Provisions by Lucy Almey Bird
As well as being a book collector I also seem to be a food collector, although this year I have been making a real effort to nip this in the bud slightly. But do you ever change your spots ... well leopards seemingly don't so why should I? 😄
Books and food are of almost equal importance, if I had to choose between a packet of biscuits and a second-hand book I think you all know by now which one would win.
But as well as sorting things out to sell on Facebook Marketplace in readiness for our move, I have also been trying to eat a lot of the foods from the store cupboard. The bottom cupboard is still absolutely full of all the food that I have with longer dates on, either next years or even further in the future. But back in March of this year I moved a lot of the short dated or out dated things from the bottom part of the cupboard into the top, and I have managed to go through a lot of them.
Doing this really helped me focus on things, I should make sure I rotate things much more carefully in future and never let things get so outdated. But it's never the end of the world if best before dates pass by.
March 2026
October 2026
I had a little tidy this week to see how well I am doing. I have moved a few things into the cupboard that didn't used to live there, the free condiments sachets etc, so if I hadn't it would look even clearer. If I had to look into a crystal ball I would say there is a tomatoey chickpea recipe in our near future, and maybe some flour based products.
Do not be kidded by the 'Biscuit' tin, it holds a large bag of bread flour, my other 'biscuit' tin out on the worktop actually holds Weetabix, but in my favour there is Bisto gravy granules in the Bisto tin. 😄
Sue xx
I see you're like me and peg your opened bags of flour. Chickpea and tomato curry, or soup, or with some veg in, stew?
ReplyDeletePegs are very versatile aren't they, and much cheaper than food clippy things. 😀
DeleteYes, to the curry and possibly the stew too. 💚
Your store cupboard is looking good! Very nicely organized, too. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's good to have a regular tidy up, it both keeps it looking neat and reminds me what I should be putting into my meal plans. 😀
DeleteSuch exciting times for you and Alan Sue. It seems to me the time has flown by, has it for you and Alan? As for Alan to have created a home must be so rewarding if somewhat tiring, though he does seem to thrive on the project. Let’s not forget you Sue!
ReplyDeleteProject Manager and most importantly Catering Manager.🤣
Christmas will be blissfully joyful in your new home which you both deserve. June
Yes, this year has just flown by, we've had so much on our plates what with the renovation and Mum. We'll be glad to have a quiet Christmas. This is one of the few moves of ours that is not happening the week before Christmas. 😄
DeleteI have been searching for tins to keep my flour in and never once thought to use biscuit tins instead. Thank you for a wonderful idea. It might confuse my visitors hoping for a bourbon but they could always use the flour to make some!
ReplyDeleteIt baffles Alan. 🤔 I used to collect big enamel bread bins, none of which ever contained bread!! He once rang me to ask where the Bisto was, and was totally amazed that it WAS in the tin marked Bisto. 😄
DeleteI dream of storing tins and packets at eye level instead of the deep dark floor level cupboard... one of these days I'll get down yo search for tinned tomatoes and never stand up again
ReplyDeleteHaha, which is why we have as many deep drawers as cupboards in the bungalow. While getting up and down can keep you fit, there's always the chance that you can't get up isn't there. One day you'll find me crawling around. 😄
DeleteGetting there-well done. Norrie likes his Bisto Granules too! Catriona
ReplyDeleteThey're not very healthy seemingly, but once in a while added to onions and then poured over bangers and mash it's delicious isn't it. 😀
DeleteOh yes, I’m now very much in the once down on the floor might not make it back up camp, I keep a garden kneeler in the kitchen for those bottom cupboard forays, it helps a bit ðŸ¤ðŸ˜€
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
It's a bit alarming isn't it. A garden kneeler is a good idea. :-)
DeleteI love that idea!
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DeleteThis little pantry looks fairly neat to me!
ReplyDeleteI always keep it tidy, but doing regular checks to see what I need to use up next has kept it even neater this year. 😀
DeleteYour cupboards are always so organised. I'm not anywhere near that level. But, we've just made the decision to try to move next year so a serious plan of food store using up starts now.
ReplyDeleteIt must be a huge relief to know you will soon be settled in your new home. And, how exciting to have the garden to plan next.
I thought I would have used up for much more of the food by now, but I've decided not too worry about that now. I'll just fill my shopping bags and take it round a few bags at a time to put in the cupboards, once they have been thoroughly cleaned. 😀
DeleteI go through our pantry now and again and zero in on things about to expire. Dave's habit is to just pile the new shopping on top of the old, so sometimes the soon-to-expire food is buried and I have to search it out again! But we seem to get it all eaten.
ReplyDeleteNaughty Dave, but I guess between you the food is safe from expiration. 😄
DeleteI think Mutti tomato tins are so attractive. I too have a Bisto tin. Where did we get them? Was there a special. offer, I cannot remember...
ReplyDeleteI think I bought mine from a garden centre. 🤔
DeleteYou’ve given me something to think about—I want my cupboards full,
ReplyDeletejust like my bookcase!! During the quarantine, this proved to be a lifesaver!!
It definitely pays to have a store of food ... and books ... for a rainy day. 😀
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