Valentine’s Day Decor In The Kitchen
I’ve been trying to get the Valentine’s Day decor I had planned in the kitchen back on track.
Getting sick kind of threw a wrench into things.
Today I’m feeling worse than I have all week. What is it with this Covid virus? It’s like a beast that you beat down and it just gets right back up and starts punching again.
Today it’s terrible nausea. I messaged my doctor through My Chart. She told me to take the pills she prescribed last week so I can eat and drink.
But they don’t seem to do any good, so I guess I’d better try something else. My neighbor who lived behind me in Texas suggested ginger for nausea. I guess I’ll order the supplement.
Patchwork Hearts From Last Year:
Do you remember those patchwork hearts I bought from an Etsy shop owner last year? Well, here they are on display above my kitchen sink.
If I put them on a table, Ivy would cart them off. She goes berserk for these stuffed hearts, so I have to keep them away from her if I don’t want them in tatters.
There were two stuffed hearts that were a little smaller and made out of softer material. Just a plain fabric; not patchwork like these.
She carried one around last year till it fell apart. This year I broke down and gave her another one like it.
Ivy loves those things. She carries them around like a baby. I told Lisa it’s almost like she gave birth to them.
I’ve gotten some organizing done here in my kitchen. There’s lots more to do. Yesterday and today I haven’t as well, so that got put on the back burner.
I no longer decorate every surface like I did years ago. So I live with what I put out for Valentine’s Day decor in the kitchen. Or for any other holiday.
More Organizing In My Kitchen:
I’m already wondering why on earth I didn’t get more organizational storage for this kitchen long before now. It makes things so much easier!
I purchased the green dish towels here. They’re just the right thickness for using in the kitchen. I love them and bought two sets.
Out of all the dish towels I’ve ever bought, these are hands down my favorite.
I switched out the farmhouse-style glass jars that held my flour and sugar with the ones you see above. These with the wood lids were previously doing organizational duty in the pantry.
I purchased the glass jars with the wood lids here. These jars have good airtight lids.
The farmhouse style glass jars were pretty, but not terribly practical in terms of keeping things fresh.
Just pretty isn’t going to cut it around here any longer. Things will have to be functional as well. And if they’re pretty as well as functional, that’s even better!
Valentine’s Day Decor In The Kitchen:
The bread box has been inside the lower cabinet since I moved here two years ago. I do have bread in it.
But in the remaining space around it I also store airtight containers of pantry items. I’m going to use every bit of space I have in there.
The little girl in the painting is a print I ordered from an Etsy shop owner and framed myself.
The painting doesn’t exactly fit Valentine’s Day decor, but I think the little girl is just precious.
More Red In The Kitchen:
I’m bringing some reds back in. For Valentine’s Day and beyond.
I’ve got a dishwasher stuffed with red and white dishes, etc! And I’d like to use the dishwasher again some day. Especially with Covid drifting around.
I had been so good about keeping my hands washed and wiping down any container that entered my kitchen. For three years. And I must have slipped up.
Because I very rarely go out. And when someone comes through the patio door to visit, they sit across the room from me. So that’s at least 6 feet away.
Long View For My Valentine’s Day Decor In The Kitchen:
I wish I had more counter space so things could be spaced out better.
But you deal with what you have. And this is still more counter space than many people have in their kitchen. So I’m not complaining.
When I do go out and see the homeless on the street corners, I tell myself to be thankful for what I have.
I don’t know what led to them having to resort to living outside, but I’m sure thankful to have this apartment.
It’s kind of disheartening to scroll through Instagram and Pinterest. Everything looks so staged to me any more.
I want a home to look lived in. Otherwise it’s just a display. And displays aren’t always functional.
Function Over Prettiness For Valentine’s Day Decor In The Kitchen:
When you live in an apartment, you’ve got to err on the side of functional if you want to actually prepare food in your kitchen.
I’m not saying I don’t put things on display. I do. But with every year that passes, I feel the urge more and more to streamline possessions and put things where I need them. Not where they look best in a photograph.
I actually live here. And I cook and prepare food here. And I am not going to put things out and photograph them and then put them away. I’m getting too old and weary to do that!
Before we know it spring will be here. A couple of months from now I hope.
I’m already doing some flexible garden planning in my head, because springtime is a joyous time for me. And for you too I’m sure.
I have my brand new aesthetically vintage style composition notebook to jot down ideas right next to my chair. But I have to remember to move it when I leave the room or Ivy might take it into her head to rip it up.
If I don’t have it close by, I’ll forget what the idea was if I tell myself to jot it down next time I get up to do something.
I’ll wander around thinking: Now what was it I needed to do? Kind of like looking for your reading glasses when they’re right on your head!
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I’m really impressed by your decor ideas, and I’m sure my wife will love them too. I can’t wait to show her because for sure we’ll use some of them. This Valentine’s Day, we were lacking inspiration, but we have these stunning table lamps from https://www.schots.com.au/lighting/lamps/table-desk.html. So, our plan is to create a cozy ambiance for a dinner date, with the soft light of these lamps in the corners of the room complemented by flickering candles on the table. Maybe combined with some of your ideas! Your content is fantastic—keep up the great work
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Drink Canada Dry ginger ale over ice for nausea. I keep cans of it on hand always in my pantry. Canada Dry has real ginger in it, most ginger ales don’t. Hope you feel better.
Your home always brings a smile and inspiration!
Oh my gosh, I have totally looked for my glasses, only to find them on my head, and I can’t count how many times I’ve walked into a room and completely forgotten what I went in there for. Soooo frustrating! You are not alone! Your kitchen looks great! I see you still have candy left. Good for you. I probably would have eaten it all by now, lol. And they look perfect in that pretty heart shaped bowl you bought. Why are the green towels your favorite? I was able to buy the same red hearts banner you got. I love them! Where did you hang yours? I’m sorry you are still sick. It just doesn’t want to leave you alone! I’ve heard ginger is good for nausea too. I usually sip on a little ginger ale and eat some saltine crackers with it to settle my stomach. Does Greg still come to help you with your physical therapy?
I just love the way your kitchen looks and it’s nice that you’ve embraced the mirror over the sink. I remember how you hated that when you moved in and put the garden picture over it, and wasn’t there also a curtain to cover the light fixture? I LOVE that picture of pears over the coffee bar and you know that I covet the green mailbox you have the rolling pins in. You sure can make a pretty home, girl! I’m all into to minimalizing and starting to love cleared off flat surfaces. Not the most practical, but hey, I need the exercise! Always love seeing picture of your cozy and comfy home. I’m sick of all the perfect all white houses. These are not my people. Feel better soon, my friend!
We got covid the 2nd time after we ran out of bottled spring water which is all I use for all cooking and drinking. I had 2 filters, a Brita and another supposedly better one and even put our water thru both filters prior to using. But I do wonder if I had boiled all water we ingested, if that might have saved us getting it? Will never know…but we have never fully recovered to this day now 2 years later. I think we just have to take advantage of the days we feel ok and rest on the other days. You are beyond fortunate to have found such a great bunch of neighbors. I only wish we had been so fortunate…I am beyond sick of living here but have not been able yet to find anything else in this area.
Elizabeth
Everything seems staged because it is. I tire of that and want real-life decorating and pictures. They speak to me much more than pictures with no life of perfection. I never noticed that little green shelf above the sink. That is CUTE!!! Wonderful idea. Where did you get your little green scoops for the cannisters??
Love your warm and inviting coffee corner in the kitchen! My home is serviceable yet offers pretty and colorful elements that are not fussy – it’s simply not in my nature to have a home that looks like a decorators showroom. Hope your health improves more each day. 🙂
I can relate to your situation. I had Covid for 6 weeks starting in early Dec. It would pass for a day or two, then come back for a day or two. You think it’s over with and then wham, here we go again. It nearly drove me insane. In between bouts I got pinkeye, bronchitis, several colds, a sore throat, nausea, diarrhea, and a UTI. I couldn’t eat or drink which led to dehydration and 3 ER visits plus 1 overnighter in the hospital. I’ve never been so sick in my life. My husband passed away several years ago so I was alone to take care of myself. Like you I have the greatest neighbors and friends who showed up for groceries-meals-medication pickup and rides to/from the clinic, ER and hospital. Without them I don’t know what I would have done. I’m 65 BTW.
I think your kitchen is pleasing to the eye with the colors and arrangements and definitely not “too staged” like you mentioned sometimes seeing on social media. Yours looks homey and useful, like it should. That’s why I don’t read/look at any “big blogs” anymore, because everything is staged and not realistic and lived in.
I am so sorry you’re having nausea again, after feeling better. Yes, it could be lingering effects from Covid. Or, it could be lingering after effects of Paxlovid, though if it’s been a week since you’ve taken it, probably not. Peppermint tea is good for nausea, as well as the ginger you mentioned. Eat small meals and make sure the food is mild – nothing spicy, heavy, greasy or fatty. And be sure to keep hydrated by drinking lots of water. I am feeling much better now (day 6) but still having lingering congestion and kind of wiped out.
Lots of shopping! I’d be broke if I bought that much. I’m making do with what I have. Shopping the house , didn’t you call it at one time? Have a great weekend.
I agree. I don’t think it’s terribly relatable when your blog has turned into “here’s what I bought today” several times/week.
I was lucky with Covid and kind of skipped thru it without a lot of side effects. Others I know have suffered horribly.
Love your sweet kitchen and what you have done with it. Diana
This virus is really relentless. I think we’ve collectively pushed it past us prematurely. It seems to be sneaking back in, but it’s no longer mentioned in the news. “Out of sight, out of mind”?
You’ve done nothing reckless to deserve this. I admire the way you’ve busied yourself to make the best of your days inside. As always, understated and uncluttered. Clean, crisp and classy. Balanced and beautiful!
The side effects of Paxlovid are diarrhea and nausea. Are you still taking it? Please call your doctor. I have lupus and could not tolerate paxlovid. Everyone reacts differently. Feel better soon and don’t overdo it. Dream of spring and read seed catalogs.
I believe Brenda mentioned before that she passed on Paxlovid due to the side effects she didn’t want to risk. And possibly the cost?
I finished taking it a week ago.
Really enjoyed the photos today. Like how you’ve decorated your kitchen. So cute. That picture standing above the hearts is so sweet. Like how you’ve put together the reds and greens. It just works. Hope you get better soon!
I think the decorations you put in the kitchen are very pretty and mindful of Valentine’s Day. The only thing I did with a nod toward that holiday was dig out of storage some very old (bought in the mid 1980s) deep red silk roses and plopped them in a couple of vases. They’re surprisingly pretty after being fluffed up a bit. As for Pinterest, magazine, YouTube and blog decor, everything is staged and fake – nobody (unless they’re the King of England and have hundreds of staff following around to pick up and put away everything touched and walked away from). In real life, there will be stuff on your kitchen countertops and table tops, there will be dishes in the sink, there will be shampoo and conditioner out in the bathroom – gasp! I don’t put a book I’m reading back on the shelf every time I walk out of the room. I suggest that before you take ANY kind of supplement to help with nausea or other symptoms of COVID please check with your doctor to see if it might clash with the medication(s) you were prescribed. Consider what foods you are putting into your body. You may not be ready for salads, tomatoes, onions, spices, certain meats, fruits and vegetables and other foods you would otherwise normally eat. Be gentle to your stomach over the next several weeks. Maybe you need to eat like you’re recovering from a severe case of the flu, restrict yourself to easily digestible and “soft and easy” foods on the stomach. What did your doctor say about what to try and what to avoid while you go through recovery? From what I’ve read about COVID, no two people have the same path to recovery, so what works for one doesn’t work for the other, etc. If you’re concerned about getting adequate intake of vitamins and minerals, ask your doctor if you can take a multi-vitamin supplement and/or drink something like Gatorade. And please STOP overdoing. Just because you’re starting to feel better doesn’t mean you’re ready to be on your feet for hours a day to give your apartment an organizational overhaul and, having been a reader of your blog for many years, you’re probably thinking about spring cleaning when you may not be physically ready for that kind of activity yet. This time of year a lot of us get what I call “the restless itchies” and want to get going with all kinds of dreamed of/anticipated projects, but you’re recovering from a serious illness and need to take baby steps first, not giant strides (as you are apt to do). Be safe rather than sorry, Brenda!
Dramamine or Benadryl can help w nausea (not Zyrtec I’m told). Grating fresh ginger into a tea also helps. Or ginger ale or grated ginger supplements which you have ordered. Stay very hydrated if you can.
Below is a link to an article of acupressure points for nausea. The first two are simple and easy to identify the pressure points. It takes just a few minutes a few times a day – may be worth a try.
https://www.healthline.com/health/pressure-points-for-nausea
You might want to try some ginger ale or ginger tea to help with the nausea.
I just ordered Dramamine ginger chews but will be here tomorrow.
Brenda, your kitchen is adorable. I do like the mirror above your sink, and all your subtle Valentine decorating. I do hope you get better soon, your Covid journey sounds so scary. Happy Valentine’s……..
How I described Covid in a message to my doctor: This Covid is brutal.