Kitchen Scenes

 This week when I should have been packing, doing laundry, or any of the many more important things on my to-do list, you could find me in my kitchen... organizing shelves and cabinets.  I called Justus at work and asked if there was something wrong with me, that every time I know I have to leave our home for a few days, I go into nesting mode.  It's not that I don't enjoy going away for a few days, because I do, but there's nothing quite like home, is there? 

 

Our home is so imperfect on so many levels.  There are what seems like a never-ending list of things that need to be done to improve this little place of ours, and there are days I wouldn't mind moving to a brand new house where I didn't have to think about painting, or tearing down wallpaper (and to think those are just the easy things on the list) .  And yet... I love this old house.  And whenever I need a little grounding, I just come into my kitchen, the heart of our home, where the light floods the room in abundance.  I wash dishes, I cook, I organize a shelf or two, and I realize I have so, so much to be thankful for.  It doesn't take long for everything to be put into perspective once again.  

 

 I think one of the best things about having a small kitchen it that it has forced me to only keep those items that are most useful and most loved.  I never come home with anything for my kitchen that I haven't already thought through in my head where its home will be.  My house truly isn't the most organized, but I do like to keep the kitchen very tidy, and have a particular place for every item.  This helps so much when it comes to putting meals on each day, from food prep to grocery shopping to doing the dishes.   

 We have a little hidden storage, which I use for those items I don't find as pretty to display, like pots, pans, storage containers, small appliances, and food items.  What I've discovered in the time that I've had open shelving, is that it is best to display items there that you use very frequently, otherwise they will get dusty and dirty.  Sometime I can show you how I store everything if you'd like, but the pictures may not be very pretty.  ;-)

 

I'm thankful for moments when I realize how lucky I am to have a refrigerator where sweet drawings are proudly displayed, and that I have a beautiful, perfectly imperfect kitchen where I can cook meals for my family. Don't you agree that the most beautiful homes are those that are well loved and well lived in?  Oh yes, much to be thankful for...