Other projects...

While I'm on the topic of projects, thought I'd toss this out there too...

I got the pieces together and painted and then while Dimitris had the saw thingy going, he cut down the 4x4 for me so that I could put this bad boy together.  It turned out just as I had hoped.  I think I'll tweak the bow, but was happy with it!


My version (with Inspector Lalon checking it's placement):

Two spots of inspiration for this bad boy:

Welcome Sign tutorial

Welcome Sign tutorial 2 (includes topper) I followed this one a little more, but either will work!

I also saw these on none other than Pinterest and loved the quotes... so I tried my hand at painting canvas.  Considering I have zero art skills, I was pleased with my very first attempt ever.  I think with some practice, I could do some cute stuff!

Inspiration: from Pinterest, although it seems the link / site is no longer there...

 My version for our screened porch:

This post is dedicated to Dimitris

I know I've been on extended hiatus... we've been busy having FUN!  I'll try to back-log and catch you up on things, along with pictures as I do.  I thought it fitting to resume blogging with the latest project under our belts thanks to Brian and our dear friend Dimitris.

D was up two weekends ago and I had shared with him and Brian a picture of some shelving / cubby things I wanted to build for the garage.  After some scheming, sketching, planning and two trips to Home Depot the project was under way.  They guys did an AWESOME job!!  I can't express enough just how happy I am with how it turned out.  They went above and beyond my dreams - really, I was just hoping for some plywood slapped together and they have gone all out and it looks like something straight from Pottery Barn.  I'm impressed and happy to be (momentarily) the garage envy of the street.  (I fully recognize this is fleeting as it will take us about 20 seconds to fill them with junk!)

After the guys were done I primed and painted it and then painted it again.  I picked up some hooks and Brian put those in last night.  This morning, Whitley Ann and I headed out on a mission to find baskets to fill these cubby holes to help keep some unity to the clutter (or at least help camouflage it!).  While at the store with my measuring tape, I began to think it would have been better to find some baskets first and then build around them... I'm not sure we have standard measurements, but I did find some things I hope will work.  I had wanted some baskets a little simpler, but this is what I could find that would work.  I'm hoping maybe the bright colors will help encourage the kids that cleaning up is fun!  

THANK YOU BRIAN AND DIMITRIS!!!   I **LOVE** my new shelves!!!  Now, to get them loaded up, so I can move the other stuff around and get my car back in the garage since it's starting to push 90* outside this week.

This is the photo of inspiration from a favorite blogger of mine: Memories on Clover Lane 

She also has a recipe blog: Cooking on Clover Lane that has lots of great hits!

 Higgins' new shelving unit completed and primed.

 Painted, hooks up, baskets in place!  

I'm actually testing out how I like the look before I load the baskets down and am unable to return them... although really cute, I'm leaning towards returning the far left column of baskets since they aren't quite practical for the space.  I'm going to feel it out today, but I see a return in my future!

Chicken Brunswick Stew

Chicken Brunswick Stew from The Lady & Sons (Paula Deen)

serves 6-8

• (1) 2 1/2 lb fryer 
• (1) 28 oz can crushed tomatoes, sweetened with 1/3 cup sugar
• (1) 16 oz can creamed corn
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup prepared barbecue sauce 
• 1 T liquid smoke (found in grocery store)
• 1 onion, chopped 
• 1 T vinegar (I used white)
• 1 T Worcestershire sauce 
• salt and pepper to taste 
• celery salt to taste 

In a large pot, boil chicken until meat falls off bone, approx 45 minutes; drain (reserve 1 - 2 cups of stock).  Remove skin and bones; chop meat.  In a separate pot, mix chicken and remaining ingredients.  Simmer slowly for about 30 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking.  (Add a little bit of stock if stew gets too think.)  Serve over steamed rice.

**Robin's edits / notes**

• This was a new recipe for me, so I followed it exactly (aside from adding the lima beans) and thought it was good, but a bit sweet for my personal taste.  Next time, I will not add the 1/3 cup of sugar - I think between the ketchup and bbq sauce, it will be sweet enough for me.  I'll most likely also add just a dash or two of a hot sauce next time too or maybe just do that on my own bowl - either Tabasco or Texas Pete would be good I think.
• Also, I have always eaten it like we did last night, more as a soup if you will, so I didn't do the rice, but I think that could be good / hearty as a meal in itself.
• The chicken I cooked was closer to 5 lbs as I was debating which recipe to use... so I had double the chicken the recipe called for.
• I had on hand a few pieces, probably about 1 lb of beef briskett - I tossed it in since I had it on hand (it had been smoked).
• It says to use another pot; I don't like washing dishes that much!  I reserved 2 cups of stock and did end up using about 1 1/2 after it had cooked a bit.  The remainder of the stock I put in ziplock bags in 1/2 cup and 2 cup portions that I lay flat and freeze.  Next time I need stock in a recipe - voila!  Once I had bagged up the stock, I poured all the ingredients back in to that pot and started simmering.
• I added a small bag (10-12 oz +/-) frozen lima beans - I've always had lima beans in the Brunswick stew I've eaten, so I tossed them in with the rest.
• Liquid smoke; I found it by the BBQ sauce section, small 5 oz bottle at Harris Teeter 
• Just for your purposes, I used Kraft Honey Hickory Smoke BBQ sauce - it's what I had on hand.  Again, I think this sauce is sweet enough in itself, that I won't add the sugar next time.
• I didn't have crushed tomatoes, so I used petite diced - once it's cooked down a bit, it's kind of all the same for this particular dish at least!

Max and Harper, Part II

Harper was able to leave the Special Care Unit and rejoin her brother, mom and dad yesterday!  They will all be heading home on Tuesday of this week and I'm sure later in the week, Noah will return to complete their family of 5.  

I think NCSU made it to the Sweet 16 because they had these 2 cute, new fans cheering them on!

Max (L) and Harper (R)

 Harper (L) and Max (R)

Big brother Noah giving Max a bottle - sweet, sweet.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Yesterday we had some family fun as we headed downtown Raleigh for the St. Patrick's Day festivities and parade.  Our friends, Blaine, Liz, Carson and Harrison were there and the kids loved every minute of fun.  They jumped in a couple of bouncy houses and we got up front row to watch the parade - they were in heaven!  It was such a beautiful day, close to 80* - not typical March weather, but we all enjoyed it.  It was close to 2pm when we got in the car to head home; both the girls were out before we even got out of the parking lot.  Naylor spent almost the entire ride home saying he wasn't going to take a nap and then about 5 minutes from the house fell asleep.  I needed to hit up the grocery store, so I did that and Brian kept the kids in the car while waiting... I was afraid if we took them to their beds they'd not go back to sleep.  When we got home Lalon and Whitley Ann both did go to their beds fine and then Naylor laid in bed with me and Brian and watched a bit of tv, but didn't go back to sleep.

Once naps were over, we played more outside, riding bikes and just having fun.  Brian mowed the grass for the first time this season to get the dead stuff out and there's lots of green peaking through!  We were having so much fun playing outside, we set up our tailgating table / grill and made dinner out there - burgers and zucchini grilled and it was great.  Naylor, Lalon and Whitley Ann were loving the 'picnic' we made.

After a long day outside, we hit the showers and then bed... not long after the kids were down, I followed suit! What a great day filled with friends, family and fun - looking forward to a great Spring!

 Waiting their turn for the bounce house

 Harrison - he and Whitley Ann got some quality time watching the parade in the stroller together.

 cutie Lalon in her pretty dress

 Family photo!

 Irish Wolfhounds - we saw about a dozen that were in the parade

 This one had to take a rest, so Naylor and Lalon said hello!

 Attempt # 23 (no joke!) at a girl pic... it'll have to do with Lalon's tongue out!

Front and center parade watching.

Welcome Max and Harper!

Friday, March 16, 2012 marked the day we added two new friends to our family!  Max Kennedy (5 lbs; 19") and Harper Quinn Shackelford (5lbs, 2 oz; 18") made their debut in the very wee hours of the morning Thursday arriving a tiny bit early, 35 weeks, but doing just great.  Mom Rikki and Dad Brian are both doing great too.

I was able to run over to Rex Hospital last night (Friday) to see Rikki and Brian, as well as meet little Max.  Harper at that time was in the Special Care Unit just for a little boost, but was doing great and looked like she would be joining the family back in their room in the morning.

Max was just as precious as he could be and so tiny!  I know Lalon wasn't much bigger, but it's truly hard to remember how little she actually was once I was holding him.  He slept the entire time I held him and let out one giant yawn... he had eaten just as I got there and had a belly full!

 Max Kennedy Shackelford

5 lbs; 19" 12:52 am 3.16.12

 Harper Quinn Shackelford

5 lbs, 2 oz; 18" 12:54 am; 3.16.12

We are so excited to have some new sweet friends on the street and in our lives!  Much congratulations and love going out to the Shackelford family of 5!

Easy Focaccia Bread

Prepped and ready for baking

Fresh from the oven - can't wait to make some paninis!

Easy Focaccia, from Southern Living's Homestyle Cooking 

• 2 (1 lb) loaves frozen dough, thawed - I used fresh dough sold in the deli section of my Harris Teeter, they were pizza dough balls, but I don't think that made a huge difference.
• 1/4 c olive oil - I didn't use nearly that much, closer to 1/8 cup
• 1 small white or purple onion, thinkly sliced and separated into rings 
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 
• 2 T fresh (or dried) rosemary 
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder 
• 1 tsp coarse salt 
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper 

Place each portion of dough on a lightly greased baking sheet; slightly flatten each dough into a 12 x 8 x 1/2 inch rectangle.  Press your finger or knuckle into dough at 2" intervals to create "dimples".  Brush with olive oil.  Top with onion rings; sprinkle evenly with cheese, rosemary, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

Bake at 375* for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.  Serve warm, or cool completely on wire racks.  

Yield: 2 loaves 

**This shortcut version can get creative!  Vary the toppings - try whole pitted olives, slivers of garlic and ham, and grape tomatoes.