1940's Kitchen

I have enjoyed exploring the post World War 2 kitchen in our 1948 bungalow in Chicago.

We have had to reno every inch of it, but I have fun restoring it to the original idea with a modern twist.  Designs of that time show a hard working space for sewing, laundry, childcare, dishes by hand, canning, and office tasks.

Despite the need for a hard working space, designs show women wanted a charming cozy environment for her daily work--just like I do!  The kitchen window gardenias add that cozy element.  I *finally* added these to my vintage kitchen this Spring.  XOXOXO

Peachy pink complements the coral, yellow, mint scheme in this Chicago bungalow.

The white gardenias in this photo gave me the idea I could spin off of the commonly used red gardenia and chose one that matched my scheme.

Here is the red kitchen window gardenia:

So quaint.  I love these old kitchens!

Nature in the City...at the end of our alley...

B is growing so beautiful by the day...a blooming 11 1/2 year old.  We have been enjoying studying Beautiful Girlhood and the Companion guide by Shelley Noonan.



Today was a hard day.  Zoning in on the weak areas in our lives can be discouraging.  I know I was not the gentle and compassionate mom that I dream to be.  She left me an apologetic note, too.  Despite a poopy day, I am excited to start a new school year with her.  We'll be using Charlotte Mason via ambleside.com otherwise known as AO.  The philosophy is to provide kids with living books rather than textbooks, that is, books written by people passionate about their subject.  So since I'm using a new curriculum,  I have been trying furiously to read ahead of her this summer.  Some interesting reads already:

Josephine Tey's "Daughter in Time" a history mystery that teaches critical thinking about history books..
Oxford Book of Poetry... midieval poetry
"More than a Carpenter" by Josh McDowell.. a simple apologetic
Just started, the classic, "How to Read a Book"

Clean & Green: Block Club Kids Clean up

SO HAPPY today that our block club kids and parents came out for CLEAN & GREEN-- a citywide effort to brighten up our world.  The city had some organizational issues let's say, but we got it done none the less.  The dead end is now debris free for a little while!  Denisha made sure all the kids got popsicles who helped and Byron gave each little helper a dollar!  Aziza said, "That was really fun, Mom!"  

Bao Tse party!