Friday, November 18, 2011

Greeting the Season With Organized Seasonings



It won't be long now until the turkey will be nicely roasted and sitting on the platter tempting us with it's delicious aroma.  I love that smell and can hardly wait to sit down to enjoy the tastes of Thanksgiving... roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, ribbon jello, butternut squash ...  mmmmm ~ I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.  Something about only having this meal once a year makes it extra special and eagerly anticipated.


And then, of course, there are the pies.
Can't have Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie, can you?
Well,  I suppose if you're not a fan of it you could ;-).
Either way this is the time of year when my kitchen becomes a busy place.  Once the Thanksgiving pies are gone, it will soon be time to make the Christmas cookies and the soups to keep us warm on chilly days and the hot chocolate to enjoy while watching the holiday movies and we won't even think about the Christmas dinner just yet.
But something I have been thinking about is getting my kitchen cleaned and organized so that I will be all ready to face the season in a cheerful way.
Recently I have been going through all of my kitchen cupboards and drawers.  Let's just say some of them had gotten a bit hard to close thus making my cheerful kitchen disposition a bit hard to maintain.




One of the drawers that needed some attention was my spice drawer.  This drawer is right next to the stove which makes it very convenient to grab what I need as I'm cooking.  I try to keep it organized alphabetically so that I can find what I'm looking for easier.



I also write the name of the spice on the top of the jar so that I can see it at a glance.  This way I don't have to dig around pulling them all out to find one.  My system usually works well, but recently it had gotten  kinda messy in there and I couldn't find what I was looking for and ended up buying spices that I already had.  I do use herbs and spices on a daily basis, but some of them I can never finish before they have to be discarded so I don't want to double up on them.
Anyhow, the other day I took everything out of the drawer, washed out the drawer and re-organized it all once again and this time I went a step further ...


I made a list of everything in the drawer.
This way if I'm wondering whether I have a certain spice, I can consult the list (which is also kept in the drawer) instead of rummaging around looking for it.


And there you have it ... one of my simple ways to keep the holiday kitchen better organized.

We had our first frost last night and it's beginning to feel winterish around here.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!



17 comments:

  1. I love your turkey platter!!
    How nice and organized your spice draw is!! I've been working in my kitchen today too.
    A happy weekend to you.

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  2. And what a great idea! Boy, you have a lot of spices.
    Brenda

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  3. I love that platter! And I've been doing the same thing also! Organizing, expecting my guests to open up my drawers in the kitchen! Great ideas for your spices! Enjoy your weekend!

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  4. WOW! We have our spices in a drawer just like yours! My hubby knows were each one is but I always have to search! What a great idea! Enjoy your weekend! ♥

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  5. Everything always looks like a magazine cover in here. You have such an eye for taking the best photos. I love your old pie pan and your turkey platter and your header with the vintage graphics of children. I so need to organize as you have done. When one is bringing all the Thanksgiving and Christmas foods in, it would be nice to be able to find them when needed. My spice drawer is a bit of a nightmare, too, but the lids are all marked.

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  6. Kim, I LOVE your turkey platter! I need to get my spices sorted out again too. It's one of those things I usually do at about this time every year.

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  7. Now that you've made me properly hungry....... yummmmm. I too look forward to all the wonderful aromas and taste of Thanksgiving dinner.

    You ARE organized! I love the idea of making a list of the spices and dating it...... I'm borrowing this idea. My drawer isn't deep enough, so my spices lay on their sides, but the idea of labeling the top is a good idea too.
    Happy Thanksgiving!!!

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  8. Kim
    You are so organized! I wish I had a deep drawer like yours for my spices. I have mine in a basket, but I have to drag it out and back every time I need them!
    Have a great Thanksgiving!

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  9. Hi Kim!
    I love that old pie tin! I'm Granny Pie this holiday season. I am going to go slow and make my pies into masterpieces! Sound like a possibility? We'll see!
    I love coming over here and getting glimpses of your lovely home. You are a stellar homemaker!

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  10. Hi Kim, I love your header! I like how you've organized your spices. I have mine on a lazy susan in the cabinet. It works pretty well until one falls off in the back out of sight, then I forget it's there and go buy another one. :D
    Love your pretty turkey platter and the pie pan is neat, too. They are all ready for the turkey and yummy pies. We have turkey twice a year, at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Can't wait!
    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  11. It's always nice to get organized in the kitchen, isn't it? You've done a great job. Happy Thanksgiving, my friend.
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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  12. This is so simple and yet so brilliant! Just think how helpful you have been to me today, in offering me this great idea! So often, as in Saturday afternoon, I spent time looking for my nutmeg for the sweet potato casserole. I did not find it. This is perfect! Thank you for sharing your creativity.

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  13. Hi Kim...always love all that you share from your warm and cosy home! Warmest Thanksgiving blessings to you and yours! Hugs ♥ Teri

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  14. Now that's a great turkey platter!!! Girl, ya have almost as many spices as I do! Your organization system is great!

    God bless and have a marvelous Thanksgiving with the ones you love.

    BTW: Giveaway...my place..ya'll come!!! :o)

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  15. It all looks warm, cozy and organized over there! Love the old turkey platter and pie plate.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

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  16. I wanted to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

    Jeannette

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  17. Good organizing...girl! It always feels so good to get drawers and cupboards straightened up!

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