The most recent area I tackled (this was last Thursday's challenge, but I got busy, so I did it today when there isn't a challenge listed!) was the spice area in my kitchen. The challenge actually reads "Discard expired and old spices". I did that...and more. Here was the area in the kitchen where I kept my spices (and cookbooks, but they weren't officially part of the challenge):
What is in that bread box, you might ask? Bread would be the logical answer, but no.
I had a drawer in my kitchen that contained a sifter and two power cords. Really wasted space, if you ask me. I moved the power cords (which I think are for the griddle and maybe the wok??) to the drawer with the pot holders and the sifter to the utensil drawer. Now I have an empty drawer to make into my spice drawer! I also threw out anything old or expired. I put a few things in nicer containers (I love the containers that Penzey's spices come in. I actually would buy all my spices there if we had one close by. But when I need something and have run out, I have to go with the cheap-o stuff. But I put it in the Penzey's jar to make myself feel better.) The lids are smooth and black, which made it really easy to label the lids with a white paint pen. Then I just lined them up alphabetically in the drawer.
I have a few random items in the back (Saltine seasoning - this was a gift and I haven't tried it yet, bags of cinnamon sticks and bay leaves, and a couple of nutmegs rolling around). But it's so much easier to see what is in there!
And the counter space!!!
The only things I left out on the counter are the sugar dispenser, my salt container for cooking, and my bottle of Slim & Sassy. I'm thinking about getting a new fruit bowl (my old one broke) or a banana tree to put here, but I like that I have a work space that is available. I may also leave my cutting mats out here as well, since I always need them and they are so thin and easy to lose in the cabinet.
So, how do you organize your spices?
