The last time I was this excited over something it was covered in gravy.
Here's your first glimpse of me in my new kitchen.
The October issue of Canadian Living magazine is on stands now! And if it's not where you are in Canada it will be in the next day or two. I know. It's September. Early September at that. But that's the way magazine work and since it gives us all a chance to see my kitchen in print a month earlier than I thought I'm O.K. with it.
And yes. That is my dear little Cuddles sharing the spotlight with me. When Cuddles came close to dying a few weeks ago I thought … I won't even be able to open the magazine. It would be too much to bear. But that little Cuddles made it through her mystery illness and lived to see her magazine debut.
To recap:
In March of 2013 I decided to rip up my horrific kitchen floor and install VCT tiles. Black and white check. While the floor was up, I decided it would be stupid not to install heated floors while I was at it. With such a good lookin' floor I was suddenly embarrassed about my sink. Why had I never noticed the horror that was my sink? I should get a new sink. That one from Ikea with the apron front.
Only the sink didn't fit because my counters weren't deep enough. I could maybe get new counters to accommodate the new sink so as not to embarrass my floors. Floors are very sensitive that way. Everyone knows that.
Cut to a year later, my entire kitchen is ripped out, a new ceiling is going in, cupboards are being hoisted over fences, the fella has left and I'm pooping in a bucket.
WTF?
How did THIS happen?
I'll tell you how it happened. I'm like you, you're like me, we're all nuts. And that's O.K. That's how it goes in this world and the people who aren't nuts are boring.
I lived through a kitchen renovation and even though people told me I was going to forget all about how gross it was once I had my new kitchen I didn't believe them. In fact I pretty much silently cursed those people until I started cursing them out loud. With big, new curse words that only a kitchen renovation can pull out of you. But they were right. I don't remember any of the pain and every time I walk into my kitchen I still gasp and sigh and smile. Then I cook something and leave the dishes to clean up in a week or so.
When I realized this tiny little kitchen update was actually going to turn into a full blown renovation I emailed someone I knew at Canadian Living. Brett Walther was someone who I worked with when a different magazine shot my house a few years ago. I told him what I was doing and asked if he'd be interested in featuring it in the magazine.
He said yes. I said good. He told me I couldn't show my kitchen until it was released in the magazine, I said bad. But agreed, because I could understand his point. Canadian Living wanted the big reveal to be in their magazine. Who could blame them. The only problem was I couldn't take any pictures, or do any posts or videos that revealed my kitchen for a year. A YEAR.
That year is up. I still can't show you my kitchen but I CAN soon because the Canadian Living article is out now.
kim
Delayed response because of daughter's 10th birthday and family in town from out of state... :)
Sausage gravy on biscuits - mmm hmmm... For other gravies - i like just a little bit...
I just finished my kitchen renovation as well - not as arduous as yours, but still a hassle with 2 kids... let me know if you'd like to see pictures... ;) Next big thing is finishing my basement...
Also, you had very kindly given me some advice a little while ago about BBQs - gas vs charcoal... :) Just wanted to let you know that my mom and her partner gave me a cool new BBQ that has BOTH! yep - convenience of gas along with the charcoal when i want it... They were in town this past weekend and helped me put it together... Made my first batch o' hot dogs last night, and my daughters loved it... :) yep - only the best... :)
Thanks for always making me smile - you have a gift, and i hope you know how many people's lives you brighten with it! :) So glad to about Cuddles' miraculous recovery!
Amber Miele
I would LOVE you be able to see your magazine! I immigrated to Michigan from Georgetown, ON and I wish I could even buy the Magazine! I hope I can win one, or if not I'll try to get my mom to buy me the copy!
Your Kitchen has been a HUGE inspiration to all ideas I've had and loved for my kitchen for ages, and have been so happy to be able to follow you for so long!! Congratulations on getting such a glamorous cover shot!
MelissY
I <3 gravy!
emily
that dress is gravy! (right? is that the right lingo?)
Judi Fleman
There is nothing as good as fresh cooked bacon or sausage gravy for breakfast, I love me some gravy and biscuits! However, it is possible to OD on too much gravy. When I was 10 years old, my mother had to go into the hospital for about two weeks, leaving my father to tend to me. We ate gravy and light bread (he couldn't make biscuits) for breakfast and dinner, thank goodness it was during the school year so I got to eat something else for lunch at least during the week. My aunt stopped by the house one day to check on us. She invited us up to dinner, my father was in the process of turning her down, when I jumped between them and exclaimed "please, Daddy, can't we go to dinner at Aunt Maries House". I was beyond excited when he accepted her offer. That's my gravy story. Oh, BTW, you and Cuddles look exceptionally adorable! I love the black and white dress! And from what I can see of your kitchen in the photo, it is absolutely stunning!
stefani
Now I want gravy and won't be happy until I make some. Not chicken gravy though. Not after Cuddles came so close to not being. Also...pick me! Pick me!!!
magali
The cover looks great Karen! And I'm very happy Cuddles pulled through and see see what a cutie she is :)
I am going to go buy the magazine for sure, but I will tell you that I like gravy just in case I don't find a copy on this island they call Newfoundland. You never know with this place. When you are dependant on boats and ferries things get tricky.
Christina
Gravy is good, but I only ever make for poutine...that amazing dish that makes me want to move to Canada.
While I'm really excited to see your kitchen, I was even more excited to see Cuddles :D. You two look gorgeous!
Cocoplum
My Aunt Jan makes the world's best biscuits with sausage gravy. No matter where I am in the cycle of pretending I like to eat healthy I always eat them.
I don't know who style your hair and Cuddle's feathers but you both look great.
Karen
LOL. Thanks Cocoplum. Cuddles did my hair. ~ karen!
Pam
Of course I love gravy....growing up on a farm and learning to cook with your grandmother, how could one not love gravy!!!!
Nancy in Illinois
Yes, I love gravy, from sausage to chicken and beyond :o) It's one of my comfort foods.
My story: I was tasked with making the gravy one night many years ago at home. We were using an electric skillet, setting on the hoosier cupboard. I opened a door above the skillet, and the green food coloring fell out.... into the gravy. My family insisted we eat with the lights off that night.
For the brownie points: Karen, you and cuddles are gorgeous, and your lovely new kitchen makes a marvelous backdrop for the two of you. It's absolutely true!
ps I grew up with an outhouse and a hand-pump at the kitchen sink. (and chickens) I totally understand about pooping in a bucket. Surely makes one appreciate a modern toilet, eh?
Karen P
Those sexy curves... those beautifully coiffed tresses! Wow! Cuddles looks great!!! Oh, Karen you look pretty darn good too. But never mind all of that... we want to see the kitchen!!!!! I'm thinking Canadian Living is either being discriminating for not selling to Americans, or stingy for only giving away 10 copies to your faithful followers. They're going to make a fortune off your issue, the least they could do is cough up some more copies, right?!?
Jody
Congratulations. Your kitchen is fabulous! It took a bit for me to find the October issue of Canadian Living. It wasn't on the shelves yet in my usual places on Friday but did find it today. Came home, made a cup of tea and then savoured every photo and the article. I love that you sourced so many of your kitchen items from local Hamilton and Dundas stores. I love the Rough Linen blinds. I especially love the white brick wall.
linda koch
yes, of course i like gravy! (turkey gravy especially)
Allison
I would love to win a copy of the magazine! Have been dying to see your kitchen, love your honesty and believe you are right, we are all crazy! I interestingly enough have just tried "sausage gravy". I was visiting relatives in Ohio of all places and just had to know what all the hoopla was surrounding sausage gravy and biscuits. I liked the biscuits better with out the gravy (that gravy is very salty)...I make an awesome Turkey gravy, Roast Beef , as well as 'ahem (chicken gravy)...maybe its just me I seem to be in the minority of people who don't care for the biscuits and gravy combo. Any way looking fwd to seeing every inch of the kitchen...any which way!
Julie B
Yep, I do love gravy! Red-eye sausage gravy to be exact. Two of the greatest things I was introduced to when I moved from California to Kentucky for college...gravy and my hubby (not necessarily in that order). ;-)
TorontoBoy
I love gravy except when Rob Ford uses the term in one of his political speeches about reducing "the GRAVY train" of government expenses! At that point I just feel like vomiting in my mouth! Yeck!
Shana
Just got my copy at the grocery store last night and tucked into it this morning while drinking coffee - all I have to say is GORGEOUS!!!
Just wow. I especially love the island made of the old shopkeepers counter - I hope you'll go into more detail on that process soon!
Congrats!
Patricia Arnsberg
You're adorable, Cuddles is adorable and YES! I love gravy! One particular Thanksgiving, my teenage son made the comment about my sister's turkey gravy...."Why you could practically drink this stuff!" I believe his Christmas present that year was some frozen homemade gravy. We do not know if he actually drank it!
Janet Timinsky
I need the magazine...just like I need good gravy! Who doesn't after all? You look marvelous, love the dress, and Cuddles looks so well coiffed. She could use a Rolls Royce saddle too, have you ever seen those..strange. I can't believe we still can't see pictures...aaaaarrrrgggggghhhhhh! I swear that is why I signed up for your blogging webinar just to see your kitchen.