12/18/2024
When I think about the holidays growing up, it’s not the presents or the decorations that stand out - it’s the kitchen. Growing up on the farm, the kitchen was the heartbeat of our home, particularly during Christmas. I can still picture it vividly. Coming home from school on a chilly day I would step into the warmth of our kitchen where the air was filled with the irresistible aroma of homemade cookies, warm bread or pastries cooling on the counter. They would wrap around me like a comforting hug.
I still recall the smell of breakfast when I was home for Christmas break during my college years - crispy bacon, golden pancakes and buttery toast - would drift upstairs to my bedroom, nudging me awake.
The kitchen wasn’t just a room where meals were made; it was where the magic of the holidays truly lived. These moments and everyday moments in the farmhouse kitchen became the backdrop for some of my most cherished memories growing up.
The kitchen was more than a place for food - it was the heart of our lives. It was where meals were cooked together and shared around the table and dishes were washed and dried by hand after every meal. It was where homework got done, games were played and some of the most life-shaping conversations unfolded.
Our kitchen wasn’t anything fancy. No marble countertops and designer cabinets to admire. Just simple, sturdy white metal cabinets that had seen it all - three meals a day for nine people, every single day. It was small, sometimes too small, and the noise and chaos could sometmes feel overwhelming. But you know what? That little kitchen had a heartbeat. It was alive with the clatter of pots and aromas that I yearn for today. It’s funny how, looking back, it’s not the size or the style of the space that mattered—it’s the memories we built there. Because in the end, it’s never really about the kitchen; it’s about what happens in it.
Looking back, I realize how much that kitchen taught me about resilience, risk-taking, organization, compromise and connection. It’s where I became who I am today. That’s why the kitchen is my favorite room in my home - a place where I retreat to refocus, unwind and reflect deeply whenever I need clarity or calm.
Take a moment to reflect on the kitchen where you grew up. What memories come to life, especially during the holidays? Is it the warm, inviting smell of cookies fresh from the oven? Perhaps it’s the traditional dishes lovingly prepared and shared every holiday. Or maybe it’s the memory of another kitchen - your grandparent’s or a relative’s - where you spent cherished holiday moments.
Close your eyes and let those memories come back. What does your kitchen mean to you? You might find, as I did, that those moments had a lasting impact on who you are today, shaping your story in ways you never realized.
But here’s the question that’s been on my mind: does the kitchen still mean as much today as it did back then? For so many families, life looks very different now. Meals are frequently purchased rather than prepared, consumed hurriedly in the car, on the go or while staring at a screen. The kitchen table, once a gathering place for family and friends, may now be hidden beneath stacks of unopened mail, serving as a temporary office or a convenient drop-off spot.
And I get it - life is busier than ever. Packed schedules and never-ending to-do lists make it hard to carve out those moments of togetherness in the kitchen.
But what if we could bring it back, especially during the holidays? Maybe it starts small. Like sitting down for one family meal a week - no phones, no television, just real conversations. Or inviting the kids to cook with you, even if it means a little extra mess. It could be as simple as baking cookies together or sharing a cup of hot chocolate at the kitchen table after a long day. These small acts don’t just fill our bellies - they create memories, build connections and remind us of what really matters.
This holiday season, may your kitchen transform into more than just a place for cooking - may it become a space where love quietly unfolds. Whether you're simmering a pot of soup to comfort someone after a long day or bringing cherished traditions to life with a recipe passed down through generations, let your kitchen be a source of magical moments and treasured memories. May it foster deeper connections, inspire shared stories over each bite and remind you of what truly matters.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about the perfect cookies or elaborate meals - it’s about the moments, the memories and the love woven into those four walls.
From my kitchen to yours, wishing you a holiday season filled with warmth, joy, and, of course, the sweetest aromas.
Happy Holidays!
(Here's a little glimpse of our white metal kitchen cabinets behind my sister and me!)
