The Kramped Kitchen.

I really wanted to title this blog The Kramped Kitchen.

I really thought it reminded me too much of the Kardashians.  But then I thought, they don't own the letter K, they can't just claim it and act like they thought of changing the C into a K for everything first!

I probably thought about it a little too much, so yeah.....in the end I won.  It's a Kramped Kitchen kind of blog!

We live in a small home.  Really an apartment, which I have never wanted.  I'm not an apartment person, I don't like having rules, I like yards & parties & space.  I like being able to park and then walk into my front door with two flights of stairs in my way.  But alas, I know now, I don't always get my way.  Our home is small but it is OUR home.  Wherever I am with my family is where I want to be.

Our home does resemble a docked ship, it's small, doesn't really have windows, just small port hole type things where I hope to get a glimpse of sunshine or a gust of air.

It's not perfect but is there anything in this life that is?  We're here in Hawaii doing mission work for our church, work that we love doing and feel called to do.  For that work we are blessed enough to get free rent & utilities.  So before I complain I try to think about how blessed we are to be in this place, together, doing God's work.  If that isn't a life I want to lead then I'm not sure what is.

But our kitchen is small.  For sure, luckily I love a good challenge!  I can cook and bake with the best of them with what I have.  And up until less than 2 weeks ago I didn't even have my own oven and stove.  I used an electric wok and a big toaster oven for everything.  Sometimes it takes not having something to remind you to be grateful for those things you do have.

But now I do have an oven & stove.  Hallelujah!  Albeit, a 3 burner stove, but no matter.  I just use the empty slot to hold my utensils jar.  It works out for everyone.  We don't know how long we'll be here or where God will take us next but I will rejoice no matter how hot the day with no air conditioning, how small the bathroom or how we don't have full walls between our room and the kids, seriously.

Above:  My kitchen "nook" area.  Our back door that leads to a fire escape.  Chalkboard for a menu that I never change so it's never true.  The toy box has all the kids books in it.  Also doubles as a pantry area.  Flour. Sugar. Potatoes. Etc.

Side:  My main, ok only, cooking prep area!  Also where I bake.  My mixer just stays right there.  My wonderful husband hooked up extension cords to the island so I can use my mixer there.  I also usually have my iPad on it's little kitchen stand that I got for my birthday so I can reference recipes....or FB while I work. 

My awesome pot rack right above me, I have to be careful tho cause if I put the wrong pans in the wrong spots I hit my head a lot.  Coffee maker fish tank.  Spices from Trader Joe's.  

Thank you Mom!

I love it.  My little kramped kitchen.  I belong here. 

Today I loved it so much I didn't want to leave.  Deep cleaned it a bit, top of the fridge, under the sink kind of cleaning.  

Baked blueberry cupcakes with Maple Brown Butter frosting.

Made roasted artichokes & Baked Lemon Pasta for dinner.  So good.  My kitchen is definitely small, but as cheesy as it sounds it is full of love. <3

Roasted Artichokes

[These remind me of home, wild artichokes grown along the Delta.  

But I'm sorry to say, Manny's, these are better than yours!]

You need:

Artichokes

Garlic

Lemon Juice

Olive Oil

[1] Prep your artichokes.  Trim the bottoms so they lay flat and trim the tops of the leaves so they're not all pokey.  Scissors work best for the top part.

[2] Spread the leaves a part a bit so you can get flavor inside.

[3] Drizzle with olive oil and squeeze half a lemon over each artichoke.

[4] Slice a clove of garlic thinly and poke into different parts of the artichoke.

Season the whole thing with sea salt.

[5] Wrap tightly in foil.

[6] Place artichokes on a baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees F for an hour.

Unwrap and enjoy!

I suggest serving them with a lemon mayo or some melted butter.  Tasty!