Certain Colors

Posted on by theexileskitchen by Amanda Ellison Anglin

What’s your favorite color? Mine used to be red. Since the kids’ school colors were American red, white, and blue, well I had a lot of clothes in all of those. Pink played a big part in my wardrobe, waybackwhen, before marriage and children.

Choosing paint colors for my farmhouse was daunting. I knew I didn’t want decorator beige.  Someone suggested white. I smiled and nodded; inwardly wrinkled my nose. Sure it goes with anything and everything, but boring? My, yes!

Opening up doorways and walls, made the living spaces flow into another.  The view goes from the front room all the way to the back sun porch. Choosing colors meant a scheme that would flow from room to room. But again, what color or colors to choose?

I thought of grey. Do you know how many greys there are? Hypothetical. You don’t need to try to answer. I looked at so many my eyes hurt. I decided to choose my colors by their names, words that spoke to me. Woodlawn Silverbrook/parlor/back bedroom; I graduated from Woodlawn High School in Baton Rouge.

In the kitchen, dining room, living room Azure Snow graces the wall. The trim color everywhere is Snowcap White. So there- there is white- quite a bit actually.  Back in the kitchen, the granite countertops, a bargain from SandS Granite, are called Aspen. Azure Snow, Snowcap White, and Aspen all in the kitchen,  sounds cold, but it’s the warmest room in the house.

Blues have also shown up throughout my life and again in this old farmhouse. Journal Book colors the walls in the front bedroom and back sun porch. I’ve kept a journal my whole life. A legacy, I guess, for my sons when I’m gone. I should probably go through them and scratch out some entries…

Finds were unpacked back in January. They make me smile to see how well they fit into this new life.

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Colorful Blessings from the Exile’s Kitchen.

Shrug It Off

Posted on by theexileskitchen by Amanda Ellison Anglin

There would have been a time in my life that a day like today would have riled me. Water heater trouble, plus uncapped pex pipe amounted to a flooded room. Again, a few years ago, I would have considered the mishap a big misfortune. Today? I just found a broom and swept the water out of the room and laughed.

I’m almost through with the big set of kitchen cabinets. The uppers are finished; working now on the lowers. They’re not perfect, but they’re paid for. I like them. That’s all the matters, right? Besides, the food will be so fantastic, no one will notice.

 

 

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I reached a stopping point and sat down at my piano. A no. 2 pencil marked  A through G on the old ivory keys, turned yellow with the decades.

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The teacher’s notes and praise belong to another. It’s been 29 years since I’ve played a piano. Looking forward to relearning how.

A flooded floor, non-perfect kitchen cabinets, weak piano notes; shrug it off.

Blessings.

Cabinets

Posted on by theexileskitchen by Amanda Ellison Anglin

I’ve learned a lot the last few years. Day to day stuff. Sure. Managing life on my own. Well, not completely alone. The One who will never leave me nor forsake me walks with me, or rather, I Him. I try to.

Strength, deep down,  surfaced after age fifty. I come from a long line of strong women. I am fortunate to have such great examples of feminine fortitude.

My father was a mechanical engineer and could build anything. He was more than just creative; he was more than just talented. Smart and brilliant.

Now, I know I’m not as smart as my father was, but I can see the potential in ordinary, or worn out, or throw-away things. During this last year of renovating my farmhouse, I have often reminded myself that I am George L. Ellison’s daughter.

Equally so, I have recalled the courage and resilience of my mother Madoline when we lost my father in 1981. My mother’s full name is Berenice Madoline. She was named for one of her aunts, who was named for a character in a book her father was reading at the time of his daughter’s birth.  Berenice is Greek, meaning ‘to bear’. Her name also means ‘victory’. Both describe my Mama. She had to bear much, to finish rearing her family by herself. I never heard her complain or play the poor widow. Deep down, her strength surfaced. God Bless Her! What a lady! She never lost her femininity.

Several people have told me that they couldn’t do what I have done. My reply? “You could if you had to.” Who knows? You would probably surprise yourself.

I have been painting kitchen cabinets the last few weeks. Have I ever done that before? Nope. YouTube is great for finding out how. Sand and prime. Sand and paint. Sand and paint again. And again, if need be. The sandpaper represents the rough times in my recent past. Without the sanding, the coats of satin wouldn’t be smoothe or durable. The sanding makes it beautiful.

My father taught me to figure things out. Mama taught me to be beautifully fearless.

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Miss you, Daddy. Love you, Mama.

Blessings from the Exile’s Kitchen.