Kitchen Unveiled - Part 2

After I posted the built-in cupboard in the 1907 homeplace, some
sweet bloggers have emailed me for more pictures of my kitchen.  I
want to be honest in all things I post, so I feel the need to show you
the rest of the kitchen that has been updated by previous owners. We
didn't update it, but we sure love it!

On the left is the back door that leads to a large screened-in
back porch. The transom over the door has all the original
hardware and we open it quite often.  On the counter across
the back of the kitchen, we have our mini-fridge (which is our
only refrigerator) and food prep area.  We also have a large
window that was modified in the update.

I have plenty of drawers and cabinet space for storing pots and
pans.  The counter tops are large solid blocks of heart pine wood
with a poly coat for protection.

The kitchen had a gas stove with a rather large vent hood.

All the men folk in my family have claimed this stove and some
great meals have been cooked here.  I have a pan of corn
bread on it right now that I made for lunch (thanks Jiffy).
Last New Year's Holiday, we had eight cooks in this kitchen all
working comfortably.  The high ceiling make it so comfortable.

This is the other side of the kitchen with another window and
dishwasher and sink.  Then there is a big open space where a
refrigerator would normally be.  DH and I are working on the
house this summer and it is just the two of us, so we haven't
seen a  need for a big refrigerator so far.  We enjoy simple meals,
mostly vegetables from our families' gardens.  We try to eat
what we have before buying new. 

On this wall, I have lots of drawers, also.  On the counter is our
styrofoam ice chest that we fill with ice everyday.  It costs $1.35
a day to buy ice for our iced tea.

Now, about the windows.... Lots of older homes have long
windows in the kitchen.  Some owners build around the windows
and some close up half a window.  The previous owners chose
to close up half the window and have a long counter for food
prep.

The window still looks the same on the outside with glass both
top and bottom.  But inside the bottom half is black wall.  It looks
fine from the outside.  I  wondered before we bought this house if
I would like having a kitchen where you couldn't see out.  Well,
I love it!  I can SEE the SKY!  One window looks upon trees.

Our neighbor has a big yard light that lights up the inside of
these branches at night.  It is a beautiful sight!  Also, in the
fall, the colors of the leaves are incredible!

The other window, I call the window on heaven.

Sometimes DH will move his chair around at the kitchen table
so we can sit together and watch this window while we are taking
a meal.  Sometimes we are just silent, watching a cloud go by.
Other times, we get right excited as big black clouds move in
our direction.  We love our windows on the sky!


This is what is going on the outside of my kitchen right now.    

That's DH up on the scaffolding. That man is not afraid of anything!
I better run get him a glass of ice tea!

Thank you for staying with me on this post.  I didn't want to present
a country kitchen in my last post, when in fact the kitchen is
very modern, and I hope, a little trendy.

Hope you all are having a great week!
Love,
Lottie!

I Love Red - Kitchen table

I'm linking up with Rednesday today.
I featured some pink mixing bowls on Beverly's Pink Saturday at
How Sweet the Sound.  I use them all the time.  I am using them today
with red plums.  But my red checked tablecloth is my red for today!

The plums in the bowl, the squash pickles and canned pears all
come from my parents-in-law's farm.  DH did the hot peppers!

My vintage cupboard is original to the kitchen.  My house smock is
hanging on the side.  DH and I eat some fantastic breakfasts here!

Now before you go, I want to show you a beautiful red house that
is just down the street!  Have a great week!  I've fallen in love
with RED :-)  Love, Lottie

Entry Way Makeover at the Old Homeplace

We are at the Old Homeplace now, working on it and loving every
minute. A few weeks ago I showed you my yard sale furniture finds
that I planned to put in the front hall of the house.  I have bought the
creamy yellow paint that I plan to paint this room.  It may be a month
before we finish the outside to get around to this room.  But it does
feel more comfortable now.

We are still "camping out" in the house, but it is more like having
a simple lifestyle.  I love it! Now with furniture in the hall, I feel more
comfortable inviting guests in. Many of the rooms are still empty.
There is much to do outside, so we are focusing on that first.

Hope everyone has a sweet day.  I am doing laundry, cooking apples,
and cleaning our back porch today.  A day of sheer bliss:-)

Love,
Lottie

Hall Transformation "Before"

Dear blogging friends, it is time for summer and My Blue Cottage
takes a turnabout.  My dear sons take over the house and DH and I
travel to our Alabama homeplace for seven weeks to spend precious
time with family and work on our old homeplace. I will continue My
Blue Cottage, but the posts will be about our summer stay.

Last night I was dreaming I was walking through the homeplace in
the night listening to the quiet and at the same time, the train whistle.
I was dreaming about how to decorate the hall so the house would be a
little more comfortable as we work on it.  Come on in and visit awhile.

I have these beautiful doors and beautiful hall, but I haven't put any
furniture in here yet. I found a picture of an inspiration room.

I thought I could find two rugs as in the picture instead of trying to find
one long one.  I may paint the walls a pale lemon color to brighten the
room.  AND, put a sofa in the hall to receive guests!  I like the floral
sofa to put against the wall across from the fireplace. Right here!

And I found it!  I decided to look for a love seat so I could put a
small table beside it and a lamp for reading the mail. I walked in
the Habitat for Humanity store just as they brought in an almost new
floral love seat that would fit perfectly.  It was in excellent condition,
very clean and only $65.  We took it before they had it on the floor!

I think it looks pretty good!  In fact, it looks good in the blue cottage.
But I'll take it to the old homeplace for the summer.  Really, it might
even look good in the living room at the old homeplace instead.

I'll be sure to post "after" pictures when I get there. Thank you for
visiting with me today.  I hope to make the old homeplace more
comfortable this summer and I hope you will stop by and visit awhile.
I need your good decorating advice!  Have a great weekend!
Love,
Lottie