Our Very Own Island

I'm sure it isn't EVERYone's dream to have their own private, personal, island paradise. Our Father's children come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, with all shapes, sizes, and colors of hopes, dreams, and desires.

Even so, one of our dreams has come true! We are the proud owners of our very own (albeit VERY small) island. "Lucky!" you may be thinking to yourself. "Indeed!" I say.

If you have been a regular ready of The Inner Dad, you may remember "The Move from Hades" series. We've been working for a long while now, (brief in only the eternal perspective!)sometimes more steadily than other times, on having a House of Order. We STILL have a ways to go, but we ARE making progress. Life keeps getting in the way!

Our latest adventures in organizing are taking place in the kitchen. We have made it more than half way around the room - de-cluttering, cleaning, and organizing as we go. It's awesome if you stand facing the window... you can only see the side we've finished! :o)

Woody and I both enjoy working in our kitchen. It's not a huge room, but it is much larger than the one we had in our townhouse. We can actually both be in the room at the same time - it's even large enough for our Home Ec. class at Wonderwood Academy!

There is something very rewarding about cooking there for our family and friends. There is comfort in using recipes that are tried and true, and there is satisfaction that comes from trying a new recipe with successful results. The only (small) frustration has been a lack of workspace that is accessible as I accommodate my arthritis - sitting in a rolling office chair that makes it possible for me to do most kitchen tasks (a la Grandma Wilkin).

So, on Thursday, Woody and I pooled our Christmas money (Thank you again, Mom and Bob!) and bought a small island! (Some assembly required, but Woody-the-Toolman took care of that right away!) It has everything we were looking for in a private, personal island. I inaugurated it on Friday by using it to assemble one of our new favorites, Crockpot Lasagna, followed by mixing up a double batch of the best oatmeal cookies to be found on this planet.

Island paradise!