape Cod though and when the wind blows, I always imagine I’m in Maine with a gentle sea storm beating the waves against the coast ;)…
Can’t wait to try this granola recipe!
Katie @ Blonde Ambition
absolutely beautiful!
“that was a joke about oats” made me LOL for real. have a fantastic weekend!
Emily G.
So I showed this to my husband and pulled up the J.&E. Riggin website and he’s attempting to book a trip for us. So excited. Thanks! <3
erinn johnson
We took the kids to Maine last summer. It was my first time there, so pretty. It is so different from the mid-atlantic coast where we are.
Fed the kids tons and tons of seafood. My husband must have eaten his weight in lobster. He had it in his eggs at breakfast, plenty of lobster rolls, and some plain old lobster.
My favorite place was the Standard Baking Co. I could have spent the entire day there admiring all the delicious breads and treats.
Lindsey
Erinn, Standard baking Co. is my favorite too! It literally smells of butter and chocolate when you walk in. Did you get to check out their restaurant above, Fore Street? It is literally my favorite restaurant on the planet. I dream of having my rehearsal dinner there one day….a definite must- try restaurant in Portland.
jenny
I feel like I got a mini-vacation thanks to your beautiful photographs and narrative chronicling your own (real-life!) vacation. thanks for sharing this with us, joy.
Ali
I’m not sure which I’m more jealous of, your nautical adventure in Maine or you’re upscale rendezvous in London. A far cry from rural ranch life in Montana! Thanks for the recipe Joy it looks lovely!
Mary @ Bake Break!
What a fantastic vacation! You look wonderful :)
Nola
Joy!!!!!!
Oh. My. God. I’m so happy you went out sailing with Riggin. I used to work on The American Eagle (one of the schooners out of Rockland, Maine). I was the cook for 2 years! Woodstove. Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner. Breads. I used to run into Annie at the grocery store when we were resupplying for the next trip. I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and have even used some recipes as inspiration for the food I prepared on the boat. I just love how this has come full circle. It’s fun to see your perspective! Couldn’t you eat lobster forever?
joythebaker
this is so amazing!!!
Alison | a girl defloured
Ah Maine! I love Maine *so* much. Looks like you had a special time too. And I love granola…maybe not quite as much as Maine, but lots. Can’t wait to make this.
Tammy
Well i saw maine and i thought hmmm someone else `
Melissa @ Treats With a Twist
Looks so beautiful. I absolutely love that big flake coconut too and always add it to my granola recipes. (typo catch: end of the recipe, I think you mean “stir”)
I hope I’ll be able to go to Maine someday. Looks wonderful.
Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen
What a fun trip! Sometimes its nice to have a vacation where you actually…umm…vacation. Mine tend to be of the running around/sightseeing variety. I want to go to Maine now!
P.S. This granola looks soooo much better than the kind I buy in a bag. I need to hop on the homemade granola train one of these days.
sadie
just delicious.
all of it.
Dana
clearly you have a lot of mainers or maine-loving people following you. i am one of them! though i was slightly disappointed to know you were just about an hour away from me instead of multiple time zones, i am so happy and proud to hear what a great trip you had. maine is certainly a wonderful place and i hope you visit again!
Karen McNutt
Thanks again for sharing details and recipes from your vacation to Maine. That’s a trip I could use right now!
Karen mcnuttr@earthlink.net
Rebecca
Love your lobster bake photos, reminds me of my days living in the northeast. Next time you want to bake a cake over a campfire, check out this site. You can bake it inside of an orange peel! Super cool :)
http://boingboing.net/2012/08/15/howto-bake-a-cake-inside-the-s.html
Susan
I’m glad you had such a good time in Maine! I actually go to med school in Maine now! It’s too bad you couldn’t make a book tour stop here, but maybe next time you’re back :)
Star
So glad you enjoyed our beautiful state. The granola sounds like it will be a great addition to our morning and even our snack rotation.
Amber H
I live in SOCAL now but Maine will always be home. And Joy … that’s ‘buttah’ in ME. BTW I am a lobsterman’s daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin etc etc etc. I love that this is part of my heritage.
joythebaker
oh my gosh… your accents are amazing!
michelle
I LOVE your pics of Maine. So beautiful. I love Maine too! I will have to try this granola too; it’s similar to my fave recipe, but I always love trying new ones.
Stacey
Beautifully written, as per usual. You are quite the wordsmith, lady. I loved seeing all of your pics from the trip on Instagram. Thanks for sharing! Between this and anything they post over at From Away, my soul aches to be in Maine, eating my weight in lobster.
The Cuisinerd
That rope and knot on the table!!!! Swoon.
Jenny
how cool! and oh my god i was so happy to see that you hate the word “foodie” because i hate it too, and somehow this validates my hatred. perhaps i shouldn’t have admitted that.
this is lemonade
Oh. Wow. Love that kettle. Romance indeed. And what a way to layer everything and cook that lobster and corn. Sausages too – some of the best things in life :) Beautiful granola too – how idyllic! Thanks for sharing!
Dana @ Minimalist Baker
I love this! I have peaches AND coconut on hand so I will certainly be whipping this up soon! Have a great weekend, Joy!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
You make me want to eat a big bowl of granola, and then head to Maine on an adventure. Love!
Louisa
I love homemade granonla, how have I never thought to add maple?! Sounds like a fantastic holiday, I would love to sleep on a boat and explore tiny islands and eat lobster :)
sashaanne
I can’t believe you went to Maine and near my home town, too! Glad you fell in love with the great state. I now live in California and I miss Maine every day.
Tara
The hubs and I were just in Maine last weekend (Ogunquit) and I can’t put into words how much I love that state. Maine is a way of life: relaxed, full of love, and rooted in history and tradition. I’m so happy you got to experience it the way you did!
Jill
Joy, I’m a new follower of your blog and I was so happy to hear you were taking a trip to my home state! I was even happier to see you did my very, very favorite thing in the world and sailed with the J&E Riggin! I’ve been lucky enough to go four times and it’s just as wonderful each time. Your blog is lovely, and I hope you visit Maine again soon.
joythebaker
this blows me away!
Carolyn
Looks like an amazing trip. I went on an educational 16-week sailing trip from Massachusettes to Nova Scotia to Maine back in college, and have been dreaming about it ever since. Your post brought me right back to the ship deck. I’d love to take a similar trip as an adult someday.
steph
Loved this post….love ALL your posts, but this one makes me hunger (pun intended) for a Maine boat vacation…
Loretta E
For some reason, Maine really appeals to me as well. I think you explained it perfectly. Sometimes you need a vacation where it’s so different from your normal life, that you can’t help but relax and enjoy everything. Sounds and looks like you had a blast!
Tammy
Everytime I read the book “She’s Come Undone” by Wally Lamb, I want to go to Maine. Not sure what I would do when I got there but now I know. What a fun vacation for you! Thanks for sharing and the recipe looks wonderful.
Caryn Crasnick-Maloney
I’m from Portland, ME and LOVED seeing the Instagram photos of your trip – especially your visit to Fore Street!
Steena
So, I know the recipe is for maple, pecan granola but, I have to say, I am CRAVING lobster for breakfast. Normal?
Bakerkat
WOW what a great vacation. I haven’t been there but I sure would love to go to Maine
. I’m going to check out her cookbook. It looks like one that I would enjoy.
allie@sweetpotatobites
those pictures from your trip look amazing! especially the lobster bake ones…
definitely going to make this granola!
nicole
Maine is dreamy (and probably its slogan is ‘vacationland’ for a reason! :) I spent 10 days there this August (my brother lives in Bath) and it was so, so hard to leave. I am a true California girl, but if ever I lived in another state … it would definitely be Maine (and yep, I’ve been there in the winter too!). So glad you enjoyed your vacation.
Brandi
WOW! That trip sounds amazing. I love Maine – I was so jealous when I saw your tweets about being in Portland and Fore Street, Duck Fat and Standard Baking Co. All of my faves!!
maggie
YES! I had the privilege of getting to sail on the j&e Riggin two summers in a row (and get paid for it!) when I was a camp counselor in Maine. Please tell me Annie sang you a sea chanty or two… her voice, in addition to her cooking, is solid.
joythebaker
of course she did! what a wonderfully small world. yay for shared experience!
JamieK
Maine’s my favorite summer get away place! What a great experience you had on the water!
Maria Beaudoin
Hi Joy – I’m so glad that you had such a lovely time in Maine! I grew up about an hour north of Portland and my dad always said, “You kids are so lucky – you live where other people vacation!” I didn’t understand it at the time, but now that I live in Boston I totally see what he meant. It was so lovely seeing my home state from your perspective! I just have to say I love the “time I get to spend with you” each morning reading your blog – your post this week about appreciating your readers was wonderful. Just know that I appreciate your honesty, hilarity, and perspective on life!
Hilary
I visited Maine for the first time a few years ago! It’s one of my favorite places with the friendliest people. :) I can’t wait to go back someday!!
Stephanie
What a yummy recipe. What a joyous vacation.
Angie Tobias
Joy, you are clearly an amazing baker — but truly, I read for your writing. You are a visual and inspirational writer. If you wrote a memoir about cleaning toilets or cat poop …. I’d still read it just for your prose. Your soul comes through. And I think our souls could be besties.
You are equal parts kitchen genius, photog extraordinaire, and passionate writer.
Thank you. For your inspirational writing, the photos of the world from your view, and your recipes. In that order.
Angie
joythebaker
such big kind words!
Elizabeth
You just had my most favorite kind of vacation. An adventure. Busy. New experiences. New people. New and delicious food. Nature. unplugged.
how wonderful!!
Meg H.
My two sisters and I did a similar trip onboard the schooner Timberwind many years ago. Imagine three girls in one cabin! Talk about claustrophobic! We had an amazing time and enjoyed seeing the beautiful Maine coast. Ours also involved bike rides – so we’d bike out on the islands and climb hills and see amazing views. The simple, but hearty food aboard was terrific and I was amazed at what our cook could coax out of that tiny space. So glad you got to see a beautiful state in a wonderful way.
Annie @ Annie's City Kitchen
I love love love when I get to see vacation photos from my favorite bloggers. I never get to travel as much as I’d like to and posts like these are just a little escape from reality for a few minutes. Love it! Thanks Joy :)
Briel K.
Your trip sounds great Joy! How did you come across such a fun thing to do for your vacation? :)
Diane, A Broad
I was following your adventures on instagram and am still extremely jealous. Maine is definitely on the vacation wish list now!
joythebaker
it’s an amazing place! make your dreams come true!
Subie
Thank you for writing so generously and beautifully about my home state! I don’t live there anymore, but like to get back as much as I can. Thanks also for sharing about Captain Annie’s cookbook! It’s going on my wishlist for sure :-)
Lori
I love Maine, too – such a beautiful state and the food is wonderful. I really like this granola recipe. I’ll give it a go soon.
Emily
joy,
i read your blog all the time, but when i opened the webpage today and started reading i was so excited that you made it to my home and loved it too! i grew up in Maine, and i’m constantly being reminded of how beautiful it is here and how lucky i am to have grown up here. Maine is all about friendly people, happy food, and the relentless power of mother nature. Please come back and visit again soon; Mainers are happy to have you enjoying our state as much as we do! :)
Hannah M.
A friend of mine worked on the Riggin for a summer not too long ago, and she, too, had nothing but good things to say about it! It sounds like you had a truly vacation-y vacation :)
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
What a magical trip Joy. Love the photos and the stories. And the granola!
Diana
Joy your pictures are beautiful! I’ve always wanted to go to Maine and now I do even more!!! I’m due for a new batch of granola and this will be perfect!
Rhey
So glad that you loved our beautiful state. Summers here are short but fabulous, and are followed by a breathtaking fall. Come back anytime!
Maggie
Good Morning from the coast of Maine!
Great post. I’m going to make this granola over the weekend.
Glad you loved our fine state. Looks like you saw the best of it: Blue skies, sparkling water and craggy shorelines.
Byn
i could actually feel myself relax as i read this post.
Shushmi
I love this post. that boat and holiday looks like heaven. Big skies and lobster. Love.
sarah
i live in southern maine..and when we arent at the ocean we are in the woods..farming and living in the beauty of maine….you should come more often..eventually we will win you over to be a permanant east coaster! i met my husband in L.A. a city boy who never saw snow…now hes here with me for 13 years chopping wood, farming and doing real man stuff… us mainers we took a hold of him! hehe
Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen
That looks like so much fun! I hope it was as refreshing for you as it looks.
Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking
Oh my gosh, I’m so jealous and homesick for Rhode Island it isn’t even funny! I grew up sailing and haven’t done it in YEARS! That boat is absolutely beautiful – so old and love the craftmanship! There’s nothing like being out on the water hearing the waves lap against the boat as the wind brushes against your face and and makes the sails flutter. It’s so peaceful and you do kind of feel like one with nature and the boat. *sigh*
This has been my absolut favorite post I’ve ever read from you, Joy. You just brought back so many wonderful memories. I’m putting “Sailing” on my Bucket List.
One question, I’m curious how a California girl like yourself ends up on a boat in the state of Maine. It’s quite a distance from home and a much different atmosphere, which is definitely a vacation that would clear your head.
Thanks for making my day!
joythebaker
You’re right, it totally is far from home for me! The Maine board of Tourism and J & E Riggin reached out to me and helped set this trip up for me. With love. It was rad.
Gwen Rice
I want a trip to maine. It’s been too long since I’ve seen the Atlantic and eaten lobster just a few feet from where they formerly lived. I also need a vacation where my work brain gets a rest. Looks perfect.
Seanna Lea
I grew up in Maine. Part of me misses it, but not as much as I love not driving anywhere. I live within walking distance (3-4 miles) of the ocean, so I can have my ocean smell which is the top thing I remember and love about Maine.
Julia {The Roasted Root}
Beautiful photographs! I love the northwestern part of the U.S. and don’t travel there nearly often enough. There’s something very romantic about sailing and lobster fishing in that part of the world with all the history on that side of the country. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos and for the delicious granola recipe!
Alicia Taylor
Oh my gosh, I love Maine! My husband and I went to college there and got married there this summer! It is so great to see all of your pictures!
Incidentally, it is so funny that you should write a post about Maine and granola. When I first moved there, I thought to myself that Mainers remind me of granola (and oatmeal).
I love me some Maine, and some granola!
Patty Tomaskovic
Wow….what an amazing trip, Joy! Being an avid sailor, I can really appreciate and warm up to your photos and narrative about your trip. I’m so glad you got to experience it all. Thanks for the education on lobsters shedding their shells. I didn’t know they did that. I always seem to learn something new on your wonderful site, and it’s not always just granola ;) Thanks again! XO
Alyssa | Queen of Quinoa
Joy, it sounds like you had a spectacular trip. Maine is my happy place. I’ve spent summer’s there my entire life, on the rocky shores of Kennebunkport. It’s a wonderfully peaceful place, that helps yous forget the world around you and get lost in the moment. Lovely granola too!!
Brianne
You got to see MAINE!! That’s my Maine! (Well, not quite. I moved here three years ago, but it didn’t take me long to call it home!) I get annoyed when all people think about Maine is Portland. Sure, it’s great, but get up the coast a bit and it gets SO MUCH BETTER.
Mad props for unplugging a bit and taking it all in.
Lindsey
Joy! As one of your avid followers, I can’t tell you how excited I was to see this post as Camden,ME is my hometown:) I live in Boston now but spend as many weekends on penobscott bay duing the summer as possible. The j&e riggin is such a beautiful and. Lassie schooner-you picked a good one! Friends of mine own the schooner that lives next door, the Nathaniel Bowditch. Pretended I was a tourist and took a weekend trip on it with my dad and boyfriend last month…a truly indescribable weekend. Ah I miss the Sunsets on the Maine coast! Glad you enjoyed your time. Don’t they have the most delicious food on board?! Howwww do they do it in those tiny galleys?! There’s one particular restaurant in Camden that is scrumptious and dear to my heart-if you go back check out Francine’s! Sorry I just wrote you a novel haha
joythebaker
Ah! I was in Camden! It’s gorgeous! And we were docked next to the Nathaniel Bowditch a few nights! Happy neighbors! Love this small world!
Ellen
Perfection. All of it.
Jennifer
Loved the pictures, and I loved my trip to Maine as well. It was wonderful, and I can’t wait to get back.
Heather
It’s entirely possible that I’m just feeling a bit sappy or overly emotional this morning, but this post was just so dang thoughtful and lovely and for whatever reason really tugged at my heart strings! Beautiful vacation, beautiful people, beautiful photos, and beautiful words. Thank you.
Also I’m making this granola as soon as I finish this cup of coffee.
Mia Herne
I too fell in love with Miane my first visit some 25+ years.
so much so with every visit and every time I heard Maine I needed to come home. !9 months ago , my husband and I made Maine our home. Feels so good to finally know where I belong.
Beth
Joy,
This is my first time commenting on your blog, though I’ve been a fan and reader for months and love listening to your podcast. I’m a native Rhode Islander (who spent some time in Queens and now lives in Western Massachusetts), but a tried and true New Englander. I’ve been to Maine twice and definitely experienced a vibe similar to yours. While some of my time was spent in Portland, I did manage to spend some time on Peak’s Island. Did you get to go there? Truly amazing.
Peace and Love.
F2M
We live part time in Downeast Maine and we love it more than any place in the world. You have done a fabulous job of capturing the magic; hope you come back soon! Fiddleheads in May, blueberries in August and cranberries and apples this month :-)
bunnymama
I fell in love with Maine on a trip with a friend, so much so that I moved here from the west coast 8 years ago. I wasn’t planning to stay more than a year or two, but I met my husband, and now we are raising our two boys here. This really is a beautiful state, and so full of history. (There are not many places in this country where you can find liveable, workable buildings that date back to the 1700s)
As long as I have lived here, as many lobsters as I have eaten, this summer was the first that we had a real on-the-beach lobster bake (we were also on a small island in Penobscot Bay, very close to your Russ Island!). That weekend, rowing to the island, camping under the stars, wading into the chilly Maine waters with my little guys, gathered around a beach-side campfire with some old friends and some new, I sort of fell in love with Maine again.
I’m so glad you got to enjoy the beauty and the wonder, and thank you for sharing your experience with us all!
xo
Jenny
Just found your blog via Pintrest. It took me exactly 30 seconds to fall in love with it. The pictures and your writing, SWOON. Can’t wait to explore some more!!!! Will follow on Twitter & FB too!
Susan Butler
So nice and calming to start a day and read this… you are so talented Joy. Thanks for all you do for us.
Grace Ann
I am also a granola addict and have been making my own for years! I once had the most amazing granola at a hotel in Napa and I asked the chef if I could have the recipe… which as you can imagine didn’t happen but he did share some tips. Roast the nuts separately and add them in at the end and use a bit of melted butter after you’ve mixed the oats, oils and sweeteners. Makes it yummier and crispier. Delish! My favorite combo is toasted pecans toasted pumpkin seeds and that same fat coconut that you used. Loved your trip! Completely! Cheers!
Sprigs of Rosemary
I’m on my way to Maine next week . . . I was already looking forward to it but you’ve whetted my appetite even more. Can’t wait.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
so cool! I’ve always wanted to go to maine! And this granola looks fabulous too. yum!
The Savory and The Beautiful
Your vacation sounds amazing. What a rustic way to spend your free time, i love it. With all that lobster smack that went on i smell (hope at least) a joy the baker recipe coming up soon :-))). Glad you enjoyed it. A vacation like that would have had me writing in my journal for days.
Jenny
I love Maine and schooners, I am so glad you had that experience. It is pretty magical and real at the same time.
Ina Bauer
I fell in love with the pictures *_*
Keisha
Your pictures are beautiful…Maine seems so gorgeous and serene! I hope I get to visit there someday.
Kate Mai
Gorgeous pictures! I have never been to Maine but hope it’s in my future. Thanks for sharing your amazing vacation.
robyn
wow-what a holiday! I haven’t seen much of America-but have been to Maine a couple of times-and would love to go back-if only for the lobster and bluberries by the bucketful! Will save the granola recipe-looks delish!Thanks for sharing -sounds a fab experience.
Janae @ Bring-Joy
I’ve always had a bit of an obsession with Maine. There’s this lovely children’s book, called “Blueberries for Sal” (I named one of my daughters after Sal) about blueberry picking in Maine. Every time I read it to my kids I want to go there. My husband says it’s just cold & wet & not as cool as I think it is, but I think your pictures prove him wrong. Loved taking the tour of your trip via your pics–what an awesome trip.
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes
Wow, just LOVED this post. I went to Maine years ago and fell in love with it. Can’t wait to try this granola!
Jess
Oh. my. word. That lobster being grilled on the beach is just about the most amazing thing ever.
Margherita
Talking about lobster bonanza…I’m so jealous of your lobster+corn dinner. Does the seaweed alters the taste a lot or is just a cooking method? It’s fascinating!
Tiff
I’ve never been to Maine before, but I want all of those lobsters & oysters in my mouth right now!! Looks & sounds like you had an awesome time. Lovely recipe too!
Holiday Baker Man
How addictive is this stuff!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
Joy the pictures of your trip are just breathtaking. It’s so gorgeous there….wow!
And this granola looks pretty gorgeous as well!