Shannah, Author at My Suburban Kitchen

Single Parent Weekend – A Glimpse

July 16, 2012 By Shannah Leave a Comment

Hat’s off to all the single and/or military moms out there. I honestly don’t know how you do it! It was only 3 days that I was home {essentially} alone with my 2 littles and I am exhausted! I even had Mathlete’s mom around on Saturday for most of the day to help out too!

Phew…I need another weekend to recover from this one.

Here’s a little glimpse at what we’ve been up to the past few days…

paint sampling…

furniture and art shopping…

organizing…

oh…some online shopping too…

Seriously, how awesome is that sofa?! I sent it over to Mathlete almost immediately…well, after I wiped the drool away.
Zinc door has partnered with Jonathan Adler for the month of July and the products {like this sofa} are gorgeous.

pizza night with H’s bestie…

race track time for the Mathlete of the house…

picking the first tomato from our patio tomato plant…

and making it inside just in time before the storm…

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

A Picture Is Worth…

July 16, 2012 By Shannah 36 Comments

Pop Quiz: What’s the most important thing about a blog post?

Sure…the answer should be content.
In reality, the answer is pictures! Pictures are what capture a reader’s attention and makes them actually read your content.

Now, you all know that I am, at best, an amateur photographer. Mathlete tends to do the photography on a lot of our projects because he has some training compared to my complete lack of training.
You’ll also notice you see a lot of random backdrops to the pictures here…hello patio door.

So, I set out to make my own photo backdrop so you’d see less of my patio door and other random household items.
I picked up some balsam wood panels from Michaels {cue Tori Spelling saying “the arts and crafts store”}

Fitting I am using my couch as a backdrop in a post about backdrops, no?

I had Lowe’s paint match one of their samples to Benjamin Moore Moonshine {I love BM paints but I happened to be in Lowes and the paint match saved me a trip.}

Two coats onto my panels and they were ready

Mathlete had some extra wood from our basement reno so he cut two pieces for me to secure my panels together with.

I borrowed some wood glue from Rock Boy and glued the pieces of wood to the back of the panels. {No wood glue for a wood project = major DIY fail!}

I put pressure on them using some high-tech tools…pots and pans

All dry the next morning and ready for the spotlight

I love the moonshine’s slight grayish color. And I purposely positioned them so the cracks show

Now I have backdrop for when I finally learn to use the camera the right way 🙂

Making Monday Marvelous at C.R.A.F.T., Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife, What’s in the Gunny Sack Linky Party at The Gunny Sack, I Made the World Cuter Today at Making the World Cuter, Weekend Warrior Party at Ask Anna, Brag Monday at the Graphics Fairy, Making the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill, Creative Mondays at Clairejustineoxox, Motivate Me Monday at Keeping it Simple, Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch, Market Yourself Monday at Sumos Sweet Stuff, the Craft Catwalk and Embellishing Life, More the Merrier Monday at DIY Home Sweet Home, Show Me What You Got at Our Delightful Home, Mauvin’ Monday at Vintage Mauve, It’s Party Time at It’s So Very Cheri, DIY Project Parade at DIY Showoff, Insprire Me Monday at Singing Three Little Birds, Calling All Crafters Monday at All Things Fee, Monday Craft Party at Polly Want a Crafter, Cure for the Common Monday at Lines Across, Tuesday Confessional at Crafty Confessions, 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, Handmade Tuesdays at Ladybug Blessings, Terrific Under Ten Tuesday at At Home with K, 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, 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. Naturally Nifty Linky Party at Natural Nesters, Tiptoe Thru Tuesday at Crayon Freckles, Show & Share at Southern Lovely and Vintage Gwen, Will Craft For at Tales of a Trophy Wife, Hoo’s Got Talent at Nightowl Crafting, Sugar & Spice {Wednesday} at 733 Blog, Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts, Show and Tell at Snap!, Penny Pinching Partyat The Thrifty Home, We’re Organized Wednesday at Organize and Decorate Everything, Wow Us Wednesday on Ginger Snap Crafts, What’s New Wednesday at Grateful Belly, 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, the Crafty Sasse Wednesday Linky Party at the Sasse Life, Strut Your Stuff at Somewhat Simple, Taking a Time Out Thursday at Mom On Time Out, Hooking up with HoH at House of Hepworths, Look at Me, Live, Laugh Linky Thursday at Live, Laugh Rowe, Spread the Love at Love Notes by Lauryn, 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, Kiss and Tell at I Gotta Create, Craft, Scrappy Happy Me Thursday at Craft, Scappy Happy, Catch a Glimpse Thursday at A Glimpse Inside, Thursday Temptation at Two Yellow Birds Decor, Get Your Brag On at Gluesticks, Show Off Your Stuff at Fireflies and Jellybeans, Share Awesomeness Thursdays atThe 36^th Avenue, Thrifty Thursday at Thrifty Decorating, P’Inspirational Thursday at The Artsy Girl Connection, Taylor House Thursday at The Taylor House, Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints on the Fridge, Share What You Did Friday at Two Sasters, 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, Show and Share Day at Just a Girl, Freestyle Friday at Happy Hour Projects, Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home, Free For All Friday at Young & Crafty, Fresh Friday Link Party at Release Me Creations, Project Party WEekend at Bubbly Nature Creations, 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 Weekdend Link Party at Lolly Jane Boutique, the Weekend Wrap-up Party at Tatertots and Jello, Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground, 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.

Pinworthy Projects Party #19

July 13, 2012 By Shannah 9 Comments

Don’t forget to join the Feed Me Friday blog hop going on now! It is a great way to find a bunch of fabulous new blogs to follow.
**********************************************
Now, on to the party…

Did you create something Pinworthy these week?

Link it up below!

Feed Me Friday Blog Hop

July 13, 2012 By Shannah 4 Comments

Welcome to Feed Me Friday Blog Hop, hosted by Oh So Savvy Mom, Nap Time is My Time, Great Contradictions and Just Us Four!

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

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 (Oh So Savvy Mom, Nap Time is My Time, Great Contradictions and Just Us Four) and the Featured Blog of the Week. 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 choose one participant from the previous week’s blog hop to be the Featured Blog of the Week.

This week’s featured blogger is….

A blog about my life and why I don’t have time for Tea Parties! I am a full time Stay at Home Mom, raising 3 beautiful kids. With three cultures and languages in the home there is always something new to learn. Everyday life as a wife, mother and cultural navigator is my full time job. I enjoy cooking, taking pictures, crafting, painting, bead making, and sewing. I spend a good amount of my time learning how to recreate and adapt to living in a culture other than the one I was born and raised in. It makes my life fun and adventurous. I am pretty eclectic in my interests and activities.

Pinworthy Project Party – My Pinworthy Picks

July 12, 2012 By Shannah 6 Comments

Just a little note before we get started checking out some great features from last week’s party…

I am so grateful to each and every one of my readers that comes to link up each week and I L-O-V-E featuring projects and recipes from the party.
However, as I visit all of the links {and I visit every one!}, I am noticing that a lot of people are not linking back here. It’s such a small thing to link back and is a pretty common request by link party hosts.

So, effective the party on 3 August, I will no longer feature projects or recipes that do not have a link back to my site in some way {I have no preference on a button vs. a text link}.
This isn’t really a new thing as almost all of the blogs I link to have the same policy.

So, again…THANK YOU for coming to visit and link up! You are always welcome to do so even without a link back but I won’t be featuring projects/recipes from blogs that do not provide a link back here.

Now, let’s get on the fun stuff…features!

Leslie, from the Seasoned Homemaker, shared instructions to make this adorable Apron.

Check out this gorgeous DIY tinted glass project from Twigg Studios.

Megan, from My Pinteresting Family, redid her childhood desk and it looks fantastic.

Claire, from a little something in the meantime, made this awesome artwork inspired by a vintage band-aid box!

If you are hungry, Tanya from twelve-o-eight, shared a delicious looking BBQ Teriyaki chicken recipe.

And the most viewed link this week was the Anthro-Inspired glasses from It All Started with Paint:

Awesome projects linked up last week! If you were featured, I hope you will grab featured button!

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow for another great party!

WTCW #59

July 11, 2012 By Shannah 2 Comments

It’s Wednesday and, unlike last week, I’m at work.

Oh well, that doesn’t mean we can’t check out a little bit of food fun!

[Little B Cooks], [Picky Palate], [Skinny Taste], [The Kitchn]

Sunday: Let’s start the week of right with something super yummy like Island Pork Tenderloin.

Monday: H has swim lessons every Monday which means we have just under an hour to get both kids fed and to the pool. Chicken bruschetta on garlic toast sounds like a quick and yummy option.

Tuesday: The farmer’s market is full of delicious looking zucchini. Pasta salad with corn and zucchini is the perfect dish to put it to good use.

Wednesday: Another great {but easy} way to use all the fresh vegetables available right now: French Ratatouille.

[Simple Daily Recipes], [Eat Yourself Skinny], [Our Best Bites]

Thursday: We skipped meatless Monday so we’ll stick to a veggie pasta this week and make mushroom and broccoli lo mein.

Friday: This zucchini, squash and ricotta galette looks so light and delicious…perfect for a summer night.

Saturday: Let’s end the week with a food celebration! My kids consider pizza party food so I’m putting grilled bbq pork pizza on the list.

{New} Winner, Winner!

July 10, 2012 By Shannah Leave a Comment

The last winner of the Expressions Vinyl credit never contacted me. Boo!

So, I drew a new winner and it is…
Helen Whitehurst Novielli
who liked Just Us Four on Facebook.

Helen, please contact me at justusfourpartners {at} gmail {dot} com to claim your prize.

Basement Reno: A New Family Room

July 10, 2012 By Shannah 12 Comments

The basement reno is moving ahead full force. I’ll have an update on the progress soon. Right now, let’s talk about a side effect of the renovation: our new family room!

When the basement is done, most of the furniture that currently resides in our family room is going down under to live in the newly finished basement space. Buh bye couch, arm chair, coffee table and side tables.

SO, that leaves me with pretty much zero furniture in the room and lots of shopping to do. Of course, I’ve already starting eyeing some items.

You may remember the room is a dark brown color with bright white trim

I won’t be repainting because I am not willing to spend the $$$ to have the guys come back in with scaffolding to paint the 2 store room. So, sticking with the brown for all theoretical plans!

As you can see, the family room is just off of the breakfast area and completely open. There is also pretty much only one wall that makes sense for the tv.

There is my basic furniture layout. We definitely need the long couch and chair. The thing in front of the fire place is actually just a basket. No idea why it looks so huge!

I put together three plans {so far} because I can’t decide what kind of wood I want in there. With the walls being so dark, I hesitate to go with a dark wood again but I don’t want a real country feel either.

We have a kids toy thing that is staying in there fore now that is a dark wood but it isn’t a permanent fixture. It does how up in all the pictures though 🙂

In all the options, the following stays the same:
– Curtain color (white cotton linen blend)
– Couch and couch fabric (we just love it)
– Room paint color

Oh, and we still need some storage space in this room which is why all the coffee tables and stuff have drawers, shelves, etc.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Option 3:

No clue why the coffee table and media center look so different in color. They are really the same in person!

So, thoughts…opinions…suggestions? I am all ears 🙂

Outdoors Living: Dream a Little Dream

July 9, 2012 By Shannah 1 Comment

With the ongoing basement renovation, I have been spending a lot of time outside trying to keep the littles out of the way of their daddy.

In the mornings, we hang out in the front of the house riding bikes and blowing bubbles. In the evenings, the sun moves to the front of the house and the kids make a break for the swing set!

While they swing and slide, I stand around and dream about a majorly upgraded outdoor space for the part of the yard that is immediately adjacent to the swing set!

The year we moved in, Mathlete built us an amazing deck. It is awesome in pretty much every way.

BUT, our littles are still young enough that, when they are on the swing set, at least one adult is usually down there with them. This is especially true if Little E is taking a ride on the swing.

On a recent evening of swinging and hanging out with Junior, I started eyeing a little section of our yard adjacent to the swing set and dreaming about a small patio

Having a patio in this area would provide seating for the adults while the kids are playing! No more of some people being up on the deck while others are forced to just stand around down on the ground!
It would also be so wonderful when we have kids running around in the backyard for Little E’s upcoming birthday party.

So, I did what anyone dreaming of an updated or changed space would do…went virtual shopping!

I did a little websurfing to check out some inspiration photos from other bloggers who have similar size yards just to see what they did with their spaces. Then, I was ready to shop.

Now, remember that basement renovation I mentioned before?

Well, it means that I definitely need to go budget on any kind of yard changes because most of our extra funds are tied up in the basement right now. I need quality but at a very affordable price.

I clicked over to the Kmart Outdoor Catalog to see what options they had. The catalog is filled with amazing pictures of outdoor spaces that just call you to come relax.

Virtually flipping through the Outdoor catalog really helped me envision the items in a space. It also helped that it had brands I was really familiar with like La-z-Boy!
I also visited Kmart’s webpage and used their patio finder to help guide me to the best furniture for my space.

And thus, my polyvore board was born!

Outdoor Dream Living Space by justusfour on polyvore.com

With the help of List.ly, I also made a quick little list of the items I had put into my board for reference.

Dream Outdoor Living Space

View more lists from Just Us Four

Which items are you favorite? Feel free to give them a “like” so I know 🙂

I think my absolute favorite item I found for the space was the recliner! Comfy for sure!

[Source]

I was even more in love with my choices when I noticed the Kmart Weekly Deals will include big sales in their #KmartOutdoor items starting July 13th including 30% off of all their patio furniture AND:
– 40% off of La-Z-Boy Annabelle Seating set
– 50% off the Jaclyn Smith Dawson 7-pc dining set {hmm….maybe I need a new dining set on the deck too!}

I went ahead and linked up with Kmart’s Twitter , the Shop Your Way Rewards Twitter and Kmart’s Facebook so I can keep up with new products and big sales!

So, can you picture me turning this

Into this backyard oasis?

[Source]

Some additional thoughts about Kmart’s Outdoor Living
It’s that time of year again! Time to reconnect with friends and family over the neighborhood barbeque, to decorate the yard, maybe even have a backyard date night on the patio. But how do you find the inspiration to create your perfect outdoor oasis? Kmart is here to help with every item you need to make your outdoor space as warm and welcoming as your indoor space. From patio furniture, seating sets, lawn furniture and grills, Kmart brings you amazing deals on great brands. Check back regularly for inspirational designs from real shoppers, just like you, who were able to create the perfect Summer space at a great price! www.KmartOutdoorLiving.com is your one-stop shop for inspiration, new products and savings to make your dream outdoor space come true!
shannah

I am a member of the Collective Bias(tm) Social Fabric® Community. This content has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias(tm) and Kmart . #CBias #SocialFabric

Carry On

July 9, 2012 By Shannah 19 Comments

Confession: I was trying to come up with some kind of clever name for this post. Failed miserably, I know but Fun. was on the iPod and the subject came from their song of the same name.

So, what am I carrying? Utensils…plates…all the stuff I am normally trying to juggle along with opening the deck door when we have a BBQ or eat outside.

My inspiration:

Source: homewithbaxter.com via Shannah on Pinterest

My version:

I had seen one recently on the Pinworthy Projects Link Party (shown above) and knew I had to have one. Of course, Jessica put a little more work into hers than I did because she started with an unfinished wood caddy.

Me…I found an adorable green and blue little canvas wrapped basket on the clearance aisle and thought “YAY…no painting!” I am kind of in the middle of a paint nightmare so the idea of painting something else just wasn’t doing it for me.

Anyhoo. I did pick up some blue gloss paint along with two ceramic planter pots. I swiped on some of the blue high gloss paint on the rims and was donzo.

The ceramic planters along with a little yellow bucket I already had fit perfectly leaving room for plates too.

How do you get your million items needed for the table out? A thousand little trips or do you have something like this?

Making Monday Marvelous at C.R.A.F.T., Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife, What’s in the Gunny Sack Linky Party at The Gunny Sack, I Made the World Cuter Today at Making the World Cuter, Weekend Warrior Party at Ask Anna, Brag Monday at the Graphics Fairy, Making the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill, Creative Mondays at Clairejustineoxox, Motivate Me Monday at Keeping it Simple, Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch, Market Yourself Monday at Sumos Sweet Stuff, the Craft Catwalk and Embellishing Life, More the Merrier Monday at DIY Home Sweet Home, Show Me What You Got at Our Delightful Home, Mauvin’ Monday at Vintage Mauve, It’s Party Time at It’s So Very Cheri, DIY Project Parade at DIY Showoff, Insprire Me Monday at Singing Three Little Birds, Calling All Crafters Monday at All Things Fee, Monday Craft Party at Polly Want a Crafter, Cure for the Common Monday at Lines Across, Tuesday Confessional at Crafty Confessions, 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, Handmade Tuesdays at Ladybug Blessings, Terrific Under Ten Tuesday at At Home with K, the Pinterest Challenge at Young House Love, 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, 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. Naturally Nifty Linky Party at Natural Nesters, Tiptoe Thru Tuesday at Crayon Freckles, Show & Share at Southern Lovely and Vintage Gwen, Will Craft For at Tales of a Trophy Wife, Hoo’s Got Talent at Nightowl Crafting, Sugar & Spice {Wednesday} at 733 Blog, Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts, Show and Tell at Snap!, Penny Pinching Partyat The Thrifty Home, We’re Organized Wednesday at Organize and Decorate Everything, Wow Us Wednesday on Ginger Snap Crafts, What’s New Wednesday at Grateful Belly, 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, the Crafty Sasse Wednesday Linky Party at the Sasse Life, Strut Your Stuff at Somewhat Simple, Taking a Time Out Thursday at Mom On Time Out, Hooking up with HoH at House of Hepworths, Look at Me, Live, Laugh Linky Thursday at Live, Laugh Rowe, Spread the Love at Love Notes by Lauryn, 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, Kiss and Tell at I Gotta Create, Craft, Scrappy Happy Me Thursday at Craft, Scappy Happy, Catch a Glimpse Thursday at A Glimpse Inside, Thursday Temptation at Two Yellow Birds Decor, Get Your Brag On at Gluesticks, Show Off Your Stuff at Fireflies and Jellybeans, Share Awesomeness Thursdays atThe 36^th Avenue, Thrifty Thursday at Thrifty Decorating, P’Inspirational Thursday at The Artsy Girl Connection, Taylor House Thursday at The Taylor House, Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints on the Fridge, Share What You Did Friday at Two Sasters, 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, Show and Share Day at Just a Girl, Freestyle Friday at Happy Hour Projects, Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home, Free For All Friday at Young & Crafty, Fresh Friday Link Party at Release Me Creations, Project Party WEekend at Bubbly Nature Creations, 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 Weekdend Link Party at Lolly Jane Boutique, the Weekend Wrap-up Party at Tatertots and Jello, Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground, 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.

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