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After my return of Canada, July was consumed with a singular mission thanks to the Facebook Marketplace algorithm that put this magnificent and affordable kitchen island at the top of my feed within minutes of it posting. The seller was able to deliver it, so within a few hours, and after taking the kitchen door of its hinges so it could squeeze in, the island was in its new home, unleashing a wave of creativity that would leave little that you see in this picture standing in its wake. Turns out this island was the key to unlocking a functional layout for my awkward kitchen and that my realistic dream kitchen was only a little money, elbow grease, and time away.

But before we get all consumed with the kitchen, as I soon would, let’s look at other little tidbits of my mundane life here in Mérida during this relentless scorcher of a summer.

The night the island came, I had planned to do a Costco run first, preceded by a sushi dinner at Sushi Roll in Galerias. Cocktails are getting to be stupidly priced, so I chose to have a mocktail instead so I could have two rolls. This pretty ginger and lemongrass concoction was so soothing as I was parched by the time I arrived.

Obligatory cat pics. Here they are in alarm clock mode pacing in front of the kitchen waiting for breakfast!

I discovered a local artist named Monica Petrus when she was featured in an episode of “Househunters International.” I had the opportunity to meet her when she made a post asking if anyone had green tile to spare for one of her art projects, and I did. I dreamed of owning one of her paintings someday. In July, she was having a studio clearing out sale and I was able to snag this beauty for my office!

The dragonfly painting that I had up there is now hanging in my bedroom.

I had a hilarious moment at a taquería one night. I go to this chain called El pastor suizo solely because of this amazing orange sauce they have that is made with chile de árbol. Otherwise, their offerings aren’t memorable. There is a location right across from Pilates, so I end up there once a month or so. On this particular night in July, my food came, but there was no salsa naranja. I started to complain to the waiter when I heard ¡ESTOY LICUANDO TAN RÁPIDO QUE PUEDO! — I’m blending as fast as I can! Sure enough, that came from the guy making the salsas. 😂 Within a minute, I had my salsa AND he brought me a little to-go bag of it! I enjoyed it with some quesadillas at lunch the next day! When I started eating this sauce, I could only have a few drops per meal. Now, I can have a whole portion like this.

So back to the kitchen, I had the anchor piece I’d been missing, and I realised I had to start all over and actually plan out the kitchen with all new furnishings rather than try to make my existing mishmash of pieces work. I took measurements and made a to-scale plan in software. I then shopped and shopped and shopped until I found the perfect affordable pieces for the space. I then emptied my kitchen and sold what furniture I could. Then I arranged movers to get the island up on these risers to put it at working height and also move my new furniture into place. All those extension cords will eventually be explained.

I did a massive decluttering and sold all of this (and a bit more) for just $500 to a grateful neighbour.

And then I started to put things back together again.

This is where I was two years ago before the failed, scammy renovation attempt.

Next post, I’ll walk you through the new unlocked layout and what I got to replace the pieces I sold.

And then, I might do a tour of where the kitchen is now, after the Facebook algorithm put the perfect complement to my island at the top of my feed. The room is not finished, but I’m a couple of years away from doing the rest of it. But for right now, it’s exactly what it needs to be, and for the first time in seven years, I can walk into that room and be inspired and productive.

July was a good month.