Friday Flashback

This past week we happened to start talking about the remodeled housing in Misawa.   We knew it was going to be redone right after we moved out because they saved me a lot of cleaning when we moved out.  I was only required to clean the appliances.    

I asked Dave if he had seen the renovated kitchens in the 2 bedroom H style house we lived in for those four long years.  I remembered finding photos on facebook on a page that has photos of base housing on most bases .  It took me a few minutes to remember how to locate the facebook page, but then I showed Dave.  The change is drastic.  Everything I used to complain about has been changed.  Go figure!  But our experience wouldn't be the same if the kitchen has been wonderful.  I lived through streaky linty stainless counter-tops.... and hollow fake wood cabinets... and a washer and dryer in the kitchen (hence the lint).   I thought I would look back at the kitchen... since the kitchen is the heart of a home right?  

 This was the day we moved in.  The counters look clean eh?  I quickly learned they were terrible to keep streak free!  Did you notice how tall the upper cabinets were?  That's no optical illusion!  I could barely reach the bottom shelf.  

This pass thought counter got TONS of use!  You'll see sometime when I blog about the dining room.  Which was super small.  Anyhow. You can sort of see in this photo how HUGE the kitchen window was above the sink. 

 On the opposite side of te kitchen window was the washer and dryer.  I promptly had to take those doors down.  The dryer wouldn't open and the last drawer in the kitchen couldn't open either.  It was a good idea though because there was always dryer lint on the counters.   Now to the memories.....ahhh memories!

 This kitchen was well lived in.  You can see... I couldn't paint but the room was bright and cheery with lots of little homey touches.  Like those fake little plants on the window sill.... those fell in the dishwater one day though....

 Usually I like a clean neat countertop, but having my things on the counters made the room feel a lot less pink tile walls-ish.

And my little pig husband and wife kept me company while I did dishes.  I bought them from the Yen store and I loved them.  They've long been broken though. sad.

 Whether making Chicago style dogs on the fourth of July.

 Or baking Christmas cookies... it was always someplace that made me happy.  I really learned to cook in this kitchen.  In the past when I had worked outside of the home I did alot of convenience foods... or cheater meals.  

In this kitchen I learned my way around the kitchen.  

I learned how to cook and bake from scratch.  I learned how much I could add to our household's success by cooking well and planning meals.   I found out that I really enjoyed creating something delicious, and I discovered how great I felt when I knew I had impressed Dave and could obviously tell how much he appreciated a hearty delicious meal after a hard long day of work.  

 I learned how a cozy home felt.... watching out the window while I washed dishes.  Watching rains fall, or snow fly.  While I was warm inside.... with amazing smells filling the house.  

 It was just Dave and I, and we learned how to enjoy each others company.  Celebrating together the two of us became enough.  That was a tough thing since I grew up with big family gatherings for every holiday... women filled the kitchen busily preparing a meal.  I learned to appreciate this new feeling of just the two of us.  I learned to feel comfort with him by my side, instead of letting homesickness take over and ruin holidays and special days.

I'm not extra fat in this photo... I was 7 months pregnant.

 I learned that I am organized and efficient.  I put together a lot of holiday meals on my own.... and damn, if I told our guests dinner would be at 3, the table was set, food ready, and we were sitting down at 3!    But I also remember the first Christmas in Misawa when Sean and Sandy came to visit.  Having Sandy helping in the kitchen was so nice.  One of my favorite memories. 

 Getting ready for baby Nathan.  Dave and I worked together to put together two weeks worth of dinners!  We were so proud of ourselves.  

 Sanitizing baby bottles and nipples and pacifiers.  

 Giving Nate baths in the kitchen sink for the first four months. 

 These are my fondest memories.  Once Nathan was part of our family.  I just loved having this little guy underfoot.... or nearby while I worked

 This little chicken magnet kept him occupied many evenings while I prepared dinner.  

 In Misawa I really got comfortable making a holiday dinner.  That bird looks amazing eh?

Somewhere in the world of missing photos is a pic of me smiling big showing off my first cream pie... and many other memories I hope stay fresh.    What really happened there in that kitchen, was alot of learning and growing up and the wonderful memories we made as our family went from two to three members.  It was such a fun time for us.