Progress in the Home Office

Well our home office makeover is now in full swing. I have started painting the old paneling in my favorite shade of white, Ben Moore's Navajo White, and OMGosh it is already making the room feel larger, brighter and definitely more crisp.

Here is the sad looking "Before" shot...

And now that the old love seat is gone, I brought in the Ikea shelving unit we already had in another room. I do plan to purchase a few of Ikea's wicker bins that fit into the cubicals. The wine rack is gone as well, but not the wine!!!

 You know I really love the look of painted paneling, it has kind of a rustic vibe, so as I was painting I started to think of what type of artwork I'd like to display in this space. We live in horse and farm country so I thought about giving the office a bit of a country feel. Then I remembered this painting I bought a few years back up at the flea and antique market in Brimfield Massachusetts.

The artist paints on reclaimed shutters, this one was from an old barn. Here she is with the piece she sold to me at her booth up in Brimfield.

Talented isn't she? I did have her card at one point but now I have no idea where it is. All I can tell you is that the piece is signed by A CLOUD.

But I have to tell you that paining this paneling is taking longer that I thought. Even though it has been painted at least twice before, that old wood is just sucking up the paint. I am pretty much putting on 3 coats of the Navajo White.

The furniture placement is not set in stone yet due to the fact that I am still editing pieces out.

All in all it is coming along and I think this room is going to be a great space for me and Mr. Rosemary Lane to work.

What projects are you currently working on now that the weather is getting nicer?

Hope your week is off to a great start!

 And don't forget to stop by tomorrow evening to link up your latest to the Share Your Style link party!

Also, beginning Monday March 23, your SYS hosts are doing a spring blog hop. And then next Wednesday evening stop and link up your spring projects, both old and new!!

Tootles!!!

XO

Guest Posting Today Over at A STROLL THRU LIFE!

Hey all of you fabulous bloggy friends...just wanted to let you know that 21 Rosemary Lane is being featured today over at the wonderful blog A Stroll Thru Life!

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/

My sweet friend Marty asked a few of her blogger friends to pinch hit for her as she is taking a wee bit of time away from blogging to help one of her family members with a new and exciting transition. So to help her out, as well as to have the opportunity to meet some of her wonderful readers, I wrote a tutorial on how to create a spring craft seen in the new April Issue of 

Country Living.

(Country Living)

So please, I invite you to stop by to check my tutorial.

And if you have never been to Marty's blog you are in for a very special treat. After checking it out you may just find yourself wanting to become one of her newest followers.

Have a great Sunday!!

XO

Share Your Style Link Party #4

It is hard to believe that spring is right around the corner given all the snow still on the ground here in the northeast. But I do hear the birds chirping and am beginning to  see the daffodil shoots start to poke up through the ground, so I know it is on its way!! And to get into the mood, not that it is very hard to do after the brutal winter we have had, I began some spring decorating and projects!

I started by restyling our living room hutch.

And begun the daunting task of cleaning out our home office and putting together a few ideas of what to do with this scary space.

I also shared with you one of my all time favorite pasta and chicken recipes.

And now it is on to the party!!!

Boy we had another awesome turnout last week. Thank you to all who took the time to link up and party with us. This week's party host is Lynn from the blog

The Vintage Nest

and she has some incredible features from last week's party to share with you! 
So without further ado... 

Here

is

Lynn!

Hi, I'm Lynn of the blog The Vintage Nest.  I would love to have you visit my blog.  It's always a delight to meet new friends and visit with the old.   Sign up for my newsletter post, Facebook and visit my Pinterest page.  I post daily on Facebook, little snippets of behind the scenes with my website, treasure hunts and shop space.  And be sure to visit our other blog party hosts.  Link on one page and you're linked to all 8.  What a  sweeet deal!  xoxo  

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here   

Debra @ Common Ground 

Barbara @ 21 Rosemary Lane

Lynn @ The Vintage Nest   

Kelly @ The Essence Of Home  

Martina @ Northern Nesting

Ron @ Uptown Acorn   

Amanda @ Dixie Delights

As always, it's so hard to pick just a few posts from last week's party to feature as each and everyone is so special.  Here are a few that caught my eye.  If you were featured please copy, save, paste this button, and share on your blog.  

Chateau Chic found a pretty vintage tablecloth recently and used it as her inspiration for introducing Spring into her home.  So pretty Mary Alice.

Sarah at Hyacinths for the Soul, says "sheep are wonderful reminders for us to slow down and enjoy the warm Spring sun on our faces".  She shared a very interesting post all about sheep.  When I think of Easter and Spring, not only do I think of bunnies and chicks but sheep too.

I don't know about you but I am always looking for fun ways to decorate my family Easter dinner table.  Zuni, of the blog Chickadee Home Nest, shared her Peter Rabbit Birthday Party.  And I just loved the way she introduced a platter of fresh veggies at the food station.  Spilling out of a big clay flower pot.  Check out all the darling ideas at her party.

Southern Seazons blog has set the table with  the cutest bunnies.  She found the plates at the grocery store of all places.  What a sweet adorable place setting Jody.  Doesn't this just scream welcome Spring?

Thank each and every one of you fabulous bloggers for sharing your inspiration.  So, let's get this party rolling for this week.  Can't wait to see what your STYLE is this week.

An InLinkz Link-up

Lynn www.thevintagenest.com www.thevintagenestblog.com www.facebook.com/thevintagenestshop

One of My Favorite Pasta Recipes ~ Farfalle Estive

One of my favorite Italian restaurants to grab a bite to eat when in Pennsylvania, is a restaurant called Villaggio,located in Lahaska right across the street from beautiful Peddler's Village. So of course if I am eating in one of my favorite eating places then I must have a favorite dish there right? Well I do and it is Farfalle Estive. This dish is typically made with a pasta, assortment of vegetables, a protein like chicken or shellfish and this particular recipe it is tossed with a garlicky pesto. I wanted to copy Villaggio's interpretation of this classic Italian dish, and this for the most part is what they use.

Look at all of those brightly colored ingrdients!

1 1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts, seasoned and grilled (I  grill mine on our Foreman Grill) and cut into 1 inch bite size pieces.

2 cloves of garlic minced

2 cups of fresh asparagus cut into one inch log pieces. (I really only use the thin asparagus, the thicker spears can be use to make soup.)

8 oz. baby portabella (bella) mushrooms chopped

1/2 cup of sun dried tomatoes, cut julienne style

One pint of cherry tomatoes, quartered

One 15.5 oz can of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

Pesto, about 7 ounces and blended with 1/3 cup olive oil (I used Buitoni Pesto with Basil.)

EVOO for sauteing 

Fresh basil to garnish

And of course farfalle pasta, about half a box (6 ounces of dry pasta)

Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Then in a large deep sided pan or large pot, saute the garlic in the olive oil being sure not to burn the garlic, for about 4 minutes. Add the asparagus and mushrooms and continue to saute until asparagus softens and mushrooms release their juices. Finally add the beans, meat and the tomatoes, blend with other ingredients, toss mixture with the pasta and pesto until everything is well coated with the pesto. If you need to you can add more EVOO and mix. Season with freshly cracked black pepper and sea salt. I also like to toss in some fresh basil to garnish and flavor the dish. Serve warm or at room temperature.

This is a recipe my whole family enjoys! 

It is sooo yummy and really does go a long way. Serves about 6 good sized portions.

Does your family have a favorite pasta recipe?

Ciao for now!

XO

PS...make sure you stop by tomorrow evening and link up your home inspired post to the 4th Share Your Style link party!