Pantry Organization!

One day last week I decided it was time to tackle our pantry. It starts out organized, but over time, if not kept up with can get out of control.

Well, I try to keep up with it however, with 10 other hands in there, it can get a little crazy. So I went in there one day to put something away and well, that's all it took. I forgot to take "before" pictures cause, as I said it was a last minute urge. Those of you that know me, the pictures are no surprise at all, however, those of you that don't really know me....well, I have a freaky thing of organization inside of me...It sometimes can drive me crazy. Lol!!!

Here is the final outcome.... The drawers on the bottom shelf are filled with...pasta mixes/beans/rice/baking mixes/breakfast bars/misc. snacks....like items in the same drawer keeps you from having to search...

I do not like to put my oatmeal in a plastic container, I like the woodsy taste to it from the cardboard container....it's the only item I have noticed that tends to taste of plastic...so it's the "ugly" thing still on the shelf...and of course, the Nesquick that I hardly ever buy...it's almost gone or it would not be on the shelf...

Bags from the grocery store..what doesn't fit in the container get's tossed, no extra's allowed..I will never use that many paper bags at one time anyway...I also have 2 burlap bags from Bentley's Market(standing in between the paper bags and drawers)...I love them...they are heavy duty, stand up alone, and are comfy to carry...I am continually carrying food somewhere.

The drawers have the kids juice boxes and snacks for their lunch. Easy access for little hands is a key to stay organized...
I know you must ask why do you need labels on clear containers when you can see what's in them?Well, of course I have an answer for being able to use that handy, dandy, labeler...I know what everything is, however, for the others in my house that don't it makes life better...

For example...one morning we made french toast for breakfast...Hugo went into the pantry to get the powdered sugar and very quickly after taking a bite and spitting it out, realized it was flour...so there you are!!! Hence everything gets labeled....

A small drawer for each type of plasticware...plastic forks, knives, and spoons...again, easy access, keeps my real forks, knives and spoons from ending up in the lunches, then in the trash...yes, it happens.they disappear like sock in the dryer..I now have only 3 small spoons in my house, out of a set of 12...Thx Brooklin!!!
"Where are my chips for my lunch????" We don't even buy many chips other than bagel chips and pita chips...but we seem to for the kids lunch. AAAhhh!!! My clean and organized pantry. It feels so good. Some of you may be laughing, others jealous cause you're not as freaky as me, some of you think it's just too much to keep up with, some think we have not enough food and some think too much. Well, all I know is that it works for our family and I have found that you have to do what works no matter what other's think.

So have at it!!! Clean out your pantry before the holiday's...maybe that would count for the contest of the 12 day's of Christmas??? I'm sure there will be a lot of Christmas traditions starting now...

Til next Time with T!!!!