These peonies { that get larger by the day } and vintage mason jars are in my May kitchen and the blue and white color scheme continues onto the island with some more tablescape ideas for spring.
But shouldn’t this be called an “Islandscape” instead;)
In the background is a pretty honeybee hive drink dispenser I picked up at HomeSense a few years ago.
I always have candles on my counter, the tiny Thymes Eucalyptus candle is one of my favorite scents. When the last one flickered out I went to pick up another at Occasions Cards & Gifts at Aspen Landing. They were out as well, but the owner went out of his way to find the sample at his other store and left it for me behind the counter.. for free! He hoped it would last until the next shipment comes in. I love random acts of kindness.. it is always such a rare and thoughtful gift!
I also have a teal blue Farmer’s Market Basket from Anthro a few years back. They come out with new colors every year. The little blue pitcher was a souvenir from our orchestra trip to Medicine Hat. Mona, Pam and I toured Medalta: “Medalta is the centerpiece of a 150-acre Canadian National Historic Site in Medicine Hat, Canada. The iconic factory and beehive kilns, set against the dramatic clay cliffs of the South Saskatchewan River, inspire artists, visitors and students. Today the factory is a state-of-the-art contemporary ceramic artists’ studio facility and industrial museum. Within the museum is a working pottery where Retro Medalta pottery is made for sale in the gift shop.”
They produced those gorgeous numbered crocks, you’ve seen one here on my blog before. They can be found in most antique stores.
The coconut is from Blush Lane.. my daughter and her boyfriend like to crack them open for the fresh coconut water and then they grate the coconut meat. It’s so much nicer than store-bought. I learned that the lighter colored coconut is a younger coconut, with more water and meat.
This vase and its shells came home with me from the lake last summer. The vase was a great find at a french store in Kelowna and I was so upset when it got chipped in transit. I have glued the wedge back in and it reminds me every day that something can be beautiful and useful, even if it is flawed. Most of the shells aren’t real, I think the sand dollar and the one piece of coral on the left are, I hope one day to collect more “real” shells! But for now, these make me happy and remind me of days on the lake with the kids:)
My other favorite Sydney Hale Agave + Honeysuckle candle has almost expired as well..
My son loves these, the pink lemonade is my fav, but that’s probably no surprise;)
I have a new cookbook, “Oh She Glows” is a vegan website that I’ve visited time and time again, so I thought it was time to pick up Angela Liddon’s cookbook as well. We’ve tried the baked oatmeal and can’t wait to try her smoothies. For the record, I’m not Vegan, just “veganish”.. doing my part by eating less meat and animal products. Just don’t get between me and my honey!
In my kitchen is a guilty pleasure.. I love chocolate covered Acai with Blueerries but the package says a 1/4 cup is 180 calories. Does it count if I eat them one at a time?
The lake blue and ochre sand pottery is one of my favorite pieces that I picked up in Vernon. Mary Tremayne is the artist and every year I visit a booth to see if she has more done in this Birch Ash Glaze. Some day I’d love to take a pottery class myself.
{ If you are Vegan.. look away! }
Finally, in my kitchen are {were } two Gluten-Free pizzas made with a handful of this and a scattering of that. I was happy with the results so I’ll be back to share both recipes with you soon!
What’s in your kitchen? I’m joining up with Celia at Fig, Jam and Lime Cordial.. please stop in and say hello to Celia and some of the other bloggers that are participating! And if you have a moment, why don’t you show us what’s in your kitchen!
It is a little mini vacation each time I visit your beautiful blog Smidge! Fabulous IMK instalment.
Have a beautiful day.
🙂 Mandy xo
You too, Mandy!
Dear Smidge, I think if you eat one chocolate covered akai berry at a time the chewing negates the calories, so you are in the clear. I love candles too, it just lightens the mood of any home. Take Care, BAM
Now, that’s a good point, BAM, time to think of those berries one at a time;)
Gorgeous, as usual…
I love the acai berries covered in chocolate, reminds me of course of home!
I have visited Oh She Glows in the past, not sure why I haven’t checked her site lately, gotta do that…
Nice post!
I hadn’t thought of that, Sally.. great to give you those memories:D
Just wonderful. I would adore sitting in your kitchen right about now with a cup of tea and a slice of pizza.. a perfect working lunch! The wine will have to wait!! take care.. c
That would be the best!! xx
It looks so bright and beachy. I love it!
What a gloriously beautiful kitchen. Thank you for sharing… I would love a good gluten free pizza base recipe as most I have tried come out too dry tasting a bit like sao’s! I look forward to seeing more things In your kitchen! Liz
The crust wasn’t too bad.. I will post soon, Liz:)
Barbara, you have so many beautiful pieces I sometimes wonder where you find a place to keep them all….. I so enjoy seeing them all though… Diane
I have a couple of cupboards and drawers.. but lately I just make different combinations, like changing up the colors I put together. It’s easy to run out of room:)
Lots of goodies indeed! Thanks for the tour 🙂
You’re so welcome:D
G’day! Flowers always brighten my day!
LOVED your seashells and with a joyous tear in my eye, they reminded me of my mum today!
Thanks also for this month’s kitchen view too!
Cheers! Joanne
G’day to you Joanne. I’m so glad they reminded you of your mom.. in a good way, it’s great to be reminded of special people in our lives isn’t it? xx
Oh my, that pizza is gorgeous. As is your kitchen! So clean and classy!
Thanks, Britt, the only time it’s that clean is for these posts.. and everything just gets lifted out of the way temporarily;)
I have 5 peonies. One is supposed to be tall but it broke a year or so ago. Kind of hunched over actually. But healthy. It bloomed very early. Wispy crepe paper flowers—huge. Now my 2 of my others—one is pink and one is red have just begun blooming. I am very much like you in regard to special ‘things’ around the house. It pleases me. Its those small considered touches that enhance my everyday life. Its nice to ‘meet’ a kindred soul. Smiles—–
We are definitely kindred:) I would love to see photos of your peonies. I just picked up another bunch to cut for vases, how I wish my garden would hurry up and grow! It’s raining again here and I heard it snowed in Banff today!! Yikes!!
Love those peonies in the vintage jars..So pretty!
Also love the tour of your candle and shell collection! I have a bottle of sea shells in my room as well that I have picked on the beach on my travels.
Looking forward to you sharing the GF pizza recipe!It looks delicious!
Barb, Oh She Glows is an apt book for your kitchen, because this whole post is gloriously glowing on my screen! What beautiful summer light you have in your kitchen at the moment! Love the white shells and candles, and those peonies are really something else, aren’t they!
Oh those peonies! Make me swoon. Your kitchen is as summery and lovely as ever (I have a penchant for pink lemonade too!)
Such a beautiful tour of your kitchen. I especially love the beehive drinks dispenser!
Wow, what a beautiful IMK post! Those peonies! Oh my. Thank you for the peek.
Lots of lovely pieces in your kitchen but my fave is the bowl that the acai berries are sitting in. It somehow seems to radiate calm. A lovely tour of your kitchen with beautiful peonies to boot!
I think it radiates calm because it feels so great snacking on those berries.. imagine my dismay when the bowl was empty;) Thanks so much, Fiona!
That was fun! I love peaking into someone’s kitchen. A friend of ours gave us a beautiful vase of peonies for our anniversary. They are my favorite!
I love how they unfurl and are so glorious for days:D Happy Anniversary.. how many years??
What a lovely lot of things you have. I’m quite sure I could never be vegan because I also love honey and I don’t think I could survive in my kitchen without eggs. I love the look of those soft drinks – the packaging is gorgeous. And I also love the scent of eucalyptus; it makes everything smell so clean and fresh xx
gorgeous shots. i love peonies. aren’t they the most beautiful flowers ever? thanks for the glimpse into your kitchen!