Frying Pan Heaven

By UniqueSpacesOrganizing,on August 11,2010
A couple of months ago I told you about organizing a kitchen and then being able to use that same kitchen for several days.   It was a load of fun to see if what I planned really worked. . . at least for me.  What I neglected to tell you was that the clients went on vacation and I organized their kitchen (brave people) while they were gone.  Since I know the clients quite well,it was tempting to do some very creative organizing and then wait for their frantic calls.  I had visions of giving them clues and them enjoying one big scavenger hunt.  Then reality hit and it became very apparent that the clients might not think that a scavenger hunt was a great idea,especially when they were hungry/in a hurry.  I realized that this creative plan might lead to no more vacation organizing and worse yet,Christmas and birthday presents might be in jeopardy.  I quickly came to my senses and developed a plan for an organized kitchen I hoped they would love. 

 

After emptying all the cabinets and drawers,sorting like items together and taking interior cabinet measurements,I headed off to the local big box home center.  The clients had a budget they wanted to stay within and I had some specific products I hoped to use.  I needed some pull-out shelving units for frying pans and other cookware.  I also wanted drawer dividers, something to hold snacks for the kids and various sizes of bins for all the miscellaneous items.  I was pleased to find that this store carried Rev-A-Shelf products and I found exactly what I was looking for.

                                                                                                                         

These pullout shelves were easy to install and put an end to the struggle with stacked pans and lids in low cabinets.  Storing cookware vertically makes it much easier to access what you need and to return it to the rack  when you are done.

Elated by the success with pans &lids,I moved on to  the challenge of 10 frying pans stacked in a cabinet under the range.

 (I know what you are thinking:  “Why would anyone have that many frying pans?”  My client is an accomplished and innovative chef.  He uses each and every frying pan with delicious results.) 

I had to be a bit more creative with the frying pan racks.  The door openings on the cabinet were narrow and large frying pans with long handles presented a huge problem.  I chose two different styles of pullout shelves.

 

 

 

The large frying pans were placed vertically with the handles down to one side in a wire pullout multi-use drawer.  This worked well and even allowed enough space to store a large stock pot &lid there too. 

Next I installed the lid  portion of the Pan &Lid pullout shelves.  The lid rack was positioned low in the cabinet and each frying pan had a space.  These frying pans had  shorter handles and  more narrow diameters so I was able to place them vertically in the rack with the handles up.  This rack is one of my favorites for frying pans.   I plan to install a similar pullout shelf in my kitchen.

Rev-A-Shelf  products are sturdy,well made and easy to install.  These pullout shelves help maintain  kitchen organization and make it a pleasure for the clients to cook.  No more digging through the cabinets looking for that specific pot,lid or frying pan.  With pullout shelving,cookware is at your finger tips.

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Happy Tomatoes,Happy Gardener

By UniqueSpacesOrganizing,on June 27,2010

I know you are wondering how “Happy Tomatoes,Happy Gardener” relates to organizing.  I am an avid gardener and anything that makes weed control and increased veggie production easier is something for me to shout about. (Or at least blog about).  Gardens are organized spaces that require some maintainance through the growing season.  If we plan our time and organize our efforts in the garden,  it can be an enjoyable experience with great results. . . yummy,  fresh,nutritious veggies!

The garden just doesn’t seem complete unless I plant tomatoes.  My tomatoes seem to do best planted in the bed on the south side of the chicken house.  (Yes,I really do have chickens and love the fresh eggs.)  Each year I add compost and manure in the Fall so by Spring the bed is ready to go. 

Home of my "Fine Feathered Friends".

 

A couple of years ago I came across a product called red mulch that proclaimed success in increasing tomato production.  I tried it that year and it worked.  Last year I didn’t use it and the yield went down.  This year I am using red mulch again.

    Red mulch or SMR-Red is a thin plastic film that reflects far-red light up into the plants thus increasing production from 12 –20%.   It warms the soil and helps maintain moisture.  It also eliminates weeds. You can purchase it at garden centers or online.  I ordered mine from Territorial Seed in Oregon.  I buy most of my seeds from them also.  I am extremely pleased with the seed quality and quantity of vegetables and herbs produced. 

Back to red mulch . . . you place the mulch over your drip system on top of the soil.  Make slits in the red mulch and plant your tomatoes.  I like nice tidy rows and I plant the tomatoes deep.  Due to freezing temperatures in June,  I did not get my tomatoes in until June 12.  I was a little worried about even getting a few tomatoes on the plants. 

Yesterday I checked the plants and they had grown at least 8 inches.  The plants are healthy and have lots of blossoms.   Best of all,  no weeds to pull . . .  so now  I have  a bit of extra time to enjoy my garden. 

My hopes are high for one of the best tomatoes crops ever. (Barring unexpected frost) 

 Try some red mulch and enjoy those amazing,flavorful, home-grown tomatoes. 

                                                           Sheer delight in each bite!!

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Smart Shopping

By UniqueSpacesOrganizing,on March 15,2010

Have you checked out a copy of Shop Smart ;) magazine yet? 

I was in COSTCO last week and discovered it on their magazine rack.  It is published by Consumer Reports and claims to be a “Quick and Easy Shopping Guide”.  I was skeptical at first but purchased it any way. I was pleasingly surprised.  It has 85 pages of  useful information on everything from how to clean smarter,buy smarter,eat smarter and live smarter to recalls and expert advise. 

 

The magazine is divided into five main categories: Home &Yard,Health &Family,Food,Electronics and Cars. Each section has one to three articles about current topics.  Some articles compare products while others offer ideas about better ways to do things. 

Shop Smart;) is easy and fun to read while providing great ideas for every day living.  I read it cover to cover in one sitting.  I also am trying some of their cleaning recommendations and I’ll let you know how it goes.

Check out their website.    See what you think.

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