Once A Year I Clean My Pantry....Whether It Needs It Or Not!

I have taken the plunge and cleaned out my pantry. This is an annual event...but usually doesn't take place until Nicole is in town and trying to bake and is pulling out expired things from my pantry.  I am somewhat embarrassed to reveal my pantry to you but I am thinking that maybe it will make me more accountable in the future and let's face it...Nicole has her own life and rarely comes to town to use "mom's" kitchen anymore!

So let the humiliation begin : )

This pantry looks like a page from an I Spy book!  And yes, I spy many things that need to go such as the canned pumpkin and marshmallow creme from LAST fall's bake-fest, the three extra bottles of vegetable oil that have two inches left, enough powdered sugar to make icing and decorate the roof of my house, and the lemon curd from I don't know when...you get the idea!

...And the coconut and slivered almonds, old stale croutons, and who knew that tomato paste and stewed tomatoes expire?????

Looking at this you might get the idea that I love sauces from Williams and Sonoma...and you'd be right!!  You see once upon a time I worked and didn't have time to come home and pull out the Joy of Cooking and whip up from scratch anything...These are the best on the market...I like them, my family likes them and what can I say, old habits die hard!! Another plug for Williams and Sonoma...the Artichoke and Lemon Pasta Sauce is too good for words!!!

Multiple interruptions later...it is finished and bare!  I like it so much I open the doors just to look.  I had a trip to the grocery store scheduled for today but I really hate to clutter up the pantry!!! Food is overrated...there is a restaurant around the corner ; )

I'm feeling so accomplished I might just tackle the spice drawers tomorrow...next week...refrigerator...eventually...I WILL clean out the cabinet full of plastic storage containers!

My New Morning Routine

I am loving this cool Autumn weather...And in case you don't know this...Northwest Florida's best kept secret is October :-)

This is where I will take up residence in the mornings for the next few months.  It's cool enough for a blanket and a super hot cup of coffee...I have a great view (although those brown stalk things in my neighbor's yard...may have to go)!  I always have Gabby by my side and a good book or two.  This is also a great place to read my bible!