December is always a time that forces one to reflect..maybe it's an inherent reflex from years of ancestors paying homage to Janus, maybe its because the media reminds us to resolve over and over again. Whichever it is, I am a believer in and practicer of reevaluating ones life and reveling in the memories or making changes where necessary. This blog is no exception.

I've noticed many blogs promising 'exciting things' and whatnot in 2011..I can't promise you excitement but I can promise you that there are some nifty changes and improvements in the works. This year I saw my audience morph from just me, to spammers { !! } to friends I know personally to friends of friends to web-mates, to food &amp; design enthusiasts and more. As the visitors have grown, stayed or breezed by, the one thing that has remained the same is my dedication to writing about things related to food and the food experience that I personally find inspiring and just plain worth knowing. I hope that you have found craven maven's content equally as rewarding.

One thing that I posted in 2010 was the Kitchen renovation inspiration..after a sudden change of events leading to 24 hours notice that I would be besieged by construction workers, the wood paneled bane of my existence, aka my old kitchen, was ripped to the studs and re-plastered, painted and made more efficient for cooking and entertaining. During the dust and chaos it was extremely cathartic to mood board and dream a wishlist of what my new kitchen would include; so much so that it was a series that fast became one of my favourite blog series of 2010. In 2011, you will see the reveal of this partial renovation..as well as a tie up to a few other loose ends from 2010. { LOST writer's I am not! }. In case you've forgotten about my kitchen redesign inspiration wishlist(s), here they are for you one more time:

<p style="text-align:center;"><img class="aligncenter" style="border:0 none;" src="http://www.remain-silent.com/cm/kitchenenvy/Inspiration/kitchen-inspiration-01.jpg" alt="kitchen inspriation" width="450" height="450" /></p>

<font size="1">
1. <a href="http://circa60.blogspot.com/2010/09/gorgeous-mid-century-modern-credenza.html">Vintage Mod sideboard</a>.  2. <a href="http://www.boskke.com/products/skyplanter/">Boskke skyplanter </a>.  3. Digsmed Circular Spice rack.  4. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/56846537/duikers-in-aloe-red-tea-towel">Skinny La'Minx tea towel</a>.  5. <a href="http://www.rachand.com/">Rachand Juicer</a></font>

<p style="text-align:center;"><img class="aligncenter" style="border:0 none;" src="http://www.remain-silent.com/cm/kitchenenvy/Inspiration/kitchen-inspiration-02.jpg" alt="kitchen redesign insp II" width="450" height="450" /></p><font size="1">

1. <a href="http://www.idyllhome.co.uk/living-room-accessories/indoor-outdoor-poly-mat-in-turqoise-305-89-657.php">Turquoise Poly Plastic Mat.</a>  2. Pegboard for hanging pots and tools.  3. A chalkboard wall. 4. <a href="http://www.gocontempo.com/modern-lighting/hanging-lamps/droogmilk-bottle-chandelier">An amazing milk bottle chandelier. </a> 5. A unique and unusual pestle and mortar.</font>

<p style="text-align:center;"><img class="aligncenter" style="border:0 none;" src="http://www.remain-silent.com/cm/kitchenenvy/Inspiration/kitchen-inspiration-03.jpg" alt="kitchen redesign insp II" width="450" /></p>

<font size="1">
1. <a href="http://www.nicholasandalistair.com/items/types/storage">Illuminated cocktail cabinet.</a>  2. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/54814141/vintage-deer-tree-art">Vintage Artwork</a>.  3. <a href="http://shopterrain.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&amp;Store_Code=ST&amp;Product_Code=HOUS-FIEL-161-001001&amp;Category_Code=HOUS-FIEL">Popcorn popper</a>.   4. <a href="http://shop.giraffe.net/product/giraffe-family-cookbook">Giraffe Cafe's new family cookbook.</a>  5. <a href="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/8714/jungmee-lee-copy-the-spirit.html">A very intriguing knife rack</a>. </font>

<p style="text-align:center;"><img class="aligncenter" style="border:0 none;" src="http://www.remain-silent.com/cm/kitchenenvy/Inspiration/kitchen-inspiration-04.jpg" alt="kitchen redesign insp 4" width="450" /></p>

<font size="1">
1. <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/series/09945/">Ikea Asker series wall system.</a>   2. <a href="http://store.apple.com/us/product/TS836VC/A?fnode=MTY1NDA1NA&amp;mco=MTkxODA0MTM">Bose Soundock</a>. 3. <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?navAction=jump&amp;id=973344">Beast Feet tureen</a>.  4. <a href="http://shop.hm.com/de/shoppingwindow?dept=HOME_KITCHEN_TOWEL&amp;shoptype=S">H&amp;M Tea Towels.</a> </font>

<p style="text-align:center;"><img class="aligncenter" style="border:0 none;" src="http://www.remain-silent.com/cm/kitchenenvy/Inspiration/kitchen-inspiration-05.jpg" alt="kitchen redesign insp 5" width="450" /></p>

<font size="1">
1. <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/kitchen/dea2/">Star Trek Enterprise Pizza Cutter</a>.  2. <a href="http://www.culinhome.com/cutlery.html">Culin Home Decor Knives</a>.  3. <a href="http://homefabulous365.com/page/4/">An Organised Kitchen</a>.  4. <a href="http://hammocksandhightea.bigcartel.com/">Tea Towels by Hammocks &amp; High Tea</a>
</font>

Some made the cut, some didn't - some are still on the wishlist til the budget will allow, but all in all I am pleased with how things turned out.

Roll on 2011, a year to be one year older, a smidge wiser and always, always a wee bit <a href="http://www.speakjamaican.com/glossary/#c">craven</a>.

x


<p style="text-align:right;"><font size="1">
<i>see <a href="http://cravenmaven.wordpress.com/?s=kitchen+inspiration">previous post pages</a> for picture credits</i></font></i></p>