The Kitchen Cabinet

Apple pie, chocolate chip cookies, and stone soup were among the imaginary recipes I made as a child in this little wooden kitchen cabinet.

My father, handy with wood shop skills, crafted it from his own design and hands. Dad signed the back of his creation and placed it near the Christmas tree...where two-year old little Lisa discovered the treasure.

My brothers might tell you I was spoiled...being the youngest and the only girl in the family. 

But I would tell you that I was just loved.

As I stepped through my childhood...my kitchen evolved from a  little wooden play kitchen...to playing in Mom's big kitchen...to sharing a college kitchen with roommates...and finally having a kitchen in my own home.

But the little wooden kitchen sat in a corner basement room...

just waiting for someone to open up the doors and let their culinary imagination run wild.

On the occasion of Olivia's first birthday a couple of years ago...my parents hauled the well-loved kitchen into her birthday party and presented little Olivia with her very own first kitchen.

Where Olivia and Henry have been stirring and cooking and baking delightful things ever since.

Do you think Olivia can smell the imaginary cookies stirred and baked in this little treasure by her Nana when I was just three years old?

Although childhood was long ago for me...I still feel the wonder and allure of every age I once was.

I am among those holding to the belief of...

once a child, always a child.

"Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one." Dr. Seuss