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.

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!

My Delightful Home

Hi friends! I've been thinking about starting a blog for sometime now - years, to be exact - and now I've finally taken the plunge. Now, my next goal is to be diligent in posting and sharing my life with you. I can't make any promises that I will succeed  but I can promise that I will try my best.

What is my blog going to be about? Well, probably a bunch of stuff!
1. Food (because I like to eat)
2. Innkeeping (because it's what I do)
3. Crafting (because I like to create)
4. Interior Decorating ( because it's my passion!)
5. Laundry (because I do lots of it - see #2)
6. Lily & Otis ( our 2 crazy! cats)
7. ...and whatever else I think might interest you and feel like sharing

Ok. I know, you're probably already thinking, yeah yeah, we've seen it all before. Well, truthfully, probably some of it you will have seen before. Ultimately, it's ALL part of my ever unfolding life!

Makin' Maine Whoopie...Pies that is!

It always amazes me just how many folks have never heard of Whoopie Pies. "Whoopie what!?" they say. "Whoopie Pies!" we say! (I think it's the word 'whoopie' that makes everyone giggle...lol!) Cakey chocolate cookies and delicious white frosting put together to make a sandwich, of sorts.

There seems to be a neverending back and forth disagreement as to where they first got their start - some say Maine, some say Amish Country in Pennsylvania. Who really knows? Who really cares as long as we get to eat them!?

I want to share with you the best Whoopie Pie recipe I've ever come across. there are MANY versions out there but I find this one to be the best. It is a recipe belonging to Maine chef Sandy Oliver. This is the only WP recipe we use at our bed and breakfast. Our guests always give two-thumbs-up!

Some recipes have the cookie being quite moist while others are on the drier side. I tend to like mine a bit drier. Some recipes have the frosting made with marshmallow fluff and others with egg whites, confectioner's sugar and shortening. I tend to prefer the latter. Just be careful not to overdo the shortening because you can end up with a bit of a greasy texture on your palate. The fluff recipe is just to sweet for me!

If you have ever visited any diner-style restaurants in Maine, it's likely you have witnessed just how ginormous some people make thier whoopie pies. Please do not do this. I repeat, please do not do this!
Size is, of course, a personal preference. I just find the WP is much more pleasing when  kept to a modest, tasteful size. The whoopies in the photo above are about 2 1/2" across, give or take. They are easier to eat, not so messy, taste better and are just plain cute!

The trouble I have with the gimundo (yes, that is a word) is that I lose interest after a couple of bites and the frosting oozes everywhere - and who wants to waste frosting!?

Now, without further adieu, here is the recipe. Our motto at our bed & breakfast happens to be "Indulge", so go ahead!


Sandy Oliver’s Whoopie Pie

Makes about 14 to 16 3-inch whoopie pies

2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk
Preheat oven to 375 F. Sift together dry ingredients. Cream together shortening and sugar, beat in the egg and vanilla, then add the dry ingredients and milk alternately. You will have a fairly stiff cake batter. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet, leaving room for them to spread somewhat. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before removing them to a rack.

Whoopie Pie Filling
2 egg whites
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla
Beat the egg whites until they are fluffy, gradually adding 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar. Then spoonful by spoonful add the shortening and the rest of the sugar to the egg white mixture until it is smooth and fluffy, then beat in the vanilla. When the cookies are cool enough to handle, make pairs of similarly sized ones and spread the filling on one half and top with the other half. Wrap in plastic wrap or put into an airtight container.