Road Trip # 2

Destination : Martha's Vineyard, Ma

Purpose : To meet up with Amy, my friend for 50 plus years.

Outcome : A weekend filled with reminders of a shared journey, lots of laughing and a renewed determination to get together more often.

Amy and I have been friends since we met in first grade. With exception of my siblings, no one knows my history better. Amy unlocked a world that was unavailable to me, in many ways she helped shape who I am. By the light of a flashlight she introduced me to Laura Ingalls, Misty of Chincoteague and Tom Sawyer just to name a few.  We helped eachother through the adolescent and young adult years when life presents situations that cant be shouldered alone. We adventured together until the "family years" created a hiatus. When we see each other now it doesn't seem like we've missed a beat.

Amy lives a rich life on the Vineyard. She shares her time with her family, friends and students while pursuing her passion of horses.  I got to hang out with her newest love, Alex.

We sipped coffee, shopped and hot tubbed. Saturday night dinner had to be postponed because we were so cozy in front of the fire sipping tequila drinks.

Sunday morning brought back the reality of ferry schedules. I couldn't leave without the promised lesson in spiced nuts and balsamic salad dressing for a most delicious spinach salad.


Spiced Pecans
3 cups of pecans
1 tbl butter
1 tbl olive oil
1 tea cinnamon
1/2 tea cumin
1/4 tea cayenne
1 tea zested orange peel
3-5 tbl maple syrup

Combine cinnamon, cumin, cayenne and orange peel in a small dish.
Gently toast nuts in a skillet- be careful the burn quickly.  Add oil, butter and maple syrup and stir. Toss  the spice and orange-zest mix into the pecans and continue to toast, stirring often. Cool on a cookie sheet, lined with parchment. Store in an airtight container for up to one month.

Balsamic salad Dressing
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tbl dijon mustard
2 tbl maple syrup
2 cloves of garlic, smashed
salt & pepper

combine all ingredients in a jar, shake, shake and shake some more

possible additions: chopped shallots, fresh herbs (i.e. thyme, rosemary, tarragon or oregano)

Most Delicious Spinach Salad

Spinach (or greens of  your liking) 

Sliced pears (or your favorite fruit in season)

Crumbles of goat cheese

Dried cranberries

Balsamic dressing

Layer in your favorite salad bowl, drizzle with dressing just before serving.

Noon came much to quickly, with hugs and promises of getting together soon Amy sent me off on the ferry. She packed me the perfect lunch for the car ride home. I can wait for the next visit!