Sunday in my kitchen

It has been a delightful Sunday working in my kitchen. While making broccoli/smoked gouda soup and bread, I've also been puttering about washing windows, dusting and organizing. As I cleaned all the various knicknacks, I thought I'd share some of my favorites.





In one corner of my kitchen hangs this little shelf that Nels made me for Christmas last year. On the shelf is a fish he made out of clay in elementary school and a rendition of the White House by Lou. Hmm. After looking at this photo, I think I need to rearrange.





My favorite knicknack on the shelf is this little squirrel pincushion that once belonged to my Grandmother. It sat on the windowsill in her kitchen!


My kitchen as deep green shelves running under the kitchen windows. It leaves lots of room for stuff (and dust). I've slowly been building a collection of heart rocks. These all came from the island where we spend our summer vacation.

This bamboo plant sits right over the faucet. It was given to us by friends when Lou broke both her arms. It's still alive!


I collect sweetgrass baskets. There are two on the kitchen shelf. I got this one from a basketmaker while I was visiting with the Gullah in South Carolina.


This little sweetgrass basket was made by a Micmac artisan. I picked it up on Lennox Island up in Canada when we went to visit the Micmac nation.


I got this little piece of stained glass when Hels and I went to Washington Cathedral for Evensong. It will always remind me of that special evening with the setting sun shining in the rose window.


This little group of blue and white china came from my Grandmother's house. She used to serve cream in these little pitchers each morning with our hot cereal.


Nels decided he was ready to discuss marriage after his first visit to my grandparents. He picked up a double acorn to remember the walk we went on. He gave me this acorn tile as a reminder. It hangs over the stove.


This little cutting board stands by the toaster. It was carved for us by a friend after we spent a ski weekend with him. He even signed the back for us.


And, finally, there are two tiny watercolors of fruit. These were painted by my Mother-in Law as a gift for our kitchen. Forgive the photography--I'm using Nels' little camera :)


William Morris wrote, "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." I believe that while usefulness and beauty are important, so are things that have story or memory.

Well, back to Sunday in my kitchen. What is on your kitchen windowsill?