Delightful!

Bring on the Blue

2009-03-19T20:26:00.000-07:00

I love the colour in this room by Pheobe Howard! So fresh! It's making me want Summer to come even faster.

You may have noticed my absence for the past week, with out warning too! I've been thinking a lot about this blog and I'm not certain I should be devoting anymore time to it. You see, my life is going to change soon with me going back to my regular seasonal job in the very near future. This cuts down a lot of my blogging time. As a person who seeks to put my family and friends first, I feel the need to back out of this blog so as to devote time to the proper things. I will leave the blog public and you may find a new post occaisionally if I'm feeling inspired by something.

I have so appreciated all the wonderful comments I have received! Thank you! I will not be gone from the internet all together. (I could never do that!) You can still catch me on Twitter and at my other blog Simply Frugal in Canada. (I'm choosing to keep going at this blog at this time in my life as it's easier to maintain.)

Again, thank you so much and I will see you around!

Colourful Kitchen Cabinets!

2009-03-11T04:00:00.000-07:00

Who says kitchen cabinets have to be white or in a wood tone? I say break out some colourful cabinets! Maybe it's the yearning for spring that has me so into colour, but it may also be the desire to see something unique.

Which one is your favourite? Or do you really only like the classics, white and stained wood?

atticmag

Canadian Home & Country

bhg.com

atticmag

bhg.com

Etsy Edition # 10

2009-03-10T04:00:00.000-07:00

This week I'd like to introduce you to Down Home Amy. She's got some super cute napkins, aprons, change purses, and lunch bags!

You can also visit her website: http://www.downhomeamy.com/

If you have an Etsy shop you would like to see featured on Tuesday's shoot me an email at: purelydelightful@gmail.com

Pretty Outdoor Living

2009-03-05T20:00:00.000-08:00

Well, in anticipation of the warmer months ahead, I've been hooked on beautiful outdoor spaces! The only thing is, I wish we had a space for outdoor living at our condo. One day, we'll have space although I don't think we'll go as extravagant as some of the following photos!

Southern Living

bhg.com

To see what others are hooked on visit Hooked on Houses!

Simply Lasagna

2009-03-05T04:00:00.000-08:00

I made this last night for dinner and it was delicious! It was quite similar to my Mom's recipe, maybe that's why I liked it!

Simply Lasagna

1 lb. (450 g) lean ground beef
2-1/2 cups Part Skim Mozzarella Shredded Cheese, divided
2 cups light ricotta cheese (I substituted cottage cheese)
1/2 cup 100% Parmesan Grated Cheese, divided
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 jar (700 mL) pasta sauce
1-1/2 cups water
12 lasagne noodles, uncooked

HEAT oven to 350°F. Brown meat in large skillet on medium-high heat. Meanwhile, mix 1-1/4 cups of the mozzarella cheese, the ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, the parsley and egg until well blended; set aside.

DRAIN meat; return to skillet. Stir in pasta sauce. Pour water into empty sauce jar; cover and shake well. Add to skillet; stir until well blended.

SPREAD 1 cup of the meat sauce onto bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish; top with layers of 3 lasagna noodles, one-third of the ricotta cheese mixture and 1 cup of the meat sauce. Repeat layers two more times. Top with remaining 3 noodles and remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle with remaining 1-1/4 cups mozzarella cheese and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Cover tightly with greased foil.

BAKE 1 hour. Remove foil; continue baking 15 min. or until heated through. Let stand 15 min. before cutting to serve.

Tree Houses!

2009-03-04T04:00:00.000-08:00

As a child I used to dream of living in a tree house. Not simple and rustic, the ones in my dreams would be fairly elaborate, including elevators going up the trunk of the tree complete with wrap around porches. The pictures below make me very happy! Although I do enjoy any tree house now.

The TreeHouse Workshop is a Seattle-based company that takes the art of constructing tree houses very seriously. They build an average of one tree house per month and hire extremely able builders and carpenters to construct their projects. Their finished works vary in luxury but some even include fireplaces!

Designed by Lukasz Kos. Posing as a Japanese lantern on stilts, Kos’ creation floats within the fir trees on Lake Muskoka, Ontario, an elegant slatted structure that scales the trees and lets light radiate down it’s core.

Found in Alnwick Gardens is this tree house. At 6,000 square feet, it’s one of the largest wooden tree houses in the world.

designed by Takashi Kobayashi - this tree house is in Japan and was designed for a Nescafe commercial that is shown in Japan.

Etsy Edition #9

2009-03-03T08:30:00.000-08:00

This week's Etsy Edition is all about labokoff! A woman in France has taken prints of an original photograph then digitally mixed them with painting, to create stunningly beautiful images!

Sous la Pluie
Une Fleur Attend

Meteo Postcards

Beautiful Rooms

2009-03-02T15:45:00.000-08:00

Hello! Sorry for the late post today, my computer is finally up and running again after I had to reformat it! I thought I would show you these beautiful rooms by Phoebe Howard:

Dangerous Chocolate Cake in a Mug

2009-02-26T04:00:00.000-08:00

Your every dream come true. Homemade chocolate cake only 5 minutes away any time of the day! (I'm a poet and I never knew it!)

1 coffee mug
4 Tbsp flour
4 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp cocoa
1 egg
3 Tbsp. milk
3 Tbsp. oil
Small splash of vanilla
3 Tbsp. chocolate chips, optional

Add dry ingredients to mug, mix well with a fork. Add egg, mix thoroughly. Pour in milk and oil and vanilla, mix well. Add chocolate chips, if using. Put mug in microwave, and cook for three minutes on 1000 watts. Cake will rise over top of mug--do not be alarmed! Allow to cool a little; tip onto a plate if desired. Eat and enjoy!

Black is Nice

2009-02-25T04:00:00.000-08:00

Kate Hume

source unknown

Benjamin Moore

Etsy Edition #8

2009-02-24T04:00:00.000-08:00

This week's feature is the You Stink Soap shop on Etsy. She features her handmade soaps, body butters and polishes, perfumes and lip gloss! She's got many tempting scents to choose from!

Words of the Day

2009-02-23T04:00:00.000-08:00

Better Homes and Gardens

Sara's Art House

Run Alice Run

Vinyl Vineyard

Vinyl Vinyard

2009-02-21T04:00:00.000-08:00

Why not spend time laughing this weekend? :)

I will be away next week, but don't worry, I have some great posts lined up while I'm gone!

Pretty Organization

2009-02-19T20:00:00.000-08:00

I'm hooked on pretty organization! I've got the Spring cleaning bug!

See Jane Work storage boxes

See Jane Work

Orla Kiely address book

Target

To see what others are hooked on go visit Hooked on Houses!

Sweet & Sour Meatballs

2009-02-19T04:00:00.000-08:00

These are so tasty and go very well over rice.

Sweet & Sour Meatballs

For the meatballs

1 lb ground beef
Worcestershire sauce, to taste
3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
oregano, to taste
1 egg, slightly beaten
salt and pepper, to taste
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

For the sauce

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup onion, chopped
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons soya sauce

1. For meatballs: Mix all ingredients (minus oil) together. Form into balls. Fry in oil until golden then place on paper towel to drain. Set aside
2. For Sauce: In medium saucepan, fry onion in oil until tender. Add all other sauce ingredients and simmer 20 minutes. Add meatballs and cook 1 hour on medium. Serve and Enjoy!
3. *You can also place browned meatballs and sauce mix into crock pot.

An Inspiring Space

2009-02-18T15:58:00.000-08:00

I'm loving the horizontal lines that are painted on the walls as well as the touches of deep pink!

All photos are from Design Inc.

Etsy Edition #7

2009-02-17T04:00:00.000-08:00

It's so hard to just choose one Etsy shop every week. There are just so many neat and creative shops! Nevertheless, I chose Nella Designs for her beautiful prints and stationary. (Look at them!) She designs everything from invitations to the wonderful prints I have featured below. (I'm really drooling over the sunshine one! It would go great in a nursery, don't you think?)

From her profile:

"I am a graphic designer from SC who has always had the dream of designing my very own line of cards and other paper items. So I am very excited to get this show up and running!"

Drool Worthy Craft Rooms

2009-02-16T04:03:00.000-08:00

How was your Valentine's weekend? Ours was great and relaxing! Hubby was playing in a soccer tournament all day on Saturday so I had the opportunity to have a special tea with my Grandma and my Mom. So fun! In the evening we watched Fireproof (finally) and I really enjoyed that.

Lately I've been wishing I had more than just buckets to hold all my crafting supplies so I've been admiring a lot of great craft rooms.

Nest Decorating

Country Home

The following photos are from Two Peas in a Bucket

May I Have Your Attention

2009-02-13T19:06:00.000-08:00

After the encouragement of my husband, I've decided to start an Etsy shop selling my purses! I've been having so much fun! It's not much right now, but I have plans to add other items to the shop in the future. So, here you have it, Purely Delightful on Etsy!

Purely Delightful!

Also, I've been busy working on another project. A new blog! But this one is directed at Canadians and features deals, freebies, coupons and money saving tips. I felt there was a need to show Canadians how fun and easy it is to save your hard earned dollars. It's not 100% done, but I'm anxious to reveal it. If you could, would you mind letting all the Canadians in your life know about my new venture? I would be forever grateful! I would also appreciate Stumbles on Stumble Upon. Here it is:

Simply Frugal

Have a happy Valentine's Day!

Celebrating Valentines Day all Year

2009-02-12T21:45:00.000-08:00

Who wants to celebrate their love only once a year? (okay, twice with an anniversary.) Not me, and I'm not even a romantic! Here are some ideas to keep the romance alive all year.

Pray together for your relationship.
Prepare your significant other's favorite meal.
E-mail an unexpected love note.
Leave love notes around the house.
Clean yourself up: put some makeup on and get out of those sweats!
Share in each others interests and hobbies. It's amazing how a little interest can build a relationship!
Bake heart shaped cookies or cakes throughout the year.
Always be polite to each other. (a tough one sometimes!)
Go on dates as frequently as you can.
Remember to apologize.
Put the happiness of your significant other ahead of your own happiness.
Kiss lots!

What are your ideas to keep Valentines day a year round occasion?

I'm adding this to Hooked on Fridays because I'm hooked on romance right now!

Chicken and Broccoli Pie

2009-02-12T04:03:00.000-08:00

My mother in law sent this recipe to me awhile ago and we've had the chance to enjoy it several times! So easy too!

Chicken and Broccoli Pie

1 1/2 cups broccoli (fresh or frozen)
1 1/3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups diced cooked chicken
2/3 cups chopped onion (I omitted for personal preference)
1 1/3 cups milk
3 eggs
3/4 cup Bisquick mix
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Heat oven to 450 degrees. Grease a 9 inch pie plate or square pan. Mix broccoli, cheese, cooked chicken and onion in pie plate or pan. Beat milk, eggs, Bisquick, salt and pepper until smooth. Pour on top of chicken mixture. Bake 30-35 minutes or until knife inserted in centre comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes. Enjoy!

I'm Loving...

2009-02-11T09:38:00.000-08:00

Selina Lake

Pineblossoms

Prairieblossoms

Boojiboo

What are you loving today?

Etsy Edition #6

2009-02-10T04:00:00.000-08:00

This weeks featured Etsy shop is Love Art Works! All of her clay pieces are handmade and hand painted. She's got the cutest little bird bowls. (see below)

Taken from her profile:

"My name is Kristin Love and I am an artist and designer residing in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. My father was in the Marines so I spent my childhood moving quite a bit, and when I flew the coop at 18, I ended up in Boston at the Massachusetts College of ART. I majored in Illustration and Photography and over the past 25 years I have traveled extensively throughout the United States and a dozen foreign countries capturing the diverse traditions of arts and images through my photos, sketches, and journals to use as inspiration in my own designs. I consider my work a celebration of the eclectic, colorful, and passionate world we all live in, and a joyful salutation to the artist in all of us."

Valentine Links

2009-02-09T04:33:00.000-08:00

Here are some links that I enjoyed over the past week. They all feature a neat valentine idea. Enjoy!

Try out this tasty looking recipe for Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies from Bakerella.

How about some free printable Valentine cards from Oliebollen?

Looking for a cute iron on pillow transfer? This will totally complete your Valentine dreams. From Creature Comforts.

I found this great homemade greeting card at Taylored Expessions. Love it!

Need a Valentine cupcake recipe? Here's one at Cupcakes and Crinoline.

Have you seen anymore great Valentine ideas? I'd love to know in the comments!

Twenty and Under - Valentines Edition

2009-02-07T16:47:00.000-08:00

The cutest poster from RollandTumblePress' Etsy shop. $20.00

$10.00 at SmileMoon's etsy shop

A colourful heart shower curtain! Target. $10.39

A fun towel for a child's bathroom! Target. $6.39

$16.95 at Hodepodgeia's Etsy shop