Tuesday, April 16, 2019

KITCHEN SHOPPING...












I have been reading a lot lately 
about shopping your house,
 that moving things around
 from room to room 
can make it all seem 
fresh and new.






To be sure,
 I have done that. 
 Most of the Cottage's rooms
 have perpetual "Clearance Sale" signs
 posted and...






...poor Goatzie 
has been moved so many times, 
he needs new tread 
on his wagon tires.






But, 
if I truly believed that and 
if I always practiced what I preach, 
I wouldn't have a full room 
dedicated to the exact opposite 
of that idea.
 But,
 that is neither here nor there, 
so back to the subject
 at hand.






Our kitchen
 is a far cry now 
compared to how it was
 when the Cottage first came 
into our hands
 for safe keeping. 

 I did a post 
about the evolution 
which you can see (here) if you are interested.

  The island, above, 
is known as Cinderella. 

 You can read about her (here)

 You might call me 
the wicked stepmother,
 but even though
 she was a true labor of love,
at the time, 
she just didn't work out.
She was doomed from the beginning:

1.  We paid too much for the
state she was in.
2.  She was a lot of work.
3.  She didn't fit the space
that she was intended for.



  

The kitchen is fairly large 
when taken as a whole,
but the actual working part
 only takes up a small corner and 
with the addition of two adults and 
two dogs, always underfoot,
 that doesn't leave much room 
for cooking. 
 Cinderella was definitely in the way,
 so began the plan
 of how to make
 the kitchen 
more efficient.






We listed possibilities. 
 A new smaller island, 
removing the table and chairs all together,
 or moving them to another location, 
taking out the stove, etc.
  In other words, 
removing the charm 
that I love in my kitchen.
  Buying anything new
would cost money, and 
if I was going to spend money, 
I would rather put it into
 a new wood floor...





...but that 
is a story for another day.

 So what did we do? 
 We shopped the house.






We moved 
the Ikea cupboard 
across the room
(which if you went back to the older link,
 you might notice that it has  
been here once before - 
 before the face lift)...





...and switched places 
with the stove. 
 (The Captain will be making a back drop
 for the stove
 eventually).





Although the table and chairs 
remained in the same place, 
we did switch out the table
 for a smaller one 
that was behind 
the settee 
in the parlor.





By moving the bowl tower
 and the little chair, 
that opened up space 
for an antique chair...




...that was hidden in the dining room and 
meant that I could still use 
the piggy lamp on the old crock.

 I think it is as important to have 
lamp light in the kitchen 
as well as in 
any other room.




In putting back the counters,
 I tried to de-accessorize
a little. 
( I refuse to use the word clutter!)




...but, to be honest,
 you must know me well enough by now
 to know that even 
if I really do try, 
that probably ain't gonna happen!






I am very pleased
 how it all played out.

  There will most likely be
 a little more tweaking 
here and there
 as time goes on. 
There always is, and I think
 I might be happy with 
a round, braided rug 
under the table and chairs.
 We shall see.





It feels more open 
and the happy feeling 
I get first thing in the morning,
 when the coffee is perking...






...could be 
just the sun shining in 
but I think
 it's a little more
 than that.





This has been an overload 
of photos and words, 
but I promised the recipe 
for the tomato soup 
courtesy of Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa:


CREAM OF FRESH TOMATO SOUP


3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 1/2 cups chopped red onion (2 onions)
2 carrots, unpeeled and chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
4 pounds tomatoes, coarsely chopped (5 large)
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/4 cup packed chopped fresh basil leaves, plus julienned leaves for garnish
3 cups chicken stock
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
3/4 cup heavy cream (I used half and half)
Croutons for garnish


Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy bottomed pot over medium low heat. 
 Add onions and carrots, saute for about ten minutes, until very tender. 
 Add garlic and cook for one minute more.
  Add the tomatoes, sugar, tomato paste, basil, chicken stock, salt and pepper and stir well. 
 Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes,
 until the tomatoes are very tender.

Add the cream to the soup 
and process it through a food mill 
into a bowl,
 discarding only the dry pulp that's left.
  Reheat the soup over low heat 
just until hot and serve.

Enjoy!!





This is the very first day 
that really feels like spring. 

 I'm wishing you all 
more days like this.


...Judy...






I'd like to take this time 
to thank ones who posted photos
 of their trips to France and Notre Dame.

 A tragedy has occurred and 
it is one that is felt around the world. 
 A thing of beauty 
is a joy forever and
 nothing about this magnificent icon 
will be forgotten 
and, through time, 
it will rise again.

  It is a reminder to all of us that, throughout life, 
 our most precious possessions
 can be taken from us 
in an instant. 


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13 comments:

  1. I love it! All the changes that you made to the kitchen are wonderful.
    I would love to 'shop' your kitchen...LOL! I have my eye on that darling pig lamp :)
    It is so cozy and inviting to have little lamps interspersed throughout a home, adding warmth and light.

    So sad about Notre Dame.
    I heard a thing on the radio about how this younger generation will not grow up seeing the same beautiful skyline as generations before...how true. Glad they will rebuild though.

    Have a great rest of your week.
    ~K.

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  2. Judy, I love your house. So many wonderful things to use in decorating. I want to shop your house. LOL I love that little cozy stove. What a sweet spot to enjoy your coffee. Blessings to you and the Captain, xoxo, Susie

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  3. Judy,
    Thanks so much for sharing your Kitchen with us!! I was patiently waiting for this post!! I have so much to say!! Okay, the Sampler in the very first photo made me chuckle as I am currently working on a similar Kitchen sampler that I first started over 30 years ago!! I know, I DO work at lightening speed!! LOL!! LOVE that sweet red tea pot!!! LOVE the canisters on the counter with the rooster tops!! Again, I LOVE the brick wall and I also chuckled when I saw the "Kitchen" sign because I just did something similar....The Ikea cabinet with the chalkboard drawers looks fantastic there!! And the shutters on the window are so charming!!! You know I would adore the red stool!! And being honest, I really like how your flooring looks in your Kitchen especially with that brick wall. Love the mix of Farmhouse , French Country and Victorian of course!! I too refuse to call it clutter!!! You have so many lovely things and know just how to display them perfectly!! Thanks so much , my friend, for sharing your Kitchen with us!! And also the recipe too!!!
    Happy Easter to you and Your Captain and the rest of your family!!!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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  4. Judy I love it!!! Wow what a difference just moving around a few things. It looks great. I have the same issue with my tiny galley part of my kitchen too. I would love to shop your house. SO many cool things in your decor. Happy Easter to you and the Captain and fur loves.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  5. Hi Judy, If I didn't know better, I'd say we were sisters from another Mother. I love your kitchen, in fact your whole house and decor. I have beige brick linoleum on my kitchen floor. Wanted red but was talked out of it. Love your iron stone bowl and all of the other kitcheney goodies that you have shared. I always look forward to your blog posts. Always something special to enjoy. It is such a shame about Notre Dame. Such a tragedy. Have a beautiful Easter. Hugs, Charlotte in Va.

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  6. Your space looks wonderful! Hats off to you for shopping the house and coming up with such a great combo! I love how it changed. My kitchen is the tiniest thing ever and like you, everyone ends up there. So, I get it!

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  7. Judy, it looks so wonderful! You have the most cozy and warm kitchen I've ever seen! well.. aside from my mom's.... hers was similar to yours but not quite as big and yes... she had the same floor as yours... was put in their new "model home" in 1952 or so. Looking at your linoleum sure does take me back to being at home, sitting at the kitchen table by the wood stove, enjoying meals with my family! I love having a small table in the kitchen.. and also, a lamp is a necessity! I'm still trying to find a place I can have a little lamp in my kitchen. It is so cozy at night and so welcoming, to have a little lamp burning after the meal is done, dishes washed, etc.... I love it! My mom had a little lamp in her dining area, which was part of the kitchen, with a nice little chair for sitting, crocheting, or reading.. or having her morning cup of coffee. Your little "wood stove" in there is so sweet too. What wonderful collections you have too! Love it all! xoxox Marilyn

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  8. I love your cottage. It is very warm and cozy. I wish one I would visit you. :D

    XOXO..

    And i love the tomato soup recipe. I will make it.

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  9. Oh, Judy, your kitchen is darling! I love everything about it....it is so warm and welcoming, cozy and comfy and a place that you just want to wake up to, come home to, and tip-toe into late at night to get a little treat by lamp-light. My Mom had the same little poem in her kitchen and my heart did skip a little beat when I saw it. And you know I love crocheted pot-holders :) The little chair by the stove is just too wonderful and the stack of tiny benches, too. Well, everything is just right, even the floor. Thank you for the great recipe! Hope you have a lovely Easter and that you treat yourself to something sweet. Hugs xo Karen

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    ReplyDelete
  11. Happy Easter Judy ... I don't see my comment here... So I must rewrite and tell you how very much I enjoyed your lovely post ..It truly brought back memories .. especially of making Tomatoe soup from scratch ... It's simply the best.. and I did make it after I read your blog( ha Ha) It was delicious !!!..Your kitchen is so charming. I love all cosy details. The exposed brick really adds that country touch . It's a place you want to sit, chat and have a cup tea ...It is so inviting... Blessing to you and your captain..

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  12. Happy Easter, Judy! I have been very preoccupied this spring and it's been hard to get to my computer as much as I'd like, but I'm so glad I stopped by. Your kitchen is gorgeous. I love all the different ways you have decorated it and today's incarnation is stunning (and just my style!). You have so many charming accessories and touches in the room, I could get lost in there forever. I think shopping your home is an excellent idea...you know me, I've been wanting to do it for years! 😉😍

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  13. Your kitchen is just the coziest ever, Judy! It just warms my heart to see it, and how you accessorize so perfectly.

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy