handsful

I’ve got the “hey, it’s after Christmas, time to re-organize everything in the house” bug.

Which is also beginning to turn into “hey, while we’re at it, let’s change up a few things around here” bug, as well.

It’s that second one that makes my husband hide downstairs in his office.

Although I’ve got all kinds of things swimming around in my head, I’m starting small.  Even though it technically took me all day to complete.

Why all day?  I had to fit it in between…doing school with the littles, eating lunch, going to the warehouse store, dropping off the dog at the vet, and picking up the dog from the vet.

I’ve been eyeing my pantry lately.  I truly love my pantry…it’s the largest one I’ve ever had, and I’m grateful.

But, even though I had it all organized not too long ago, it’s since gone a bit awry.

And, since I do absolutely love organizing things, I decided to tackle it today.

So, do you see any organization here?  These are the shelves straight into the pantry.

Shorter shelves to the left.

I took EVERYTHING out.  Shelf by shelf.  Then decided what categories I wanted.  And, where they’d fit best.  Breakfast items, cereals (which had to go on a taller shelf), snacks (chips, nuts, granola bars, candy, crackers, etc.), veggies (cans), sauces, pasta, rice, ingredients, bread, drink mixes, etc.

After I tossed a fair amount of trash (why don’t kids EVER throw away wrappers?), old food (how long had that candied pineapple been in there?), and re-located a few things…here’s the end result.

Bottom shelf:  breakfast items, bread, potatoes/onions, and drink mixes – next two shelves are snacks of all descriptions – then, ingredients in bins – then, cake mixes and cereal boxes (which, we’re very low on which is why that area  is bare).  On the floor are vinegar, distilled water, large jars and a stool.

Hey, what can I say, I’m short.

Bottom shelf: pastas – next, veggies and soups – then, sauces – and, last where I put the “extras” (if I’ve bought items in bulk, I put the extas there).

On the very top shelves are extra containers, my canning pot and seals/rings, bag sealer machine, and 4 large flashlights.

I’m pretty happy about how it all looks, and I love that I now KNOW what’s in my pantry.

Everything’s in it’s place.

Until the kids put away the groceries next time.

Next up?  I’m not gonna say, on the grounds that – if I do – I’ll be held accountable to get it done.

But, I’ll let ya know.