"If you can organize your kitchen, you can organize your life."
-- Louis Parrish
Near the beginning of this week's chapter, Regina Leeds says, "Everyone gathers in the kitchen. I think it's tribal instinct - our way of gathering around the campfire."
I have found this to be absolutely true in my life and I'll bet you have, too. When I think of all the family dinners I have either hosted or attended, my dominant memory is always of everyone either perched on stools at a counter or an island, in chairs around a table, or simply standing around in one of the various kitchens. Whether standing or sitting, they are always talking, laughing, and enjoying each other's company -- and generally with either a pint of beer or a glass of wine in hand.
I think Regina is spot-on when she refers to our in-born desire to gather 'around the campfire'. People are always keen to be watching food being prepared and cooked. And as the kitchen fills up with tantalizing aromas, bellies become eager with anticipation, and hearts become thoroughly comforted.
This chapter's continued focus is on the kitchen and it really is the perfect place to start. Regina asks, "What do you like about your kitchen?.....what do you dislike?"
Well, the first time I saw my kitchen, while shopping for a house, I was immediately impressed by the tall (10 foot!) ceilings and the full wall of cupboards - stretching right from the counter to the ceiling. Wow! I thought about how everything could be so easily stored there and that was a nice feeling. That is, until I moved in.
As we began to unpack, I realized that our plates would not fit into any of the cupboards. It seemed impossible and we tried every which way, but it could not be done. Apparently we now have considerably larger dinner plates than the original owners back in 1895! And so, the day I moved in, I had to drive to the mall and purchase a cabinet to store our dishes. It turned out fine, actually, as the cupboard fits in very well and I like the look. As a bonus, our microwave oven fits onto it's shelf nicely and eliminates the need for it to vie for space on the counter.
Another problem occurred to us about the same time. How on earth could we use the top cupboards? No easy answer to this one except this: don't. Of course, this means the lower (and accessible) cupboards can easily become too jam-packed.
Before I started on this project, I had an open bookcase in my kitchen which held all of my cookbooks. (I love cookbooks!) I liked having my books visible and right at hand, but the problem was that they became dusty over time and and, in fact, the whole unit had taken on a very dishevelled appearance.
When I took some time to really think about what I liked about my kitchen and what I didn't, I became suddenly aware of how much my lovely cookbooks really annoyed me. That's right. Regina, the "Zen Organizer" knows what she is talking about. I realized that every time I was in my kitchen, as my eyes fell on the bookcase I would experience a very jarring, very 'un-Zen' feeling. It was too much to look at! Regina suggests ruthlessly tossing out everything that is unneeded or unloved. But these books could not be shown the door because, a) they were often used, and b) I was very fond of looking through cookbooks and also using them.
In the end, I went through all of my cookbooks and chucked the ones that I never used and only kept the ones I felt were important to keep. I then cleaned out the bottom of the dish cabinet and placed the books in there. I took the open-shelved bookcase and moved it into the back hallway and put the family's extra shoes onto the shelves. (Being a centenarian home, you can imagine the tiny size of our closets!) Next, I washed out the closed cupboard that had once housed the shoes, and moved it into the kitchen. And then I took the packaged and canned foods, herb and spice jars, and cereal and put them into the closed cupboard. Et voila! Instant pantry.
Everything is much more functional and it looks much neater, as well. And it's easier to keep clean. I am really surprised at how well we are all doing with keeping the kitchen clean. It really does make a difference to keep the dishes washed, dried, and put away - immediately! The counters have got to stay clean, and the surface of the island uncluttered. It really is making a difference in our thinking and in our habits.
Yesterday, Mark and I spent the day in Michigan shopping for various household items and for groceries. It had been a long (but fun) day and it was just a little after 10 o'clock when we arrived home. In the days before this challenge, I know I would have felt tired and would have just put away the food that needed to be refrigerated and just left the other items until the next day. It would just have seemed like too much work to go ahead and deal with everything we had brought home with us.
But last night was different. Coming home to a tidy home was definitely a wonderful feeling and I didn't want anything to spoil that. As soon as we carried the bags in, we began to quickly sort everything and put it away. Everything! And do you know what? We had everything put in its place and the kitchen was back to tidy again by 10:30!!
My biggest surprise during this challenge has got to be the knowledge that it really takes only minutes - sometimes just mere seconds! - to put things right where they belong instead of to some 'half-way house'. And the reward for doing this is great. I feel so much more relaxed and happy at home. It's just more fun to be here.
As week three ends, I am delighted in my progress at organizing my kitchen. And I truly hope it will continue to help me as I continue to try to organize my life.
Cheers!!
Diane
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