Loving your Kitchen ...

Hello my dears.. 

Welcome to the Blessed Hearth .. 

This was looking out of my kitchen window today..

Another blizzard on Sunday for the Eastern provinces of Canada.. 

Which means most of us are tucked away and waiting it out.. 

Just praying for those who have to be out in it including our sons.. 
We are certainly looking forward to the end of these storms.

Spring will arrive, though in due time..
Her arrival date is this week but she may be just a bit late..
I believe she must be changing her clothes into something a little more spectacular for us here in the Maritimes and it is just taking her a bit longer.. grin..
  
Now, to change the subject.. 
You know Canadians and their weather stories.. grin.

I happened across a list of kitchen perk ups the other day HERE..

I think it was on the news page.. 

I found it interesting and thought perhaps I would do a post of my own little perk up ideas.. smile.. 

First... 

My kitchen is not one of your beautiful farm style or modern kitchens.. 

It is just ordinary..

Just like me.. 

I read somewhere that your kitchen is a reflection of your personality..hmmmm..

Here are some things I gleaned off the list and some of my own.. 

A dozen ways to love your kitchen.. 

  1.  If you are expecting company... 

Buy a nice fresh pineapple and display it as a sign of welcome..

It is the traditional sign and then make a smoothie after they leave.. grin... 

2..  Personalize your home with little redo thrift store buys.. 

A wood stand that these earthenware jars just happened to fit into.. 

Filled with mismatched silverware for everyday.. 

3.. Buy some new cereal bowls to brighten your mornings.. 

These were from Home Sense and only cost five dollars each.. 

4.. Place some of your pretty dishes on open shelves.. 

Or in a kitchen hutch.. 

5..Collect vintage fabric napkins or make a pile of your own fabric ones.. 

I really dislike paper ones, don't you?  

These just wash and wear.. 

I don't iron them but fold them straight from the dryer and they are great..  

6.. Bake a cake or make a loaf of bread.. 

It will make your house smell lovely in an hour.. 

7..  Take off a couple of cupboard doors.

And display a collection of everyday dishware.. 

I collected these white ones over the past few years.... 

The easy shelf liner tutorial is HERE..

8..  Every once in awhile buy something that you love for your kitchen.. 

It doesn't have to cost a lot but just makes you fell good when you look at it ...

Like my chicken egg basket there.. 

I know I didn't need it but eggs need to be room temperature to make a cake, eh?? smile.. 

 9..  Perhaps you could sew up a bunch of recycled dish cloths.. 

I made these a while back.. 

Tutorial link found here..

10.. Buy a new cannister set or perhaps start collecting copper.. 

I find it gives my kitchen a nice warm feel and they are useful, too.. 

And... 

They are well worth the thrift store prices.. 

When I was at Home Sense the other day I found a set of wee molds like I have and they were about 5 times more then I paid for them... 

That's my story and I am sticking to it.. grin..  

11.. Grow herbs on your window sill..

It won't be long and they will be outside but they are so handy when they are on the sill.. 

They smell good, look good and taste good.. 

This used to be an old fashioned touch but I notice that all kitchens have them now.. 

12.. A little trick I found to do.. 

Put a suspension curtain rod above your stove and hang kitchen tools.. 

Terry made my S hooks but you can buy them and it is really handy... 

And last but not least I have included my stove top potpourri recipe for you once again.. 

2 long cinnamon sticks, broken

2 T. allspice whole

2 T. cloves

1/2 nutmeg

1 bay leaf

1 T. dried cranberries (opt)

1 dried orange slice

1 dried apple slice

1 star anise...

Directions to use..

Place contents in 2 cups of water and bring to simmer on low heat..Keep adding water..

This lasts for 3 days..

And that is that my friends.. 

I also added  little lamp to my windowsill and is so cosy in the early mornings or evenings.. 

Please note my Pregnant Onion plant that was given to me last Fall at Kings Landing.. 

Lookin' good, eh?  

Well, thank you so much for stopping by and I hope this inspires you to give your kitchen a little love.. 

It is the heart of the home and like my Mom says.. 

It is your own little palace, Faye... 

Looking forward to hearing from you and may God bless and keep you... 

Till next time.. 

xo

Joining up with JES at The Art of Home-Making Mondays..

and with Stephanie at Roses of Inspiration..