Don’t get all excited, folks, this post is not about the renovated kitchen, we are not quite there yet. But I have a few things to share with you, joining the fun virtual event hosted by Celia, from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial.
In our kitchen…
Health Warrior Chia Bars! I first learned about them through Joanne, from Eats Well with Others. She is a long distance runner, super-fit Md/PhD student who recently reviewed these high-protein, low sugar bars. They come in plenty of flavors, her favorite was coconut which is the one I tried first. I had to order online because our grocery stores in town don’t carry them, but I hope at some point they will. They are delicious! I have one as my breakfast every day.
In our kitchen…
Hatch Pepper Cheese! You probably know that Hatch chiles are pretty hot right now (pun intended). Lots of bloggers rave about their wonderful taste. These peppers are not that easy to find in some parts of the US, but here in Kansas we are lucky to have them often at the grocery store. This cheese won my heart! A mild, soft cheese, with a nice heat of these special peppers in every bite. Awesome!
in our kitchen… Gifts from special friends…
From our dear friend Gabi, a special spice mix from Brazil, called “Tempero Baiano”, that she uses to season pork cutlets, chicken, beef. The name refers to the state of origin, Bahia, famous for its cooking with a heavy African influence. I haven’t used it yet, it’s been waiting for our kitchen to be functional.
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From my former husband, a jar of peppers that, according to him, are THE authentic pepper to use in dishes like Hungarian paprikash, which is a recipe his Mom cooks like no one else. Fond memories of the many outstanding meals I’ve had at his parents’ home decades ago.
From my friend Cindy, a cool gadget to hold recipe printouts… sexy red, the way I like it! The little ball is a strong magnet, so the page stays up over your counter top, easy to read.
In our kitchen…
Gifts I bought for myself…. in anticipation of our new kitchen, I could not resist getting a few things that popped up on sales here and there.
This set of bowls were too cute to pass… I love their size, perfect for serving nuts, olives, dips, for dinner parties. They are happy. They make me smile…
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A set of stainless steel coated knives in all sorts of shapes and colors, a great deal from One Kings Lane. I find their stuff for the most part terribly expensive, but these knives were quite affordable, so I brought them to our kitchen. They are still in the box, to avoid getting all dusty like everything else in our home. 😉
And speaking of dust, let me share a few photos of our renovation, in pictures taken in the past couple of weeks.
In our kitchen, chaos before bliss…
Our cabinets are going through a total make-over! A carpenter built new doors in a more modern style. This double picture shows one such new door, as we study a color composition for the frame, and the crown molding installed a day later.
The central counter top will be bigger, and the black granite will be gone, replaced by a lighter alternative. A stone from Brazil will take the center spot of our new kitchen… How cool is that? This change allowed us to build one extra cabinet for (much-needed) storage.
Take a look at the cute storage space for baking sheets and cutting boards, love it!
This wall has the gas line installed, and all the electrical wiring in place, waiting for the new fridge, range (be still my heart, it is going to be awesome!), and the venting hood. I stare at this empty wall and dream…
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And now, time for a message from our four-legged friends!
Renovations can be very stressful, but some folks don’t seem to mind it that much. Oscar, for instance, finds that a rug rolled all the way underneath the table is a lot more convenient to rest his long legs while waiting for a treat or two.
And Chief, looking mighty good for his age, thinks the new floor halfway installed in the kitchen matches his fur very well, and gives a nice bounce to his favorite toy. Two old paws up for the renovation!
Buck is quite fond of his new spot in the dining room. “Daddy is so nice! He is always ready to give me some goodies….”
“With Mom it’s a different story, I need to endure a lot of hugging to get the treats I deserve…”
Oscar has a different opinion on the subject:
“Hugging? I should be so lucky!
I have to sing my lungs out to get ANYTHING! Don’t believe me?
Click here…
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I hope you had fun with the little tour of our kitchen. We are still on the road, so I might have a bit of trouble answering to comments and visiting blogs. But, these too shall pass… 😉
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ONE YEAR AGO: Bourbon and Molasses Glazed Pork Tenderloin
TWO YEARS AGO: Crimson and Cream Turkey Chili
THREE YEARS AGO: Taking a break from the nano-kitchen
FOUR YEARS AGO: Chocolate Chip Cookies
Bewitching Kitchen 
The kitchen is going to be gorgeous after the reno. I can tell. 🙂
I love your colourful bowls. I don’t need any new dishes/glasses/cups/serving bowls but every once in a while I bring something home and then have to find a place to put it in my filled to bursting cupboards. If I found bowls like those, they’d definitely find a home with me.
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I actually donated most of my bowls and little plates before we moved. Long story I might tell someday 😉
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I look forward to your story. When I cleaned out my basement, prior to a possible house sale/move, I found 2 sets of dishes including some matching glassware in boxes. My dad had gotten them in the 70s with fill-ups at local gas stations. The gold decorated set (not microwavable) with brown/amber glasses were given away to the man who cuts my grass and shovels my snow who I hired to do the cleaning who brought his wife, a niece and a friend of theirs who took the wood, paint cans etc. He was going to give them to young members of his large family who were moving out and setting up a new apartment.
I kept the black and white flower Grindley Manitou set made in Staffordshire. Unfortunately, it turned out only a few matching glasses had survived so I’m going to have to hunt around and see if I can find some more though there aren’t many clues on the bottom of the glasses as to what to look for.
http://www.replacements.com/webquote/GRIMANIT.htm
I should post pictures of the incomplete glasses and ask for help. 🙂
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Sally the photos of you are beautiful. Nothing like a dog to make you smile, right?!! I love all of the Univer products I’ve tried. I can only get them on Amazon. So excited about the new kitchen…
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I am beyond excited too, in fact I often dream with the new kitchen, although in my dreams there are some crazy things popping up 😉
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I am SOOOO glad you like those chia bars! I snack on them before workouts all the time. Also your new bowls – super cute. I kind of want a set for myself!
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I was hoping I could find those bars in California, but no luck. No store carries them, I am so disappointed. Will have to order online when we get home… I will try another flavor, but I think I’ll buy two boxes now, one coconut because I love it
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Your dogs are precious – and I am green with envy over that kitchen!
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THe dogs keep us busy and happy, what’s more to ask? 😉
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I love all the products especially the tempero baiano. I wish I could have a bag just for me. 🙂 xx
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I somehow expected you to like that! 😉
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Your kitchen is going to be perfect for you! I wish I could get a makeover/renovation. My husband just wants to move and get a NEW house.
Love the bowls and I love new knives(and old knives- I guess I just like knives!
Thanks for sharing- and how nice that your former husband is giving you food gifts!
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Yes, my first husband and I are in excellent terms, and he kept in close contact with my family…. I love that
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Thanks for a peek into your kitchen. It looks great. I love hatch chiles – they are indeed all the rage right now.
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It was my first contact with those chiles – I hope they are still around when we fly back…
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Wow, Sally, so much great stuff going on here! The new bewitching kitchen is going to be outstanding – great cabinetry. Those bowls are adorable and I remember that very useful page holder from Eat, Play, Love who offered something very similar (the rock I think it was called) in one of their giveaways. Haven’t heard of hatch chiles but will keep an eye out. Your furry friends are beyond edible. Love!!
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The cabinetry will be awesome, I think it’s all assembled now, from what we heard…. FOUR MORE DAYS…. FOUR MORE DAYS>>>
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My sister would LOVE those bars! And it’s really funny how small coincidences happen. I was just reading an article about Hungarian cooking (I am part Hungarian but have no family recipes passed on) in the latest issue of Saveur. Your pepper paste is usually used as a table condiment or ‘finisher’…There are several types of paprika that go into making Paprikash! Who knew?
I feel your excitement…your kitchen is going to be great when it’s finished.
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Very interesting coincidence, I had no idea it would be a “finishing” touch… will have to keep that in mind…
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It must be so exciting to see your kitchen project progressing! The set of bowls will be beauties in the finished room. Love those!
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I am soooo looking forward to going home! You can tell, right? 😉
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Love the shots of your pupsters, not to mention the rest of your IMK post, Sally. Those two know it’s best to get find a comfortable, spot out of the way, and treats are sure to follow. What I really was thrilled to see, though, were the glimpses of what’s to come in your new kitchen. How fantastic will that newly renovated island be?
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Counting the days, John…. counting the days….
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My puppies were intrigued by your Oscar singing. He sounds just like my Trevor 🙂 LOVE your cutting board/baking sheet storage, every kitchen needs this!!
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When we played that, Buck was very intrigued,…. turning his head from one side to the other, too cute….
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Sally, it must be so hard being displaced from your kitchen, but dreams go a long way toward filling the gap between renovation and reality. Hatch cheese… happy bowls… sexy magnets… singing dogs… your kitchen sounds like a wonderful place!
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Singing dogs definitely add a lot to our home! I picked up the boys at the kennel yesterday after 10 days away, Oscar comes sitting next to me, actually GLUED to me in the car, and whines and sings and cries ALL THE WAY home… as if telling me a sad story about his past 10 days and how much he missed me… 😉 It is enough to melt my heart….
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Sally, your new kitchen is going to be magnificent, if the “bones” of it are anything to go by! And so many treasures, but my favourites have to be those very cute pasta bowls and that uber-wonderful magnetic paper holder – how handy would that be in the kitchen! Hang in there through the renovations, can’t wait to see the finished kitchen! xxx
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I cannot tell you how much we are looking forward to the end of it, and having our kitchen back and functional – getting there, getting there…. slowly but surely!
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I am in love with those colourful bowls, they’re just so gorgeous and bring happiness to your kitchen! Love your kitchen project, I can’t wait to see the final product! Great IMK post! xx
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Thanks, Lisa… I intend to do another IMK post in November, hopefully with lots of photos of our new kitchen… we are not quite there yet, there have been some delays, but that’s always the case with hellnovations!
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Hi Sally, I love those cute little bowls. They are so cheery. And I love Buck and Oscar they are (nearly) as cute as my babies 🙂
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The competition for cuteness is too fierce, right? 😉
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G’day Sally! Love your kitchen view, true!
Been there re renos, but looks to be great already too!
Could go for one of the Chia bars right now! 🙂
Cheers! Joanne
Viewed as part of IMK
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Hello there, Joanne! Chia bars are great, I just placed an order for another box at amazon, as I did not find them anywhere for sale…
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Kitchen renovation is always an exciting project…especially for foodie type people 🙂 Thank you for the tour of your kitchen!
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What an exotic mix this month – from all the corners of the globe. That new kitchen is tantalisingly close….
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