I've realized that the whole of my life, at least this week, can be summarized entirely by glimpses of just one room in my home - my kitchen.
We talk more and more about the unnecessary space we have, about the simple truth that most of our living happens in just a couple of rooms.
It's not that everything's eternally rosy in the kitchen. It's got its Dark Chocolate moments along with some soggy broccoli moments, to be sure.
Look to your left and you'll probably see this.
Look to your right, and the scene doesn't improve a single bit.
But the trick is, keep looking. Don't stop for too long on the dirty dishes or the box of diapers worth its weight in gold. Look past it, because there's more.
If grocery day means that my kitchen is a wreck? Well, I'll take a messy kitchen every single week, thankyouverymuch. I'll not complain about $1 pineapples and the limitless virtues of the ordinary lemon.
But I'll celebrate these people every chance I get, so pass me the blue, along with the widest brush you can find. Heck, get the glitter out.
Show me a cooped-up afternoon and I'll show you Pig Patrol, on display now for six days running.
In case you hadn't noticed, I'm having a bit of a moment around here. Maybe it's the birthdays or maybe it's the coming-nearer flutter of Spring. Maybe it's the memory of where I was exactly one year ago. Maybe it's my Girl saying the Lord's Prayer all on her own while I tucked her into bed. Maybe it's Truth raining down on all sides.
I think it's a little bit of everything, boxed up and tied with baker's twine.
It's the best dinner ever, with left-overs for tomorrow.
Amens sister. Pass the left overs and slice that pineapple. Tomorrow is going to be a stellar day.
amen! ENJOY those kitchen moments, they fly by too quickly!
And the best thing about left overs? They are so much better the second time around - after the flavors have had a chance to get acquainted with one another, there in your refrigerator, all sealed up in a Tupperware container. Life is good, my friend. Oh yes it is!
You had me signing up for your summer camp with my thick red Sharpie- until you mentioned the cursed glitter. Oh Shannan, we could have had such good times. Sigh.
i just posted the other day about my favorite room in the house! mine is the dining room (where we also homeschool). i love the tin blacksplash. did you guys put that in?
Look past it, because there's more. I just scribbled that down on a notepad in the dark. I need to remember that. Cross stitch it on a sampler or something. And boy howdy, yes! By all means--get the glitter out! Rich stuff here.
I so agree that I can gauge the state of my affairs in general by how much of the countertop I can see in the kitchen. Mine are usually piled with folded laundry I don't want to put away instead of inspiring fresh ingredients like you've got there.
I just started reading your blog a bit ago and didn't realize your boys are Korean. My family and I spent a year and a half in Seoul working with a Korean company to begin their English school. We loved, loved Seoul, and I loved reading about your time there! How fun!
The kitchen really IS the heart of a home - especially with kids. And I want me some of those $1 pineapples! (Oh, and that white bowl to the right? Same set in my kitchen - love those bowls!) Hope tomorrow is another sweet kitchen day! Becky G.
I love this post. I love that you see the spirit of what home is all about, it is very encouraging and inspiring!
You have great light in your kitchen. I didn't even notice the dishes on the counter until a second glance. That's how my kitchen always looks (well, unless I'm having company over and then I try to make it look presentable!). I wish I had more natural light in my house. Cute lego car with the pig. That also looks like my house. Boy, do those little plastic pieces hurt when you step on them!
First, where in the world can one get $1 pineapples??
And the table, well I think thats the real reason tablecothes were invented. You can use the table to your heart's desire and if company is coming you throw a tablecloth on it!
I received a stern scolding from my mother today on the subject of what I should have been cleaning instead of what I was busy doing! Let's see make dinosaur tails for my 2 year old twin boys or clean my pig sty truck? Honestly, the smiles on those happy little faces were all the encouragement I needed!
Here's a cheer for messed up messes and happy children!
Where there be no ox - the crib done be stayin' clean. Blessed are the oxen - for they shall glow with the glitter of all that is good and right in the world.
Sorry. I took Benadryl an hour ago.
My mouth is watering which is no mean feat because you've got me giggling!
I loved the pig patrol but truly delighted in 'Daddy' holding his artistic treasures.
Pig Patrol really made my day. I thank you.
Your writing is a gift. Thanks for sharing it with all of us.
Love the idea of so much of life being the a great dinner and the memories of it, as you describe them, being left-overs for tomorrow.
We live in our kitchen, too, but no pineapples for less than $5.
This is beautiful.... because there is so much beauty all around us if we just open our eyes and look for it.
This piece was so beautifully written. I pray I'm thankful for all the 'messes' I have.... cause I know that a couple of blinks, and they're gone. Time marches relentlessly on. Let us take hold of every moment and enjoy.
LOVE IT! If a table isn't covered with marks left by the people that live there them it must be in the formal dinning room of a very boring house.
You make Dark Chocolate Days sound attractive. I had to think twice to realize that having a bunch of those days does not mean good things are happening!
Beautiful, beautiful life! Love that Daddy picture and the wonderful paint mess. The best kitchen table is one stained and scarred with craft projects.
~the piles that is,i wish I had that tin tile!!!
That's how I always feel. I currently have MY art supplies spread all over one length of the kitchen counters. And we don't have kids toys all over, but at some point during the day, our little dog drags every single one of her toys out of the box.
Love it! Glad I'm not the only with lego displays.
i have that same backsplash faux tin tile in my kitchen. great minds think alike. love your gratitude in this post. i've been in a funk...sad for no real reason. makes me happy to see the joy in your life.
My sister is of the impression our house is ALWAYS clean because it always happens to be when she's here. Little does she know.
Also - love the pig patrol.
You are so sweet and so is your kitchen. And your family.
I agree---most of our living is done in just a few places in our home. That's why we didn't fuss about building huge bedrooms for any of us. Didn't want to waste space on places to sleep! Much more important to have an open kitchen-dining-living area, complete with a staircase that you run around over and over and over again.
I think I need to head to Aldi's today. I thought my pineapple for $2.50 yesterday was good, but $1.29! Aldi's used to intimidate me---the whole you have to bring cash, and remember a quarter to rent a cart, and remember bags too...but now that there are no babies in carriers, and everyone can walk and listen, I think we'll have more success.
a)i love the kitchen. it's my favorite room.
b)i'm ready for fresh/ roasted cauliflower from the farm.
What a beautifully written post. I truly enjoy your blog. We will hopefully be bringing our baby boy home from Korea in a few months and I cannot wait for a messy kitchen!
p.s. props to Aldi...we love it!
Wonderful as always, Shannan. :) Love this.
this was lovely. I've never visited before.
So true, especially in light of everything that is going on in Japan. Food, clean air, clothing, all of it...so easy to take for granted, but all of it is such a gift.
My kitchen counters are always cluttered/a mess even though I try to combat it. Seems a losing battle during this phase of mommyhood, so I might as well appreciate the joys of the semi-chaos.
solidarity: i sometimes imagine that with enough sleeping bags and a port-a-potty, we could pretty much live in just the kitchen.
i'm all-out smitten with your life.
And now I have an overwhelming urge to hop in my car and come sit at your island while I watch you make me The Fun Salad. Yes please. I should be there just in time for lunch.
In 20 years, the messy kitchen will be, but a memory. But the time with your family will be burned on your heart.
Am I seeing the most recent Everyday Food recipe at the end??? I was wondering if I should make this? I just read it today and thought, hmmm...that looks good.... so if you say it is, I'm going to make it.It looks just like the photo from the magazine! That's how I recognized it!
PS That Calvin bday post was beautiful. The shrimp cheetos were hilarious. I just cried my eyes out thinking about him thinking about his birth Mom remembering his birthday.
so perfectly imperfect. love this post and the reminder it brings. thank you for that and thank you for being you.