Drop Down MenusCSS Drop Down MenuPure CSS Dropdown Menu

July 21, 2016

This and That This Week #2

I did a little updating in the kitchen

Summer's heat has kicked in and I'm inside trying to stay comfortable.  Of course I can't sit still so I have to putter with something.  I came up with a new idea for the new bread basket I got a little while ago and had shown it in this post back in April "here".  I saw a picture the other day with a container filled with some everyday things like oils and spoons and such and it gave me the inspiration to fill my basket with a couple of items.  Perhaps I'll find some nice looking oil bottles to add in later.

The ceramic containers were purchased at a store that sells local hand made pottery.  The one pieces a small colander and the other is a crock.  I was drawn to them by the blue color and design on them and felt they'd work well with my seashell plate.  I added some of our daughter's jams that she made last year.

  
 A year ago I had one Polish Pottery coffee cup (center one).  Then I was gifted with two more (far left).  I ran across this small metal pot rack holder that was mounted on a wood board but I saw it as an opportunity to have a mug rack.  I had Dan remove the wood board it because I wanted it more simplistic.  I recently added the two coffee cups on the right to complete the ensemble.  It was another way for me to add some blue in the kitchen.



A while back I emptied and re-organized my dishes and everything that shows in the glass is pretty much all white now.  The red glassware is over in the right cupboard now and the other glassware has been mingled in other cupboards.  I always feel good when I organize things and then it works better than before!  

 It's been 20 years since we remodeled the kitchen and added on the big living room to the house.  These cupboards are all solid hickory and are holding up beautifully.  They have a piano hinged door in each corner cabinet.  Since the kitchen is fairly narrow I didn't want the traditional angled cupboard so it would help keep it looking as wide as possible.

 These drawer pullouts are handy.  I have my small appliances in the top so they're easy to take out.  I organize it so the most used are nearest the front.  

 The drawers by the stove were called pots and pans drawers and that's what I use them for.    We had bright brass knobs on the cabinets and switched to dark bronze a while back to update them.  The range I chose has a flat front and no handle that sticks out.  That was part of my plan to make the room seem more spacious too.

The stainless appliances came along about 8 years ago.  The end cupboard which I chose to frame the side of the refrigerator is 12" deep and I use it like a pantry.

The main reason I like plain white or nearly all white dishes now is they're a good basic that work with for so much.  If I had to get rid of all my other dishes these would never leave.  

We added Corian countertops a while back at a time that granite was at his most expensive so we couldn't afford it.  I like the solid surface it offers and its holding up great.

I saw this cow creamer at Pier 1 not long ago and had to have it.  I added it to the etagere with my pig salt and pepper shakers.  The fleur de-lis plates are from Sur La Table (last year).   They sell them as a tray but I like them to use for soup and a sandwich. They are blue and white but it's doesn't really look that way in the picture.

Because it's a hot day I went out early to water my gardens.  As I came back up on the deck I noticed the sun shining on this hydrangea and captured it.

This is how I get my back gardens watered.  It's a bit too much to hand water.  

We treated ourselves to a new patio dining set early this month.  I was able to sell our other set within a week of purchasing this so I was tickled about it and hubby was impressed with the extra moolah!  The umbrella is 11 ft. wide so we get good coverage.

It's a granite look table top.  

We got the umbrella half off because the manufacturer didn't make it right.  When you would crank it closed the ribs would come out of the little pocket that they're supposed to stay in.  I came up with the idea to rivet them in place and that evolved into drilling a hole, then using a small washer and a short screw and hooray it stays together and works perfectly.

My view out of the kitchen window.

Well that's it for my This and That This Week!


11 comments:

  1. Hi Liz! Oh, you've been busy! I love how your kitchen looks and doesn't it feel good to get all organized. Love all of your little vignettes on your countertops! Love your glass front cabinet doors too! Wish I had some! You know how I love your outdoors and pretty blooms. Hope your week is going well.
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovely! You make me want to go clean and organize my kitchen!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I need you to make a trip to my house and organize my kitchen! ha! It is hot here too and I need to get busy working on my kitchen organization after seeing how great yours looks. Thanks for inspiring me. :-) Sheila

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful Liz, love your collections. The dishes nd the basket filled is pretty. Don't you love the Kitchen Aid mixer!!!

    We are heading into a 2 week heatwave, humidity, lookout


    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Liz, Your kitchen is beautiful and I love your counter displays and organization. Everything is perfectly where you need it and it looks comfy to work in. Such a wonderful place to spend time and enjoy the outdoor view too. Thanks for sharing and inspiring. I just redid a bit in my kitchen today. It always feels good to organize and redecorate. Have a great weekend. xo

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, you have been busy. I need to do the same. Everything looks fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have done some re-organizing. There are many places to organize...I did start in the garage. Your kitchen looks lovely with touches of blue and white. Great idea keeping your plants saturated with water. It is heating up here.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your kitchen looks so nice, Liz. I love the piano hinged corner cabinets. Brilliant idea. And your pantry next to your frig is so nice and I'm sure quite handy. I like to group things I need near the stove for easy access.
    I enjoyed seeing your gardens and deck with your new furniture. Great deal on the umbrella and nice that you were able to fix the umbrella. I do love a good deal.
    Stay cool, Liz and have a nice weekend. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  9. Now that your house looks so pretty will you come and work on mine?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Now that your house looks so pretty will you come and work on mine?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Liz,
    Goodness, dear friend, you and I have been doing the same thing this past week. . .working in the kitchen and playing with the dishes! A great way to hasten away a "hot" Summer day on the Prairie!
    I l o v e your glass front cabinets!
    The white dishes displayed within is absolutely beautiful!
    The new patio furnishings are gorgeous!
    Enjoy the "cool" of the mornings and evening,d ear one!
    Fondly,
    Pat

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comments! I don’t always get a chance to reply but I do read them!




ABOUT ME



Welcome to Home and Gardening With Liz. I have combined my previous blogs “Infuse With Liz” and “Sit With Me In My Garden” into this new blog. I love interior decorating and gardening. I enjoy redefining interior spaces by moving things around and reusing decorative items already found in the home. I also enjoy creating tablescapes and an occasional crafting project. I'm so pleased you've stopped by. I invite you to follow me and I do hope you will keep coming back! Liz
 Follow My RSS Feed  Follow My Google+  Contact Me Follow Me on Pinterest