Updated Front Room

So remember way back when in February when I mentioned not having enough memory on the computer to edit photos? Yea, well I think we have finally remedied that situation and I can finally post about our FREE front room update!

Before...

After...

 Here are a few more...

By using left over paint from the dining room we were able to barely get this room painted. I mean, we were down to the last drop of paint! I think it provides some balance with the dining room having such a dark color too. The foyer is painted a lighter color (though not in this picture) which compliments it nicely. We used all the furniture that was in the family room and moved it here in anticipation of the new sectional, which still isn't resolved yet! Another story for another day.

This couch, the pillows, and the artwork were all from our apartment in the city, hence the "City Scape" artwork. I found these bad boys on the streets of New York. The artist uses subway maps and paints over them with interesting buildings and landmarks from around NYC. They were super cheap and perfect to bring some color into our oh so drab apartment. I repurposed them in this room just to add something to the walls. While this isn't my ideal artwork, it spices up the room a bit so it works for now.

If you look closely, you can see that one of the frames has glass, and one doesn't. This is thanks to moving them one too many times. I was so bummed when I saw the broken glass upstairs where we kept them. It was disappointing to say the least. But, whatever, they got hung anyway. I plan to go to Michael's where I got the frames and just buy another one, but I couldn't very well hang just one, so for now, this is how they will stay. The desk area is another work in progress...

This is a better view of the desk, but we know that it won't stay like this forever. We have visions of built-ins along the back wall with a free standing executive desk in the middle of the room. Visions and dreams aside, this little guy is better than nothing! It is nice to have a dedicated space to pay bills or to just use the computer or make a phone call in peace without having to compete with the TV. It also houses our Penn State Degrees. That is until we decide to splurge on nice frames to display them properly. 

Over all, I think this space is a huge improvement from what is was! We still have a long way to go before calling this room finished, but those are mostly big projects (i.e. big $) that are going to take time. For now, it is a more inviting, usable space that we will enjoy for the next year or two until we get around to getting those built-ins completed.

More updates to come...

JP

The Liebster Award

I am really excited to say that The JP Project has been nominated for the Liebster Award! I have to start by thanking the blogger who nominated me over at Style Bits & Bobs of M.E. Check out her blog, there are a ton of inspiring posts that will keep you reading for hours!

When I saw that I was nominated, I was really surprised! I honestly had never heard of the Liebster Award, so I did some Google searching and came up with this: It isn't an actual award, more of a nod to the nominated blog. Someone felt you deserved recognition and wanted others to check out your blog. Then it's your turn to nominate 5-10 more bloggers that have less than 1000 followers. It is a great opportunity for those of us who are new to the online blogging craze to get our name out there and to check out a few new blogs in the process. Thanks Style Bits & Bobs of M.E. for the nomination!

I just started blogging this past year, I have one follower (thanks Melissa) and really, I didn't think anyone knew my blog even existed. I simply write for me. To keep an online journal of sorts about the things going on in my life, and of course to keep track of all the changes we are doing to the house. It is an awesome feeling to know that there are people reading and enjoying my blog, so to those of you out there, thank you!

Here are the questions Style Bits & Bobs of M.E. asked me...

1. If you won a free trip to go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

     If I won a free trip, I would likely take an around the world cruise to see as many countries as possible. There are so many places I want to travel to that I don't think I could narrow it down to just one. I would chose a multi-country trip because I love immersing myself in the culture of a new, foreign place.  

2. Why did you start blogging?

     I started blogging because I wanted a way to hold myself accountable for the updates my husband and I wanted to make in the house. I figured that if I wrote about them, then I would be able to see where we started and how far we have come. I hope to use this as inspiration for myself to keep going, and check things off my list, one project at a time.

3. What is your favorite post on your blog?

     Yikes, this is a tough one! My favorite post would have to be when I created the list of accomplishments for year one of living in the house. It was truly amazing to see everything that we did in the first year. I hope to create a list like this each year to track all the things we have done to make this house a home.

4. What is your favorite television show?

     Hands down, right now my favorite show on TV is Game of Thrones. Now, for those of you who know me well, you know that knights, dragons, and sword fights aren't really my thing. But, this show is great! There are so many good characters with twisted story lines that it always keeps me on my toes and coming back for more! 

5. What would you tell your younger self?

     Wear sunscreen. Don't complain, just do it!


11 Random Facts About Me...

1. I am an only child.
2. I have seen every episode of Sex and the City at least three times.
3. I decided to be a chemistry major in college because I couldn't think of anything more difficult to do that I might enjoy a career in.
4. I am deathly allergic to cats. Have been hospitalized once, and probably should have been on at least two other occasions. 
5. I love to entertain and make any excuse to host a party.
6. My favorite dessert is anything chocolate and peanut butter.
7. Close second is a red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting, mmm.
8. I absolutely love to cook and bake - though not everything turns out the way it's supposed to.
9. My guilty pleasure is to watch the Bachelor, don't judge!
10. I am a diehard Phillies fan, yup.
11. I really don't like celery. I have tried it a hundred times, every which way, and I still don't like it!

My 5 Nominees are...

1. A Pearl & Her Pilot
2. Kate Porigow - Certified Holistic Health Coach
3. Hey Little Momma
4. Pinch of Yum
5. Our Thrifted Nest

These are some great blogs, go check 'em out!

Questions for the Nominated Bloggers...

1. Why did you decide to start blogging?
2. If you could have one super power, what would it be?
3. Who is your favorite musician or band?
4. If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
5. What would you order as your last meal?

Now, here are the Rules for the Liebster Award...

• Thank the blogger who nominated you.
• Display the Liebster Award on your blog.
• Answer the questions given to you.
• Answer 11 random facts about yourself.
• Nominate 5-11 other bloggers that have less than 1000 subscribers.
• Create a list of questions for your nominees to answer.
• Inform your nominees and comment on their blog to let them know you nominated them.
• List these rules on your post and link this page in your comment to them so they can learn more about the Liebster Award.

Thank you again Style Bits & Bobs of M.E. for the nomination!

Life Gets in the Way

We have been so busy lately, between work, the dog, family weekends, visiting friends, and the new addition of CrossFit, I haven't had a second to even think about blogging!

There have been a lot of updates in the house lately. We finally had the foyer and powder room painted and they really look great! I am hoping this weekend I can sit down and edit some photos to share a few of our updates this coming week. 

I guess with everything we have going on and the weather finally starting to get warmer, we have been spending more time outside and away from technology. I can't tell you the last time I turned the TV on. Well, except for Game of Thrones : ) 

So with any luck I will have multiple posts soon about the updates we have done to the house. We have even been talking to landscapers for possibly putting in a patio this year. Big changes happening around here, now I just have to find the time to post about them : )

JP

Shrimp and Orzo - Mediterranean Style

This may be one of the heartiest, yet lightest pasta dishes ever.

There are so many colorful veges that make this so filling, yet the lemon and herb flavor combo lightens up the whole dish, making this a great Summer (or Spring) dinner.

I have to say thank you to our neighbors for introducing us to this great recipe. They had us over for dinner one night and made this dish, though they omitted the feta and olives. H and I both really loved it! Me, I'm not a huge seafood fan but the shrimp in this meal really soaks up the flavor. We liked it so much we asked for the recipe and decided to try it out. 

So months later I finally looked up the recipe, courtesy of Rachel Ray. I changed a few things, mainly the amount of spice, as I didn't have fresh herbs on hand and I used one pound of shrimp instead of two since it was just H and I eating dinner.

Here's the recipe with my tweaks, but if you want to make a full batch of the shrimp just double the marinade or you can check out the original recipe here.

Ingredients:

- 4 cloves garlic, 2 chopped and two crushed

- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus 2 tbs. to saute the vegetables

- 2 lemons, 1 very thinly sliced

- 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

- 2 tsp. dried oregano

- 1 lb. jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined

- 1/2 lb. orzo

- 1/2 large red onion, chopped

- 1 green bell pepper, chopped

- 1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted and chopped

- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

- 1 palm full of dried parsley (about 1 and 1/2 tbs)

- 1/2 lb feta, cubed or crumbled 

- Salt and pepper to taste (go easy on the salt, with the olives and feta it doesn't need much at all)

Directions:

- Bring a pot of water to a boil for the orzo

- Combine the 2 crushed cloves of garlic with the 1/4 cup oil, sliced lemon, red pepper flakes, oregano, and the shrimp; marinade for about 10 min

-  Drop the orzo in the water at the same time you start the veges

- For the veges, heat a medium saute pan over med/high heat and add 2 tbs. of oil 

- Add the onion and bell pepper to the pan and lightly season with salt and pepper, cook for 5 min stirring occasionally

- Heat a large saute pan over high heat, then add the shrimp (they should only take 6-8 min), stir frequently

- While the shrimp in cooking, add the chopped garlic to the veges, toss for a minute, then add the olives and tomatoes, toss together until the shrimp and orzo are finished

- Drain the orzo, add it to the shrimp pan along with the veges

- Add the parsley and feta, season with salt and pepper

- Finish it off with the juice of the remaining lemon and a little extra olive oil

Note: This recipe calls for three pots/pans going at one time. Yup, three. Timing is crucial here. This is an easy recipe as long as you keep an eye on the clock and don't overcook your shrimp. 

Even though I am not a huge seafood fan, I really love this recipe. You could even sub out chicken instead. Rachel Ray's recipe allows for either to be used and I am sure using chicken would be just as good. Oh, and leaving out the feta and olives really makes for a flavorful dish too, so if those strong flavors aren't your thing, leave 'em out. This one is still a winner!

Spring has Sprung

With the 60 degree weather today I am happy to say that it is officially starting to feel more like Spring! Finally.

The last month or so has been brutal. Snowing one day, raining the next, with no end in sight. But, I am hopeful that all the cold weather is behind us. With that being said, a new season calls for a new chalkboard in our Butler's Pantry.

For those of you who follow me on Instagram, you might have seen the chalkboard art I did for Fall/Thanksgiving this past year. Well, it has pretty much stayed like that since October. I planned to change it up for the holidays or at least over the winter, but life got in the way. So now that is Spring, it's about time I get my butt in gear and change that chalkboard. 

Here is what it looked like over the Fall Season...

And here it is now...

Not bad. I was going to fill in some of the words with color but I was running out of time. Maybe next season : )

For those of you who want to know how I come up with these cute designs, the answer is, I don't! I find them online or on Pinterest, then use photoshop to add grid lines as guides to help me line up the words accurately. I also draw faint grid lines on the chalkboard to match. This is how I get everything to be proportionate in size and ensure that I don't run out of room while drawing. 

Maybe next time I change it up I'll take some photos of the process and make a quick tutorial. Check back in the Summer for that one!

Happy Spring!

JP