Bird Sighting: Antique desk made new

Greetings readers,

I assumed most of you know that I named my blog after a childhood nickname, but you know how assumptions can be. My aunts and cousins called me Katie Bird and then shortened it to Bird over time. When I was little (who knows how old) I would open my mouth up like a little bird to eat. After I was finished my little tummy would be so full I suppose that I look like a plump bird, hence Katie Bird. Almost a year ago when I decided to create a blog the name became pretty useful and I added the "calling" for fun.

A few weeks ago I wanted to start "Bird Sighting". I thought it would be fun to include these randomly in my posts and show fun and unique bird items. What do you think?

My first bird sighting is from my friend and co-worker Robyn. She has this gorgeous antique desk that needed a purpose in her home. A few weeks ago she started to strip, sand, and create a vision on this treasured family piece. I think the results are fantastic!

The drawers are painted a gorgeous blue from a sample can of paint by Olympus, while the birds are stenciled in gold acrylic paint from a local craft store.

I loved the knobs that she found and think the color really pulls out the richness of the wood grain. She was originally started looking for antique or vintage inspired wallpaper to paste to the front of the drawers, but decided to change course and go with painting them instead.

Hope you liked the first bird sighting and be looking for many more to come!

What's been going on?

Hey bloggers,

Today I feel like it's been the first day I have looked up and realized October is almost over! Where did September go and what have I been doing? I have tried to recap what I have been up the past couple of months and nothing comes to mind. Pretty soon I will be in a heavy coat and preparing for the holiday season.

 Right now my wine rack is in the garage because it is moving to a new room... my kitchen. This rack has the coolest shape and in order to make more space in the dining room it needed to be painted black and sent to the kitchen. It should be dry soon enough so my wine will have a new home very soon. Pictures to come!

Last night our friends John and Lesley came over for dinner. I was in the mood for my mom's chicken and dumplings, soo I started cooking around one on Sunday, Amazingly it was delicious! I tried making it before, but somehow my dumplings were enormous and grew to the size of baseballs in the pot. How come no one tells you this will happen and to cut the dough really small?? (Another cooking experience that Jonathan and I will never forget.) It was great having them over for dinner and sitting down to some comfort food and fall decor. Lesley made this awesome salad with strawberries, mandarine oranges, sunflower seeds, and a raspberry vinaigrette. I popped in some crescent rolls for dinner and some banana nut bread for desert. We were all set!

Everyone was really sweet to eat with my new fall centerpiece on the table. I did it yesterday afternoon, so I was still excited to see it out. (Please note I don't actually have a table runner... it's burlap that I keep around the house. Best three bucks I ever spent!)

I will post the easy Chicken and Dumplings in a minute, but I want to let you know I am going to attempt to make real pies this year. I made the German Blueberry (summer) Pie with much success and would love to make a pecan and pumpkin this holiday season like my mom does every year. It is just one of those things that are on my list. (You know, the list you have in your head of all the things you want to try?) The ones above are an example of how good she is... I mean, who thinks to make fall themed dough cut outs for the top of the pie? Moms, they make everything better!

I will be out of town this week for work. Nothing like Vegas, but I will be in Atlanta attending a workshop for the day. Hope you enjoyed your weekend and I look forward to catching up on your blogs soon!

::Mom’s Chicken n’ Dumplings::

3-4 chicken breasts boiled (shred or cube)
4 cups of water boiled
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 Tbsp chicken bouillon
1 Tbsp Parsley flakes

Directions:
Boil chicken breasts in water. Remove then once it's cooled shred or cube.
Turn down heat to a simmering boil.
Add bouillon and cream of chicken soup and blend until smooth consistency. (if you don't have these chicken broth works well)
Add parsley flakes and chicken.
*May add shredded carrots, celery, or mushrooms if desired.

Bisquick (Follow dumpling mix)
1⅔ C Bisquick
⅔ C milk

Dumpling Directions:
Mix in a bowl until a soft ball.
Dust table with Bisquick mix (or flour)
Turn ball out onto table.
Flatten by hand to < than ¼ inch thick.
Cut into squares. Separate slightly and dust with Bisquick.
Let dry slightly (½ hour)
Drop 8-10 at a time into pot with chicken. Let soften and sink, then add a few more.
Add the remainder of Bisquick from the table to thicken the broth.
Salt and pepper to taste.

I let mine stay on low for about 2.5 hours on the stove. You could do the same thing in the crockpot :)
Serves 8-10

I am baffled!

Last night the most bazaar thing happened. I figured you may not believe me so I took some pictures to show you. I was making lasagna and I pulled out my glass baking dish from the pantry (a cool dry place). I put it on the counter (no where near the stove) and went back to sautéing the meat. About five minutes later I hear a large "pop" sound and then a sprinkling noise like little pins where hitting the ground. The noise and shatter reminded me of a glass Christmas ornament breaking, but I had no idea where it came from.

I looked around behind and noticed my dish was in tact, but saw tiny shards of glass all over the floor. (Some had even managed to land in the dining room!) I promise that I stood there for a few minutes completely perplexed. I looked at the light bulbs, salt and pepper shakers, my vase until... I noticed the inside edge of the dish was missing a large chunk from around the inside rim. A part of my dish exploded!

I have read about this happening when baking dishes are weak and under extreme heat. Or when you take something very cold and put it in an oven or hot hot water. Still, this was on my counter and I have no idea how this happened or why it occurred. I did not think you would believe unless I showed you, but here it is...

The pieces came from the inside rim near the top of the handle. I am open to any explanations to why this may have happened because Jonathan and I can't figure it out. It was not near the dishwasher, nothing was inside or near it that was hot, the counter was clean, etc. The pieces inside were the largest I found on the floor and all the tiny ones are in my vacuum. I feel like I should call the company and tell them what happened, but I don't want them to send me another dish like this... I might be purchasing Corningware. 

I hope you are enjoying your Wednesday!

Totally confused,



Where I am

Dinner has been picked up, the dishes are clean, the laundry completed, and I am in the den with my boys, Jonathan and Dax. We have all the windows open and I love the chilly night air blowing through the house with a popping fire dying down. It may seem a little early to dive into fall on a Monday evening, but this is what I look forward to about this time of year.

Spending my early childhood in Southern Illinois I felt I had a good sense of all four seasons. Now that I am in central Alabama I have to cherish these mild evenings because they do not come around very often. It was wonderful to sleep with the windows open last night and hear the sounds of leaves move along the pavement. All I need now is a spiced apple scent to fill the house along with red, orange, and yellow leaves to cover our lawn. Big sweaters and cider here I come!

This weekend we headed to Auburn to enjoy an early sunny game. I was able to see my sweet friend Tracy for breakfast. You know those friends you get to see every so often and pick up right where you left off? Well, she happens to be one of those friends for me! I loved that we had a breakfast date and she took some time to meet me on my tight schedule. Afterwards, Jonathan and I headed to the stadium and then to a fun place where frosty beverages are served. You can tell after spending one half at the game in the hot sun, a cold one is just what I needed!



After leaving Toomer's Corner (where our fans celebrate a win) we eventually make it to my brother's fraternity house to meet up with my family. My middle brother Thomas (who lived with us a few months this summer) turned 21 today so we met up to celebrate, eat a little dinner, and have a good time. I know I talk about my family a lot, but my heart just seems to burst with love when I think of them. I am so thankful that I have these amazing people that I can call mine. My little brothers are going to make some ladies very happy one day... if I can stand to share them!

We enjoyed Mexican, sharing stories, singing Happy Birthday in english, and embarassing Thomas a second time with a song sung in Spanish! He was precious looking around hoping no one saw his family hollering and clapping to the restaurant's version of Happy Birthday. Thomas, if you are reading this know how much we all love you and want you to enjoy it while you can! (21 will come and go quickly brother, enjoy it.)

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and that good weather will come your way this week!