Thursday, October 16, 2008

My Life is About to Improve Dramatically...

...because our new kitchen is now open for business!


It's not completely done, though. We are missing things such as a number of cabinet hardware, some glass inserts for the cabinet doors, and some of the lighting over the sink, island and table, but we have SOOOOO much been enjoying having meals in our new kitchen.

Last Sunday we had a dinner party in which we invited twenty family members, including lots of kids. We used our good dishes, cloth napkins and had a WONDERFUL time!


(Grandpa is full and wants a nap.)



(The sixteen-year-old boy is perhaps not as thrilled as I am over the dinner party.)




(Okay, now the uncle's peaked his interest!)



(The Photographer for the dinner. She wanted me to make sure I mentioned her and featured her picture here. I was also supposed to upload her vocal video to my blog in exchange for the photo shoot, but it takes at least 45 minutes with blogger, so that will have to wait. Sorry, Kyla, but thanks for the good shots!)


What I really wanted to show on with this post is how easy the clean-up was. I designed the kitchen with two dishwashers...


...and three sinks (one with a built-in drain board)...


...with two commercial-style spray faucets...


...perfect for a group effort clean-up. We were able to load every single dish into these two dishwashers in about fifteen minutes with me working sinks 1 and 2 and dishwasher #1 and the 12-year-old boy working dishwasher #2 and sink #3. It was awesome!

In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I invited the family over for dinner every Sunday (all 20 of them, plus our ten). Whether they're up for that type of partying each week or not, we shall see, but the invitation is open!

If you would like more posts on my kitchen, please comment and let me know. I would love to show you more, but I don't want to be self-absorbed and boring!

To close...if you're hungry on a Sunday afternoon, come on over for lots of food and lots of noise!

This post is listed @
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The Barefoot Mama's "Feminine Friday",
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51 comments:

threesidesofcrazy said...

What a beautiful kitchen! CONGRATULATIONS! I'd be finding every excuse I could to have lots of people over.

Anonymous said...

Youa already know I LOVE it. And you can bet I will show up one sunday. I am so happy it is mostly done and you can start using it. Hurray!!! I can't believe how nice it looks.

Mindy said...

That is a beautiful kitchen! Congratulations!

Cecily R said...

That kitchen is BEAUTIFUL. I am so jealous I can't see straight. And I'm coming for dinner next Sunday.

Weeksie50 said...

Wow, that is one of the most beautiful kitchens I have ever seen..

Hootin Anni said...

Beautiful. Now, do you have a built in robot to clean it? [kidding]

Loved your photographer too!


Stop by my show and tell when you have time, I'd love to have you visit with me this fine day. Happy weekend to you!!!

Kelli said...

You need to post pictures of the kitchen we all hung out in. Folks would totally appreciate your fabulous bounty EVEN more!!!

Dawn @ simply transparent said...

My daughter's name is spelt the same as your dd name..very cool.
and that kitchen is marvelous!!!

CJ, The Purple Diva said...

I WANT MORE,..GIVE ME MORE! send them to me in an email if you don't want to post them! Your kitchen is FABO! I would LOVE that kitchen! You are one LUCKY woman I tell ya...and I don't blame you one bit for wanting to have people over! I WOULD TOO!

Dalyn said...

wow- I am drooling over that kitchen...wonderful! Beautiful! Can I come live with you??
*U*
Have a great day.

Alex @ I'm the Mom said...

Omg! I cant cook very well but I am so jealous!!!

Betty said...

I´m so happy for you, that you finally got that big kitchen! Looks great!
I bet it will be a big help!
You are braver than me inviting all those people over. Even with a big kitchen....not me! :)
But I would love to show up there one day.

tiarastantrums said...

wow - gorgeous! all that space! I would love a BIG arse kitchen - no one tripping me up - no dog to trip over - no one to bump into!!

heidi said...

Oh my GOODNESS!! I have to go repent now because I am COVETING your kirchen!!!! LOL

Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander said...

Wow, at first I though those photos were of a kitchen from a magazine...and then I realized! Holy Moly! It's amazing and so beautiful! Congrats on completing it. The little stuff will finish up in no time.

And who doesn't love a weekly dinner party!

Please VISITMy PSF. Thank You!

Rachelle Vernon Jones said...

ok, that's awesome! you're built ready for parties!

Lisa Cobler said...

Congrats on a beautiful kitchen!

Shauna said...

I love it! How awesome :)

Wendy said...

Your kitchen is beautiful and looks to be a warm and inviting place to surround yourself with good food, loving family and great conversation! I can smell the food now!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on finishing up such a big project! It looks amazing! I think it's as big as my kitchen, LR and DR put together! A big family get together every week sounds like so much fun and you have the perfect space for it!

Manuela

Rhonda said...

Jen it's FABULOUS!!! It's perfect for big gatherings and I'm sure all your fam loves it (loved seeing Ed and Gayle in the pics!)

When I did my kitchen I was all about practicality as well. Not nearly as big as yours but we ONLY have 6 kids. I'm so glad I designed it with every detail I wanted/needed for my big fam. If I hadn't I'd surely be kicking myself now! Enjoy it!

BarbaraJo said...

I have tried to catch you 3 different times to see your beautiful house. I need to schedule an appointment. HA. As for the TV watching...count your lucky stars...some time for you to get things done without interruption.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful kitchen, excellent design and I love the extra sinks and dishwasher what a wonderful idea on your part. I would love to see more details on your kitchen cabinets, and how you displayed your jars.

Hannah said...

Oh wow!! That kitchen is fantabulous!!!

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

Oh jealousy happening all over the place over you new kitchen! it is beautiful! huge and perfect! oh 2 dishwashers..... no hand washing another load full!

Linda C said...

All I can say is "WOW"!!! Beautiful kitchen!! And 2 dishwashers- brilliant!
When our 6 kids were younger we considered having 2 dishwashers and 2 clothes dryers:)
Please share more pics in the future!
~Linda C

Love Bears All Things said...

It is a beautiful kitchen and so big. I know you are looking forward to lots of fun times there.
Mama Bear

Anonymous said...

Wow! That kitchen is absolutely amazing. Enjoy it and all of the memories that will be made there.

Stephanie said...

Yes please show us more of your kitchen! It's beautiful!

Bobbi said...

Wow! It is so beautiful! I'd never leave my kitchen if it looked like that! Did you guys do all the tile work? It is just beautiful! How awesome!

CC said...

That is so gorgeous and amazing. Really! I'm guessing your OLD kitchen still was leaps nicer than mine ;)

Mrs. Homemaker said...

Your kitchen is gorgeous! I am eaten alive with jealousy. I have a standard issue military housing kitchen. Hardly big enough for 2 people.

Having family over is great, and having all that clean up equipment is even better!

Chris said...

That kitchen is stunning -- I thought it was a restaurant.

Pamela said...

What a fabulous kitchen! I enlarged the pictures so I could see every detail. It's gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

Nice! W/10 children I can see the grandkids piling in. You'll really need the room then.

Grammy said...

What a wonderful kitchen.You are very blessed with such a large room. I love the the whole room. I had a new kitchen in my old home. I so miss it.
Have a great week.
Grammy

Shannon said...

Oh, I am absolutely DROOLING over your kitchen- it's beautiful! I looked at every picture and thought, there's not a single thing I'd change- it's my dream kitchen!

((going to my happy place...I am content with what I have...I am content with what I have...Arrrgh! It's not working!....))

Martha said...

Beautiful! I'll be over for dinner this Sunday! :-)

Jennifer said...

WOWZAS! if I had a kitchen like that, I'd be pulling my neighbors in off the stree to come and look. SO NICE!!!!!!

Lady Katherine said...

What a drean kitchen!!

Carla said...

Open for business? I'll say! WOW-just, well, WOW!! I'm all up for more:), I know your excited, and you should be!! ENJOY!

danette said...

Wow, what a beautiful kitchen!

Heart 4 My Home said...

Ok, I love my home and our kitchen...but....I must admit I really L-O-V-E yours! That is one of the most beautiful kitchens ever!!! I am not normally a fan of dark woods but let me say...your kitchen has made me open my mind to it. It looks so loving, so warm, so inviting, so homey.

~blessings

Susie Homemaker said...

I wouldn't turn that invitation for Sunday dinner down! Looks and sounds wonderful...great photography by the way!

Warm Regards,
Susie

Emily said...

I want to come over for dinner. I'll just hop in my car and drive right on over, two days later-haha. We do go to Mexico at least once a year. Smart women putting the two dishwashers and three sinks. I would love to se more pics.

Amanda B. said...

Wow! Congratulations! I know this has been a long time coming- I'll be over on Sunday! (ha ha, I wish!) Enjoy it! :)

Courtney said...

beautiful kitchen. We finished our kitchen remodel last year, so I can appreciate the effort and pain and also the wonderful reward! Enjoy...

Kristin said...

Wow, Jen, you're livin' the dream. You are definitely going to be the hub of that little community.

GranthamLynn said...

The prettiest kitchen I have ever seen. I love Mexico and if I could have a kitchen like that I would move too! LOL really you are Blessed with a beautiful family to fill this special kitchen.
Many many Blessings to you and your family.
Love,
Sherry

Kendra@My Insanity said...

I love it! It looks like you could feed an army...but maybe that's the point! I'd love to see more!

Kelly @ The Barefoot Mama said...

That is absolutely amazing! I cannot even comment further - my breath is stolen, LOL! Gorgeous!