Pantry Organization!

     So the normal choice after the freezer redos would of course be the pantry. Unfortunately no preview of before, but here is a shot of after. This was actually done at a previous time, when a rouge mouse decided to run rampant and cause issues. Lucky for me it has been fairly easy to keep this system in check, and only needed a short clean up and wipe down to get things back in order.

   
     This is the drink and spice section. I had gotten tired of all of the boxes of tea and wanted something easily put onto the counter when guests were wanting some. Hence I came up with the large, lidded jar in the back. It holds something like 30 boxes of mixed tea bags. Love that everyone can find something they like in there, and nice that I had already had the jar - was one I purchased long ago for a terrarium project, though had yet to get all of the supplies to make it. The spices are just as easily found, reusing organizational pieces I already had to make things found in a snap.

Beverages and Spices

     I do love to cook, so more spices on the next shelf down (much of these are stock I keep to make my own home-made dry mixes and such), keeping them corralled in a wire basket that didn't have a more exciting task at the moment. Easy to pull out and sort through when I need, or just pull out to wipe the shelves down. I rarely purchase any type of premade dry mixes, but the rubbermaid container helps to keep them tidy and safe from mice. For the few box products I do use, another rubber maid basket keeps them handy, allowing me to easily reach the shelves for cleaning. I also like to keep my cookbooks in here, as it keeps them easily found, clean and off the counters. Having such a small kitchen, there really isn't a good place to keep them lately, so this works. I also keep a stack of bread recipe books stacked on one of the stools. I like the way it looks and keeps those (ones used most) closer to hand.

More spices, boxes, overstock and cookbooks.

    So my son got lucky and they had an insane sale on a couple of cereals that he really likes, so picked them up. The other containers house instant pancake mix, rice, dehydrated potato flakes, more cereal (usually added to breads), and general breakfast stuff. I ended up finding the glass containers at a yard sale for $1 each (later found out they are from IKEA, though at a much steeper price), and absolutely adore them! Usually look for glass storage containers any time I may be at a thrift store, have a nice assortment now!  Too, not quite sure how we ended up with so much peanut butter (granted there is an almond butter and sunflower seed butter in there too!), so looks like home made dog treats will be in order this week. Not to mention, we have run low and she sure loves them!

Cereals, dry storage goods, overstock, and some canned goods.

   
     Last, but not least, the canned veggies and fruits. I rarely use canned veggies, preferring frozen much better, but I do use them on occasion. Nice to have, but will only pick up when there is an insane sale on them. Thinking I paid $.30 per can - something great to have on hand in case of emergencies too. The storage below is for pastas, popcorn, etc. Anything to deter the mice in their venture. Luckily, we haven't seen any evidence for awhile, so thinking they were finally caught and dealt with! Woot! Overstock items (stuff I use regularly will be purchased when half price off or more, and stored up) are usually kept to the back, keeping items I need easily found. By putting things into containers and boxes I found not being used otherwise, it makes for an easy removal to reach things in the back or for a quick wipe down of the shelving. Little extra tip - grab a sharpie and write the date of purchase on the top of your cans (or can expiration date), that way you can easily rotate stock and make sure that nothing goes to waste! Best when everything can be seen and found easily!

Canned veggies and fruits, more dry storage.

       
     So that's about it for the pantry. Glad to have it done and behind me now. Yesterday was also spent cleaning the bathrooms and returning my floors to a pristine white (Grout cleaner recipe can be found in a previous blog post), clearing out and finishing up on organizing areas of my basement for habitation purposes, and stocking up on most of my mixes. In a few short hours, I now have instant panacke mix, instant peppermint hot coco mix, instant vanilla cappuccino mix, cream of anything soup mix, and my most favorite Chai tea! So for a bit of my time, using materials I already hand on hand, I was able to save around $60 worth of items from the store!  Not bad at all! Happy to have everything stocked up and ready to go for the next month of use! Also, most of the recipes should be listed here in this blog site, or just drop me a line, happy to pass them along!

     Time to get moving today. Biscuits and Bread making are on the list today, making a few batches to freeze down. Great to have in case of unexpected company for dinner, and always great when the day has not gone according to plan. Absolutely adore the smell of the house during bread days! Nom!!