"I just love this kitchen!"

At 1515 I hear the phrase

"I love this kitchen!"

almost every time someone walks into for the first time.

walking into the kitchen as the pass by my Grandmother's aprons

I think they go back in time, to their own Grandmothers kitchen.

It develops a sense of contentment and happiness.

the kind of kitchen that you expect pies to be cooling on the Hoosier cabinet

there is always vintage items that remind you of times past
and visitors love checking them all out.


It is a sunny spot too, well what can you say it is just CHEERY!

I think of all the meals my Grandmother made it that kitchen.
That what comes to mind as people come to the kitchen, they think of all their Grandmothers.
The times spent around the kitchen table.
It just makes us feel good.
So people hang out in the kitchen today too. Dinner for 18 may mean there is plenty of room in the dining room or living room, but people linger in the kitchen "I'll just sit here".

Seems when I leave 1515 I always take a look back with a smile.

thinking I will return again soon.

But I know I leave the kitchen with memories and laughter.

I can still hear my sweet Daddy and Aunt Catherine's laughter in the
1515 kitchen

Spice of Life

Spice of Life

My Mom always added some much spice to my life and I miss her everyday.

Hard to believe next week she will be gone 12 years.

Those years have flown by, but my heart still aches.

While I was on vacation we went to 1515 and MR helped me put some things up.

a addition to the kitchen

hanging above my Grandmothers enamel table.

It is my Mom's spice cabinet.

I found it still in a Rubbermaid tub in the basement, where it had been packed since I brought things home when I had to pack up my childhood home.

Why is it so special to me?

I gave it to my Mom for Christmas in 1975

I saw it at a local gift shop and just knew she would love it.

I made payments on it starting in Nov till I got it paid off with my babysitting money.

I was so excited Christmas morning when she unwrapped it

I think she was happy to.

It hung in her kitchen the next 30 years

Again, how did the time go so fast ?

I gave it a good cleaning

Extra labels were still in the drawer

spices still in the containers

seems to fit the space just right.

My paternal Grandmothers kitchen and Hoosier cabinet, my maternal Grandmothers enamel table and now my Moms spice cabinet. Memories of the women in my life who made me the person I am today.

I think each one of them added some spice to my mix that makes me....."me"

Sweet Vintage Tablecloth

After months of no shopping, working some overtime.....

I HAD to go antique shopping!

We have one little shop in town.

I found a sweet little vintage tablecloth.

Pam from Virginia Retro how did I do?

If you don't know she is the Queen of vintage tablecloths!

It was July 3rd and I found the perfect thing.

How perfect

Notice the blue ball jars on the table and lined up on the Hoosier?

Our Kmart is going out of business..depressing.

But I ran across the blue while seeing if they had the green.

Decided it would look good with my Annabelle hydrangea bouquet.

the table cloth is in good shape with just a couple of little stains

love the little scalloped edging

of course by morning

Boots had knocked over the flowers and the tablecloth was soaked.

Oh well, I try! But Greta and Boots seem to muck things up.

Love them anyway.

Have a great Sunday!

Weekend Pantry Makeover

If you have lived in the same house for as many years as I have,

sometimes you have to step back and realize somethings need a makeover!

So...........

The weekend was redoing our pantry at no cost.

I am blessed to have a huge pantry.

The former owners had a bathroom there, but my neighbors

tell me the pipes always froze so they converted it to a pantry.

Good thinking since it is next to the stove.

The things we throw in there!

Mr. add shelves over the years, originally they were just on one side.

we took everything out!

Look at those disgusting walls that were hidden behind shelves.

Took the wire shelves out and cleaned them in bleach.

Tore up the carpet.

Painted the ceiling and walls

Took out the wooden base board.

Mr. decided to use, commercial strength items he had

at his shop.

new carpet tiles left over from his office from years ago.

Base board molding like in commercial buildings, easier to clean in a pantry.

He was checking to see if I liked it.

yep, I like it

Shelves back in and Boots wants to know

"where did everything go?"

plenty of room to see what we have.

Top shelve is where I keep serving dishes you use once a year and

roasting pans etc.

The bottom shelf reorganized to hold candles, tablecloths, and all those things like

vacuum cleaner bags, rags, light bulbs..you name it.

organize those spices.

years ago went to these trays, easy to pull out and find what you want.

yes, we have alot of spices...LOVE Penzey's spices!

more pull out containers, otherwise things fall through the shelves

bundle things together like baking products all in one basket so when I get

ready to make something the baking powder, soda, salt etc all in same basket.

Trying to keep things fresher by placing back up flour, sugar in plastic container, well

it also keeps me from spilling flour on the floor!

The top shelve holds my cookbooks and the bottom shelf the 

crock pot, electric skillet, toaster etc.

Back area is for ironing board, broom, vacuum cleaner.

And with Greta "destructo" we keep the garbage can in there too!

So I am sure it will be full when I am done.

Trying to tell myself, if you don't use it don't put it back in there!

Always feels good to get it done!

Nothing fancy, like expensive rattan baskets, beautifully labeled jars etc.

But useful for us.

So better get hoping on getting things put back.