Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Organizing a Pantry


Living in an old farmhouse with (putting it mildly) limited storage space and with two active little girls running around, one area I really try to keep on top of is organization.  By the end of each day our house has toys scattered everywhere and once everyone has settled down for the night, I quickly go through each room and put everything back where it belongs.  I'm especially particular about keeping our kitchen and subsequently the pantry as organized as possible.  It makes cleaning and putting away groceries a breeze and also helps when putting on a meal.

Since I recently gave our pantry a seasonal cleaning and I was drawing a blank when it came to a blog post, I thought I'd share my pantry staples and a few things that help me. 


I know I've shown you our pantry before, but in case you missed it, it's actually a huge old cabinet I found at an antique store.  I was so thankful when we moved into our house that I already had it on hand because it immediately served a purpose!  The door squeaks every time you open it and its rustic characteristics definitely make it feel like it's always been here (smile). 

My pantry is stocked with pretty much the exact same things all the time.  I always know what I have and therefore what I'm running low on. 


My pantry's closest friends are mason jars.  I like to store my food items in glass versus plastic, and mason jars not only work great for actual canning, but they are also a very inexpensive and effective way of storing pantry goods.  I also use baskets and containers for storing smaller or grouped items.


Baking Goods

My pantry baking essentials are baking soda, baking powder, and pure vanilla extract.  I also keep cocoa powder and chocolate baking bar(s) on hand.  I store the majority of these in... yep, you guessed it... mason jars (smile).

 Oils and Vinegars

The oils I keep stocked are extra virgin olive oil (I always have plenty of this), coconut oil and sesame oil.  I keep a wide variety of vinegars, including apple cider, balsamic, rice, red wine and white wine.  The majority of these come packaged in such pretty glass bottles, but these little glass cruets also work great (I've seen these widely available - I think mine came from Wal-Mart or Target).  


 Flours

There are so many flours available now it's amazing.  I haven't delved much into the flour world (although I would like to), so the flours I always have are pretty simple: unbleached all-purpose, whole wheat, unbleached self-rising, and cornmeal.  I get asked quite frequently about the glass canisters I store my flours and sugars in.  I buy these inexpensive canisters at Wal-Mart.  The lids do not not have a seal, but I have never had any issues and I have used them for several years... I love them.  

Sweeteners

Can you believe I forgot to take a photo of any sweetener?!  I keep stocked with unrefined cane sugar, organic brown sugar, honey, molasses, agave nectar (delicious with hot tea) and maple syrup.  I keep my sugars in glass canisters as well. 


 Miscellaneous Goods

My husband and I both drink one cup of coffee a day (I can't ever seem to give this up) and I drink a lot of peppermint tea.  I like to store these in glass containers too, like this vintage coffee canister. 


Beans

I typically cook my beans from scratch, which is actually easier than it sounds (smile).  Right now I have pintos, cannellini, and chickpeas.  Pintos are my favorite... my mom frequently cooked a pot of pintos growing up. She was raised in New Mexico where many dinners consisted of pinto beans and warm tortillas.  You just can't beat a pot of freshly cooked pinto beans!


Spices

I have a wide variety of spices and actually have an entire shelf in my pantry devoted for storing them.  My most used baking spices are ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg.  I don't use dried herbs quite as frequently these days as we have herbs growing in the garden, but I still keep staples like thyme, parsley, basil, rosemary and oregano.  And of course, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper get used on a daily basis.  I don't always have access to a store that sells spices in these glass jars, but I love them.  After I use all of a spice, I wash the jars and reuse them.   


Canned Goods

 This past summer I canned and canned and canned tomatoes.  Ugh!  Many afternoons I was sweaty, hot and tired... and I kept going by reminding myself of the winter months when we would enjoy tomatoes from the garden and it would all be worth it.  I can say it now... It really was worth it.  Just about the only canned goods I've bought in recent months are tomato paste, tuna and salmon. 

Nuts and Seeds

I usually have almonds, walnuts and pecans... either all or at least one (smile).  Sometimes I buy seeds, like pumpkin or sunflower, too. I have a big jar of popcorn kernels... I know it shocks most people (Mom) that we don't have a microwave.  When we moved ours stayed with our previous home as it was located above the stove and I discovered (with limited counter space) I really didn't use or need one anyway.


 I try to keep like items grouped together and (although not always possible) everything within easy reach. Sometimes I buy a little prepackaged snack for Justus or the girls, but I suppose my pantry might seem a little shocking now that I 'm writing about it... I cook and bake just about everything from scratch and have for so long that I hardly think about it.  Over the years cooking and baking has become something I love to do and I also appreciate knowing exactly what ingredients my family's eating.


Due to limited space in the pantry cabinet, I also store a few pantry staples elsewhere.  Potatoes are stored in a bag in an old milk crate on top of the refrigerator and onions in a basket that sit in the little cabinet beside the pantry cabinet. 


 Grains

 Oh, how I love grains.  Rolled oats, steel-cut oats, rice, millet, pasta...yum.  And as you can see, I'm just about due for a trip to the grocery store to stock back up!  These grains are stored in large vintage mason jars that are displayed on the open shelves of my wood cabinet next to the pantry. 


I took these pictures while the girls were napping so I don't have any photos of their little hands helping, but I did have somebody for company... Huck in the laundry basket (smile). 

Have I ever told you that my favorite part of blogging is reading your comments and emails? Since I love to hear from you, I thought it would be fun to ask you a question about your pantry (if you've managed to read this far that is!).  

What is your most used pantry item?

Hmm, I had to think about mine for a minute.  I suppose my pantry door probably squeaks the most for extra-virgin olive oil.   I'm not sure I've cooked a supper without using a little of it in something (smile).  

65 comments:

  1. Hello!
    Your pantry with all those beautiful mason jars is so so gorgeous!
    I have a whole room that I use as a pantry and I must say I am so proud of it! We had the carpenter make the pantry furniture based on a drawing I did and I use it both for food and for kitchen items storage. You can see it here (pics are not good because I did not have a good camera at the time I posted about it, but you can get the idea!): http://passionedeco-francesca.blogspot.it/2011/02/pantry-makeover-ossia-la.html
    My most used item from the pantry: pasta, that's sure! Followed by flour for making bread and cakes!
    Fra

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  2. I loved looking at your pantry! My most used item would probably be oats, since we have that just about every morning! Jean

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  3. I would love to have a pantry~ We have a traditional kitchen, with the cupboards & drawers. Everyday I am going in and out of various cupboards & drawers, to cook and bake. I would love to have supplies more centrally located.
    My most used item - kitty treats! :)

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  4. I don't exactly have a pantry in our travel trailer (smile!), but the thing I grab out of the cupboard the most is my fine ground Celtic Sea Salt! I am SO EXCITED to have our house finished so you can come and set my pantry up for me! Ha Ha! Great post... Love, Mom.

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  5. I'm fortunate to have a large walk-in pantry, and like Susan, kitty treats are given out frequently each day. My dog only asks for a treat twice a day after each of his walks. (On a side note...my dog taught my cat to sit for her treats!) My most used item other than for the pets would have to be sugar. : ( It's one of my goals this year...reduce my addiction!

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  6. I am so happy to see a fellow mason jar pantry person. I have had so many people ask me why I store my food stuffs in mason jars. The last one to ask was my sweet little Bella ( my son;s girlfriend's 4.5 year old) . But I agree... i luv the look, the convenience of seeing when something is getting low and it's neat and tidy at all times :-)
    I have never canned tomatoes though. Have thought of it... many times. Have made my own jellies and syrups though.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Cheers, Gee

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  7. Beautiful pantry! I also like to store my goods in glass jars and am lucky enough to have a walk in pantry closet in my kitchen. I love it! I would have to say oats are my most used pantry staple... my boys eat them every day. You have inspired me to go organize my pantry!
    Lucy

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  8. I love this. It makes me want to grocery shop, build shelves for my spices and such, store them, use them, cook and eat. I'm a pasta girl. And more sugar, in the summertime, than I would like to admit. You know, sweet tea and lemonade :)

    -Angie

    ps... people think I'm in the stoneage with no dishwasher here.

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    1. Oh yes, I know... we LOVE sweet tea. We haven't had any since last year (cutting back on sugar) and how we miss it!

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  9. I have a pantry and it is way overdue for an overhaul. Thanks for giving us another share of your lovely home and giving me some inspiration. Love all the jars. Most used item would probably be my canned goods. That is tomatoes, sauce, or paste. There is always some recipe through the week that involves using them.

    Oh sweet little Huck. Doesn't he look so cute in that basket. Wonderful company I'd say!

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  10. lovely inspiration

    flour and rice are the 2 always in abundance here

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  11. Your pictures are gorgeous. You are so organized. I can't even get organized enough to get matching containers!! I have a few, but our cupboards are a mess. The other thing about being organized is you waste less. I never know where things are and they go bad. :( We have a Keurig too and my favorite tea...peppermint! Now, If I could cut down on coffee like you guys! I have one Keuring cup and then usually get a grande on the way to work!!
    Karen

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  12. I don't cook alot now that there's just two of us. But, probably flour is my main go to staple. I love how organized your pantry is - no way I'd ever be that organized. Good for you.

    Judy

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  13. So inspiring! I love Mason jars, they're so handy! We have rice, pasta, spaghetti and then all the usual dried herbs and cereal and pup treats too! Nowhere near as organized as this though! Love it!

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  14. The food looks so good in the jars! I love that you cook from scratch as everything seems to taste better. Thank you for the inspiration today!

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  15. It's the olive oil for me as well. Actually I just have it sitting out by the stove I use it so much. Spare bottle at all times in the cupboard...or more, depending on sales going on at the time. I too use the dark, extra virgin oil. Then next would be coarse ground pepper / and salt

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  16. My most frequently used item is also the olive oil. And I love old Mason jars also, your blog has inspired me to display and use some of my old treasures . And I recently organized my cupboards, it was such a good feeling!

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  17. I think my most used items are olive oil, garlic and onions. I really can't not use them in a recipe!

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  18. As wonderful as your pantry looks and your post was, I think Huck stole the attention. OMGOSH I love him so. That little face. So sweet.
    I love your pantry and I too adore mason jars and use them as mucha s I can. I like to drink out of them too.
    I guess it has to be olive oil, garlic salt. Those two items I am constantly reaching for.
    xoxo
    Lisa
    Leeshideaway.blogspot.com

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  19. I have slowly been storing my food in glass containers. I'm not all the way there yet. It's all so much prettier that way. Your pantry looks great! I don't know what my most used pantry item is...Probably olive oil too. It's great that you make almost everything from scratch and that you don't own a microwave! Good for you. I can't wait to not work after having the baby. I can finally do things the more natural way that my Mom did things! Have a great week. ~ Jamie

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  20. I loved taking a peak into your pantry. I don't have an antique cabinet but I do have a built in pantry that I requested when we built our house. I did however outgrow it and now have a beautiful shelf right beside it that I store my dry goods on, and they are in jars! The thing that I use the most is probably oatmeal and then olive and canola oil. Cooking from scratch is so much more healthy. Happy cooking!

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  21. Thank you so much for the beautiful pantry tour! I love it- especially all your lovely mason jars. I have a lot of canned produce from our garden but hope to convert the rest of our storage to glass jars soon. We have a rather large pantry and store a LOT in it, so it is hard to pick one thing I use the most. We store our olive oil on a tray next to the stove for cooking, or else it would be that! I guess maybe our onions/garlic or perhaps the chips/munchies we store in a basket :)

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  22. I was so happy to see you posted on your pantry as I just purchased a new glass canister to add my collection. I got a smaller one, 1/2 gallon, for my new terrific granola recipe. ;) I also have a limited space for my pantry items. It's actually two cabinets in my kitchen, an upper and lower. Sometimes it's hard to see whats at the bottom, so I've been using mason jars as well and labeling the jars. My most used items in my kitchen would have to be Sea Salt and Pepper in my Paula Deen salt cellar, and I use my cutting board and chef knife every day as well. I would love to see more of your weeknight meals, we love your BLT salad!

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    1. The 1/2 gallon works perfect for granola! :-) So glad you are enjoying the recipes. I will try to blog more about some of the meals we enjoy! Thanks for letting me know.

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  23. What a lovely view into your pantry! We have a very tiny kitchen in our townhouse with limited storage, but we do have a stairwell that descends to our tuck-under garage. My husband built shelves along one wall of this stairwell, and this is my pantry. The stairwell is sealed at the bottom of the stairs with a steel door, so everything is nice and tight. It's a wonderful pantry! My most-used item would probably be my flours since I bake a lot of our bread. Thanks for sharing!

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  24. I always have boughten tortilla shells stocked in the pantry. I use them for quick, thin crust pizzas, quesadillas, sandwiches and more! They're really versatile!

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  25. Wish my pantry were as pretty as yours. :-) And that I made everything from scratch. I'm getting there, though. I'm not sure what my most-used item is, but my favorite is popcorn. We never buy microwave popcorn!

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  26. What an awesome setup! I love mason jars as well and have a few of my staple items stored in them. I like to keep my favorite dried fruits and nuts in mason jars out on the counter so if I'm feeling snack-happy I can see these items and will go for them over more unhealthy options (that's the thought anyway; doesn't always work in real life).

    My most used pantry item is probably olive oil or oatmeal. I eat oatmeal quite a bit (my chickens do as well when it's cold!) and make my own granola, so my oats get a work out for sure.

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  27. Love. We're buying a home (yay!) so I've been trying to figure out how to best organize EVERYTHING! Love your storage ideas. I too, cook mostly from scratch. One question though, with all of your flours (self-rising, all-purpose) how do you identify which is which when they're all in similar glass containers. I just know I would end up putting all-purpose flour in my biscuits that really need self-rising! Thanks in advance! =)

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    1. Hi Kendra, I keep our all-purpose flour canister on our countertop and the self-rising in the pantry cupboard. If they were both in the cupboard I would definitely have to label them! Congratulations on buying a home - how exciting!

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  28. Such a pleasing pantry. I love the effect of the glassware.

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  29. Your pantry is charming. You know this post was not about a cupboard but, rather about order and foundation and how that spills over to your home, children and husband. It shows a family. It was an important post that went beyond shelves and canning jars. Keep doing it. So wholesome. So needed in many homes.

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  30. Goodness...your pantry is beautiful!! I love all of the Mason jars. They look so pretty and make it easy to identify what is inside. Thank you so much for sharing. As always, your pictures are so beautiful.

    ~Julia

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  31. I love your pantry cabinet. I have a wee little kitchen, but thanks goodness it does have a pantry! What do I use most? Hmmm, the staples for baking and other things like brown rice, oats, peanut butter...but what do I really use most often... probably coffee!

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  32. Such a lovely pantry. Cooking from scratch - that's so wonderful and makes me smile. I grew up opening cans, chewing bubble gum, drinking diet pepsi and ordering take out. My poor handsome husband didn't know what he was getting into when we were married. But now, after nearly 26 yrs, I can smile with you when you mention cooking from scratch because that's how we cook, all the time :-)

    I have gone from an impatient new wife, trying to figure out what was for dinner at 5pm, to planning meals for 10, 3x's a day for weeks and months at a time. It's only by God's grace I can even cook and smile at the same time :-)

    I love the vintage jars. When we moved into our home the basement was filled with those beautiful blue jars and old canning jars. I scrubbed them and use them now, as you do, to store beans, pasta and nuts. I love how it looks.

    My most used pantry item has got to be my salt :-) The kids say I'm addicted but since I use sea salt I'm not worried about my "addiction" :-) haha!

    I have had a lovely time visiting here and browsing through your pantry. Very very pretty.

    ~Cinnamon

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  33. WHAT A GREAT PANTRY. I HAVE TO TELL YOU--I SOLD TUPPERWARE FOR YEARS & AM A DIEHARD FAN OF THEIR CUPBOARD ORGANIZATION SYSTEM! I CAN STACK UP SO MANY FOODS IN THEIR RECTANGLES THAT GO FROM FRONT TO BACK & ALSO HAVE MANY BAKING SUPPLIES IN THE OVALS THAT HAVE SPOUTS. THEY ARE AIR TIGHT & SAVE SO MUCH SPACE, I CAN SAVE 1 OR 2 CUPBOARDS I WOULD USUALLY OTHERWISE NEED. EVERYTHING IS EASY TO SEE & TO FIND!! SO THEY ARE A LIFESAVER IN LIMITED SPACES OR IN CAMPERS/CABINS, ETC. BUT YOUR SYSTEM IS ALSO AMAZING & NO DOUBT ECONOMICAL! I WORKED ON MANY A KITCHEN THAT WAS A DISASTER--CAN'T IMAGINE NOT HAVING ITEMS EASY TO FIND! GOOD JOB! BONNIE

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  34. Love it! I have the exact same bottle for my home made vanilla extract! I am in the process of making over our kitchen pantry-we are working our way to being gluten free because of health issues 3 of us have. I hope to do a post about it soon!

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  35. Oh how I wish I had a pantry. All I have is an upper cupboard in my kitchen. I have some things in jars but am very bad about keeping up. I bought jars at Walmart for my powdered and brown sugar. I love those. I have glass canisters (not sealed!)for my flour and white sugar. Your pantry is an inspiration. I'm struggling for post ideas too. Some days it's like I've hit a brick wall. Hope you have a good day! Huck is such a cutie too. :o)

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  36. Your pantry is so pretty. I use a lot of glass jars too. I'm inspired to use more now...I'm going to put baking soda and baking powder in a jar today! I do have a large pantry so the door stays open. I'm always fussing about no one being able to turn off the light or close the door. I keep hinting for a screen door on the pantry but my husband thinks that is crazy! But at least it would stay closed!

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  37. I love reading your blogs!!! Salmon seasonings, pasta, black beans, and cereal.
    Elizabeth

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  38. I feel like a next door neighbor chatting over the waist high picket fence and gleaning wonderful ideas! Thanks so much for sharing. You may think it's so basic, but your post is helpful for those ladies just starting out as newlyweds, and great "back to basics" for us more seasoned homemakers too.
    My most used pantry item....(all that create cookies *smile*)

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  39. Is it true you can fall in love with a pantry? If so yours would be the one to make me take the pludge. I love that you used mason jars to store everything and that you use such natrual ingreadients. I personally am not much of a baker or cook, it's somthing that I have been working on of late. Along with trying to make as much as possible from scratch. Would love to see a future post on your favorite to-do meals from the pantry. In the mean time, I'll be drooling over your pantry and trying to expand my mason jar collection!

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  40. You make utilitarian look so beautiful. I adore mason jars. I especially like the blue/green glass ones with zinc lids.
    I redid my pantry over the summer and never thought about using mason jars. I used the big, glass cracker jars at wal mart. I think that's what they are called. But there is nothing lovlier than rows and rows of canned mason jars or mason jars filled with beans, etc.

    oh,forgot to add. Love your cabinet. It looks like it holds a gracious plenty.

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  41. Just by looking at your pantry I can tell we could be good friends. Your pantry alone tells a lot about you and I only wish I had a friend like you that lived near me so that we can trade homemade jam.

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  42. How refreshing to hear someone say they cook nearly exclusively from scratch. Your family is lucky. Too many people buy prepared foods and it's one reason we, as a nation, are getting fatter and less healthy. I love your storage jars and have many of the same ones myself. One of my favorite things to shop for in antiques stores are old jars and containers for my pantry staples. I love my old Hoosier jars (one has TEA on it and I store herbal teas in it). My most used pantry staple? That's a tough one, but I cook with a lot of beans (canned, though) and I too use olive oil quite a bit.
    Claudia

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  43. How beautiful! both the pantry & the jars. One of my biggest wishes for a house is a pantry! This house had nothing, not even cabinets, so what I do have is make shift for now. SOMEDAY! :) All my cooking is from scratch too & I love those staples....Olive oil, coconut oil, onions & garlic!

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  44. I really enjoy your blog. It looks so peaceful and calm at your house. Even if it isn't...don't tell me, I want to pretend there is a place like that!!!! I also cook our beans from scratch. Did you know you can freeze them after you cook them? I cook in large batches and then freeze to have them at the ready. I probably use olive oil the most, maybe tomatoes. Almost everything I make has a tomato product:)

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  45. Your pantry is so organized...and you have it down pat about making it so functional yet, so beautiful to look at!....Beauty and function...always the greatest of combinations! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  46. Someday, I will have a pantry this beautiful ... if only for an hour or two!

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  47. This is spectacular!

    I've been reading how to do this, and yours is the best example I've seen. Sunset magazine had an example that was beautiful, but not warm and inviting like yours.

    We are forgoing the dishwasher in our remodel. It takes too much cabinet space and the smaller versions are outrageously priced and the reviews so so. The microwave will be portable, really tiny, and hopefully it will sit on the shelve as planned. We skipped the built in. We had nothing but problems with the expensive built-in in our former home.


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  48. I hear you on the limited space! My most used pantry staple has to be...sugar. Er.

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  49. You know I remembered your writing a post on the inside
    of your pantry before and as I looked back in your archives I found
    it back on February of 2012. You used a booklet by Martha Stewart I believe
    on organizing and using labels that one could download for free. Your
    pictures of your pantry have changed. Interesting.

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  50. I love your photos as well as your blog, and (for sure) your pantry too!!

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  51. Love your sweet new puppy! And I'm definitely going to use some of your pantry storage ideas. I have TONS of quart sized canning jars from my in-laws and using them for storage is such a great (and pretty) way to use them!

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  52. Beautiful blog!

    I happened to find you as I was reading the March issue of "Country Living" magazine. Congrats on your Blue Ribbon Blogger Award. That is huge!

    Your pantry contains two of my all-time favorites: canned tomatoes and Newman's Special Blend coffee for the Keurig (I'm having a cup of it as I type this!).

    Again, congrats on the award!

    --Michael


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  53. I am so excited to find this post!! Just yesterday I started my great pantry overhaul to get rid of the processed stuff and have supplied on-hand ingredients to do more natural and homemade things. And then I though...I need to hop over to Keeping it Cozy and see what her pantry looks like...and here is this post! You are a dear for sharing. I'm off to church and when I get back am going to pour over this. :) Hugs! (Yes, I'm so excited, I really could hug you!!) Have a great Sunday!

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  54. this is the most fabulous pantry, andrea!! and i'm so impressed you can keep the coffee to one cup--i struggle keeping it to 3:) so, i guess coffee would be my most used pantry good. hope your week is a happy one!

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  55. Loved this post. I'm one of those kind of people that always like to peek in other people's pantries! So thanks for sharing.

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  56. I agree that storage has indeed become one of the many issues that affect our daily lives. This is especially true when you have kids around. Not only do their toys and belongings keep mounting every single day, their stuff get all over the place too. Without proper storage ideas around the house, you can be living amongst the toughest clutters and they will build up higher and higher each day. I like your storage bottles idea. They not only keep your pantry neat and tidy but they act as beautiful decor around the kitchen too.

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  57. Can I come live with you???? Each picture from your home that pops up is so beautiful and homey! I laughed because so many of the things in your pantry are the same in mine...only yours are much prettier! Inspiration to work with my mason jars! And I will be working harder on menus and all home cooked meals this winter....I just keep hoping life will slow down a bit once the garden is done! (I co-garden with my friend. We canned an est. 100 qts of spaghetti sauce, 60 qts green beans, 60 qts whole tomatoes, tons of salsa, pickles, and froze zucchini and eggplant! whew!) Your blog is fabulous!!

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