Pantry
My Bellissima Buddy and I love to visit model homes. We stand in the kitchen and dream. One of the trends we have noticed is the absence of the pantry. What are these builders thinking? I can’t imagine not having a pantry. My pantry not that big, but it offers a ton of storage.
Let’s get right to it as we work through these simple steps.
Simple Steps:
Start at the top and work down. The highest shelf of my pantry can easily be reached by standing on a chair. Because of this, I keep entertaining platters and bowls on this shelf. I went through each of the platters and bowls. I kept everything except one cookie tin. It did not pass the one year test, so out it went.
Group same foods together on the same shelf. I keep all cereal boxes together next to snacks. On another shelf I have baking supplies: oils, sugars, flour, etc. I keep coffee, tea, and lemonade on the same shelf, tucked together in the corner. On the following shelf I put my canned items to the left and rice and pasta to the right. Be sure to check all expiration dates, toss anything that has expired.
Take inventory of your paper goods. The bottom shelf holds all paper goods: napkins, plates, cups, forks, etc. It also holds extra lunch boxes. If you are missing any paper goods you know you will need for the holidays, put it on your shopping list.
Move down to the floor. This is where I keep a few more small appliances, trash bags, and our recycle container. Pull everything out. Sweep. Ask yourself the one year question before you put it all back.
Lastly, utilize the door. Our door has 3 hooks. Top and center our family calendar hangs on one hook. It’s eye level and is out of sight when we shut the door. Just below it hang Kate and Sara’s lunch boxes on two more hooks. What can you do with your door? My parents have a whole shelving system for canned goods on their door.
Come back tomorrow as we organize the refrigerator.
We are more than half way through Prepare Your Home for the Holidays. How are you doing working through the challenges? Let us know in the comments below.
