My Retro Kitchen

 When we first moved in, we prepped quickly to host Thanksgiving. But the old worn-out oven wouldn’t heat! I was panicking. We purchased an oven online, had it arriving one day ahead of turkey day. To my consternation, the fitting wasn’t a match with the gas fixtures. The installers said they weren’t allowed to put it in unless they had authorized parts from the stove maker. I understood but — holy holiday horros! Our wonderful Sunday School teacher, C, came by and helped us go to a local hardware. He was able to connect it. 

I get a bit frustrated at the lack of prep surfaces.  Otherwise, everything is fairly functional in this smallish kitchen. There is nothing like a gas oven, and I’m so glad we have one here. 

My dishwasher is on life support. It’s gotten stuck in the wash cycle. But I have this wonderful pressed tin ceiling and vintage-look wallpaper that compensates me for any other deficiency. It’s my happy place. I also like the separate space from the other rooms. I clang the pots and pans, run the fan on high, and cook up a storm without disturbing Sam’s viewing of baseball or Gunsmoke. 




Hannah has proven that two people can make a shepherd’s pie and beef pot pie in this kitchen. Of all the things I thought she’d ask to make, this one surprised me. The boys have fried donuts and made pizza, but she asked for this very homey meal from scratch. 





My pantry needs a redo. It’s hard to organize the stingy space! I use so many spices. Then there’s all the other things one stashes in the kitchen for want of a better place. Emergency meds, regular meds, Baggies, plastic cups. Tupperware and all the lids. The barbecue equipment. Candles I. Case the electricity goes out.  Most of the time, it works just fine. But I’m not born organized. I have to think about it.m



Coffee station




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