Don't let the difficulties of the present moments overshadow the reality of God's promises. God's promises still stand. And God's promises are stronger than our failures.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

January 1 - Day Two

I read your suggestions yesterday and added a few of my own.  One task at a time I'll get it all done!  Yesterday I cleaned out old makeup and the medicine cabinet above my sink.  I also drug out a big picnic basket I keep in my sun room.  It hadn't been opened in over a year I know.  Doggone it, more old photographs!  I thought my kids had gotten all of them when they sorted and divided them last summer just before our anniversary reception.


Actually none of them were quite this old, or quite this pretty.  :)  I threw away lots of old broken frames, the envelopes that photos come in from the developer, and cardboard inserts from old frames.  And, for goodness sake, in with those old photos I found some VIPs...very important papers!  Don't ask me how or why but both of my parents' death certificates were in there.  I.  Have.  No.  Idea.

I moved on to the sewing room and cleaned out two cubbies of "things I want to make soon."  Some of them I had the fabric and pattern, some were just patterns, one was even one pillowcase with all the stuff for the matching one.  Gracious.

Today...Day Two.  I have what I lovingly call a "farmhouse kitchen."  That means I have little storage so everything on display in my kitchen is something that can be useful.  This is my husband's grandmother's "buffet."  I have no idea what a buffet really is but that's what she called it.


Last week I took all my jars off and dusted the whole piece.  I also got out the Orange Glow and shined it up - I love the scent of that!  These jars - I prefer the antique blue ones but don't have enough for everything - hold all kinds of things.  On the top row I have staples like flour, sugar, corn meal, etc.  The second shelf is mostly dehydrated things.  I love to dehydrate vegetables and fruits so there I have hash brown potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, green beans. okra, corn, apples, pears, pineapple.  There might be a jar or two of jelly also.  The bottom shelf is for spices and things like garlic slices, cinnamon/sugar, shrimp boil spices...and on the right are herbs like basil, oregano, cinnamon, cloves, chili powder.  Oh and a few sweet potatoes in the middle - my husband's favorite vegetable!  And of course everything is labeled.  What a timesaver that is when I'm searching for something in particular.

Below all that are six drawers - that's what I tackled today.  The top two are junk drawers and I'd show you those but really, they are junk drawers.  Just organized junk drawers today.  The others hold things like lids for my pots, supplies for my food saver, my small mixer and the attachments, and in one of them a few wine glasses.  I might need those quickly so they're close to the refrigerator.  :)  Since two of them were junk drawers I had to enlist my husband's help to explain what some of that stuff was.  Which led to him cleaning our our "hardware" tubbies in the hall closet.  What a deal that was.  :)

Also on top of my refrigerator I keep two baskets.  One holds chips and snacks like that.  I've checked all the dates and made sure they were closed good and lined up like little soldiers.  The other basket is this one.


Those are "lock and lock" containers.  They hold three different kinds of crackers; the other is for a few cookies.  You could use any container with a tight lid but honestly this idea is one of my very favorites.  The crackers stay fresher and everything is neater.

And last there was this little shelf tucked away in a narrow place where nothing else fits.


I took everything off and wiped down the shelves.  I sorted through the cookbooks and got rid of a lot.  Well, a few.  Two, I got rid of two.  The clear bins hold other staples that I don't use quite as often...baking soda, confectioners sugar, etc.  The bread baskets on top hold extra napkins.  Again - labeled.  I'm a whiz with labels!

So that's it for today.  I'm headed for my stitching chair and some cross stitch.  I earned it.

Tomorrow....Day Three....I'll do the medicine closet in the hall and maybe the linen closet.  On Day Four I plan to tackle the coat closet.  Yuck.  And if I'm really brave and really persuasive on Day Five I hope to enlist my husband to work on his closets.  Pray for me.

21 comments:

Sparky said...

and I am so impressed for your day 2 accomplishments...that is what I so love about a NEW YEAR....it gives us an opportunity to get it RIGHT....even if that means, being able to find what we have in our own kitchens....

Denise :) said...

Isn't it more fun to do when you're 'writing' your blog post as you go along? LOL! Or am I the only one that does that? Go get 'em, Marlene!! :)

Michaele said...

Wonderful! Doesn't it feel great to look at these things now and see how fresh and nice they look after a simple thing like dusting. You are a kindred spirit with your farmhouse kitchen.

sunny said...

I am so impressed! I wish I could get my DH on board with something like this. I can sort, clean and organize my stuff, but don't dare touch anything of his, because "He might need it someday." Never mind if it hasn't been touched since he moved into this house nearly 13 years ago. Sigh.

Kyle said...

Great progress.

Unknown said...

I just found your blog and loving it already.
Organizing is one of my favorite things to do. It's nice to see how others organize. Great feeling isn't it?

Createology said...

You are really making huge progress in lots of "little" spaces. I am always amazed at how much stuff just accumulates. Thank you for the inspiration to tackle my spaces. Fresh new beginnings...

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Good job. I made a small headway with the refrigerator, and book case that holds the cook books. All cleaned, dusted and organized. I also displaced some spiders which are now homeless.

Sherrill said...

UGH! I'm really not into the whole cleaning thing right now. I sorted and cleared out a lot with the move. NOW I need to clear out some of this stash and UFO's. That's my priority right now and so far, not doin' too bad!!

Osage Bluff Quilter said...

Oh gosh after reading your post I ran to my kitchen to make sure all my blue jars full of noodles, spices, flour, sugar etc was still on my shelves. I thought you took them!

I too have been in the throw away-don't need stuff mood. I'm making a pile for the resell in shop!

tonight I cleaned out some unfinished project in my sewing. I am determined not to start anything new until I get at least 3 of the uncompleted projects finished. Pray for me, we will see how that goes.

You and Sherrie must come out for coffee the next time you get up here.

Happy New year and enjoy that cleansing!

Gail said...

I have to know the name of your vitamin. I can't seem to get anything done except laundry, dishes and cooking with the two extra guests I have.

I keep all my flour, etc, in labeled decorative late sixties coffee jars. I like to see what I have at a glance.

Cookies and chips never seem to last long enough to reach another packaging idea.

Dorian said...

Wow Marlene, you are doing great! I love your buffet and storage supply system, looks so nice :) Keep up the good work.

Julie Fukuda said...

Wow, that is a page out of my book. I wish what I had left to sort was only one basket of pictures... unfortunately it is more like four boxes plus three of albums. Maybe with your experience i need you to come over and help.

JudyCinNC said...

You are certainly motivating a lot of people out there ... onward to the linen closet and under cabinets in guest bathroom. Judy C in NC

Barb said...

You are making me want to go and do this...maybe when my son and his wife move out? Love that picture and your buffet.

JudyCinNC said...

You certainly are motivating us out here ... onward to the linen closet and under cabinets in guest bathroom. You go girl. Judy C in NC

Needled Mom said...

Wow....you are really making headway. Tackling it one day at a time and posting the results is a great idea.

Lindah said...

Good for you! You're so organized, Marlene. I did a wee bit yesterday. Even that feels good. I love your hang tag labels. So practical. I think I will copy, if you don't mind.
On to more fun!:-)

Sharon Dawn said...

My favorite jar storage idea, especially with the tags!

Sharon Dawn said...

My favorite jar storage idea, especially with the tags!

Michele said...

All of that has got to feel good. Yesterday I cleaned and organized our entire office and boy does it feel and look much better in here now.