my dream kitchen

I think if you like to cook, even a little bit, you have spent some time planning what your dream kitchen would look like. I can see mine. Restaurant grade appliances, granite counter tops, heated ceramic tile floor, a very large island with seating to keep my girls close while I'm cooking, beautiful pendant lighting, a spice cabinet and pot drawers. Oh how I'd love some pot drawers. But since I don't have a spare $65,000 kicking around I'm content to make do with what I have. To be honest I really do like my kitchen despite it's limitations. It's a large room, but poorly laid out so there isn't much in the way of workable counter space. We're working on that with a hastily scribbled plan for a storage wall that Mike is going to build with his mad woodworking skillz. Until then I have a list that would up the dream kitchen factor for me.

Wooden spoons, I'm down to one. How does that happen? Where did the rest of them go?

Also a ladle, somehow mine has gone missing as well. Is there a kitchen utensil bandit on the loose I haven't heard about?

Silicone spatulas. I have one, but I've always only had one. A gift from Grandma Linda or my Mom perhaps. Anyway it's the best thing ever and I don't understand why I don't have more of them.

A good chef's knife, the kind you see them using on TV.

A kitchen aid mixer. Now my Mom is reading this and she just said out loud, "but you have your Grandmother's mixer!" And it's true I do have my Grandma's kitchen aid mixer and it's a work horse let me tell you. But I'm not above pretty things and ... well the new ones are much prettier. Completely frivolous, yes I know, but still.. they're so pretty.

Cookbooks, just a couple because cookbooks aren't something I use a lot. I prefer the internet, specifically allrecipes.com. I like being able to read a review of a recipe before I dive into it. However, I would love the Eat, Shrink & Be Merry book and Hello Cupcake. Cupcakes are big right now and I'm nothing if not a follower.

Larger rectangular storage containers for storing muffins, biscuits or cookies. I try once a week to bake something suitable for lunches. Something that isn't full of preservatives and that I can cram full of pureed vegetables, but it's always a struggle to find a suitable containers to put them in.

A vast and varied sprinkle collection. I've gotten hooked on creative baking and a nice assortment of sprinkles and other decoration worthy candies would really help out with the Cool Mom Campaign.

Magnetic spice containers. I'm using more spices than I ever have before and I have some stashed here and some stashed there. They are all in different types of containers. On Good Eats I saw Alton Brown had magnetic spice containers stuck to a strip of metal he had attached to the inside of his pantry door. I always thought that man was a genius.

And finally a laptop. For storing my recipes... yeah that's it. What you aren't buying that one? Fine, but it doesn't change the fact that I want a laptop.

What about you? What would it take to make your kitchen your dream kitchen?

we wouldn't have to eat kraft dinner

While watching TV tonight I turned to Mike and suggested that we get some Super 7 tickets for tomorrow night's draw being that the jackpot is up to $12 million. Not surprisingly, the conversation wandered into the area of what would we do with such a windfall?

Well it goes without saying that we'd take care of some debts, both our own and those of friends and family. Can you say "mortgage free," people?

I would love to set up my own little "pay it forward" foundation and help take care of the causes that are near and dear to my heart.

It's probable that we would buy some land and build a house. A house with a great pool, no water issues, reasonably sized bedrooms, finished rec room and a guest suite for when Dave and Mel come to visit.

Mike would argue, very hard, for a '69 Dodge Charger.

Robin, Tim & girls..... we're going to Disney. The $11,000 way.

Then I'm thinking Vegas with our "crew". Hell, we'd even invite the folks. Although that doesn't leave anybody to babysit. May have to re-think that one.

Oh, then New York City. At Christmas. Again with our "crew".

Obviously there would be some for savings and wise investments. School funds for the girls.

A top of the line wood shop for Michael.

New computer, desk top and a laptop.

Camera gear I'm under qualified for.

A king sized bed (with fantastic bedding) because we're already at capacity before Abby needs a 3 am snuggle.

Mike will argue, hard, for a plasma TV.

Now it's your turn to play.... If I had $12 million...... what would you do with it?

things i wonder about

On Dora the Explorer you have Boots the monkey who's Dora's right hand during all their wacky adventures. Then there's Tico the Squirrel who can drive a car. Benny the Bull has no problem holding up his end of the conversation and Swiper the sneaky fox is an accomplished thief. So how come Pinto pony is just a horse capable of doing nothing more than hauling Boot and Dora over high mountain and so on? What kind of justice is that?