Is it the joy of cooking?

When we got married, we were both living on our own, and had been for a while. So we both had double...and sometimes triples of items. China, vacuums, flatware...you name, we had it. However, we decided to sell a majority of the items in a yard sale. We wanted a "clean slate" so to speak, and choose styles and patterns that we both wanted. I say "we" because Josh was very much into kitchen items, as he is a cook himself. ;-) May or may not have a been a source of a few "arguments"as we were trying to decide on patterns and colors. So here is a tour of our staple kitchen items...that I adore, and can't imagine living without!



When I was 16 years old, I fell head over heals in love with fiesta. The bright colors, the pattern, the simplicity...it was very much "me". So each year for my birthday, or Christmas, my mother would buy me a set. Eventually, when I moved out on my own, I would collect the plates. Then, as we were getting our reigstiry ready at Dillard's, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I wanted Fiesta to be our every day setting to use. When I open my cabinets, and see all the beautiful colors, I can't help but think my 16 year old wish came true. Truth be told, pulling out my fiesta makes me feel just a bit "50's Housewife-ish". At first Josh wasn't it to them, until I showed him how the setting looks when you mix them up. Since then, he has remarked how fun...and down right festive these dishes are!! Any of fiesta ladies out there?

Since I got my way in the area of Fiesta, I let Josh choose our color of Kitchen Aid. Of course, he had to pick out the Copper version. Which, I do love...just a bit on the pricey side. Imagine how shocked we were to come home one day and find this package on our door step!! It was truly a wonderful wedding gift...and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!
When it came time to pick out the China...we took forever. We both liked entirely different styles. Then, I spotted the Lauren by Ralph Lauren Pattern of "Romance" that was not on the display shelf. It was on it's own table in different area. We both loved it, and it was finally settled. Since then we have enjoyed dinner parties with this china. My southern roots really show up, because china is an absolute must in my book. I even carried around a small set when I was single, to serve my friends whenever I hosted a dinner party. I realize this is not so popular anymore...but nothing seems more special or romantic than a table set with Fine China.



Our most recent addition to our kitchen was a set of Copper Cookware made by The Palm Restaurant. This was definitely Josh's splurge. However, since using them, I have honestly fallen in love with these. They are wonderful to cook with. I was also smiling when I saw the copper pots in the movie Julia & Julia...look closely, they are on the back of the stove!

And speaking of Julia...it was this movie that inspired this post. I watched again for the second time this week, and loved it better this time around! I'm inspired to try Beef Bourguignon, or maybe a few other recipes. Have you ladies cooked anything by her yet? Were you inspired to spend more time in the kitchen after the movie? I know I have been.

"Dining with one's friends and beloved family is certainly one of life's primal and most innocent delights, one that is both soul-satisfying and eternal." -- Julia Child

What are your favorite items in your kitchen? Or is the kitchen your off limits area? Share! :)