Paint Colors

Lets talk painting, here are some of my favorite colors I've come across during remodels of my older house.  I'm really digging Behr paint colors from The Home Depot, and here are a few swatches.

For the front door I've done Peacock Feather accented by Raffia Cream. Still in progress.

For interior trim and doors I've selected Vanilla Custard

For the dining area I've chosen one of Behrs 2014 color trends, Offbeat

For any other area that needs freshening up, I've chosen Cottage White, like the laundry area, pantry etc 

Still undetermined are the paint colors for the living room and kitchen. I'll save the kitchen post for another day but here are two colors I'm debating on for the living area.

Sky light view and Sonata

Credit to Behr and The Home Depot

Spring has sprung

Blogging does not seem to be my forte. I don't post often enough but I like still keeping it around and having the option. Facebook or Twitter is so much more convenient to share things.

Alas, I find myself trying to update the house and actually finish a few projects in order to list the house. I've finished redoing the mantle over the fireplace, have picked paint colors, flooring, backsplash etc, and painted the front door teal today! It felt nice to paint it, the door was originally brown and boring and I love the bright pop of color now. I'd like to make a wreath to hang up if I find the time.

I'm also currently trying to learn the ukelele and my new "old" film camera and oh yes as well contemplating a lot of writing!! Feels good to get some creative outlets out as well as expecting warmer weather soon. I am NOT a winter person and am ready for spring!

Morning sickness, upcoming posts

Blogging. Something I always want to do, but never seem to have the time or patience for. I think if I start focusing on things I am interested in or want to do I'll be more accountable.

For some reason today I want to talk about morning sickness. In my pregnancy I dealt with it for 16 weeks. It was not fun. It mostly affected me in the AM around 9-11 and at night from 7-9. Kimberly Van Der Beek has some great tips and an awesome blog over at Old School New Rules

I know what personally helped me was fresh lemon, crackers, water and ginger ale and deep breathing. A dr recommended these Preggie pops but I never got around to ordering them. I bet these would work good as well. Tummy drops ginger

So, enough of the random morning sickness musings, I'd really like to delve into planting some herbs and photography. If anyone has any great tips or advice on either, that would be awesome. If there is ever something you'd like to ask me or want me to post about contact me at Shannon Townsend

Have a beautiful hump day! 

<3

Chicken cordon bleu pasta

Here is a recipe I concocted last night. I made it with more of an Italian influence. It is super rich! I think I need a fast after eating this :)

1 box penne

Olive oil 

Salt

1/2 C Ham chopped

1/2 C bacon crumbled

2 cooked chicken breasts chopped

8oz cream cheese

2 C heavy cream

2 C Italian style cheese (provolone, gruyere, Swiss etc)

Garlic powder

Salt

Pepper

Season salt

Italian style Panko bread crumbs

Melted butter 

Preheat Oven to 350

Grease a 9x13 casserole dish

Prepare Penne to al dente 

While pasta is boiling, prep cooked chicken into strips, crumble bacon, chop ham

Drain pasta, add a little evoo or reserved pasta water to keep pasta moist 

Mix meats with pasta and pour into Casserole dish

Melt a brick of cream cheese, with cream, add in spices of choice. I used salt, pepper, garlic powder and season salt. Melt In 1 cup of cheese.

Pour over pasta

Add 1 cup cheese to top

Add Italian style bread crumbs 

Add a little melted butter to coat bread crumbs

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes until desired crispness on top. 

Welcome back to Me!

I decided a while back I wanted to start blogging again.  I grabbed my net book and hooked it up to the charger and completely forgot about it.  Then when I grabbed it to actually use it, it wouldn't turn on.  So finally today I have been tinkering around with Google's Picasa trying to make a pretty header, like I see all the crafty girls do.  Until I can get my hands on photo shop, this will do for now.  I could spend hours upon hours messing with colors, fonts, layout etc, but when you have a 14m old, its hard to do! Every time I have grabbed the net book today, she has tried to "play" with it.Then she hit her head on the TV stand, and has a pretty nice sized knot.  We've iced it, but she seems to be doing just fine.

I'm still not very sure what I want to use this blog for.  I enjoy taking pictures, cooking, surfing the web for ideas that i never use, and i especially love music.  I think I may try to mostly use this for things like cooking, photography, makeup etc.  IF I get a chance later, I want to post a recipe I concocted last night for "chicken cordon bleu pasta"  Its not for the weak of heart, very very rich, but very good.  Later in the week, I plan to make some cheesy chicken enchiladas, and in prep for my "go veg pledge" next week, I'm going to attempt some black bean burgers.  Id love to start eating healthier, but with everyone else in the house eating junk, its so hard, well at least that's my excuse!

I'm hoping this blog will keep me accountable to projects and ideas Ihave in mind.  Right now it's kind of like a smorgasbord for everything running through my head.  This week I also want to attempt homemade fruit-infused water, and potentially look at a few houses, we'll see!

First post. Not sure what I want to use this blog for. Probably random musings and writings. Today, its all about the Olympics!  Catching some tennis and staying out of 110 degree heat!