Kitchen Talk

Here is the view from my kitchen windows when the sun is setting over Rhode Island. Ah yes, I remind myself to take in these views, as Rhode Island is by no means the prettiest state at this time of year. In fact, unless there is a fresh snow, it can look stark, industrial, and a bit depressing. Mind you, I do love industrial landscapes, but by mid-January, I am missing the vibrance of all the spring greenery. Consequently, sunsets on these cold winter nights cheer me up and make for an inspiring backdrop for cooking and baking. I love old kitchens. This kitchen has it's quirks, like old pipes that make funky noises and a big shallow sink that feels like it'd be far more efficient for washin' babies than scrubbing dishes, but maybe I'm just taller than the folks who put it in long ago. Who knows. I do some good thinking and planning in my kitchen. Well, in all the kitchens I've ever had. Like the one in Baltimore on 36th Street. It was straight out of the 1940's with all that enamel and chrome. And, the oh so very 1980's kitchen I had on La Jolla Avenue in San Mateo, California. And, how I do miss that breakfast bar on 33rd in Baltimore. My friends could sit on those chrome barstools, eat, drink, and talk while I was prepping and chopping. That was so so nice. This kitchen is no different. I like to drink tea by the windows and listen to music floating out of my office while I do my recipe research and planning. In fact, I'm in heaven right now because I have no neighbors below me; thus, I have the freedom to be as quiet or loud as my heart desires. Now, that is nice. Anyway, if you were here right now, I'd sit you down and make you some hot tea. I'd spin some music, tell you some stories, and ask you to help me make some oatmeal raisin cookies. God, have I been craving a homemade cookie. Yeah, the butter is on the counter softening and the sun is about to set. How nice for me.

Comments

[Sally Parrott Ashbrook]

I love this peek into your kitchen! What fun. :D

[Julie]

I just came here from Lydia's blog also hoping to see more pictures of your wonderful pantry which I LOVE. In fact, if the stove from your banner was the stove in your kitchen, this would be my absolute dream kitchen. I love your light, the windows, and the old-fashioned cabinetry.

Also, as a Baltimore resident it's fun to see a reference to 36th St on a blog!

[Susan from Food Blogga]

Hi Mary,
I'm so glad I found you from Lydia's blog. I'm a native Rhode Islander who lives in San Diego now, but I write a lot about RI and Italian food. This kitchen elicits so many wonderful memories for me. The second apartment my husband and I lived in was on the second floor of an old house near Rhode Island College. It had one of those long, narrow pantries, which I just loved. There's such emotional warmth in those old homes (though not literal warmth--we often froze from the wind coming through the windows). But I do miss it. I'll be back for my RI fix!