The View from Where I Sit | My Home is Where They Are

<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;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWzHHnaS0TEtLH1dkS1lrycjBjgwVOdULY8sCJ5JOEFbH4APKR5rGJpJYj_djsNV7IuIXfYVUahJPJPIJ9bX1kS4pO7gfGt9tt2KpaQHajanFUnzEnN5lvIRAVoZjpnIN_OKZ1Q8sn8o/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWzHHnaS0TEtLH1dkS1lrycjBjgwVOdULY8sCJ5JOEFbH4APKR5rGJpJYj_djsNV7IuIXfYVUahJPJPIJ9bX1kS4pO7gfGt9tt2KpaQHajanFUnzEnN5lvIRAVoZjpnIN_OKZ1Q8sn8o/s640/IMG_0947.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jcrew sale on my comp...</td></tr></tbody></table>The View from Where I Sit is pretty good.  I spend most mornings perched on a stool at our kitchen island equipped with coffee, my computer, phone and camera.   <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_4pxvidGrKsSN6nrWDFC-lPg87UawMDWXhxOgt24AeG-hbln2UFjme1WglagkkmaADmkBvxozP6RRxMBMcazJEb-G95yLMB9SFQ0x0rI3auelspvg1LLEQmVVXc37lXTf2jXUrQHRgE/s1600/IMG_0936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_4pxvidGrKsSN6nrWDFC-lPg87UawMDWXhxOgt24AeG-hbln2UFjme1WglagkkmaADmkBvxozP6RRxMBMcazJEb-G95yLMB9SFQ0x0rI3auelspvg1LLEQmVVXc37lXTf2jXUrQHRgE/s640/IMG_0936.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><br />As I sit here in our New England home, 1,500 miles away from 'real' home (or where we had always known home to be), I might not feel completely at home, but I am definitely at peace being surrounded by all of my loves. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzji2t8YXrnN5gBIGKM7pRgkB2pPPpiH4vkM0j1lFDf_aR_gk-HmdvG8fnM1GQrZAqFQMzYVrWXowMq_ZjQQxtxiHxWIAeG_S5-m3exZcxtemaV7_B-Xs8Rh3VkJIc80QDDq4-lOqj8o/s1600/IMG_0937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tl4CTFAclpVTIUlYSp5asr2uYV8MoZ7Ka4TQXbWsaklvcGC6yGIyln1zZ2FLVdSaD4MmTWcqCI3P6-gq1qggAHPs10KmcdA0WJV7Y5GEbt2-fEhyphenhyphenjQ40Oh6NZNYHwiUNKgzK_jelI2k/s1600/IMG_0837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tl4CTFAclpVTIUlYSp5asr2uYV8MoZ7Ka4TQXbWsaklvcGC6yGIyln1zZ2FLVdSaD4MmTWcqCI3P6-gq1qggAHPs10KmcdA0WJV7Y5GEbt2-fEhyphenhyphenjQ40Oh6NZNYHwiUNKgzK_jelI2k/s640/IMG_0837.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">emma's mini crib right by my stool... literally what i see from where i sit just inches away</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjUO9lQLe9wQpgAO_fuMkt4eyfnzmxaBhCMmZvN3rhN8aSgaUQtZSb_dtwu3ZhzgG1nUWa-WlKbcolyaZhq9uWuLEebKA3yWJmvIyYg03acSwSjXArbv9n-HzuxRkx3tZT3COJG59Kf4/s1600/IMG_0833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjUO9lQLe9wQpgAO_fuMkt4eyfnzmxaBhCMmZvN3rhN8aSgaUQtZSb_dtwu3ZhzgG1nUWa-WlKbcolyaZhq9uWuLEebKA3yWJmvIyYg03acSwSjXArbv9n-HzuxRkx3tZT3COJG59Kf4/s400/IMG_0833.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In the Barefoot Contessa's "At Home" cookbook she says, "My home is wherever Jeffery is."  When we decided to make the move to Massachusetts I felt the same way - and hoped I would still feel that way when we got here.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><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/AVvXsEjjcD3ybNiy4kc5FgIw1ReZjjE8KpOlpSoJ0Kuj1FhokidrQQXRg9HfVzXFUWPUQTaEAATsStffMEO12uqiDpqCPhI4USCLnO1A-bhi3MTA9ibXO8vriioUxbqzIdpftgBmBvmVGpD6us8/s1600/IMG_0938.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcD3ybNiy4kc5FgIw1ReZjjE8KpOlpSoJ0Kuj1FhokidrQQXRg9HfVzXFUWPUQTaEAATsStffMEO12uqiDpqCPhI4USCLnO1A-bhi3MTA9ibXO8vriioUxbqzIdpftgBmBvmVGpD6us8/s640/IMG_0938.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the mr. in one of his many spots...</td></tr></tbody></table>And I do.  For the most part.  Sure, I miss a lot of things from "home" (our <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/01/our-home-is-for-sale-open-house-this.html" target="_blank">cozy Fairway home</a>, being close to family, our best friends, our favorite restaurants, our neighborhood, an affordable lifestyle...), but we've managed created our little version of home here.<br /><br />I hope to look back on our time in Massachusetts as a shared adventure between Mike and I - the two of us out on our own.  We were itching for a change and jumped at it the minute the opportunity became available to us.  I hope we're always able to do that - wherever we are in life.  <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/AVvXsEjQYyWA44hvzqryiaOrraoG7-0iqcMzBrlUH2sxrjbdIH6SH1ATo476lqftqlzKcAt7_g-sWbFTHnaOj7-N_fkyMZUUUQ50PP0H8_0CBAVPyWSJyX7rPsB9FOfEabpGxjIG7Da4Xbcw__w/s1600/IMG_0816.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYyWA44hvzqryiaOrraoG7-0iqcMzBrlUH2sxrjbdIH6SH1ATo476lqftqlzKcAt7_g-sWbFTHnaOj7-N_fkyMZUUUQ50PP0H8_0CBAVPyWSJyX7rPsB9FOfEabpGxjIG7Da4Xbcw__w/s640/IMG_0816.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i was sitting on the floor in emma's room and mike was rocking/walking her to sleep in our room</td></tr></tbody></table>Little did we know that a big change in the form of a baby was headed our way! <br /><br />I'm not talking just about constantly relocating to a new place, but in all types of opportunities.  I hope we're always able to be open to and embrace change... even with the potential slight discomfort it might cause.   <br />  <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnJYDVb7mqJ4SXH8p2JegwzxG3EIXgbMAvOBYANJ-VZcrYeunvln9RQwsHbtaUctBDYHurV_gFzhnOXeTKw60CE7sXTNNkNS1BwIm_6yBrc7RhVr4oMjT8C1_zFXv9eqrIOnmzDtuy1E/s1600/IMG_0932.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnJYDVb7mqJ4SXH8p2JegwzxG3EIXgbMAvOBYANJ-VZcrYeunvln9RQwsHbtaUctBDYHurV_gFzhnOXeTKw60CE7sXTNNkNS1BwIm_6yBrc7RhVr4oMjT8C1_zFXv9eqrIOnmzDtuy1E/s640/IMG_0932.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />While I'll never regret our decision to move here - it already has brought me clarity in so many ways - sometimes I think about how it would be different if we welcomed Emma into our Fairway home - would our experience with her be somehow different?  Easier because we had the convenience (and help) from our families?  Maybe.  Easier because of the contentment and comfort we felt in our old home and our own life?  Perhaps. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZhNbnZTsA6rBcmpet4w4leK9hWcMAZYpPha78EcOa9D3TG1c_tEVxl9EWBEZwZxAxG0wOyJ5nmfMt79t4OIfOcoQrMzS63kkc1F2TaoNzNBQO41mupTFL9k7az7G96J-xErLiq6KV50/s1600/IMG_0928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZhNbnZTsA6rBcmpet4w4leK9hWcMAZYpPha78EcOa9D3TG1c_tEVxl9EWBEZwZxAxG0wOyJ5nmfMt79t4OIfOcoQrMzS63kkc1F2TaoNzNBQO41mupTFL9k7az7G96J-xErLiq6KV50/s640/IMG_0928.jpg" width="530" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The only regret I'll have about our time here is if we don't live it to its fullest.  While it can be tempting to look forward to moving back home to the comfort of familiar territory (whenever that might be...), I'm determined to "do it right" while we're here.  With Baby Emma in tow, we're going to continue to travel and explore - to new places, new experiences and new friends.

The View from Where I Sit | My Home is Where They Are

Jcrew sale on my comp... The View from Where I Sit is pretty good.  I spend most mornings perched on a stool at our kitchen island equipped...

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Wood bathroom art + new lens!

First of all, can I just show off the best Christmas present I've ever bought myself?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.martinscamerashop.co.uk/ekmps/shops/weston2739/images/canon_10-22mm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://www.martinscamerashop.co.uk/ekmps/shops/weston2739/images/canon_10-22mm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This thing is no joke.<br /><br />Remember the guest bathroom after picture I attempted to take?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLD1nJ8aGu3wRBaSWtQooGttuhqV_AJiyBqB4wAU9w7pqSW80r16QZl-C6ilXxciM8dFI_UtVP_2apbmbunRxk_xikWhrokMiMC9l1BXtARQPzD-bBdc6LcoJM7yC6e8JpfmONNcuvPDP/s1600/IMG_6130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLD1nJ8aGu3wRBaSWtQooGttuhqV_AJiyBqB4wAU9w7pqSW80r16QZl-C6ilXxciM8dFI_UtVP_2apbmbunRxk_xikWhrokMiMC9l1BXtARQPzD-bBdc6LcoJM7yC6e8JpfmONNcuvPDP/s640/IMG_6130.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br />Here's the same POV with the new lens... <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzc6uwHn_ZRAD-gtsSlrO3whNkg8jXVaQDtazghmqvqBbM4PbpiZ24iV9REhUpPZc8oRv0cM1bSvYoak7r1Y29Go4osq1QY8JWzypmV3S3LoxcocJrSCjAkHWEQDYNKWLGu6QiCyR2PG_l/s1600/IMG_7080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzc6uwHn_ZRAD-gtsSlrO3whNkg8jXVaQDtazghmqvqBbM4PbpiZ24iV9REhUpPZc8oRv0cM1bSvYoak7r1Y29Go4osq1QY8JWzypmV3S3LoxcocJrSCjAkHWEQDYNKWLGu6QiCyR2PG_l/s640/IMG_7080.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />And look how gigantic my little office looks... <br /><br />Before:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwYdO7V32syQy4oc_2Z9SVJp-uwPzDgflhx-iIYPW8-WT-XOk0ZNc_kG5bEiNHn2SwM0axkztc68klwSk4pZOIfNinJvCIWuHBUGl0Smq6C-kvFjBs-TGs5BZqlDdd_oR9wZc7j8V6OP4/s1600/IMG_3787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwYdO7V32syQy4oc_2Z9SVJp-uwPzDgflhx-iIYPW8-WT-XOk0ZNc_kG5bEiNHn2SwM0axkztc68klwSk4pZOIfNinJvCIWuHBUGl0Smq6C-kvFjBs-TGs5BZqlDdd_oR9wZc7j8V6OP4/s640/IMG_3787.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;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After:</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOMs4Uhhhik67ZMRnwd4dC_MbrNzvlObSQMce34NiZGbbfE5LRPGbxd5kQpJdbrJ9pY0td7zMPR-Ap2SEJkSNHqs_1lBkmR133hnSbjItqoFwQ1KZfOhmbMdVwNTYEeVVByB4Cy5LMj3a/s1600/office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOMs4Uhhhik67ZMRnwd4dC_MbrNzvlObSQMce34NiZGbbfE5LRPGbxd5kQpJdbrJ9pY0td7zMPR-Ap2SEJkSNHqs_1lBkmR133hnSbjItqoFwQ1KZfOhmbMdVwNTYEeVVByB4Cy5LMj3a/s640/office.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>New rug via <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20659470&navAction=jump&navCount=" target="_blank">Urban Outfitters</a></em></td></tr></tbody></table><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;">Booya. Peace out 18-55mm... it's been real.</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;">Anyway, I did a little project for the empty bathroom wall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Flashback to the yellow shower room circa 2011:</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/AVvXsEgv_70LwC8aIU_6JLUyoTjPEMdMuCXkm0kOqlYtu44eUHIg4kxzVKxN0a02Y2ZLOicHbbMnL6p5XNHO8RXmnbcek-7V-Iziw4pxjNVdrtAQATqIs_8z86ohozBXvNDwfdKFtPGSuhyphenhyphenyjBrz/s1600/IMG_6785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_70LwC8aIU_6JLUyoTjPEMdMuCXkm0kOqlYtu44eUHIg4kxzVKxN0a02Y2ZLOicHbbMnL6p5XNHO8RXmnbcek-7V-Iziw4pxjNVdrtAQATqIs_8z86ohozBXvNDwfdKFtPGSuhyphenhyphenyjBrz/s640/IMG_6785.jpg" width="426" /></a></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: left;">I knew I wanted it to be rustic and spa-like... so it had to involve wood. I then did what every other rational human being looking for inspiration does... Pinterest. I searched every combination of "bathroom", "wood", "art", and "wall" possible.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I found some neat things... </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-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/140526450842399226_5Lf1q6U0_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/140526450842399226_5Lf1q6U0_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lowescreativeideas.com/idea-library/projects/go_with_the_grain_artwork_1109.aspx" target="_blank"><em>Source</em></a></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-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/136937644889457788_4twiNTrL_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/136937644889457788_4twiNTrL_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/136937644889457788/" 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-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/188236459394857037_T3ogog5S_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/188236459394857037_T3ogog5S_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/86968573/white-birch-forest-topography-organic?ref=sr_gallery_12&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=organic+wood&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade" 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-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/66991113176865671_Y85nZljp_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/66991113176865671_Y85nZljp_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://www.vivaterra.com/accessories/wall-decor/birch-forest-panels.html" target="_blank">Source</a></em></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-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/250020216782969214_HThFuhhC_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/250020216782969214_HThFuhhC_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2011/12/our-favorites-in-2011.html/reclaimed-wood-wall-art" target="_blank">Source</a></em><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I determined I wanted dark stained wood planks, secured together somehow, and some sort of picture or word or something painted on. After days of contemplation, I decided to throw out the idea of involving paint in fear it would look too busy and I'd eventually tire of it. I wanted to keep it simple and textural so it wouldn't compete with the star of the show... the glass tile wall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I went to Lowe's with a vague idea of what I wanted and started collecting my wood pieces. I ended up with a stack of pine wood of various thickness (3/8", 1/2" and 3/4").</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/AVvXsEjHBd7gedwyMQ3BJ72CEFYgo4r_U0LNnwyXQIQN52CNi3WoguL-NdX85zapAuNX5LNG4axVIAkYGxl0Od8rFSIbB9XCU_DIOB3-W8WDzUQdmTARVwi4tK_6Bob8b3y3oGRamQl918OYGF3L/s1600/IMG_7046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBd7gedwyMQ3BJ72CEFYgo4r_U0LNnwyXQIQN52CNi3WoguL-NdX85zapAuNX5LNG4axVIAkYGxl0Od8rFSIbB9XCU_DIOB3-W8WDzUQdmTARVwi4tK_6Bob8b3y3oGRamQl918OYGF3L/s640/IMG_7046.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: center;"></div>Total cost: around $30.<br /><br />I then trimmed them to slightly varying lengths and began to arrange them to my liking. Once I decided on a layout, I took a hammer to each piece and beat them up a little for a distressed look:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9G3V8-Brk38u1y_gHmbX_63fMBcQ_QULCRax9vgGsvy2v_gvhuZRvGIIHuiEq08_pgibo6vKHmXU6yNziTV1aKJpOk2uzTUIFHYyTWPtBOXqnqJov1ShLbYxvjIw5S8cgs1TJtJ6cBCU/s1600/IMG_7052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9G3V8-Brk38u1y_gHmbX_63fMBcQ_QULCRax9vgGsvy2v_gvhuZRvGIIHuiEq08_pgibo6vKHmXU6yNziTV1aKJpOk2uzTUIFHYyTWPtBOXqnqJov1ShLbYxvjIw5S8cgs1TJtJ6cBCU/s640/IMG_7052.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Finally, I grabbed my stain of choice: Minwax in Ebony.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevTclXsHkTFLrKb9Iw7hwd7atKqnj2dIQWLTvyYvVgUvxz82AdTu7banGtXQF80yJKkfw9kM0Kv3WBRrydgR3hApHPgoA-koTCAfvTwim3vYBnaGwmcu7vezlKCGz_opFV6LSOIAFtWOy/s1600/IMG_7054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevTclXsHkTFLrKb9Iw7hwd7atKqnj2dIQWLTvyYvVgUvxz82AdTu7banGtXQF80yJKkfw9kM0Kv3WBRrydgR3hApHPgoA-koTCAfvTwim3vYBnaGwmcu7vezlKCGz_opFV6LSOIAFtWOy/s640/IMG_7054.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I like this color because it gives the wood a cooler gray tone (intead of a typical brown wood) which really goes well with the grey bathroom.<br /><br />Here they are after the first coat of stain:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vKL348SxvfsEAwXKeeaH63K_2yVduDHwIjfi9AFr1HrAV-DuiRSyD204wFfMlLKrFI17SVo7p8f2QmSsO6I0mt2JgWQf0l_lZIrE9tusFlHit1S0UTwyPal6tzRaVAoIJ0WIRTwXH7rB/s1600/IMG_7055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vKL348SxvfsEAwXKeeaH63K_2yVduDHwIjfi9AFr1HrAV-DuiRSyD204wFfMlLKrFI17SVo7p8f2QmSsO6I0mt2JgWQf0l_lZIrE9tusFlHit1S0UTwyPal6tzRaVAoIJ0WIRTwXH7rB/s640/IMG_7055.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />After letting them dry most of the day, I went over them with a second coat—some more than others to give them some variation.<br /><br />The next day they were dried and ready to go. To secure them together, I first applied a bead of liquid nails between each plank and secured them overnight between two heavy paint cans (sorry, no pics of this step, it was a one woman operation).<br /><br />Once they had time to set, I flipped the piece over and secured two horizontal wood pieces (first with liquid nails, then wood screws for extra reinforcement)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5pG5pZsrn9Rv1QJO7NK-LWNo8l3VIbkfKqIooVsKw-MdLl0nd-HlB-obRnsn2zwaU7jf5BNvywTsGVVhijCYn-xNiAPKhlmSnKIkjpojXxgHAjLgDGo3R5or4j0goP5cLY_m8V4lGpWy/s1600/IMG_7064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5pG5pZsrn9Rv1QJO7NK-LWNo8l3VIbkfKqIooVsKw-MdLl0nd-HlB-obRnsn2zwaU7jf5BNvywTsGVVhijCYn-xNiAPKhlmSnKIkjpojXxgHAjLgDGo3R5or4j0goP5cLY_m8V4lGpWy/s640/IMG_7064.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />And that's it! All in all, I'd say it took about an hours worth of actual work from start to finish. <br /><br />Totally worth it... I love the feeling it adds to the bathroom.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryjNFoiQQ6XDwS8nq77DzsuF-n608n1giKSifilKiBTV9PMIVxzgAT4cOvB88Hi1eeBHUpL0S_nlH_3Mc9vVjntbxRPsM2gSSj1vfZCnLBty2FjzWI5hWKozaHuHuNvjosuQS2m00KKh4/s1600/IMG_7085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryjNFoiQQ6XDwS8nq77DzsuF-n608n1giKSifilKiBTV9PMIVxzgAT4cOvB88Hi1eeBHUpL0S_nlH_3Mc9vVjntbxRPsM2gSSj1vfZCnLBty2FjzWI5hWKozaHuHuNvjosuQS2m00KKh4/s640/IMG_7085.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHQePCKcZ-SKWBJ_r1b1N3yt59Q5I08p5n1CrlsTleU8o74Uw3hLjp5e8WdfSp4inbLPWyzdjqG4bhSzBkc6XVNd88j0KLHd3UTypnBQP4aWE1t2s5ExDWkTT1N-JKu1Sh68KVBrGP-A5/s1600/IMG_7081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHQePCKcZ-SKWBJ_r1b1N3yt59Q5I08p5n1CrlsTleU8o74Uw3hLjp5e8WdfSp4inbLPWyzdjqG4bhSzBkc6XVNd88j0KLHd3UTypnBQP4aWE1t2s5ExDWkTT1N-JKu1Sh68KVBrGP-A5/s640/IMG_7081.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yhbZCJQAPp1Cqkx0CISUqR7Ki3Mtt2G_FxicaHDeKWHH-quhdlZaM9-bmXbJ2KTDbCp1ZmR1xDUzQjZjAmapgjCBpa2utqJWlu25tnwrfLWJ8U0s2iv_ZxTbQ85g7_lMAPgeXE0kSAGx/s1600/IMG_7069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yhbZCJQAPp1Cqkx0CISUqR7Ki3Mtt2G_FxicaHDeKWHH-quhdlZaM9-bmXbJ2KTDbCp1ZmR1xDUzQjZjAmapgjCBpa2utqJWlu25tnwrfLWJ8U0s2iv_ZxTbQ85g7_lMAPgeXE0kSAGx/s640/IMG_7069.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Next week our handyman should be coming to build our kitchen shelves (!!) and a few other projects.... finally making some progress! There's a few last details I need to wrap up before I can post the official master bath after pics. Hopefully the long wait is worth it :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hIQnbXAwDyaGAMqMsgUDN7opcFzgxEs23rJKRrAp2n0UTqu-auFdP81cjlg2vm0lfzLZ5dfCjU5RR9jzgJs0S_FFXpvNCYxS4y6dFIAqR0DsGSCnvghW0hiSZsTWa0CXbIj4J86OAh8O/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/AVvXsEh_hIQnbXAwDyaGAMqMsgUDN7opcFzgxEs23rJKRrAp2n0UTqu-auFdP81cjlg2vm0lfzLZ5dfCjU5RR9jzgJs0S_FFXpvNCYxS4y6dFIAqR0DsGSCnvghW0hiSZsTWa0CXbIj4J86OAh8O/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>

Wood bathroom art + new lens!

First of all, can I just show off the best Christmas present I've ever bought myself? This thing is no joke. Remember the guest bathroom...

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The Best Mashed Potatoes | Potato Ricer

<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/AVvXsEgqw9AG4xwVLh1qenij12BZoOCm7qmpnKHoJas6IDiippIgWXMPzm5muSd3OSoPC0y5kVKiSGwEJsM4igVGobD2m1nsPvgk8cYqXR-QiYxyHyCFdqcU8rpJI5Fp5Nu-3E4hjssmvFsAj4Nm/s1600/IMG_9005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqw9AG4xwVLh1qenij12BZoOCm7qmpnKHoJas6IDiippIgWXMPzm5muSd3OSoPC0y5kVKiSGwEJsM4igVGobD2m1nsPvgk8cYqXR-QiYxyHyCFdqcU8rpJI5Fp5Nu-3E4hjssmvFsAj4Nm/s1600/IMG_9005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-c2YJGbuAxNp966VOVJb-lSevy57pzmJK_nTTjOheaP7B4a_dEh6jBB06Y4PyAR7UWoqhbuXfaww2KAnXZ13QqHGhzyA7c0c40_OHdNSc8maxl1CaVmrnYTIk1-9C0f0PbBuExTaZSjgg/s1600/IMG_8997.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-c2YJGbuAxNp966VOVJb-lSevy57pzmJK_nTTjOheaP7B4a_dEh6jBB06Y4PyAR7UWoqhbuXfaww2KAnXZ13QqHGhzyA7c0c40_OHdNSc8maxl1CaVmrnYTIk1-9C0f0PbBuExTaZSjgg/s1600/IMG_8997.jpg" width="426" /></a>I've always struggled with mashed potatoes.  Not eating them.  Making them.  Not being able to master the perfectly smooth and creamy mashed potatoes, I went with the lazy man's 'smashed potato'... a world without peeling, where lumps are welcome, expected and encouraged.  They're good.  They do the job - but they often need jazzing up - garlic, sour cream, rosemary, etc. to detract from the fact that they are basically a busted up potato and lack any desirable texture. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div>"Real" mashed potatoes, with their smooth, creamy and light-as-air texture need nothing.  No sour cream, no cheese, no herbs.  Simple.  If it has been a while since you have had "real" mashed potatoes, you may not even know what I'm talking about.  You might be thinking, "but the cheese, garlic and sour cream are what make mashed potatoes so good."  Silly girl.  Real mashed potatoes are right up there with heirloom tomatoes and small summer strawberries.  Natural. Real. Simple.  Nothing but a splash of milk, dab of butter, salt and pepper. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYdsP_3AlgQhtkrXxYv432zpDEZDM5ZQq93W23ieTlUeWD1KHgvqyJu73j-hVNLg6pvul1azCk9qzCBnzJvXnk1vOtqlgiGAA5xB04239tiK6hzu7oUix9Iu8TjBJTB0TljM6_YF81ok/s1600/IMG_0923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYdsP_3AlgQhtkrXxYv432zpDEZDM5ZQq93W23ieTlUeWD1KHgvqyJu73j-hVNLg6pvul1azCk9qzCBnzJvXnk1vOtqlgiGAA5xB04239tiK6hzu7oUix9Iu8TjBJTB0TljM6_YF81ok/s400/IMG_0923.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>How do you achieve this unattainable mashed potato dream?  Enter, <a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802056763&pubid=21000000000393866" target="_blank">Potato Ricer</a>.  For years I've heard the Barefoot Contessa talk about using her potato ricer.  I thought, "Do I really need a specialized piece of equipment to mash a potato?!"  (Remember, you're talking to someone that rolled out 100 sugar cookies a week with a bottle of wine and that used a teacup for measuring...)  When he saw me mashing potatoes with a can, Mike said, Yes.  Yes, you do need a specialized piece of equipment to mash a potato.  Then the most amazing thing happened... a potato ricer appeared in my stocking from Santa.<br /><br />We've had mashed potatoes 3 times in the past 9 days.<br /><br />Now run out and get this mashed potato ricer.  <a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802056763&pubid=21000000000393866" target="_blank">It is on sale for $16 at Williams-Sonoma</a>... Mike paid full price ($32) for mine.  Ugh.  Still worth every penny.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The Best Mashed Potatoes</span><br /><i>creamy, light... real mashed potatoes</i><br /><br />2 pounds of Yukon Gold potatoes<br />1/4 cup of milk<br />2 tablespoons of butter<br />sea salt & cracked pepper<br /><br />Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1-inch pieces.  Place them pot filled with water, seasoned with salt.  Bring the water to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork tender - about 7-10 minutes.  Drain the potatoes from the water.  Using the potato ricer, mash potatoes back into the sauce pan.  Return the potatoes to the stove.  On low heat, stir in milk, butter, salt and pepper.  Do not leave the potatoes on the stove for longer than 5 minutes, or they will burn.  To reheat, microwave them in a glass bowl.  <br /><br />Mashed Potatoes go great with :<br /><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/01/pan-seared-lemon-garlic-chicken-recipe.html" target="_blank">Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Chicken</a><br />Pancetta Sugar Snap Peas (coming soon!)

The Best Mashed Potatoes | Potato Ricer

I've always struggled with mashed potatoes.  Not eating them.  Making them.  Not being able to master the perfectly smooth and creamy ma...

Read more »