Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Kitchen Organization - Preparing for Back to School


School starts next week so I have been working hard to get the kitchen all cleaned and set so mornings are easier and lunch making goes smoothly.  Along with that, I have been wiping down shelves. I just love this little built in 50s cabinet. I mix my lovely pyrex with other dishes. They are so cute they should be displayed.


Some man must have designed this deep narrow cabinet. It is good for nothing in the back. I am always challenged with keeping it in order. Things get shoved around a lot. Corralling like items makes it so much easier. I keep drink items on the bottom shelf, breakfast making supplies just above and baking items on top.


 An old enamel pan makes a perfect tray for stickier items.


Small and sticky things are contained and the shelf remains clean. Picked up this pan 50 cents at the thrift store.


 More baskets. Can you tell I am a fan? I use whatever I have preferring to spend money on prettier items that are seen. Functionality is all I care about in the cupboards.


 Misc. snack items are contained in another basket. That way you can toss that box when only one granola bar or snack cup is left. The kids pull this out and have a variety to grab from. Five lunches a day are made here during to school year. My husband takes a lunch every single day. We have a system of making lunches at night. Removes the stress from the morning plus my hubby leaves very early. One kid makes the sandwiches, one gets the coffee ready and I am the boss!! Such a slave driver. I anticipate I will be taking more of the jobs on this year as my kids schedules will be the busiest ever.


I think we are ready. I am pulling out my back to school decor this week. It is too hot to do anything outdoors here.

38 comments:

  1. All of your baskets is a wonderful idea, especially for those sticky items like you said. I like your organization!

    Have a wonderful Weds!
    Tammy

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  2. I agree, cute dishes should always be displayed. You look very organized and effecient. 'blessings to you.

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  3. I love (LOVE!) organization, and yours has made me feel very happy this morning :) Yesterday I ordered our math curriculum, they're due to arrive Friday - so I guess Monday we'll crank up with math, just to put a toe in the water before we dive in full-time.

    I love your blog, and I love your pictures. Thanks for sharing with us every day!

    Hugs ~ Mary

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  4. You always have the best ideas on running a household efficiently! Where oh where did the you get the polka dotted bowls?
    Brenda

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  5. It is good to be organized. It does relieve a lot of stress on those busy mornings when you need to keep a clear head. We always tried to be organized around here. My daughters have carried those habits into their own lives. It is also good to pick out the clothes you plan to wear the next morning. It saves a ton of time standing at the closet and trying to decide. I use to keep all of those granola bars and little snack items in the wooden bowl my husband made for me. It was kept on the butcher block table in my kitchen. It also doubles for a fruit bowl, holding healthier snacks. You and I know this isn't rocket science, it just takes some foresight and a bit of planning to make life a lot easier.
    (((HUGS))) Susanne :)

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  6. I use baskets and totes too, make it much easir. When we had 3 school age kids at home, we always made lunch the night before right after dinner. Stick them in the fridge, all done! You're so lucky to be home full time, I was always working back then. It was very hectic trying to get everyone out the door on time, with all their things. Luckily, as adults, they're all pretty organized themselves now too! It's good to teach those skills early. Once my girls were out of college it made things less stressful for them finding their own places and getting set up...

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  7. I am trying to use more baskets too. Just seems to keep things better corralled. Hugs, Marty

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  8. I'm working on organizing some problem areas in my house and it inspires me to see your kitchen! Functionality, where you need it and pretty, were you see it certainly is working! ~ Maureen

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  9. such lovely tidy cupboards, I hope the chickens are OK in this heat you have, our chickens used to pant with thier little beaks open when it was hot, but we never had temperatures like you have,

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  10. I have the same snack basket.I hate storing boxes with one or two items in it. Plus it gives me much needed space.

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  11. I would love to be able to "stay" organized. I have the desire....but, am the only one in the house who is that way. Very nice!

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  12. You are so organized. It looks as if someone through a bowling ball in my pantry. Or a German Shepherd was in there...oh one was...our Shelley.

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  13. no no no no.. I don't want to hear those dirty words~ I am in denial.. and school doesn't start for another few months! : )

    Great job with the organizing! It all looks great!

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  14. It is hard to believe that it is back to school time already. It does look like you are organized and ready- xo Diana

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  15. How wonderful it feels to get organized! Love your baskets and everything looks so neat and nice.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  16. I love organizing in bins and boxes. It makes it so nice to find things. You'll be ready for school to start...it won't be long now!

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  17. Sounds like you have a great system for getting everyone out the door. I remember the days of making lunches the night before. Definitely the way to go!
    Mary Alice

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  18. You have some great organization skills!

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  19. When your dishes are THAT CUTE of course they should be out! How sweetly they chirp to everyone who comes in the kitchen..."Hey, look at us yackin git up up here! Aren't we darling!"

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  20. Love the polka-dots! They SCREAM "happy" to me.
    We are beginning school on Monday. My schooling hutch is in order and "good to go".

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  21. Very nice! I love everything to have it's own place!!! I will completely take everything out of my pantry a couple of times a year. Amazing how fast things get "lost" in there!
    XO Kris

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  22. Your Pyrex displays have such impact! Just wonderful. I like your idea of placing miscellaneous staples and supplies in containers. I have some "impossible" cupboards, too, and this looks like a good solution. I also think I have the same enamelware pan. Love it. I'm your newest follower.

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  23. Elaine, the first thing I am going to do when Shelley is back in school is organize my kitchen! I am actually looking forward to it. I love your pyrex collection. The red and turquoise colors are perfect for your vintage kitchen! :D

    xo,
    RJ

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  24. Elaine, you have got to be one of the most organized people that I know in blogland! I have been peeking in over the busy summer months, but haven't taken the time to comment (sorry). I have been keeping up with your chicks, too! Hoping I have more time to play and visit in blogland now that things are slowing down around the farm and will be seeing a lot more of ya.

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  25. Love your organizing tips using the pan and baskets are a great idea. I hope to have a kitchen to organize one of these days!! LOL, have a great day.

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  26. I will have to find me some of that red Pyrex!

    Popped in from Time Travel Thursday.

    thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

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  27. Visiting from Katherine's Corner so it's nice to meet you! I am an organizational nut and use baskets in my linen closets, kitchen, and bathrooms! ...:)JP

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  28. Looks like you are all ready for those back to school mornings. Love the enamel pan idea for those sticky items :)

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  29. It always feels good to get things in order. Can't believe the summer is almost over and the kids are on their way back to school!

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  30. Love your Kitchen Reds and your vintage pyrex!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  31. Hi Elaine, love your organizing style. I have those same red and white dotty bowls. Don't you love them? I use assorted baskets that I pick up in thrift stores to organize my pantry. Also have old red and white enamel pans that are great for oods and end items. I love how you displayed your pyrex. I have some of the turquoise bowls and fridge mates. I use them alot but don't have them out to be show cased. Only once in a great while. Would love to find somewhere to display them. Thanks for sharing with Share Your Cup.
    Hugs,
    Jann

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  32. Being organized in the mornings is such a big help! My son started school this week. so far everything is running smoothly. In two weeks it is my daughters turn to go back. So I hope it remains smooth! Love your kitchen items!
    Blessings,
    Susie

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  33. I love the pyrex!!

    Can't wrap my brain around school starting so early there though!

    Western PA / always been the end of August or right after Labor Day here...

    So do you mean if I had half a brain that I'd have been putting my sticky stuff into a dish or pan over the years ? DUH....good tip :)

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  34. OOh, I love that shelf of gorgeous blue pyrex and green bowls. My two favorite colors!

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  35. Gorgeous vintage dishes! Love the cabinet - and I have noted that if women designed things they'd be A LOT different - fantastic use of wire trays and enamelware dishes to organize! Great job! I appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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  36. Yes I admire your vintage dishes.
    I have the same butter dishes.
    They hold 1/2 lb of butter.
    I also use baskets in my pantry.
    Mine are a red plastic from IKEA>

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  37. Hi Elaine, just hopping by to let you know that I will be featuring you at Share Your Cup later today.
    Hugs,
    Jann

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