12.11.2012

tea, jazz and a kitchen tour

hi there! won't you come into my kitchen and have a cup of tea with me? you will? oh goody!

i spend most of my time at home in the kitchen. whether i'm cooking, doing the never ending dishes, preparing breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks, the kitchen is where i can be found. i have tried to make it a pleasant and cozy space so that i enjoy my time there.
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my two orchids are doing so well and are getting ready to bloom for the third time! this is very exciting to me because in the past i could not keep one alive. i also have other plants and succulents and knick knacks. my friend rita just gave the adorable st. bernadette statue. her face is so sweet! behind her is a st. therese icon. they are good reminders of the importance of trying to do my daily duties with love.
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cute owl pottery, vase and succulent from missa.

i've tried to make my kitchen as efficient as i can. i keep things next to they're area of usage that way i don't have to move around as much. i really enjoy cooking which is wonderful since i do so much of it and since eating out is a rarity. lately i have been making lots of soups, my favorite! i'm convinced i could eat soup every day of my life and never tire of it. in the last few weeks i've made a bean and turkey soup with my turkey bones and leftovers from thanksgiving, a yummy butternut squash potato soup, chicken and rice soup (here's the fun song (missa and mary) by carole king to go along with maurice sendak's book chicken soup with rice. my kids loved this song when they were little. listen to it with your little ones!) and split pea soup.
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and while i'm on the subject of cooking, i have been dying to put together a cooking class of sorts. it would be a small group and at each meeting one person would demonstrate some of their favorite dishes. there would be wine and hors d'oeuvres...i think it would be a blast! and those they don't cook/want to learn to cook would be more than welcome too. i truly believe everyone is capable of making a delicious meal even if they don't think they can!
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i found this awesome beaded curtain last month at the goodwill. i was so happy because i'd been searching for one for years! behind it is my laundry room/pantry.

i'm keeping my christmas decorations very simple this year. i typically have my advent wreath and candles on the table but i've yet to find my circular candle holder. many things go missing when you move as many times as we have in the couple of years.
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now for the tea portion of this post. i am not a tea expert by any means but i do enjoy it quite a bit. above are the teas i have been drinking lately. the three in the glass jars were made by friend emily. i'll be sad when they're gone :(  i know i have tea drinker readers, so please tell me your favorite teas and any tips you may have. what methods do you use to make yours? 

last but not least jazz. it is by far some of my favorite music! i've been listening to bix beiderbecke lately and i just get transported back in time. i also love billy holiday, django reinhardt, jelly roll morton and more. the mills brothers and ink spots are two other faves but they're not jazz. take a listen to them if your interested :D 

bye for now!
anne 

23 comments :

  1. what a wonderful stroll through your kitchen! so good to see what catches your eye and helps you to feel at home in the world. and i've already said it, but that table! i could moon over it for hours. thanks for the link to the song, off to listen to it right now. and i think that cooking class would be a blast! wish i was there to take it! xo

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    1. the table was my mom's from when i was a kid. it actually has a hutch that goes with it but i don't have that piece. it's been beat up with all the kids but that has given it a rustic look :D

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  2. oh man your kitchen is utterly charmingly perfect. i want to come sit and sip with you and our little girl babes!

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    1. thanks heather! sipping tea with you would be awesome!

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  3. kitchen looks nice & cozy. I love your tea. you are the only person who's made me a cup I really loved.

    Tea date soon?

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  4. I have to second the comment on that table... Just love it. Your kitchen looks fantastic. It's so hard to keep a tidy kitchen it seems with children constantly intruding haha. You seem to have made it happen... At least for today right! Wish i lived in your area I would definetly be attending a cooking class!!

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  5. I have to second the comment on that table... Just love it. Your kitchen looks fantastic. It's so hard to keep a tidy kitchen it seems with children constantly intruding haha. You seem to have made it happen... At least for today right! Wish i lived in your area I would definetly be attending a cooking class!!

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    1. my kitchen stays clean for about 2.5 seconds. shortly after i took the pictures it was a mess again, but that's life :D

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  6. Anne, have I told you lately how much I love your blog?! Well I do! I keep coming back for more, and this post was just awesome. Your kitchen, your tea, your simple woodsy holiday decorations, it's all just so great! You have such a warm home.

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    1. thank you lauren, that is a sweet compliment!

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  7. I love your kitchen, really and truly! May I borrow the idea for the hanging pinecones?

    You have a very keen eye for design, Anne!

    xo

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  8. omg! i totally have tons more tea for you!!!

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  9. oh goodness, i'm moving soon (too soon in my opinion – surprise $325 rent increase!), and my new kitchen is quite the dish (pun? yes!). your decorate scheme is exactly what i was envisioning! thank you for sharing!

    on the jazz front, let's take a moment to remember dave brubeck. take 5 is possibly my favorite jazz piece. what do you think of it?

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    1. i know, how could i have left dave brubeck out!? i love take 5 and it's my son's favorite jazz piece as well.

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  10. sweet post! Everything is so lovely! I have never been able to keep orchids alive for long. maybe someday... Wow, that curtain is a dream! I make my own tea blends. I need to make a bunch tomorrow-budget solstice gifts. xo m

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    1. i was never able to keep them alive either. i think i over watered them before? anyway, they enjoy their spot there in the kitchen. i think they can be a bit picky about their location. so cool that you make your own tea blends, i bet they are yummy :D

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  11. Boy I thought for sure I had commented on this, for i even returned to revel in your kitchen magic. It makes my heart pitter patter to think that some day soon I might be in this here very kitchen drinking tea with you. It's so light and pretty and full of Mariannes. Love.

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    1. it makes my heart pitter patter too! i'll keep my fingers crossed :D

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  12. I love that some of the bits I sent get to live in your gorgeous kitchen! Between the design element and the wonderful foods you've posted about making, this is clearly a creative space for you, I love that.

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  13. I just found your blog today and love it! You have such a beautiful home, love your kitchen and style! Look forward to reading more :)

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thank you so much for stopping by. please feel free to leave a comment! i love reading them :)


anne