Certainly, this is where we spend the most time. We do most of our school here, eat in the dining area (our formal dining area is our computer area)... and of course, there is the cooking. I like to cook. I can't say that I love to cook, but I do enjoy playing around with new recipes. I cook a lot, though, because while I do not love to cook, I do love good food and I have been cooking primarily from scratch for so many years now that I really notice the difference between it and prepared boxed or frozen dinners. There really is no comparison. So, I spend a lot of time in here.
When we first moved in here about 2 1/2 years ago, this kitchen looked quite different. The cabinets were all powder blue with white, plastic handles! The walls were pale yellow (such an interesting combination with the blue cabinets) and the ceiling was lower than it is now, because it had concave, flourescent lighting panels bordering the whole ceiling. Did I mention our house was built in 1986?
We briefly considered getting new cabinets, but the rest of the house was left in a shambles and really needed work, and we were on a tight budget. Someone told me about a great paint for laminate cabinets called "Cabinet Rescue" and so, while P was hard at work on the rest of the house, I put in a good deal of my own sweat equity and painted the cabinets and replaced the hardware. P and his brother had already replaced the lighting with recessed lighting before we had even moved in. Slowly, things began to take shape.
The kitchen was the very first area of the house I knew I needed to work on. We spend soooo much time in it, it had to be very "homey" for me; very cozy and welcoming. Now I know that green is not everyone's favorite color, but it is mine!
My living room is green too, but a slightly different shade. Sometimes, with the way the world looks, I think green just might be God's favorite color too... 
With all the windows and glass doors in our home, it certainly matches with the view! 
This photo shows my "new" green tablecloth. I know it could be seen as a bit of overkill, but I still like it out from time to time. I got it for 3 dollars at a church thrift shop. Usually, I have something off-white on the table.
Here is my theory on kitchens: I have had tiny kitchens and large kitchens. But no matter where I have been, the same foods, made with the same love for my family and friends come out of them. Some have been more convenient than others. Some are not as pretty as others... and perhaps I could spend a large sum of money trying to get this place to look like a magazine photo. But that's not really where my priorities lie. I want family and friends to remember good times here, not remember what kind of tile I had on my floor or whether my cabinets were oak or cherry or whatever. Don't get me wrong. If you are blessed to have those things, be thankful! And perhaps there will come a time when we will do more with our kitchen. I love to decorate, so I don't presume to judge others. But I do think, now and then, that our preoccupation with our homes as status symbols is a little misplaced. So many, many people in the world have dirt floors, no air conditioning, no tables, and on and on. I do want my home to be a welcoming place, but there is a place where we must also stop and begin to practice contentment.
I hope you have enjoyed this little tour and this other corner of my home. But I really must go. It's Wednesday and we are headed to my mom's kitchen - to Camp Grandma - for dinner!
Comments
Sep. 14, 2006 - Love your kitchen
Posted by cascade
It is so light and bright and airy! My kitchen is all white, expect for the yellow stove and one yellow counter top. I'd like to paint my kitchen and change the hardware sometime. I did make new curtains this summer. They are yellow with a very small floral print with blue ginham ruffle and tie backs. I want to paint the cabinets blue and the doors yellow while leaving all the walls and ceiling white. The blue and yellow I want to use is probably darker and brighter than what was in yours. I love all of the beautiful pictures you post on your blog!
Sep. 14, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
I love your kitchen. Sunny bright and what a great shade of green. Clarice
Sep. 15, 2006 - Beautiful!!
Posted by Anonymous
I loved seeing pictures of your kitchen! When I saw that only 2 people had commented, I knew I just had to take the time to thank you for sharing the pictures... they're so inspiring! And I like that you cook from scratch and everything... so many people have beautiful kitchens and never even use them ;)
I also liked your toothbrush and razor tips for Frugal Fridays (That's how I got to your blog!)! Thanks for sharing!
~Tammy
(www.tammysrecipes.com)
Sep. 16, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Kelli
Hello! Your kitchen is just beautiful and so cheery. I love the wall color and the tablebloth is a perfect addition. Thank you for sharing the photos. I enjoyed hearing about the wonderful family time you spend in your kitchen.
Kelli
Sep. 18, 2006 - Very pretty!
Posted by Lalaith
Wow! Your kitchen looks so pretty! (I'm trying not to be depressed by it, as I look at my cluttered house.) I love the green; it's very nice, just the sort of color I would pick. :)
Sep. 18, 2006 - Thank you for Visiting!
Posted by MrsPivec
I'm sorry I wasn't here when you came by... Next time I'll leave cookies on the table! :)
Thank you for all your kind comments. It is fun making a house a home, isn't it?
Sep. 22, 2006 - love the wall color!
Posted by Sara
I love your style! I love that color on your walls- it is the perfect green for walls!!