Well clearly it reflects the personality, tastes and heart of its owner. I love the idea of everything being so moveable--and the changes you made from where you began are inspiring!
Thanks for your kitchen stories, Kate. Of course they make me think of kitchens I have known--not all of them loved but always remembered. I may just have to write more of them now that your piece has triggered memories. Unfortunately I don’t have pictures of them except in my head. I enjoyed yours so much. Your present kitchen looks so inviting for pie classes--or just living! 🥄 🥧 😊
My little home has been a work in progress for 24 years now. The inside had tiny dark rooms with no windows or light coming into the living room. I had walls taken out, new flooring, windows, and reclaimed French doors installed--not all at once but as I could afford--and love what it has become.
I have always referred to the kitchen as my therapy center. And I'm sure I'm not alone. I have never had a big, high-end kitchen, buy my kitchen is a work horse, the reliable, welcoming friend! Thanks for your words, Kate, always so spot on!
Thank you Kate for your wonderful stories that are so uplifting to me ! I need to re read your past newsletters again I so enjoy them ! Your hot tea recipe came just in time . I’ve been wanting to cut back on coffee and try more herbal tea so am now inspired to give it another go!
Jennie, Thank you so much for your very kind words! You may find this piece that I wrote when I gave up coffee a help right now. https://katemcdermott.substack.com/p/155-coffee-time Now, I'm going to take another sip of tea and contemplate my day, which will include making a pie for musicians arriving in town today for rehearsals for the Music on the Strait. https://www.musiconthestrait.com/
Aug 15, 2023·edited Aug 15, 2023Liked by Kate McDermott
I struggled for years with a pointlessly large kitchen in an old house, all size and few counters. And then, for several years after that, I had a tiny apartment kitchen, with no drawers and almost no counter space, so I had to juggle and balance as I cooked. How I managed to knock out Thanksgiving dinner remains a mystery to all including me. But at least.a small kitchen means less running around, I thought, until I met this one, where I have to trot between stove and griddle, which are on opposite sides of a large counter because reasons. 😂 It's still my favorite. It looks about the size of the one in Pie Cottage, but I do envy your double oven!
Knowing how you like odd bits of history, Annette, check out this 1949 movie about a step-saving kitchen created by the Department of Agriculture. I stumbled across this piece a few years ago. https://youtu.be/2N9RCQjPqh4
Thank you for the fun film!Much as I love the idea of a Cream of Wheat drawer and work station specifically for tedious tasks, I am sad to say that kitchens like that 1949 model are never designed for shorties like me. I need mountaineering equipment to get to most of my cabinets. Still, my 1968 stove is just the right height, so there's that!
OK, now I MUST write about the kitchen that wuzband #2 built just for me at the timber frame house we hand built together. The counters and shelves were for my height and for the specific tasks that I needed them for.
So many gems. 1. yes sometimes what we have in mind is not based in reality (I've had many kitchens, but the smallest had to be the one in the "in-your-dreams" house in P.A. the place was not designed for a person that loved to cook. The house was a dream, but a money pit for improvements needed to a 1965 build, susceptible to flooding due to the location.
2. The double ovens? When we purchased our current house 20+ years ago, the builder asked if we wanted to put in Double Ovens. I of course, said "no". Flash forward? Not enough stove or surfaces for baking/cooking. (big kitchen but not well designed).
3. No matter how great the rearranging goes, it's never more space.
Well clearly it reflects the personality, tastes and heart of its owner. I love the idea of everything being so moveable--and the changes you made from where you began are inspiring!
Thanks for your kitchen stories, Kate. Of course they make me think of kitchens I have known--not all of them loved but always remembered. I may just have to write more of them now that your piece has triggered memories. Unfortunately I don’t have pictures of them except in my head. I enjoyed yours so much. Your present kitchen looks so inviting for pie classes--or just living! 🥄 🥧 😊
My little home has been a work in progress for 24 years now. The inside had tiny dark rooms with no windows or light coming into the living room. I had walls taken out, new flooring, windows, and reclaimed French doors installed--not all at once but as I could afford--and love what it has become.
I have always referred to the kitchen as my therapy center. And I'm sure I'm not alone. I have never had a big, high-end kitchen, buy my kitchen is a work horse, the reliable, welcoming friend! Thanks for your words, Kate, always so spot on!
Therapy center. I agree, Pam, and apparently I need lots of it!
Thank you Kate for your wonderful stories that are so uplifting to me ! I need to re read your past newsletters again I so enjoy them ! Your hot tea recipe came just in time . I’ve been wanting to cut back on coffee and try more herbal tea so am now inspired to give it another go!
Thank you again . Will try more tea less coffee!
Jennie garcia
Jennie, Thank you so much for your very kind words! You may find this piece that I wrote when I gave up coffee a help right now. https://katemcdermott.substack.com/p/155-coffee-time Now, I'm going to take another sip of tea and contemplate my day, which will include making a pie for musicians arriving in town today for rehearsals for the Music on the Strait. https://www.musiconthestrait.com/
I struggled for years with a pointlessly large kitchen in an old house, all size and few counters. And then, for several years after that, I had a tiny apartment kitchen, with no drawers and almost no counter space, so I had to juggle and balance as I cooked. How I managed to knock out Thanksgiving dinner remains a mystery to all including me. But at least.a small kitchen means less running around, I thought, until I met this one, where I have to trot between stove and griddle, which are on opposite sides of a large counter because reasons. 😂 It's still my favorite. It looks about the size of the one in Pie Cottage, but I do envy your double oven!
Knowing how you like odd bits of history, Annette, check out this 1949 movie about a step-saving kitchen created by the Department of Agriculture. I stumbled across this piece a few years ago. https://youtu.be/2N9RCQjPqh4
I do love my double ovens--Thing 1 and Thing 2.
Thank you for the fun film!Much as I love the idea of a Cream of Wheat drawer and work station specifically for tedious tasks, I am sad to say that kitchens like that 1949 model are never designed for shorties like me. I need mountaineering equipment to get to most of my cabinets. Still, my 1968 stove is just the right height, so there's that!
OK, now I MUST write about the kitchen that wuzband #2 built just for me at the timber frame house we hand built together. The counters and shelves were for my height and for the specific tasks that I needed them for.
Oh, do!
OK!
So many gems. 1. yes sometimes what we have in mind is not based in reality (I've had many kitchens, but the smallest had to be the one in the "in-your-dreams" house in P.A. the place was not designed for a person that loved to cook. The house was a dream, but a money pit for improvements needed to a 1965 build, susceptible to flooding due to the location.
2. The double ovens? When we purchased our current house 20+ years ago, the builder asked if we wanted to put in Double Ovens. I of course, said "no". Flash forward? Not enough stove or surfaces for baking/cooking. (big kitchen but not well designed).
3. No matter how great the rearranging goes, it's never more space.
4. All my books came with crayons.
5. I make sun tea.
Love you Kate! It's been too long!
1. Oh houses, like boats, can be money pits.
2. Having as many ovens as I do (3 now) is a luxury. I baked for 50-ish years in gas ovens and love the electric ones.
3. I agree.
4. I remember the excitement of a new box of crayons.
5. I make sun tea, too.
Yup, it's been a long time since meeting you at Pie Cottage, Cynthia,
Charming post! Always look seeing Pie cottage! 🥧 🫖
Thanks Jolene!