Ruthanna, I don't have any cranberries or cherries, but it was a good thought! fearlessem, Thanks for the recipe! I may just try this, since I think I have everything needed, and I especially like the addition of whole wheat flour. I'll let you know how it turns out. khandi, I agree with you about freezing nuts for the most part. (There are plenty stashed in my freezer as well.) I popped the top on my vacuum sealed jars however, and they're still good to go. Since no air got to them, they can still be used. Thanks tricia, but bread pudding isn't really one of my favorites. (I know that's hard for some to fathom, but there it is.) Instead, here's what I made this afternoon instead: Orange cupcakes with a chocolate ganache frosting, filled with chocolate creme. Not beautiful specimens, but certainly good enough to eat! I've been working on filling cupcakes with a pastry bag and icing tip, since I wanted to make a throw-back to my childhood lunchbox treats. These fit the bill as I was able to use up some marshamallow creme and semi-sweet chocolate. I could definitely work on my presentation, but sometimes making the attempt is the best I can manage...

I'd do the powder room. It's where people want a powder room. That is, in the reception area of the house. When you have a houseful of company, you'll have them using the guest bath and master as well. I only have the powder room on the main level, and people climb the stairs (they do ask) rather than waiting. Family members don't mind, but others feel awkward. I know some people make do with one bathroom for a huge family, and lots of people around the world don't have any, but I still vote for the powder room. You have a good sized kitchen. If you use it as a pantry, what all will you put in there that won't fit in the kitchen? Unless you're a lover of little nooks, the desk idea sounds like it would become a dumping ground. Romantic in concept, but a pile of junk in most people's reality.

I like the way it's shaping up, and have to agree with RHome on her concerns. - If the rounded ends look good with your house, they do offer a nice seating option -- but then do them on both ends (which would really complicate your trash). If rounded ends aren't right for the house, don't do them at all. - I have a raised seating area and love it -- but I also have reasons for it that don't apply in your case. Mine separates the cooking area from the visiting area, protects the cooktop, and also acts as a buffet zone when we're entertaining. In your case, it would cut out useful prep space; in mine, it doesn't. Plus, my island is HUGE and needed to be broken up. Yours is very nicely proportioned and IMO, should be kept symmetrical since everything else is. - Because of the symmetry issue, I'd be inclined to agree with RHome about your sink(s), and maybe go with one like the lower soapstone one I posted. It'll also be cheaper and easier to fabricate. And a deep sink really CAN hide stuff! (That was one of the unexpected bonuses I discovered that I have really come to love.) - I've found that when the time comes to eat, most of the mess is around the range, since prep mess can be easily tidied as you go without messing with your timing. And a range mess will be partially hidden by your doorway. But since you're concerned about hiding a messy kitchen, and have an extra thick wall there anyway, what about putting back the pocket doors? We have a pair separating our dining area from the TV room, and in the right setting - which I think you have - they can provide the perfect sense of separation with openness. And you know, you can use 'regular' doors with a pocket application -- you aren't stuck with those flimsy ones you so often see.

First I'm glad you're going without the raised island. I have the raised island now, and honestly, as I get older, it's getting harder and harder to get up on those bar stools. LOL. Your layout now is very similar to mine with the exception that for me the fridge is across from the sink. Honestly? I find that there isn't enough room at the sink for prepping so I'm washing, having to bring it to the cooktop counters to prep and then bringing it back to the sink to get rid of the excess. I think naf naf's kitchen layout is a lot more functional. If that doesn't quite work because you want the fridge near the dining room, what about switching the sink area and the range? Like below. This will keep your island for eating, sitting at, etc and no dirty dishes. If your DH prefers to look out while cooking, you could put a small prep sink and trash drawer on the island, keep the sink and DW just for cleanup and secondary prep space and the range where it is with plenty of room on either side to spread out. I would end the wall at the end of the island counter and I do like the cookbook shelves.