This was retrieved from the netherworld, and I can't believe we were living in the same house as this monstrosity. This is a lost, unopened jar of Prego alfredo sauce. Yup. That black spot? Totally mold. Revolting.
So I am ripping out the pantry. The whole thing. I am replacing it with open shelves, with labelled baskets, categorized by food type. As I was cleaning out the pantry, I found food I remember buying when I was pregnant with Eloise. I remember planning to make a specific pie. There was so much expired food stuff from 2013 it is as if our house was evacuated for 9 months. It was such a powerful reminder of how much has happened in the last year. I'm not the same woman I was when I bought that expired food.
It was cathartic. I am painting the whole south wall in blue chalkboard paint, and I can't wait. It will be a good space for my girls to let their creativity spill onto the walls, and I will have fun with it. I'll post a picture when it is finished!
Not only are open shelves more convenient, but they make a room look much bigger, too. That alone can make a room much more pleasant and easier to manage.
ReplyDeleteSeveral times I have thought about my life in relation to food expiration dates. When I buy things from the store, I sometimes consider what type of things will be happening in my life by the time the food expires. I recently realized that our new baby could be born before some perishable items could expire in our fridge. Or, like you, I sometimes reflect on the things that were happening (or the type of person that I was) when the food was initially purchased. In a unique way, food marks the passage of time.
ReplyDeleteOur pantry is really deep and somewhat nonfunctional too. Just yesterday I found a package of unexpired chocolate bars, which was a rare surprise. Most of the time, though, my findings aren't as welcome. I hope you end up being happy with your reorganization!