Thursday, July 29, 2010

Spicing up My Life!

I have lived with this chaotic spice cabinet for years. I dreaded having to look for any spice while cooking, but I just couldn't come up with a good way to get it organized.



So, I decided to call in extra help. I left the cabinet doors open the other night while having supper with my three guys and told them I needed ideas on how to get my spices in some kind of order. The four of us brain-stormed all through the meal and came up with a plan.

First thing next morning I made a trip to the Dollar Tree with a list of the sizes and quantity of baskets I needed for the job. (Did I mention that my group of guys consist of an engineer, a carpenter, and a mathematician? Meaning, they gave me a very specific plan and very precise list.)





Then, I came home and pulled everything out of the cabinet and set it on this counter top...



...and this one...



...and this one. I know it looks like a mess, but I actually have them grouped together alphabetically.




Then my area of expertise came in. I made cutesy labels (I am the artsy one. :), and attached them to the basket fronts with contact paper. And, I am rewarded with an organized, and pretty-to-look-at spice cabinet!



I tested it's efficiency the very next night. Needing garlic powder, I went to the cabinet and threw open the doors expecting the normal scavenger hunt. Lo, and behold, organized perfection stared me in the face! I stood there and just smiled a few seconds before reaching into the D-L basket and pulling out the garlic powder!!! It works, it actually works!!! I plan on working my way around the whole kitchen this way. Sounds like we are in for some interesting suppers for the next few weeks, doesn't it?

7 comments:

  1. Honey you are so sweet! I have those trays that rotate in two sets of cabinets but the heavy cans weigh it down too much so...Argh...I need more organization inmy life! I have missed some Pink Saturday comments and such due to the loss of my sweet mother-in-law. Life has been tough this past month. I amvery happy I stopped by. You and your creative men came up with a perfect solution! Tynak you for sharing. Hugs Anne

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good Morning Sherry Sweetie...
    Oh my goodness, I have got to tell you this is a great idea, and I too need to organize my spice cupboard. I guess I will be off to Dollar Tree today to see what I can find. Love this idea and I thank you sweetie for sharing.

    Hope you have a beautiful day.

    Country hugs sweetie...Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey Sherry! You did a great job organzing your spices! I just dug into my pantry this week and now all my labels are turned to the front, like a grocery store, and everything is grouped and has labels underneath. I felt so accomplished until I decided I wanted to paint in there and realized I'd have to tear it all out and do it again. I've decided to hold off on that for a bit. :)
    I'm glad you liked my garden goodies..they have been so yummy and so fun to grow! :)
    Hope you have a great "rest of the week". I am invigorated after reading your blog and have to go organize something now. :)
    Blessings
    Missy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow!.. So much better now!! It looks great Sherry!!!.. Now, do you have any advice for the poor sap with too many clothes and accessories, but a teenie-weenie bedroom? Yup!.. That's what I'M working on right now! I just needed a break, because it was starting to feel like the more I was doing, the worse it is LOOKING!! I guess it works that way sometimes, and I just have to keep on pluggin' away at it!.. Have a great day! ~tina

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a great idea! Love how it looks, now just remember to put the spice back in the right place and you are good to go!mi

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Sherry, wow great idea, I have never thought of baskets..great plan of those men of yours lol..very nice looking! Our pantries are one of our biggest challenges aren't they??
    hugs
    Barb

    ReplyDelete
  7. You are even more organized that I am! My spices are in bins like that, but yours are in alphabetical order!!

    ReplyDelete

I'm so happy you're leaving me a comment! ~ Sherry