Pumpkins and Shoeboxes

This week I visited a friend's home and admired her light-colored kitchen which was decorated with a rooster theme. I was envious of her lovely island and the display spaces above her cabinets. It was magazine worthy, but certainly cozy with a genuine feel good atmosphere.

 Her talents are many, but making pumpkins has become her number one focus this month. She insisted I take home another one.

I use a lot of green to brighten my kitchen which is very dark. I tried out the pumpkin gift in several kitchen spots, but decided to move it to another room.

I wish you could see all the roosters and pumpkins at Kim's home.

But you are seeing my pumpkin, and it's really pretty.

Also this week I have had fun gathering items for the Christmas shoeboxes. They have to be filled by early November. I want to find a few more "little treasures."

Thanks for coming by

and 

do come again.

Changes

It is really cold this Sunday, but my thoughts are of spring. Yesterday I finished  this flower painting and placed it temporarily on the kitchen windowsill. This afternoon I'll stay inside, have a cup of coffee, and read. Brrr...

Patience

Last week I bought someone's castoff that will be new in our kitchen. Since a kitchen remodel is out of the question, I'm always trying to decorate with what I have or with little extras. This light fixture's $30 price tag swayed me. 

I have had to wait on its installment. Last night Jo was able to get it mounted. 
It's great having a son with a master's electrical license.

A Few Thoughts

I enjoy coffee in the morning and sometimes in the afternoon. My maternal grandmother would let me take sips from her coffee cup when I was a youngster. She's to blame for my early exposure. Oddly my mother hated the taste of coffee and never drank it.

I live in a house that is outdated in several ways. My husband refuses to change the kitchen which has knotty pine cabinets and walls. Therefore, I use green to add some color.

Green has been my favorite color for most of my life. It was my mother's, too.
And my daughter also likes green.

I think writers have a marvelous gift. How do authors come up with their amazing storylines? Just finished this one. Very, very good.

My new sketchbook came with this cover. My plan is to fill the white pages with color. I need to carve out more time for ART.

Kitchen Organization

Even though our kitchen is small, I like to decorate within it. It is challenging to work in the nonessentials with the necessary. I've also been cleaning out messy cabinets and drawers, rearranging, and organizing. 

 I like coffee and coffee cups and mugs. You cannot see them clearly in this photo, but I have some green ones from the seventies.

Plastic tops and bottoms are paired for the time being.

 Bamboo tray is holding vitamins and a few medicines.

Wood tray corrals measuring cups and spoons.

Everyday silverware from Walmart is a new purchase.

The green handles won me over!

                                                                                  

The three tier stand beside the refrigerator is put to good use. The wooden bowl has a variety of candy for grandkids and grownups, the basket has napkins and Kleenex, and the tan round bowl is where I keep onions.

 

By the door that leads to the garage I have two picnic baskets that hold supplies like paper towels. The wood box from my Indiana trip keeps my sunglasses handy, and the Coffee House sign does the same for my keys.

If you were here, I'd offer you a cup of coffee or something else.
Hope my kitchen tour was not too boring. It's certainly not a dream kitchen, but it's a homey space. 

Cold Days and Nights

This little kitchen is big on service, activity, and pleasures.

Admittedly it's not my dream kitchen, but it's too late in life to stress about that now.

  

  

 Coffee or Tea

That is a major decision around four 0'clock.

In the kitchen are favorite things such as bowls, scoops, and pitchers.

We were out in the cold this afternoon checking on gas heaters. Corkey wanted one next door in the apartment. 

Hot coffee never tasted so good!

Hanging Out in the Kitchen

This fake pumpkin is keeping its place of honor on the cake stand.

Some tags I stuffed inside a pitcher. 

 

Recent Goodwill find(fifty-nine cents!!!) in my Pfaltzgraff pattern holds packets of sweeteners.

Churn sits on top of refrigerator with other items.

I like the word HOME and the place itself.

Just the other day I came across this egg basket at Marketplace for four dollars. 

I may have mentioned this before...the rolling pin was made by my dad.

A vintage bowl acts as a pedestal for another sweet pitcher.  

As you know by now I am always switching objects around to different spots or working in something I just bought. Thanks for hanging out in the kitchen with me.