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Simple Joyful Food

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kitchen basics

Pantry inspiration: Amy James kitchen tour.

October 25, 2013 10 Comments
Amy James oureverydaydinners kitchen tour (c)nwafoodie

I have a confession to share.

The Kitchen Tour series on this blog originates from purely selfish reasons.  You see, kitchens are kinda’ my thing.  I don’t know when it started but I do know why they are my thing.  It is the place where memories are made, experiments occur, friends and family linger, and the stuff. Oh, the beautiful stuff.  Stuff in the form of gadgets, pots, pans, ball of twine, pantry essentials and pantry indulgences. Floor plans and traffic paths in kitchens reveal so much.  It is fun to hear stories when friends recount how they painstakingly laid out their cabinets to get it just right.  It is equally as fun to linger at the counter as friends and family talk about the kitchen quirks they inherited from previous owners.

You know the saying, “if these walls could only talk?”

I think a more appropriate saying is, “if these kitchen counters could only talk.” 

 

What would yours say?

You know our friend Amy James from oureverydaydinners? I visited her recently and as we caught up leaning on the kitchen counter and eating homemade Greek frozen yogurt with her kids and their friends. I took everything in.  She even indulged me by letting me peek into her cupboards. And fridge.  And cabinets.  I am not even ashamed of any of it.

This I do know.

I know what her kitchen counters would say if they could talk.

“Guuurrrl… I’ve seen it.  She cooks what she wants to eat and keeps it healthy.”

“MmmHmmm, They really do eat at 6pm every night.”

“Say whhaaa?  Did you see what she put on that table?  Seriously, snacks?  Where are the donuts?”

“Let me tell you somethin’, that girl really knows how to edit.”

Here is the gist of the matter.  If you are like me, I browse blogs and hope for a glimpse into a blogger’s real life. A snapshot that has more in the picture than just a beautiful bowl and a tantalizing dish.  I wonder about all the meals they cook that didn’t make it to the blog post (ever wonder why I don’t post every day?).  I wonder if their about page is inspiration or aspiration.

Amy’s about page is dead on.  The professional photograph with her kids blurred in the background as she stands, serenely, with a cool-mom smile on her face, is real.  I experienced it myself during our visit.  She really did self-teach herself how to cook and she is a natural.  She really doesn’t cater to her kid’s whining (her words, not mine).  Her kitchen is neat, tidy, and perfectly cozy.

Yet.

I was surprised that she only has a few cooking pots and pans. And her cooking utensil drawers were slim.

“What do you really need?”  She said in a matter-of-fact-duh shrug.

Well, actually… not much.  I can also personally attest that an uncluttered, edited cabinet is beneficial.  When you leave out only what you need or stock what you need, I guarantee that working your way around the kitchen is smoother and clean up will be easier.

If this is your first introduction to Amy’s blog, you will be adding it to your list of favorites in no time.  She makes dinner for her family, cleans it up, and blogs about it just about every day.  Her recipes are always quick and healthy and just the thing you need when you are thinking, “what’s for dinner?”

Want to see more of Amy beyond her blog?  This Saturday, October 26, Amy is sharing a recipe via a video shoot from her kitchen on the P.Allen Smith show called Garden Style, Living Large at 11am.  Click here to find out where it is showing in Fayetteville or in your area.

Enjoy the tour!

Eat well, my friends. Eat well.

Lyndi

Amy James oureveryday dinners kitchen tour kids (c)nwafoodie
As soon as I arrived, Amy whipped up a frozen Green yogurt for the kids (and me!) to enjoy.
Amy James oureverydaydinners kitchen tour dining table (c)nwafoodie
The breakfast nook hosts a great communal dining table.  Amy says her family eats dinner at 6pm every night.
If dad is tied up at work… she saves him a piece or two. 🙂
Amy James oureverydaydinners kitchen tour oranges (c)nwafoodie
Yes, that is a bowl of oranges you see on the table.  Amy keeps quick, easy, and healthy snacks at arms reach.
Amy James oureverydaydinners kitchen tour flour (c)nwafoodie
Amy bakes a lot (just browse her blog to discover for yourself) and these are readily accessible.
Amy James oureverydaydinners kitchen tour cookbooks (c)nwafoodie
A few of her cookbook inspirations.
Amy James oureverydaydinners kitchen tour talking (c)nwafoodie
Amy tells me that once she became a momma, she knew it was time to start cooking and less eating out!
Amy James oureverydaydinners kitchen tour tomato (c)nwafoodie
How charming is it that she had a photograph of her garden tomatoes framed?
Amy James oureverydaydinners kitchen tour family (c)nwafoodie
Family is near and dear to Amy.  When her kiddos aren’t running about… they look on from a family portrait.
Amy James oureverydaydinners kitchen tour shot (c)nwafoodie
Let’s have a look at her kitchen flow, shall we.  Check out the unique L shape with an island. She designed that in.
Amy James oureverydaydinners kitchen tour pantry (c)nwafoodie
What you see here are everyday essentials.  For her everyday dinners (and snacks).
Amy James oureverydaydinners kitchen tour fridge (c)nwafoodie
Healthy. Fresh. Local when possible. That’s our girl’s philosophy.
Amy James oureverydaydinners kitchen tour pots pans (c)nwafoodie
See? Pots and pans, carefully edited.
Amy James oureverydaydinners kitchen tour pots pans2 (c)nwafoodie
That’s it. Two drawers worth.  “What else do you need?”
Amy James oureverydaydinners kitchen tour utensils (c)nwafoodie
Okay, maybe you DO need a few utensils to help get the job done.
Amy James oureverydaydinners kitchen tour spices (c)nwafoodie
Continuing with the “what do you really need?” philosophy, Amy’s spice cabinet gives her what she needs.
Amy James oureverydaydinners kitchen tour salt (c)nwafoodie
Amy’s favorite spice is salt.  Seasoned salt never hurt anyone.  Oh, and Siracha hot chili sauce. It’s her go-to.
Amy James oureverydaydinners kitchen tour all about her family (c)nwafoodie
At the end of the day, the kitchen is the heart of a home.
Throw in a couple loved ones, something tasty, a laugh or two and you have a wonderful memory.

Amy, thanks for opening up the heart of your home to us.

You might also like...

Get inspired: Debbie Arnold’s kitchen tour. Pantry inspiration: Beth Stephens, The Food Adventuress kitchen tour. Pantry tour: Kelly Stamps kitchen tour.

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Recipe Rating




  1. amyj says

    October 25, 2013 at 1:58 am

    Oh, Lyndi. This is such a gift! Thank you thank you!!!! xoxoxoxxo

    Reply
    • nwafoodie says

      October 25, 2013 at 11:55 am

      xoxoxox backatcha'! I may have overdone the pictures with you in it… but you are just so photogenic. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Beth says

    October 25, 2013 at 2:39 am

    Oh I love this. Amy is cool. Great kitchen. Great idea about eating at 6. I like that so much. I try to eat at 5, why? because when my kids were super little, that's what time they needed to eat. But with snacks after school now, 6 is a better time. Totally implementing that. And editing my kitchen. Love Amy's blog. Enjoyed the post!

    Reply
    • nwafoodie says

      October 25, 2013 at 11:56 am

      I am glad this gave you a little peek into her world since you already love her blog!

      6pm sounds like your new dinner schedule. Go rock it, Beth!

      Reply
  3. Stephanie :: Evolved Mommy says

    October 25, 2013 at 3:12 am

    Amy's kitchen is one of my favorite places in the world. It just feels right.

    Reply
    • nwafoodie says

      October 25, 2013 at 11:57 am

      It's more than just the kitchen…. it's because Amy and you are in it. That's gotta feel right. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Brittany says

    October 25, 2013 at 4:12 am

    LOVED this post. I am busy designing my kitchen for my next house so this was great to see. I am too planning every cabinet possible along with my drawers. Of course, you have to have a great pantry. I love to see that she is cooking with less. I have way too much stuff! Great post and thank you so much for sharing Amy!

    Reply
    • nwafoodie says

      October 25, 2013 at 11:58 am

      Great timing then! When we remodeled our home I created a pinterest board for inspiration. It's kinda amazing to go back and see how my kitchen is 90% pinterest inspiration!

      I love love love that she is cooking with less. It's my philosophy and it is fun to see others that I admire do the same.

      Go gettum with your kitchen redesign, Brittany!

      Reply
  5. StaC says

    October 25, 2013 at 11:00 am

    Such a gorgeous kitchen! And so CLEAN! I think its time for me to get some fun salts!

    Reply
    • nwafoodie says

      October 25, 2013 at 11:59 am

      Yes. Yes you do. And now I know what I can get for you. 🙂

      Reply

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author image of thejoyofeatingwell blogHi! My name is Lyndi Fultz, and I live in the beautiful Ozark Mountains that span Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri.

I’m a foodie on a journey to EAT HAPPILY and LIVE SIMPLY. Learning and encouraging along the way and writing about it here on Simple Joyful Food.

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