It's mid-December now and I'm deeply thankful for it. The snow, the chill of the air, the resting of the earth around us. It's given my body a break from the gardens so I can curl up in my cozy Christmas kitchen! Only made possible by devoting the last week to two things: tiling the kitchen floor and baking cookies.
Call me ambitious, but I even contemplated writing a naturally-sweetened, einkorn cookie book this winter. Cookies are apparently fueling my ambitions.
I shall not, however, be writing a book on tiling a kitchen floor. Apparently I'm not super great at that, but what I lack in experience and skill, I make up for in gross determination.
Needless to say, the floor is done. Through brute force. Driven by the will of a woman who dreamt of this kitchen for years.
The end result, in my humble opinion, is sheer perfection. For me. Countless times during this renovation I caught myself tumbling over my ideas because of what I thought someone would think of it. Shame on you, Shaye. Have you learned nothing over the three decades? Go for it!
So I did. I went with what made my heart sing. Blue wallpaper and all.
A full-kitchen tour will be coming in the next few weeks, after the bits and bobs are finished up, but in the meanwhile, I thought you'd enjoy seeing my cozy Christmas kitchen as it is right now.
I'm pooped. Good and well worn out. I thought I was really heroic for finishing this kitchen in the last week and enduring the hardships of no stove, seven mouths to feed (Elliotts + Uncle Jeremy), and the mess of renovation. Then I sat down at night to read “Women's Diaries of the Westward Journey” – a book given by my Mom to her Mom almost thirty years ago – and I realized that my greatest triumphs are but a small drop in the bucket of strength, grit, and determination.
Why don't you cross some raging rivers, beat cholera and dysentery, birth a child or two out on the open plains with no midwives, clean rags, or water, keep the family safe from snakes, weather, and buffalo. Then we'll talk.
Still. Here is my feeble attempt at achievement. Finishing a kitchen I started three and a half years ago.
Bits and bobs. That's all that's left. We're in the home stretch!
From my cozy Christmas kitchen to yours! And Amen.
Cheryl Martin
Just discovered you and your lovely home and family.
What a joy to watch.
Angi
Share, I love it!!! Your style has converted me from minimalist- all white to a much more cozy/cottage style. I have a logistical question about your kitchen though. Do you have a pop-up stove vent that I can’t see? Or some other way of dealing with the hot bacon fumes, steamy chicken broth, hot frying grease smell, etc? I hate the look of my hood, but my house smelled like stale grease when we went without one for a few months… help! ❤️
Patricia Jessup
Dear Elliot Family:
The time has come to cuddle up inside, mostly, and enjoy all the gifts of this season.
Now that your kitchen is almost buttoned up your time has arrived to relax and breath in all the aromas that winter and the Christmas Holidays bring.
Your home is the refuge you’ve chosen to bring warmth and comfort to your family and you have simply achieved a great deal already. Your place is so welcoming and the oldness of your home simply adds to its charm
You continue to inspire me with the tools to complete my dream of finally moving into my new Earthship home in Canada, which so far has been a five year process. As I watch your videos and read your beautifully written blogs you give me the strength to forge ahead.
Thank-you all so much. Happy Holidays and Bless you!
Cheers Patricia
Kimberly Greene
I just discovered your lovely family and I can’t wait to learn more! Absolutely beautiful! Wishing you the merriest of Christmas’s!
Dave
I love the floor.
Audrey
Love your new kitchen…beautiful! And please do write that EinKorn cookie cookbook 😊
Jessica
What a beautiful kitchen! I know from similar experience how joyful you must feel right now! And this video is one of my favorites you’ve made so far. You guys inspire me with your determination and creativity and the way you create beauty in a thousand little ways. Thank you for sharing with us all. Merry Christmas!
Chris
Shaye! I started following your blog waaay back from the very beginning. Don’t remember for sure, but about 9 years ago? I think it was connected to a pin on pinterest about restoring and old cast iron skillet…hahaha! Newly married, before kids and cookbooks, the move South then back home to Wenatchee, an (attempted) blog name change. Hmmm…did I learn to put maple syrup in my coffee from you? Lost you with the blog name change and fell completely out of touch somewhere between babies 3 and 4. I was so delighted when “The Elliott Homestead” popped up on my YouTube feed. Can’t tell you how proud I am of you and how happy I am for your success and how delightful it was to watch you in person on video. It has been a long road and you have accomplished much. You’re an inspiration to many, I am certain. Best wishes always!
Emily
I recently got your books “Seasons at the Farm” and “Welcome to the Farm.” (I asked for “Family Table” for Christmas.) I think a naturally sweet cookie book would be super cool, you should totally write it! Thanks for the amazing books!
Sharon Pack
Tell me about your walls. I saw them in the video on your living room as well and was wondering their story. Thanks and Merry Christmas as we celebrate our Savior’s Birth.
Lisa
You’re kitchen speaks to my soul!! It is truly a masterpiece that can’t be replicated but it certainly can inspire one to create a space that is their own. Thank you for sharing!!
Emily
Please write a cookie cookbook, I would totally buy it!! I have 2 of your books and love them. (I asked for the other for Christmas.)
C Greenan
Where do you find such pieces, textiles, and wallpapers in Washington? Your decorating style is much more European- if I do say so. Lovely 🏡 home.
Brittany Mauldin
Such beautifully said! I am absolutely in love with your content on here and also on YouTube as well as your Instagram. You inspire me to make my home beautiful and warm. You have inspired me to want to bake and just love the simple things in life such as beautiful tapestries and old crusty items that not many others would appreciate!
Sincerely,
Brittany
Deborah Wilson
Your kitchen floor is beautiful you both deserve a quite Christmas enjoy you have me wanting in Jan to
Paint bedrooms and I have a bath I need to do thanks for your encouragement your Christmas decorations and tree very pretty
Lady Locust
Looks great Shaye! I am rather partial to terracotta myself – pretty much all forms: roasting pots, garden pots, and yep, tile:-) Beeeea-uuu-tee-ful!
Emily
I would love an Einkorn cookie book! You totally should write it! I just got the last of your three books for Christmas and have been loving them all.
Deborah wilson
I’m waiting for your eicorn flour cookie cookbook can’t wait I have seasons at the farm love it your kitchen warm and cozy love the wallpaper and new floor
Jessica
I really love all that you guys share. I grew up on Tasha Tudor, and you remind me very much of her in some ways.
Please, PLEASE tell me the color of green you painted your kitchen cabinets!
Daisy
Beautiful Christmas home, but please, more of ‘Uncle Jeremy’ 😉
xDx
Corina
So beautiful. You inspire me in many ways! A very concrete question; where did you get the blue&gold wallpaper of your kitchen? It is so charming and I can’t quite find anything like it. Sending blessings!
Corina
Nevermind my recent message, finally, just now, I came upon the wallpaper. 🙂 Thank you for the inspiration anyway! 🙂
Anna
Corina, where did you find this wallpaper? I have been searching the web everywhere!
Cate
Where did you find the wallpaper?