This saying is so true for me. The kitchen is where everyone ends up when they come to visit. We have perfectly comfortable chairs in other places but, mostly, guests seem to drift in and sit around the dining table. I like it that way. I enjoy having the kitchen full of people talking. It makes me happy when the grandkids are running in and out as if there were an elastic cable bringing them back from whatever fun they have found in another room. It's not really about the food that might be on offer. It's the people.
And when the food has been eaten, the people have gone and the crumbs are swept up there are always the dishes. I don't actually mind hand-washing the dishes - there's something satisfying about a sink full of hot soapy water - and I did it for years before I had a dishwasher. But having had one for quite a while now, this is the one appliance I will never take for granted. When it was beyond repair a couple of years ago, it was a top priority to replace it. The other appliances, like fridge and stove are almost like furniture. I couldn't even imagine a kitchen without them. All the other little electrics like toaster, blender and kettle I wouldn't miss that much. Just don't take away my dishwasher.
What's the must-have in your kitchen?
Our dishwasher is Phil!!! We don't have a dishwasher because it is just the two of us and more importantly, I don't want to give up my cabinet space. But we do make LOTS of dirty dishes and I know we could get used to one...now you have me thinking....as to what I couldn't do without, the fridge of course, and also the toaster oven, which is really a whole tiny oven.
ReplyDeleteI love this post! Kitchen is the perfect 'K' day word! It sounds like your kitchen is the very same as mine. Everyone ends up sitting around the table when they come to visit. There's just something homey and cozy about the kitchen table. The dishwasher I can do without- I only use it when we have TONS of dishes to wash. Which is only when we have people over. Which is often. Wait...nevermind. Don't take my dishwasher away. LOL
ReplyDeleteI love dishwashers, esp. since my family didn't live in a place with a dishwasher for so many years. I'll never stopped being shocked that my so-called fiancé's parents ignore their dishwasher and wash everything by hand (with a paper towel, dish soap, and a slow, cold stream of water, which often results in dried food and beverage stains being left on dishes, cups, and utensils). I also cherish the microwave, since my family didn't have one till I was about 12 years old, long after everyone I knew had gotten one. Since I come from working-class roots, I thought everyone ate in the kitchen for many years, till I found out people with money and even a lot of middle-class people eat in the dining room. Even now, my family only eats in the dining room for special occasions.
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't miss your kettle? Somehow, I think boiling water on the stove to make your gazillion (ok, I exaggerate!) cups of tea every day would get a little tiresome! :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a dishwasher in too many years to count. What I would miss the most in my kitchen is my percolator.
ReplyDeleteThe dishwasher is on the top of my list too. But my coffee maker might have the edge. If I had to choose, I'd probably start washing dishes by hand.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't live without my kitchen-aid mixer. And the 2nd must have is my blender. I could pretend its for fruit smoothies but more so for daiquiri's ;)
ReplyDeleteOh dishwasher too Stephanie! I often say I would do without the clothes washer before the dishwasher, cos you could bring the clothes to the launderette! But I hope not to have to do without either!!
ReplyDeleteAnd our kitchen is also the gathering point here- when we've groups around, the rest of the house could be nearly empty and everyone is squashed into our (little) kitchen!
A must have in my kitchen? That is a good question. The coffee pot I would think. :) A cup of tea or a pot of coffee, just makes all of the cares of the day just fade away.
ReplyDeleteI've just got a new milk frother. It's fabulous and I think I might even rescue it if the house were on fire!
ReplyDeleteI like my dishwasher just fine, but if push came to shove, I could live without this workhorse. My must-have is a burr grinder for my coffee beans (my coffee pot has a built in grinder and I own a spare grinder)--followed by my knives. Yes. I'm a knife snob.
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