Food Storage

As we've been transitioning to a simpler lifestyle I've been changing how I shop for groceries. While I still am making runs to Target for mostly sundries and diapers, lots of diapers, I've also been buying more pantry food in bulk. I love it because it is sooo much cheaper, but I don't like having a million bags of things slumping around in the cupboards.

I've been storing a lot of little things in random glass jars that I've saved, but I've been known to forget what is in which jar. (Please tell me I'm not the only one!) This was also a problem for me with the bags.

While on the Farm Chicks site I read their great solution for labeling the jars. This is so perfect for me because I don't always reuse the same jars for the same things and writing on the lids and scratching them out isn't the best plan, but it looks awful. Their solution? Stick on labels made from contact paper. It's easy, cheap, and they peel right off. How great is that!

After I'd read about this idea I remembered some contact paper that I had seen a few weeks before at Target that I'd loved. I almost bought it then because it matched my dishes, but I set it back because I knew I didn't need it. Our cupboards are fine and don't need to be lined. I was so happy though to discover the same contact paper on the clearance aisle a few weeks later when I was hoping to find it for the labels and now, it was half price. Woohoo!

Here's another way to do it with fabric or wallpaper. These are really cute, but would take more time. I'm happy with just the pretty contact paper.

I have picked up a few nice glass jars. I'd love to get a ton of them and replace all my mismatched stuff, but it's not necessary. I figure I can pick up a couple every once in awhile over time and be just fine. I love these big glass jars because they hold a five pound bag of sugar or flour, unlike my old cannisters that only hold about three-fourths of a bag and then I'm stuck with a partially filled bag lying around.

These are also great because I can tell what I'm getting low on with just a glance instead of trying to remember what I've got in the ceramic cannisters. Not to mention trying to remember which cannister is holding the bread flour versus the regular wheat flour. And we all know that my memory isn't what it used to be!

Maybe someday I'll work up to a pantry like Shan's. Hers is beautiful! Go take a look.

Have a wonderful day! Do something loving and kind for the next person you see, even if it's just a smile. It may just make their day, and it can't hurt yours!

Now, what to do about those diapers....

PS~Thank you everyone for your suggestions about the sewing machine. I finished that pillow by hand, but will hopefully get some time this weekend to try and troubleshoot the machine. You all are so sweet!

***Added~ Just found a mystery jar in the pantry. No clue as to what it contains. Couscous, maybe?

The glass jars come in a bunch of sizes. I've bought them at both Walmart & Target. Of course, Target was out of them completely last night. They were also out of ginger, vinegar, bouillion, and barley cereal. Good thing they had diapers!