This is so meta.

This is me, blogging about being blogged about by a blog that I am following along with on a blog challenge. If you couldn't follow that first sentence, the short version is The Kitchn used another one of my Cure photos on their website. Whoopee! It's like getting a big pat on the back for all my hard work!

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A Post that is Not About Pie

I know I said I would tell you more about pie and bread today but it is 11 o'clock and I haven't eaten dinner yet so you will be getting another short and sweet post about my AWESOME home improvements in the kitchen. As the title suggests, this is a post that is not about pie. And that's okay.



This is a pic of my BEAUTIFUL new Fiestaware pitcher in Tangerine. It's filled with two bunches of daffodils that I picked up this weekend. They were on sale, two bunches for $3. What a steal.


(After image on the right).

This is my new storage closet. Formerly a dank, depressing, sorry excuse for a pantry, it is now a perfectly fine home for gardening supplies, cleaning supplies, lightbulbs, and reusable bags. Woot.



But THIS. Oh my, THIS is my masterpiece of the evening. Say hello to my new pantry. Thank you Ikea. After purchasing a lovely birch-wood open shelving unit on Sunday, I took a trip to Home Depot only to find that my 1930's lath and plaster wall (that happened to be sans stud in the area I wanted to hang my unit from) wouldn't support the shelving unit with out a lot of work. And even then I could only look forward to about a year before ripping out fist sized chunks of plaster. Not really gonna work for me.


(After image on the right).

It may not fit EXACTLY in the space allotted like the previous unit, and (environment forgive me) it may be medium density fiber board, but it sits upright, is bolted to the wall but without threatening to tear it down, and holds my super tall pasta jar on its sleek adjustable shelves. Oh yeah.

I may decide it needs a nice door, or a fabric curtain, but I am going to say that it is a 10 MILLION times over improvement from what I had before which was dark and inaccessible. I love it. I want to marry it. I think I can look forward to many happy culinary adventures with my new kitchen. This must be love.

CURE CHECKLIST (We are currently in the middle of week 4)

Week One: Check!

Week Two: Check!

Week Three: Catch Up on the First Two Weeks Check!
Deep Clean EVERYTHING In Progress...
Work on your Special Project Check!
Add Something Beautiful Check! (my new Fiestaware Pitcher arrived today!)

Week Four (Ends Friday!): Catch Up on the First Three Weeks Workin' on it...
Restock Ingredients Check!
Consider New Equipment Check!
Add Fresh Flowers Check!
Work on your Special Project CHECK!
Take After Photos In Progress...

Looks like I just have a bit of deep cleaning left to do... sounds like I've got a few fun evenings ahead of me.

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Cure Update!

So as I mentioned back in the beginning of March my kitchen is undergoing a cure. Even though I haven't talked about it much, I have been making progress. Its a process though, and for every two steps forward it's one step back, like the hiccup I came upon on this weekend when searching out a new storage solution at Ikea/Home Depot on Sunday. After two extra hours searching the stores for knowledgeable help, and two fallen bread loaves because I didn't get home in time to bake them before the yeast died, I still have to make another trip to both stores tomorrow for some returns/exchanges.



I have also been distracted by more delightful things like bread and pie, about which you will hear more tomorrow. For now, just enjoy this quick glimpse of my lovely and reorganized spice cabinet and glasses cupboard.



CURE CHECKLIST (We are currently in the middle of week 4)

Week One: Take Before Photos Check!
De-clutter and Purge Old Food Check!
Wipe Everything Down and Put It Back Check!

Week Two: Take Before Photos Check!
De-clutter and Purge Tools and Cookware Check!
Wipe Everything Down and Put It Back Check!
Decide on a Special Project Check! I'm adding more pantry space to an underutilized alcove in my kitchen!

(okay, so I didn't really have any extra things to begin with because I have a micro-kitchen and have no room for extra stuff, but I DID clean out my tupperware drawer. This was an easy week)

Week Three: Catch Up on the First Two Weeks Check!
Deep Clean EVERYTHING In Progress...
Work on your Special Project In Progress...
Add Something Beautiful Check! (my new Fiestaware Pitcher arrived today!)

Week Four (Ends Friday!): Catch Up on the First Three Weeks Workin' on it...
Restock Ingredients Check!
Consider New Equipment Check. I decided I didn't really need any new equipment, but I had to work hard to talk myself out of a new Kitchenaid.
Add Fresh Flowers Check!
Work on your Special Project In Progress...
Take After Photos In Progress...

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A Case of the Blahs

I mentioned on Wednesday that I would elaborate on why exactly I will be spending this weekend, at least in part, cleaning my kitchen and I am here to say, my kitchen has a case of the blahs.

Everyday can't be all glamor, fame, and Martha, some days will always be cheese on toast and pajamas till Three Noon. But something that can help that feeling of doldrums is to give your home a little once over and take some time to think about how you use your space. Underutilized space, mess, and clutter can create little energy vortexes in your home that make it so much less fun to spend time in, and right now I need to re-energize my kitchen.

I am going to be doing the Spring Kitchen Cure hosted by the Kitchn, part of the Apartment Therapy blog group. The Cure makes it easy to make over your space (in this case, the kitchen) a little at a time until you turn around and find out that you've actually made a much bigger difference than you thought possible.

Today is the end of week one (of four) and I thought I'd share a little of my progress. Part one of the first week's assignment was to take some before pictures, especially of your fridge, freezer, and pantry. You may think your space is okay, but try taking a before and after of your freezer and you will be AMAZED.





The second part of the assignment was then to purge anything that needs to be gotten rid of. Got any undated freezer mysteries? Toss 'em. Four year old jar of unknown condiment you used once? Toss that too. Spices, oils, or vinegars that are past their prime? Gone baby gone!

Finally, wipe down every surface, bottle and jar before you put it away. I have to say, just the act of throwing away the few things I did (I tend to keep my fridge pretty clear - I'm a bit of an expiration nut) was very satisfying. I can't wait to work on week two and straighten up my utensil and tupperware drawers (yes, I realize the dorkiness of that statement, but I stand by it).

The kitchen is pretty much one of my favorite places in a home and mine could use a little pick-me up before spring and summer roll around and I want to do nothing but cook all of that yummy fresh produce. I think this cure is just what the doctor ordered. Don't worry, I will be putting up a special weekend post with TWO recipes I made with some of the odds and ends I needed to clear out but just couldn't bear to throw away. Also, next week, look for recipes for Masala Daal and Naan. I'm feeling spicy.

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