I just wanted to share all my kitchen joy with everyone, I have always LOVED cooking and baking, but about a year or two ago I really started to produce as much as I could from scratch, and I love doing it.  I can't believe that we never buy basics like bread or yogurt anymore because I am in such a routine of making them myself.  Like I said I love doing these things and they give me so much joy, but the other day I can say I reached a whole new level of "kitchen joy".  My husband came to bed the other night and told me how much he really appreciated my efforts, how it gives him a sense of comfort about our home, and that there is nothing like coming home from work to the comfort of home cooked goodness.  I knew he liked it when I cooked and baked etc. but I did not know that this was such a big thing for him, this is my first year canning as well and he told me how proud of me he is for venturing into this.  We used to be the type of people who were constantly wondering what to eat for supper, now we plan meals, we used to have to run out to the store for last minute groceries, now we have a well stocked pantry.  I never realized how much putting love into the kitchen would give back to me so much more.  Not only am I a happier person because I am doing what I love, but my family feels better because they are not stressed about whats for supper and they are eating MUCH more nutrious foods.  Enjoying food together is truly a wonderful thing.

Let me know about your "kitchen joy"! What inner rewards do you experience when you put love into your kitchen!?