Questions about a new kitchen...

[Morr]

We are moving and I have a beautiful kitchen waiting for me!

To those who don't know, we are moving out of a tiny row home, to a bigger house (duplex), with a very roomy and beautiful kitchen, and in the living room we have a *gasp*... FIREPLACE!

My very own Hearth!

*dances around*

The owner said that she still has the tools and set up for the fireplace where you can actually place a cauldron over it and cook over the fire!

*dances even more!!*

The owner is moving out on November 15th, we are moving in December 1st (its great, cause we can move our stuff in slowly, not everything in one chaotic day).

So now that I have a spacious kitchen, I have a few Qs to all ye expert Kitchen Witches (I can finally start cooking and enjoying it, since I love that kitchen, as opposed to the one I have now...) --

1) Most important questions... HOW DO I KEEP MY CATS OFF THE COUNTERS? Oy... They are havoc... They want to get to the window... Hopefully in this new place, where there are plenty of windows for them to hang out on, they'll ignore the kitchen one... But, what should I use to turn them off of the kitchen and its counters? They will have to go in and out of the kitchen since the kitchen has the exit to the indoor patio where we plan to have their litter box and toys at (there's a special kitty/doggy door from the kitchen that goes to the patio.

2) What is a good combination of natural cleansers to clean the kitchen before we move in, or before I set it up? I was thinking Lemon and vinegar...

3) Where exactly can I find an Aloe plant? I really want to have one on the kitchen window ledge. I know its a traditional plant Kitchen Witches like to have.

4) What herbs are good for simmering to bring scent to the kitchen and home as I clean and consecrate my kitchen? Any specific herbs I should use? (I am horrible with herbs' attributes).

Any other advice, things I should have in my beautiful kitchen (!!!), kitchen altar ideas (I will be dedicating my kitchen and hearth to Brighid)?


Thanks!

:ringaroun

[skilly-nilly]

Many cats don't like the feel of aluminum foil. If you keep the counter bare and then cover it with a sheet of foil (tape if necessary for size) that's been lightly crumpled (so it crinkles when they walk on it) they might not get on it after the first try. You can also shoot them with a water pistol when they walk on it, but that really only teaches them to not walk on the counters when you're not there. You could put a pillow on a shelf of the right height to make some other window the favourite.

I simmer allspice and cinnamon sticks but only because I like the way they smell.

[RoseKitten]

You could try setting up mousetraps upside-down so that when they jump up it releases the trap without catching the cat (we did this with our cats before).

I second the water thing if you can do it frequently, because after a while (especially if you can do it while out of sight), they just associate the action with the water, and won't do it while you're around.

[Morr]

Aluminum foil... Hmmm.. I might try that...

Thanks so much!

[Morr]

We do have Mr. Squirty...

But they learn not to misbehave when we are there... When we are not we KNOW they jump and go where they are not allowed to... They leave evidence around (papers on the floor, plants tipped over...).

[Trithemius]

As far as the aloe plant goes, you should be able to find one in any nursery or garden center. Here, Wal-Mart carries them year-round.

[RoseKitten]

As far as the aloe plant goes, you should be able to find one in any nursery or garden center. Here, Wal-Mart carries them year-round.

Lowes does too. :)

[Tanya]

1) Most important questions... HOW DO I KEEP MY CATS OFF THE COUNTERS? Oy...

A squirt gun


2) What is a good combination of natural cleansers to clean the kitchen before we move in, or before I set it up? I was thinking Lemon and vinegar...
Baking soda makes an excellent scouring powder and deoterizor, as well as being REALLY cheap. I don't use much besides that and eco friendly dish detergent


3) Where exactly can I find an Aloe plant? I really want to have one on the kitchen window ledge. I know its a traditional plant Kitchen Witches like to have....

Any nursery will have it, even Walmart.


4) What herbs are good for simmering to bring scent to the kitchen and home as I clean and consecrate my kitchen? Any specific herbs I should use? (I am horrible with herbs' attributes).....

Sage is traditional for smudging. Personally i like orange peels and cinnamon... cause it smells nice and homey.

[Zephyrstorm]

Other options for the cat issue...
1. put orange scented anything on the counters - cats don't like citris scents.
2. give the cats their baths in the kitchen sink. They remember - or at least mine have.
3. if the foil doesn't work, there is another option - some pet stores sell pads that are slightly sticky to lay out on the countertops.

[Nitefalle]

Don't forget to leave pennies on the windowsill of your old house when you move out....as for kitchen stuff, leave all your old brooms and dishtowels at the old place. Bringing them into the new place is bad luck b/c they are thought to carry "dirt" from the old home into the new one. I would at least go with the dishtowels if a new broom is too cumbersome or expensive to consider.
Tea tree oil would be great for cleansing, spiritually and physically. Vinegar is also great, baking soda and borax. For scents, I would go with orange & clove (seasonally apropos) and you could do the clove-studded orange for visual appeal, as well. Considering her solar/fire associations, I think Brighid would like it. I'd also add a Brighid's cross either over the mantel or in the kitchen somewhere.

I am soooo jealous of your real fireplace - be sure to post lots of pics when you're all settled!

[Autumn]

Be careful with sage smudging, it smells very like marijuana and you might not want to freak out the other side of the duplex quite that fast.

I clean my stone counter tops and tile floor with vinegar water 1:10 ratio in a spray bottle. it works wonders and is dirt cheap! If you have a sugary spot use piping hot water and you'll get great results. If you have a stainless steel sink it'll make that shine too!

One herb, basil, will help keep away unwanted influences. and negative people. you can buy fresh basil in the grocery, consecrate some and hang it over the entrance doors to your home.
That aloe is more than tradition, stick a tiny piece under the bandaid if you've burned yourself and it will heal all the faster.

Choose a signature scent and burn plenty of incesnse of that variety, I've had people comment on how they associate the scent of sandalwood with my home.

Ask when the chimney was last swept before you build a fire and never try to burn a dried out yule tree nor a ton of wrapping paper, both substances tend to flash out of a fireplace and scare the living socks off you as well as making a wicked mess!! I know this from my sister and my aunt, both of whom made one of the above mistakes and had to clean the resulting mess!

[MorningRose]

I have a spray bottle with lemon and vinegar water that works awesome for cleaning my kitchen. Baking soda is a really good abrasive and doesn't damage my counter. As for the cats, I use a little squirt gun for mine.