I'm always amazed by the women I introduce you to every Friday, and this week is no exception. When presented with the opportunity to work for a year in a foreign country, at a major medical centre - this family took the chance. Travelling from Scotland to Toronto, with 2 young boys, leaving her career and family behind, Lesley and her family jumped in with both feet. About a year later, they have now returned to Scotland...are readying their house for sale...and wondering if they will be back in Toronto soon. Let's take a look into Lesley's kitchen in Scotland...let's see the the place they are calling home today.
Tell us 3 things about yourself
I am a mom of two beautiful, energetic boys, Sam 5 and Tom 3, a wife to Sean who is a cardiologist and I work part time as a senior staff nurse in an acute coronary care unit in a hospital in Glasgow. As you can see, the welfare of hearts feature highly in our home!!
Are you for, or against, small appliances on the kitchen counter?
Hmm, this is a tricky one because I don't have the biggest kitchen and therefore not that much counter space, so for me if its used daily then its on the counter and if not then its hidden away in a cupboard or drawer until I need to use it.
Name 5 things that are on your kitchen counter right now
On my Kitchen counter at the moment there is an electric kettle, toaster, a fruit bowl which along with fruit seems to gather all manner of things, keys, bits of Lego and is currently house to spiderman and batman figures! 2 empty bottles of pink fizz (it was girls night in my house last night) and my iPad which I love!
What, if anything, would you change about your kitchen counter?
We had burst pipes in our kitchen over the winter while we were living in Toronto so we have just renovated our kitchen and I am really pleased with it, however it would be nice to have a bigger kitchen with more storage.
What is your favourite thing to do on your kitchen counter?
My favourite thing is to be preparing a meal and watching the boys play in the garden. I love that they can be outside and I can cook while still able to see them. The boys love to sit on the counter and help with cooking, Tom's new favourite thing is to help with the washing up, somehow more water ends up on him than in the sink!
Thanks Lesley! When my youngest daughter, who went to school with Lesley's eldest son, saw the pictures of Lesley's backyard she said "Ah, they have a trampoline and a slide...that's awesome!" Yep, we envy that large outdoor space...that is hard to come by in this city. Can I just say I love the renovated kitchen, mostly because I have the same cupboards in my recently reno'd kitchen...sweet! And, I too have a fruit bowl filled with little bits of "things". Lesley and her family really do have a lot of heart. They made many true friends here in Toronto, who miss them like crazy. I hope this glimpse into her kitchen in Scotland eases the pangs in their hearts.
Have a great weekend everyone!
PS - I just wanted to add that last night I couldn't sleep so I turned on the computer. I watched the live streaming broadcast of the City of Toronto Executive Committee meetings on the KPMG report on City Core Services. Let me just say that at 2am I was inspired and proud to share the same city with such articulate people. Men, women, teenagers, young adults, new Canadians, long time citizens - all sharing their opinions freely. It truly was a beautiful sight.
Jen Farr is a mother living in Toronto, Canada. She has been sharing her DIY crafts, recipes, activities and parenting advice for over 15 years on her blog Kitchen Counter Chronicle. Jen is the mom of 2 lovely daughters. She believes in the power of taking small steps that can make big impacts on the world.
