Heart of the Home

Hi Friends, Welcome to my Kitchen, the "Heart of the Home". We do spend a lot of time in these rooms, don't we girls? I really enjoy my kitchen in this home. I tried to think of everything I could when we were designing it. Of course, the sky was not the limit and as there was also the BUDGET, I think we did pretty well. It certainly meets our needs and is large enough to accomodate our family when the three families are here.


We recently purchased this new breakfast area table and are really liking it! For some time, I have wanted a bar height table, but was concerned about purchasing sooooo many stools and then also finding stools that you really felt like you could sit comfortably for a length of time without a part of your anatomy going to sleep!!!! These are sooooo comfortable and the table has a place to rest your feet, so they don't go to sleep. The center has a lazy susan in it.

It is square, but the little side extensions pop up to make a 60" round table, enough for eight stools, which is what we could accomodate before with the regular table in this area. Some day, I think the possum belly cabinet will move to a different place and probably get painted. I may find something less deep to put in its place on the far wall.


I set the table for you.................I have absolutely no idea what we will be having...........how does tuna noodle casserole sound?

The breakfast area looks out to the new deck that we have so enjoyed this summer and also leads out to the smallish screened in porch. I just love it when the weather changes and I can leave the door open!! We eat out here a lot when the weather is nice, and it is just steps from the kitchen. I can even pass things through the window above the sink...... so handy!



My very old kerosene stove, I have enjoyed having this so much. I got it for $50.00!!! many years ago.

It is green and white, but looks a little bluish in this photo.


Sorry, it was suddenly overcast outside when I took this pic!


Looking through to the porch area.

I chose dark mahogany stained alder cabinets and really like them.
I would like to put some light fabric or paper in the glass-fronted cabinet where I keep most of our dishes. They would really stand out more this way.

My little coffee and beverage area. Glasses and cups are above this area.

The focal point of the kitchen is the mantel over the stove area. I designed this and my DH built it for me. It turned out just like I had hoped. I enjoy putting seasonal decorations on top.


The island is in the center and it is very large with no cooktop or sink in it on purpose. I can spread out quite a buffet on this area!

It also works just wonderful for cutting out sewing projects and hanging wallpaper!!

I chose to paint the island an off white and put beadboard on the ends to make it a little more cottage looking.

No granite tops in the budget, so I chose a limestone looking formica with a stained border and I do like it a lot.

This is the pantry area. Just a peak, as it, er, is not like I would like it to be, know what I mean? ha. We used an old door that we had been carrying around with us for years here. The chalkboard is a recent addition that I put together. Sometimes, I just hang a seasonal wreath on the door and I love that too. I did put up a grasscloth wallpaper just to simply give the room some texture and add a pleasing background.

Wish I had just a tad bit more room here on top of the cabinets.....my only real regret, not using 9 foot ceilings in this room!! The budget came into play. Oh, well, if I had more up there it would just be more to get positively "furry" wouldn't it?

I think one of my next projects will be to paint my very used and enjoyed breadbox an offwhite and add a blue and white knob. Sorry, I have no cake in the dome to serve you!!! Cake doesn't last long around here!!!!

I do have some healthy pretzels in an old jar with a bail handle on it that came from my MIL.

On around the room and back to the pantry door. I asked for a wall oven and a regular stove so that I would have two options..........................BOY, was that ever a good decision!!! It is soooooo much easier when we have company!! If I am in a real hurry when making cookies, I just use them both and am done so much more quickly!!!!

Maybe you notice my "almond fridge"..... that thing is still ticking after more than twenty years!! When we finish the basement, we will move it down there and get a new white one to go with the other applicances better...... but it really does not look that bad.

Guess you noticed that I pretty much like kind of minimal stuff on the counters, it just makes me happier. But, I can assure you, it does not ALWAYS look this way. It seems my daily quest is to get the clutter off the island and the area in front of the phone. ha. When we were raising our boys, this was a CONTINUAL battle, I'm sure y0u can all relate.

I am so thankful for my beautiful kitchen...... yes, I know that not everything is the latest and greatest, but to me it is beautiful because the Lord blessed me wtih it and I love how it all came together!!

How about an oatmeal fruit bar and a cup of coffee? Thanks for visiting me, dear friends, I enjoyed showing you around so much and now, my kitchen is really CLEAN and uncluttered. ha.

Thanks to Sheila of Note Songs for hosting such a fun party!! Be sure and check out all of the other wonderful kitchens where women love and create for their families!!

Now, I am off to be inspired by everyone else!!!

Singing His Praises,

Linda