Saturday, January 10, 2009

Organized...or at least pretending to be!

I spent most of this afternoon and evening reorganizing our pantry. I know, sounds like loads of fun. I just came to the realization that I hated what a mess it was and the fact that I was constantly just stuffing things wherever I could fit them. Then I said to myself, "Self, do something about it!"

So, on Friday I measured the shelves and headed to Wal-mart. I had seen a pantry organized by baskets in a magazine a few months ago. They had a basket for spaghetti fixings, taco night, etc. It was cute, but I knew I'd need to organize a little more generally to make room for everything. As you can see from my before picture, it was a wonder I could find anything or retrieve an item without having six others falling out behind it. Honestly, there have been nights when Josh and I will be upstairs or in another room and hear a loud thud.

J: Did you hear that?
L: Yeah
J: Wonder what it was?
L: I'm going to go ahead and guess something in the pantry

I've also included a photo of what the kitchen looked like in the middle of my project. I'm ashamed to say that this is how much is in my pantry on a night when I would typically say, "we don't have anything to eat, guess we better go pick something up!" This photo does not include one other counter top you can't see and my kitchen table (which was primarily filled with paper products & utensils...how many plastic spoons does one family need?)

Fast forward a half hour and I had most everything in a canvas bin and loaded on to the shelves. It's harder to see what you have at a glance, but I feel like I've made more room for things. I guess I could have bought clear tubs, but this looks much nicer. The bins will soon be labeled, and who knows...maybe I can keep it organized like this?

Josh had to work in the ER tonight and so Jack and I were just hanging out after he left. I was preparing some stuff for a luncheon on Sunday and trying to get a few things put away when Jack decided to play in the fridge. It was so close to bedtime and it made him so happy, that I just let him. I'm guessing it defeats the purpose of having an Energy Star appliance if you leave the door open for 5 minutes. I'll try to be more green tomorrow.

4 comments:

Kathy Stroud Cashion said...

I just read your blog. I cannot believe that we were both writing a blog at almost the same time. We both used the phrase "I said to myself, Self.....We were not talking exactly about the same things but something similar. I LOVE your organized pantry. I don't have a pantry but am thinking about getting one to put in our mudroom. My cabinets look like your pantry did. I love organization but I am just now starting to do something about it.

Loved to you all especially Jack. He's growing up way too fast. Is he trying to walk yet? Once they walk it seems like they are in college in no time.

Carolyn said...

I'm impressed! I have many closets that look like that!

Kim said...

I'm ashamed to say that my entire house looks like your before picture! I'm working on it though...I just keep telling myself "baby steps". It seems like when I get one kid's closet organized they have outgrown all the clothes in it and I have to start over!

Anonymous said...

I love that you took before AND after pictures of your pantry! :) I started painting our guest bathroom last night and about the time the blue tape was up I realized I had forgotten a before shot...typical! :)
Anyway, it was a neat blog actually! and your kitchen is beautiful. Come see us soon. Mike and Liz are coming next weekend for a wedding in B'ham. Next time you plan a trip to Rome please come stay the night with us!