Master Bedroom

Paint:  BM Sidewalk Gray

Thanks to my wonderful grandparents, we have a new King size mattress!  And of course we had to get some new bedding that would fit the bigger mattress.  Oh this new bed is pure heaven!  Once you go king sized, you never go back.

Now we need a headboard to go with the new bed.  I think I want an upholstered one, but I'm open to other ideas too (maybe metal?).  And then we'll need some nightstands to go better with the new headboard, (I'm thinking either a silver/mirrored finish or black) and eventually work towards a new dresser and chest of drawers.  Our current Mission-style furniture just doesn't go with the feel I'm going for in here, that and it sticks out too much.

We also need some art above the bed, but of course I'll have to figure out the headboard first.  I want to enlarge a picture from our honeymoon and have it printed in black and white.  And then we need a few more pictures and accessories to complete the room.

We've gotten a lot done in the 3 months we've been here in the new house...

Penne with Five Cheeses

Original Source:  Ina Garten
Printable Recipe

Oh man.  This. Was. Good!  Who would have thought this dish was so easy and quick?!  Hubs liked it so much, he had his first serving and then started eating some more right out of the baking dish! 

I was a little concerned what the blue cheese would taste like in this dish, but it really wasn't overpowering since there is only 1/4 cup.  You can't really taste it at all, just an extra little salty bite.

I may add some chicken or sausage to it next time to make it more of a meal in itself.  We served this on the side of some grilled chicken. 

Ingredients

• Kosher salt
• 2 cups heavy cream - I used Half n Half
• 1 cup crushed tomatoes in thick tomato puree - I used 2 cups
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano (1 1/2 ounces)
• 1/2 cup shredded imported Italian fontina (1 1/2 ounces) - I used Asiago
• 1/4 cup crumbled Italian Gorgonzola (1 1/2 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons ricotta cheese
• 1/4 pound fresh mozzarella, sliced - I shredded
• 6 fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 pound imported penne rigate pasta
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

Directions

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
       
Bring 5 quarts of salted water to a boil in a stockpot.
       
Combine all the ingredients except the penne and butter in a large mixing bowl. Mix well.
       
Drop the penne into the boiling water and parboil for 4 minutes. Drain well in a colander and add to the ingredients in the mixing bowl, tossing to combine.
 
Pour mixture into a 9x13 casserole dish. Dot with the butter and bake until bubbly and brown on top, 7 to 10 minutes.

Dining Room Update

I found a cool mirror and a pair of Chinese rubbings to hang in my dining room. 

We also had a piece of glass cut for the top of our table, so it will be super easy to wipe clean after we eat.  

I'm still working on finding an area rug and some drapes or curtains in here.  And I may have to change the fabric on the chairs.  The cinnamon/rust color is just not working for me.  It's not one of my colors.

Even though it is a dining room and I want to display my pretty wedding gifts, I don't want it to feel too too formal.  I want it to be a comfy place to eat, play games, and have casual get-togethers, not a museum where you can't touch anything.

So here's what the room looks like now.    

And click here to see what the dining room looked like when we bought the furniture over New Years.  Eh, it's a start.  A rug and drapes are my priorities right now.  I just have to find the right ones!  It takes time.  

Thanks for stopping by!