That Jello thing is because the enzymes in fresh pineapple are the same as those used in meat tenderizer (and Jello is an animal protein)... canned p-apple is OK in Jello because the enzymes break down in the canning process. Fresh pineapple also breaks down dairy (again, animal) enzymes, which is why you can't add fresh pineapple to cottage cheese, put it in the fridge, and come back the next day and find anything palatable... I had though that the high-acid content thing was why fresh pineapple was unsuitable to use with leavening as opposed to animal proteins. (I could be wrong on this... it wouldn't be the first time.) Aren't eggs an animal protein? Don't cake recipes usually call for some sort of leavening? I'd be reticent to substitute fresh for canned for either of these reasons, but I'd welcome a more informed opinion to set me straight...

Thanks so much everyone. I decided to put the ticking stripe on the bench (upholsterer picked it up yesterday). He removed the seat entirely, leaving the frame here, so I could paint/distress it if I want. That's the only piece I would paint, and think it could look great if it had more of a grey/distressed finish. I haven't done that yet, and I know AS chalk paint is all the rage, but after browsing around a big flea mkt and consignment store last weekend, I was seeing that look over and over again.....some of it looked kind of cheap. So I'll think about that one before going forward. The look I would want is more of a grey weathered finish; (a la Restoration Hardware) and don't want it to look amateurish. Also decided to go with the print on the roman shade and the bedskirt; then will use the nubby linen and stripe for accent pillows, cording, etc. I am going to start working on those projects today; or, at least, that is the plan, lol. Voila, after reading one of my responses I see what you mean! But it honestly hasn't been like it may sound. One of the goals I had before beginning this project (revamping two daughter's rooms into guest rooms for them and their spouses) was to get their ideas and create a space where they would feel welcome and comfortable. Before getting started in this room, we had a large sleigh bed, tall bookshelves, a high backed bench, a large nightstand, and full drapes. Way too much oversized furniture, tons of books, memorabilia, etc., and no room for two people to organize their belongings and feel at home. I recall many long drives to my mom's house (14 hours in a minivan with 3 kids) and while I treasure those visits; it was a little disheartening to arrive exhausted and stressed, to a room (my old BR) to share with DH that still had a small bed with a rock hard mattress, non working AC, dressers and other useless pieces stuffed with extra clothing, etc. Don't get me wrong; We all loved my mom and still treasure each and every visit, but agree that it would have been nice to have a comfortable room. My MIL, on the other hand, always had a welcoming and stress-free space, and that is what I would love to create. Travel is harder than ever now, and I know when I arrive in someone's home I am grateful for every little detail devoted to our comfort! All of the kids were here last weekend and I asked for their ideas. I was happy they spoke up and let me know what was important to them. I hope I didn't give the impression that DD was demanding certain things; it really wasn't that at all, just a conversation about what would make them comfortable. Most were suggestions, and of course they are happy with anything we do to create a pleasant space for them, as well as for anyone else who pays us a visit. I'm encouraged and excited about the room so far and appreciate your comments and suggestions. Now to get started sewing......

Angelaid, I see no reason to ridicule azzalea for this comment. Her remarks are based on fact. Like many such legends, it is based on reality. In this example, a great deal of reality. Papain or bromelain are the enzymes found in meat tenderizers. Papain is found in papayas and bromelain is found...guess where....pineapples. Both can cause esophogeal and stomach problems for sensitive people and for anyone who may gobble too much at a time. Anyone with any hint of ulcers needs to stay away from these enzymes, whether in a commercial tenderizer or in a raw food. Any one planning abdominal surgery needs to avoid them also. Any doctor will tell you that. She is also correct that it is only the raw food that causes these problems. Cooking or marinating counteracts the powerful dissolving enzymes.

I think it looks good but, of course, I couldn't help myself. I had to tweak some things. All are optional and your preferences matter more than mine except one. Most of us at GW consider that one, which I'll identify, very important. I didn't draw up changes on the second floor because I only saw one thing that I would change up there. I would put the door to the master bedroom closet on the far left side of that wall, right by the entrance door. If I needed to grab a sweater and had to run upstairs to do it, or whatever, I would appreciate not having to also run across the room and back. I hope I can remember all my tweaks: The red triangles are just saying NO to those small casements. They take up space and I just don't think they're necessary. And the one on the right might impact the idea of being able to put an additional table there blocking chairs or the ability to walk behind chairs and get out if you're sitting on that side. It may be OK but really think about it and measure well. I moved the front door back to directly at the base of the stairs. This will help with a feeling of spaciousness and ability to arrange furniture in the living room. I moved the door under the stairs back to the office. Again, for a feeling of more spaciousness in the living room and ability to move furniture around better. If you use a banquet table to extend your dining table, you may need to move some of the living room furniture up against that wall under the stairs. With a door there, it would look bad. And what if you need something in it? Because of moving the under-stairs door into the office, I made the door between office and kitchen swing the other way. Just because it seemed crowded, I erased the bookshelves (I think those were bookshelves, right?). Where it says recessed, I suggest you build recessed bookcases into the wall under the stairs. I think it will look quite interesting whether you go with an angled, gradually taller top stile or a stair-step style. (Hope that makes sense) It will give you more room and won't be so crowded for traffic walking through. All of those are just suggestions. This is the important one. IMPORTANT!! Really. I moved your DW to the other side of your sink. The main area for prepping is always going to be the counter between sink and cooktop. It's natural to prep there, efficient, and we all just naturally do that. If your DW is in that spot, nobody can load/empty the DW while you're prepping. You will effectively make it impossible for the kids to do kitchen chores while you're cooking. It makes your kitchen almost like a one-person kitchen. If you decide you want to do a bit of clean-up while prepping, you have to step back, open the door, close door, step forward to counter. With DW on the other side, you can leave it open while prepping so items can go directly into it. This keeps your kitchen much cleaner as it eliminates the step of piling things in the sink or on the counter and then moving it into the DW. So much more efficient! And, of course, allows something to load/unload while you're prepping. When it comes to storage, you'll want all the items you generally use to prep in the prep area. Moving the DW allows you to have an additional cabinet (hopefully a drawer stack) in your prep area. All your knives, gadgets, colanders, cutting boards, bowls, pots/pans, etc., should be able to fit in that area. That extra storage will make a huge difference in making that work. And now all your dishes, eating utensils, glassware, etc., should be able to fit in the cabinets in the peninsula to the right of the DW and you'll be right there standing next to where you store them. When the DW is open, it will probably be blocking the drawers immediately to the right of it on the peninsula. You will want to store lesser used items there. If you store your dishes and such there, you will have unload them onto the counter and then close the DW and move them into that cabinet. Annoying. I would probably put casseroles, baking pans, gadgets, and such that I only use occasionally there. Your items may vary but I'm sure you get my drift. I think your plan is shaping up nicely. I really like the pantry, closet and 3/4 bath area. And I really like how you just went to French Doors without the bay in the dining area. I tend to like bays but I think this will be a cleaner look and give you a bit more space. I think this is going to be a nice, comfortable layout and a house that's easy to live in. Let us know how things go once you sit down with the pros for blueprints and stuff. I'll be curious to see how it all turns out.