Saturday, March 24, 2007

Sunday Scribbling - "In the Kitchen"




This is my beautiful kitchen that I had so much fun creating with Dave. I have never enjoyed cooking but I had always liked the feel of a cozy kitchen. My fondest memories as a child were not of great food and savory aromas, but of family congregating around the table talking. It's where Easter eggs were dyed and Christmas cookies were baked. It's the place where grandpa would come in from a hard days work and lift us up in the air to touch the ceiling. The coffee pot in those days was always on.

When I got older the kitchen became a place I dreaded. With two working parents my brother and I were to pitch in with the chores. My brother got to take out the garbage while I became salad chef, table setter, coffee maker and dishwasher. It was a sexist household and I quickly learned to dislike cooking and cleaning. I'll never forget the time the "Mr. Coffee" burst into flames right before the big recall. They sent a new one and I got disturbingly excited.

When I had my own kitchen as a young wife I realized I knew enough to create my own meals. I actually enjoyed cooking and started getting good at it. Having to become a working mom with an unhelpful husband stole that fleeting joy of cooking. My creative cooking moment turned into the basic meatloaf with mac and cheese. I was very happy work made the coffee.

When I retired with ALS I taught my girls the basics of cooking. It soon turned into their pain in the neck and eventually their job. They hated it because they had to do it, even before the big football game or a night out with friends. Then my Dave came into my life just as the youngest was ready to leave the nest. He was a confirmed bachelor that never enjoyed cooking but put his best foot forward and persevered. Between his recipes and mine we do just fine and he makes great coffee.

He built me my dream kitchen so I can embrace that part of the house again. We made it warm and cozy filled with the wonderful aroma of coffee. We created a french cafe with ceramic tile, tin back splash, anything that screamed coffee and cabinet lighting. I'll miss the wonderful bistro he made me when we move but we will keep the theme. Grandma and grandpa would have love it.

To read other scribbles go here

Music is a new artist "Kelly Sweet." Thanks Jimmy

36 comments:

paris parfait said...

I'm with you about not liking the kitchen much as a teen - always having to do chores. But I do remember dying Easter eggs, baking things, etc. and that part was a pleasure. And looking back, my mom disliked cooking, so that's probably why it didn't feel like such a cozy place. Your new kitchen in your new place will be even more special, because it's something you and Dave will design and create together. But I can't see the photo - just a blank space! xo

Anonymous said...

I love your kitchen! Sophisticated yet homey.

Regina said...

Boo- I can't see your kitchen either! But it sounds wonderful from your description! I am so glad that you met Dave- any guy that can make great coffeee is a keeper in my book!
xo

rel said...

Tammy,
A french Kitchen and a paris Bistro!

I like it ....a lot. That would complete the mood for me everyday.;-)
I grew up with a mother who loved to cook and be creative in the kitchen. She sold wedding cakes and made all the decorations by hand. Those were the days before you could buy all the decorations ready made. Around the corner from our house lived my great Aunt, who in effect was more my Grandmother. She also loved to cook, but she was the more traditional meat and potatoes kind of cook.
To me the kitchen has and still is the central core of the fomily home... the control center and more.
rel

Becca said...

I love your kitchen- the tiles and backsplash are gorgeous. And it's so neat! I wouldn't dare photograph mine (at least not now!)

I'm glad you're making some good new memories in this kitchen. I've always had good memories of my mom's kitchen and my own.

emmapeelDallas said...

Tammy,

I love your cozy kitchen, and when we talk, I can easily imagine the two of us sitting there, or in my kitchen, or mugs of good coffee...

Judi

emmapeelDallas said...

...can't type tonight...that was supposed to read "over" mugs of good coffee...but p.s., I really like the Kelly Sweet song...

Judi

daisies said...

your kitchen is so beautiful ~ i love it!! how wonderful that you've turned it into the good kitchen memories from your childhood :)

gautami tripathy said...

Beautiful kitchen.A dream kitchen indeed. I always liked the various kitchens since childhood. I can relate it with my mother's love. I have spent so many memorable times there. Even now the kitchen table relaxes me no end.

Anonymous said...

Your kitchen looks wonderfully cosy and I love the steaming mug of tea/coffee thingy you have hanging on the wall. And yes, you are welcome to hang out in my kitchen anytime - an invitation I hope will be reciprocated? :)

Nancy said...

Great memories of your old kitchen...beautiful pics of your current one! Real nice, Tammy.

Also love Kelly S. I think her 1st CD is out now.

Love,
Nancy

The Dream said...

NICE kitchen! The wood is gorgeous! And the mondo steaming coffee cup is fantastic. I'll have to post a few snaps of the ones I have hanging up.

I would LOVE to renovate ours (or have a professional do it), as it IS the smallest kitchen in America.

TI said...

You do such a great job here of conveying how detestable cooking can become when you *have* to do it, and then how wonderful it is when you don't have to. Nothing beats a cozy kitchen, but yes, we need choices! Your musical choice today is beautiful (as usual). Your Twin

Anonymous said...

You and my dad create great meals together, maybe when we come down in a couple weeks you guys can make that chicken bake..mmm, it's so good. I love how the kitchen looks, it's been a while since I've been down there and it looks great.
Hugs,
Jolene

Kamsin said...

What a lovely looking kitchen you have and I hope your new one brings lots of joy and happiness! It seems my grandmas generation was the last to really embrace the idea of a womans role being in the kitchen. I both appreciate being liberated from the kitchen sink, but also feel something is lost when we don't embrace the kitchen as a vital room in the house. Wanting to have my cake and eat it perhaps!

Pam said...

I have never had a dream kitchen but used to love gourmet cooking. It's when you don't "have" to cook that it's so much fun.

I love your kitchen!

Re: the pictures you sent...thank you, Dave did good! And I have the exact same wind chime on my porch!

Amber said...

Your kitchen is cozy looking! And warm, like you. ;)

But Yay for the move! :)

I like the music. Very nice.

:)

Julie said...

This is a really nice kitchen (and so clean!). Our house was mostly sexist with the cooking also, except my dad always made his own breakfast and usually make my toast.

I know the benefits of your new home will outweigh leaving your nice current kitchen behind. I'm sure you'll love it!

Anonymous said...

(((Tammy)))

Beautiful and poignant writing of your journey with your kitchen and all it means to you.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful kitchen, Tammy! It looks very warm, cozy and inviting. Good for you for looking past all the difficult kitchen memories to create your dream one!

Anonymous said...

Lovely kitchen.
Your Dave is really something.
Thanks for stopping by my site.
Sending good vibes your way.
Seee you next week.

Tinker said...

Your dream kitchen is lovely, Tammy - and I bet your next kitchen will be just as warm and cozy as your cafe is now - especially since you have your favorite chef by your side ;-)

Rethabile said...

Beautiful kitchen, beautiful post.

Kay Cooke said...

What a beautiful kitchen - it would be my pick out of a hundred kitchens for sure - I just love the honey coloured wood - so warm. And what neat and tidy surfaces! A lovely lovely inviting kitchen.

Anonymous said...

Your kitchen is warm and inviting, I just love it.

TJ said...

Love it!!!!!

Jana B said...

I absolutely LOVE the kitchen!!!! It reminds me of a cafe that love.

Jone said...

Your kitchen is amazing. I love the cool way you did the photos. You asked me (in the comments section) to send you a link and I am not sure what you meant.
I had an ex-husband who about destroyed my love of cookig as well. Love the new song.

Jessie said...

Your kitchen is so warm and cozy, Tammy. I love the color of your cabinets, the tiles, and (of course!) the coffee theme.

It sounds like a wonderful place to be. Yum! :)

Left-handed Trees... said...

I apppreciated how comfortable and inviting this kitchen looked...mine still needs some love! BEAUTIFUL post...
--D.--

Bedazzzled1 said...

Amazing how your earliest memories are those of a warm, loving kitchen...and now you are returning to make NEW warm and loving ones there.

The kitchen is gorgeous.

::hug::
Nikki

Kimberley McGill said...

I am sure your kitchen is a reflection of you and Dace - you must be quite a couple. You'll bring the same love and creativity to your new home.

Annie Jeffries said...

Tammy, I just love the way you make life's lemons into lemonade.

A bird in the hand said...

I enjoyed your kitchen story. xoxo

Anonymous said...

I love the pictures of our kitchen.It looks nicer on the computer then when I am in there slaving over a hot stove( LOL).Love the way you have made it so nice and warm..Love me

Janet said...

WOW! Your kitchen is gorgeous, so warm and homey. I love it :-)