Project Dining Room: Finding the Table

The inspiration for this table comes from Pottery Barn.  It's no secret that I love their stuff, but I don't always love the prices - especially if I know I can make something similar myself for less!  So I got on Craigslist and started looking for tables.  After a few days, I came across this baby for $300.00...

And even better,  it was being sold as a dining room set (with 6 chairs)!  Almost the exact same chairs as the inspiration chairs and the table legs were the perfect shape. I had to have it. 

And so the project begins! 

Tortellini Zoupa

You don't appreciate the complexity or simplicity of a good recipe until you make it yourself.  And this is one of those simple but delicious recipes (that's ready in no time and takes very little effort or skill) that I didn't appreciate until I made it.

Growing up, my mom used to make this soup for us every Fall.  I remember asking for seconds (and thirds!)  because it's just that good.  She got the recipe from my godmother who brought it over from Italy.  

So here it is...the best tortellini soup that's ready in less than 30 minutes!

Tortellini Zoupa
Serves about 6

Ingredients:

4 cloves of garlic, crushed and chopped

2 Tablespoons butter or EVOO

4 cups broth or stock (chicken, beef, or vegetable)

1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning

16 oz. frozen or fresh cheese tortellini

15 oz. package of frozen or fresh spinach

14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained (Italian or plain)

Grated Parmesan or Romano cheese to top

Directions:

In a large saucepan, over medium heat, cook chopped garlic in butter or olive oil for about 2 minutes.

Add broth, seasoning, and tortellini, heat to a boil.

Reduce heat and cover, simmer about 5 minutes

Add spinach and tomatoes, simmer 5 minutes more
Top with cheese and enjoy!

Enjoy!

                    

Project Dining Room: The Inspiration

When I bought my house last year, I had very clear vision for the overall look and style. I'm a shabby-chic-"vintagey"-cottage kind of girl.  I love old things.  I love using old things in new ways. I even love new things that look old.  Some rooms had very clear visions and directions where I was shopping for certain pieces, while others, like my dining room, just needed furniture because I had no idea what I wanted the room to look like.  At the time, with no clear direction for this room and just giving most of my life savings away as a down payment on this lovely house, I went to craigslist.  I ended up with the most gorgeous hand carved cherry wood dining room set from an estate sale.  It had been used twice and cost the seller $6,000.00...score!  It had two leaves making it up to 120" long, seating like 16 people comfortably.  After the first holiday season, my friends named it "The Last Supper Table" because of its size.  

After a year of designing other rooms, it was time for my dining room to get some attention. After looking at this beautiful set and realizing not only was it totally too formal for me and so not my style, it was wayyyyyy too big for my dining room, went with nothing else in my house, and needed to go.  So I started doing some dream-browsing...looking through old home design magazines, browsing the web.  Finally, I found it...THE ONE.  

Source

White base, natural wood top, with white/wicker seat chairs...yes please!

For the price of $2,500.00, it was mine!  Who am I kidding though?  I don't need to spend that much on one piece of furniture at this point in my life.

So I decided to make my own.  

Cool idea?  Definitely. 

Difficult?  Probably.

Stay tuned!  More to come!