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A Fresh Coat of Paint

March 28, 2007 By Rhoda 18 Comments

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BEFORE:

For over a year, I’ve been meaning to give the front door a fresh coat of black paint…and I finally got around to it this weekend. The color was faded to a dark charcoal gray & the brass handset was weathered & faded too. So, I got out a can of black paint (oil-based, ugh!) and put on 2 coats of fresh black. Then, to spruce up the handset & kickplate, I painted it with Sophisticated Finishes in Blonde Bronze. It’s not perfect, but it looks SO much better…had a hard time getting rid of the lap marks with this oil-based paint. But, I’m happy with it for now!
BEFORE:


AFTER:

After talking about the Tomato Basil Soup recipe….I had to make some, so for those who haven’t tried it, here’s what it looks like, ready to eat. We had this for dinner last night, with some crusty Publix Italian 5 grain bread, a nice green salad & Waldorf salad. We love fruit & I try to have it around all the time. My hubby will eat fruit if I cut it up like this….he loves it this way! Here’s the recipe I posted earlier and added here again for ease.

La Madeleine’s Tomato Basil Soup

4 C. tomatoes, peeled, cored & chopped or 4 C. canned whole tomatoes, crushed (I used the canned…I like easy!)

4 C. tomato juice & part vegetable stock or chicken stock (I use chicken stock)12 to 14 washed fresh basil leaves

1 C. heavy cream (told you it was yummy…this is why!)

1/4 lb. unsalted butterSalt to taste

1/4 tsp. cracked black pepper

Preparation:  Combine tomatoes, juice and/or stock.

Puree, along with the basil leaves, in small batches in blender or food processor.Return to saucepan & add cream & butter, while stirring over low heat. Garnish with basil leaves & serve with your favorite crusty bread.Note: in the directions, it does say to simmer the tomatoes, juice & stock first & then put it in the blender, but I never do that. I always puree first in blender, then start it simmering & add the rest. You can easily adjust the amounts up or down depending on how much you want to make.

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Filed Under: Paint Project, Projects and How-To, Recipes and Cooking 18 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. RealEstateGirl says

    March 28, 2007 at 7:02 pm

    The door looks great!

    Gotta try that soup! Tomato basil is my all-time favorite with tomato artichoke running a close second!

    Reply
  2. Francie M. says

    March 28, 2007 at 7:24 pm

    Door (from what I can see) looks great. My poor old gal needs new paint and fixin’ everywhere….but I think when we are 100 we might need some paint and fixin’ too 🙂

    Reply
  3. Susie Q says

    March 28, 2007 at 7:40 pm

    I think the door looks amazing! I paonted our door last year and it is not easy to get those lap marks correct is it?

    That soup looks delicious…as does the salad. We love both here. And your photos were delicious too!

    If it is alright, I am going to add your blog to my friend’s list.

    Have a sweet Thursday!

    Hugs,
    Sue

    Reply
  4. Betty says

    March 28, 2007 at 7:53 pm

    The door looks very nice and the hardware looks new. I need to refresh our front door hardware, too.Thanks for the idea.

    The soup and fruit salad looks very appetizing….

    Reply
  5. Naturegirl says

    March 28, 2007 at 8:51 pm

    Your front door looks amazing with the grey paint!Yummo both dishes! Love the sound of tom. basil soup!hugs NG

    Reply
  6. The Decorated House says

    March 28, 2007 at 9:10 pm

    Sorry my delete, I’m making up words this time of night!
    Anyway…
    Your door looks really nice with the new coat of black paint. It’s much richer with a fresh coat.

    Reply
  7. PAT says

    March 29, 2007 at 7:21 am

    Rhoda…
    The door looks great! I finally made a decision about our front door color, last year!

    The soup looks delicious. Waldorf Salad is one of my favorite salads!

    Reply
  8. Mary says

    March 29, 2007 at 8:08 am

    Rhoda – you really did a fabulous job on the front door – oil-based is so hard to work with……and to clean up!
    Seeing that appetizing Waldorf Salad has made me realize I haven’t had one in ages so that is going to be on the menu any day now. Last night I did a soup post on ACROSS THE POND – do visit me and read about my take on “SOUPer Suppers”.
    Love your blog. I’ll be back to view often as your homes is gorgeous.
    Have a fabulous day and enjoy the azaleas – mine are popping out after the rain last night!
    ~ Mary ~

    Reply
  9. Southern Heart says

    March 29, 2007 at 9:52 am

    You did a great job on your door! (no surprise to me!), and it’s amazing how that finish freshened the hardware. Your meal looks so yummy, also. I’m a fruit lover, too, especially as the weather begins to heat up.

    Reply
  10. willzmom says

    March 29, 2007 at 11:32 am

    Great job on the door, it looks terrific! My door and trim needs to be painted, it gets so weather beaten. I’ve gotta try the soup recipe, it looks delicious.

    Reply
  11. The Feathered Nest says

    March 29, 2007 at 11:41 am

    Your door looks fantastic! Black is such a classy color. You painted the hardware? It looks brand new in the picture. I’ve never painted with oil based paint – always been too afraid of the cleanup involved!

    That salad looks yummy – wish I were having that for lunch!
    Manuela

    Reply
  12. Tonja says

    March 30, 2007 at 6:58 am

    O.K. I’m supposed to be dieting…but now I’m starving. The salad looks divine, as does the soup. I wonder if I can keep that imagine while I’m eating my melba toast?
    The door looks great,too! But, oil paint…yuck!

    Reply
  13. Christy says

    March 30, 2007 at 8:40 am

    Wonderful! I love black doors, espcially freshly painted ones. 🙂

    Reply
  14. Susan P. says

    March 30, 2007 at 1:17 pm

    What a fabulous makeover on your door! I am going to have to try the soup recipe because I love tomato basil soup but I have only had it out of the can:) Your salad looks so yummy and I love the pretty dish!

    Reply
  15. Betty @ She's Sew Pretty says

    April 6, 2007 at 5:45 pm

    That sounds like a perfect dinner for a day like today. thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  16. oh amanda says

    December 7, 2007 at 2:10 pm

    Oh, I love La Madeline’s tomato basil. But when I saw it had 4billion grams of fat in it, I almost died…then had another helping, of course!

    Reply
  17. Nan says

    December 7, 2007 at 2:56 pm

    Your door looks great.
    Thanks for the recipe. If you get a chance, stop by for my chicken velvet soup.
    Nan

    Reply
  18. Missy says

    December 12, 2007 at 4:31 pm

    I have bunko tonight and am taking this soup. It was way easier to go to your blog than to try and dig up my old recipe for it! Thanks!

    Missy

    Reply

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Thanks for stopping by! I’m Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn’t have to cost a fortune and I’ve spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yard sales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I’m here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won’t you join me?

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