Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes & Gravy | Dinner Idea

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-Z81hVpaSmI6bJQVanZT_ja-MM78myP-fh0ts5t6MPlt6gfJvo9ku1X2NZf4JRXpS8XqcfD3worqmlZ3T5NP6BqV3WZFicVMmrommyZxozibjRB4viBzl5Q0wFxbTR6R8I7mA6x8ulaT/s1600/IMG_6598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-Z81hVpaSmI6bJQVanZT_ja-MM78myP-fh0ts5t6MPlt6gfJvo9ku1X2NZf4JRXpS8XqcfD3worqmlZ3T5NP6BqV3WZFicVMmrommyZxozibjRB4viBzl5Q0wFxbTR6R8I7mA6x8ulaT/s640/IMG_6598.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><i><br /></i><i>We've just arrived home from <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/02/seaside-instagram-update.html">our vacation in Seaside</a>... to 1ft + of snow!  Tomorrow, I can't wait to snuggle into our house and cook a comforting dinner... something that will cook all day long and make the house smell delicious.   I thought I'd re-share one of my favorite cozy snow day recipes with you, while I buy myself a little time editing and writing about our vacation (and finishing the cafe curtains for our Bathroom refresh).  </i><br /><br /><i>.......... </i><br /><br />Pot Roast.  You may have good or bad feelings associated with this recipe... maybe you were used to dried out, flavorless versions at your Grandma's, or maybe you have fond memories of the house filled with the wonderful aromas of roasting beef and onions on Sunday afternoons, like me.  If you haven't tried a Pot Roast recipe for yourself, you should.  It really is a treat... especially this version with a cup of red wine.  If you are feeling gourmet-ish, you can add some sprigs of thyme or rosemary.  <br /><br />It is a great recipe to make on Sunday afternoon - the house smells wonderful the entire day, I can use a glass of wine leftover from dinner on Saturday night, and the leftover roast makes great sandwiches on Monday.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Pot Roast </span><br /><i>with Mashed Potatoes & Gravy</i><br /><br /><i>New! <a href="http://mad.ly/signups/118273/join"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8;">Printable Recipes</span>, here.</a></i><br /><br />2-3 pound Chuck Roast<br />salt & pepper<br />1 cup of red wine<br />2 cups of beef broth<br />1 yellow onion <br />3 carrots, sliced<br />1 cup of mushrooms, halved<br />...... <br />2 pounds of red potatoes<br />4 tablespoons of butter (1/2 stick)<br />1/4 cup of sour cream<br />......<br />2 tablespoons of flour<br /><br />Pat the chuck roast with a paper towel, then coat it in salt & pepper.  Heat a large dutch oven (I use my Staub, but your can use another stove-top & oven-safe pan) over high heat for 1 minute.  Sear each side of the chuck roast for 2-3 minutes, browning it on each side.  When all sides are browned, add red wine and beef broth to the pan with the beef.  Quarter the onion, then put it in the pot with the beef, wine and stock.<br /><br />Roast covered in a 250 degree oven for 5-6 hours, until the beef pulls apart easily.  Add the mushrooms and carrots into the pot, then roast for 30 more minutes.<br /><br />Cut the potatoes in quarters and put them in a large pot filled with water.  Boil the potatoes until fork tender, about 10-15 minutes.  Drain the potatoes, the pour them into a KitchenAid mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.  Add butter and sour cream.  Turn the mixer on low, and continue stirring until the potatoes mash up.  Salt and pepper to taste.  If you need to keep them warm, place them in an oven safe dish covered with foil and keep at 250 degrees until you are ready to serve.<br /><br />Remove the roast from the oven.  Remove the meat from the pan and set it aside, cover with foil.  Place the dutch oven with the onions, carrots, mushrooms, wine and drippings on the stove over medium heat.  Whisk in the flour until smooth.  You may need to add more flour if you'd like a thicker gravy.  Heat for 3-5 minutes until it thickens and is bubbly.  <br /><br />Add roast back into the gravy and vegetables.  Serve with warm mashed potatoes.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLzQK59vA_GHnq4gRm1Mm60VKyPE6OfnE_uBhp5L9OJ43apa7Ke9RysIHZPd-_Vurh_Fff5C6mkcXzr50olL2IzN31J4tgVLLYS5o1YjkXeWPLFh1JI1gVwVXeWwY-iwsObAvNAXmGE9k/s1600/IMG_6602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLzQK59vA_GHnq4gRm1Mm60VKyPE6OfnE_uBhp5L9OJ43apa7Ke9RysIHZPd-_Vurh_Fff5C6mkcXzr50olL2IzN31J4tgVLLYS5o1YjkXeWPLFh1JI1gVwVXeWwY-iwsObAvNAXmGE9k/s640/IMG_6602.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;"></div><br /><a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000000032346171&pubid=21000000000393866"><img alt="Williams-Sonoma Brand Banner" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000000032346171&pubid=21000000000393866" /></a>

Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes & Gravy | Dinner Idea

We've just arrived home from our vacation in Seaside ... to 1ft + of snow!  Tomorrow, I can't wait to snuggle into our house and coo...

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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well hello there.</div><br />After a nearly month long hiatus (where has the time gone?!) I'm stopping in for an update.<br /><br />Brad and I have been doing a lot of thinking lately—discussing some important issues, making big decisions. One of these decisions is our housing situation.<br /><br />We've been considering moving back to California to be closer to my family for quite some time. Visiting them once or twice a year really isn't enough... it's difficult. Very tough on my parents. But we love Florida... we love our friends, our home, the weather, places to go, cost of living... everything. We are happy here.<br /><br />In the end, we decided to stay here for now.<br /><br />With that decision comes sacrifice, however. My business is expanding, and our house isn't. We need more space.<br /><br />As much as I'd love to start house hunting for the perfect new home with everything we need, it just wouldn't make sense for us to buy another house with our future living situation up in the air.<br /><br />So we're working with what we've got—time to get creative. Here's the problem: I need a new printer. Not just a printer... but a <i>printer</i>:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.inktechnologies.com/Content/ProductImages/Images/CategoryImages/Epson/Epson-Stylus-Pro-9890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.inktechnologies.com/Content/ProductImages/Images/CategoryImages/Epson/Epson-Stylus-Pro-9890.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />My tiny office is already bursting at the seams, so there's absolutely no room for this 74" wide beast of a machine.<br /><br />I suppose I could pay $700 a month and rent a studio somewhere for my office space, but that arrangement just isn't for me. There are times when things come up at night and I need to be at my printer to take care of rush orders, for example. I need to be able to easily access my equipment for my own sanity. And also, I just love being at home, and I worked hard to get here so I should be able to enjoy that freedom.<br /><br />While racking my brain trying to come up with a solution, Brad suggested we switch our master bedroom and office spaces.<br /><br />So this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GcE8PQJcGbWR4-C7tKJAqlvER56DhyphenhyphenEGFBI29Dj6TD4ikQbvDJFJ1SgHQOXvJyeqSV1iZYcbwtNGm6rML1hz9ToZjnUf-En2hL2cOMG4a1vVtZeA-C7IY-NMr79Ce8Y5vy7lU14VHa29/s1600/IMG_8547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GcE8PQJcGbWR4-C7tKJAqlvER56DhyphenhyphenEGFBI29Dj6TD4ikQbvDJFJ1SgHQOXvJyeqSV1iZYcbwtNGm6rML1hz9ToZjnUf-En2hL2cOMG4a1vVtZeA-C7IY-NMr79Ce8Y5vy7lU14VHa29/s640/IMG_8547.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />would become this:<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/AVvXsEhE5SG8VWN9C6E_vSwTQRwP-G6YCjSmg6Ohtl458SWUeZsuwpLun2eh7oz5bJpsn4-TWon8kIBE8eXdOq-Gt1QjIU8JTlc-xwi8XTeEKL6sAFkx3m56W7uGOnkD4OT6aipTCp4jwz7NLjDz/s1600/IMG_8835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5SG8VWN9C6E_vSwTQRwP-G6YCjSmg6Ohtl458SWUeZsuwpLun2eh7oz5bJpsn4-TWon8kIBE8eXdOq-Gt1QjIU8JTlc-xwi8XTeEKL6sAFkx3m56W7uGOnkD4OT6aipTCp4jwz7NLjDz/s1600/IMG_8835.jpg" /></a></div><br />and vice versa.<br /><br />Sounds kinda crazy... especially considering our master closet and bathroom is attached to our room, but you gotta do what you gotta do, right?<br /><br />Luckily, our master bedroom is just the right size to comfortably fit everything I need for the office.<br /><br />Here's the plan:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTSqcLXufPX7YiKHt9gDIR2fj23KG0OkJ6kAL2uRa9F5MEAp-Wo_xe5m6rrjKXkm5WEj3fMME0lUlKaWeKWa0hffRNciTuRjhbFJp0zZvCF9OWlmAM7hFejY-NHBI7qKvEXyjgwVFH16N/s1600/Office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTSqcLXufPX7YiKHt9gDIR2fj23KG0OkJ6kAL2uRa9F5MEAp-Wo_xe5m6rrjKXkm5WEj3fMME0lUlKaWeKWa0hffRNciTuRjhbFJp0zZvCF9OWlmAM7hFejY-NHBI7qKvEXyjgwVFH16N/s1600/Office.jpg" /></a></div>Note: these aren't the exact proportions, it's just a visual representation.<br /><br />One major thing lacking from my current office is desk space, especially since now I'll be printing my own posters.<br /><br />I currently have three of these <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S19917874/#/S99903726" target="_blank">Vika</a> desks from Ikea:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/vika-amon-vika-adils-table__0148731_PE307024_S4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/vika-amon-vika-adils-table__0148731_PE307024_S4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are great, but unfortunately they don't have anything wider than 30". The solution? Get two of these longer ones and put them side by side:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/vika-amon-vika-adils-table__0148732_PE307025_S4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/vika-amon-vika-adils-table__0148732_PE307025_S4.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll be covering the surface with a large cutting mat so it should be like having one seamless table top.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The two long desks will be sandwiched between two of my existing shorter desks, which will be up against the back wall. After measuring, there is just enough clearance (literally within an inch or so) for the desks to clear the doorway going into the bathroom. Whew.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the opposite wall will be the printer. It will be where the TV and bench is now:</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/AVvXsEg2a2xEOyow6sVr-xOkhrCiy2gYkGyw41MQ_coGy5OJaf7s9BvoAuL-B2_E2rh106tmPvKl4bagA76BRK-cn6ZXJ46bUtSlIsz3caT2-NMzH1aNabs-Cclb53XOD7gHacwmf8WXGrPL6vSF/s1600/C-_Users_Jenna_Desktop_IMG_8148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2a2xEOyow6sVr-xOkhrCiy2gYkGyw41MQ_coGy5OJaf7s9BvoAuL-B2_E2rh106tmPvKl4bagA76BRK-cn6ZXJ46bUtSlIsz3caT2-NMzH1aNabs-Cclb53XOD7gHacwmf8WXGrPL6vSF/s1600/C-_Users_Jenna_Desktop_IMG_8148.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We're not sure yet if we'll be able to keep the TV... the printer comes just below it (within an inch or two) so it will be close. But I'd like to keep it if possible.</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;">Then, on this wall will be storage:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></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/AVvXsEhP676SLXNrHkOp0Qj_qhl_YOzUMldW8sB20Jm__q8SzUPkTSdm8jfAWMkMWQx27wO8G06WWK1SpsdPmhWntdLL0JB4Xv_4lYMCT_cCvZpt4U0ZGcSmB8Fh4l2UISPLTKhf2YyxLjwmGUDc/s1600/IMG_6177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP676SLXNrHkOp0Qj_qhl_YOzUMldW8sB20Jm__q8SzUPkTSdm8jfAWMkMWQx27wO8G06WWK1SpsdPmhWntdLL0JB4Xv_4lYMCT_cCvZpt4U0ZGcSmB8Fh4l2UISPLTKhf2YyxLjwmGUDc/s640/IMG_6177.jpg" 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;">Don't mind the old photo when I was painting the dresser, this is just the best one I could find that shows the whole wall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For my storage solution, I decided upon three of these <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50214678/" target="_blank">Vittsjo</a><span id="goog_1286656957"></span><span id="goog_1286656958"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a> shelving units from Ikea:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/vittsjo-shelving-unit__0135351_PE292042_S4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/vittsjo-shelving-unit__0135351_PE292042_S4.JPG" /></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;">Except I would love to transform it into something that better fits the style of the room, like <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2012/07/ikea-shelving-modified/" target="_blank">Kate</a> did:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1c6162ac207f6525cfd8-84665c880233094a565668f32cb79f8e.r10.cf2.rackcdn.com/2012/07/vittsjo-shelving-ikea-hack1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1c6162ac207f6525cfd8-84665c880233094a565668f32cb79f8e.r10.cf2.rackcdn.com/2012/07/vittsjo-shelving-ikea-hack1.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;">The dimensions are perfect for all of my supplies (don't you love when that happens?) and the price is right, so I'm excited about getting to work on that one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As for the rest of my existing office setup, I'll still be hanging my wall cabinet above my desks on the back wall, and these shelf ledges will be next to it:</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/AVvXsEhaOCUddAULxmVLlNChHUEcfo5Nl3FOUmY28Ld6y13keaK1YZWOYzwggVYlM33Wbg5MoeQ-FeNGVDYFWww_NnT3ej86CLrOEmE4771FBoh3ou-40UOHtBqzJ4TcwGA_51lr8CpReRgRbSwh/s1600/IMG_4082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="463" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOCUddAULxmVLlNChHUEcfo5Nl3FOUmY28Ld6y13keaK1YZWOYzwggVYlM33Wbg5MoeQ-FeNGVDYFWww_NnT3ej86CLrOEmE4771FBoh3ou-40UOHtBqzJ4TcwGA_51lr8CpReRgRbSwh/s640/IMG_4082.jpg" 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;">Of course I'll still need a rug, and I'll figure out all the rest of the details as I go along. Can you start to visualize it yet?</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;">Let's move on to our new bedroom.</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/AVvXsEhYJMVYtW2Sffqr9liGiBEjQBt3uCWmtJNUj-W_IIfsllUDx0FBjAbiZN5brlBrCyn4O75G0pBhdUo0jvaWChsGh9tmlO1FzfM_lUn5_ONSpAqCFyGB1lSVIkHLKNPJFAHNKI7-NCPFBcLH/s1600/BEDROOM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJMVYtW2Sffqr9liGiBEjQBt3uCWmtJNUj-W_IIfsllUDx0FBjAbiZN5brlBrCyn4O75G0pBhdUo0jvaWChsGh9tmlO1FzfM_lUn5_ONSpAqCFyGB1lSVIkHLKNPJFAHNKI7-NCPFBcLH/s1600/BEDROOM.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yep... this one is going to be cramped with our King bed—or as I like to think of it, "cozy". Cottage Cozy is the decided theme, and I am definitely the most excited about this room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's my inspiration:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><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-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/65/bb/e3/65bbe3c14cb3d819450f1df9591814fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/65/bb/e3/65bbe3c14cb3d819450f1df9591814fb.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/152207662378622224/" target="_blank">Source</a><br /><br /><br /></i></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-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550x/f1/13/de/f113de514fb5803e4fc39f9ca4e87c5c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550x/f1/13/de/f113de514fb5803e4fc39f9ca4e87c5c.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/152207662378629316/" target="_blank">Source</a><br /><br /><br /></i></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-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/97/29/42/972942519bd8587499df155a11addf59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/97/29/42/972942519bd8587499df155a11addf59.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/152207662378502872/" target="_blank">Source</a></i></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-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/550x/eb/bb/f8/ebbbf8ccd137cb042c845ef1184b052c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/550x/eb/bb/f8/ebbbf8ccd137cb042c845ef1184b052c.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/152207662377084860/" target="_blank">Source</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><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-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/03/0d/bd/030dbd06201fa932f3c49121dc4680cb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/03/0d/bd/030dbd06201fa932f3c49121dc4680cb.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/152207662378454296/" target="_blank">Source</a><br /><br /></i><i><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Notice anything absent from these photos? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Turquoise.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yep, I'm stepping out of my color bubble and trying something new: navy. Less beach house cottage, more lake house cabin, if you will. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The walls will be a nice medium gray, something along the lines of this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><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-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550x/89/c9/54/89c95421267e6a2b04ad14a1d89447a6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550x/89/c9/54/89c95421267e6a2b04ad14a1d89447a6.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/152207662378650971/" target="_blank">Source</a><br /><br /><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And, my favorite part, something I've been dying to do for a long time now...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><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-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/550x/de/25/38/de253819d2f3fc27b5ea5bcf111f10a8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/550x/de/25/38/de253819d2f3fc27b5ea5bcf111f10a8.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/search/?query=wall+cabinet&pageNumber=2" target="_blank">Source</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A plank wall! It will be an accent wall behind the bed and the focal point in the room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm also going to have to figure out what to do with this closet...</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/AVvXsEjvpgW7IArO9U_bev6NOURl3qA7ON43FYgNxDgYe9lrWEF2Yw4dSM_n5XPtUQ-uaIXNdTQOQRq3OW-KZCbenazoUIavpW-liN9sbvBvrmhfewqTnM3xF6v3p7cWtAV8EhBrKx-aJ-zg6RRQ/s1600/IMG_4572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpgW7IArO9U_bev6NOURl3qA7ON43FYgNxDgYe9lrWEF2Yw4dSM_n5XPtUQ-uaIXNdTQOQRq3OW-KZCbenazoUIavpW-liN9sbvBvrmhfewqTnM3xF6v3p7cWtAV8EhBrKx-aJ-zg6RRQ/s640/IMG_4572.jpg" width="439" /></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;">I won't need it for any of my office supplies, and we already have a walk in for all of our clothing, so I'll have to figure out something to store in there. The pistachio green paint will also be replaced with a deeper gray, and I'm thinking navy and white striped curtains.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To introduce more navy into the room, I'm looking into new bedding and pillow options. We will be keeping the jute rug that's currently under our bed since it's a perfect fit, and it will also tie into the natural bamboo roman window shade:</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/AVvXsEjiBqGm3kI9HiA5xJi-9kbBrCaGSf6Ut5YBG-Q2-xPrnlWwm68B0vG51TbpqF1VrftM1sBXtIg_Gimgmv30U4YL9fihQTC7ZBkVB6TdfMLjR2x14pu_4IiffVUwC8Ksy8TVUeauxMPijI8z/s1600/office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBqGm3kI9HiA5xJi-9kbBrCaGSf6Ut5YBG-Q2-xPrnlWwm68B0vG51TbpqF1VrftM1sBXtIg_Gimgmv30U4YL9fihQTC7ZBkVB6TdfMLjR2x14pu_4IiffVUwC8Ksy8TVUeauxMPijI8z/s640/office.jpg" 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;">Speaking of that window, it's basic builder grade right now framed in drywall, so I want to add some character with crisp white trim. And on that note... I'd like to try an alternative crown molding technique that doesn't require any sort of crazy cuts. Molding and trim just really transform a room and makes it look finished, don't you agree?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the window wall where the file cabinet is, I was thinking a simple black and white square gallery wall would look nice:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><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-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/e4/66/a5/e466a5131ea93d0d7eaae18704c3fd93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/e4/66/a5/e466a5131ea93d0d7eaae18704c3fd93.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/152207662376863361/" target="_blank">Source</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have an idea in mind to accomplish this very inexpensively... so we'll see how it goes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's about as far as I've thought it through for now. I'm sure I'll find more ideas/inspiration as I go along. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This seems like quite a lot to tackle, but we're going to have to get all of the prep, paint, trim and panel wall in our new bedroom completed as quickly as possible so I can get my office space set back up without a delay in my workflow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Luckily, my little sister is flying in and staying with us for a couple weeks in early March, so I'll have some extra help. It will be a fun bonding experience ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm road tripping to Ikea within the next few days to collect all of my materials, and then it's game on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll check back in as soon as progress is made!</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/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><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>

What's next...

Well hello there. After a nearly month long hiatus (where has the time gone?!) I'm stopping in for an update. Brad and I have been doing...

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Seaside Instagram Update

<br /><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://badgeplz.com/instagram/?u=jennysteffenshobick&t=c&bgclr=f6g6f6&brclr=cccccc&px=3&py=2&pb=5&brds=5&incls=y&svc=instagram&pbclr=ffffff&sze=150" style="border: none; height: 444px; overflow: hidden; width: 515px;"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Just in case you are not on instagram, here's what you're missing...  <br /><br />Follow me at <a href="http://instagram.com/jennysteffenshobick">http://instagram.com/jennysteffenshobick</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwi14Y0N3NgMaY7ba6n49C1p6wB2UfxRKvZ0y6I_ECH4ePje0Oppz_1Z4tBmK3Brdl7yIvfE1h_LUvdXYtHiLGyD0u1kcVBROo_5SqIraxVfkTC9_5Ewr4JSWGPgQK8GqQ_MWrgza_zGM/s1600/IMG_0982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwi14Y0N3NgMaY7ba6n49C1p6wB2UfxRKvZ0y6I_ECH4ePje0Oppz_1Z4tBmK3Brdl7yIvfE1h_LUvdXYtHiLGyD0u1kcVBROo_5SqIraxVfkTC9_5Ewr4JSWGPgQK8GqQ_MWrgza_zGM/s640/IMG_0982.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>Here are some of my favorite photos so far... we're hoping for more sun and sand tomorrow! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkfgd5k2Pu_eje5mp0oUr-PB53ZsL5lB_KSBGYel2CLGkzwlmyQBYsy768ufJVDOY0aJMshFjtCmzGzjB4IFbgN6ReR4rklG5zlWO3amsYS5RhZublOa1gUV2_bt_UZeE5sHGUaeS1jA/s1600/IMG_1069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkfgd5k2Pu_eje5mp0oUr-PB53ZsL5lB_KSBGYel2CLGkzwlmyQBYsy768ufJVDOY0aJMshFjtCmzGzjB4IFbgN6ReR4rklG5zlWO3amsYS5RhZublOa1gUV2_bt_UZeE5sHGUaeS1jA/s640/IMG_1069.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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFJ0NMf5xnt18g3KErbgiMcL9-pWAQ50C6CSTEKFRHsmfyOclmwSqWLnoM67IrHw6yQPxh-Wta8rUQAt0FyqNIV0p-duGzIo4nj3lwVZYV_RVWJiakbKCg4HhU9amE2I81kXl_oEDo8U/s1600/IMG_1060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFJ0NMf5xnt18g3KErbgiMcL9-pWAQ50C6CSTEKFRHsmfyOclmwSqWLnoM67IrHw6yQPxh-Wta8rUQAt0FyqNIV0p-duGzIo4nj3lwVZYV_RVWJiakbKCg4HhU9amE2I81kXl_oEDo8U/s640/IMG_1060.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRtyLEVJ5OG2wp3Tl699w2ZOw1ffozxiDmn8HwNjd-DHujpkI4FPiB-AYXF0pjUHX9Obu1vYBTy07nnZoZLC8CS4y1M6At3Rs01HGnjQSDhBi_WpNLepJhiQexMdbkQIRAcaefMNvyGY/s1600/IMG_1087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRtyLEVJ5OG2wp3Tl699w2ZOw1ffozxiDmn8HwNjd-DHujpkI4FPiB-AYXF0pjUHX9Obu1vYBTy07nnZoZLC8CS4y1M6At3Rs01HGnjQSDhBi_WpNLepJhiQexMdbkQIRAcaefMNvyGY/s640/IMG_1087.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzIDsSrxfU1bRJakLdtJmmKFzS4E5_t4SlfnmiDhzuXNVPMFfF-YssM8yWkrHZMu9zsunFuoY8aL4cJHIzr_n0zOoxGuthqdwIkCh0NjUqcE2z9OdwKeOedSGBcOpEZwTvkJ1WiLKH-M/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzIDsSrxfU1bRJakLdtJmmKFzS4E5_t4SlfnmiDhzuXNVPMFfF-YssM8yWkrHZMu9zsunFuoY8aL4cJHIzr_n0zOoxGuthqdwIkCh0NjUqcE2z9OdwKeOedSGBcOpEZwTvkJ1WiLKH-M/s640/IMG_1179.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cDiLz8xrSCnL7MsWslq8nisU_M9U8fpYXK26VdRnLKUgpBHZ0nHJIQmcBZGYU_4z8a6NuMWtL5GrCmanZuSNPhGp6r_CFvygt_mTM8KCzw1h7iRmhEz5B-PcdiLI5nq3zdxiP38aLC4/s1600/IMG_1252.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cDiLz8xrSCnL7MsWslq8nisU_M9U8fpYXK26VdRnLKUgpBHZ0nHJIQmcBZGYU_4z8a6NuMWtL5GrCmanZuSNPhGp6r_CFvygt_mTM8KCzw1h7iRmhEz5B-PcdiLI5nq3zdxiP38aLC4/s640/IMG_1252.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84gEW1a5Y1qUcqPR6ETZRXkywevmCI69nooNaiSJFm0a35JJ9tgvgjQNlRNsvdoehcB48lfqIE6SY6q-VJ8ob9opHMmU2wC03K5jHX6J7aWHNJn5QjmZjPGtpM5ENPuU7KalbNWscFqk/s1600/IMG_1222.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84gEW1a5Y1qUcqPR6ETZRXkywevmCI69nooNaiSJFm0a35JJ9tgvgjQNlRNsvdoehcB48lfqIE6SY6q-VJ8ob9opHMmU2wC03K5jHX6J7aWHNJn5QjmZjPGtpM5ENPuU7KalbNWscFqk/s640/IMG_1222.JPG" width="640" /></a>

Seaside Instagram Update

Just in case you are not on instagram, here's what you're missing...  Follow me at http://instagram.com/jennysteffenshobick Here are...

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