Thursday, May 8, 2014

This Week in My Kitchen: Joy
















(Joining Heather again this week for a kitchen blog hop.)

Despite the massive amounts of grading that I have left, I spent last Friday afternoon cooking.  It was such a luxury and delight! Pasta and spinach salad, potato salad, rice and bean salad, brownies.  All in preparation for the next afternoon's book-swap and BBQ (there were way more books than shown above--I forgot to take pictures once the swap was underway).  Good food, good people, and books (I would say "good books," but some of them were drek--which is also fun).  That's pretty much a recipe for happiness in my little corner of the world.  

What brought you joy in your kitchen this week?

21 comments:

  1. A book swap is a lovely idea. It looks like you had a fun week in your kitchen!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have to second Donna, a book swap sounds fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Thanks Donna and Tracey! The book swap IS fun, especially when my husband starts to act as master of ceremonies, announcing books and trying to "sell" them to particular guests! Pretty funny and entertaining.

      Delete
  3. A book swap! Great idea, and then the kitchen adventures that went along with it look delicious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. The kitchen adventures were such a relief from grading! One more week, and I am again a relatively free woman who can cook to her heart's content...!

      Delete
  4. I love book swaps. And I love your kitchen island!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The island looks better from a distance than up close! It is nice to have, though. I'm thinking about painting it turquoise this summer--kind of an experiment to see if I dare paint the cabinets (which also look better from a distance than close up!)

      Delete
  5. The potato salad looks so good and I have never seen it made in slices like that, very pretty. This week, the sound of the spring chorus of birds through my kitchen door is bringing me joy.
    Josie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The sound of birds in the spring is amazing, isn't it?

      The potato salad is one that's cooked in oil and vinegar--so simple, and good. It's from Mollie Katzen's *Enchanted Broccoli Forest*.

      Delete
  6. Fun week indeed. Love the idea of a book swap. Your salad looks so good!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I can always tell when the seasons are changing when my cravings switch from soups to salad (or vice versa)!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mmmm... it all looks so tasty. I love the idea of a book swap and sharing good food.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love peeking into your busy kitchen.. Everything looks very tasty.. I have the same Moosewood cookbook.. Love their recipes..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, you can tell mine is well-loved and used by the duct tape holding the cover together!!! They are great cookbooks.

      Delete
  10. I really love that shot of your kitchen island all piled up with goodies (for the BBQ I'm guessing?) Looks very inviting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, for the BBQ! Happily, it was a beautiful evening and we all spent a lot of the time outside.

      Delete
  11. I think that a book swap is such a good idea. Books, food, friends...perfect. I love your kitchen and time spent there sounds like a great escape from grading. I hope that you manage to spend many more joyful ours there over the week.
    deb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I'm in the home stretch, and starting Heather's 30 Day Vegan on Monday. It should be a great adventure!

      Delete