Welcome Home!!!

Welcome to my new kitchen!

It's small, but it's very functional: there is a tremendous amount of storage space, a microwave (which I've not had in 6 months, though I only use it for melting butter or reheating leftovers anyway), a work table with a fabulous view of greenery and daffodils, and even a gas stove (which I've also been without for the past 6 months, and infinitely prefer to electric).

And there's lots of light, which is essential for a kitchen; the kitchen I had around Christmas time was a virtual dungeon that had only two small windows, with a fence blocking the view from one and an enclosed porch blocking the light and view from the other ... it was so dismal and depressing!

But this one is cheerful and bright; and it looks out upon the front porch ... yes, I have a front porch!!!

It has two rocking chairs (that's my kitchen window behind them), and I've staked my claim to the space by wrapping my Mardi Gras beads around the banister and hanging a small, delicate (rather than clangy) wind chime. Jeremy and I ate sandwiches out there on "move in" day, enjoying the warmth and sunshine ... :)

Now, as we end our tour, let me show you the view from the porch, with a budding tree, a gorgeous pink tulip tree, and a white picket fence. Even my blue Suburban is visible way off in the distance:


My word for the year (thank you for the inspiration, Leanne!) was NURTURE. I can definitely nurture myself here -- it's peaceful, it's welcoming, it's cozy, it's sunny, and I can release a lot of stressors in this kind of environment.

I can have more control over my own life, set my own schedule, stay up as late as I want to, and eat what I want whenever I want without accommodating anyone else.

I can even choose my own color schemes and decor, kitschy and whimsical as they might be in "thrift store chic" with Remy and Cookie Monster and some rubber duckies watching over my cooking adventures, and floral garlands from the dollar store breaking up some of the pervasive whiteness of the apartment.

I feel freedom coming back to me. I've lived with others, in varying scenarios, since I got married in 1987 ... it's been a long time since I've been alone and didn't have to factor others' needs and desires into my choices. (Especially significant since some of the people I've lived with have inflicted very distinct and rigid constraints, due to circumstances beyond anyone's control.)

And that freedom I feel returning??? *I* need this right now.

But enough about that. Now that you've seen my new home, we'll be back to eating tomorrow!

My New Kitchen

I have a new kitchen! It's not as big as my old one, and definitely not as colorful -- the old one was blue, and I had painted confetti (streaming swirls and polka dots) on one wall. There is an electric stove rather than a gas one. The countertops and storage space are both significantly limited, though I pride myself on being fairly adaptable so I'm doing my best to accommodate. All of my spices fit on the freezer door (took both shelves, but they fit!), so it's working out okay.

No, I didn't remodel anything just to set these limits -- that would have been a contrary thing to do, now, wouldn't it??? And who has the money for that kind of work anyway?

So, I'm sure you're asking why I have a new kitchen, and why I would downsize this way since I do so love to cook and bake. Well, here's where the big announcement I've been promising for a week (which had to be delayed by my untimely computer problems) comes in:

My new kitchen comes with something far more valuable than work space, more important than a gas stove, more precious than storage capacity. My new kitchen comes with a new house ... and with my sweetie.

I moved in with Tom last week ... :)