Shannah, Author at My Suburban Kitchen

Sponsor Spotlight

November 7, 2012 By Shannah 1 Comment

ModCloth
First up, I would like to welcome my newest sponsor: ModCloth!

I am so in love with pretty much everything they offer! Right now, they are having a Homeward Bound Sale where the featured products are all about going home, getting cozy and going out.

Shabby Apple

Shabby Apple is a fantastic resource for gorgeous clothing! Right now, they are offering 10% off of all red dresses when you use the code red at checkout. Hurry though…this promotion ends on 11/10/2012.

Layla Grayce

Layla Grayce has so many unique home decor and gift items. Right now, they are offering 15% off all personalized gifts making it the perfect time to shop for the upcoming holidays. Just use the code made4u through November 25th when shopping.

Stella & Dot

Stella & Dot is my go-to for jewelry. They have some really gorgeous pieces out for the holidays that would be perfect for gifts or to throw on for a holiday party.
Want to make a little extra spending money for the holidays? They are offering some major incentives {read: free jewelry!} for new Stella & Dot stylists.

Tiny Prints

Want some seriously gorgeous options for holiday cards and invitations? Then, you need to check out Tiny Prints. All of their invitations and cards are excellent quality and offer really great prices too. Enter the code freeship12 to get free shipping on your order.

One Kings Lane

Looking for ways to update your home for fall? Or maybe a unique gift to give during the upcoming holidays? One Kings Lane offers sales daily that will help you find just what you’re looking for.

Speaking of gifts…Want to see some of our favorite things? Stop by and visit the Just Us Four Amazon store.

Lastly, if you are looking to make money blogging. Consider Social Spark.

A Glimpse in Photos

November 6, 2012 By Shannah 1 Comment

Every so often, I share a glimpse of what goes on around here when I’m not cooking, crafting of DIY’ing something. Hope you enjoy 🙂

We started October with a visit to our local fall festival.

We decorated the patch pumpkins from the festival with some fun paint.

Then, we rolled right into Halloween which began with the yearly parade at E’s school.

Then, we had a few friends over for our annual pre-trick or treat dinner. This year’s specialty was jack-o-lantern pizzas.

The next weekend, with the help of Grandma, Mathlete and I were able to get away for an overnight stay to celebrate our anniversary. We started our trip with a stop at two vineyards for a little wine tasting.

Then, we took a stroll through Historic Warrenton.

I picked up a gorgeous mirror at one of the local stores, The Empty Nest.

From there, we headed to the inn where we were staying. It was gorgeous!

We had dinner at the restaurant on property which was delicious. Then, we had our final course delivered to our room.

We rounded out the weekend with a little furniture shopping for the house.

Basement Reno: Updates Galore!

November 6, 2012 By Shannah 6 Comments

It has been a ridiculous amount of time since I have done an basement update. There has been a lot {like a lot, a lot} going on down there too.

Let’s start with the bar where we have cabinet! Mathlete put together all of the Ikea cabinets and our countertop was installed too!

In the bathroom, the vanity, toilet and faucet are all installed too! I could actually take a shower in there except for the fact that we don’t have a shower curtain yet 🙂

Then, there is the subject of paint. After lots of decisions and a bunch of sample boards, we finally decided on paint colors for the space. Here is a look at some of them.

Next update: the railing on the stairs!

Making Monday Marvelous at C.R.A.F.T., Makin’ You Crave Monday at Mrs. Happy Homemaker, Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative, Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife, What’s in the Gunny Sack Linky Party at The Gunny Sack, Made by You Mondays at Skip to My Lou, Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House, Making the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill, Creative Mondays at Clairejustineoxox, Pintastic Monday Link Party at Sarah Dawn Designs, Motivate Me Monday at Keeping it Simple, Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch, Market Yourself Monday at Sumos Sweet Stuff, More the Merrier Monday at DIY Home Sweet Home, Show Me What You Got at Our Delightful Home, It’s Party Time at It’s So Very Cheri, DIY Project Parade at DIY Showoff, Calling All Crafters Monday at All Things Fee, Cure for the Common Monday at Lines Across, Tuesday Confessional at Crafty Confessions, To Do Tuesday at The Blackberry Vine, Lil Luna Link Party at Lil Luna, Tell Me Tuesday at Me and My Boys, Too Cute Tuesday at Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Tuesday Time Out at Reasons to Skip the Housework, Tutorials and Tips at Home Stories A to Z, Get Your Craft on Tuesday at Today’s Creative Blog, Nifty Thrift Tuesday at Coastal Charm, Time to Shine Party at a Diamond in the Stuff, Uncommonly Yours Link Party at Uncommon Designs, Homemade by You at Pincushion Creations, Craft and Tell at Cherished Bliss, Handmade Tuesdays at Ladybug Blessings, One Project at a Time at A Bowl Full of Lemons, Be Inspired at Elizebeth & Co., Tutorial Tuesday at With Hope Studios, Take a Look Tuesday at Sugar Bee Crafts, Tasty Tuesday at Naptime Creations, Tip Me Tuesday at Tip Junkie, the Tuesday Talent Show at Chef-N-Training, Open Call Tuesday at Salt Tree, Share It Linky Party at the Winthrop Chronicles. Tiptoe Thru Tuesday at Crayon Freckles, Show & Share at Southern Lovely and Vintage Gwen, Riverton Housewives Roundup at The Real Housewives of Riverton,. Sugar and Spice {Wednesday} at 733 Blog, From Dream to Reality at The DIY Dreamer, Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts, Show and Tell at Snap!, Penny Pinching Party at The Thrifty Home, We’re Organized Wednesday at Organize and Decorate Everything, The Fun in Functional at Practically Functional, Wow Us Wednesday on Ginger Snap Crafts, Your Whims Wednesday at My Girlish Whims, Inspiring Creativity at Dragonfly Designs, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways Wednesday at Frugally Sustainable, Wow Me Wednesdays at Polka Dots on Parade, 100 Ideas Under $100 at Beyond the Picket Fence, Strut Your Stuff at Somewhat Simple, Taking a Time Out Thursday at Mom On Time Out, Hooking up with HoH at House of Hepworths, Link it Up Thursday at Seven Alive, Sweet Treats and Swanky Stuff at Something Swanky, Thursdays are Your Days at 52 Mantels, Creative Thursday Link Party at Michelle’s Tasty Creations, Weekend Wonders at Love and Laundry, Look at Me, Live, Laugh Linky Thursday at Live, Laugh Rowe, Thing’s I’ve Done Thursday at Bear Rabbit Bear, Creative Juice Link Party at Momnivore’s Dilemma, Crafty Soiree at Yesterday on Tuesday, 20 Below Thursday at Christina’s Adventures, Creative Genius Party at The Creative Paige, Blog Stalking Thursday at The Crafty Blog Stalker, Kiss and Tell at I Gotta Create, Craft, , Catch a Glimpse Thursday at A Glimpse Inside, Thursday Temptation at Two Yellow Birds Decor, Show Off Your Stuff at Fireflies and Jellybeans, Share Awesomeness Thursdays at The 36^th Avenue, Thrifty Thursday at Thrifty Decorating, P’Inspirational Thursday at The Artsy Girl Connection, Taylor House Thursday at The Taylor House, I’m Lovin It at Tidy Mom, Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints on the Fridge, Friday Happy Hour at Craft, Scappy Happy, Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous, Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, The Pity Party at 30 Days, Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage, Freestyle Friday at Happy Hour Projects, Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home, Free For All Friday at Young & Crafty, Weekend Show Off Party at Ladybird Ln, Fancy This at Truly Lovely Blog, It’s a Hodgepodge Friday at It’s a Hodgepodge Life, Lovely Craft Weekend at Lovely Crafty Home, the Featured Friday Free for All at Five Days, Five Ways, the Featured Friday Linky Party at Blissful and Domestic, Shine on Fridays at One Artsy Mama, the Anything Goes Linky Party at Bacon Time, Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday Link Party at Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons, Do Something Crafty at The Crafty Nest, the Weekend Link Party at Lolly Jane Boutique, the Weekend Wrap-up Party at Tatertots and Jello, Strut Yourself Saturday at Six Sisters Stuff, Show and Tell Saturday at Be Different, Act Normal, Nifty Thrifty Sunday at Nifty Thrifty Things, the Sunday Scoop at I Heart Naptime and the Before and After Party at Thrifty Décor Chick.

A Meal of Thankfulness – Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

November 5, 2012 By Shannah 13 Comments

Thanksgiving is a time for family to get together and be thankful for all of their blessings. In our family, we gather around the table and share a meal together. While being thankful takes a center stage, the food, of course plays a huge role in Thanksgiving day.

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Pinworthy Projects Party #35

November 2, 2012 By Shannah 10 Comments

Whew! What a week. Thanks to preparations for Sandy and Halloween, I am so far behind. I’ve got dozens of emails to respond to {did you know I respond to every comment when an email address is included?!} and lots of blogs to visit.

I also have some business to take care of…the business of giveaway winners!
First up, the Cutting Edge Stencil Giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I also need to announce a new winner for the Clean Mama Printables giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you were a winner, please contact me at justusfourpartners@gmail.com to claim your prize by Tuesday, 6 November 2012.

*****************************************
Ok, it is time to party!

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Did you create something Pinworthy this week?

Link it up below!

Feed Me Friday Blog Hop

November 2, 2012 By Shannah 6 Comments

Welcome to Feed Me Friday Blog Hop, hosted by Nap Time is My Time, Great Contradictions and Just Us Four and Eco Baby Mama Drama!

Feed Me Friday is a Blog Hop to help you meet new bloggers and build your e-mail subscriptions.

Want to be a part of Feed Me Friday?

Just follow these simple rules:

– Add your blog link to the linky

– Subscribe by email and follow via Google+ (or Linky Followers) to the four hostesses (Nap Time is My Time, Great Contradictions, Just Us Four and Eco Baby Mama Drama). Make sure to leave us a comment and we will return the favor.

– Visit as many blogs on the list as you can. If you like the blog subscribe to their email (feel free to follow on Google+ too, if you want)

– Leave them a comment with your blog link so they know you are subscribing from Feed Me Friday. Be sure to confirm your subscription!Subscribing back is not mandatory, but it is recommended. It is a great way to build blogging relationships.

Since this is an email subscription blog hop, your blog must have a place for people to subscribe to your email. If there isn’t an email subscribe option, your link will be removed from the linky without warning.

Every Friday we will put up a new Feed Me Friday linky, so be sure to stop by and add your blog. Each week we will typically have a featured blogger, if you’d like to be our featured blogger next week, link up below. We’ll use Random.org to select one!

Thanks so much for linking up with this this week. If you’re a new participant, please be sure to leave a comment below!

Pinworthy Projects Party – My Pinworthy Picks

November 1, 2012 By Shannah 3 Comments

I hope any of my east coast readers fared well through hurricane Sandy. We had some pretty heavy winds and a lot of rain but, thankfully, never lost power.

I loved looking through all the links from last week’s party! Let’s look at some of the awesome things linked up.

I am so in love with the idea of using tape to decorate the mantle like the one shared by Design Fluff.

Our Pinteresting Family turned a stereo cabinet into an awesome toy box. I love the red color.

Now that our bedroom is ready for furniture, I am obsessed with headboards. This DIY farmhouse headboard, from the Turquoise Home, is so gorgeous.

How adorable are these mummy pretzels from The Crafted Sparrow?

I have a baby shower to attend soon and this monogrammed minky blanket from Wait Til Your Father Gets Home really caught my eye.

This DIY industrial hanging orb light, from Small Home and Garden Love, is really awesome.

The most viewed food link from the party was the mini cheesecake stuffed chocolate cupcakes from Becoming Martha.

This week’s most viewed “anything else” link was the embroidery hoop thread rack from Yellow Spool.

Be sure to come back tomorrow morning for an all new party!

Pumpkin Soup with Cinnamon Marshmallows and Pepitas

October 31, 2012 By Shannah 19 Comments

This post was originally a guest post over at The CSI Project as part of Dee’s fall food challenge. I wanted to share it with you here on Just Us Four though in case you missed it.

Nothing says fall quite like pumpkins. They are the quintessential fall icon. What’s the best food for fall…why something including pumpkin of course!

Today, I’m going to share with you pumpkin soup with cinnamon marshmallows. It’s the perfect way to warm up on a cool, fall night!

Pumpkin Soup with Cinnamon Marshmallows
Adapted from epicurious.com

What you’ll need:
3 Tsbp unsalted butter
1 medium yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 leek {white and pale green parts only, diced}
1 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
3 15 oz cans pumpkin
6 cups vegetable broth
1 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 cup mini marshmallows
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

Let’s make it:
1) Wash and dice your leeks.

I typically cut mine and then place them in a bowl of water for 10 minutes to let all the dirt soak off. Just gently scoop them out to keep from stirring up the dirt that has settled to the bottom.

2) In a dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, ginger and leeks. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.

3) Add the canned pumpkin, cloves, cinnamon, allspice, black pepper and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil.

4) Reduce heat to low and let soup simmer for about 25 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

5) While the soup cooks, place the marshmallows and 1/4 tsp cinnamon in a resealable bag. Shake to coat.

6) Serve soup topped with sprinkle of nutmeg and marshmallow/pepita mixture.

So, what have you been cooking now that fall weather has hit?

Pumpkin Soup with Cinnamon Marshmallows and Pepitas

Ingredients

3 Tsbp unsalted butter
1 medium yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 leek {white and pale green parts only, diced}
1 tsp ground cloves
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp ground allspice
½ tsp ground black pepper
3 15 oz cans pumpkin
6 cups vegetable broth
1 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
½ cup mini marshmallows
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

Instructions

Wash and dice your leeks. {I typically cut mine and then place them in a bowl of water for 10 minutes to let all the dirt soak off. Just gently scoop them out to keep from stirring up the dirt that has settled to the bottom.}
In a dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, ginger and leeks. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.
Add the canned pumpkin, cloves, cinnamon, allspice, black pepper and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low and let soup simmer for about 25 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
While the soup cooks, place the marshmallows and ¼ tsp cinnamon in a resealable bag. Shake to coat.
Serve soup topped with sprinkle of nutmeg and marshmallow/pepita mixture.

WTCW #75

October 31, 2012 By Shannah 3 Comments

Happy Halloween! Let’s take a look at some not so spooky but super delicious ideas for dinner.

[Joanne Eats Well With Others], [Cookin Canuck], [Skinny Taste], [Sew Delicious]

Sunday: I love risotto so this barley risotto with butternut squash definitely intrigued me!

Monday: I’ve been trying to incorporate spaghetti squash into our diet in place of traditional noodles more often. This week, we are going to give Southwestern spaghetti squash a try.

Tuesday: It is hard to resist a good buffalo chicken dish. These buffalo chicken potato skins sounds super delicious and combine two favorite items.

Wednesday: Sometimes a salad is the perfect option for a light dinner. This pumpkin, spinach, feta and pinenut salad adds a nice fall touch to a salad.

[Smitten Kitchen], [Dinner with Julie], [Parttime Housewife]

Thursday: Of course we don’t get skip traditional pasta all together 🙂 This week, we are going with spaghetti with broccoli cream pesto.

Friday: Fall is the perfect time for soup. I’m giving turkey tom ka gai a try this week.

Saturday: A new take on a traditional Italian dish: smoked gouda chicken parmesan.

Fun with Glasses

October 30, 2012 By Shannah 21 Comments

Do you ever get bored and think “what if”? I did that recently with some new glasses we bought for the basement. I saw this on Pinterest and decided to play around.