(Thank Google I don't check my stats or key words/ technorati/ phrases which bring people to my site. This title alone has me cringing even though it's perfect for the content. And if you stumbled onto this site looking for another type of raid, dude, that ended in the 80's. Go rent a "Revenge of the Nerds" movie or something!)
Michele over at It's A Dog's Life wrote this post about the way she stocks her pantry and how she attacks food shopping to keep her pantry full and her wallet mostly full. While I was impressed with the organization she talked about (I'm a sucker for organization.), I doubted the validity of such a thing. A truly well stocked and organized pantry? Surely, you jest, Michele! So, I left a comment on her site, tossing the challenge out. "You talk such a good game? The proof is in the pictures, babe!"
She answered the challenge.
Michele, I apologize. I am an idiot.
Your pantry is very well put together, organized to a fault, and well placed. I covet your cabinets. (Betcha never heard that before, Michele.) (Betcha never want to hear that again, either..)
She then threw down her glove and issued a challenge to the rest of the blogosphere to show her their pantries. (Check her site. It's right there!)
I am a very organized person. I love seeing things in their places and abhor clutter. (I'm seeing someone for it, although our meetings are a little strained. He doesn't like me re-arranging the crap on his tables.) However, the one place in my home that I have absolute control over yet can't seem to contain is my pantry.
There it is. 6 shelves and a floor.
The top shelf is a personal thorn in my side. I have bought plastic utensils twice over thinking I didn't have any in my inventory only to realize after opening the new boxes, "Well, look at that! Forks! Hundreds of forks! %&^*@!" Repeat with spoons, paper plates, light bulbs, etc. We've thrown place mats up there, organizational buckets, you get the picture. (All you have to do is look at the picture.)
Oh, I was able to get a "Buy One Get One" deal on soup! (I'm a sucker for deals too.) So, that portion is well stocked.
I've got a dog in stock too. (Um, Michele, I didn't see a dog in your photos, not on sale this time of year?)
So, there it is. My paltry pantry poor in portions. Michele, again, I concede to the clear victor. I will never question your authenticity again and will refrain from using words like "show me", "prove it", and "gauntlet", lest someone slap me back with my own glove.
Still stings a little..
I love your red kitchen! I used to have a red bigger kitchen with a pantry, but lost my big pantryful kitchen on the compromise of a bigger house with more bedrooms and a playroom. Oh I still miss my pantry though! : )
Posted by: Sarah | January 11, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Holy shit was I first?? I am never first?! It is Sunday everybody else is probably spending time with their families...losers!! First!!!!
Posted by: Sarah | January 11, 2009 at 11:28 AM
OMG! A basket of dog stuff next to the jam and plastic bags on 2 separate shelves. My librarian soul is shuddering.
I..Need..To..Come..Over..NOW!
Showing those pictures makes you the bravest woman I know but don't mess with the master.
Posted by: Michele | January 11, 2009 at 11:29 AM
I fear the pantry.
Posted by: Captain Dumbass | January 11, 2009 at 11:43 AM
My pantry is much, much, worse than yours. I never make note of what I have before going to the store, so I end up with like 300 cans of Progresso tomato soup.
Stop by my blog for an award!
Posted by: Rachel | January 11, 2009 at 12:43 PM
My pantry is much, much, worse than yours. I never make note of what I have before going to the store, so I end up with like 300 cans of Progresso tomato soup.
Stop by my blog for an award!
Posted by: Rachel | January 11, 2009 at 12:43 PM
what can i say.
i love your cabinets.
i might try that one sometime....
Posted by: justsomethoughts | January 11, 2009 at 12:56 PM
If it makes you feel any better, mine is worse, I feel like such a piker. The crap in the front blocks the crap in the back, so I can't even say for certain exactly might be in there...okay, now I'm scared.
I'm with you on the utensils. Very good use of the cursing symbols!
Posted by: Irish Gumbo | January 11, 2009 at 01:01 PM
Yes, I thought this post title was "panty" raid.
My PANTRY is scary looking.
Posted by: Rhea | January 11, 2009 at 01:07 PM
Wow, you brave, brave soul! Although your pantry looks pretty neat compared to mine. Oh, wait I don't have a pantry? Only lots of cabinets. Hmmm maybe I'll post my unorganized mess later this week.
It would surely make you feel tons better, that I promise..lol
Posted by: Kirst | January 11, 2009 at 01:14 PM
Yours looks good to me!
If I posted a picture of my pantry...you would seriously feel the need to call the Clean Sweep people so that they could come and stage an intervention.
Posted by: Jenni Jiggety | January 11, 2009 at 04:30 PM
Yeah...uh...I'm thinking no one needs to see the interior of my pantry. No one. You'll thank me later.
Posted by: apathy lounge | January 11, 2009 at 04:56 PM
I will never allow you to open my pantry. I might have to perform CPR to revive you and it's been a while since I had a class...
Posted by: HeatherPride | January 11, 2009 at 05:48 PM
Sigh. So now I need to head over to Michele's and check out her pantry post because my pantry has been on my unwritten to-do list for a while now.
I have a large pantry and you'd think that would make it easier, but it doesn't.
Fine. One more thing I have to feel guilty about ... my disorganized pantry. :P
Posted by: Debbie | January 11, 2009 at 06:40 PM
Your pantry is so way better than mine. Everyone's pantry is better than mine. Why am I so sure of this?? Because I don't really have a pantry. So there.
Posted by: Deemarie | January 11, 2009 at 06:57 PM
My pantry is jealous of your pantry. You can actually see the shelves. Beautiful. *sniff*
Posted by: Rachel | January 11, 2009 at 07:11 PM
my pantry is schizophrenic.................. really.
Posted by: carrie | January 11, 2009 at 09:22 PM
Panty? What that? We just have stuff scattered all around the kitchen and basement. You're taking all the fun out of being disorganized.
Posted by: Jim | January 11, 2009 at 11:18 PM
I don't have a pantry. Thank God.
Posted by: Sammanthia | January 11, 2009 at 11:50 PM
I also love your red kitchen. Mine is slowly reverting back to pre-October chaos, but I was brave and posted it anyway http://harryjacksmom.blogspot.com/2009/01/behind-pantry-door.html
Happy week!
Posted by: cyndi | January 12, 2009 at 02:03 AM
Hey, your pantry is pretty similar to mine, right down to the plastic tub of dog food on the floor. I don't think it's that bad, but maybe that's just me trying to make myself feel better. I sent my pics over to Michele, didn't realize I should have blogged about it until after they were sent. Now you'll NEVER KNOW MY CLUTTER! Ha!
Posted by: Casey | January 12, 2009 at 09:50 AM
Sorry - I just can't go there. I jus can't put pics of my pantry up because it's the only room in the house that's not refinished yet. We bought our place five years ago and everything in it - from floor to ceiling - was exactly like it was when it was first built - in 1970. Therefore, my pantry is small and ugly and is in need of a serious make -over. I do have to say that your pantry is very sparkly though! I would be proud to have it as my own.
Posted by: Leslie | January 12, 2009 at 02:32 PM
I am in awe of Katie's pantry.
Posted by: Michele | January 12, 2009 at 05:07 PM
I don't even have a pantry. We have cupboards and a turn table and the island, which is not supposed to be where we store cereal, but we often do. I covet your pantry space. Not that I would ever keep it organized, but still....I'd like to pretend I could.
Posted by: Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings | January 13, 2009 at 12:54 PM