Saturday, December 31, 2022

Kitchens in December

For the end of 2022, I’ve done a few wrap-ups on what is important this year in global food issues , in my own travels, and in my observations of street art. Now: Kitchens in December. For several years, I’ve been participating in the fun blog party titled “In My Kitchen,” sponsored by Sherry’s Pickings, a lovely food blog from Australia. Also, each week, Deb at Readerbuzz connects bloggers at her Sunday Salon. I'm linking to these fun blog parties, and I hope their hosts will keep them going in the New Year.

In my own kitchen this month things are pretty quiet, mostly the aftermath of our 11 day trip to the Netherlands for birding and art. And a post-Christmas visit to my sister in Indiana.

Latest Refrigerator Magnets from Holland


Of course I came back with refrigerator magnets, which replaced the former display.




New Cookbook and Tea Towels

New cookbook: Fuchsia Dunlop’s Every Grain of Rice. Len is experimenting with Asian cuisines.
Two new tea towels from England, a gift from my friend Sheila.
Godiva Chocolates: a gift from another friend.

Visiting Elaine’s Kitchen

Len brought along some sourdough starter and baked with Elaine.


Elaine made us a fabulous meal of leg of lamb and vegetables.

Some Good Meals from our Kitchen

Mae cooks: roast chicken, eggplant with herbs and garlic,
and steamed broccoli.

Len cooks: fish in red wine sauce, potatoes.

Len cooks: tofu with mushrooms in pomegranate sauce,
stir-fried snow peas with peanuts.

Rice, braised bok choi, and shrimp in tamarind sauce. Also by Len.

Kitchens in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

The most famous kitchen: by Vermeer.

Jan Steen’s “Merry Family” — living degenerately in the kitchen!

The two dollhouses in the Rijksmuseum are amazing. Here’s the kitchen in one.


Blog post and photos © 2022 mae sander

23 comments:

Harvee said...

I'd love a new, bigger kitchen, then I'd cook more than I do, lol. Happy New Year!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I think I am in serious need of an upgrade on our fridge magnets, Mae! Thanks for a great year of fascinating posts. All the very best for 2023 - David.

Lori said...

I really enjoyed this post.
Happy New Year to you and yours.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Mae,
I like your magnet collection, the owl one is cute.
The meal looks yummy, I need to learn how to make homemade bread.
I wish you and yours all the best in 2023, a happy and healthy New Year!

Tina said...

Great end of the year post. Love your magnets.

Jeanie said...

Love your magnets! Especially the Delft one. And seeing the kitchens in the Rijksmuseum! Happy New Year, my friend. Please, let us let 2023 be the year we again are able to meet up.

Gretchen said...

The meals look delicious! I love the dollhouse pictures, amazing. Wishing you a Happy New Year!

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

Your fridge magnets look fantastic. I took all mine down when I redid the kitchen.

And a poem for the New Year:

"Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true...

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws...

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good."

And here's to a year of nothing but good books!

thecuecard said...

Ohh I had missed that you had gone to the Netherlands. I will have to go back to those posts. The art is amazing! Always Vermeer. Looks like you had a great trip! Happy New Year.

Terrie said...

We were in Amsterdam a few years ago (right before covid) and I actually remember those doll houses. They are extraordinary! And, you've been cooking up a storm - all looks quite good. Since hubby and I rarely cook, it's always tempting when I see what others produce, but then I think about the effort, and, well - lazy me kicks in and don't cook.
Thanks for the visit - hope you have a healthy 2023 and one that is full of yummy food and excellent books!
Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys

Sherry's Pickings said...

i cooked a chicken for Boxing Day and it was delicious. hadn't had one for a very long time. I think it was due to the organic chicken. Love your fridge magnets and tea towels. And oh yes those wonderful European art galleries and museums ... Happy happy new year to you! and thanks for being such a great part of IMK.
cheers
sherry x

Tandy | Lavender and Lime (http://tandysinclair.com) said...

I have friends who collect magnets, but only one from each place they visit. I like your idea of a new collection each trip. May 2023 be kind to you xx

Jinjer-The Intrepid Angeleno said...

Every single meal looks delicious.

I still need to get myself some new kitchen towels. Longer ones that won't fall off the oven door every time I go to open it. lol

Happy New Year!

Mark Baker said...

Those magnets are great. Happy 2023!

JoAnn said...

Happy New Year! I enjoyed reading this post... your meals all look delicious.

Elza Reads said...

You must have had a wonderful time to the Netherlands and I love your fridge magnets. Especially the Delft one and The Gold Finch... How lovley.

Have a wonderful new year Mae!

Elza Reads

Unknown said...

loving those fridge magnets! I always want to take one home when I go away but sometimes I forget. Your hubby's bread looks pretty amazing and solid, I'd love to taste a slice!

Nancy, at http://ayearindarwin.blogspot.com/

Cindy said...

Enjoyed the post, happy new year!!

Liz said...

Happy New Year! You have had some lovely meals this past month, lucky you to have a partner who cooks delicious ones as well. That kitchen painting by Vermeer is one of my favorites, the light is so incredible.

And I had no idea the first picture was of a dollhouse kitchen!

Becki said...

Oh! Those food pictures look fantastic! I want some leg of lamb and those deliciously colorful veggies :) Thanks for sharing and happy new year!

Debra Eliotseats said...

I am a huge fan of museum shop magnets! Happy New Year

Moya-Food and Tools said...

Love your magnet collection and your food all looks amazing, happy tummies in your house. Have a wonderful 2023 :)

Johanna @ green gourmet giraffe said...

Belated happy new year - I always love a peek around your blog - so amazing how much you share - your amsterdam holiday sounds great - esp the dollshouses - amazing! And I love a fun kitchen magnet. You seem to have enjoyed being out and about in 2022 - hope you have some interesting plans for 2023.

Johanna @green gourmet giraffe
(not sure the right login is in the comments1)