When you love to cook and entertain, having a well organized kitchen is so important. It was fun unpacking our kitchen when we moved in because it gave me an opportunity to organize my dishes as well my pantry and refrigerator. Nothing like a clean slate to start with!
“A place for everything and everything in its place”
Mrs Beeton (The Book of Household Management)
With our oldest daughter engaged to be married and looking to set up her own home, she often comes to me for advice and ideas. As trivial as it may seem, I love spending time with her talking about these things, because quite honestly it is important.
When you look around at all the restaurant popping up, the freezer section in the grocery store getting larger, and nights getting later for so many, kitchens are becoming more of a showpiece and less of a gathering space. I also know Home ec is no longer taught in schools like it was when my mom was growing up. In one generation we have lost the art of homemaking, more specifically, lost the art of cooking for the family. People are scared of the kitchen, or unwilling to make the time to make it a special place to be. And let’s face it, eating out is expensive!
It’s really time we all got back to the kitchen!
The kitchen is an important part of our home, the busiest room in the house without a doubt! Not only do we gather with the family for meals, but it is also a place where my kids have a snack and do their homework each day, where we entertain our friends, where I spend a little extra time with my children talking about their days. Relationships are built here and love is shared.
{It is the epicenter of our home.}
You don’t have to have the most modern and expensive kitchen to make it a special place. Your kitchen is a reflection of you and your life. Mine is a casual and comfortable galley style kitchen. Not modern by any means, but practical for our needs without a doubt.
I want to be in my kitchen. I want to cook, even after a late night with sports.
Over the next few weeks, I want to share with you a few ways I have made my kitchen a practical place to work and spend time. If you are setting up your own kitchen for the first time, I hope to share with you some advice to help you get started. If you are established in your kitchen, but not quite organized, I hope to offer you suggestions for getting it together and make your time spent in the kitchen even more fun.
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| Isn’t this more intimate and welcoming than dining with 100 strangers? |
A few things I would like to cover include a little about decor, what you do and don’t need, stocking the refrigerator and pantry, casual entertaining, menus, and clever storage ideas.
If you have something you would like for me to cover, by all means, share it! I would love to cover topics that you would find beneficial.
What role does the kitchen play in your life?
Fiddle Dee Dee by Jennifer Jones 
I can use help in this department. Meal planning is a challenge for me. Keeping the pantry stocked…another. I don't really enjoy cooking for another. You know those dishes my daughter gave me for my birthday? I can't seem to find a home for them. On and on. Yup, I'll be a front-row student. Do you have a button I can put in my sidebar for this series?
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I am visiting from A Haven For Vee's blog. I love to cook…would much rather cook than go out. I have had many kitchens through out my adult life and the one I loved the best was a galley style kitchen! Currently I have a u-shaped kitchen and it works well too, as long as I am the only one in the kitchen-lol. Nice meeting you!
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Vee sent me your way. I have been in my kitchen 40 years, and as you may guess, I need a few suggestions on how to make it work for me now. I'm your latest follower. Have a good day.
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Hi Jennifer, I came over from Vee's. I like anything related to food, although I'm not as fond of cooking as I used to be. I've been cooking for 41 years, but I'm no expert by any means and always welcome new suggestions/ideas. I need help in the casual entertaining dept. for sure. I'll sign up to be a follower and will be back to see what you have to share with us! Nice to meet you, have a great day! ~Cheryl
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Hello, Jennifer. I'm tagging along, too, thanks to Vee. I know I'll enjoy reading your blog, but the idea of wanting to cook, or even wanting to eat, is foreign to me. I envy people who find such joy in the kitchen. What does it take?
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I came over from Vee's too!
What a fun series this will be! We LIVE in our kitchen! It is the heart of our home – open to our living room with a huge table in the middle of it!
Can't wait to follow along! Now I am going to have a look around your blog!
Deanna
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Vee sent me over for a visit. So glad she did. I agree with you the Kitchen is the heart of the home and should be celebrated. I look forward to your series. I am now a follower.
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Count me in as another blogger coming over from Vee's Haven :).
I think this will be a GREAT series. I do enjoy cooking and setting a pretty table most days, but sometimes I need to be motivated.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas.
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Hi Jen, Soooo good to see you! Hope all is well and good at your house too. I can't believe you have a daughter getting married. Wasn't she just 12 years old? 🙂 Still have your chickens? We have four sweet girls….no guy. Our rooster turned mean so he went to live on a farm and I hear he's quite happy. I know my girls are happy. xo
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I too was directed to you through Vee….so glad she sent me your way. I spend most of my time in my kitchen. It's where I feel fulfilled as it gives me the opportunity to bake and cook for family and friends. It extends to hospitality and cultivating conversations and relationships around the table….whether I serve a simple bowl of soup, family style meal or elegant dinner it's about the people who I am able to serve and share life with. Our kitchen is the gathering room….our grandkids help out and the seniors in the family do as well.
Spices and baking supply cupboard….always looking for ideas for easy access and organization ideas for that area of my kitchen.
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Hi Jen!
I popped over from Vee's blog, and I'm so glad I did! What a beautiful spot to visit and glean from. I can't wait to come back and visit often!
Blessings,
Barb
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