August 4, 2016

A Challenge for Me




One empty counter that’s still empty.
I confess this challenge caught my attention.  Right now, every week, I take some new thing to the Shop.  In a very unorganized manner, I add.  If you do it all their way, you start this in January.  Kitchen counter and sink organization comes first.  I can do this but more often than they recommend.

Step one: Think about the Functions of your kitchen:

“The key to your kitchen organization is making the function of each space intentional.”  Functional too.  Functional used to be one of my favorite words.  They talk about all sorts of things a kitchen is used for, but I drop the mail on the drawing board, and the cookbooks are out in the dining area.  I cook in my very tiny kitchen.  I walk through the kitchen and enjoy the colors too.

Step two:  Clear the counters, table, and sink as much as possible. 

I have one whole counter empty now, and shortly will go partially empty another.  I must say I do feel a bit heroic about that empty counter.  There’s a coffee pot, electric can opener, and coffee grinder out on the other side of the kitchen.  I could put the can opener and coffee grinder in the lower cupboard.  That would simplify two more very tiny counters.

Step three: Consider the kitchen storage options.

I’m using their rails, racks, and magnetic blocks now.  There is no room for a rolling table, but I do use two containers for utensils. 

What I don’t do is empty my kitchen sink twice a day.  Oh poor me. I never remember to do that even in passing.  I’m not getting to the worst of our collecting here, so we will see how it all goes. 



                                                                    


  • Himself:  Working hard.  Likes Kaiser and the new doc.  Wrote check for Laka, Hunting for parts for the Rav4.  Waiting to hear from Margot’s Mechanic.

  • Herself:  Just a torn muscle.  List of gentle stretches and hot tub stuff will get me going again.

  • Reading:  Unfortunately I have four books at once going encluding a tome on the Civil War.  Perhaps there’s a war within.

  • Gratitudes:  Hip isn’t injured.  I do have to stop having nightmares about things.


  • 11 comments:

    1. I take everything off the counter every now and then to bleach the tile grout. Today was one of those days when I did that. It always makes me happy to see an empty counter but it doesn't last. Coffee mug tree, two coffee makers, coffee carafe, and cuisinart go back on the counter. On the other side of the sink is the small tv and a radio clock. They make it hard to even bleach the tile. Even though I am very minimalist with my furnishings, the kitchen seems to always have lots of stuff. But, it is stuff we use on a daily basis.

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    2. Ambitious project! Hope it goes as you want!

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      Replies
      1. Yes, It looks so much more usable now. More pictures later.

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    3. I can not get counters totally clean as toaster oven has to be out and so does my coffee maker. Used too often. Otherwise my counters stay 80% clean. It is all about moderation in my book, not being a total crazy but I do like that challenge that you posted. I think addictive personality types try to do it 100%

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      Replies
      1. The coffee maker, and the mess of chopping blocks are out on one side. On the other is a metal holder with the spatulas and spoons. Along the back of that empty counter are all the strainers and small tools I use often. A much more usable and clean space.

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    4. Nightmares about our husbands...sounds familiar. Who says counters must be clear...rediculous. Everyday things within reach. That's what I like.

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      Replies
      1. My mother in law used to keep everything out on the counter too. I have so little counter space that right now the empty space is refreshingly usable.

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    5. Your kitchen looks great! That area is a challenge for me in such a small space. I keep jugs of water, toaster, blender, crockpot, veggie steamer, hand soap, dish soap all out on counter because I need all at one point or another. Maybe next time I have too many "beans" I'll reevaluate.

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    6. Thank goodness my husband handles cooking, dishes, and laundry. By HIS choice, because he says I work outside the home 5 days a week, and he works from home 3 days a week, so it's just easier for him while he's already here. Yes, I'm super blessed.

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    7. I'm waiting for my friend the organizing fanatic to visit me again and organize my kitchen!
      I sense that everyone is more worried than usual; I observe a lot of distracted behavior and more drinking than usual. I'm very glad I stopped drinking myself.

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      Replies
      1. Me too.
        And I have started on the drawers here. Not at all ruthlessly enough tho.

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