Home Is My Happy Spot

Not all mugs are created equally.  Choosing the perfect mug is like the story of Goldilocks--some are too chunky, too thin, too big, or too heavy. How do you know when a mug is just right ?  Our guide will help you test mugs to determine whether they are worthy of real estate in your kitchen cupboard.  Mug Weight When it comes to choosing the perfect mug, weight isn't just a number!  Mugs that are too light tip over easier and don't keep your beverage hot until you're finished. Mugs that are too heavy require you to engage both hands, limiting your ability to multitask. Weight is relative, but you should pick a medium weight mug that can be used one-handedly with thick enough walls to keep your drink hot until the last drop. Mug Height & Width Size matters.  Get your mind out of the gutter--we're talking about mugs! If a mug is too high, your drink will be cold by the time you get to the bottom.  If it's too short, the beverage sloshes out of the cup ...

When temperatures soar during the summer months, salads are a cool and refreshing dinner option that don't require heating up the oven. What if you're feeding picky eaters who turn up their noses at salad?  They won't be able to resist the familiar taste of a classic sandwich once you assemble all the fixings! Marinated grilled chicken dresses up this delicious spin on a BLT.  This salad tastes like Summer! Fun Facts on the History of the BLT While the BLT ranks as the "nation's favorite" sandwich in the U.K., it's the sixth most popular sandwich in America.  BLTs just taste better in the summertime, particularly during the tomato harvest.   Did you know the BLT didn't become trendy until after WWII? While the basic BLT consists of bacon, lettuce, and tomato tucked between two slices of toasted bread, several variations can be made to tweak the sandwich for different palates.  Some prefer turkey bacon, while others add sliced avocado or onion.  The BLT...

We all look for ways to cool down in the summer, and eating light and refreshing foods is one way to beat the heat. Although there are many different twists on making veggie pizza, this recipe is a throwback to the 1980's, and it uses a flavor blend you'll find addictive! This delicious veggie pizza recipe is a throwback to the 1980's. Classic Veggie Pizza Like Mom Used to Make Have you ever eaten something that immediately transports you back to your childhood?  A taste, just like a smell, can retrieve long-forgotten memories. Air conditioning is something we take for granted today, but in the 80's, many rural families like mine lived without it.  It was simply unaffordable.  Even on a 90-degree day, it felt cooler outside than inside our stifling house. Homes like ours avoided using the oven on sweltering days, but if something had to be baked, moms snapped to it before daybreak.  Since veggie pizza crust didn't take long in the oven, it was a perfect summer meal ...

Avocados aren't just for yuppies and vegans anymore--oodles of Americans are obsessed with them! Why are avocados so popular? Not only are they more accessible and affordable than ever before, but avocados are a superfood that actually taste delicious.    After guacamole, avocado toast is immensely popular. How Avocados Became More Accessible in America Avocados have been a Mexican staple for over 10,000 years, but Americans' delight over this fresh, buttery, and nutty tasting fruit began in the early 20th century, mainly in the growing regions of California and Florida. One particular variety, the Hass avocado, comprises nearly 95% of the four billion avocados Americans eat each year, and it's an avocado with an interesting history. Rudolph Hass was a California mail carrier who planted three avocado seeds in 1926, which yielded one strong seedling.  When Hass's attempt to graft his seedling with another avocado variety failed, he almost cut down his tree.  Thankful...

There are two opinions when it comes to wind chimes:  you either love or hate the sound of them dancing across the breeze. Some people prefer the pure melodies of nature, like a chorus of chirping birds, wind rustling through the trees, or water trickling over rocks in a nearby brook.  To such, wind chimes are a clamorous intrusion upon tranquility. For others, wind chimes are the perfect accompaniment to nature's symphony.  No relaxation CD can compare.  Perhaps the reason for the opposing viewpoints on wind chimes really centers on sound quality--not all wind chimes are created equal. Corinthian Bells Wind Chimes from Wind River Are Superior in Quality and Made in the USA! You get what you pay for is cliché, but it holds true when it comes to purchasing the perfect set of wind chimes. You can find wind chimes anywhere:  garden centers, hardware stores, home improvement retailers, the grocery, and online, and they come in a wide spectrum of price points. When ...