Bar none, even Thanksgiving day itself, I'd say Thanksgiving eve is my most favorite day of the year. It's all potential at this point! The kids come home, we all begin to cook, chaos abounds, wine flows, the cat attacks the visiting dog, we get in each other's way, make the list for take-out, make a grand mess, and it's all good.
It all happens in the kitchen at a fever pitch. Nowhere else in the house does the combination of working together and relating, occur, except the kitchen, together with the sensory pieces of food, colors, music, and so much love floating around, too, of course. My daughter and I, since yesterday, and probably before then, have been exchanging emails with multiple exclamation marks. Me saying "Come Home!!" multiple times, and she (having an otherwise very responsible job in the city), with equal doses of enthusiastic responses. It WILL be an invasion in just a few hours from this moment.
It's 12:44 as I write this. I guess I should start planning the menu. I picked up the turkey but that's all I've done. I use Thanksgiving as a metaphor for life's issues. When I haven't done a thing, by late afternoon, and I have 20 people coming for dinner, sometimes more, but much less this year (I do Thanksgiving every year, and I do completely it from scratch) I say to myself..."I'm not sure how I'll get this done, but somehow there will be food on the table tomorrow." I just don't sweat it....um, to a fault, I'd say.
At this moment, I'm the only one home, and the quiet is interesting, knowing what's to come.
So, yes, the kitchen really is the heart of the home, and not just on Thanksgiving. My kitchen seems to work quite well for me. Maybe a few tweaks could make it function a little better. I could be more organized with storage...where "categories" of items are stored for logical access. Maybe I'll work on that next. Other than that, it serves me well.
Are you planning a kitchen renovation? Do yourself a favor and try to be aware of how you work in the kitchen. What is a habit, and what is a preference? How is your access to food and cookware items? What is stored too tightly together? What items are in the "other room" because there is not room in the kitchen? Who is working where, and do you need more work "stations?" How is the lighting? Try to notice what is working and what is not working in a curious way instead of a frustrated way. Make notes.
But, in between, enjoy every moment. I hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful. Please tell me about what you're doing, and how your kitchen works for you for Thanksgiving! I'd love for you to share your thoughts.
Enjoy!!
