Friday, October 17, 2008

Welcome to my kitchen

Everyone has a favorite room where family and friends feel more comfortable. In my house, it is my kitchen. I work, play, eat and visit with family and friends in my kitchen. Some don't even know what the rest of my house looks like.LOL We gather at my kitchen table and eat, play cards, craft or just talk. So pull up a chair, pour yourself a cup of coffee or grab a soda and enjoy my kitchen with me.

For several years my kitchen was covered with wallpaper. Well I got sick of it and decided to tear the wallpaper down and paint. I thought this would probably take about a week. WRONG! I soon found out that there were 4 layers of wallpaper and when I got them removed, there were huge cracks that I had to refinish. So this job turned out taking about 4 months but I did it by myself and now I love the warm, homey feeling of my kitchen. So relax and I will give you a tour.

I love baskets and my niece had purchased a basket hanger that I wanted. But when I asked, I found out that the store was closed so I was sooo disappointed. Then Ding, Dong, the lights went on. Ebay and here is a picture of the hanger with baskets that take up one corner of my kitchen.










Underneath the baskets, I have a stool that I found at a rummage sale for $5.00. I have placed a fabric covered old cheese box on top with one of my dolls on the cheesebox. I am making a sheep pinkeep to sit with my doll. Hope to get it finished next week.

Sitting beside my stool, I have an old solid oak washstand that a friend gave me. It had 5 coats of paint that I had to remove and refinish it but it was worth it. I found key holes that work that they had filled with putty. On this stand I have some treasures that my kids and grandkids have given me plus an old lantern that belonged to my Dad. He died when I was five so I don't remember much about him but they say he loved to fish. And in a pitcher and basin that I purchased from The Country House I have some broom corn that I raised this year. I just love the way this turned out. Above the stand I have a grouping that I love.










In the corner I have an old corner shelf that my Mom bought me at a rummage sale for $5.00. On it I have displayed old bottles with a rooster, hen, pig and cow. I plan on making a small doll to sit on top of the shelf.











The next wall has a stitchery that I made and right now I have fall decorations hanging on it that I received in a fall swap. After fall, I will hang bonnets and aprons on it. I am not satisfied with this wall so I am going to change some things. I am taking down the picture on the left and replacing it with a picture that has a pig, cow and sheep on it when I get it finished. And I really want something else in the little bucket but I haven't figured out what yet. If you have any suggestions, please share with me. But I love the chicken picture. You can't tell from the picture, but the Beatitudes is printed in the background. I found this at Hobby Lobby and just had to have it. So when it went on 50% off, I grabbed it.

On the wall on the other side of the window, I have a picture that I had always wanted of the man praying over his meager meal but could never afford. And then at a rummage sale, I found it for 50 cents. How lucky can you get. I also have my stitchery and the basket was a gift from my Grandma. I paint stained it and added a doll and hearts. I love the way it turned out.











My last wall has a china cabinet that belonged to my Grandfather's mother. It was actually a double cabinet and someone sawed it in half. I am not sure how old it is but I know that it is over 100 years old. My husband hates it but I love it. I really love antiques and especially ones that are family heirlooms. I have collectibles behind the glass, some old and some not. But if you can see it clearly look at the cookie truck. My youngest brother and I sold candy when we were small and you chose gifts for so many points. We purchased this cookie truck for our Grandma for Christmas. When she died my Mom got it and I keep it so that it won't get broken. I have never seen another cookie jar like this one. Because of the size of this cabinet, I have posted two pictures, one of the top and one of the bottom.















The last picture is of my dining table. Right now I have it decorated for fall. I can't wait to post pictures for Christmas. I hope you have enjoyed your visit and come back soon for more pictures .