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Becky Parker
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Okay, I'm going to sound way out there on this one,  but I can't think of a better place to ask about serving our Lord.
I've been wanting a new kitchen for 19 years. When we bought this house that long ago, the first thing I said was, "it's fine, except the kitchen has to go". The whole house was a fixer upper and over the years, dh and I have fixed it up ,,, except for the kitchen.
Now, finally, we have enough saved to actually do something about the kitchen. I have been praying and praying and I really felt God was telling me that he wanted my kitchen to serve Him. Okay, that's good with me. I want my whole life to serve Him. Seems like the kitchen is an obvious place to do service.
So we started and made a plan and took it to a contractor and realized we had to start from scratch because our plan was not within our budget. Wahhhhhh  . I thought it was a modest plan, keeping things practical and certainly not fancy. But, it doesn't work.
Now I'm back to the drawing board and I hear that same message, that my kitchen needs to serve the Lord. So what, exactly, does that mean??? 
Any thoughts? How would you say your kitchen serves the Lord?
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Becky
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JodieLyn
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Hmmm.. feed the hungry, teach children in the way they should go, be like the ant...
A kitchen where you have space to teach children to cook meals for themselves and others, a pantry space to store food.. hospitality or and ease of cleaning so that you can get onto other things. And bits of things that would encourage prayer.
I have a very small kitchen with a small eat in space (currently used as office space). The cupboards there are fine (could stand to be refinished but they work). And we put a pantry space into the garage. But when I can move the office somewhere else.. I can put in shelves for cookbooks and applicance and canisters and a small table (butcher block) that will let me invite a friend (or child or dh) into the kitchen for some tea. But will also double as another work space especially for kneading breads and rolling out dough since table height would be much better for this short family than counter height for those things. And then just slowly working at replacing parts.. a new fan for the vent so that it's quieter making the kitchen more inviting. Generally cleaning the walls, covering the wall near the stove with something that can handle heat better. New paint, new flooring.
On the wish list is a 6 burner stove (I have to cook for a lot of people). A door in place of the window for access to the patio and to keep people from walking through the kitchen and getting in the way. Considering switching the door to the garge so that it opens into the garage and doesn't run into someone working in the small kitchen.
But basically, working with what we have rather than gutting it and making it "new".
What do you have to work with? What do you think you need? Maybe we can help with ideas to get what you want for a lower cost.
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Kathryn
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Becky Parker wrote:
| How would you say your kitchen serves the Lord? |
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If I looked at it this way, I would say having space for more than one person to be in the kitchen working together. At least 2-3 work spaces so that we are sharing that time instead of being on top of each other (and bickering  ). Also a (preferable raised) bar area to serve food buffet style to allow more ease of "entertaining" which really means a few families and all our kids. This also allows for barstools where someone can just sit and chat while the "chefs" work. And last, an open concept so that those in the kitchen can still interact with those in the living room and/or eating area at least.
We're in the middle of redesigning our kitchen and those are my 3 biggies (aside from the given need for a decent pantry). My last biggie I'd like is a larger window to overlook the 1 acre property we just bought so I may sacrifice cabinet space (hence more stuff  ) but the view of the trees and chicken and kiddos playing is waaay worth it, imho. Now let's find out if our plan meets our budget too.
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Kathryn in TX
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Kathryn
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In re-reading, for me personally, I could look at the gifts and/or virtues this "new" space would make easier for me to improve:
I am more inclined to hospitality if I have a more work-able space and ability to converse with guests.
I am more inclined to helpfulness if I have the space for kiddos to help instead of feeling claustrophobic.
I am more inclined to thankfulness if I can actually see and enjoy this property we bought while doing the dishes 3x a day.
I am more inclined to serving my family JOYFULLY while in the kitchen prepping meals if I don't feel so closed off, secluded and crowded. Can you tell I have an issue with space?
Maybe you can look at the virtues/gifts to see what you really need to serve the Lord vs maybe what you really want in terms of finish out and be able to figure a more budget-friendly plan. ??? Hope that helps.
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stefoodie
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well, in terms of materials, have you priced cabs? when we were thinking of building a house/remodeling, the usual kitchen places quoted us $16K just in cabinetry. i priced similar configurations at ikea and it would have cost us $5K tops. we didn't go through with the building/remodel (we moved instead) and now we have other priorities, but when we're ready to remodel the kitchen i'd go with ikea cabs (i have an island constructed from their base cabs and i LOVE the hardware and workmanship) and open shelving, which could be anything from salvaged wood to plywood. ikea has cheap open shelving as well. so if you find that your remodel plan is really pricey BECAUSE OF CABS, look at ikea. 
also if you have a layout, maybe you can upload here and we can help you re-think some of it.
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Erin
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Kathryn
On a practical note, how handy is your husband? Have you looked at a flat pack? All cut out for you, you assemble, saves thousands.
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Erin
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Becky Parker
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Thanks for all of your suggestions. I really like your idea, Kathryn, of looking at the gifts/virtues and thinking of how I could apply that to our kitchen. And Stef, you're the 3rd person who has mentioned going with less expensive cabinets. We have an Amish cabinet maker who is a friend of a friend that gave us the quote. Wow! The price was really high! I know it would be a huge savings if my husband was handy but he's got more of a mind for finances (thank the Lord, because I can't balance a checkbook!).
Jodie, I don't know how to post a picture (you would think I would have figured that out by now!) but basically, we are going from a U shaped kitchen next to an eating area, to one room with an island in the middle. (We're removing a peninsula that divides the kitchen and eating area.) I think the format will work fine and the island will allow for more helpers in the kitchen.
I think I need to spend more time praying and ask God exactly what sort of service does He mean?
We do a lot of school work in our kitchen, and, with six hungry kids we do a lot of cooking there. My two older kids like to cook and the younger kids are following their footsteps. We're not big on eating out so 3 meals a day are prepared in the kitchen. I also don't buy a lot of packaged foods so prep space is a must. Our kitchen is already the work-horse of our house.
Maybe it's an attitude adjustment and not so much a kitchen remodel I need to work on. Is my attitude always one of service when I am working in the kitchen? Ummmmm..... I guess no matter what sort/size of kitchen I have, if I don't have the mind and heart of Christ I wont really be serving Him.
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Becky
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pumpkinmom
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Becky Parker wrote:
Maybe it's an attitude adjustment and not so much a kitchen remodel I need to work on. Is my attitude always one of service when I am working in the kitchen? Ummmmm..... I guess no matter what sort/size of kitchen I have, if I don't have the mind and heart of Christ I wont really be serving Him.
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This is what I thought of when you asked. I am not a kitchen person and hate doing everything that is in our kitchen (except for laundry-our laundry "room" is in our kitchen-I love doing laundry). For me it would be what is that one thing that would make me happy in the kitchen. From that point I could happily serve the Lord from the kitchen. Something special that would change my attitude about kitchen duty. But, that's me!
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Cassie
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mylonite
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I've been thinking about this topic since you posted it! Such a great thing to chew over (especially as I'm spending time in my kitchen).
DH is super handy and built our house, so we designed our kitchen to enable us to serve. For us, it's big (about 1/4th the size of the entire upper floor!). It's an eat in kitchen, and our house is an open floor plan to encourage communication/hanging out/etc. We bought our cabinets unstained when Home Depot was having a sale on them, and DH and I stained them ourselves. They look marvelous and I think our entire shebang was under $2K for the cabinets.
I am also a Benedictine Oblate, so hospitality and the like weigh heavily on my mind. You may want to check out the Holy Rule of St. Benedict and see if he has anything to say that may ring with you. One thing that leaps out in my mind is that Holy Father Benedict asks his monks to treat items as if they were the sacred vessels of the altar. Suddenly, that annoying sippy cup with the crud stuck in the spout becomes (in my mind) an object that is to be treated well, because it nourishes a little one who is Jesus in disguise. Holy Father also talks about welcoming guests as Christ. As Christ! So that person who overstays, the Mormon missionary on the doorstep, the revolving door of priests, our dear friends, the anti-Catholic family members - as Christ! Suddenly, the kitchen becomes less of a domestic torture chamber and more of an Upper Room of Service.
My kitchen is not Martha Stewart or anything close to it. It's often dirty and there are almost always dishes in the sink. Meals are simple and basic. But, I pray; that the hospitality shown is Christlike and that the people who the Lord brings to us as Christ are blessed and encouraged, and strengthened for their way.
Rambling ... sorry! But I hope that helps. Talk with Our Good Lord, and see what He wants you to do! He will help you!
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Servant2theKing
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Becky, I've been trying to add a thought since you first posted and life keeps pulling me away ~ teens and young adults needing constant attention or help, concerns over family near and far, debit cards being compromised ~ life! Very much the kinds of things that constantly tug and pull at us in the midst of our efforts and desire to serve the Lord and our families in the kitchen, or elsewhere!
I'll simply share some words of wisdom that have come my way recently, in the hope they might inspire or encourage you as much as they have me:
I received an email which opened with the words, "Trust in the Good Lord, He is at your side." and also contained this prayer, written by St. Gianna Molla at age 15, "I promise You, Jesus, to submit myself to all that You permit to happen to me. Let me only know Your will." Lastly, I'll share this quote from St. Bernard of Clairvaux, from "The Family That Overtook Christ" ~ "Love serves."
Praying along with you for God's gracious guidance in providing for the needs of your family. 
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stefoodie
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Quote:
| Maybe it's an attitude adjustment and not so much a kitchen remodel I need to work on. Is my attitude always one of service when I am working in the kitchen? Ummmmm..... I guess no matter what sort/size of kitchen I have, if I don't have the mind and heart of Christ I wont really be serving Him. |
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Yes, this. When we moved, my husband promised me a nice kitchen, and if I weren't getting on that we would remodel. Well, as it turned out, we got a 3-car garage instead and not my dream kitchen because this is the house that was perfect for us in all the other ways
For a while I sulked about not getting what I was promised, but then I realized I was being called to grow and not get so focused on what I didn't have. Some things are still annoying, like having to go around the peninsula just to get things on the other side, but after 7 years of being here I really can't complain much. I have everything I need in terms of space and equipment for cooking. I just don't have the ideal layout.
We haven't gone hungry, that's the most important thing. And I've been able to serve my family, no question, perfect kitchen or not.
Prayers for you!!
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stef
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Kathryn
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For those that have done away with (or want to) a peninsula, why? We're considering adding a peninsula mainly b/c we really have no other way to add additional workspace. We can't change the footprint of our kitchen so instead of having this big open space there (no room for island) we were going to add a small peninsula. Getting rid of it would lose about 3' of counter space which is enough area for one other workspace.
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knowloveserve
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One way to foster the virtue of simplicity, cleanliness and humility would be to have all or some dedicated open shelving. I used to joke with my dh that with our family and lifestyle we could NEVER have our jumble of dishes in plain view.
But I've changed thinking on that. I want the challenge of having only what we need for ourselves and enough to share with a friend or stranger. I also want to meet the challenge head on to keep things neat and orderly and simple. For me, this would help to serve the Lord. Plastic kiddy dishes or other unsightly odds and ends could be kept in a pretty basket.
As a bonus, this type of shelving is MUCH cheaper to build than traditional cabinets... here is one image I love:
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Aagot
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The open look is pretty but what do you do about dust, flys, moths, spiders etc. I don't want to have to wash the dishes before and after eating. Dust accumilates in about 2 hours around here.
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pumpkinmom
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Aagot wrote:
| The open look is pretty but what do you do about dust, flys, moths, spiders etc. I don't want to have to wash the dishes before and after eating. Dust accumilates in about 2 hours around here. |
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This is why I don't see this style in our area (and my home). It is pretty though!
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Cassie
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Erin
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I'm just wondering how practical it would be with little ones too.
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Erin
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JodieLyn
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It would drive me absolutely insane to see the dishes and stuff all the time. It would create a whole different level of compentance in putting things away changing what age a child could do that job. Not to mention the dust and disorder when someone is learning the job and/or slacking. And the need to keep everything coordinated.. and I can't see a basket working for us for the plastic dishes for little people because it would be constantly down and rumaged through to get something.
I think it's really lovely and I could see if someone put the effort into making the insides of their cupboards look like that, that having them open could be a real benefit. My sister did that but just with the one set of cupboards where she kept her table settings and nice serving dishes.. the rest she kept in closed cupboards.. that might be more doable too.
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Erin
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Becky
Are there ways you could make do with what you have that would cheer you up? To explain, are your doors falling off? If so could you replace them with cheery curtains? Thinking of the pretty post we had awhile back, a Madonna pic, a pot of flowers could brighten the room. Could you paint the cupboard doors? steam on a new bench top? Perhaps you have an island that annoys you, could it go?
Sometimes it is a little thing that makes us so happy that we can go on as is for a while longer. I live on a building site and I know just a little progress or pretty can make the world of difference.
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Mackfam
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Becky Parker wrote:
| How would you say your kitchen serves the Lord? |
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It is a kitchen which seeks to meet my family and my guests, and Christ within each of them, through cheerful service and hospitality. If you think about it, that leaves it pretty wide open in terms of design and decor! 
My kitchen is far from perfect...in fact it has many flaws! I have a total of 4 linear feet of counter space in the entire kitchen!   Not ideal for a family of 7. A significant remodel isn't in our budget (time or money), so we strive for workable and practical within the current footprint.
I've found that fostering contentment (by guarding thoughts against "wish I could have..." or "if this were just over there" or "why can't we have a kitchen that looked like that???" thoughts) does more for my interior spirit of service than any remodeling plan. NOT that I'm kicking remodeling AT ALL! BUT....if it isn't in the cards, then the options are:
** Buckle up and be cheerful, grateful --> content!
** Constantly find areas of inadequacy and issues of woe thus undercutting any opportunity for cheerful service I might have been able to offer.
So....buckling up and choosing contentment doesn't mean I don't brainstorm the heck out of my layout to find creative ways to make things more workable....and pretty!
I have sections of open shelving for my dishes and serving pieces. It was the best option for us, and the most affordable. It is quite workable, an inexpensive way to get more horizontal storage space, and can be quite pretty, too. If you use dishes regularly they don't have time to get dusty. We live in the south, so bugs are abundant here; I don't have problems with them.
We don't purchase expensive dishes - instead I watch for older, vintage pieces and try to keep one theme which unifies. This way I'm not locked into one pattern.
Glassware theme: CLEAR - all different sizes and styles...just clear. No big deal when a glass breaks - I just pick up a few more at a flea market.
Dishware theme: WHITE - all my serving pieces and dishware is white. I have three different sets of ironstone, all of which I've found very inexpensively.
In general, I brainstormed four areas I wanted to work for me in the kitchen:
** Bake center
** Dinner prep
** Serving
** Family gathering/seating space
We found a number of affordable solutions over the years -->
** table from Craigslist
** butcher block bake center from an artisan in Kentucky that was VERY affordable
** reclaiming old furniture with new paint finish and butcher block top to serve as serving storage (my horizontal shelving)
** refinishing affordable bookshelves for storage in kitchen
** floor to ceiling shelving in pantry to make use of every inch of space
So....I guess I just want to encourage you, Becky! Your question doesn't sound way out there to me at all! And you've saved a little $$ so that you can improve a few things! I'll turn the questions back at ya! If serving the Lord through the gift of our time and work in the kitchen means exercising hospitality to those we meet in that space, as if we are meeting Our Lord Himself, what can you do so that the space works and welcomes?
** What areas of your kitchen work?
** Which don't?
** Do you have definite work zones in your kitchen?
** Can you envision simple ways to foster work areas within your current kitchen footprint?
** Do you enjoy being in there? Do others?
** Have enough seating/table space for family?
** Is some of this an issue of organization?
** Can you organize better to make tools more accessible and workable?
** Can you purge some superfluous items to make space?
** Is there a touch of something pretty? (pretty being subjective...what is pretty to you?)
Love talking kitchens, Becky!
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Jen Mackintosh
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MarilynW
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I love this thread Becky!
I had always wanted to have a house with a large and spacious kitchen - my dream kitchen was the picture of Grandma's kitchen in Saturdays and Teacakes (Lester Laminack) The kitchen is the center of our home and I wanted it to have lots of storage space, a large eating area and place for lots of kids to cook.
Our home has a smaller kitchen - when we moved in 13 years ago we had a mini remodel - made it pretty and more modern - painted cabinets white, granite countertop, new sink and faucet, pergo floor, slowly changed appliances as they died. We just about have enough space of a pedestal table which we use for meals when we do not have company.
When I accepted that we were not moving and that I had to live with my smaller kitchen, I figured out a way to make it work. My children naturally gather in the kitchen, we cook and bake and eat a lot. A lot of schoolwork gets done at the kitchen table. Whilst we are not into "entertaining" much - friends and neighbors and family are always popping in to have a cup of tea and the kitchen table is the place they naturally sit at, rather than the dining room table.
I realize that when I focus on being loving and hospitable and generous, nobody else notices that my kitchen is small, the old table, the painted cupboards.
Everyone though does notice the coziness, the good food and the smell of fresh baking,
On a practical note, things that I do which give me peace in the kitchen:
1. No paperwork or bills stored in the kitchen
2. Clear counters except for main appliances that are used every day - electric tea kettle, water filter, toaster, Vitamix, Kitchen Aid
3. Command center dry erase board on wall - (also used for Morning time memory work/composer/artists etc)
4. Crucifix and inspirational picture (I have Millet's Angelus) on the walls
5.Clean up after every meal - no dishes left out, floor always swept
6. Pantries set up in different locations (not in kitchen)
7. Minimalist crockery and cutlery - white for mugs, plates etc. One set of glasses, one set of cutlery
8. Tablecloths for meals - in liturgical year colors. Pretty lace tablecloth for tea time
9. Kitchen is bright with cheery yellow paint and sunlight always coming in the window
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Marilyn
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: A kitchen that serves the Lord
