Just 3 Things | #16

Maybe we are stepping into a bit of normalcy here at last. The beginning of 2026 has really been one that is different from years' past. I'm not complaining - just observing. This week's three things are about food, storytelling, and organizing.

- What I've Been Loving -

While we were sick, we took advantage of convenience and did lots of food delivery for our meals. I was ever grateful to have something tasty and hot and the fact that cleanup was just basically sacking up the containers we had jut emptied and tossing into the trash can. When we honed in on the weather predictions as we began to feel better, we knew that food delivery would probably not be a good idea. So, our grocery order included more ingredients to prepare or cook from scratch and some fast heat and eat options. We both have been loving the home-cooked and almost-home-cooked meals for the past couple of weeks. 

Even though we stuck to Taco Tuesday both weeks during the frozen event, we also tried out some other options as well. We tried some frozen beef and bean burritos and some queso dip. That meant we had some left-over taco meat. The first week I just froze it because I knew that we had a fridge full of options and probably wouldn't eat leftovers. I browsed the interweb for different ideas and ways to incorporate taco-flavored ground beef into casseroles and soups. We tried one of the casseroles this week and I really liked it. Basically, it is just an addition of elbow macaroni and cream cheese to traditional taco ingredients. It was pretty tasty, though! Since the temperatures are supposed to drop this weekend, I might thaw the other leftover meat and try out a soup recipe I found. Stay tuned.

- What I've Been Reading -

I read three Mary Kay Andrews books in a row during the snow event we just melted out from under. Savannah Blues introduced me to a couple of southern gals and their acquaintances. My cousin, Faye, and I were both reading it at the same time and chuckling at how we could envision certain scenes described by the author. I downloaded Savannah Breeze immediately upon finishing it and found the second book to be really just a continuation of Weezie's and Bebe's story. One book's primary focus is on one of the characters and the other focuses on her friend's experiences. They are intertwined and it makes one wish for a close female friend with such loyalty and understanding. I hesitated on the next one because it was marketed as a Christmas tale but it wasn't so season focused that it wasn't a good read. Reading Blue Christmas did make me pause and think about our own family gatherings and how they probably seem to outsiders or how they might be viewed differently through the different eyes of each family member. I will probably go back and read Christmas Bliss but I just couldn't read two Christmas titles in a row right now.

I decided to take a break from fiction and picked up a friend's recommendation for reading a Jimmy Buffet Memoir, A Pirate Looks at Fifty. One of the most important things this book is doing as I'm reading it is that it is making me wish that I had written a brief memoir at the end of each decade of my adulthood. I'd love to have captured my thoughts through the years like that and look back to see the ideas and actions that brought me to the place I am today. 

I also learned that in addition to his music, I appreciate him for his dedication to reading and literature. Many chapters open with song lyrics shared as poetry. I found myself searching for the song and listening to it almost every time. We don't always think of songs as poetry or as telling stories, but that truly does encapsulate what Buffet did with his music - he is an interesting and inspiring storyteller and I will probably read some of his other work. Who knew I would become a Parrot Head?

- What We've Been Working On -

We spent a little time in the downstairs kitchen this week. The Mister uses that space a lot more than I do. So, I spent a little time watching him as he was puttering round and it helped me to see how he uses his equipment and the space so I can better organize it. He mentioned that he needed somewhere to store his meat slicer and wanted to better organize the tubs he uses for storing sausage batches while he is seasoning and sacking it. Then, he took a little break to go putter outside and I got busy.

I dragged a 2' x4' bookcase out of the storage room and scrubbed it down. The bookcase had one shelf attached with screws and had a couple of loose shelves setting on the bottom. After giving it a good clean, I put the bookcase on the east wall near a cupboard where the Mister's meat packaging materials are stored. There was just enough space between it and the cupboard to provide access to a plug. So, I slid a cute little crock in the space and it looked like I'd planned it that way. I slid the slicer onto the shelf that was attached in the bookcase. It was a perfect fit - like the bookcase was tailor-made for that purpose!

There were clips affixed below that shelf. So, I slid one of the loose shelves onto the clips and began  looking round for items that might fit the space. There were some shallow plastic tubs with lids that fit perfectly there with a little space beside them for something small like the plastic gloves worn while handling the meat. The Mister had two clear tubs holding parts and utensils used with his sausage sacker stored within them. I eyeballed them and crossed my fingers. They slid into the space side-by-side and fit like a glove! I could not have been more tickled.

I moved the dresser back over to the east wall of the kitchen below where all the old-time family photos hang. All the drawers in that dresser are useful for stashing things out of sight that don't need to be handy or used quickly. This is where silverware lives and a few sundries like that. (It still has some empty space but I'm not telling anybody.) I'd like to just leave the top empty to be used for counter space or maybe add a basket or two for catching odd things but I don't want it to become a cluttered surface. That 'counter' space is too handy and I don't want it to get cluttered and junky looking since it is the first thing encountered upon entering the kitchen.

The thrift store console table slid across the room to the space vacated by the dresser. It is a good height for storing some of the Mister's equipment that is a bit on the heavy side but not used daily and stuff that is somewhat awkward in size. So, the tall sausage stacker found it's place there. There is a shelf below that is a perfect spot for a big clear tub that holds smaller equipment, pieces, and part sand works well for the sausage grinder. Plus, there is room to stack some tubs that are used for storing sausage batches. 

While I was finishing shuffling and organizing, the Mister weighed and packaged up some bacon. He had something slow-cooking on the stove. I slipped down the hallway to do some bookkeeping. About an hour later, I heard him wrapping up his work. So, when I reached a stopping place for the day, I cruised through 'his' kitchen to see if I noticed any changes or adjustments he made. He had washed up everything he had been using and left some things drying in the sink and added a couple of tubs to the storage space.

On the other side of the room, he had cleared off the table and tidied up that space as well. The scale was set back atop the bookcase and he even mentioned that he liked having a 'home' for it when it wasn't in use. Of course, he also left a subtle hint that he obviously needs a coat rack somewhere down there!

I know this space is a work-in-progress but just the short time spent there in one day really made a difference in how it looks and how it seems to function. It is not designed and organized like I truly would like for it to be but since I'm not the primary user, there are other needs taken into consideration. I know that we both will get busy and things will not stay tidy and as organized as they were when we walked away after that work session but I have a better feeling about how it is growing more functional and serving the needs of us.

Things on the to-do list for this space:

• hang a knife magnet
• clean and organize the cabinets
• find new homes for various glassware
• find new homes for books that are just outside the camera's lens
• hang a bit of artwork to camouflage the thermostats
• add a coat rack

Some of these little projects like the organizing and re-vamping the kitchen space is starting to inspire me or just kindle the desire, at least, to tackle some more of my To-Do List projects and cleanouts. First, though, I've got to dig into filing our taxes. Fun times up in here next week! Happy weekend.

Tweaks, Adjustments, Modifications and a Change of Direction

I had planned to jump on the dehydrated orange bandwagon this year and add those into my kitchen Christmas decor. Before Thanksgiving, I ordered a garland of dried oranges, expecting them to have a brighter, fresher look than the slices I had dried a couple of years ago. They didn't look much different from my own dried efforts. So, I tucked them away for kitchen decorating later. Granddaughters, Luci and Lydia, were a godsend on the weekend after Thanksgiving and drug our big tree and tubs of ornaments upstairs for me and decorated the tree in the den beautifully. I added the stockings and a few other touches of Christmas after they left and called the den festive enough.

The next week was when I tackled the kitchen decorating. If you are guessing that I don't know where that garland is, you are absolutely correct. So, maybe dried oranges will be a thing for me next year. I always loved the smell of the oranges we sprigged with whole cloves when I was a girl and thought I could add those into the mix but after the creeping crud hit our household, DIY efforts and decorating sort of went out the window. Maybe next year.

I did add some more fresh oranges to our grocery order because Mike has been trying the added vitamin C regimen to see if it will help him move beyond the creeping crud. I have some in the fridge and I added some to the mixing bowls sitting on the left of the Granny Cabinet.

Decorated Granny Cabinet 

I just got the grocery order and this is how the Granny Cabinet surface is decorated right now:

Fighting the Creeping Crud

When I ordered the orange garland, I also ordered a couple of boxes of faux greenery, some red berry picks, and  bundle of cabinet wreaths. My plan was to add springs of the greenery to the orange garland and drape it across the mantel, the vent hood, and on the Granny Cabinet. 

I revised my plan, since I have no idea where I stashed the orange garland. I added little sprigs of the greenery and cabinet wreaths to items already decorating the kitchen and I'm really glad I did. A bowl beside the mixing bowl of oranges is sprigged with greenery and berries and brought the Granny Cabinet into the season. 

I had planned to tie the wreaths onto the backs of my new dining chairs. Then, I noticed that the back of a couple of the dining chairs always seem to have a hooded sweatshirt or a flannel shirt draped across them when Somebody is in the house and I decided that I didn't want to fight that battle. Since the wreaths are so pretty and I love them, I began looking around for other places to use them. I knew I didn't want to put one on the front of each of my kitchen cabinet doors because that would have just been way too much - about 20 upper cabinet doors. Nope. So, I hung one on the Granny cabinet and added a little of the ribbon used last year and my decorating began. I was just a little ahead of time with the plaid ribbon and a Ralph Lauren look last year, I guess. I try to use the same ribbon for a couple or three years and it works well this year, too. 

Decorated Kitchen Mantel

I swagged the preserved boxwood garland across the mantel again this year, tied with the plaid bows. Then, I added another of the cute little faux cedar wreaths in the center below it. A few sprigs of greenery and berries and the tall, slender Santas I painted years ago as a college student and greenery and berries poked into a cream pitcher and the mantel is festive!

Holiday Cheer atop the Fridge

I removed some fall sunflowers from one of the pitchers atop the fridge and added some greenery and berries there as well. When something is working for you, why make changes?

The Kitchen Storage Corner

The storage corner of our kitchen got a little glow up for the season as well. When I stored away the beautiful turkey platter I had displayed at Thanksgiving, I just replaced it with one of my favorite blue and white treasures. 

A Favorite Blue and White Platter

The high-rimmed platter was an inexpensive vintage find I stumbled across one afternoon after Mike and I married. It features a beautiful snow scene and is rimmed with fruits. I usually place it in the center of the lazy Susan on our dining table but this year I decided this was it's home. I love how the under-counter lights sort of seem to spotlight it. Again, added a few sprigs of greenery and berries.

A Crock of Rolling Pins with a Seasonal Touch

The old crock sets on the counter holding our heirloom rolling pins. A couple of them belonged to Mike's grandmothers, one of them was a gift to me by a neighbor and the other is the one my Granny gave me when I set up housekeeping as a young woman. I wanted to add a little silvery look to the area without using glitter or metalics. So, I draped a lamb's ear garland within the rolling pins, added some greenery and berries, and called it decorated. 

Hard-working Kitchen Area

Now, over to the hard-working side of the kitchen. The cooktop and sink live over there and seem to be in constant use, especially during holidays. Above is a quick cell phone snap of that corner dressed up for the season.

Vent Hood Shelf with Seasonal Decor

The dried orange garland didn't make it to the vent hood but I love the look it does have. A few sprigs of greenery and some berries peeking out of the ceramic pitcher I painted more than forty years ago is just right for this year.

A Bright Little Corner

A beautiful cake stand is a perch for some flickering candles, a couple of cabinet wreaths, and some berries. It looks great beside my gifted canisters and my Granny's vintage spice rack. For some reason, years ago I couldn't throw out the old amber vanilla extract bottle and it sets on the rack with some egg timers. Funny that I notice the bottle since this year I am experimenting with making my own vanilla extract for baking and gifting as well!

Season Decor on the China Cabinet

On the opposite side of the kitchen, I tucked away the Easter bunny salt shakers that were still smiling out from a stack of plates in the china cabinet. (Yes, the bunny and egg were still there and nobody had said a word!) The dough bowl is carved from one of the logs that served as a floor joist in my parents old home and I added a beautiful strand of red wooden beads and some greenery to the Chinoiserie balls gifted by my bonus daughter-in-law. 

Dining Table Centerpiece

I washed the scarf that was on the dining table and just returned it to the center of the lazy Susan. I also left the beautiful dish garden there and wound garlands of eucalyptus and lamb's ear around it. I tucked in a couple of hurricanes with flickering candles tied up with some ribbon as well as a couple of antler sheds that Mike found behind the barn. I added the left-over berry sprigs and I think it is naturally beautiful. 

The Kitchen Tree

The little kitchen tree holds all the ornaments collected throughout the years that hold memories of children's crafts, gifts from friends no longer with us, and ropes of red wooden beads. It is over in the corner and has had a rough life. As soon as I got it set up and decorated, I bumped the perch it is set upon while plugging in the lights and knocked it to the floor. I thought I had it stabilized, redecorated it, and gathered up the tubs and empty boxes to return them to the basement storage area. I bumped it with the wagon and it tumbled to the floor once again. With frustration multiplied by two, I stabilized again, redecorated it, and set about my business. Then, while cleaning the floor, I bumped it just this past week and knocked it over a third time. So, it is now taped, wired to the blinds and set askew. The ornaments are flung onto it willy-nilly.  I am reminded of the Christmas morning that Mama threw our cedar Christmas tree out the back door - decorations and all - after it fell on my sister and I playing with Santa's gifts. Daddy came to the house from the milk barn an hour or so later and just grinned. I think he knew better than to say a word. Mike has sort of done the same thing. He came in the back door after one of the tumbles with a big grin on his face and said, "You're not going to let it whip you are you baby?"

I know that every year I tell myself that our Christmas home looks the prettiest ever and each year I am correct. We don't really need picture-perfect or glitzy and fancy. Sometimes reused ribbon and tumbling trees are really what makes the holiday decor the best ever.  Welcome to our kitchen where love abounds, old tales are shared, and you will always find something tasty to munch on when you are hungry.

Patience and Organization

 After procrastinating, I finally painted the island. Then, I learned that I needed to let the paint cure for thirty days. THIRTY DAYS!?! 

Well, I did follow that suggestion. The items that had been stored on those shelves sat here and there and some perched on the dining table and were moved back and forth and around for all that time. 

Finally, the cure time was met and I sorted and have been reading through cookbooks. The reading continues but I have begun loading styling them back onto the shelves.

There is not so much styling for beauty as for organization and for storage. I love all the cheerful colors and happy titles. I also love that they are handy and can provide inspiration and ideas for good meals. Of course, we also stash other items there for easy access. Those items might not be so happy and cheerful looking but I'll concede that it is a good storage space for The Mister's necessities.

I decided that baskets would keep those corralled and would look sort of happy and cheerful as well. Most of the time nobody will even notice these shelves because we keep our small table that we dine at daily there.

Still, I know what's there and how it looks and it makes me smile to have a new refresh!

Projects - Kitchen Window Treatment

I did a little refresh on the kitchen recently. After seeing lots of block print fabrics featured in home decor, I decided to update the kitchen window treatment with a block print fabric. I shopped online and found a print I liked that I thought would cheer up the windows in the kitchen. Then, I ordered just enough to create a faux Roman shade for the two windows. I also ordered a nice print to use for trimming out the edges.

My fabric came from Spoonflower and I paid full price. I was not compensated by the company in any way. The fabric I chose is called Handblock Medallion 6 Blue on Whitney White Fabric. The contrast that I used for trim is called Indigo Blue Painted Chevron Herringbone. I ordered a length of both fabrics that was two yards in length. The fabric was 58 inches wide. I neglected to make photos along the way. So, I've created some diagrams to illustrate as best I can.

To begin, I measured the width of the window and added an inch. Then, I trimmed the selvage edge off of one side and cut the medallion fabric that width, plus one inch to allow for seam allowances. Next, I cut the fabric in half so that I had the same length for both windows. Then, I gave both pieces a quick pressing to get the wrinkles out. 

I trimmed the selvage edge off one side of the herringbone fabric, measured and cut 2 pieces that were a seven inch width and the full length of the fabric. These two pieces would form the trim for the sides of the shades.

Then, I measured up seven inches and cut a strip of fabric that was the full width of the fabric. And repeated that process so that I had two seven-inch strips that were a wee bit wider than the width of the medallion pieces. These two width pieces would form the trim for the bottoms of the shades.

I folded the two lengths that would form the side trim in half with wrong sides together and pressed. This resulted in two strips that had a folded edge on one long side and two raw edges around the other three sides. Then, I folded the two widths in half with wrong sides together and pressed. This resulted in two widths hat had a folded edge along one side and two raw edges around the other three sides.

Now it was time to assemble the shades. I placed one of the folded strips on the left back side of the medallion piece and the other folded strip on the right with the folds toward the center of the medallion piece. The cut edges of the medallion piece and the folded pieces were flush with one another.

Then, I stitched down both sides using a half-inch seam. Next, I pressed the seam allowance toward the front of the medallion fabric. Then, pressed the herringbone fabric over to the front of the medallion fabric.

Then, I stitched along the fold of the herringbone fabric. The stitching is 1/8th of an inch from the folded edge. That encased the raw edge of the seam inside the trim.

The next step was to trim out the bottom of the shades. So, I lined up the raw edges of the widths of the herringbone fabric to the raw edge of the bottom of the in-progress shade, leaving about an inch overhang on each side. The herringbone strip is on the back side of the shade-in-progress.

I stitched the bottom trim to the back of the shade-in-progress using a half-inch seam. Then, folded and pressed the seam allowance toward the medallion fabric and folded and pressed the trim piece toward the center of the shade.

Next, I stitched along the folded edge of the bottom trim 1/8" from the fold. Then, I folded the raw side edges under twice to encase the raw edges inside and stitched those edges down as well.

At the top, I created a rod pocket by cutting a four inch strip of the herringbone fabric. I laid this strip atop the shade with right sides together and I stitched a half inch seam, making sure to have at least a one-inch overhang on each side.

Then, I folded the side edges over a half-inch and then a half-inch again and stitched that edge down to enclose the raw edges.

Next, I folded the raw edge of the rod pocket under a half-inch and pressed it. Then, I folded the rod pocket strip over to the back and pressed the seem connecting the rod pocket and the shade down to have a crisp edge with none of the herringbone fabric showing on the front. 

I stitched the folded raw edge down to create the tube on the back to hold the curtain rod, stitching 1/8" from the folded edge. Then, I stitched a line across the shade from side to side one inch above that. This gave me a nice little header above the space where the curtain rod would slide through.

This method left me with no raw edges and a smooth completed finish. After that, I determined how deep I wanted the folds of the shade to be. I sewed a small plastic ring at the fold near the edge of the shade for each 'pleat' that I wanted folded up. Then, I sewed another plastic ring on the opposite side near that edge and another ring in the center. Finally, I cut a short piece of cording and tied the rings together to form the folds. I ran the curtain rod through the rod pocket and hung the shades.

I decided I liked the look so much that I also wanted a faux shade above my sink. However, I didn't have a wide enough piece of the medallion print to fit the window. So, I took the piece that I had and matched the pattern to form a strip wide enough to go across the window. I finished the sides and the bottom the same way I had for the large window shades and hung it on a tension rod pushed between the cabinets.

The window treatments seemed to finish off and add a cheerful note to our updated kitchen. Even the mister commented that he really liked the new look!

Summer Project #1

Summer has traditionally been the time when I work on projects and get things done. Most of them are home-improvement-type endeavors where I'm organizing or repairing or updating or simply making something work better around the house.  My first project was out of necessity.  The drain hose for the dishwasher cracked and was leaking.  So, one day there was a puddle in the kitchen floor.  I mopped up and did some investigating under the kitchen sink only to find water standing under there as well.  First, I cleared everything out from under the kitchen sink and mopped up all the water.  I left it to dry overnight and called a plumber.  

In the meantime I went online and ordered some clear plastic bins that would organize the cleaners, jars, etc. that I store down there.  I was inspired by Ann at On Sutton Place.  She talked about how the handle made it easier to pull out the items that were in the back.  So, I found these nice see-through bins and ordered these as well.  After weeding out the junk and throwing some things out, this is how my tidy under-the-sink cabinet looks:

• The left-hand cabinet has a trash can and a container that holds dishwasher pods. (You can see the pod container there on the left with the green label.)  
• That is one of my scrubbing brushes sitting on a clear plastic coaster right in front.  
• The clear bin right behind it is 14.5" long and just fits in that space with only about a hand's width to spare.  In the front, it has a tub that contains silver polish, brass polish, tooth paste for cleaning spots on silver, and that sort of thing.  In the back of that bin are oils for my butcher block counter top and cutting boards and front porch rockers.  
• On the right, I have two of the bins with handles.  The one in the back holds some empty jars and a couple of empty cans that can be used to discard something like bacon grease when I need something of that sort.  The front bin holds extras of dish soap and hand soap to refill the containers on the counter by the sink as well as window cleaner and the gloves I use for hand-washing pots and pans.  I also have an empty spray bottle in it for when I mix dish soap and vinegar to clean things.

The next project turned out to be sort of a consolation prize.  I had hoped to redo and update our kitchen this summer but we decided that our budget just wasn't ready for that, yet.  Plus, there is the Coronavirus and we just didn't feel good about having folks coming in and out of our house.  So, I decided that I would just make the things we had work better for us!

I had gotten frustrated with spices and things falling out of the cabinet every time I tried to get something out for cooking.  It seemed that every time I reached for one thing, another couple of things fell out as well.  So, again, I decided it was time to organize and followed Ann's advice! I ordered more of the clear bins with handles that stick out, a couple of these turntables, and large jars and small jars.  I hate I didn't take a before picture but these two will give you an idea of some of the jumbled up conglomeration that I had up there:

I threw out things that were out-of-date or simply looked yucky.  I combined a couple of containers into one jar when I had more than one opened.  It was really quite rewarding to get this spiffed up! I wiped down the cabinet and shelves and placed the turntables inside and filled them up!

• The bottom shelf has spices that we tend to use most on the turntable.  The jars behind the black pepper container are baking soda, baking powder, and corn starch.  There are a couple of bottles of flavored oils and a bottle of vegetable oil along with salt for refilling the shaker and some vegetable spray.  All tidy and within quick reach when cooking.
• On the middle shelf, the turntable holds spices that we use less frequently.  On the right are jars with tea bags, cocoa mix, lemonade mix, and bottles of different extracts and flavorings such as vanilla, almond, maple, etc. 
• I followed the advice that I read online in several places and put the items on the top shelf in clear bins with handles to make them easier to take down.  One bin holds bar-b-que rubs and it is in the middle because it is most frequently used by Mike as well as me. 
  
  The one on the right holds sprinkles and sugars for baking with/for the Grands.
  

The one on the left holds extras for refilling the jars.

I smile every time I open this cabinet now!  Everything is easy to find, easy to access, and easy to return to it's rightful place.  

I still hope to update and revamp my kitchen someday and when we do I will still be able to use these bins and turntables and jars.  For now, making our kitchen work efficiently for us and tidying it up are good enough.

Kitchen Updates

From the first moment I walked into our house, I knew that I wanted to do some updating and make-overing - especially in the kitchen!  I began gathering and pinning inspirational ideas and keeping hard-copy magazine photos to provide me with ideas and guidance.  Below are some of the ideas that I have dubbed as my favorites for a place to start - my kitchen island.

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Do you see a theme developing?  I landed on a couple of ideas and began to think and ponder and plan.  Now, let's take a look at where we started.  This was the look of the kitchen the first time I walked in the door.  Get ready!

I knew that this wonderful space had potential.  I knew that It would take some time and money.  I knew that I was going to have to take this at a turtle's pace.  Slow and steady.

So, I started by just covering up all that fruit.  ALL.  THAT.  FRUIT!  Paint is a wonderful transformer and is relatively inexpensive.  So, I started with a simple couple of gallons of paint.  I chose a light yellow color because I liked the color found in the rocks of the fireplace.  It was a bit of sunshine and that is exactly what this place needed!

Mike liked using the island as a place for us to eat since there are just the two of us and it was closer to the fridge and stove than the table which sits across the room.  I'm one who likes to sit across from my dining partner because I think it leans toward conversation better.  We lived with that for a few years.  Then, I moved my old kitchen table into this kitchen for when one or two of the grands stays with us and we still ate informally at the island and the table.

Last year I got the wild idea to turn the island around where the drawers faced the oven and Mike and I began sitting at the table where we were facing one another.  That made me much happier.  Then, I got to thinking about the overhang on the island and how it was wide enough to cover a bookcase.  So, my search for inspiration was amped up a bit.

I did some thinking and figuring and decided that I could tackle adding a bookcase to the island on my own.  I mapped out a plan with a couple pieces of inexpensive pine shelving, some trim, and a piece of bead board paneling.  So, I measured things out and talked it out with Mike and headed off to the local big box building supply store - Home Depot.  I also bit the bullet and ordered a long piece of butcher block counter top and that ugly green counter top was on it's way out.  Yahoo!  I met up with a couple of guys who did the cutting of my wood pieces for me and headed home on a Friday afternoon.

The next morning I trucked down to the local Ace Hardware store.  The guys there mixed me up a couple of quarts of Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore.  When I got home, I gave everything I thought I was going to use a couple of coats of paint.  I immediately fell in love with that deep, rich, navy color.

After a couple of days to allow the paint to dry thoroughly, I pulled out my drill and began to add a few screws to my painted pieces and joined things together.  I wanted it to be simple but really wanted the bead board detail like I envied in Marion Parsons' butler's pantry and Ann Drake's island.  I think that little detail really makes a difference - and it cost no more because of the size of the bead board sheet. Win!  Win!

I used a piece of 1 x 2" to make the shelf supports and put them on either end of the shelving and along the back on the bead board.  So, the shelves are quite stable and shouldn't sag even with lots of cookbooks on them.  My initial plan was to add baseboard around the bottom but Mike didn't seem to like that idea.  So, I bumped the bottom shelf up a bit so that Rosie, our robotic vacuum can easily slide under there to clean up the crumbs and dirt.

I bought a nice beaded trim to cover the shelf supports and to beef up the front side of the shelves as well.  Again, a little detail that isn't really needed but I think it certainly finished things off and made it look more polished.

Since I had planned to use baseboard, I had planned to hide the bottom shelf edge behind it.  So, at the last minute, Stephen, my bonus son, cut a piece of the left-over trim to face that shelf to match the top one.  He wanted to give me time to paint it before he used his little micro-nailer to attach it but I convinced him that I could paint the little bits of trim after he attached it and wap, wap, wap he did!  I was kind of amazed at the size of those little nails he used.  I think they are about the same fine guage as insulin needles!  T-I-N-Y!

Mike has a friend who works in his son's cabinet shop.  So, he asked DeDe to come get the counter top and cut it to size.  He was generous enough to do that and to sand the edge smooth as well.  So, Stephen muscled the piece we needed in and crawled into the cabinet with his drill and attached it with a couple of screws.  Voila!  A beautiful transformation!

I did a bit of touch-up painting.  Then, used some Howard Cutting Board Oil to begin water-proofing the top.  I used three generous coats of the oil and it was soaked up like the wood was a sponge.  I also just swooned at the way it brought out the beauty of the wood.  Next, I added three coats of Howard Butcher Block Conditioner.  

I painted the base part of the cabinet where the drawers and doors are and the drawer fronts right away.  However, I waited a couple of days to paint the doors where I could take them outside and have plenty of space for them to lay out flat.  My plan was to use a foam roller and brush on the doors so that there would be no brush strokes that showed.  However, it still seemed to look a bit streaky when I painted the grooved areas and the raised outside edges of the paneled doors.  So, I decided that I'd rather see brush strokes than have a streaky mess, too. 

At this stage I was so excited and loved the new look of our island!  The shelves were beautiful with that bead board back and beaded front trim.  I caught myself just wandering into the kitchen to smile and admire it!

A close-up look shows just how beautiful and rich that deep color and trim and bead board truly is.

I added some of my cookbooks and some pretties to dress it up a bit.  I'm not certain that all of this will stay that way but it works for now.  Probably when I have time this summer, I will do some adjusting and add a few more of my cookbooks.

On the back side - the side facing the oven, I added the same white porcelain knobs back.  I'm not certain that will stay but, for now, I like the clean, simple look.

One more look at that bead board and shelves and trim.

An over all look with my galvanized tray to corral a few regularly needed items.  I will add another coat of the conditioner sometime this week and then, again each week for a while.  After a while, I will simply need to add a coat about once per month and it will be water resistant.

And here is our everyday look.  Comfy and cozy.  A true farmhouse kitchen because, after all, we do live on a farm!

P.S. I already have a project in mind for the next step.  And, I may or may not even have a couple of boxes stacked in the back bedroom.