Kitchen thoughts

This month the theme of the Abstract Challenge is kitchen. I am in my element here! But first a little story...

Once upon a time an energetic young woman, knowing no different because of being brought up in a home that emphasised good food and hospitality, spent a lot of time in the kitchen cooking for her husband and his guests. She had other interests too, which were less valued by her husband (and probably the guests, if they even knew about them). There came a time when she longed for a room in which to pursue those interests - to be able to leave the sewing maching out and the ironing board up, for instance. After all, the husband had had his "ivory tower", the big book-lined study, all along; surely one of the bedrooms could become hers? "Goodness no," said the husband; "your room is the kitchen."
Now in my own flat the kitchen is one wall of the big living room, designed to fit into that space, and built by a very considerate carpenter called John who once studied at Hornsey School of Art. I try to keep the counters clear and the sink shiny -- but don't cook much these days. When my son comes over and I'm not at work (he sometimes brings his books and computer and studies here, to get away from the temptations of his own home) we cook lunch together, usually using a recipe from one of the BBC Good Food "101 recipes" books.

Things I love in the kitchen are the blue countertops ("blueberry"); the way the cupboards go right to the ceiling, even though I can't reach the top layer without a chair; the draining rack over the sink, which stores the plates; the 25 white knobs on the cupboards and drawers; the tall cupboard beside the sink, which stores my ladder - and the symbolically empty cupboard above it; the yellow cups hanging from a shelf and the red tumblers on the shelf above them; the mugs hanging cheerfully, each with its history; the shiny coffeepots; the yellow teapot; the embroidered cuckoo clock behind the door, made by my mother --- better stop, this list is getting too long ... You can see there's plenty to use in the abstract challenge.
And thoughts of kitchens lead on to thoughts of recipes. Maybe 10 years ago, as part of an illustration course, I made a little book with the recipe for Blackberry Vinegar*. And then made a textile piece - the recipe became a series of potholders. The idea and drawings were done in about 5 minutes - they came in a big rush, out of "nowhere" - don't you love it when that happens?

*Blackberry Vinegar
Pick lots of blackberries.
Put them in a bowl. Cover with [white] vinegar. Let them sit 9 days.
Strain the juice. (Old tights are useful for this.)
Measure juice into pan. Add an equal amount of sugar.Boil 5 mins.
Bottle. Keep in a cool place.
To serve: dilute to taste with hot, cold, or fizzy water.