Open Pantry Living

I've always had issues with decor vs utility.   Our existing kitchen reluctantly held my grandmother's behemoth hutch.  The bottom drawers were catch-alls, and the top shelves displayed dusty, unused, barware.  Cordial glasses.  Brandy glasses.  Champagne Flutes.  Port Glasses.  Glass Carafes.  Shakers.  Seriously, the most action seen by any of my six (!!) "on display" brandy glasses was when I converted two of them into terrariums.

Inspired by M moving in with me, I've started downsizing & organizing.  The kitchen hutch was one of the first to go.  In its place, I wanted to put an open pantry for our dry goods.  This not only inspires us to eat healthier, but it transforms utility into decor, which is a huge goal of mine.

Click "READ MORE" below for the Open Pantry Upcycle

Cherry Pies and Steak Cakes

Cooking with the BF is always fun.  Hanging out in the living room and pitting two pounds of cherries is a great bonding experience.  "You have cherry juice all over your face"  "You just squirted me in the eye with cherry juice...again"  "Take a picture of my hands; it looks like I just murdered someone!"

I use the Basic Flaky Pie Crust Recipe and some variation of this Baked Cherry Pie. 

Lattice tops are cool, but cookie cutter shapes are THE COOLEST.  (One of us may have gotten a little drunk one night was repeated scolded for eating all the delicious star crusts*)


In addition to Cherry Pies, this week has a second confection:  STEAK CAKES!  mmmmm

Please sir, may I have some more?

Ten year old puppies get Bacon Wrapped Filets on their birthdays.  Look how clean that plate is!?!

Happy Baking.

*it was me