~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
{pretty, happy, funny, real}
We're so happy to be back home on the East coast after our stint in Texas for the summer (the Quack did a four-month rotation at a hospital in Houston). It was a long, hot, busy summer; now we're just settling into a new rental house and and getting ready for the impending expansion of our family.
My kitchen in our new house is all renovated brand-new (with gorgeous countertops), and it's not a small room, but things are not quite as they should be. This has made made it hard to get set up properly — hence the clutter in that “before” picture up there!
Everything is on one side of the room, including the fridge-stove-sink all in a row, meaning that things end up having to be staged on the stovetop.
The cabinets were installed VERY high — I am a shorty, true, but I can only just reach the bottom shelf! Granted, things will be easier once I am not also reaching across a crazy 40+ week belly (if you'd like to go ahead and toss up a few prayers for a safe delivery relatively soon, I'd sure appreciate it!).
(Since the cabinets are so high, I got a good sturdy step stool for myself. Of course, Freddie immediately discovered that he can drag the step stool wherever he wants and get into everything — the world is his oyster! Or was, before I gated off the kitchen. Mama wins for now.) (I'm happy to have him in the kitchen with me. It's him being in there when I'm in a different room that's dangerous.)
Here is the full, sad width of the sink. That's the bowl from my kitchenaid mixer for scale. I think it probably was meant to be a secondary sink in a large kitchen — you know, just for washing vegetables.
The room obviously cried out for a piece of furniture along the empty wall to make things manageable. I was here for 2 1/2 weeks before the Quack came — he had to finish up his rotation in Texas, while I had to get back here before I was too far along to travel. So from 36-38 1/2 weeks pregnant I was here solo parenting (I did have help from my mom and my sister-in-law, but still). Not the ideal situation for getting furniture.
Well, I still spent plenty of time perusing craigslist, and came across this Hoosier cabinet for a steal right before John came home. My A+, top-notch, amazing husband drove from Texas to Maryland in a couple of days, and then the very next day drove two hours round trip to get this beauty for me.
Little Dino #2 is due any day now, so my mom is here to help out. She did a whole bunch of organizing in my kitchen today. This wonderful cabinet is making the whole kitchen come together.
An awesome bonus of the Hoosier cabinet is that the enamel counter pulls out, enabling you (and in this case by “you” I mean “my mom”) to do some serious baking prep.
There's still plenty more to do to make the flow of the kitchen work well for me — I'm planning to move all the dishes from that corner cupboard out into the dining room and store things that I don't need so frequently in there instead–but it's coming along! And the really crucial thing is that I didn't give birth in those 2 1/2 weeks, right?
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Mrs. B. says
I think Sukie and Deirdre are in a competition for the strangest kitchen… Obviously your landlords are not women and couldn’t be bothered thinking a little bit about what goes on in a kitchen – but really, if I were a contractor I’d say something before going along with such weird plans… oh wait, contractors are men too… never mind! That’s quite a challenge you have there, Sukie! The Hoosier cabinet is pure genius, I’m so glad you found one!
Welcome back, by the way – praying that we’ll soon hear good news about Dino #2! I’m glad you’re settling down now, you must be sick of moving…
Deirdre says
I think this thought so often… “clearly a MAN designed this [insert impractical/difficult to clean/difficult to reach/hard to get around item]!!” 🙂
Mrs. B. says
We don’t mean to demean, of course… we just benignly ponder how most men don’t have that particular knack… And of course they can always reply we have a weird way to read maps or whatever. As my husband says, we tease because we love (though I confess that phrase irritates me most of the time!)
I think the two of you are just paying the consequences of hasty, careless landlords who would never do things like that for themselves – and anyway, Sukie, I’d take a gas stove any way I’d find it, even with no space for a single spoon nearby! I guess you can’t move that fridge to the other wall, so you could have a small table by the stove? I bet there are no outlets on the other wall!! Well, it’s all good knowledge to store somewhere, so when you’re ready to buy a house you’ll know which traps to look for 🙂
Suki says
Oh I agree, I love my gas stove! In fact, all of the appliances are really quite nice, much nicer than anywhere else I’ve lived. They’re just in the wrong place, that’s all! And no, there’s no room on the other wall for the fridge (it’d block the doorway). Oh well! We’ll live through it. 🙂
Mrs. B. says
And with two windows, you’re bound to have a cheerful kitchen, so there’s that, too! (Though I’m sure the second one is responsible for much of the awkwardness of the room…)
Lisa says
The Hoosier is such a great addition, and it’s so nice that Auntie welcomed it by making some bread! God bless your labor and delivery. Can’t wait to hear about it. You look beautiful!
Anel says
Well, that cabinet certainly redeems any less ideal design points in that kitchen!! Pretty, oh so pretty. Blessings with the labour and new baby.
CMerie says
Prayers! We’re due any day now too. It is so hard to wait to feel normal again.
Why do kitchens have to be made so strange? It’s like they were designed without the thought that actual cooking would take place on there. Love the cabinet! Great find!
Suki says
Thanks! Praying for you, too! Ah, feeling normal. I keep on doing the spaciest things…and then I tell my husband, I just need to not be pregnant anymore!
Mona says
Sending up prayers for your safe delivery. My daughter just had her first yesterday so I am definitely in praying mode for mothers and their newborns.
Gemma says
I love your find what a great idea! Will send some prayers from Australia for a fast smooth delivery for you.
Katie says
Didn’t I learn what a Hoosier cabinet was from one of your prior posts about a thrifting day trip? I know it was somewhere here on the blog. And after that, I knew enough to recognize one in our great-aunt’s kitchen. In fact, two whole walls in her kitchen are “furnished” as opposed to built-in with cabinets and counters. I’d never really considered any other way of DOING a kitchen, but indeed two of her walls are “bare”– or were, that is, when laid out, but she’s done a good job of creating coziness and function. About the time I learned about Hoosier cabinets, we also toured a historic home (Eudora Welty’s, I think, in Jackson, MS), and I was able to further ruminate on the old-fashioned ways of furnishing and working in a kitchen.
I know exactly what you mean about the high cabinets. My parents’ house is that way. I’m hopeless there as a dishwasher-unloader! One of the best features of our own house is that the previous owners installed the cabinets comfortably low. At 5’2″ I can even tiptoe to put dishes and teacups on the top (!!) shelf of three. On the front of the shelf anyway, and only those sorts of smaller things that can be propped and tapped into place. =) Granted, not with a 40-week belly . . . I had to forfeit my cabinet-reaching prowess this summer, and at 8wks pp I’m still delightfully surprised each time I find I’ve put up all the dishes without a step stool!
Suki says
I did post about Hoosier cabinets quite a while ago! I have loved them for a long time, but never saw any in decent condition for a reasonable price until this one fell in my lap. It was a thrill. 🙂
It is nice to think that you could furnish your own kitchen and get it just the way you want. For example, you and I could set everything up with low cabinets and counters!
Jennie Cooper says
That’s a beautiful Hoosier, and I know that little bit of extra storage space can make a huge difference. Praying for a safe and happy deliver!
Leah says
I am loooving that Hoosier cabinet. Good to know what it’s called so I can start my own search 😉
As for post-mature babies, I have three (of five.) My youngest went to 42 weeks, 1 day. Thankfully, being my fifth child, I was able to stand up to the grouchy old Army midwife who really, really wanted to induce me. There are risks to induction that I don’t think should be undertaken if the mom is okay and the baby is still thriving (and he was, we did a non-stress test and he had plenty of amniotic fluid and his heartrate was great.) I told her I’d wait it out over the weekend and if he still wasn’t born, I’d be back in. My two “earliest” babies were born just a few days before their due dates. Obviously your own doctor/midwife knows about your situation, so that is just my two cents.
What I have learned over 16 years and five pregnancies is that it may be better to exaggerate just a little, making the announced due date a little later, so you don’t get so many “haven’t you had that baby yet?!?” questions. I have all the patience in the world. My later babies were easier babies. My “early” ones were colicky. My babies cook longer than others and that’s okay. That said, I will certainly say a little prayer for you and your littlest one for a safe delivery.
Laura says
Wow at first glance your kitchen looks perfect but how deceiving! Especially the sink! My goodness! But that gorgeous white cabinet – so perfect!
Prayers for a safe delivery!
Maria says
Welcome back to Maryland, Sukie!
Mary Keane says
Yes, welcome to Maryland! We just moved here too! You wouldn’t happen to be in the Annapolis area, would you?
Your kitchen is just too funny. I’ve had seven different kitchens between my moving about and my parents’. From the photos it looks like you’ve essentially made a galley kitchen, which is my favorite. Definitely the most efficient setup, tiny sink not withstanding. Would you be able to lower the cabinets? Also a big dishpan might be useful to corral dirty dishes. I admire your great attitude. Prayers for a safe delivery!
Mary Lou says
Oh Sukie … I always wished I could make time stand still with the approach and wonder-filled days of a new baby! Something like this …
Oh, baby, baby, dear,
We lie alone together here;
The snowy gown and cap and sheet
With lavender are fresh and sweet; …
We are so tired, we like to lie
Just doing nothing, you and I, …
Soft sleepy mouth so vaguely pressed
Against your new-made mother’s breast.
Soft little hands in mine I fold,
Soft little feet I kiss and hold,
Round, soft, smooth head and tiny ear,
All mine, my own, my baby dear.
And He we love is far away!
But he will come some happy day,
You need but me, and I can rest
At peace with you beside me pressed.
There are no questions, longings vain,
No murmuring, nor doubt, nor pain,
Only content and we are here,
my baby dear.
E. Nesbit
Wishing you hours unending of this heavenly contentment, especially after so much work and travels, … bless your heart and the little Christchild about to come ~
With love and prayers, Mary Lou
Deirdre says
Your cabinet is awesome.
Your kitchen renovators deserve to be flayed.
Love, Deirdre
Mother B says
Ohh I absolutely LOVE your new cabinet!! The green canister on top is perfect!! Prayers!!
Donna L. says
Lucky Lady to have Mum there to bake bread and organize! Blessed indeed! How glorious it would have been to have someone here to help me with my nesting urges!
Boo to high cabinets….my step-Dad “fixed” mine that were attached at the ceiling {9 feet tall to the top} and I remember that had to drag a chair around to reach any but the bottom—I’m only short on one end! Truly a blessing if someone can help move them down—you would be doing the whole house a favor for your family and any that come after!
Prayers for you as you wait for your new little one….Of our five–Two were born a bit early, one on his due date, and two late…I am always excited to meet our new little blessing, but babies are infinitely easier to *watch over* when they are still growing within~
Joy in Alabama says
I like your Hoosier. I have my grandmother’s (has the roll top and sifter and looks a lot like hours) and it’s one of my most precious possessions!
Praying you have a great delivery! And glad your mom is there to help!
Becky says
I am having some serious envy over your Hoosier. I thought my pie safe was adequate but now I know better. 🙂 It’s time to character up my kitchen!
I second what a previous poster said about due dates. I will only commit to beginning or end of a month- i.e. the child with the scheduled c-section for September 21 was due sometime near the end of September.
I know you much be feeling pretty miserable right now. I hope you get to hold that sweet little bundle in your arms very, very soon!
Tia says
Love the Hoosier cabinet, an the pretty red carafe is such a nice splash of color too!
Maxine says
I had never seen nor heard of a Hoosier cabinet before reading your post. It’s gorgeous! I’m so glad you found it. It’ll be nice to have something that works well for you in your kitchen. That sink. I can’t even. No words. Praying baby comes soon!
Polly says
I love that new cabinet! It’s beautiful and so functional!
I have to confess, when I scrolled down to the photo of the “sink” my draw dropped. WHO MADE THAT CHOICE?!? It’s crazy! Totally crazy. Someone who has never, ever cooked. Or had a family. Or washed dishes.
Jenny says
Wow, your kitchen layout is worse than mine. I wasn’t quite sure that was possible. That sink is tragic. Much sympathy, but you scored is a great cabinet. I hope it helps you out.
Woman of the House says
I LOVE your Hoosier cabinet! It is fabulous! I’m a shorty, too, and can’t reach beyond the second shelf of my cabinets, and that is a stretch. Blessings on your labor and delivery! Exciting times!