My Hideous Kitchen

I'll be honest....one of the reasons I like blogging is for the compliments.  There, I said it.  I think it's probably true for most bloggers, if we're being honest.  One of my love languages is definitely "words of affirmation" and I can't lie - when one of my posts gets a comment, or someone likes one of my ideas, it makes me happy!  On the flip side of things, I also love looking at other blogs for inspiration, and I love leaving encouraging comments for others.  But I have to be honest here, too...sometimes a twinge of jealousy can set in - thoughts of, "Wow, she really has it all together," "I wish I had the money to do that," "I wish I had that talent," and especially, "ohhhh I am SO jealous of that kitchen," can abound. 

It's kind of like real life, isn't it?  We present our best selves for the public - get dressed up nice to go grocery shopping, trying to keep up with the latest styles, and of course, when someone asks us how we are doing, are we ever anything other than, "fine?"

Over the past year or so, I have definitely been challenged to be real.  I try to show the real me in my daily life - because no one is perfect, and it is so hard keeping up appearances!  I know that I have been created with a purpose, and that although my talents, gifts, and abilities might differ from the next person's, they are just as important:  "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  - Ephesians 2:10.

You are probably wondering what all this has to do with a hideous kitchen.  Well, here's another confession:  I have a terribly ugly kitchen.  It's small, it's old, it has terrible lighting.  So far in my blog, I've only shown things I am proud of or things I like.....but in thinking about being real, I decided to link up my REAL kitchen to Love Stitched's kitchen linky party! 

So here we go - on to the tour of my hideous kitchen - hope you like blue!

Ok, there have been some improvements.  Here's the view from the kitchen into the hallway when we first moved in about 3 1/2 years ago....

What's that?  You want a close-up of the goose wallpaper?

Honk!

And here it is now....no wallpaper, fresh paint, and new flooring (and the hallway now leads to our brand spankin' new laundry room!)





Here's the view of the kitchen from the hallway pictured above.  I do love the new flooring and refrigerator!


This little waste of space is to the right of the refrigerator.  We never use this door...it's old and definitely not too energy efficient.  When we redo the kitchen, it's coming out!  (Although in the meantime, it's a nice spot to hang aprons and put the dog dishes).



Ahhh....where to begin?  The paint above the cabinets started coming off like crazy when we removed the wallpaper.  Three of the cabinet doors have been stripped, we were planning to paint them all white, but the project stalled when we realized the amount of time and energy it would take to redo all the cabinets that will be coming out eventually anyways.  (We do have plans drawn up for the future, and this whole wall is coming out to make one big kitchen/dining room!)

Here's a close-up of my stunning dishwasher....as in, I'm stunned the thing still works!



An even closer close-up....we just assume that the correct button to push is the one that's been used the most :)


The drawers are definitely sold wood.  Unfortunately, they create this fine sawdusty mess on everything below.  Don't worry, I wash all the stuff before I use it.


Having a somewhat mischevious toddler, you never know what you'll find....


from her spoons with the casserole dishes....

....to some feminine products in the bread drawer!

Here's the reason my lighting is less than wonderful....





The only source of light is from two spotlights on a track!



This is the view of the other side of the room....there used to be an eat-in area there with a few built-in cabinets, but we ripped it out when we put the new flooring in.  I'm sooo glad we did, but it did make me lose a lot of storage space, so I'm hunting for something to put here.  In the meantime, I'm using this cabinet, which will eventually be painted and put in the laundry room!



I feel like my 16 month old might have as much kitchen storage as I do!

One last shot - the view from the dining room.  Did I already mention how I love the new floor?  :)





Now, I definitely don't want this post to be seen as complaining - maybe some of you are thinking "What is she talking about?  It's not that bad!"  I am totally blessed to live in the home I do, to have the opportunity to be a stay at home mom, and to live comfortably!  Yep, I'm even blessed to have the kitchen I do!  It may not be up to date, or look nice, or have all new appliances - but I have a kitchen!  It's indoors.  It has running water.  Electricity.  Even a little storage :)



I hope you are inspired by all the beautiful kitchens linked up over at Love Stitched and out there in blogland - I know I can't wait to look at them!  But if you feel that twinge of jealousy, I hope you are inspired by mine too - knowing you don't have to be perfect or have the perfect space!  The real you is just lovely!   

 
PS - There's also a great giveaway going on over at Love Stitched for a really cute "eat" sign from Signs of vintage....go here to check it out!!

PPS - Speaking of Brittany at Love Stitched, she has a great deal going on today over at GroopDealz (one of my FAVORITE bargain sites!)  Her super adorable Chrysanthemum Flower Necklaces are over half off and come in 4 different colors!

And the other deal of the day from Wonderfully Wordy are these cute Menu & Scroll decals....only $3!!