lynnebee's Profile

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions! I should clarify that this project is part of a larger overhaul of a LOT of toys, clothes and furniture that we have indeed donated. Trust me, my daughter knows the value of donating things (I actually used to work for a non-profit serving kids myself) and has been doing it quite a bit lately. And I've considered donating this piece and have asked around a few places who haven't been interested. And I think you're right, those of you who have said that it will still look like a kid kitchen even if re-purposed as shelves or cabinets. So I think what I'm going to do is take the kitchen apart and store it - we have a decent crawl space for this, so no additional cost involved - and see how it holds up over the years. If my daughter wants it again someday, great, if not I may re-paint it eventually (love your facelift, 4theloveofkids!) and keep it at my house when/if I'm a grandma. If it falls apart before that happens... well, at least we still have our memories.

However this discussion has given me an idea for the puppet theater (which to clarify is solid, finished wood and not painted like the kitchen): take the sides and top off and hang the shelf part on the wall for small craft supply storage as part of the home office. It seems so simple, I can't believe it didn't occur to me before. So thank you everyone! And thanks also wseattlemom for the idea to take a "before" photo - will do! :)

Maybe fat free or light sour cream instead of yogurt, if you wanted to avoid the extra tang, or maybe a combination of the two? Although I'm all for both mayo and yogurt myself.

A few years ago I got rid of the dish drying rack entirely and I've never looked back. I can't stand the look of all those dishes cluttering up my counter when I've just spent all this time cleaning the kitchen at the end of a day. If I'm hand-washing anything, I lay out a towel next to the sink and let them air-dry there for a little while, then I finish them off with a dry towel and put them away. Not having an official temporary place for them forces me to get them into the cupboard sooner, and gives me more counter space for what the kitchen is for: food preparation. My kitchen is tiny also so this is essential.

Also regarding shredding cheese: I actually find this a very meditative activity that relaxes me while I'm cooking. And it was one of my jobs in the kitchen as a kid so it takes me back to happy memories. Sometimes a gadget just isn't worth these intangible things.

Whoa sorry that was a long comment. Oops!

extra points for the portlandia reference!

This is fabulous - I'm going to make these with my Girl Scout for scout-themed holiday gifts this year, along with s'more's ingredients, some friendship bracelets, and a donation to GSUSA. Thank you!

I also read once that the way to tell the proper "give" of a ripe avocado is when you press gently on it, it should give only as much as it would feel to press gently on your own arm (assuming of course that your arms aren't especially mushy.. like mine have become after eating so many avocados.. totally worth it though)

*sigh.* good luck feeding any of these to the allergic/intolerant/picky kid. nice try though kitchn.

and guess what? some of us have perfectly valid reasons for eating the food we do. they may be allergies that could actually kill us - are our children's lives less important than your need to serve them nuts? or they may simply be deeply thought out lifetime commitments that are just as important to us. maybe y'all should come over to our houses, try a dish and ask about it before being so judgmental? i say this having just left a dinner where i was surrounded by three steaks, where i enjoyed my salad without a word of judgement to those around me, because that's what most vegetarians/vegans etc have learned to do just to get along. the same courtesy in return would be nice now and then.

Can I just say that while the burgers at Northstar are certainly delicious and worth this much commentary, if you are ever in town and have the occasion to visit Northstar more than once, also try the Buddha Bowl! Perfectly cooked bright veggies with brown rice and tofu (or chicken) and delicious peanut sauce..I would love the receipe for this! Also the ginger and rosemary sweet potato fries.... and the mint ginger ale...