A Haven for Vee

Monday, August 20, 2012

Cluttered Country Store Style, Et Cetera

While many are able to define the decorating style of their kitchens — Tuscan, Country, Primitive, French Provincial — I've never quite been able to come up with a definitive name for mine. Well I have, but would be reluctant to share it for decency's sake. I spend a lot of time disguising that kitchen in photos for Blogdom having promised for years that I would share painting details and still it is not done. Not happening any time soon either.

So when I saw this photo of Sam in the apron he requested a year ago — one "just his size" and only recently finished, I gasped.


Through the magic of the camera's eye, I can definitively state that my kitchen is Cluttered Country Store. Ai yi yi... nothing like displaying the recycling bins prominently beneath the old farm table loaded with the stuff we need and can't seem to find a home for. Sigh. It is what it is for now.


Well then, let us just focus on the happy boy who has an apron his size and a denim jean pocket, an idea gleaned from visiting Linda and her camper redo. If you haven't seen Linda with her new grandbabies (right—quads!), you must check— so cute.

***

Remember when I mentioned that Site Meter was ticking down to zero? It happened. Slowly and methodically, it began ticking back up until, as of yesterday, it looks as if it might be back to normal.

I can smile again.


***


Here's a photo that makes me grin. First, it's that iced coffee recipe from Pioneer Woman. Oh boy howdy — it's yummy good! Second, the roses are rising right out of my glass. Bad, bad positioning. ☺

***


Lastly, we went bike riding in the cemetery over the weekend. I packed a little lunch knowing the boys would be thirsty and hungry after all the exercise. Their mom even had a blanket. Love this photo, though I'm feeling a little insecure about the snack. Look at those faces! =D

Must dash, as if you haven't figured that out already.

A lovely Monday to you.

47 comments:

  1. Lucky Sam, he now has his own apron. : )
    It made me laugh when you described your kitchen as cluttered country store!
    You could say it is eclectic. That's what I call my style.
    I remember buying milk in those half gallon glass bottles complete with the handle and plastic top!!

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  2. Sweet memories you are making with those darling grands! I love those barrel/bins and your homey country store kitchen. Have a lovely day.

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  3. Good morning! I have no idea what you'd call my kitchen either. But I LOVE the name you came up with for yours, haha. Such a cute pic of the grand in the apron. love it. Sounds like a good week-end to me! Enjoy your day!

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  4. Let's see, what would I call my kitchen? I'm afraid none of those fabulous titles will fit. When it's all clean and tidy "functional" would work. Love the "bins"

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  5. i LOVE this post! now i feel like i'm not the only one in blogland that doesn't have a picture perfect kitchen! although yours doesn't look bad at all (not compared to mine!) and i'm not brave enough to post much of mine in pics! we've lived here for 18 years and i've wanted to just rip the wallpaper off the walls, but we can't agree on a color to paint the walls, and it's all hinging on that ... so here we go into yet another year with that wallpaper ... and not a clue what color to paint the walls. one of these days i'm just going to start taking it off ... then we'll be forced to pick a color and just do it! :)

    your grandsons are adorable! and i love that vase for your roses ... :)

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  6. I love every photo in this post. A country store kitchen...you'll start a new trend. LOVE it. I can imagine all of the bins of goodies and barrels, etc.

    Those boys are too precious. They are lucky to have you and I'm sure you'd say it goes both ways.

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  7. I loved this post. Thank you for posting a peek into your kitchen space. You have no idea how I'd love to perch at that farm table just as it is and have an iced coffee with you!

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  8. I love the name for your kitchen. I also love your wooden ceilings and your recycling barrels, etc. I need to try that iced coffee. I don't really like hot drinks that much so maybe I could get some caffeine that way. Hope you have a good week!

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  9. First of all...doesn't everyone "set up" their blog photos? (Every Sunday, I must move all the plastic cups off of the "kids'" table in the kitchen after lunch, so we're ready for Kodak moments. Of course, then they're lined up along the counter and often show up in the background.)

    I love your kitchen! Farmhouse table (swoon)...wood ceiling (swoon)...red cabinet (swoon)...row of aprons (swoon). It's just right!!

    And I love Sam's apron too. He is darling!

    I have been wanting to try the Pioneer Woman's iced coffee...gotta do it.

    Love the boys' faces at their refreshment pit stop. Priceless! =D

    (I am not even going to count the number of times that I used the word "love" in this comment. And I took out a few too. I suppose I need to reach into my word bank...but I really do love the things I said, so I will leave it be.)

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  10. Your kitchen has a wonderfully warm and friendly feeling to it. (Especially with your grandson in it, wearing his special apron.) We can still buy milk in those glass jars. They have a deposit, but you get it back when you return them. Ours is called Hartzler's Dairy in nearby Wooster, Ohio. www.hartzlerfamilydairy.com/ We're so lucky to have them nearby.

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  11. Those grandbabies of yours sure are CUTE! I love that apron too. It's sweet.

    Don't worry about your kitchen. I feel the same way about mine. I know how it can get you down. To me, yours looks great!

    ((hugs))
    laura

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  12. I'm smiling...at the roses that also like iced coffee and the boys enjoying a taboo snack...and the comparison of your kitchen to a country store. A sense of humour is a good thing. And sharing it with us is even better!

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  13. THANK YOU for saying that you (usually) make a habit of not photographing your whole kitchen. It's so nice to know there are other people out there, who only show particular spots, here and there. :-)

    My most *interesting* kitchen spot, is the kitchen garbage can. Dark Green and always in open position, because the ding-dang foot peddle sticks.

    And the green dust pan is right three too. Why not? My broom is right there, also.

    Actually, I like my broom! It's all natural and no plastic on it and I like the looks of it. But the other stuff there, not so much. Bleahhhhh...

    Oh the creative way I make sure I take pics, in my kitchen!!!!

    Hooray! Real Women exist, in Pretty Blog Land!!! Oh wow, that needs a Side bar Button! I can't make 'em but you can. -chuckle-

    "Auntie"

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  14. This post had me giggling from the title you assigned to your kitchen to the boy's facial expressions at the end. Was there something sour in that lunch ? :D
    Your kitchen looks very cozy and comfy to me. Come to think of it that is how a country store makes me feel too. Personally I love that feeling, so I would be quite content in your kitchen.
    Sam's new apron is adorable and he sure looks right at home in it.

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  15. I just love you, Vee- you keep it so danged real- that makes you so very special in my eyes.

    Hugs.

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  16. You has a great blog. I'm very interesting to stopping here and leaves you a comment. Good work.

    Lets keep writing and blogging

    Nb: Dont forget to leave your comment back for us.

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  17. A very lovely and charming post! Have a nice week.

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  18. Your kitchen looks like a home someone lives in Vee. My kitchen table is covered in cookbooks, printed out recipes, newspaper to be recycled and an empty flower vase....

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  19. Sam looked so adorable in his special apron! Does he ejoy cooking? My son always liked to help me cook and now does most of the cooking for his family, as he enjoys it so much. My daughter, meanwhile, hates to cook, and is lucky to have a husband who enjoys it.

    Your kitchen looks fine -- like a normal kitchen all across America, vee! I never trust "model" kitchens when I see them -- it is like the old saying about never trusting a skinny chef...lol!

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  20. p.s. I thought that anyone could use my linky follower, but if you can't you can follow through google reader or sign up and receive an email of my current posts on From Harvest To Table...
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  21. I have a cluttered country store kitchen too.

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  22. That barrel that looks like a wine barrel is for recycling? Very cool - love that!

    Your kitchen looks homey and comfy and I love that!

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  23. You are so funny Vee!! I love that you've defined your style too! You don't see tons of pics on my blog of my house now do you? I guess my decorating style could be described as "too much stuff and not enough places to cram it!" Oh well, I'm trying...I love your sweet grandson's apron, it turned out wonderful!! I know he must feel so big when he's wearing it. Sounds like you had a great weekend dear friend. Now I'm off to do a little more cramming!! hugs and love, Dawn

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  24. Hi Vee,
    Oh my your Grandsons are adorable! I love little boys they are so sweet. Our little Grandson is such a little man I just have to laugh and smile at him.
    There is nothing wrong with your kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of the home and always well used. I know my is very used.
    Have a sweet day sending hugs your way, Elizabeth

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  25. Lordy, lordy.. your kitchen is huge! I like the look of your kitchen, I think its adorable :0-)

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  26. Oh Vee, you have a true country kitchen, homey and full of love! I love your recycling barrels, fabulous idea. Sam is the cutest, and so is his apron. Any time I am drinking a delicious iced coffee, everything is 'coming up roses' for me ;-) xo

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  27. You have a very spacious kitchen. Bins under the table? You have room for a table! :)
    -Karen

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  28. Lucky Sam he had an apron I do not have one, lol! Your kitchen as I see it is big mine is so small and I hardly even clean it up well it just never ending chore in that part of the house hehehe! Thanks for the visit I do appreciate it.


    Kim,USA

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  29. I LOVE old fashioned country stores! It would be fun visiting you and your kitchen.

    It's amusing to me that my new room (which I could decorate any way I want) is actually one my husband would find to be peaceful.

    It is in my kitchen that I actually put my foot down and said I was putting all the colors I love in that room. He thinks it is way too bright and cluttered. :)

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  30. Vee
    I think you've coined a new decorating style with your 'Cluttered Country Store' kitchen! I don't see a darn thing wrong with your it-it's very warm and inviting. And I love the old pickle barrel for your recycables,
    too.
    It looks like the boys were having fun on their bkie ride. Do you have
    a thing about cemetaries?

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  31. =D Yup. I love them. No traffic for kids just learning to ride their bikes. No traffic for old folks out for their exercise.

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  32. The boys are so cute. My kitchen is cluttered not necessarily country. I like all my stuff right at hand. Have a great week.
    QMM

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  33. Yes, I'd go with eclectic. Although Cluttered Country Store isn't necessarily a bad thing! I like all the wood, and the color, esp. the red.
    Your chatty posts are my favorites.

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  34. Looks like a nice kitchen to cozy up with a tasty iced coffee and two darling little boys. Lucky you!!

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  35. I love Clutter, Country and Eclectic ANYTHING!! Anything goes! Your place looks exactly as I imagined! Warm, cozy, comforting,interesting, inviting. A PERFECT Haven for Vee and all who love her!!

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  36. Oh Vee,
    Your pictures and your words always lift me up and make me smile..... thank you my sweet friend!
    Hugs from Texas,

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  37. Add me to the list of folks who both like your "country store" and have NO CLUE what in the world to call their kitchen. I think I've settled on early blogland random copycfat for mine.

    As for the rest of this precious post, I love it and I hope someday to make memories like you are doing.

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  38. He looks thrilled! So easy to make those smiles right? I love the look of those barrels by the table!

    Enjoy your week!
    Leann

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  39. I love the look of your kitchen. It says one word to me, the same as mine does to me...Home!
    The boys are so cute and the apron is just perfect for Sam.

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  40. I'm pretty sure all bloggers pretty up their space before taking photos to post. But I love the real look - makes me feel not quite so alone. Cluttered Country Kitchen sounds cozy and welcoming!

    Your grandsons are so cute. What's in the lunch that has them puckering up their faces? Pickles?

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  41. Just think how some people have to work hard to get their stores to look just like your country kitchen!

    Sam's apron is perfect - love the denim pocket...

    I'll have to tell Emily to check out the iced coffee recipe...

    Deanna

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  42. Your kitchen looks positively cozy and that's to me the main ingredient for a kitchen "look." A place where a friend feels welcome to walk in and share a cup of coffee or glass of iced tea at your table. And, you get milk from glass bottles still? Or is that a recyle from years ago?

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  43. Sweet photo of your grand son -- all happy looking cute face! You kitchen is beautiful homey and bright and I think recycling barrels, are coolish idea!
    Now about the roses - now I know we all have taken such photos - Me for one - grin!
    Hugs,

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  44. Great post! Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  45. O, Vee...how I love you. You are so cute and so down to earth and a "what you see is what you get" kind of girl.
    All I see when I looked at your kitchen just now...a happy, comfy home that is shared and loved by family. That Sam is so cute and looks awesome in HIS apron. Love it.

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  46. oops, and meant to say I will make extra coffee in the morn. so I can make iced coffee. Now, of course, MY recipe is no longer good enuf...I must filter thru PW's kizillion recipes and find HER coffee recipe. :))

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  47. Your kitchen is vintage eclectic don't you know? It is all the rage. I have been recreating vintage eclectic all summer long for my daughter's wedding. Lace and dollies, farms stuff and all of grandma's things are now very much in vogue. You should check out Pinterest weddings!

    Your grands are adorable...little Ms Eden is going to 3rd year of pre-school...along with Avey. My how time flys...I am trying to catch up on all my Nana time!

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