Easter Brunch Ideas | Brunch Menu Ideas | Easy Easter Centerpieces

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUXPFJuewavFYjOQZOe2ku-xXL8rWpxn7qTn6myFnalODy0Vxs_aFID5wZa39j4DwVZEuFhHx_RZ6ECihUbmBvnYG7DPYdSROOdibg99Pp4THhn7hpdapUJWYtfD5nzZm4ojyaEKeZrJB/s1600/IMG_3644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUXPFJuewavFYjOQZOe2ku-xXL8rWpxn7qTn6myFnalODy0Vxs_aFID5wZa39j4DwVZEuFhHx_RZ6ECihUbmBvnYG7DPYdSROOdibg99Pp4THhn7hpdapUJWYtfD5nzZm4ojyaEKeZrJB/s640/IMG_3644.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can hardly believe it is Easter already.  With the weather swinging every which direction, I can't decide if I'm ready for Christmas or The 4th of July... which actually does sound like Easter.  When we were little we never knew if we'd be battling rain or snow on Easter morning - somethings never change!  Here is a little rundown of some posts that might inspire your Easter celebration!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKct5Fz3QgtKaGiOwlULTYEVX4qLA0MeAruUdSC7qUImBdeqH_LetC367kXCOo0u3-YtCMkznfLi9Tp6sMr2dYSYJM9eqNBCUqtLS2XeEti0mv44oUzYQf5WATjVkpl66gbJA5Us62fP08/s1600/IMG_3768.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="950" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKct5Fz3QgtKaGiOwlULTYEVX4qLA0MeAruUdSC7qUImBdeqH_LetC367kXCOo0u3-YtCMkznfLi9Tp6sMr2dYSYJM9eqNBCUqtLS2XeEti0mv44oUzYQf5WATjVkpl66gbJA5Us62fP08/s1600/IMG_3768.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MXeytG51CO4APz5BK0kg16_1QSuAm3K7GlsdU3roIPtm_HDOwO0m7NQx7nUH1ZgDqmeSLj3H1R2JUss51DTq9g4-rW_elVtOWdMuS2mVI00nseoDVMTNGFr-P3e36wjC-4uPQe47FG1F/s1600/IMG_3657.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/03/easter-egg-hunt-centerpiece-blue-eggs.html">Heirloom Egg Hunt Centerpiece </a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QWJUcON3vQq_16eUIFNKNaZi-Wx_q4Q_dWOJDkyi_1OK3FyEyyPlYNvfFzBVIPVTf8Mtij5LocTdI8NnP0MrbNYLPhW4jJQf_X3aP3sRht1JhwAuVlMjLs6ZuV8iXBftrNbYgdwDMH58/s1600/IMG_3388.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QWJUcON3vQq_16eUIFNKNaZi-Wx_q4Q_dWOJDkyi_1OK3FyEyyPlYNvfFzBVIPVTf8Mtij5LocTdI8NnP0MrbNYLPhW4jJQf_X3aP3sRht1JhwAuVlMjLs6ZuV8iXBftrNbYgdwDMH58/s640/IMG_3388.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1441692632380073171&postID=4167924413917470368" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/03/cream-of-spinach-and-asparagus-soup.html">Spinach & Asparagus Cream Soup </a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwjBHx1GnLRLNGkVh1pCW3cOXYQm2NROQxahe3LYRSZl8RNGGtViIpo3x-JM_D4E_9g6vVnZvA77Zwb9QUUNiNEJJxybRcWcjpVTUjh_9oFlKguqkE7Sad1by6FHX0BQJWJQCyFEBIN4f/s1600/IMG_2186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwjBHx1GnLRLNGkVh1pCW3cOXYQm2NROQxahe3LYRSZl8RNGGtViIpo3x-JM_D4E_9g6vVnZvA77Zwb9QUUNiNEJJxybRcWcjpVTUjh_9oFlKguqkE7Sad1by6FHX0BQJWJQCyFEBIN4f/s640/IMG_2186.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />Spinach & Strawberry Salad with Poppyseed Dressing & Pecans<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxomWlmIKHeo9iqwpw2O2ZWOv6SnakxgdCRtBBItU9h14GeGQqv6mmOHa2tzYAhqknQFz0stf0a0VmhnAwNKJq5lHnx5AJuyKz-etlD0TqF35YhXQZfuWN6f1wmjXAfDZlhTlIkzFbs9Xp/s1600/IMG_1656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxomWlmIKHeo9iqwpw2O2ZWOv6SnakxgdCRtBBItU9h14GeGQqv6mmOHa2tzYAhqknQFz0stf0a0VmhnAwNKJq5lHnx5AJuyKz-etlD0TqF35YhXQZfuWN6f1wmjXAfDZlhTlIkzFbs9Xp/s640/IMG_1656.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/02/lemon-mousse-meringue-tart-spring.html">Lemon Meringue Mousse Tart</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGXEs__LOgwP9XA0tJI4pYCYVjDwkEToh2JOFoGlk2pwDpOwBoOITbvCRw_ex3EssIIbzWCl5XHhZgjKlteJHhYqpYTTskwR5hfqnykEoMrYqUJSlHdwK7guW_q06HPLC143u8X2l7ycW/s1600/IMG_3745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGXEs__LOgwP9XA0tJI4pYCYVjDwkEToh2JOFoGlk2pwDpOwBoOITbvCRw_ex3EssIIbzWCl5XHhZgjKlteJHhYqpYTTskwR5hfqnykEoMrYqUJSlHdwK7guW_q06HPLC143u8X2l7ycW/s640/IMG_3745.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGrs7U57g1wIlsEyJmppHIMH4OYN6XW_3akJiVlTQCQw64q0OXtVNW27EDGGyTmk7Tw8-pr2y1s0FE3Mz0Abrvci8TgvN5Jn9krxidZymIzeNczgn4DSYANJKg8fZGIQE_R70MgyOy52N/s1600/IMG_4087.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGrs7U57g1wIlsEyJmppHIMH4OYN6XW_3akJiVlTQCQw64q0OXtVNW27EDGGyTmk7Tw8-pr2y1s0FE3Mz0Abrvci8TgvN5Jn9krxidZymIzeNczgn4DSYANJKg8fZGIQE_R70MgyOy52N/s640/IMG_4087.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/03/cranberry-scones-with-orange-glaze.html">Cranberry Scones with an Orange Glaze</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVubj0MLYmp56-ZQA9JWde7B2OwTrPPG5YVJGPdgI2ylqISHGlPqpgjDug4HdpDsLcI4QxYTjmxusvkafVVyPj82fhgwHiAnTXEWYRFoPDcTNaCsJRj07dO4B95LUhBwCtxQy6OHrjlmE/s1600/IMG_3750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVubj0MLYmp56-ZQA9JWde7B2OwTrPPG5YVJGPdgI2ylqISHGlPqpgjDug4HdpDsLcI4QxYTjmxusvkafVVyPj82fhgwHiAnTXEWYRFoPDcTNaCsJRj07dO4B95LUhBwCtxQy6OHrjlmE/s640/IMG_3750.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SaaALTtIkbv9WIewaoxfR-mguB4hhV-eJJDAeG2LGWoM8gTgTCLfkCmjjUUpIzxnAus6NRkFAKbrfZzgekhVVpoXVfv29I9QFBA-933Fg5OR9JNEAxO1PHXVJn1I_tyMBAV1gVTKixgi/s1600/IMG_4397.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SaaALTtIkbv9WIewaoxfR-mguB4hhV-eJJDAeG2LGWoM8gTgTCLfkCmjjUUpIzxnAus6NRkFAKbrfZzgekhVVpoXVfv29I9QFBA-933Fg5OR9JNEAxO1PHXVJn1I_tyMBAV1gVTKixgi/s640/IMG_4397.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><br />Mrs. Ross's Blackberry Cobbler<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQoZjEqGPtlPcv4GQvpTJSIzfRVCwLHOA38vLQSqW36sPd6LKeEgUI0NxUXLkCan1xNYjck9T6ND4IfANT65tZZyu2mK22CCKOPlGy2P1GPHHJJjrulr2mtIW38hmuvpW8yVLGBwT3y7D/s1600/IMG_3498.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQoZjEqGPtlPcv4GQvpTJSIzfRVCwLHOA38vLQSqW36sPd6LKeEgUI0NxUXLkCan1xNYjck9T6ND4IfANT65tZZyu2mK22CCKOPlGy2P1GPHHJJjrulr2mtIW38hmuvpW8yVLGBwT3y7D/s640/IMG_3498.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/03/breakfast-skillet-bacon-potatoes-chive.html">Bacon, Potato & Chive Skillet Omelet</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRybzfWgv9p0Fs2A-YXBX8kmXukHbXwyhnkCKypitQTOIHJseyuyiq5N1eBEx9Awaqe1rMKAj60_eBt6BK-dkkKjUQo5GGMBJk4Qk8cyvvf_Mvo9B9oAgS63PHIOdQeQha57sVfAahZAO/s1600/IMG_3676.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRybzfWgv9p0Fs2A-YXBX8kmXukHbXwyhnkCKypitQTOIHJseyuyiq5N1eBEx9Awaqe1rMKAj60_eBt6BK-dkkKjUQo5GGMBJk4Qk8cyvvf_Mvo9B9oAgS63PHIOdQeQha57sVfAahZAO/s640/IMG_3676.jpg" width="426" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKct5Fz3QgtKaGiOwlULTYEVX4qLA0MeAruUdSC7qUImBdeqH_LetC367kXCOo0u3-YtCMkznfLi9Tp6sMr2dYSYJM9eqNBCUqtLS2XeEti0mv44oUzYQf5WATjVkpl66gbJA5Us62fP08/s1600/IMG_3768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytZpHvaftkBEJ5bUz_hxzT_p7Teeb7pdAheb3b7ku96gWyvB-yE74HFHTTCD2qbF8HnYz8m4k2J1Ao4RSkyoA4HNMI0QhHJB1Lm5f52gbUn_Sz6tIsodp-IhSCGl4BKlD8NSBN2AeHtfi/s1600/IMG_3768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/03/spring-easter-centerpieces-yellow.html">Daffodil Centerpiece & Egg Table Setting</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytZpHvaftkBEJ5bUz_hxzT_p7Teeb7pdAheb3b7ku96gWyvB-yE74HFHTTCD2qbF8HnYz8m4k2J1Ao4RSkyoA4HNMI0QhHJB1Lm5f52gbUn_Sz6tIsodp-IhSCGl4BKlD8NSBN2AeHtfi/s1600/IMG_3768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd99RzkOBvfUJSc2syrsY8JQIGxZVOtd_7B04v0pJ5DL81BBFWSaXZHN0G-ZE09VfccymZuOOi8vsbQILamRvUo3ZAS7wIJXZoauSei5ISB6ec9NFifev1ykv9LhD3pYbutV38c5aVBcMd/s1600/IMG_3415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd99RzkOBvfUJSc2syrsY8JQIGxZVOtd_7B04v0pJ5DL81BBFWSaXZHN0G-ZE09VfccymZuOOi8vsbQILamRvUo3ZAS7wIJXZoauSei5ISB6ec9NFifev1ykv9LhD3pYbutV38c5aVBcMd/s640/IMG_3415.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/03/homemade-herbed-ricotta-on-toasted.html">Homemade Herbed Ricotta Cheese on Garlic Baguette Toasts</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlSa4gxr_tZrUH9n4rFX4p_1W5W9kAxJKdrksbuA5RkwAv-M-ffG3F0xp2RXL9-twlLZAc1M8qn1y9fJGTxJq9pF8rQ0rBDEdiyFCldf_UeWYtzkp22cfGQ92AhyphenhyphengNH0SjsNuAoR4Ss33/s1600/IMG_2475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlSa4gxr_tZrUH9n4rFX4p_1W5W9kAxJKdrksbuA5RkwAv-M-ffG3F0xp2RXL9-twlLZAc1M8qn1y9fJGTxJq9pF8rQ0rBDEdiyFCldf_UeWYtzkp22cfGQ92AhyphenhyphengNH0SjsNuAoR4Ss33/s640/IMG_2475.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/02/homemade-chocolate-glazed-donuts-hot.html">Chocolate Glazed Donuts</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpO8qCsW9WGdHWLzhIFwAKX9I-UBOxw3qWEKoCy2r3LoRmuzNqQuEBQK3IkDuH7vG899Ksq47qEGzmbGDiimHQeeKq8BP1LP-uP69ROgENzh4t-EzXVzoXXUE1QQwn8HwhfNkqeXjMNce/s1600/IMG_0597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpO8qCsW9WGdHWLzhIFwAKX9I-UBOxw3qWEKoCy2r3LoRmuzNqQuEBQK3IkDuH7vG899Ksq47qEGzmbGDiimHQeeKq8BP1LP-uP69ROgENzh4t-EzXVzoXXUE1QQwn8HwhfNkqeXjMNce/s640/IMG_0597.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2010/01/recipes-brunch-quiche-recipes.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Quiche</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgdRRgiZGIH3FMwUiKu1DMlk1eF9OsIpcVkqVSdCbligkH0wHvVsztiA9hVWksEZrqHW8ffzKTqZcmClI4mzcJ8wHhAjZtc4Ss5ilj8hWrsw9gzEYhOjlqLmifnLBb7_JwgfgXsqKBKnh/s1600/IMG_5493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgdRRgiZGIH3FMwUiKu1DMlk1eF9OsIpcVkqVSdCbligkH0wHvVsztiA9hVWksEZrqHW8ffzKTqZcmClI4mzcJ8wHhAjZtc4Ss5ilj8hWrsw9gzEYhOjlqLmifnLBb7_JwgfgXsqKBKnh/s640/IMG_5493.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/08/cherry-cupcakes-with-cherry-almond.html">Cherry Almond Cupcakes</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rHxjLdOL_zmb_i1F7JwT3H_2lAsPKEPfJ8IhXdklJl9yDYaKmPOvEuQamOi7hua52ifLRBFylRGJPnca3oM1tgUOVSz7VzwRfGRWL2zWqcLzr2nzkJJc1x5Rk_TwiPNlnqZpWVT5QEJT/s1600/IMG_9519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rHxjLdOL_zmb_i1F7JwT3H_2lAsPKEPfJ8IhXdklJl9yDYaKmPOvEuQamOi7hua52ifLRBFylRGJPnca3oM1tgUOVSz7VzwRfGRWL2zWqcLzr2nzkJJc1x5Rk_TwiPNlnqZpWVT5QEJT/s640/IMG_9519.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/12/cinnamon-rolls-from-frozen-bread-dough.html">"Homemade" Cinnamon Rolls from Frozen Bread Dough</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNFnOulKM8PflunUbg29L-C_Ja6hdA6Vjdspqe_N3hGRGEturGS9iDdjqCa7vcJXuuErIEHCrKTKwUHnFYA4w4vxuAdjcOIk3thrI-KHm4gR9rTDzMhP3To6KN9uGczTdmKWxol1tBapt/s1600/IMG_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLYYzitnZRZ9btdcr0zaOeNAa71-csnwZ9CEjvDm9c1HiWSnO1FlVTuexukUpunUgNPmIIddV1Ktlcu2ZkxOp8Tmrn2L-GDhBdNN1FpmHzLnfPlrVZ_CBk_HiYrzzyIwRRVV5yy4Mw3GV/s1600/DSC_2548.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLYYzitnZRZ9btdcr0zaOeNAa71-csnwZ9CEjvDm9c1HiWSnO1FlVTuexukUpunUgNPmIIddV1Ktlcu2ZkxOp8Tmrn2L-GDhBdNN1FpmHzLnfPlrVZ_CBk_HiYrzzyIwRRVV5yy4Mw3GV/s640/DSC_2548.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2010/12/recipes-banana-pecan-pancakes-easy.html">Banana Pecan Pancakes Recipe</a>  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCc2RUlH_mJy1jxiSt-AIhCmVpvorJSaYvSZG6Cy8f-VCTjOd6aivuKT0tA-pers3kkw-Y1yO8DK3f3oLlvlxnjt5Puo8q3l8pIhjhQXlI3OSnp6c7cnXsGb3o5ASLYHnYxZvxOmCVDak/s1600/DSC_2563.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>

Easter Brunch Ideas | Brunch Menu Ideas | Easy Easter Centerpieces

I can hardly believe it is Easter already.  With the weather swinging every which direction, I can't decide if I'm ready for Christm...

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The BEST Homemade Meatballs | Spaghetti & Meatballs

<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXI4CO4NIUzzmmffhRbVEXRcCYrOmhZBsrm9fPWgzzw601gUNQ1ZnRyU0JNhob_5CpHYP8EcwHcrC0yp71yCSJguq0bBPQfOETlB0IguqrSemQHcSucGWhg4N0bNu5n2Aogvon6bBlsZpI/s1600/IMG_4386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXI4CO4NIUzzmmffhRbVEXRcCYrOmhZBsrm9fPWgzzw601gUNQ1ZnRyU0JNhob_5CpHYP8EcwHcrC0yp71yCSJguq0bBPQfOETlB0IguqrSemQHcSucGWhg4N0bNu5n2Aogvon6bBlsZpI/s640/IMG_4386.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I'm sure you already have a Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe - everyone does.  The key to making things that everyone makes - and already loves - is to make them the best.  Every single time I make Spaghetti & Meatballs, Mike and I rave - oh, these are the best yet.  If you have not tried to make you're own homemade meatballs, I really encourage you to.  They are so so so easy - and so much better than anything you can buy.<br /><br />They are a staple around our house - usually on Sundays.  I make a triple batch of meatballs and have them for lunch throughout the week or put them in the freezer.  This recipe takes 20 minutes, but can me made far in advance, so is great for a casual dinner party, or cozy family dinner.<br /><br />UPDATE : Some of my readers have had difficulty with using the silpat.  I've switched to using <a href="http://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/all/products/parchment-paper-sheets-200-sheets">pre-cut parchment sheets</a> that fit perfectly in a sheet pan... they are a dream.  They are non-stick and you can just throw them away after you use them.  I use them for everything - cookies, roasting vegetables, meatballs, etc.  I'm stocking them in my store as one of my favorite "essentials" - <a href="http://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/all/products/parchment-paper-sheets-200-sheets">200 sheets for $12</a>... which should be a year supply.  No more washing the silpat!  <br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDjqKbnbjh1i-jmz8LQq5LhqfrI3U-CZW3z_9aRSyWQTLNIxXdWdSu2V203-CrV0zT6X1wutnbnl8QSY6wMzy-SjlZCtzbYCRldxMtfyb2m-rl-AK9mQIlYukzCUSJu0Y0FL3DeefcFXF/s1600/IMG_4313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDjqKbnbjh1i-jmz8LQq5LhqfrI3U-CZW3z_9aRSyWQTLNIxXdWdSu2V203-CrV0zT6X1wutnbnl8QSY6wMzy-SjlZCtzbYCRldxMtfyb2m-rl-AK9mQIlYukzCUSJu0Y0FL3DeefcFXF/s640/IMG_4313.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTBUYp7X83_OfTyKnMrB9ryQIZV0SHDF-7kH_Lc6bACRtQ0jV6TZi6xH7af8ea0gVCK5sgG-Ym36YFLryuFymaSmYSavVCiS0X-6UcU8Fvyn7Mwtt5klCZSsEB5UDW4SVW8RjpX6GOHv8/s1600/IMG_4314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTBUYp7X83_OfTyKnMrB9ryQIZV0SHDF-7kH_Lc6bACRtQ0jV6TZi6xH7af8ea0gVCK5sgG-Ym36YFLryuFymaSmYSavVCiS0X-6UcU8Fvyn7Mwtt5klCZSsEB5UDW4SVW8RjpX6GOHv8/s640/IMG_4314.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Using a food processor makes it a very quick process - no mincing garlic, grating cheese or chopping parsley.  Throw it all in and... <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHG-1bULqLTAeEIzBf8BlqAxOs_d4JZZgGLnGTVNZLC_iRA7qzc_mHgANsuzE5Z3916uitvv_CMlHePN6DPXZZMI3hfFIS-mrxKmyVkea_ETed5zdAZoi5RMadhw4pJWiq-VvUzRoDpXX/s1600/IMG_4319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHG-1bULqLTAeEIzBf8BlqAxOs_d4JZZgGLnGTVNZLC_iRA7qzc_mHgANsuzE5Z3916uitvv_CMlHePN6DPXZZMI3hfFIS-mrxKmyVkea_ETed5zdAZoi5RMadhw4pJWiq-VvUzRoDpXX/s640/IMG_4319.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />You end up with the most amazing seasoned breadcrumbs.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiH7a1uIw9vYz62bwg8qsA-kpI6HLLLhckMHrtfUOT56AoUGB6MoEUaMrMVQIAQ-uJ_rxyLD5c_8mQlcNFjkeMte0ga4IMH4tjpwQ054-HDlVMXJ4mazAPicPiJmsdsLOiiIEbi_XPMdjs/s1600/IMG_4328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiH7a1uIw9vYz62bwg8qsA-kpI6HLLLhckMHrtfUOT56AoUGB6MoEUaMrMVQIAQ-uJ_rxyLD5c_8mQlcNFjkeMte0ga4IMH4tjpwQ054-HDlVMXJ4mazAPicPiJmsdsLOiiIEbi_XPMdjs/s640/IMG_4328.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Pour them on top of the meat, then add the eggs.  The general rule I follow is 1 egg for every pound of meat.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaELFieixWlyzbjubungpgWR5C_TRjVkoTYbDmGZhDwvQjIZ5WFCmX9N_oUo1hFkB9ZGRI_DqDlZrY8v-ntSOxt4L2EO0HdvigX5ir7sDNxy4tvEJC22exd5CLIqAfKa_aRSi5jlgm4DE/s1600/IMG_4329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaELFieixWlyzbjubungpgWR5C_TRjVkoTYbDmGZhDwvQjIZ5WFCmX9N_oUo1hFkB9ZGRI_DqDlZrY8v-ntSOxt4L2EO0HdvigX5ir7sDNxy4tvEJC22exd5CLIqAfKa_aRSi5jlgm4DE/s640/IMG_4329.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5EUWv_D5pb-tRPbvYqHGGayNmmfeqAnwY2ST7PpJDc4SwPrtwq31D-HKeHCCiqYuRY7ZKqTvNa1EoSOPuOIatao-t6c0V6P41bHAPBcxAGZmC7JJEW5OmZzCO3KlUr594WD2unGS3z4o/s1600/IMG_4330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5EUWv_D5pb-tRPbvYqHGGayNmmfeqAnwY2ST7PpJDc4SwPrtwq31D-HKeHCCiqYuRY7ZKqTvNa1EoSOPuOIatao-t6c0V6P41bHAPBcxAGZmC7JJEW5OmZzCO3KlUr594WD2unGS3z4o/s640/IMG_4330.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />The milk keeps the meatballs moist. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1jP626IpIBNIUT3k72DoLOfO6JkN5DbnKIpdhKvp03b_r7078fvhghhDlfQism7WH1GEjC2bTVFDJ9mxco1qLCm7DkuNqFCl8LbQSOg7VpGjCJiQpRNnB-6QmmKkqtL5EHI5N8VF1HFx/s1600/IMG_4331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1jP626IpIBNIUT3k72DoLOfO6JkN5DbnKIpdhKvp03b_r7078fvhghhDlfQism7WH1GEjC2bTVFDJ9mxco1qLCm7DkuNqFCl8LbQSOg7VpGjCJiQpRNnB-6QmmKkqtL5EHI5N8VF1HFx/s640/IMG_4331.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Fluff the mixture with a fork to combine - it keeps the mixture from getting compact.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXi0uxiZMKSfAdhI2h6-YRjIg7E5vgAzQqbCN8-hU7zj4jmxGZns4b2EJlZwDa4cpkjmy4TNQx9rkQppGbl2hyphenhyphenX09uq5a9kmSw_I06V_S3a6mFj5dmUQoOmKVkriC2Dit87_7AhwK9bguS/s1600/IMG_4333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXi0uxiZMKSfAdhI2h6-YRjIg7E5vgAzQqbCN8-hU7zj4jmxGZns4b2EJlZwDa4cpkjmy4TNQx9rkQppGbl2hyphenhyphenX09uq5a9kmSw_I06V_S3a6mFj5dmUQoOmKVkriC2Dit87_7AhwK9bguS/s640/IMG_4333.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />All combined.  Look at all of that flavor! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUsTq7QJnVk0fU2h0Uc9MxaEdMaYzXHwkHtKMn4jaVQBDoYvI98GxUEZurKR2BT_GdM1L7SUnRsuM-dOBL4Yji6PNcUfeNclPcoPB8KUI-l1axvsEANb_ET-sxApJ-FTh6N48_lS2us1u/s1600/IMG_4334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUsTq7QJnVk0fU2h0Uc9MxaEdMaYzXHwkHtKMn4jaVQBDoYvI98GxUEZurKR2BT_GdM1L7SUnRsuM-dOBL4Yji6PNcUfeNclPcoPB8KUI-l1axvsEANb_ET-sxApJ-FTh6N48_lS2us1u/s640/IMG_4334.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I use an ice cream scoop to portion them into the same size, then use my hands to form them into balls.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1y0DwJjxNn3zPW7hoqAiqwV9me2XvvswlCVTB9znBtox32zZlzMQF9AWOd1pthoYi1QgWq4DI_7e7W2ocgXpnQ8lCnGsGyBxx13GEqpZTXpVhEQpy9IuyM2t0CjRxmCqCnfXAyg3fS_la/s1600/IMG_4337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1y0DwJjxNn3zPW7hoqAiqwV9me2XvvswlCVTB9znBtox32zZlzMQF9AWOd1pthoYi1QgWq4DI_7e7W2ocgXpnQ8lCnGsGyBxx13GEqpZTXpVhEQpy9IuyM2t0CjRxmCqCnfXAyg3fS_la/s640/IMG_4337.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I bake them on a Silpat lined baking sheet so they come off easily.<br /><br />*Silpat does not recommend using it under a broiler.  I have not had a problem with mine, but others have said it was damaged. <br /><br />UPDATE : I've switched to using <a href="http://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/all/products/parchment-paper-sheets-200-sheets">pre-cut parchment sheets</a> that fit perfectly in a sheet pan... they are a dream. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIolCD6o4of8NFU3v7BvUAxBUPN1lZl3JxQgWMLZ1_6h5cYhC4nJeMbmHe_XheAukbTgDYwkF8OSwOzNAUeqfbcYb-MSfylsAYCkPzCFdCqEXWdjo_OUOFCUMt1RlnJTsim0HflarDpCvM/s1600/IMG_4341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIolCD6o4of8NFU3v7BvUAxBUPN1lZl3JxQgWMLZ1_6h5cYhC4nJeMbmHe_XheAukbTgDYwkF8OSwOzNAUeqfbcYb-MSfylsAYCkPzCFdCqEXWdjo_OUOFCUMt1RlnJTsim0HflarDpCvM/s640/IMG_4341.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I love that these are baked under the broiler instead of fried in oil.  Healthier and no huge greasy mess to clean up. <br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFelKrC0CtR3Ko5aTs415FoAbfstdAL5NimQCfeNQ9NL4o8ZIZs9BB_cuW34ge17-wcKTdu17NNjYjvdts-YO0XyAziYYqLn0m9wFtZaJu9xIs49bmtZP-MuWcB8rRandfPgUdcLvB96BE/s1600/IMG_4377.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFelKrC0CtR3Ko5aTs415FoAbfstdAL5NimQCfeNQ9NL4o8ZIZs9BB_cuW34ge17-wcKTdu17NNjYjvdts-YO0XyAziYYqLn0m9wFtZaJu9xIs49bmtZP-MuWcB8rRandfPgUdcLvB96BE/s400/IMG_4377.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">Homemade Meatballs</span><br /><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><i>so easy </i><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"></span><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 pound of ground beef</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 slices of bread</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 cloves of garlic</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">fresh parsley, chopped</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/4 cup parmesan cheese</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"></span></span><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 tablespoons of milk</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 egg</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">salt & pepper</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> <br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> <br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Food Processor Method :<br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1441692632380073171" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Begin by cutting bread into cubes.  In the food processor, put garlic & parsley.  Pulse until both are finely chopped.  Add parmesan cheese cut into 1-inch cubes (if not already grated).  Pulse until fine.  Add bread in small batches and pulse.   </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Add mixture to ground beef.  Add eggs, milk, salt and pepper then mix with a fork, keeping the mixture light and fluffy.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> <br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">By Hand Method : </span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tear bread into small pieces.  Add grated parmeasan, minced garlic, parsley, salt and pepper.  Add eggs and milk. Mix together.  </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Add mixture to ground beef.  Mix with a fork, keeping the mixture light and fluffy.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />Form into balls with an ice cream scoop and place on a baking sheet.  Cook meatballs under a high broiler on high for 7-9 minutes until just browned on outside.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Serve with spaghetti and <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/05/tomato-sauce-simple-tomato-sauce-recipe.html">tomato sauce</a> - for my recipe, <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/05/tomato-sauce-simple-tomato-sauce-recipe.html">click here</a>. </span></span></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"></span><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div></div><div id="PageDiv" style="margin: auto; min-height: 100%; position: relative; width: 1100px;"><div id="pinliketweetfollow" style="height: 121px; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 505px; z-index: 1;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><map id="map1" name="map1"><br /> <area alt="twitterlogo1" coords="285,42,345,103" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/jennysteffens"></area><br /> <area alt="rsslogo1a1" coords="409,43,468,104" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/JennySteffens"></area><br /> <area alt="images1a" coords="164,43,224,103" href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Everyday-Occasions-by-Jenny-Steffens-Hobick/158431867535965"></area><br /> <area alt="pinit" coords="33,39,101,101" href="http://pinterest.com/jennysteffens/"></area><br /> </map></div>

The BEST Homemade Meatballs | Spaghetti & Meatballs

I'm sure you already have a Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe - everyone does.  The key to making things that everyone makes - and already ...

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Sunroom Progress + DIY Weathered Wood

Let's start with the sunroom.<br /><br />Last week I posted the official, messy, cluttered sunroom "Before" pictures. <br /><br />Here it is again, as of a few days ago, with most of the furniture cleared out:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifI8hXSWvA8G-FIjXBrNMgc3BMQ6y5LDzwRfnhY-v_thPPgFipgO8LAoSRex8EwlLqBQTtXweVtxlNVwrxjpMt5BeU_XOzbE2C0Hv4zcsl8sz0pX-PFiZcO-a6-qAP3vgME4TF8J7YctxS/s1600/IMG_7751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifI8hXSWvA8G-FIjXBrNMgc3BMQ6y5LDzwRfnhY-v_thPPgFipgO8LAoSRex8EwlLqBQTtXweVtxlNVwrxjpMt5BeU_XOzbE2C0Hv4zcsl8sz0pX-PFiZcO-a6-qAP3vgME4TF8J7YctxS/s1600/IMG_7751.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />You'll notice a hole in the ceiling to the right. This is because we've decided to rip out the ceiling and replace it with fresh drywall, for a couple reasons. #1, the ceiling was sagging a bit where the hole is and we had to make sure there was nothing weird going on up there, and #2 (most importantly), we wanted to install recessed lighting and in ceiling speakers.<br /><br />The existing ceiling was made of this textured plywood paneling...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudcUVjmTNblunQNG7VzHi9u2puc6PArlrMehO5MQ22uxNtfYu-7s2YLyiCve0vFLWmhtTh3bHyhNOn3EhGrmZ0i4oBiakSHGZpkZBdIvH-dx854SExVtp7IbeMoeFdFxeZ4gZXqaIOFAm/s1600/IMG_7749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudcUVjmTNblunQNG7VzHi9u2puc6PArlrMehO5MQ22uxNtfYu-7s2YLyiCve0vFLWmhtTh3bHyhNOn3EhGrmZ0i4oBiakSHGZpkZBdIvH-dx854SExVtp7IbeMoeFdFxeZ4gZXqaIOFAm/s1600/IMG_7749.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />And it was wedged in between the trim and 2x4 beams, which made for a long Friday night of demo.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DH5er_XSUTxTYrsjeiICqvZAt9R6280o1029s2ek4fT8FXSq9OpWA5GA34m0P9m9JlgofjmzwnNC7rSf4lUKy19Cf7kratmRILuHfeMSl4a8ZWn6CjW3cIKvu8qaIr1TwQ8eRR_jbFnj/s1600/IMG_7757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DH5er_XSUTxTYrsjeiICqvZAt9R6280o1029s2ek4fT8FXSq9OpWA5GA34m0P9m9JlgofjmzwnNC7rSf4lUKy19Cf7kratmRILuHfeMSl4a8ZWn6CjW3cIKvu8qaIr1TwQ8eRR_jbFnj/s1600/IMG_7757.jpg" /></a></div><br />The aftermath:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2n8a3MDyjd5vsk5DIyl4NSgsP_EZcAerD7iOaN_RwkHTd4P6AcvOrMlgopcT-4bJqBcPMW9apXZIatxqVb-zl850W9Zd9Iimi0c5pm3yww787xXIelayV6v5n1miXhUnx8kpDZNlqCec/s1600/IMG_7759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2n8a3MDyjd5vsk5DIyl4NSgsP_EZcAerD7iOaN_RwkHTd4P6AcvOrMlgopcT-4bJqBcPMW9apXZIatxqVb-zl850W9Zd9Iimi0c5pm3yww787xXIelayV6v5n1miXhUnx8kpDZNlqCec/s640/IMG_7759.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Once the ceiling was gone, Brad ran the wiring for the new lights (there will be four—two on each side) and speakers (two—one on each side).<br /><br />This meant removing the existing speakers Brad had installed last year and rerouting the wires through the attic:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DUnGi2x1684LhyUb6StYCo_Gg2_1m80na8UNrOcxCOuY4K5KJF_lT7cZS8lvLq_VkDU1MZz704qb5mVrU58lbslS1QvfFud9740_maSHHYTzxd17-x6hnZTCmx-fT-MLi6afv1Vjs5To/s1600/IMG_4102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DUnGi2x1684LhyUb6StYCo_Gg2_1m80na8UNrOcxCOuY4K5KJF_lT7cZS8lvLq_VkDU1MZz704qb5mVrU58lbslS1QvfFud9740_maSHHYTzxd17-x6hnZTCmx-fT-MLi6afv1Vjs5To/s640/IMG_4102.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The only existing light source was from a single porch light, which was completely insufficient for this room. The sunroom was actually added on to the house; this wall used to be outside.<br /><br />Here's Brad rerouting the wires for the light from the old porch light box:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAywVKhZUUWYUa6NdMUBtBGx7PUu1xJBRPW1NaGKWme2dVodPLKSSRT3406qQpTUz0nAss6npi5X6GiDE4o2BTTq2dtbMYE-QPbfPJzi3l3a_5BrdTJGiBclzrxrNdLdGP_BKqk0cK5umF/s1600/IMG_7762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAywVKhZUUWYUa6NdMUBtBGx7PUu1xJBRPW1NaGKWme2dVodPLKSSRT3406qQpTUz0nAss6npi5X6GiDE4o2BTTq2dtbMYE-QPbfPJzi3l3a_5BrdTJGiBclzrxrNdLdGP_BKqk0cK5umF/s1600/IMG_7762.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Mid wiring shot:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bhDFGvlXznmrBFfRGsLuO9jJwmZoiPFu65s31tDvUrLlXDirUIGkPaIV0_lqj4izvi-2CG1KVkkmYXoDPmfDYw1QhWYV-je9o_VsLkqFSixYrfWj2DqT-P7JGmBwx-Z90m5k7aWipRr1/s1600/IMG_7764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bhDFGvlXznmrBFfRGsLuO9jJwmZoiPFu65s31tDvUrLlXDirUIGkPaIV0_lqj4izvi-2CG1KVkkmYXoDPmfDYw1QhWYV-je9o_VsLkqFSixYrfWj2DqT-P7JGmBwx-Z90m5k7aWipRr1/s1600/IMG_7764.jpg" /></a></div><br />I failed to take a picture with all of the wiring completed... but pretend there's some more wires up there. That's how it looks right now.<br /><br />We realized we also now have to add insulation and humidity/water proof drywall to finish the job. This will all be done next week.<br /><br />After browsing pinterest for sunroom inspiration, I've decided to skip the typical white ceiling and go with something a little more exciting...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache7.pinterest.com/upload/243827767295095593_SYOBCVk3_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache7.pinterest.com/upload/243827767295095593_SYOBCVk3_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/152207662376392618/" target="_blank">Source</a></em></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache9.pinterest.com/upload/64176363409521331_ISwtrVRP_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache9.pinterest.com/upload/64176363409521331_ISwtrVRP_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/152207662376392616/" target="_blank">Source</a></em></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache7.pinterest.com/upload/132293307773497311_tIsrSaGn_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache7.pinterest.com/upload/132293307773497311_tIsrSaGn_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/152207662376392621/" target="_blank">Source</a></em></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Blue ceiling, here I come!<br /><br />I think it will be the perfect pop of color it needs, considering the walls, curtains and beds will be white, and the floor will be gray... I wanted to give it something a bit unexpected. I was looking into stencils as well, which I may still consider after the paint goes up. We'll see!<br /><br /><br />And now for the console table project...<br /><br />Remember this table?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsO6Qcsp2Ti3oXWQZb72sbFWNqGA_3g8xQMGm2JMhzBTicGcCwNum829NB3n1Ax6XukoEgNSWK1zW3TOyJYbGRVwDdjrxQrKsJG77MIZeFe3QkrRQPLwdoMfNcX5SDGp2oDj3bGHrGq6E/s1600/IMG_7490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsO6Qcsp2Ti3oXWQZb72sbFWNqGA_3g8xQMGm2JMhzBTicGcCwNum829NB3n1Ax6XukoEgNSWK1zW3TOyJYbGRVwDdjrxQrKsJG77MIZeFe3QkrRQPLwdoMfNcX5SDGp2oDj3bGHrGq6E/s640/IMG_7490.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />My super talented Dad built it for me a few years ago for my birthday. At the time, it was the perfect fit in our tiny living room... <em>(see it on the right?)</em><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n571/jennasuedesign/Whitnall%20Hwy/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n571/jennasuedesign/Whitnall%20Hwy/12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />All of our furniture was black at the time, which does not have a place in our house now. It really was a lovely piece of furniture, but it just didn't feel right in our new home.<br /><br />I hauled it out into the garage to evaluate my options:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNHgftkFPRppEHGfUfdY18HBlYFS1inmP4suhMvQC0ZMHMpIocwVIIfYDKPGjcBQu43wWG1E3_MB54BZDvxfP5L7Nrpg1dbpgQefZCzMarhrh4eWvrx0aGNgfgs2sb-arRDhyphenhyphenlTiFRyCI/s1600/IMG_7737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNHgftkFPRppEHGfUfdY18HBlYFS1inmP4suhMvQC0ZMHMpIocwVIIfYDKPGjcBQu43wWG1E3_MB54BZDvxfP5L7Nrpg1dbpgQefZCzMarhrh4eWvrx0aGNgfgs2sb-arRDhyphenhyphenlTiFRyCI/s1600/IMG_7737.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvZF4cj1k0qFajNqUI51_BvHbxyk-o21evwdSrPYJyAZygRFdKByuxDxuVNUcS83eUdvUK56PRtUrsmOcr6YGjZ_Ejb2dbUQ65HcQisdbTDreHGDng2NfdccpCN83_uNORuRH4Zew9M7z/s1600/IMG_7738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvZF4cj1k0qFajNqUI51_BvHbxyk-o21evwdSrPYJyAZygRFdKByuxDxuVNUcS83eUdvUK56PRtUrsmOcr6YGjZ_Ejb2dbUQ65HcQisdbTDreHGDng2NfdccpCN83_uNORuRH4Zew9M7z/s1600/IMG_7738.jpg" /></a></div><br />Originally I had imaged a soft gray, weathered wood look that would be consistent with the style of the room. That meant I had to sand all the stain off first.<br /><br />Easier said than done, apparently...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYLDirsTnLlU24HMX5SbyXAeZaYHiNFeRGry3ucmMFVYpI3-NaMCC8SggKWh9B_mrtGgjf9X8blz13mlGy84zwOL_kItdzJW_uGq4_bYzm8YwneHm0kibj-siExDaN3_uRcQRv_aj_uNk/s1600/IMG_7739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYLDirsTnLlU24HMX5SbyXAeZaYHiNFeRGry3ucmMFVYpI3-NaMCC8SggKWh9B_mrtGgjf9X8blz13mlGy84zwOL_kItdzJW_uGq4_bYzm8YwneHm0kibj-siExDaN3_uRcQRv_aj_uNk/s1600/IMG_7739.jpg" /></a></div><br />I sanded until my hand went numb, but this stuff had really seeped into the grain (it's oak veneer, for those of you wondering).<br /><br />I decided to keep at it, hoping at the stain would lift eventually....<br /><br />but it did not.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3bLqME4VrgugZqoaklz3eheRJSjfK9DV1PwqsyNuUaOfYsYdsa9fQvFUL8zwKEVKIdxiqjo-4kBeRQQ0CNx4LBNnL6ZWu9P2GpW-Jft0ArgMORC3JaiwgNw659CZNz7VFMpRd85533M2/s1600/IMG_7753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3bLqME4VrgugZqoaklz3eheRJSjfK9DV1PwqsyNuUaOfYsYdsa9fQvFUL8zwKEVKIdxiqjo-4kBeRQQ0CNx4LBNnL6ZWu9P2GpW-Jft0ArgMORC3JaiwgNw659CZNz7VFMpRd85533M2/s640/IMG_7753.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I looked up ways to remove stain and discover that strong bleach can do the trick. I applied heavy duty Outdoor Bleach onto the wood and tried scrubbing it down, but no luck there.<br /><br />Determined to stick to my mission, I pinterested and googled ways to weather wood. I found some extremely helpful tutorials:<br /><br />From <a href="http://blueroofcabin.blogspot.com/2012/01/how-to-get-that-weathered-look.html" target="_blank">Blue Roof Cabin:</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vn52Tag0nbH7o0BwPh29BV61rizbthP4qQNwYlr8-eMj2V5-viS0LLRh2vtJIDUucRjgmCLvw1ciKnLu0Fe_RkvoDNQMcY2NjSUc8u8OUX3ShUlTfc-vy4cB-4vaCb8740XNrV0OX0U/s320/2012_01_16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vn52Tag0nbH7o0BwPh29BV61rizbthP4qQNwYlr8-eMj2V5-viS0LLRh2vtJIDUucRjgmCLvw1ciKnLu0Fe_RkvoDNQMcY2NjSUc8u8OUX3ShUlTfc-vy4cB-4vaCb8740XNrV0OX0U/s320/2012_01_16.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From <a href="http://frugalfarmhousedesign.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-make-new-wood-look-old.html" target="_blank">Frugal Farmhouse Design:</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VYgJrqbbh5I/TvN-4MYsk7I/AAAAAAAAD68/UVnA-9i-GnE/s400/DSC_0088_1978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VYgJrqbbh5I/TvN-4MYsk7I/AAAAAAAAD68/UVnA-9i-GnE/s400/DSC_0088_1978.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From <a href="ttp://www.sweetpickinsfurniture.com/2011/01/how-to-weather-new-wood.html" target="_blank">Sweet Pickins:</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMQIrdx74o_vxuYPXSS-cm3-kSgDtN8KU_T4JTxnqn3wm9H8bGI7yQmS4eXn7H6vaneARQV_0pQgKL8Qn21IAa3vD1EEMC16Ff4Vco0itUBUvBn8wQ4EL_1OBR-eZD0Y3PPQ-X1LAGut7/?imgmax=800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMQIrdx74o_vxuYPXSS-cm3-kSgDtN8KU_T4JTxnqn3wm9H8bGI7yQmS4eXn7H6vaneARQV_0pQgKL8Qn21IAa3vD1EEMC16Ff4Vco0itUBUvBn8wQ4EL_1OBR-eZD0Y3PPQ-X1LAGut7/?imgmax=800" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They all achieved the weathered look using simple household ingredients: tea, distilled vinegar, and steel wool.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I figured I had nothing to lose, so I gave it a whirl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First I soaked some #0000 steel wool in vinegar for 24 hours (I started with just a small amount to test)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrtgt7Llr5OlmmPqMW0zUky8dcdwpEkOzHnaWspt3hMukLLXXKckOdtHxdHVPekYDXqfs2QfH8js26J_pdW8lAC1bzx-xoHEtA-8G4KB_ZwfqCBHX8c8Dt577sHqF7D6bahY5eQjBPJ29/s1600/IMG_7754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrtgt7Llr5OlmmPqMW0zUky8dcdwpEkOzHnaWspt3hMukLLXXKckOdtHxdHVPekYDXqfs2QfH8js26J_pdW8lAC1bzx-xoHEtA-8G4KB_ZwfqCBHX8c8Dt577sHqF7D6bahY5eQjBPJ29/s640/IMG_7754.jpg" width="449" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the 24 hours had passed, I prepared some tea (any kind will do) and set it in a jar next to my steel wool vinegar mixture. Only a small bit of the steel wool had dissolved, so I wasn't sure if it was going to work.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5o2CAjTHCE2aeB8MNjYxlo7s71FeGn6n3ep7uwQQchLiuBsmBgoTKEXXWr731HSAfg4cmd5Vj7psQXtri-nDw8-CaLdKNvQ068QWah1aSbWHcS8wJXvZ4o6RcQ0gD5In3GiUwK7QknL-6/s1600/IMG_7766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5o2CAjTHCE2aeB8MNjYxlo7s71FeGn6n3ep7uwQQchLiuBsmBgoTKEXXWr731HSAfg4cmd5Vj7psQXtri-nDw8-CaLdKNvQ068QWah1aSbWHcS8wJXvZ4o6RcQ0gD5In3GiUwK7QknL-6/s1600/IMG_7766.jpg" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I brushed the tea on and let it dry for a few hours. Then I came back and brushed the vinegar mixture on:</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5EXQEaqA-wu1dWJGFr1B-MYOV4KQ55FL9W4iUiPktSnUBkNc3aLWqCceD0re8YUv9PlENJsJSrVQIGDm79sMj8C6lsYrcuYSBYMOl7cXILce4fp2TPZ9WozBpHIggY7fezrEy7yJK3Ri/s1600/IMG_7769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5EXQEaqA-wu1dWJGFr1B-MYOV4KQ55FL9W4iUiPktSnUBkNc3aLWqCceD0re8YUv9PlENJsJSrVQIGDm79sMj8C6lsYrcuYSBYMOl7cXILce4fp2TPZ9WozBpHIggY7fezrEy7yJK3Ri/s640/IMG_7769.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nothing happened instantly, but when I came back a few hours later....</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2TZSDuGzgNhdn4msm4nHrIpfFlsHRhzwPb5kiFaZA4b_nfRpBnqFZHZIF-hMc8p51uimcnq1YwYdMAER8JHfIPte2w9RuanuJkz4DJR_S_v9BWSLRSe-ccz6YtY_fH2p1IEF84bUV9Uz/s1600/IMG_7770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2TZSDuGzgNhdn4msm4nHrIpfFlsHRhzwPb5kiFaZA4b_nfRpBnqFZHZIF-hMc8p51uimcnq1YwYdMAER8JHfIPte2w9RuanuJkz4DJR_S_v9BWSLRSe-ccz6YtY_fH2p1IEF84bUV9Uz/s640/IMG_7770.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was BLACK.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes, the science experiment had worked—a little too well. </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The other side where I had spent the most time sanding was a bit lighter:</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCGCm8kcAPH3uksvWhb2d1-mJP7ev0vafZGKhuv2O7m7nWgLI8lmsCwEALTSrkBmX5IuXJgxc98ctKLldMbC8gOer-yt77kP1zLPJ1I1NxMmdReSeuM1ExRREyu3xkMKy_Qu1OHmkO6-A/s1600/IMG_7771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCGCm8kcAPH3uksvWhb2d1-mJP7ev0vafZGKhuv2O7m7nWgLI8lmsCwEALTSrkBmX5IuXJgxc98ctKLldMbC8gOer-yt77kP1zLPJ1I1NxMmdReSeuM1ExRREyu3xkMKy_Qu1OHmkO6-A/s640/IMG_7771.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It definitely achieved the 'gray' effect, just much darker than I was expecting. I read in one of the comments on the other tutorials that certain woods react better with this process—oak being one of them. For those of you with oak wood looking to try this at home, I might skip the tea step (it simply helps speed the process up), and I'd use a sponge to lightly apply the mixture (rather than paint brush it on like I did).</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While the experiment did 'work', it didn't work the way I needed to, so I tried sanding it down to make it lighter. That did nothing at all.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Even at this point, I wasn't quite ready to let my vision go... so I turned to my last resort.<br /><br />Someone had mentioned using a baking soda + water scrub to bleach/weather their wood, so I gave that a try....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVAk8begqfWM9vh3Kw9prPMtlFWQ_THPkJQPH92tm1NTKujUZsO3UVLylYXXQ-jzx1-C0EDbLXW7KW4Y4hHrbaK_7QI5RTgRdtwQ2sW9Bcu2JH_kMnawDyuBCP07FvAgGafjkDpWTgl27/s1600/IMG_7772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVAk8begqfWM9vh3Kw9prPMtlFWQ_THPkJQPH92tm1NTKujUZsO3UVLylYXXQ-jzx1-C0EDbLXW7KW4Y4hHrbaK_7QI5RTgRdtwQ2sW9Bcu2JH_kMnawDyuBCP07FvAgGafjkDpWTgl27/s1600/IMG_7772.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-JdBSMBndEE0xFpIiRlRnC5WI61ykPWdq3XViawbYzg55I2h92go7TD_eJ7aTwesvCMgwAa9BSjsxqC4zWenhcDH5F-A6XFv0vIPrZCATGxkI9HzZ5AvWN8h9vyOQsuspZZPPwSD2O01/s1600/IMG_7773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-JdBSMBndEE0xFpIiRlRnC5WI61ykPWdq3XViawbYzg55I2h92go7TD_eJ7aTwesvCMgwAa9BSjsxqC4zWenhcDH5F-A6XFv0vIPrZCATGxkI9HzZ5AvWN8h9vyOQsuspZZPPwSD2O01/s640/IMG_7773.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5o2CAjTHCE2aeB8MNjYxlo7s71FeGn6n3ep7uwQQchLiuBsmBgoTKEXXWr731HSAfg4cmd5Vj7psQXtri-nDw8-CaLdKNvQ068QWah1aSbWHcS8wJXvZ4o6RcQ0gD5In3GiUwK7QknL-6/s1600/IMG_7766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Fail. It just turned almost a reddish color. Once you apply the vinegar, I guess it stains the wood for good.<br /><br />With all of my methods exhausted, I decided to let it go and move to plan B: Painting.<br /><br />That meant I had to weigh my options... white is always the default, but I have a white (er, off-white) mirror sitting right next to it, plus a white frame that will soon be hanging above it. White was out. <br /><br />I feared that any shade in the gray/brown family would clash with the taupe walls (it would also be a bit boring). <br /><br />I wasn't sold on introducing a new color to the room... as that requires other changes to be made.<br />The obvious answer...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hpRNWzxA2sXbZ1-zfp9305CTdxheHfAH72sTdJTh_GdciPW2wOq0zhGh016jVSez_K_Ei3qYM-AUpvUbpVPr7DTdYkKWkcdA8wnAThvkj04hO7tynifTYE8YkXdhlrJRwSirVACURYgq/s1600/IMG_7774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hpRNWzxA2sXbZ1-zfp9305CTdxheHfAH72sTdJTh_GdciPW2wOq0zhGh016jVSez_K_Ei3qYM-AUpvUbpVPr7DTdYkKWkcdA8wnAThvkj04hO7tynifTYE8YkXdhlrJRwSirVACURYgq/s1600/IMG_7774.jpg" /></a></div><br />Yep, it's blue. I can't help myself.<br /><br />This particular shade is Glidden's "Sea Spray", used on my Tea Time sign and metal flower bucket in the kitchen (it was mixed with white here):<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguVckJzQV0YnYe3IiTZceenzvuUa_33fh-xaiiFkHxol2QUb1Ut5Uf5W8wuF_deFM8LRAiQlhHCc_tYuBLndOuJCBJf6zsPzdHWbkt1OtX20fz_EfGkjJsZi1QU8EG124ejgI7cbF1O14/s1600/IMG_7304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguVckJzQV0YnYe3IiTZceenzvuUa_33fh-xaiiFkHxol2QUb1Ut5Uf5W8wuF_deFM8LRAiQlhHCc_tYuBLndOuJCBJf6zsPzdHWbkt1OtX20fz_EfGkjJsZi1QU8EG124ejgI7cbF1O14/s640/IMG_7304.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Instead of painting it a solid blue, I wanted to hang on to at least some of the qualities of the weathered wood I had dreamed of for the table in the beginning—so I went with a thinner coat that still shows some of the grain through it, with a touch of distressing on the edges.<br /><br />Here's coat #1:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8QMv3Woh_6BydMiY35HSKSpo2tMWbwgH551x1VoJ1hTnEgRW6ybRwqlsTsQ4l44bD3gfiV8PdJKyHgrUnb8pML1lEEer2n_eLE0E5yXsqtB_KvYSz7eQokLw5TbeSItiJqy-Nf3n-H6E/s1600/IMG_7777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8QMv3Woh_6BydMiY35HSKSpo2tMWbwgH551x1VoJ1hTnEgRW6ybRwqlsTsQ4l44bD3gfiV8PdJKyHgrUnb8pML1lEEer2n_eLE0E5yXsqtB_KvYSz7eQokLw5TbeSItiJqy-Nf3n-H6E/s1600/IMG_7777.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Coat #2:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHt_Us_HZRT7v2Hl7hiTTUxeBD23mXmXUuxdnfURp_T4v17s4leGsa02CpGwjr_J8De2xuchNzDt5cdaDZh2FfBJyag7M14pwMJkqyU8zFgmd868vPddxtxnbp5ibM-jc0xzcdzhMcd8bn/s1600/IMG_7785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHt_Us_HZRT7v2Hl7hiTTUxeBD23mXmXUuxdnfURp_T4v17s4leGsa02CpGwjr_J8De2xuchNzDt5cdaDZh2FfBJyag7M14pwMJkqyU8zFgmd868vPddxtxnbp5ibM-jc0xzcdzhMcd8bn/s640/IMG_7785.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I gave it a light sanding after coat #2, made a few touch-ups, and sealed with Polycrylic.<br /><br />Hard to tell with this camera, but here's a close up of the detail:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILy8mSIxbQKwv9jibN81lz1-2XjfQdInl0PhqMj7SYEVSWkWRkwDpwXNWE1Zsp00E3GvTPhCwMbRf-LplgPpTkCw-mbmlJESVBTBb5VjyJUQxnukLS4Ptf6rEnVAZuONdgZfCm0XP_01h/s1600/IMG_7781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILy8mSIxbQKwv9jibN81lz1-2XjfQdInl0PhqMj7SYEVSWkWRkwDpwXNWE1Zsp00E3GvTPhCwMbRf-LplgPpTkCw-mbmlJESVBTBb5VjyJUQxnukLS4Ptf6rEnVAZuONdgZfCm0XP_01h/s640/IMG_7781.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Fc3BQcZh5TrpZidzni3jc2M-SPlMdvQ6J7z_LB_Ihwr-L51T8vfbmWYsbQZCMTl0jel_QbuRULDXXXTzeFr9Tv9QKdCm7QdH8PlFC-PbWS1fou2h5L-AN-iyoPLIDsMTLQA5_XLnkr7g/s1600/IMG_7783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Fc3BQcZh5TrpZidzni3jc2M-SPlMdvQ6J7z_LB_Ihwr-L51T8vfbmWYsbQZCMTl0jel_QbuRULDXXXTzeFr9Tv9QKdCm7QdH8PlFC-PbWS1fou2h5L-AN-iyoPLIDsMTLQA5_XLnkr7g/s1600/IMG_7783.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />It looks white in these pictures, but trust me when I say it's very blue. I'm a actually little worried that it will be *too* blue when it fully cures.... but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.<br /><br />It's currently drying/curing in the garage, so I'd expect to have it back in the house mid next week. Then I'll hang my new art, work on some of the table accessories, and be back with an After shot.<br /><br />I'm still planning on building that ladder I photoshopped in earlier, and I'm quite excited about it...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwvzHvjyPVqS3450jRm3X642hyr5DQmWWvBPcsuGWezn_5N085tAevZ-pHN2xZAZ0dwP0HkZKMVG0q7SUKlGyDIqYuWL6i9EINLqpzIVGlqO7bBp7Mcrni1mVz7jE1EVNTQb4xpy1Pijl/s1600/After3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwvzHvjyPVqS3450jRm3X642hyr5DQmWWvBPcsuGWezn_5N085tAevZ-pHN2xZAZ0dwP0HkZKMVG0q7SUKlGyDIqYuWL6i9EINLqpzIVGlqO7bBp7Mcrni1mVz7jE1EVNTQb4xpy1Pijl/s640/After3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Btw, I changed the color of the blue map art to a darker taupe. No clashing with the table!</em></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I was originally going to paint the ladder blue, but now that there will be a blue table in the picture, I might just revisit the weathered wood technique. Hopefully it works as planned this time!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>

Sunroom Progress + DIY Weathered Wood

Let's start with the sunroom. Last week I posted the official, messy, cluttered sunroom "Before" pictures. Here it is again, a...

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