New Lighting

I awoke this morning to a glittering yard.  The frost was thick and the urge to snuggle in and eat something yummy grabbed me.  So I went to my trusted Farm Chicks book and made the apple puff pastry recipe that never fails.  It was extra special using the apples that my daughter picked herself.

Yesterday I had some new kitchen lights installed.  It's so dark in our house and with the winter approaching I know how fleeting daylight is in Michigan.

The light over the table is a bigger version of the one over the kitchen island.  It illuminates everything so nicely. 

I love how the pink island stands out with the new lights.  The island is certainly the focal point of the kitchen.

It's amazing how lighting can change the look of a room.  I like the crispness of the black with the pastels.  Another check off on the home improvement list!

Joyfully,

It's the Little Things~

Looking to replace my bakeware, I spotted these in Target.

Imagine my happy dance when I flipped them over!

For a girl who loves pink and aqua in the kitchen

I was thrilled!

If I am going to spend such a great deal of time

preparing food for my family

why not be in a room surrounded by pretty 

things that you love?

It's the little things that can make mundane

everyday chores all that much more enjoyable,

don't you agree?

Hey, who opened the Easter candy?

(oops...that was me!)

Joyfully,

In The Pink ~

Inspired by Lori, I began my hunt for a pink toy stove.  Right before Christmas I landed one on Ebay for a steal and it arrived yesterday.  I'm having fun arranging some of my vintage cake toppers on it (I do believe that Lori and I could do some major damage together at a thrift store!)

The stove is right at home with the cupboard that I already had.  I don't know what it is about this time era, but I am drawn to it in a powerful way.  I think it's all the whimsy.

Nothing says whimsy like Holt Howard Pixieware.  I have acquired my pieces over time, before they became too expensive to purchase anymore.  I'm hoping I'll find some at a garage sale for pennies.  It's certainly not the value that's important to me.  They just make me smile.

My crinoline dish collection started with a four piece set for $15 at a local antique store.  Of course the drinking glasses had to follow.  They look wonderful on the table for Easter.

My kids friends have asked them if their Dad minds living in such a girly house.  I love the reaction to that question.  My daughter will look around like she's seeing the room for the first time, not even noticing that it was girly.

The boys have their family room downstairs which is all baseball.  I think I'm pretty generous giving them one room!

It certainly helps pass the grey days of winter to cook in a fun kitchen.   I don't know which of my rooms is my favorite, but the kitchen is a top contender.  Blessings today!

Smiles,

Tickled Pink!

I've been looking forward to sharing with you the latest addition to my kitchen, my new kitchen island!  My friend John made this for me out of an old buffet that he found.   All it needed was some loving care, a fresh coat of pink paint, a new top and it was good to go!

I love the beadboard that he placed on the front of it.  He has stamped his name on the inside of one of the drawers and I love that every time I open it, I think of him.  I have limited storage space in my pantry and am so pleased that this is big enough to hold all of my baking supplies.

My friend, Diane, painted this old Singer sewing machine stand white and asked me if I wanted it - did I ever!  It makes a great end table in the pretty room and a great space to store the cute stuffed lamb that my friend Joyce gave me.  My first machine was a Singer, as was my Mom's and my Grandma's so I especially like having this piece.  I am truly tickled pink!

With joy,

My Kitchen

I'm inviting you today on a tour of my kitchen.  I've really enjoyed its transformation and thought I would share it with you.  After my son left for college this past fall I decided I needed a project.  My kitchen at the time was painted red and as much as I liked it, it was too dark for a house that doesn't get much sunlight.  So I had it painted a pretty yellow.  Then the fun part began.  First I made new valance from Aunt Gracie fabric and a big yellow buffalo check fabric I had in my stash.

My friend Nancy sells the cutest oilcloth in her cafe and so I bought some to liven up the counter tops.  The magnetic knife holder project came from The Farm Chicks website.  It's so much fun working with those knives!  I just love my pink mixer, I'm convinced every girl should own one.

My little baking area is one of my favorite spots.  I saw the idea to use the teacups as scoops a couple of years ago in a magazine.  They certainly draw attention from visitors.  I was thrilled to find the pink capped spice set on one of my excursions.  Two of the caps were black so I bought some paint and mixed the colors to match the other ones and you would never know the difference.  The pink measuring bowl is from Longaberger.  Every year they have some new pink pieces for breast cancer awareness and I can hardly wait each year to see what's next.

This little beauty sits by my stove.  My friend Diane and I picked these up when we were "junking" together.  She got a pink one and I got the yellow.  She has graciously agreed to swap with me so I'll be making a change soon.  My next project for this kitchen is to find a better island.  I'd like one made from a dresser, painted pink, with butcher block on top.  I just need to find the right pieces.  So much fun and my husband doesn't mind the pink!  I'd also like to find a vintage cookie jar that goes with my theme.  So far, all the ones I like are way out of my price range.  I can wait, the thrill of the hunt is as fun as decorating, don't you think?

My God bless the work of your hands today!

Joyfully,