I’ve always enjoyed reading the In My Kitchen posts that Celia at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial is kind enough to host every month but have never had a blog ready in time to post one of my own. But this month I was able to get my photos & post ready to join in – I hope you enjoy.
In My Kitchen… …is a great big mess and piles of boxes. Of course if you have a box and a cat, the cat will be in the box.
This is the week that I have to pack up everything in my kitchen cabinets for the demolition to begin next Monday. I’ve got four different piles of boxes:
1. Things I rarely use that will get stored in the attic
2. Things that really have always belonged in the basement but have made their way up to the kitchen
3. Usable things that others might want which will go to the shed at the dump
4. Critical things that I’ll need over the next month for cooking in the microwave or grill
If I’m in the kitchen, then Lola’s in the kitchen under my feet waiting for me to drop a tasty little morsel or turn my back so she can snatch food on the counter…
Mary, our fabulous kitchen designer has told me that I can’t have any more junk drawers – maybe one…so John went out and bought me my own little tool box for essentials. One junk drawer, eliminated…
Look what I found as I cleaned out my cabinets – this was from my mother’s house and is a pie tin from the Table Talk Pie company, started in Worcester, MA in the 1950’s. That was before everything was disposable so when you bought a pie you would pay the deposit. This is one of the originals with a 5 cent deposit. When you returned the pie tin you got your deposit back. Although this is a full size pie plate, they were known for their 4″ lunchbox size pies.
This stack of measuring cups were a gift from my very thoughtful daughter, Niki and are being carefully packed away until the kitchen is complete. I will have a glass front cabinet where this will be displayed.
And finally, as of next Monday, my kitchen will no longer exist as it is – say goodbye.
Photographs and recipes 
Bye bye, Diane’s kitchen.. HELLO gorgeous chef kitchen, pretty soon. I didn’t see a list of throwing anything away or purging. At least you can grill and microwave.. and their is always a call for a lobster roll, don’t you think? Let me know when you’re ready for a break and we can go have lunch.
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Ah, that was the box(es) that went to the shed AND yes, many, many bags of things that went into the trash – do you really think anyone would want a portable cassette tape player? John made at least 6 dump runs on Saturday and I’m still filling up boxes. The purge really has begun.
We did time this so it would be done before the snow flies so I could use the grill and also not have mucky work boots tromping through & open doors with the heat getting out so there was some planning there. It is going to seem weird though to have the refrigerator in the dining room & my microwave & coffee pot set up on the foyer table. Guess it’s going to look a little odd here for a while. You can bet that once the work teams get going that I’ll need a break from the noise so be ready for me.
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Aww Lola is essential in the kitchen 😀
I’m so excited for your new revamped cuisine!!!!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Lola would never miss a chance at a morsel of food. She really loves it when the phone rings & I have something like cheese or bacon sitting on the counter. For a plus size girl, she can move very fast!
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I think your kitchen looks pretty amazing as it is !! But I can’t wait to see the New & Improved kitchen ! I loved the photo of that Table Talk pie plate – great memories there !!
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Thank you Cecile but that area by the stove has always been something of a Bermuda Triangle with not much actual prep room, especially if 2 of us are trying to work together. Once the refrigerator gets relocated, I’ll have a ton of counter space to the right of the stove & my daughter can work on the left when she comes over. It’s been a very workable kitchen but now that we’re getting older & thinking of downsizing, the biggest issue is that it looks ‘dated’ with the honey oak cabinets. There was no question that we had to replace the floor & in doing that I wanted to get rid of the island…that led to the idea that the new island would look great but make the other cabinets drab…and the project expanded from there.
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Convection oven can be pretty handy. I am just learning to use one and find that I am using it more than a conventional oven! Less heat waste. Your kitchen is going to be awesome! Can’t wait to see it. 😀
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I love the idea of the convection oven but I know I’m going to have to get used to the timing of things. I’m not so much concerned with things like roasts but baking – cookies, cakes, that sort of thing I think will be a little more tricky. I imagine it’s just a learning curve. You know what else I just found out it has? It’s also a dehydrator…now that I’m going to have to read up on & find out what I can do with that.
I’m really getting excited to see this project start & will be posting progress as it goes.
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Congrats on your first IMK post, it’s always a fun post to write up!
I love the look of your vintage pie tin, it’s absolutely gorgeous, as are your measuring cups, I don’t think I’ve ever seen them before! Great treasures, thanks for the tour
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Thank you LIsa & thanks for stopping by. Sometimes writing that first one is the hardest so I really hope to keep up each month because I love sneaking a peak at everyone else’s kitchens. I love that pie pan & glad that I spotted it when we were cleaning out my mother’s house. As for those measuring cups – I love them too. We have a store called Anthropology (not sure how many there are or where they’re located) but they have the coolest things – combination of funky clothes, household items, bedding…just very unique things that are great for gifts.
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What is it with cats and boxes – both your fur babies are adorable. I too have my own tools, well sort of, I kinda just use Pete’s. I absolutely love your measuring cups and what a treasure having your mom’s old pie dish – I never knew about the deposit on the dishes – bet yours if worth a fortune today.
Wow, one last week with your kitchen. Enjoy saying goodbye to the old and I am looking forward to seeing the new – all very exciting!
Have a beautiful day Diane.
🙂 Mandy xo
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Oh Mandy, who can explain cats? If you bring a box or a bag into the house they’re inside it. Actually if you bring anything new in they immediately assume it’s theirs. I made this huge puffy dog bed for Lola & guess who claimed it – yes, Moe.
It’s funny that my mother even bought the pies since she was known for making the best pies in the family. I do remember her running short when we had unexpected company & sending my father out to buy a couple of pies but I’m surprised she didn’t return the pan for her nickel back! Glad she kept it though.
I get so annoyed with John when he takes MY tools and uses them in the basement (never bringing them back to my tool drawer). You just never know when you’re going to need that hammer for the one nail that’s popped up on the stair tread or you have to have a screwdriver for some little odd job. I wonder if I should put a lock on my tool box?
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Lola can come over and hang out in my kitchen until yours gets put back together again.
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Oh Bongo, that would be so cool – do you have cheese & bacon sitting on your counters? Or muffins, sandwiches, hot dogs…well any kind of food?
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I used to have food on my counters, but I ate it all. If we’re patient maybe my people will put some more food there and we can sneak and get it.
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Sounds like a plan – I’m used to waiting…Lola
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I love that your first IMK post is the last one in the old kitchen, Di! That means we get to see the new one when it’s built – can’t tell you how much I enjoy someone else’s kitchen renovation! 😀 What a beautiful airy space you have there, and that pie plate is an absolute treasure! Thanks so much for joining in! xx
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Out with the old & in with the new! I’ll being posting progress as the kitchen takes shape & I’m so happy that although we’re redoing it with the idea of selling the house in the future, I’ll be able to use & enjoy the new kitchen before that happens. It’s a very big kitchen but I’m most excited about having the new island that people can sit & chat while I cook.
In cleaning out these cabinets, it was interesting to find these treasures that have worked their way to the back. Some will have a new home while other “treasures” like my daughter’s plastic Little Mermaid drinking cup will probably get recycled. I’m so glad that you continue to host the IMK – it’s fun to see what everyone else has too.
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The tool box is a great idea. I have one which I transport utensils between kitchens. You can’t have two of everything. I love everything in your kitchen, the cup measures are great, I have never seen them before and I love the pie case. Isn’t it a pity everything is disposable these days? Last but not least, your pussy cat and Lola are delightful.
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Glenda, thank you for stopping by. I really needed something to put my little odds & ends of tools in one place. I hate when I just want to tighten a screw & have to run down to the basement trying to find a screwdriver – only to get down there & forget to check if I need a flat head or Phillips head!
It is a shame that we do such a poor job of recycling. I remember when we had milk delivered in glass bottles & soda was in glass that you paid a deposit on. Heck, the deposit money was my allowance that I’d take to the store to buy penny candy with. My mother grew up on a farm during the depression and believe me, they didn’t waste a thing. Then during the war, everything was recycled.
Lola and Moe are my constant companions & bring a smile to my face every day.
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Lovely post! I have a couple of pie tins from that era- they are a bit smaller than my regular tins so I use them when I want a smaller pie. I love your measuring cups- my niece gave me a set of measuring spoons that are so handy and compact that I keep them in my purse- you never know when you need a teaspoon of sugar!
I have a set of tools that I painted white handles and then decorated with flowers. My husband NEVER steals them Lol !
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The pie tin is smaller than what I actually use to bake & it’s kind of shallow. You crack me up with keeping the measuring spoons in your purse – maybe we should start an In My Purse series? Not to leave out the guys, we could include “In My Pockets” – I know I’m always amazed at what my husband unloads from his pockets every night. Love that idea about painting the tools too!
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Hi Diane, love your pets… so very cute, especially the pooch. Thank you for the peek into your (old) kitchen, looking forward to seeing the new one. : )
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Lola & Moe are quite the characters & I do love them dearly but oh, can they get into trouble. The kitchen project started because I had to replace the old vinyl floor (never liked it anyway) after Lola ate it. At least she won’t be able to eat tile…I don’t think.
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G’day Diane! Congrats on your fist IMK post, true!
Looks like you have quite mischievous personalities in your four legged ones too! 🙂
Thanks for this month’s kitchen view! Love the stacking measuring cups!
Cheers! Joanne
Viewed as part of IMK
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Thank you Joanne & yes, those 2 furballs know how to keep me hopping. Lola’s a food thief & can easily reach anything on the table or counter and Moe, well let’s just say we call him Moe the Terrorist for a reason.
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Demolition to a kitchen is always exciting, terrifying and tremendously a big hit in the wallet but it will make your whole house come alive with fun. Lola and your kitten are adorable. Look you have build in kitchen floor cleaners! I can’t wait to see the final rollout. Don’t worry about posting a lot when you have no running water… just write about the events of the day. Take Care and good luck with your remodelling. BAM
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It is exciting & I’m so looking forward to the new kitchen but at the same time I’m thinking of all the little things like – where do I lock up Moe (indoor cat), what in the world do I do with Lola to keep her out of the way & quiet? I am so glad I went w/a kitchen planner though who’s husband is the general contractor. Can’t even imagine what scheduling all the subcontractors would be like. I will be posting progress but I have to check back on your blog for food suggestions that you had when you were without the stove.
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Cooking without a stove, oven or microwave or running water can be be a bit tricky. My suggestion is to get your hubby to wine and dine you… sounds like a stellar plan to me… Take Care, bAM
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I’m down to the microwave right now & I agree completely that restaurants were created for a reason. I never was big on ‘camping out’.
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Diane, hello and congrats on your first IMK post! I was a newbie in the last month or two — glad you took the leap. I LOVE the light and mingling possibilities in your “old” kitchen… can’t wait to see your vision fulfilled in the new. I’m also swooning over your vintage pie plate and history behind it. Your pets made me smile. 🙂
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Thank you Kim. I’m really getting exciting for this all to start & will be posting our progress. That pie plate certainly is an old treasure & brought back memories.
My critters make me smile too…most days anyway 🙂
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Be careful, these IMK posts are addictive 😀 That pie dish is an absolute treasure, how beautiful! I actually bought my sister a cardboard car for her cat for christmas (http://www.geekalerts.com/pink-catillac-cat-play-house/), which the cat adored before starting to chew it to pieces 🙂 How exciting that you’re getting a new kitchen – you’ll absolutely have to post next month now so we can all admire it!!
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I know what you mean…sometimes I get so wrapped up in reading everyone’s posts that I forget to do my own. OMG! That pink catillac is the coolest thing I’ve seen & I’d bet Moe would love it. Only problem is that when Lola was a puppy she had a serious chewing problem – it involved my body parts so the breeder suggested giving her cardboard to chew up instead. Of course Lola considers it her job to shred anything cardboard or paper in the house & if she sat on the catillac I’m afraid it would be a goner. Wonder if it comes with airbags?
I’ll be posting updates on our kitchen progress & I’m so happy that you stopped by.
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One of my dogs is addicted to chewing up empty toilet rolls. He’ll steal them straight off the holder if there’s an empty one on there, and will then bolt to his bed to tear it to pieces 🙂 Not sure that the little pink car would survive a Lola bottom. Best stick to the plain boxes 🙂
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You must be glad that your dog waits for the roll to be empty – just think of the mess if he couldn’t wait. You’re right about the catillac not holding up to old “cookie butt”. My biggest problem w/her chewing boxes is that sometimes UPS will leave boxes down by the garage & of course Lola assumes the box is for her.
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bye kitchen – but i?m sure you will be getting another one? that measuring cup bottle is adorable!!!
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Oh those old cabinets are gone as of today. It will be a couple of weeks before the new ones come in because a wall and soffits have to come down, then the floor tiles will take a week. Eventually we will get there and it will be done before Thanksgiving. In the meantime, the crock pot and microwave are coming in handy.
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Wow, you have great kitchen space to work with! Looking forward to seeing your new kitchen come to life. BTW, those stacked measuring cups are so clever. Do you use them or will they be for decoration?
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I was amazed at how much got done today…just one goy and the cabinets are gone. I have used the measuring cups but frankly I don’t trust myself and would be heartbroken if I ruined them. I think once the granite counters go in I might pit them in one of the glass front cabinets since I have 2 very small ones for just that sort of thing.
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You’re kitchen is huge. I know you are upgrading but something for me to aspire to….love your measuring cups!. Thanks for joining us.
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Thank you for stopping by, I’ve been finding so many new blogs through In My Kitchen to read and enjoy. The kitchen is a very large room but believe it or not the work space over by the stove was very limited. By moving the refrigerator & expanding the counters to the right of the stove, I’ll have so much more usable space. Those measuring cups certainly caught people’s attention & I love them to.
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The stack of measuring cups is very cute! Your kitchen looks spacious! I can imagine it looking very nice and glamorous after the remodel 😀
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I do love those stacking cups too. You should see how spacious my kitchen is right now! Everything is gone except for the disconnected dishwasher & stove which will be removed on Monday. Then the tile floors go down next week. That will actually be the toughest since we can’t walk on it for a couple of days. I’m so glad you stopped by.
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Oh wow look at that pie tin! wow lovely. I even like your kitchen now – wonder how the “new” one will look like? God I wish I had a kitchen even half of this one 😀 Mine is like 2×4 meters…
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I really hope the new kitchen will be everything I imagine but living with a bunch of guys in the house with saws & electric screwdrivers is sort of giving me a headache. I’m using the foyer as the kitchen for now although the refrigerator is in the living room. I kind of like being able to reach everything without having to walk around very much. Just posted what the end of week 1 looks like & it sure isn’t a pretty sight!
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😀 patience and earplugs!
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I’ve got both and today is starting out with no surprises. This is a situation where surprises are not a good thing.
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Totally agree – I’m even afraid to open up the wall where we hear some water dropping, you never know what they hid there 25 years ago!
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Not trying to make you nervous, but we demolished our kitchen in March 2012 and it’s yet to be completed. Just kidding! Well.. Sort of. I realized that I could have my own studio with my own bathroom — and — my wife broke down and gave me approval for a urinal in my bathroom! My very own urinal! So, the kitchen had to take a back seat.
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No way – no delay! Between the designer & myself, we’ve got a schedule almost down to the minute & we’re not cutting anyone any breaks. Since the cabinet installer/general contractor is the designer’s husband she’s got excellent influence on that part & I’m in charge of the tile guy. At least as of now, the tile’s are DONE! Great to be able to walk around the house & use the backdoor.
Put Catherin in this message box Adam, I need to talk to her about that urinal… Catherine – who’s going to clean the urinal?
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VERY exciting!!!!
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Wait until you see the next post – we’re getting to the part where it actually exciting.
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