Need More Counter Space? Make A Cooking Board!

The cooking area in my kitchen.

A small kitchen limits your cooking space. I am fortunate that my studio apartment has a nice kitchen with plenty of cupboards and counter space. It is designed for a disabled resident. My problem is that I have trouble reaching up into cupboards and have to stand on a stool to do so. I had to put some dishes on my counter so they are easy to get to. I discussed that in a prior blog post, My DIY Disabled Kitchen Design. I do not use the stove or oven that came with the apartment. I just don't like it, except for the clock and timer. I like to use several different small appliances for cooking. One person living alone does not need to heat up a big oven for a small meal. I like to keep my Instant Pot and Induction cook top on the stove because the exhaust fan is above it. It was an uneven surface and I did not like that. The burners from the stove were collecting crumbs and such. So even though I was not using it for cooking, I was still having to clean those out.

DIY cooking surface for small appliances.

I mentioned it to my boyfriend, Sonny, and he said he had an idea. He measured the top of the stove all the way to back. Then he dug out of his garage a piece of counter top from a remodeling job he did ten years ago. Yesterday he brought it over and put it on my stove. We took off all the coils for the electric burners and I stored them away. As  you can see in the picture it fits perfectly under the control panel. 

The oven stores all my cookware!

I now have a flat surface that is easy to clean and makes cooking here so much nicer. There is a spot to put both appliances, the induction cook top and the Instant Pot. With plenty of room to set things down near me while cooking. I have trivets to set the hot pans on. Being level makes a difference when I am cooking on the cook top. If you are cooking an omelet in a skillet it will all go to one side if the burner is not level. Hard to cook that way! I did learn when researching this project, that it is called a "Noodle Board" but had never heard it called that before. I am not making noodles on it, so I am calling it a cooking board. 

Ready to cook!

Now before you can warn me about the fire hazards of using anything on your stove.........I want to make it clear that the controls are on the back of the stove. If I ever turned on the burners or oven accidentally there would be a beeping sound. I do all the cooking in my home since I live alone. Nobody will be messing with it. Being in a studio apartment, I can see my kitchen at all times unless I am sleeping or watching videos. I am very aware of fire prevention after having lived for over 20 years cooking and heating on wood stoves. 

Note: The reason I am saying this is that I belonged to a group on Facebook who are a bunch of know-it all's and give advice when nobody asks them for it. Besides what makes these women THINK they know SO MUCH more than me? I have probably lived more and done more than they have EVER done. Done with that! I am pretty much getting fed up with Facebook anyway.

Copyright © 2020 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2020  Kathleen G. Lupole

Updated 2021

Christmas Memories

Christmas Eve brings back so many special memories for me. As a child, my parents got tired of having to rise early on Christmas morning because of my brother, Mickey and I wanting to open our presents. It was their one day of being able to sleep late and we would not let them. Soon they were surprising us with Santa coming on Christmas Eve instead. We would go visit my Aunt Helen and Uncle Eddie and take presents to my cousins, Richard and Sharon. When we got home, wow! Santa had been there already and left our presents under the tree! We never put two and two together that my father, who didn't go with us (because he owned a gas station across the road and had to work while we were gone) had put the presents out.

I remember a couple of years that we went downstairs to the cellar so my father could show us what he had bought for our mother. Then we'd play down there a bit riding our bikes on the dirt floor while he tinkered at his work bench. Pretty soon we'd go upstairs and Santa had been there and we missed him again! After we moved to Florida, we were a few years older, our Christmas presents coming from Santa was no longer something we believed. I suspected for long time before that, but did not say anything because Mickey would get mad if I mentioned it. Both of our parents worked so Christmas Eve was a day off for them. It was always a day of doing work around our house. Somehow, Christmas in Florida was not like Christmas in New York. Maybe the snow? My father would be outside working on our house, not like the winters we were used to. So they would let us have our presents around noon.

We had a tree and decorated our house. My mother and I would make a nice dinner, usually ham. They did not go overboard with presents or food. We got the things we usually wanted. I think what I missed most during those years of Christmas in Florida, was our family in New York. My grandmother especially. I was really close to her and used to spend a few nights at her house quite often. Not seeing my aunts, uncles and cousins at Christmas or any other time was sad for me. We had friends but it was not the same. By the time we moved back to New York, everyone had grown up. Life was different.

When I had my son, Jeffrey, I made sure his Christmas was special. I know I overdid it, but it was the way I pictured Christmas being when I was a child. Many of the decorations in my apartment now are remnants of past Christmases in my own life. Life passes by so fast, we don't realize it. Now my son doesn't really care for Christmas or holiday celebrations. He lives down the street from me and I see him almost daily. I plan on making a nice dinner for my boyfriend, Sonny and me, and if Jeffrey wants to eat with us, he will. If not, I will just give him a plate to take home. It will still be a nice day and I am happy with not spending a lot of money on presents or big meals.

From our home to your home.......

Merry Christmas to all my readers! 

Copyright © 2019 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2019  Kathleen G. Lupole

Updated 2021

Winter Time In New York

Winter in NY state

Living in a snowy, cold climate is no longer depressing to me. When I lived on my off-the-grid homestead, I would say or write that I couldn’t wait for winter to end. When it snowed more, I hated it. I did not actually hate the snow. Or the cold weather. I just hated the fact that I lived with someone who would become enraged with anger over snow and cold weather. Truthfully, the winter was just beautiful there! I loved seeing the trees with snow covered branches. I loved seeing the dirt road completely hidden under the snow. I loved the silence of the snow, the first thing in the morning, I’d sit on my porch with a cup of coffee to just take in the wonder of it all. It was an amazing view to me every time it snowed. 

The beauty of a fresh snowfall

I was sad that I was not allowed to enjoy it due to someone else not liking it and putting him in a bad mood. Especially when you have lived in NY state  your whole life and you know what to expect when winter comes. I really loved it. Now here I am in the city and winter seems far away to me from my apartment window. I have no forest nearby, in the distance yes, but not close enough to feel it. The person that hated it is still living there in the forest and probably still hating it. Yet what could be more amazing than a forest around you covered with snow? Hearing the chickadees as they fly around you asking for a handout? As I get older, those memories are cherished forever. I can hear them in my mind as I watch the snow falling from my apartment window.

No trees around my apartment building

My apartment building has no trees close by. At least not where I can see them close up. The downtown area has trees in the parks and along the streets. All the trees I see from my windows are in the forests in the distance. I am not complaining though. At least I can see them. I love my home here so I will not ever complain about it. My promise to myself is to never look back at what was or might have been. I look ahead to each and every day. If it snows, I love it. If it rains, I love it too. The only thing I so not love is thunder and lightning. I never will, though I am not as frightened by it as I once was. Not here.

A daily visitor to my house in St. Petersburg, FL

I have lived in the hot climate of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina (for a short time). Florida mostly. I say I grew up in Florida because those were the years as a child and teenager, when you do most of your growing up. I loved it back then. In 1994, I went back to Florida as an adult and I could not deal with the hot weather any longer. Tropical climates are not for me. I guess that is a good thing. Too many people are living in those states already. I believe you should choose to live where and how you want. Life is short. Make the best of it by living with the climate you enjoy, not dread every year.

The view outside my window

I admit to not having to do snow clean up like a lot of people have to do. I think that is why they do not like the cold weather and snow. Actually the one thing I hated about winter was having to drive on the snowy, icy roads. I hated that. Now living where and how I do, I do not have to deal with that. I do not own a car and have no plans of ever owning one. I never thought I would say this, but I never want to have one again. I like not having to drive anywhere, let alone the expense. It is one of the headaches of people living in a downtown apartment. Their cars. They have to move them from the parking lots of their buildings when the threat of snow is in the news. Why? So it can be plowed. The parking lot for my building is plowed several times during the night as long as it keeps snowing. But where to park? There is a city lot nearby and it allows parking at night there for all the surrounding apartment residents. Good thing because it would be a big problem. Especially for people in my building who are not able to get around well enough to park a distance away.

Home!

I may not be able to hear the silence of the snow, but I enjoy this time of year just the same. I miss using Jazzy, my mobility chair to go shopping or the park, but I have it to look forward to in the spring. In the meantime, I have a lot of projects I am working on this winter. Enjoy every minute of your life while you have it. That is what I intend to do. Wherever you live, have an awesome winter!

Copyright © 2019 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2019  Kathleen G. Lupole

Updated 2021

Cooking For One With Love

Cooking for myself

Preparing meals for yourself when you live alone tends to depress people. If you were used to cooking for others and sitting down to a nice meal, chances are you are not sure how to make an enjoyable meal for one. Grabbing a quick sandwich in front of the computer or television is not the same. Though I am guilty of eating in front of my computer, normally I am eating a meal that I prepared. Not processed food that comes in a box. I am not saying anything against those, but for the most part, I believe your meal is more enjoyable when you take the time to make something yourself.

I am always on my computer!

Lately I have been watching YouTube videos about people who live in Asian countries and how they live and cook meals. One that stands out in my mind is the people who live in Okinawa, Japan. They outlive almost any other country. I always heard people saying it had to do with the coral in the water there. After watching the video, I don’t think that is why. I think it is due to their lifestyle. They cook their food from fresh ingredients daily. No processed foods. They also stay active. Exercise, sports, Yoga and dancing keeps them moving. Interacting with their friends and families. Doing something daily. Not sitting in front of a television, or what I am guilty of, the computer, or a book. Moving around every single day. 

Broccoli in cheese sauce

Taking the time to find a recipe for something you would like to cook, shows you love yourself enough to put together a good dish…….just for you! Self-love is cooking for yourself. Making the ingredient list, shopping for the ingredients, is all a part of the process. I like to put on some music before I get started in my kitchen. I put all my ingredients out together. Look them over and then line them up according to the order in which I need them. I take out the bowls, measuring cups and spoons, knives, pans, pots, whatever I will need. Now the key to making it enjoyable, is to do it slowly. Do not hurry through the preparation process. Preparing your food is showing yourself love.

Meatloaf, broccoli and acorn squash with ice tea

When fixing my meal, I make enough to serve more than one. Having leftovers that I can freeze for future quick meals is a plus in my book. Or just refrigerate and eat all week……..yes, I am guilty of doing that too! Since I was eating a low carb diet, I got used to not eating sugar, bread and other processed foods. For some reason the low carb diet stopped working for me. I was tired all the time, didn’t have the energy everyone gets from it. I hadn't lost much weight either. My doctor did a thorough check up and did test my thyroid. I decided to give myself a rest from the low carb life and try something different. I am basically eating less meat, more vegetables and fruit. I missed the fruit on low carbs. Now I am also eating organic grains, legumes and more nuts. Not wheat. On the low carb diet I ate large servings of meat. Now I am limiting my portions of that too. It makes my food go farther this way too. I could never afford to buy all organic foods for the low carb diets. I use some organic when I can afford it. 

Cooking a pan full gives you future meals!

Well this blog post is not about my diet or what I eat. It is about how I cook. I made my version of Paella yesterday. It was full of good food and lots of self love. I did not hurry myself through the preparation and cooking. Kind of go with the flow. Works well for me since I cannot stand for long periods. I start making food and stop to sit down for a few minutes. Then go back to it. What I love best about cooking for myself is that nobody is waiting for you to finish cooking it because they are starving. Or they are waiting to eat so they can leave because they have to be somewhere else. I am a slow eater so this type of cooking suits me perfectly. Now if I have it prepared already and in the refrigerator and company arrives, I just need to heat it up. 

kat's version of Paella

I have been experimenting with middle eastern and Asian recipes, spices and ingredients. It seems like they are healthier and the blend of the spices is amazing. I use a recipe and adjust the ingredients to ones I have or are familiar with. If it is something new I want to try, I research it first. YouTube has some really informative videos on international cooking. I have always cooked with spices and herbs, but I think I took them for granted. My boyfriend got me into trying different ones, even though he doesn't know he did that. You do not need to buy special blends because it is more fun making them yourself. This way you can be sure what is in them and that there is no MSG (monosodium glutamate) in them. Many Asian recipes have it listed as an ingredient so you should eliminate that. I will be sharing some of the recipes I have found on this blog soon. Enjoy self-love by cooking a special meal for yourself today!

Copyright © 2019 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2019  Kathleen G. Lupole

Kitchen Storage Rack In A Small Kitchen

OBOR Narrow Home Organizer Rack

Living in a studio apartment means you have to make every single bit of space be used wisely. As far as studio apartments go, or even apartments in general, my kitchen is unbelievable. I have a lot of cupboards in a small space that has room for a wheelchair, a mobility chair or a rolling walker. Since it is in a spot that has no window, there is a "pass through" as it is called. It is in front of the sink, where I always enjoyed my windows in other homes I lived in. The light from my very large windows come through and I can see out the window or even my house bunny's cage and surrounding area. Even so, I still needed more storage in the kitchen for food. I cook most of my meals at home and don't really buy ready to heat and eat types of food. I started researching Pinterest for storage. I watched tons of YouTube videos on living in small apartments and tiny homes.

Opening the box...

I did not see one inch of space anywhere in my kitchen to add any type of storage shelves. I was looking on Amazon and found this sliding storage shelf that only uses six and a half inches of space and slides in and out of the space on wheels. I measured the area between my counter and refrigerator. Four inches. I measured the other side of the refrigerator. Four more inches. I can do this! By moving the refrigerator three inches toward the wall, I had the amount of space needed. 

Time to put together

I ordered this one on Amazon, sold by OBOR for $38.99 with free shipping because I am a Prime customer. It has four storage shelves and wheels to move it back and forth. It would have had good reviews, but the reviews I saw were for the other product they sell for under the sink. So I did not leave a review for it on Amazon. It is made of a heavy duty type of plastic called polypropylene. It can hold heavy bottles and jars and still moves easily. 

Handles and wheels

When it arrived, I could not wait to put it together! It went together pretty easily once I figured out how to do it. It had an instruction page to show you how to do it. I got stuck a bit on the wheels, but finally figured it out. It has handles on each side of the top. I think it looks good, especially once I filled it up. It is easy to clean too. If you look into my kitchen from the door you don't even see it. 

Putting it together now

One thing that made me like it a lot was that I did not have to use anything to put it together. No screws, nuts or bolts! No nails or tools either! That is a plus for me as I am not mechanically inclined. It pops together and it is a tight fit. I put the wrong shelf on the top and had to take it apart. That was the hardest part of the whole thing. I got it put together though. My advice if you get this one is to be sure to check each shelf as to where it goes. The bottom shelf had the spot for the wheels to hook on, so it had to be on the bottom. I finished it and it is very sturdy. If I can put it together, anyone can! 

All Done!

It is about as tall as my stove is. I decided to store condiments mostly on it and leave my canned and boxed items in the cupboards. That way I can get a condiment out quickly if needed during a meal and not spend time searching for it. The bottom cupboards are hard for me to see into as I cannot get down on the floor. The higher cupboards are hard for me too! I have to stand on a stool to get stuff out of them. This sliding shelf is perfect for me!

Fits Perfectly!

The sliding shelf's size is 17.7” L x 6.5” W x 37.8” H (45 x 16.5 x 96 cm) and weights 5.6 lbs.  The space between the first and second shelves is 13” and the other two shelves is 8.7”. Plenty of room to store things. I was surprised about how big it was and how much I could put on it.

It slides right into a 6" space!

I was able to put my tea container right on top of it. So now I can just open it and pick a tea bag out. Right near the hot pot that I use for hot water. Watching the videos about living in tiny houses, I was amazed how they were able to organize those tiny houses and store so much stuff. I have organized most of my things so they are mostly things I use. I am still in the process of making everything so it is easy to get to so I can use it. This eliminates searching for things you need.

Tea tin is easy to use now

I like it so much that if I had another space available in here, I would buy another one for my DVDs. They fit perfectly on the shelves. In the bathroom too, it would be handy. I have ideas for one or two more downstairs in my storage area. How much easier it would be than digging through plastic totes not knowing where you put something. I like that it is movable.

Filling it up!

Copyright © 2019 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2019  Kathleen G. Lupole

Holiday Time Is Coming

Streets are decorated for Christmas!

This is the time of the year when people get depressed. Worrying seems to affect most people and the holidays seem to make it more difficult. I have lived through times like that myself. Looking at some of my old journals, I see where I wrote about families everywhere enjoying a Thanksgiving dinner and we did not have enough money to buy anything. Just the canned foods that I had grown in my garden. If you are so far behind on all your credit bills that all the money coming in goes to them, you have none left over for living expenses. Now I do not have those problems. I am by no means rich or even well off, but I am comfortable where and how I live now. The difference is that I am in charge of my money and what I do with it. I didn’t even have a grocery budget! Now I do. I remember when I read about what to do to cut expenses. I would say to myself, "I already did that a long time ago.”

My vintage Christmas decorations are old!

Instead of dreading the holidays, I embrace them. I decorate my apartment for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. I do not have to spend much money as most of my decorations I already had. I can make special foods and share with my neighbors, my son and my boyfriend. Nothing has to be expensive or time consuming. Just little things shared with loved ones can be the most meaningful. For Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's Day though, you do not have to spend money. That is the marketing strategy behind the commercialism of the holidays. When I was a child growing up, my parents did not spend a lot on decorations or our presents. Many years later after we had grown up and had our own children, I saw my parents go overboard on buying presents for their grandchildren. It was wasted money as far as I was concerned. Children having so many presents that they don't know which one to play with first is crazy.

Make a nice dinner even if alone!

If you are sad or alone on the holidays, I know it can be a hard time for you. Maybe you can reach out to someone who needs a friend during the holidays too. Have a potluck dinner with several people who are alone on those days. Last year, I did not know what to expect having just moved here. I am so blessed by the other people who also live in my building. For the most part, they are very caring and loving people. Also the city I live in has churches and organizations providing holiday dinners and socialization for the less fortunate. Not just financially, but people who are alone for one reason or another.

Christmas tree from the thrift store!

No matter what you are worried about, it will eventually pass. I know this because I thought my worries were the kind that would be with me for the rest of my life. I did reach that light at the end of the tunnel. I call it the tunnel of worry. Of course, to do so, you most likely have to make changes in whatever is causing you to worry and be depressed. Losing the people you love, even years ago, will haunt you at the holidays. It just does because they are no longer here with you. Instead of becoming depressed about your loss, think about their value to your life. Think about the good memories you shared with them. Think about how much they meant to you without becoming depressed about it. Since I enjoy writing, I like to write in my journal about things we did together. My memories of them. Things they said to me. Places we went together. Our happy times. Not my memories of them in a hospital bed. If that is all you picture in your mind then it is no wonder you are so depressed.

Make your holidays special for YOU!

No matter what you feel for these holidays. It is just a day. I have found in my life that being around negative people affects me. I am basically a happy type of person. Both of my parents were like that. My mother taught me to make a list of pros and cons of each situation and figure out from there how to change it. Which is what I always do. Sometimes you cannot change your situation to your dream of what it should be. But little changes you can do now will help. If no matter what you will be alone on the holiday, make it your day. Play music, make a fantastic dinner with leftovers, drink wine or whatever, prepare or buy a sinful dessert for after dinner with a special coffee drink and watch some I Love Lucy shows. Laugh a lot! 

Copyright © 2019 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2019  Kathleen G. Lupole