Tuesday’s Tidbits

I LOVE A FABULOUS, DESIGNER KITCHEN!  Long before Pinterest came along, I was searching the web for unique kitchen designs.  My ideal house would have 2 kitchens. (If I had a billion dollars!)  One kitchen would be an industrial kitchen filled with every modern appliance, two 5 burner stoves, and 3 ovens all built at the back of the house that was closed off to guests.  In there, I could be like a mad scientist where I would create some fun dishes and make a mess and then forget about it while I serve my guests.  The pots and pans would be hidden until they left and my other kitchen would be clean, bright and gleaming with desserts and coffees and teas.  Heavenly, right?

Since I`m not likely to have a billion dollars, I`ll have to take my ideas from these architectural beauties.  What`s most important in a kitchen to you?  Light?  Functionality?  Esthetics?  Space?  If you would like to share your links of your favourite kitchens, feel free to include them in the comments section.

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For any of you who loved Tommy Smythe on Sarah Richardson’s show, this is his kitchen.  I love the cozy feel of this room.

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I think the contrasts of colours, shapes and materials in this kitchen make it so interesting.  The attention to detail makes this one a keeper.

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Now THIS is a butler’s pantry.  Although, I would feel as though I would have to get dressed up just to go in there!

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The unique colours and huge windows make this one a favourite of mine.  I would LOVE to cook in this kitchen!

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This colour is unusual and I like that they have mixed traditional with modern.

My friend, Linda, of Life and Linda recently did a beautiful kitchen renovation and you can click here to take a look.  She has a magnificent home and property in northern California and she shares her pics of every room.  My nickname for Linda is Wonder Woman because she truly does it all and she is a very special person.

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Recently  I met Marie who authors the informative, beautiful blog, ‘Healthy Ideas Place’.   In one of her latest posts she offers some great information on how to make your own vinaigrette.  This is such a healthy alternative to the grocery store dressings and, as she points out, most folks always have the ingredients on hand.  I have long made my own dressings and much prefer them.  It’s great to experiment and see what you can come up with by using whatever is on hand.  Marie gives you the basic formula to get you started.  Check her out here.

P.S.  Check out this site and this site if you want to read about the harmful additives to grocery store brands of salad dressing.  It’s important information.

________________________________Everyone is happy Spring is here but lots of folks have to deal with the effects of allergy season.  Here is a great post on StumbleUpon that gives a list of 8 foods and their benefits that will aid in fighting allergies.  If you can do it the natural way, why not?  It’s much cheaper and you get some healthy foods in you at the same time.  Citrus fruits, red grapes, broccoli and nuts are just a few of their suggestions.  Check it out here.

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I subscribe to The Blog Guidebook and they have always been very helpful in figuring out the technical side of blogging.  When I was a newbie, they offered easy tutorials to installing social media buttons and I was thrilled to find their blog and their quick, headache-free solutions.

In their latest newsletter, they are spreading the word about The MOM Conference:  A free online conference running all this week.  Check out the video and free registration here.

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 He’s been dubbed as The Lion Whisperer and Kevin Richardson does remarkable work towards the preservation of wildlife in Africa.  He is particularly active with lions who are now considered a threatened species.  Watch the video and be amazed.