Tuesday, January 19, 2010

My New Baking Center

I finally did something I've been wanting to do for a long, long time. I created a baking center in my kitchen! I was going to take a picture of how it started out, but frankly, it was too embarrassing! You see, this counter area has been a catch-all for years. Every time we would come in the back door, we would drop stuff there and it would pile up until someone cleared it all off again. It was a ridiculous waste of space and I knew it would be a great baking area.

Here's how I first organized it. My Kitchen Aide mixer is in the corner. I got this Kitchen Aide at a yard sale a few years back. I had wanted one for so many years, but just couldn't afford one. She wanted $45.00 but I didn't have it so I left. I went back later that day because I just couldn't get it out of my mind and offered her the only money I had - $36.00. She was so kind and took it! I was thrilled and still am!

Next to that is my even more wonderful machine - my Bosch mixer. Oh, my. This was a gift from my wonderful husband. How in the world did I ever live without this appliance? I don't know, I simply don't know. I use it to make my bread (among other things) and I make enough dough for four loaves in there at once!

Next to that is my yellow Tupperware container with sugar in it and then my green Tupperware container with bread flour in it. I love these containers (that I got at a yard sale) because they hold a 5 pound bag! How great is that? Here's a tip for your flour (or rice) that one of my friends told me about years ago. If you put whole Bay Leaves in the container with the flour, it keeps the bugs away. I always lay 3 bay leaves on the top of my flour in the container and seal. I remove them when I need to use the flour and then put them back. I have found they really do help to keep those little buggies away.

Here's a close-up of my Bosch machine because, honestly, it deserves that close-up. It's that wonderful. Really. It is! If you look closely, you can see the makings of bread in there. It's raising after the machine kneaded it for 6 minutes. For someone with arthritis, having the machine do this process is just wonderful.

Here's another wonderful thing about this area. I have an under-counter light here. I can really see well while reading my recipe and putting everything together.

Here's the end result after tweaking my baking area. I now have two glass Corning containers there to hold things I use all the time for my baking. The bottom jar holds my potato flakes that I use in my white bread recipe. I put the correct measuring cup in there to make it even easier.

I haven't decided what to put in the top jar yet, but it looks cute on top of the other one. On that container, I have my little copper colored measuring spoons. Between the sugar and flour containers, I have my Tupperware container with salt in it. I love this container (again from a yard sale) because one side opens up for sprinkling and one side opens for measuring out. Very convenient! Last, but not least, I have my kitchen timer there.

At the left are my recipe boxes and at the right is an antique blue jar I filled with almonds. My family likes to snack on nuts and almonds are a good, healthy choice. I will also use them in my baking.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my new baking center! I'm so thrilled with it and know I'm going to enjoy having this designated area ready and waiting.

God bless you - Julie

5 comments:

  1. That is a nice baking center. It is great to have everything together in one place. I love my mixers too, don't know what I would do without them! I have a Dimension 2000. It is exactly like a Bosch. I love being able to make a big batch of healthy bread!

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  2. LOVE IT!! You did a beautiful job and it is perfecty organized. You will get much use out of that space!

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  3. I bet you keep walking into your kitchen and just admiring it don't you? LOL It looks so nice. I have several places like that in my house...that are just catch-alls(my upstairs closet). I HATE it. I think that next year, after graduation I'll be tackling these things after many years of neglect. Your baking area is going to be so convenient. I have never heard of a Bosch mixer before...four loaves of bread dough? Not wonder you love it.

    Thanks for commenting my blog. Your words mean so much to me. I am sorry that you are dealing with these same things. I am trying so hard to just rise above it all. Soon, Denny and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary...I think giving them 25 years is enough...the next 25 years if for us.(if you know what I mean). This stuff is just always hanging over our heads and we never know when someone will show up or who they will go after next so we have just pulled away. It is a shame...but I agree...it does draw you closer to the Lord and maybe that is what he wanted.

    You are so precious...I am proud to be in sister in Christ!

    Hugs,
    Joyce

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  4. Wow Julie, what a bargain you got on your kitchen aid! Mine was a gift from my DH. What sweet husbands we have don't we? They know how to give us gifts :)
    Thanks for the Bay Leaf tip.

    Blessings,
    katia

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  5. Of course she needs a close up,,she's red..oh my,,!! I love the vignette you made on your counter and with the pretty picture frame in the back also. Very pleasing to the eye...and heart!

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