Kids In the Kitchen, Pt. 1

Almost everything I know about making my home a haven  is from watching and doing and learning from my mom.

Especially in the kitchen.

I spent HOURS of my time growing up in the kitchen with my mom.  I would pull up a chair and just watch.  And stir.  And help.

And when I went to my grandma’s…I would stand with her in her teeny tiny kitchen and just watch.  And stir.  And help.

By the time I was about eight or nine…my mom put me in charge of some of the cooking (usually the cookie baking part!). 

We often had extra farm hands around in the summer time to feed, and I know that I was a big help to her.  We would cook all day it seemed.  I would bake about one batch of chocolate chip cookies per day during those summers.  By the time I was ten, I could bake them in my sleep (and probably did sometimes!).

Now that I’m (10 x 3 + ?)…I love cooking!

And, my cooking styles are a lot like my mom’s…or my grandma’s..

My dad has told me from time to time when he’s here visiting…”These rolls taste just like your grandma’s did”…or “That dinner was just like what your Mom would have made.”

<blink> <gulp>

What an honor for my dad to rank my cooking up there with the two favorite women in my life.

Oh, how I miss them. 

But, my memories are so clear and sweet.

My encouragement for all of us then…is to pull your kids into the kitchen and make some sweet memories.

Over the next several days, I’ll be writing about some fun things to do in the kitchen with your kids…and some fun ways to teach them.  Be sure to check back in!

You’ll never regret the precious time spent alongside your children in the kitchen. 

And the skills you will teach them will last them a lifetime.