The Heart of the Home

I would like to spend some time writing about what I think is the heart of the home - the kitchen. I don't know about you, but some days we spend so much time in our kitchen that I wonder why we have other rooms in our house. When people come over, there are many times that we never even leave the kitchen. By the time we prepare, eat and clean up three meals I would have to guess that almost half the day has been spent there. Now add in those times when it is too cold in the basement to do school so we do it in the kitchen, it is no wonder that I become disoriented when I walk into other parts of the house.

I firmly maintain that my kitchen is the window into the state of my mind. If you want to know how I am doing, don't ask me, just come and look at my kitchen. If I am uptight or anxious, then my kitchen tends to be super organized and clean. If I have not been home much or my mind is a-whirl with too many things, then you will notice that my kitchen is very cluttered and disorganized. If I seem to be functioning on a fairly normal level then my kitchen is neat and tidy, but you will notice a few things out of place here or there.

I remember when we moved into our first home, my mother asked me how I was going to organize my kitchen. I looked at her as if she had spoken to me in French. I had no children, so I did not concern myself with such trivial things as being efficient and organized. I think my mother organized the first two kitchens I ever had. By the third one, I think I had it figured out and she left me on my own. Now my kitchen is one of my favorite rooms to reorganize. I'm always on the lookout for ways to make it more efficient and more pleasant to be in.

What about your kitchen? Do you enjoy spending a lot of time in it? Hopefully over the next few days I will be able to share some ideas and tips that will help make spending time there much more enjoyable.