Kitchen Updates

I have been busy busy busy since getting home from vacation! No time for vacation blues (that mopey feeling where life at home is dull and boring compared to everything you did on vacay) – I’ve jumped into summer with both feet.

Still working on the ceilings.

That’s old news.  When it’s new news, I’ll tell you, for sure.  I’ll scream from the rooftops the day I finish these ceilings and get to move on to painting the walls!

And there have been some kitchen updates I’m really excited about and just wanted to share with you guys:

We got a refrigerator!  After 8 months of a mini fridge + shared refrigerator, it is so nice to have the whole thing to ourselves!  For aesthetic reasons, I looked high and low for an affordably priced refrigerator that didn’t have a water/ice dispenser on the front but also had an icemaker inside the freezer… Apparently those can’t be had by mere mortals.  So I had to content myself with extra amenities.  And I’ll admit, it’s pretty handy – and it makes the most hilarious train-chugging noise while dispensing water – straight out of  the
*Island of Sodor.

*name that reference, I dare ya.

Don’t let that photograph mislead you: we do consume various food groups other than alcohol.  This photo was just taken before we made a major food shopping trip to stock the fridge.  I promise it’s full of all sorts of delicious food items now.

And, this is the old-as-dirt dishwasher that was in the house when we bought it:

I would put in dishes that were rinsed off and looked clean and they would come out filthy… It was like a dish-unwasher.  So I gave up and just used it as a glorified drying rack – hand wash the dishes, stack in the dishwasher to dry.  Great system.

So my other kitchen update I am super excited about is our new Bosch 800-series dishwasher!

It’s sleek, sexy, and so quiet I can be standing at the sink and have to look down to check if it’s running or not.  Best yet, my dishes come out sparkling clean – like cleaner than brand new. !!!  I’m in love.

Well, these spiffy new appliances had me ready to start getting the kitchen organized and workable.  Step 1 of that goal was cleaning out the pantry, where I had been storing all my painting supplies, tools, refinishing stuff, etc.  Once I got those cleared out, I had to tackle the absolute filthiness of the pantry…

And that’s a flattering photo, I assure you.  But it was nothing a little – ok, a lot – of elbow grease, some dish soap, a scrubby sponge, and two Magic Erasers couldn’t handle.

Much better! And all stocked with more food-that-isn’t-only-alcohol:

I have adorable plans for this pantry – so excited! …UPDATE: See what they are here.