Cleaning up my Act

I hate to clean. I'll admit it. There are so many things I would rather do: be outside in the garden, sitting on the deck reading a magazine, shopping, napping, surfing Facebook. It was one of the genes from my Mom that I didn't inherit. Our house was always clean, neat and tidy growing up. It was really small so I guess it had to be so four of us could fit in it, but she would spend weekend with the stereo up loud and an E & J brandy and water in her glass, washing floors, doorframes, dusting, wiping out the hutch with her 'good' dishes. I got her ironing gene-I hate anything that isn't pressed, but I could care a less if there are dishes in the sink or a stack of mail on the counter.....until the sink is heaping full and no one will help or I can't find that bill that needs to be paid. I couldn't take it anymore tonight. I cleaned out cupboards, threw out old food, washed containers, re-arranged shelves and cupboards. And all the dishes are done....until tomorrow. Sigh. Here is a new gadget I bought today while out shopping with Hermit crab, and the fruits of my labor of cleaning:

It is a garlic chopper. I had seen Brian Boitano use one on his Food Network show and thought about how much I like my big chopper so when I found it at Macy's today, I had to pick it up. Let's hope I like it as much as my big one. I was looking for some 1 quart casserole dishes to make individual servings of our favorite stuff so I can put some make ahead meals in the freezer but couldn't find any in the mall, so I'm off to Crate and Barrel online to make a purchase.

This is my cupboard next to the stove. It holds all my spices and my canned goods. Truth be told, I didn't really clean this one up too much, as I had just gone through and donated a bunch to our local food shelf, but then unfortunately, went and bought more stuff to fill it up. I think I need a 12 step program for reckless abandon at the grocery store!

We have a four shelf pull out pantry next to our fridge. I didn't take pics of the baking shelves only because all the stuff is white and in plastic containers, so they looked a little, well, white. In my top shelf I have dressings, peanut butter, tuna, some cooking oils, spare ketchup's and mayo. In the little green bags with the ribbons is something fun I picked up at a county fair and will be making soon to show on here.

This shelf has our soup mixes, noodle mixes, macaroni and cheese, organic gravies, rice and pasta side dishes. I'll be the first to admit I am no gourmet chef-I like the occasional flavored pasta or Betty Crocker loaded baked potato dried potato for a side dish :)

This is our pasta/oatmeal/popcorn cupboard. This one was the worst with partial packages of noodles open and crammed in here. Booger said "Wow! I've never seen that cupboard clean before!" Gee thanks.

Now it is almost 11 PM and I have a meatloaf and chicken to go cook so we can have some meals this weekend at work. Dude loves BLT's but I think he is hoping for a hot meal soon.....