~~~Oh, My Poor House:(:(!!!!~~~~

Oh my!!!! I hate to share this mess but, hopefully, when it is all completed it will be a GREAT TRANSFORMATION..............I hope!!!:):) This was the office just as Joe started to cut in.

 I was worried about the color....

 Now, wait til you see how different it looks in different light!

 Weird, huh? This one is with the flash though. He really wanted a "grayish brown" and I think that is what it is!

 Lots of STUFF stashed in the guest room.....

 The old computer desk is sitting by/blocking the front door!!!!!!!!!!! He has to take it all apart to put it out for the trash:(

 The new pieces are in the living room............I YI YI!!!!:):)

Computers on the dining room table...........

 Like I said, my poor house.  Stay tuned for the big reveal in a few days!!!!! Thanks for stopping by. I read every comment and appreciate them so much!!!! OH! And Happy Valentine's day to you all!!!!!!!!!!!!! XO, Pinky

~~~The (ahem) FUN has begun!!!~~~~

OK, so yesterday when I got home, the house looked like a tornado went through here! Joe had bought new furniture for his office and was removing EVERYTHING from the office in order to paint. Soooo, we have file cabinets, book cases,printer,  and miscellaneous STUFF all over the place. The new furniture, that has to be put together is in boxes in the living room.I YI YI!!!!:):) But, I am THRILLED that we are FINALLY doing the office. It has needed this redo for YEARS and I mean years! So, here is what it looks like right now and I will try to keep you posted. Joe is going to start painting the ceiling now. Thanks for stopping by. XO, Pinky

~~~A Valentine's Table for our Daughters Birthday!!!~~~~

We celebrated 2 birthdays on Saturday night: our daughters and her brother-in-laws girlfriends! I set the table with a Valentine's theme. On the menu was lasagna (Tracy requested that), salad, garlic bread and regular Italian bread and 2 differnt cakes for dessert. Tracy wanted a repeat of her wedding cake: chocolate with chocolate mousse filling and FUDGE frosting, Jen wanted red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. Dinner was YUMMY!!!!! WE all really enjoyed a wonderful evening!!!!The centerpiece is an ivy topiary in a heart shape with this little red bird hanging in the middle. On the wine glasses, I put the gel stick ons. There are hearts and lips and they can be removed and reused!

 The heart shaped dessert dish. Each person got a little goody box filled with candy hearts.

 The place setting: white tablecloth, red charger, white dinner plate, heart shaped dessert plate and glass salad bowl.

 Heart shaped pillar candles in glass holders.

 Of course, I had to use rose petals on the table!!! They are faux:):)

 Close up of the red bird.

 Red water goblets and heart place card holders.

 OK< Let's light those candles and get this party started!!!!!

 Sald with 2 dressings: vadalia onion or Italian.

 Tracy's cake.

 Jen's cake.

 The birthday girls!!!!!

I will be linking up with Susan at Between Naps on the porch for Tablescape Thurs. If you want to see tons of beautiful tables go here: http://www.betweennapsintheporch.blogspot.com/   Thanks for stopping by! XO, Pinky Also linking to Tammy at the Gypsy's Corner: http://www.thegypsyscorner.com/  I am also joining Marty for Tabletop Tues at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/2011/02/51st-table-top-tuesday.htmlJoining All Things Inspired at Robins: http://www.allthingsheartandhome.com/

~~~Joe's Black Bean Soup~~~

Hi everyone. Today it was icy and cold so Joe made his delicious black bean soup. I will give you the recipe and I took some shots as he was making it too for you to see. This is a good filling soup, and we have it served over rice. We also had a nice loaf of bread and a nice glass of wine!!!!  I know you can't read this so I will type it out for you. Here the beans are soaking and the veggies are cooking.

 This is the beans soaking.

And the veggies.

Joe LOVES andouille sausage. He just leaves it in chunks so I can avoid it:):)

 After everything is combined and simmers for a couple of hours we blend it in the blender.

 These are our bread plates. I have a set of 8 of these and will feature them in an upcoming table.

 A nice bottle of wine.

My bowl of soup and rice...it was GOOD!

So here is the recipe if you'd like to copy it.
        Joe's Black Bean Soup
1 lb. Goya black beans, soaked overnight OR bring them to a boil then soak for an hour.
2 medium onions, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
1/4 cup green pepper, chopped
1/4 cup red pepper,chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tsp. minced garlic
2 bay leaves
1/4 tsp. ground pepper
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 packet Sazon Goya without Annatto
1/2 cup dry sherry
1/4 cup madeira wine
1 TBSP. butter
1 TBSP. olive oil
6 cups water
2 cans beef broth
3/4 lb. meat (cubed ham, cajun sausage, etc.)
         After the beans have soaked, drain and rinse them. Sautee the onions, celery, green and red peppers, in the butter and oil til soft and onions are clear. Add the garlic and parsley and saute for another minute. Add the ground pepper, crushed pepper, bay leaves, and packet of Sazon plus 1/4 cup of sherry. Now you can dump in the drianed beans plus the water and 1 can beef broth. Stir this mixture and bring to a simmer for about 2 hours.Let the soup cool and remove the bay leaves. Puree the soup in the blender and return to the pot with the 2nd can of broth, another 1/4 cup of sherry, and the meat. Allow the soup to simmer for about another hour and then serve over rice. ENJOY!!!!!! You can dress the soup with a dallop of sour cream too if you's like. I hope you will try this and that you enjoy it!! Once again, thanks so much for stopping by and you supoort. I will join Gollum at Foodie Friday. Please go over there and visit out MOST talented blogger, writer and foodie! She has written several books and has another one coming out SOON!!!!!!!!!! http://www.designsbygollum.blogspot.com/    XO, Pinky I have also linked up with Laurie at Bargain Hunting with Laurie for her favorite things party! Here is the link, please go over and see her too! http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/2011/02/im-in-love-with-tom-and-thats-not-my.html