Belleau Kitchen Cookbook Challenge

Dom at Belleau Kitchen has challenged us to invite you into our homes and show your our cookbook collections. Now, I have to warn you, my kitchen is unfinished and there are lots of projects which I'm trying to complete by November 1st - that's my "official" deadline!

Below are are a few photos of my cookbooks, which is where I get most of my inspiration from. My interests have varied over the years.  Sometimes I'll just sit down with a coobook and read through it as if it were a novel!  I believe they all tell a story.

I really enjoy healthy cooking, such as a Mediterranean or Middle Eastern, whole grains and vegetarian diet. I also enjoy collecting antique cookbooks, rewriting family recipes, and inventing my own recipes - all with the hope of writing my own cookbook some day.

As I mentioned above, we've remodeled the kitchen, you can't imagine how horrible it was when we moved in.  

Let me take you on the tour.  This bookcase holds some Polish stoneware that I use frequently, my canister set, my favorite series of William Sonoma cookbooks, my Ina books, an antique recipe box, some pitchers that are used a lot and some international cookbooks.

Below is a wide angle view of the kitchen.  As you can see the walls & trim need to be painted, and the tile backsplash needs to be put up.  I have everything, now I need to get it done!  LOL!  In this picture you can see my island, that I love and I make all my recipes on.  Behind me is my Kitchen-Aid mixer (xoxo), dishwasher, sink and range - which I love!  My husband referes to it as "Mary's Harley"  . . . 

This is the view opposite the island.  I like to keep the wine rack stocked!  Below the wine rack is my speed cook.  I can microwave, bake and broil in that baby!  She's a real work horse!

Around the corner is my family room which contains a bookcase that we had built when we remodeled the family room.  As you can see, this bookcase is stuffed!  I try to keep it organized, but it's a job!  LOL!!!  In front of that bookcase is an oak server that has a stack of books that need to be distributed - somehow!  In my header is a photo of 2 yellow chairs, they are next to this bookcase, and sometimes I'll sit there and look through my cookbooks!  

In this photo we've just had this bookcase and coat-rack added.  As you can see, my gown, hood and cords from my graduation are still hanging where I left them when I came home after graduation. If you look closely at the bookcase you'll see my mortar board with the tassel landed on the third shelf!

This is still a work in progress, but I couldn't wait to add some cookbooks and family treasures to see how they'd look.  On the top shelf is a Lenox sleigh that was my moms, and below that is a blue teapot that she received at her bridal shower.  You'll also see some cookbooks, pans and dishes that I use frequently.  I have plans to have cookbooks on every shelf!

Opposite this book case is my kitchen table, where I like to sit with my computer, cookbooks, chat on the phone and go through my recipes.  The table is usually stacked with books to!  This is an older photo, see the snow out the window!  LOL!!!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my kitchen, next time I'll put the kettle down, we'll sit at the table and have some tea, if you stop by later, I'll crack open the wine!  

Please visit Dom @ Belleau Kitchen after you leave a comment, you won't be disapointed! 

Thanks Dom!  This was fun!