Greetings from Oklahoma, at long last. It’s been awhile since I’ve played in this forum and I’m tickled to be here. I’m also looking forward to catching up with you!
In My Kitchen… I’m celebrating the continuity of daily life. Simple things like setting up the coffeemaker for The Man of Few Words’ 4:15 a.m. wake-up call or planning meals for his return at the end of the day bring me profound JOY. Some may consider that mundane, but I’m reveling in the “routine-ness” of it all after being at the mercy of my phone for the past five years and/or living out of a suitcase for months on end. I’m finally home.
In My Kitchen… a few essentials found their way into my repertoire, such as this stainless steel canister set — another thrift store bargain — brand new in the box! Previously I would’ve filled them with flour and sugar, etc., but these are destined to store rice: arborio, basmati, brown, and jasmine. (I keep my coveted wild rice stash in the freezer to preserve its “nuttiness.” You can take the girl out of Minnesota, lol…)
I also invested in a lethal-looking vegetable cleaver in hopes of bringing my knife skills up to “chef speed” someday, but right now preserving my piano playin’ fingers is a higher priority. I love looking at it though. Gorgeous! (Michael Symon, please help?)
In My Kitchen… healthy food is also a priority. I came home packing extra pounds (argh) and I’m determined to shed them a.s.a.p! Thank goodness for the generous gardeners willing to share their produce. Next year I hope to be among the givers instead of receivers, but I’m grateful for the thoughtful folks who do. (Thanks, Rosie!) In the meantime, I enjoyed every bite of this Tuna Salad Stuffed Tomato.
Earlier on FB (during an infrequent attempt to let y’all know I was still alive & kickin’) I mentioned my “Crunchy Chicken Salad.” I promise to post that recipe soon! This was just your basic tuna, mayo, celery, and onion concoction — but oh, soooo good in a homegrown red ripe tomato.
In My Kitchen… is this beautiful butterfly butter dish — a surprise gift from my son. Tom drove me home from Minnesota and stayed for a few weeks, during which time we attended a grand opening of a friend’s store. (Sparkle & Rust in Stigler, Oklahoma — YAY, Cyanne!) What a delightful venue. I’ll be back…
Speaking of being back, I’m thrilled to be In My Kitchen again, in more ways than one. Many thanks to Sherry’s Pickings for hostessing this world-wide roundup. Always a pleasure to join you, my dear! If you’d like to see more or post your own adventures, please click on the link above.
Enjoying being home and being “me”,
~ Kim
a little lunch 
Routine is sometimes good, where would we be without it.I love the butterfly butter dish.
Oh, Shaheen, you’re so right… after being “routine-less” for the past five years, it’s been a balm to my soul. Now the trick is to find the right balance and turn ordinary moments into extraordinary ones. I think I’m on the right track… :)
Hey, Kim. I love the sounds of your routine. We spent a few days recently at Grand and loved it. I could get sooooo used to lake life. That cleaver looks dangerous!
Hey, Debra! That’s not very far from our neck of the woods… glad you enjoyed playing at the lake. I haven’t used the cleaver yet — I’m a-skaird, ha! — but it’s on my “bucket list.” :)
Nothing wrong with routine and every day life, it leads to a nice peaceful existence in this crazy world!
It certainly does, Josephine! Thanks for your thoughts on “contentment vs. crazy”, too. So true!
A great post. That cleaver is impressive! Welcome back home.
Thank you, Mimi — it’s great to be back. Let the cooking begin!
Welcome back Kim. You must have a wonderful thrift store, great treasures you have found. I never thought to keep my wild rice in the freezer. Good tip.
Hi, Liz! Can’t remember where I first read that tip, but it’s been a “must do” since then. Thanks for your welcome home!
HI KIM, :) how absolutely wonderful to hear from you…
I have been away with family situations and last read you had kept up xmas lights on bakers stand me too!haha…
Love that beautiful butter dish, oh shucks I love all your great buys.
As you know I live in Sydney but when reading Sherry’s Pickings I always wish I could go to Queensland to try her restaurants.
I will try to do Facebook so I can keep up with your musings Kim xx
Maddy! It’s absolutely wonderful to reconnect w/u, too! FYI, I’m about as infrequent on FB as I’ve been here (lol), but I’m thankful for “cyberspace” to stay in touch whenever and wherever. Hope your family situations have since resolved; it’s been a huge relief to have mine finally come to a conclusion.Life goes on… and my baker’s rack regalia (aka “fairy lights” are still blazing. :) LOVE ‘EM… and you! xo
love those canisters, and how about that beautiful butterfly butter dish? phew that’s hard to say out loud i bet. so lovely. welcome home from all your travels. one’s own bed is always the best. oh my that cleaver scares me. i’m still too nervous to use my new chef’s knife i bought recently. thanks heaps for joining us at IMK. cheers sherry xx
Sherry, I saw your new knife on your IMK post and thought the same thing. (Great minds think alike!) Smiling about your butterfly dish tongue-twister, too. We shall overcome. :) Thanks again for keeping us IMKer’s going… glad to be back… xo.
Kim, I love your thrift store finds and the canister set has been put to good use (you can never have too many storage jars as I love a good stocked pantry). The butterfly butter dish is lovely. And welcome home.
Debi, you are the queen of efficient storage and I agree with you on maximizing pantry space. Whatever makes life easier and eatin’ good! :) I’ve almost reached the limits of my “must have” list (how much do we really NEED?), but those thrift store finds continue to tease me… LOL! Thanks for your warm welcome, too.
You must have a large freezer to keep all those varieties of rice! The canisters look very handy for all kinds of pantry products, though a bit space-consuming for a freezer. The butter dish is amusing.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Mae, I’m blessed to have two freezers — a “side-by-side” in our fridge and a small one (gift from a friend) to house perishables, homemade stock, and fish fillets… courtesy of my hubby and the lake. Glad you were amused by my new butter dish! :)
Love to see you’re back in the kitchen, your home!
Denise, I was going to say “you have no idea how much”… but I think you do! :) xo
P.S. Sooooo great to spend time with you recently, xo.
Agreed! Love to you.
Dearest Kim…love everything in your kitchen, well, minus the meat cleaver that definitely borders on lethal and illegal! LOL! The dainty butter dish sure does show Tom’s classy taste! And, I’ll have two of those stuff ‘maters! Routine is the word of the day and I know you’re delighted to be living it!! xoxo
Ally, my love, I still quiver when I look at that cleaver, but I’m game. (Eventually!) My knife skills still suck, but my piano playin’ is progressing nicely now that I can finally practice regularly. :) As the ol’ saying goes: “Practice makes perfect” (re: knives and keyboards), and I hope to master both someday. Love ya, girl!
Greetings from London England!
Great post 💗💗
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Pleased to meet you, butterflies and boundaries! Loved your “guest list” post and best wishes for an interesting “year one.” Here’s to many more! (Sounds like you’re on the right track.) Mine would include Jesus, Sean Connery, William Faulkner, Albert Einstein, and Mozart. (So many possibilities, so little time… you didn’t specify living or dead.) If it’s “present day” I’d pick Sean Connery, Elton John, Queen Elizabeth, Freddie Highmore, and Meghan Duchess of Sussex for an eclectic conversational mix. Yay Brits! Cheers.
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Evidently! I admire the way you “write” too. Well done!
Thanks very much!