Things I am loving Thursdays and house updates!!

Good morning...well this, my friends I believe, is going to be the last house updates post! It is quite a milestone we have reached together, wouldn't you say!!  I feel like its bittersweet, do you? Many have asked if we have moved, the answer is no not quite yet, but getting very close! Hopefully within the next 4-5 days, fingers crossed. Today a massive cleaning starts, and my long awaited stove gets delivered! 
 You have stuck with me through the laughter, the dilemmas, (not to fear there are still some as we speak)  the fun, the tears and disappointments, and the highlights (thankfully there were many). Thank you for that......its been fun and comforting sharing this journey with so many of you! Your kindness and encouragement sure made some stressful days way more bearable! It will not stop but the "house updates" will take on a different meaning as we start to settle in and decorate, I would say the best is yet to come and the fun is just beginning!
So as you can imagine I haven't had much time to do much else that isn't revolving around my house so today's post is only about the house (and a yummy recipe). The house has pretty much consumed me, and I am anxious to get back other parts of my life that seem to have fallen off the cliff to the wayside. But in the meantime, here is whats happening...mostly just loads of loose ends and finishing touches being applied, and believe me there is still LOTS to go! But it is all very exciting to see all the pretty finishing touches finally starting to be placed on something we have worked so hard on for so very long.

HOUSE UPDATES......will let the pictures do the talking this week!

Laundry room backsplash done...went with mini carerra subways and love it! Do not love the hideous outlet box so trying to come up with a solution to hiding that now!

I am determined to move that outlet, its making me NUTS!!!!!!

A finished product except for hardware..more on that later

 

My one lone knob....more on that later.

A peek of wood floors on upstairs landing

The design in the vestibule upstairs

Details of front entrance...I am blown away by the level of the detail in the hand carving

A few asked for closeups of the wire grills in kitchen....

So remember those gorgeous handles I wanted to use somewhere! Well look where they now call home.....

My island drawers, still waiting on rest, but you get the idea

Is it a like or a love? I can still use the same knobs I used on my bathroom vanity two knobs per drawer or these...opinions please!!

Did a simple oversized crystal for closet doors

Sconces installed in upstairs hallways, shades will go on last as to not get dirty

Woo hoo...pot filler got installed!

Pantry marble got sealed

Room almost done with painting

One last look......

Ahhh, my bathroom floor, almost forgot what it looked like! Of course still need the tub hardware, waiting for marble top to be tweaked first and sconces on side wall, antique mirror in middle panel with rosettes, and chandelier then we are done.....yippee!!!!

This cabinet is just waiting to be filled with all kinds of pretty little things

Love my floor, it was worth fighting for:)

We love our three paneled doors

Guest bath

This is a pretty sconce in nickel and has an elegant crystal arm

Hallway at night......love

My favorite kind of lighting...very soft

Hot off the presses, just took this late last night....fireplace mantle AFTER SIX MONTHS OF WAITING finally arrived, it was a mother to bring in the house (courtesy of a mini bulldozer and a gaggle of strong Pop-eye-ish looking men)! But its being assembled and looking quite fabulous.....

So... now that I have your attention can we talk for a minute? I need your help.....I think my brain is fried and turned to mush and I  cannot make another decision! So you saw the laundry room above, though its a measly laundry room I will be in there a lot and I want it to be pretty afterall! So...here are the finalists for hardware for the cabinet doors. All your expert opinions greatly appreciated!! Theres not a bad choice, so dying to hear what you love......thanks!

This knob would be on its own

This escutcheon goes with the knob below

This knob could also work with escutcheon above (same brand)

This would be on its own...kind of fun and still elegant

Elegant but the sunflower makes it feel more casual

A simple knob with a simpler escutcheon

OK......so now I need to hear from you! Thanks in advance for your opinions, my mind is totally saturated!

Before I go I wanted to share with you a recipe that is a blue ribbon winner in my family for Pasta Fagiole soup. I came across this recipe a few years ago and think it might have been from one of the Food Network chefs, I tweaked it ever so and must say this is one of the best soups bar none that I have ever eaten,  my resident very picky eaters sons will attest to the fact that normally by days end, the pot is empty! So, in light of it being "the sick season" and since in many parts of country  its hootin tootin cold.....soup is in order!!!! I wanted to share the recipe and if you make it you won't be sorry.  It is so worth cooking.....trust me!

PASTA FAGIOLE SOUP

• 4-5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/8 pound (about 4 slices) pancetta, cut up
• 2 (4 to 6-inch) sprigs rosemary, left intact or dried
• 1 (4 to 6-inch) sprig thyme with several sprigs on it, left intact  or dried
• 1 large fresh bay leaf or 2 dried bay leaves
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, finely chopped
• 2 ribs celery, finely chopped
• 5-6 large cloves garlic, chopped
• Sea salt and pepper
• 2 (15 ounce) cans cannellini beans
• 2 cups canned tomato sauce or canned crushed tomatoes or if you can get fresh sauce its even better
• 2 cups water
• 1 quart chicken stock
• 1 1/2 cups ditalini (cooked separately very al dente)
• Grated Parmigiano  (use liberally)
• A fresh baguette (or two)

Heat a soup pot over medium high heat and add oil and pancetta. Brown the pancetta bits lightly, and add herb stems, bay leaf, chopped vegetables, and garlic. 

Season vegetables with salt and pepper. Add beans, tomato sauce, water, and stock to pot and raise heat to high. Bring soup to a rapid boil then reduce heat to medium and cook soup, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes and then put on simmer. Rosemary and thyme leaves will separate from stems as soup cooks. Remove herb stems and bay leaf from soup and place pot on table on a trivet. 

Let soup rest and begin to cool for a few minutes. Add pasta towards end that has already been cooked al dente so when served it still has  the slightest bite. Ladle soup into bowls and top with lots of grated cheese. I serve with warmed slices of baguette…yum!

                                                 Happy cooking and enjoy your day!

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