Good Things from Maine!

The Maine House has discovered another "good thing" from Maine! Darling and I decided  to drive over to Cumberland for a visit to the indoor Winter Farmers Market. We also had wanted to include a shopping excursion to Mitchell Fernie Vintage Sign Decor! Mitchell's designs are original vintage signs that are hand-lettered and antiqued with a true vintage look. One of our favorite things! This Vintage Sign Decor is certainly reflective of a love of history, woodworking, typography and illustration. Each sign has been finished with marine-grade varnish, signed by the artist and ready to hang in your home. The signs are  interior and exterior heirloom-quality paintings of your favorite memory of Maine (and beyond). Mitchell Fernie had been a practicing Graphic Designer since the mid 80's and always had a great love of type, design and the creative process.

A Maine House Mosaic

"Although the advent of computers has opened up a whole new world of creativity to us all, I found myself missing the hands-on creative aspect. My Vintage Sign Decor employ these aspects. Each piece is handmade by myself at my Cumberland, Maine studio and reclaimed materials are used whenever possible. My work is currently in collections throughout the US, Canada and Europe."  Be certain to visit Cumberland while visiting Maine and don't miss these places of interest!

Estelle's had planned on a few good appetizers to welcome us home

 after our beautiful weekend excursion!

Estelle's Cheesy Pepperoni Dip with Pizza Crust Dippers

2 8-oz. packages of cream cheese

1 cup sour cream

2 tsp. oregano

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

3/4 cup pizza or spaghetti sauce

1 cup chopped pepperoni

1 cup chopped green pepper

1/2 cup grated Asiago cheese

1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

black pepper to taste

 

Pizza Crust Dippers:

2 13.8-oz cans of refrigerated pizza dough (Pillsbury or similar)

1/2 cup olive oil

4 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Blend cream cheese, sour cream, oregano, and garlic powder until smooth. Spread in a baking dish. Spoon pizza sauce on cream cheese and sprinkle with pepperoni and green pepper. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Remove and sprinkle with cheese. Bake for an additional 5 minutes.
Roll out pizza dough and cut into triangles; lay each one on an oven crisper sheet. Brush each triangle with olive oil. Combine cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder and sprinkle evenly over each triangle. Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

 

Estelle's Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip

1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup grated Romano cheese

1 clove garlic, peeled and minced

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

Salt and pepper to taste

1 (14-oz.) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a small baking dish. In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, Romano cheese, garlic, basil, garlic salt, salt, and pepper. Gently stir in artichoke hearts and spinach. Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish. Top with mozzarella cheese. Bake in the pre-heated oven 25 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned. Serve with garlic pita wedges, bagel chips, or crackers.