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Oct

The Joys of Moving or In The Alternative – Where The Heck Is That Spatula??

Posted by: Lys | Comments (0)

First of all – let me just say that moving over 1,000 miles will NOT be an option. It took about 3 weeks of unpacking and lugging HUGE boxes around the new abode to find my pots at the BOTTOM row of boxes. And, to make things worse – I’m still looking for things here and there. I figure I have about 10 boxes or so I need to finish going through and then I can move onto reorganizing the den which is currently known as “Moving Box Central”. The amount of boxes I’ve had to break down has been insane.

So, 3 weeks of take out, delivery and micro meals does not make a happy food blogger.

Before I left, my friends came over and kicked my butt into moving overdrive. SL, Jay & Kar helped me box up the hell known as my kitchen and also helped take a bunch of things off my hands – specifically my pantry and liquor cabinet; both of which were not coming with. SL now has a spice cabinet to die for loaded with some serious goodies like truffle oil, meyer lemon oil, coffee and goodies shipped from the Italian Market. Heck, since I could go to the Italian Market on Saturdays, I could replenish it – right? However, one thing I haven’t been able to find is my creole seasoning – for some reason they just don’t seem to have that here. I’m hopeful that maybe Whole Paychex or Trader Joe’s might have or else I’m calling SL to ship some to me stat.

I can say that my kitchen is MUCH bigger in terms of counter space and, while I don’t have an island, I might just not need it. And, now that the pans have been located, I’ve been getting back my cooking mojo. Won’t my neighbors be thrilled The pantry is a bit smaller so it’s going to mean I’m going to have to find some new ways to keep everything moving along.

Now please excuse me while I make plans to have yet another run to Crate & Barrel in the morning for more spice jars and a few more organizing ideas so I can actually have this kitchen running smoothly. Oh, and so I can make room for the *ahem* new goodies coming from RueLaLa from the Calphalon sale… *shhhh* just don’t tell anyone.

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Categories : Apt., Moving in Stilettos, Philly, Random Mess, Shopping

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Nov

Out With The Old. In With The New…

Posted by: Lys | Comments (2)

My pantry has been severely neglected. Those closest to me know that work has been kickin‘ me into overdrive and cooking and I have been estranged. Part of the reason for the cooking pause has been, quite simply, this nightmare of a pantry. To find something means some serious expeditions to find that one elusive ingredient as it hasn’t been organized in forever. Not to mention, the lighting in my kitchen has been horrid but since the complex finally fixed (and broke) the overhead light on the super high ceiling, I figured I had no more excuses to avoid the pantry from hell.

I always joke that for me to feel “at home” I need a fully stocked pantry and fridge and anyone who comes into my home knows that if we need something, we’ve got it. However, I got sick of the clutter and decided rather than shove everything in the pantry, I’d take inventory and clean out what was old, expired or just never would be used.

Check out the AFTER pic.

Yeah, I’m just as shocked as you. My trash man, however, will want my head on a stake. There’s still work to be done, but I figured that was a good start to change. Now I need to get to cooking.

What are your pantry staples that you MUST have no matter what?

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Categories : Apt., Pantry

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Apr

Behold the Pot Rack…

Posted by: Lys | Comments (2)

Last fall, I fell in love with this pot rack when I saw it in the Southern Living catalog. My gal M. surprised me with it for Christmas and trust me when I say it’s fabulous.

It was finally hung when my dad visited and I’ve got it outfitted with the pots and pans in my cabinet. He made sure it was super stable so I don’t have to worry about Shadow getting bopped in the head.

Just to be safe, I figured I’d behave and only put one Le Creuset skillet on there and the copper pot along with the much lighter skillets, various ladles and spatulas. Also, for a bit of decoration, I also put some copper ornaments that I bought from Williams Sonoma for the holidays.

It’s functional and gorgeous.