Thursday, July 25, 2013

The windowless kitchen...

I know that in the past I've bemoaned the fact that my tiny kitchen is...

"windowless"

But today I'm going to concentrate on the things I love, because there a lot worse things in life than a kitchen with no view :)

These photos were actually taken a few years ago, but nothing has changed in the kitchen except for my ever growing collection of Mary planters and busts, and a few more things on the fridge :)
In the photo above, I had but one Mary bust on the shelf above my sink.

Fast forward a couple of years and you'll see that my collection is grown considerably. These were all found during various thrifting excursions.

Having grown up in a Catholic home... 

...and having attended parochial schools...

I find the presence of these vintage Mary busts and planters to be quite comforting.

To the right of the sink area is my little Lefton parakeet and Mr. J's 'tea and coffee' dog treat tins.

This corner is truly in honor of my Nana, who loved her "Pete" parakeets and her "Midgie" cats. I have the fondest memories of going to her house for Sunday dinners when I was a kid back in the '50's.

An old, tarnished silver water pitcher serves as my kitchen utensil caddy.

To the left of the caddy is my hydrangea screen...

... that hides the outlet where I charge my camera, phone, etc.

Of course I had to share my favorite stove-top pot, used to make the sugar water for my many Humm Zinger hummingbird feeders.

And a snippet of some of the 'fridge' decor. Just look at my two babies when they truly were babies! They're now in their mid to late twenties, so you know that those cute little mugs have been attached to our fridge(s) for a long time!

*** Warning ***
Those who do not want to see cats on kitchen counters, please stop reading now!
Baby has been feeling very "blog" neglected lately. I have been focusing on my 'pet' chipmunks and my Sammy Squirrels and my hummingbirds since the beginning of summer, and someone's little nose is out of joint.

Baby isn't really allowed up on the counters, but she clearly wanted to get my attention when I had my camera out...

Although she kept punishing me by closing her eyes, looking down, or looking away when I tried to take her picture.

I promised her that I would start writing more about her on the blog if she would look into the camera and give me one good shot before getting shooed off the counter. She complied. Needless to say, you will be reading more about our poor 'blog neglected' Baby in the future.

I'm joining Claudia at Mockingbird Hill Cottage for Favorite Thing Saturday and
Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday.

Have a great week everyone!

Donna




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21 comments:

  1. Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee(Mukherjee)July 25, 2013 at 9:39 PM

    Beautiful kitchen. Love those colours.
    The cat is adorable.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

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  2. NanaDianaJuly 25, 2013 at 10:07 PM

    Donna- Your kitchen is really lovely. I like that you collect MaDONNAs. Did you ever consider that they contain your name? I also love your Nana corner. I wonder if any of my granddaughters will have a little Nana corner in their house one day. xo Diana

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  3. sheriJuly 25, 2013 at 10:52 PM

    Hi Donna,

    I think your kitchen is lovely. Baby makes it extra sweet!
    Even though there are no windows, your kitchen is bright cheerful. The mirror above the shelf is a great idea for reflecting light. I really admire your collection of Mary busts and planters. Your pieces are all quite pretty.

    I love your Nana's corner. My best friend's Nan had a little dog named Midge. Thanks for bringing back that sweet memory!

    My sister has three parakeets and it makes me smile to hear them sing, but that might not be such a good
    idea in your house, given the way Baby's been feeling lately... ;-)

    Okay, I'm off to ebay to search for a Lefton parakeet! Didn't even know they made them!

    Have a good weekend
    Sheri

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  4. sheriJuly 25, 2013 at 10:55 PM

    Hi again,

    I forgot to ask if it's okay with you if I "pin" some of your pics to my Pinterest boards? I will make sure they link back to you and your blog is credited.

    Thanks!
    Sheri

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  5. Gina @ VictorianWannaBeJuly 26, 2013 at 12:52 AM

    Hi Donna,
    Cute kitchen. I like your Mary collection and your parakeets, especially the Lefton one, it looks so real! We had parakeets for several years, they are cute and fun. I have an antique silver plated figural napkin ring with a parakeet on it. What a sweet little memory corner you have. And your cat is beautiful. She looks quite content there on the counter top. :)
    Have a great weekend,
    Gina

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  6. BarbJuly 26, 2013 at 1:25 AM

    What a lovely collection! Such a wonderful idea to concentrate on things to be thankful for-we all need to work on that!

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  7. Shabby chic SandyJuly 26, 2013 at 2:47 AM

    I don't have a window in my kitchen either. So wish I had one above the sink! Your kitty is so cute--mine aren't allowed on the counters either and I am always having to chase them off. I think they enjoy it!

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  8. Linda @ A La CarteJuly 26, 2013 at 9:47 AM

    I also have a 'windowless' kitchen and a cat....enough said!! :)

    Linda

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  9. Betty July 26, 2013 at 11:58 AM

    You have a beautiful kitchen. You could take the cabinet above the sink out and put a fake window frame up with a pretty picture behind it. I saw someone do that years ago.

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  10. DebbiJuly 26, 2013 at 3:18 PM

    I so love reading your blog, and seeing your lovely home. I have followed you for a few years now and just love how your transforming things. I really love the many Mary planters, busts, and statues you have. Thank you for sharing your little place with us. Look forward to seeing many more posts.

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  11. AndreaJuly 26, 2013 at 5:42 PM

    I have a windowless kitchen too, Donna, and one that's not nearly as beautiful as yours.

    And I also have a cat not nearly as beautiful as your Baby... but we won't tell Mistletoe that! :)

    Love~ Andrea
    XOXOXO

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  12. MelanieJuly 26, 2013 at 11:24 PM

    Even though your kitchen is small and windowless, it's very charming! I love the white cabinets and your collections. I have 3 kitties and I don't like them on the counters either, but sometimes they will jump up there to get into the kitchen window. Oh well, I disinfect my countertops several times during the day, so I figure all is well. :-)

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  13. gardenbugJuly 27, 2013 at 5:04 AM

    A very personal windowless kitchen at that! Sweet kitty, sweet post!

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  14. Debra at HOMESPUN: http://www.thehomespun.com July 27, 2013 at 6:58 AM

    Hello Baby...glad you jumped into the picture in your pretty kitchen :)

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  15. BECKYJuly 27, 2013 at 9:57 AM

    I love everything about your lovely home! And putting cloth in the glass "window" over your sink is perfect! Looks like a window to me! :)
    I, too, grew up Catholic and went to parochial schools. I had just a couple of gorgeous Mary statues, that over the years have been misplaced. I honestly don't remember if I gave them away, or what....But seeing pictures, statues, busts, etc of Mary always makes me feel calm.
    AND one more thing. I'm not particularly a cat person, but your cat is beautiful! And looks like a gorgeous statue on your counter top! You've provided me with lots of smiles this morning! Have a wonderful weekend.

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  16. SusanJuly 27, 2013 at 11:41 AM

    Oh Donna, Baby is the pizazz. What a glam cat. Soooo diva.

    Love the kitchen. Adorable. And your Marys are sweet, too. They emit peace.
    She's such a good intercessary to have.

    Thanks so much for sharing. Oh! Meant to tell you, your impatiens are darling, too. Susan

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  17. DonnaJuly 27, 2013 at 9:57 PM

    Baby has you trained, LOL! I love the cottage feel of your kitchen. The fabric inserts for the cabinet above the sink is a great focal point!

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  18. PaulaJuly 28, 2013 at 12:14 PM

    I love your collection of Blessed Mother busts and vases. My mom had a Madonna collection as well. We each got to pick a couple to take home after she passed away. I treasure it!

    Come by and visit me at Home In Douglas!

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  19. ValJuly 30, 2013 at 10:44 PM

    Your kitchen is lovely, and it is three times the size of mine, so your "tiny" seems open and spacious to me. :)

    And the markings on Baby's head are so sweet. :)

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  20. ElaineAugust 2, 2013 at 7:47 PM

    Cute kitchen. I have a similar birdcage. And of course, one of my cats, yes it's Percy, jumps on the counters.

    Baby not getting enough attention? Never!

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  21. ClaudiaAugust 3, 2013 at 7:34 PM

    Oh, I love your kitchen with all your treasures displayed everywhere - it's charming. And so is dear Baby. Give her a kiss for me.

    xo
    Claudia

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