organization
Daddy’s Spice Rack – Works For Me Wednesday.
One of my New Year’s resolutions is to “attempt” to participate in a weekly link-up. I had a particular one in mind – Works For Me Wednesday – hosted over on We Are That Family. Now, I know lots of folks that are giving the Project 365 (taking & posting at least one photo each day of the year) another go this year, but I guess I set my ambitions lower. After all, if I’ve got to pass the bar I’ve set this year again NEXT year, then it definitely needs to start out pretty low – this girl isn’t into Olympic hurdles!
So, a weekly goal I have, and I’m sharing it with you!
We moved into this house one year ago in December. As an active-duty military family, we aren’t given a lot of choice in housing or storage space, so you can imagine my THRILL and excitement over accepting a house with this beauty of a kitchen:
It was monstrous! I consider it to be a large kitchen anyhow, but you should also know that our last several housing kitchens have been what I call “hall kitchens” – a throughfare to other rooms in the house, and crammed with things that should really be elsewhere. One of my kitchens had our washer & dryer right in the middle of it, even! This house, however, has absolutely dreamy counter/bar space, as well as decent lighting. Heck, just having a window in the kitchen again helps so much for my mood!
But…
(You knew there was a “but,” didn’t you? Of course. If not for that, there wouldn’t be a post. I swear, but isn’t it funny how blogging is really about the “buts” in life?!)
But I only had the smallest cabinet available for my spices and seasonings. And cornstarch and cocoa. And syrups and cooking sprays, and oils and food colorings. Just finding my giant container of Morton’s Salt could be a huge endeavor, much less the small, seldom-used items (celery seed, anyone?). I had already separated the two shelves into cooking/baking, but it just wasn’t helping the way I needed, and I had to do something about it.
I called my Daddy.
Yes, I did. After all, I’m still his little girl, right? Right. And not only is he my dad, but he is also a master woodworker – a creative genius – in all things oak and pine (and maple, cherry, mahogany, etc.). I explained my predicament, and I begged him for a handmade birthday gift from him. He was happy to oblige, and he built me this exquisite beauty in cherry wood:
Gifties and more!
Well, I got all my cutters stored away and perfect… and then the mail came! I couldn’t believe it – two packages, and both contained cookie cutters for me!
Meri, thank you so much for the cute monkey cutter! I almost bought this exact shape a few months ago for the monkey cookies I needed to make, and I’ve continued eyeing it ever since. What a coincidence!
Next, we received a box of goodies from Philip’s parents – something special wrapped for each of us. I had two brand-new cutters, plus all of Grammy’s old cutters she doesn’t plan to use again. What a treat! There was one in particular that I just decided last night I needed, and I was planning to order online… and then it was in her old shapes!
Altogether, I received 14 special cookie cutters today, and I feel so incredibly blessed. I took pictures of my new pegged storage earlier, but now there’s even more pretties on it!
Cookie Pegboard.
The BEFORE:
My cookies were stored in a plastic drawer bin. I couldn’t fit two new packages of cutters, two new individual cutters, and that clear box of Christmas cutters into the drawer.
A peg on a Tuesday.
I’m about to go organize my cookie cutters. I’m so excited I can’t stand it! Where has all of this come from in just eight short months?! Back then, I only had five little cutters. Now I have an overflowing drawer, and more on a countertop (that I just bought and couldn’t put away – no room!).
This morning, Philip built me a simple storage system. I’d been looking for a specific type of shoe rack with no success. (I even looked on eBay!) Since August, I’ve been using a rubber drawer filing system, but everything was all jumbled together. I had the idea that maybe a peg board with long pegs would work well. It’s on the wall now, and it’s just wonderful. I can’t wait to have everything sorted and easier-to-see. No more fumbling about in my drawer, or having to pull out every single cutter just to find the ONE I’m looking for!
I’ll post pictures of the pretties, I promise. 
Welcome to Life’s a Batch! 
