100+ LIKES for My Delightful Home... a Giveaway... and a Winner!

We are so excited that our MDH Facebook  page  has made it to 100+ page Likes!  We are growing slowly, for now, but we hope you continue to spread the word for us.

As promised, we want to give a little something, as a thank-you, to our new friends.

Using Random.org, a winner has been selected- 

Congratulations to Rinne Ceja! 

Rinne is the random winner of a sweet little package of Sugars By Sharon artisan tea sugars. 

Rinne, just email us at mydelightfulhome@gmail.com !

B.L.T Pizza - Delish!

One of my favorites - although, I don't indulge in it too often - is BLT Pizza! I know many people that thought it sounded so unappealing but after  trying it me forcing it on them, they decided it was surprisingly delicious!

Usually the part that doesn't sit will with some is the fact that there is a bit of miracle whip (or mayo) or it. Really though, that's what pulls it all together and they realize that after sampling it! Really!

Just start with a nice, fresh pizza dough, or make your own. I prefer to use the fresh dough balls from Portland Pie Company . Top it with your favorite, or homemade sauce and add plenty of shredded or fresh mozzarella cheese. Then sprinkle generously with cooked, chopped bacon. I know, I know...mayo AND bacon? Hey, I said it was delish, not heart healthy!

 Bake it at 425 degrees for about 15 - 20 minutes - adjust bake time depending on how crispy and well-done you like your pizza pie. After it's finished baking, remove from the oven and let it set for just a couple minutes. Top with some squirts of mayo (or miracle whip, my preference), fresh diced plum tomatoes and fresh chopped lettuce. If you prefer, you could use fresh spinach or arugula instead!

To make it a bit easier, I put the miracle whip in a small squeeze bottle  - it tends to make a more even application instead of too big globs.

Indulge! Yes, it is probably a bit calorie dense, but show me a pizza that isn't! Besides, it does have some fresh veggies on it and everything in moderation. There I've justified it for you, now go make some!

I've Fallen for Felted Wool Acorns

Aren't these felted wool acorns adorable!? While they are not my original idea, and really all that new of a concept, they are pretty darn cute, inexpensive, easy and timeless. Win, win, win!

There are two ways you can do this:
1.you can make the felted wool balls yourself and collect your own acorn caps....OR...
2.you can buy the wool balls and acorn caps from someone else and just assemble them.

I did a combination of the two. I collected my acorn caps and purchased the wool balls. You would think it would take quite a while to collect the caps but I was surprised how quickly they added up. Before I knew it I had about 300 - I hope my neighbor appreciates my cleaning up his yard for him!

Since I already have a few projects in the works, I figured I would purchase the wool balls from someone else, this time. Plus I was just dying to make acorns and I wanted to be quick about this project.

Assuming that you are using pre-made wool balls, there are really just a couple steps and a few supplies needed.

Supplies:

Felted wool balls - the 2cm (20mm) ones are about the right size for your average acorn caps.
Hot Glue Gun
Glue Sticks
Acorn Caps

Handbehg Felts

Basically, you'll be putting a small amount of glue inside the acorn cap - enough to secure the wool ball well but not so much that it oozes out when you press the ball to the cap - use your best judgement.

You'll want to hold them in place for a few moments, just until the glue sets - it's won't take long at all!

Voila! That's it! Really, that's all you need to do - I told you it was an easy craft!

Of course, if you are using raw wool roving to make your own felted balls, then, yes, the process will be a bit longer - still quite easy, though!

there are a number of places you can purchase wool roving, felted wool balls, acorn caps and other supplies. Handbehg Felts has a nice assortment of colors and supplies in their Etsy shop .

Handbehg Felts

There are always folks on Etsy and eBay selling acorn caps. The ones I collected are your standard traditional style but I purchased some "hairy" or "fringed" ones from a lady on Etsy. This style comes from the Sawtooth Pak, I believe, and they are typically more southern. I'm pretty sure there are none in our Maine weather zone.

Right now, 'Honey Gone Nuts' on Etsy has some listings for purchase - and good prices, too! Click here to see!

Honey Gone Nuts - Etsy

If you're not really into crafting but are looking for a quick and easy project that will impress your other non-crafty friends, this could be it. I put 200 of these babies together one night while watching one of my favorite shows - Shark Tank.

Here's a photo of my finished ones -

Maybe, if time allows at some point, I'll make myself up one of these babies - a felted wool ball rug! Cool, huh!?

                                                               

felted wool ball rug - Etsy

 As always, let me know if you have any questions or comments - I would love to hear your thoughts!

                                         
Best Wishes for Happy Crafting,
Jennifer

Gardening and Reminiscing

The time is finally here to indulge in one of my great loves -- gardening! I think I have my grandfathers and father to thank for that love - they are  the ones I observed, assisted and learned from.

When I was a little girl, my summers were spent gardening with my maternal grandfather, Wendell, and farming the potato fields that my father and his father owned.

I loved picking fresh raspberries, juicy blackberries and eating as many tart orchard apples as my belly could withstand. Watching the flower gardens transform from seeds and bulbs to the most colorful patch of land you ever saw. God blessed my grandfather with a green thumb and he had the prettiest and most well maintained yard in the neighborhood - the endless compliments from friends and neighbors proved it! He meticulously kept track of temperatures, weather conditions, and the roles they played in  that years' growing season,  the progress of his plantings, how many tomatoes he ended up reaping and what color tulips he had carefully selected- all this invaluable information was carefully noted in a small, brown pocket- sized book, that grew more tattered as the season progressed.

When I think of the potato farm, I can hear the sounds of machinery, feel the texture of the soil and the scents of the air. We loved playing around the farm with our dogs Jasper, a big, black Newfoundland and Rex, a small, older mix breed. We  absolutely loved helping my dad and grampy (we called him "Bunky") turn the soil, , pick rocks and plant the seed, watching them work on the equipment, ready the potato house and, sometimes, we'd get to  ride along in the old farm trucks. My favorite was an old, rusty mint green colored International.  She sure didn't speed along very fast but the steering wheel was big and there was LOTS of room in the cab! My favorite tractor was “Big ‘Ol  Betsy – a.k.a  “Betsy”

My grampy Wendell passed away when I was 12 and my father passed away 10 years ago. My "Bunky" is still alive and well but the farming days are long gone and he is just enjoying retirement.

I adored these activities as a child - didn't appreciate them as a teenager - now as an adult, I would give my heart and soul to be able to tromp through the garden and dig in the dirt with all of them one more time.

This hung on the wall at my grampy Wendell's house and it's always been one of my favorites.

For all you bundt loving bakers out there !

I snapped this photo on a recent visit to one of my favorite kitchen stores in Savannah, GA (which just happens to be one of my favorite cities!)

Next time you're in town, stop by and give a big "Hey Y'All" to the folks at "Kitchens On The Square"

Wanderlust...

Wanderlust:  (noun) ˈwän-dər-ˌləst -  a strong desire for or impulse to wander or travel and explore the world

I was born with it. An insatiable amount of it. I can't get rid of it and I don't want to. I love it! I love that God has blessed me with such a strong desire to explore and learn about the intriguing world he has created.

                                       Our Halloween trip to Salem, Ma in 2006

I didn't know what it was called when I was a kid. I just knew that I had this feeling inside of me that made me want to see places. The places I was learning about in geography class. The places I could see on the globe I got one year for Christmas. I used to close my eyes, spin the globe really fast, stop it by touching my finger to a spot, open my eyes and discover where I had just "traveled" to.

This is kind of what my globe looked like:

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It's was colorful, bright and had so many countries, cities and other places labeled on it - all places that were much more exotic than where I came from (at least in my mind)

Now that I am an adult, I can indulge my wanderlust as much as I want. Well, a much as my budget and time allow for anyway. I have gradually passed on the wanderlust bug to my husband - I say a "bug" because I do believe wanderlust can be contagious.

I truly believe "not all who wander are lost"

I do realize travel is not for everyone. I know people that have never ventured further that 2 hours away from my hometown. heck, I know people whose definition of travelling is hauling their camper 20  miles away from home and spending the week. Ah well, to each their own.

Some would argue that you can see new discoveries whether it's 20 miles from home or 2,000 miles from home. While I agree with that to an extent, I do believe one needs to travel a distance away from home more often than  not. I just think we can learn so much about ourselves from the exposure we have to other foods, cultures, arts. and, of course, people!

Our Disneyworld trip in 2007

Where have you traveled? Where do you dream of travelling?  Do you even desire to travel?

Sargent Drive, Northeast Harbor, Maine

                                                       Star Point, Salisbury Cove, Maine

(one of our very favorite places)

Middleton Place - Charleston, South Carolina

photo courtesy www.theinnatmiddletonplace.com

So, I hope I have passed on a least a little bit of the wanderlust bug to you. Have I? I bet you've already ordered plane tickets for that vacation you've been saying is not really necessary. It is necessary! For your health, wellness, mind & body!

So get out there, roam the planet,you might just learn a little about other people and a lot about yourself!

May you have fair winds and following seas!

Terrific Terrariums!

At this stage of the game, I am certain you have heard of Etsy. What, you haven't!? Are you serious!? How can that be!?

Etsy is this wonderful, creative land in cyberspace that you can visit and enjoy all things handmade. It is chock full of uniqueness, creativity and just plain lovely creations that all sorts of folks have dreamed up.

I like to travel to Etsy land on occasion to see what I can see. Today, I have gardening on my mind. Unfortunately, it is still the middle of winter, here in coastal Maine, so I still have a bit of time before I will be able to do much gardening. Although, a great way to bring a bit of the outdoors in is to create a terrarium.

 I remember my ,mom having a terrarium when I was a little girl. I always loved peeking inside, I don't know what I thought I was going to discover but it was just interesting to me. So, I thought I would see what some of the talented Etsians have come up with for their own terrariums.

I found some really fun ones! Wanna see? Okay!

              Professor Alexander's Botanical Vasculum - Steamed 300 watt Moss Terrarium

Gypsy Raku

                                        Light Bulb Terrariums

                                     Steampunk Air Plant and Moss Terrarium

There you have it, some pretty great examples of terrariums. Of course, these examples are just a drop in the bucket, when speaking of the number of terrarium listings that can be found on Etsy.

You can even score some reasonable priced supplies to help creat your very own fab terrarium!

                                              Check out The Terrarium Shop


  Be sure to visit www.Etsy.com and find some fabulous creations to enrich your life. Support handmade!