Hello, dear readers! It feels like ages since I last graced these digital pages, and oh, how I’ve missed this space. The past few months have been a whirlwind of monumental life changes, each bringing its own unique set of challenges and immense joys. Returning to my blog, to share stories, delicious recipes, and beautiful photographs of everything from delicate macarons to elaborate cakes, feels like coming home. Your warm messages and kind inquiries during my absence truly touched my heart. You’re more than just readers to me; you’re cherished friends, and I owe you a heartfelt update on why things have been so quiet around here.
Embracing New Beginnings: Life’s Latest Adventures
Life has certainly been busy! As many of you know, we welcomed our precious little George in July, and he’s thriving, growing at an astonishing rate. His arrival brought boundless happiness and, as any parent can attest, a delightful new level of beautiful chaos. Just as we were finding our rhythm as a family of four, another significant chapter unfolded: we moved into our brand-new ranch home right before Christmas! This transition, while incredibly exciting, proved to be quite the undertaking.
Moving with a toddler and a newborn is an adventure unto itself, a true test of endurance and organization. Over the years, we’d accumulated a surprising amount of “stuff,” making the move an opportune, albeit exhausting, moment for a major purge. My days were filled with the delightful tasks of chasing after two energetic boys, making countless decisions on furniture and appliance purchases (yes, I became a total research nerd, devouring reviews for every single item!), and an endless cycle of packing, unpacking, purging, and organizing. I found myself repeatedly asking, “Does it spark joy?” a question that became my mantra throughout the entire process. If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend watching Marie Kondo’s show on Netflix – it’s truly transformative. For even more fantastic organizational wisdom, I’ve been drawing immense inspiration from @lifeinjeneral on Instagram; their tips are gold!
All this to say, my hands have been full, but with every box unpacked and every room organized, the excitement for our new home grew. And now, I’m absolutely thrilled to pull back the curtain and share our incredible journey to finding and transforming our new ranch house.
The Unexpected Story Behind Our Ranch Home
For many years, my husband, Garrat, and I dreamed of building our forever home on the ranch property. We spent countless hours scouting the perfect location, envisioning where our future family life would unfold. After much deliberation, we finally settled on a prime spot near my in-laws on the main ranch. Garrat immediately began planting trees and planning the initial landscaping, laying the groundwork for our future. We started making serious inquiries with contractors, weighing the pros and cons of custom-building versus a manufactured home.
Then, in August 2017, a truly serendipitous phone call changed everything. Garrat learned about a manufactured home that had been damaged during transportation to its original owners. A power line incident had left it with visible damage, leading the insurance company to declare it a total loss. Consequently, the company built the original owners a brand-new home, and this “damaged” one was now available for sale at a drastically reduced price. Our curiosity was piqued, to say the least.
We drove over 100 miles to inspect the house and assess the damage ourselves. What we found was a beautiful, expansive home – a generous 2700 sq. ft. – featuring an abundance of large windows, a design element we had always prioritized. The visible damage consisted mainly of a few compromised electrical circuits and some drywall issues. While there was no way to ascertain the full extent of hidden damages, the sale price – a mere third of its original value – coupled with our calculations for repair expenses, convinced us it was a risk worth taking. So, with a leap of faith, **we bought the house as is!**
As unconventional as it sounds, we have never regretted that decision. The house’s delivery was a monumental event, taking place a year later in mid-August 2018. We first needed to construct a robust foundation and basement, and the moving company itself had a packed schedule. Witnessing that massive semi-truck haul our entire house down the road still fills me with wonder; it truly defies belief how it navigated the turns and stretches of highway.
Once the house was meticulously placed on its new foundation, the real work began. Fortunately, our initial assessment proved largely correct; there were no major unforeseen electrical damages beyond the visible ones, meaning minimal drywall repairs were needed. However, the scope of work was still extensive, encompassing plumbing, heating, flooring, comprehensive electrical finishing, detailed millwork, and, of course, painting. I vividly remember disliking the original wall color in the main living area and the accent walls in the bedrooms, so a fresh, clean palette was high on our priority list. While I dedicated myself to nurturing our newborn and toddler, Garrat became the project manager extraordinaire, coordinating all the subcontractors and tirelessly working on the house himself. It’s safe to say, our lives have been a continuous whirlwind of activity!
A Warm Welcome to My New Kitchen!
Now that the dust has settled and we’re finally embracing ranch living, I am absolutely delighted to invite you into the heart of our home: my new kitchen! As this house was originally designed for another family, it naturally presented a few elements that weren’t exactly aligned with my dream kitchen vision. There are four primary aspects that, initially, I wasn’t entirely fond of: 1. The countertops; 2. The size and placement of the pantry; 3. The divided sink; and 4. The cabinet color. It’s important to note, however, that these are truly “first-world problems,” and I’ve learned to embrace and live happily with them.
- Countertops: I seriously contemplated replacing the countertops, but the cost was substantial, and after much deliberation, I decided to make peace with them. They are functional and durable, and ultimately, a minor detail in the grand scheme of our beautiful home.
- Pantry Size & Location: As a food blogger who lives “in the middle of nowhere,” a spacious, well-organized pantry is crucial. While I’ve been diligently organizing our current pantry since we moved in, it’s still very much a work in progress. I simply can’t fit all my ingredients, tools, and bulk supplies into it. My current plan involves repurposing one of our other closets to store less frequently used items, ensuring every culinary essential has its dedicated place.
- Divided Sink: I confess, I have a deep affection for doing dishes and absolutely adore large, undivided sinks. I was genuinely disappointed to discover the kitchen came with a divided sink. That said, it is a beautiful black quartz sink, and its generous size somewhat mitigates my initial aversion. It’s a small compromise for an otherwise fantastic space.
- Cabinet Color: Like many, I too dreamt of the trendy, all-white kitchens that grace Instagram feeds, magazine covers, and HGTV shows. Initially, accepting these warm brown cabinets was a challenge. However, they’ve truly grown on me, especially after we painted the walls with a crisp, clean white (Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White – highly recommend!). The reality is, we live on a bustling farm, and I’m raising two active boys! A pristine, light-and-airy white kitchen might not be the most practical or forgiving choice for our lifestyle anyway. The rich brown now feels grounding and perfectly suited to our ranch environment.
Features I Absolutely Adore in My New Kitchen
Now that I’ve shared the minor compromises, let me rave about the elements of our kitchen that I absolutely, madly, deeply love. These are the features that elevate daily life and make this space truly special:
- My Miéle Range: This is a true showstopper! I opted for a gas range with an electric oven, a combination I’ve dreamed of for years, and it does not disappoint. The gas burners offer precise control, ideal for everything from delicate sauces to high-heat searing. The electric oven is equally impressive, boasting incredible features like rotisserie capabilities and “Moisture Plus” for achieving that perfect, crisp bread crust. It’s a culinary powerhouse.
- The Pot Filler: Oh my goodness, do I ever love my pot filler! This ingenious invention deserves all the accolades. The sheer convenience of filling large pots directly on the stovetop, without having to lug heavy water from the sink, is a game-changer for a home cook and baker. It’s one of those small luxuries that makes a significant difference in daily kitchen tasks.
- In-Floor Heating: We installed in-floor heating throughout the entire house, and it is simply amazing. Say goodbye to icy cold floors on chilly mornings! This feature provides unparalleled comfort, especially in the bathrooms and, of course, the kitchen, where I spend so much time. It’s a subtle luxury that truly enhances the warmth and coziness of our home.
- Massive Windows and Lofty Ceilings: These architectural elements are everything to me. The huge windows flood every room with natural light, creating an airy and expansive atmosphere that makes me feel like I’m living in a modern castle. The tall ceilings further amplify this sense of grandeur. There is one minor caveat: the echo! Garrat and I sometimes have a hard time hearing each other. However, I’m confident that as we begin to decorate, hang art, and install drapes, the acoustics will significantly improve, softening the space and reducing the echo.
- Abundant Natural Light: This is an absolutely essential aspect for my food blogging business. The generous natural light streaming into the kitchen means I can now capture stunning food photos right where I cook and bake. This eliminates the need to haul dishes and equipment into the living room, as I frequently did in our old house, streamlining my workflow and making photography a joy.
I also absolutely adore my new tea drawer! It’s a dedicated space where almost all my favorite teas, along with my essential tea tools, are neatly organized and easily accessible. This brilliant idea was actually inspired by @lifeinjeneral – seriously, if you’re looking for organizational inspiration, go follow them on Instagram!
My tea breaks and taste testing sessions are a treasured part of my day. (Though I must admit, this particular cheesecake was a delightful store-bought treat – no shame in that!).
And how cool are these bar stools from Wayfair? They add the perfect touch of modern flair and comfort to our kitchen island, making it an inviting spot for casual meals and conversations.
The Heart of Our Home
Indeed, my kitchen truly is my favorite place in our new ranch house. It’s more than just a space for cooking; it’s where I immerse myself in creative work, find moments of peace and de-stress, experiment with new recipes for my family, and where we all gather to share meals, laughter, and build cherished memories. It’s a vibrant hub filled with the boundless energy and infectious joy of my two boys, and for that, I couldn’t be more grateful. Every corner of this home, especially this kitchen, resonates with love and the promise of countless happy moments.
Thank you so much for joining me on this tour of our new kitchen and for catching up on our latest adventures. It feels wonderful to be back here, connecting with all of you.
If you have any questions about our appliances, fixtures, design choices, or anything else about our home journey, please don’t hesitate to share them in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!