Kitchen Counter Re-Do/ Reorganizing The Kitchen , Thrifting Scores X 3, Using Winter Stores

 

After

Kitchen Counter Re-Do/ Reorganizing The Kitchen-

I had been wanting to clean and declutter the counter in the kitchen for a bit. With four day weekend (took 2 days vacation) it was the perfect time! With the new tea kettle and Keurig being retired it was also a time to look at the function of the area.  Our kitchen is not that big, with a built-in dining area. Basically sink with counter on both sides, then range with small counter on one side. That's it! We do have a built in desk that came with the house. I'd love to remove it and replace with a buffet, maybe some day. Anyway here's one of the before shots-

Before- Keurig and Too much stuff

Not too bad

First I took everything off each section, and cleaned the backsplash and counter-

Behind the toaster

Used very hot water, Dawn and Bartender's Friend

Spatters on backsplash-

Crud behind the faucet and sink-

A sponge did not do the job, but Bartender's Friend and a toothbrush did!

All clean! I put back the counter items and the new tea kettle (works great!)-

I took down the command hook

I moved the DIY topiary to the area by the fridge, liked it better there

Two new thrifted items added (see below) 

I liked this as is, it's shallow decor and doesn't use up that much space-

Next I cleaned out my big kitchen drawer, before shot-

Vacuumed the drawer, had donations and trash. All organized and easy to find things now! I bagged all the cookie cutters, stacked the strainers and biscuit cutters-

Next I took out the items below the china hutch and stored where they needed to go-

All better! 

None of this cost anything! I can't tell you how may articles, posts and Youtube videos tells you to buy all this stuff to do this job. Not needed! I have stored a few of the small decorative items. I may donate or put back. Will let some time pass and see if I miss them...

Roseville mixing bowl

Thrifting Scores X 3-

I hit three thrift stores in 3 days. I just needed to go browse! Last trip I found this Roseville Friendship pattern mixing bow. Not sure how old it is but it's in perfect shape! $15.00, my splurge. I couldn't date it exactly by research, but I love the craftsmanship!!! I saw a few of this size on eBay and Etsy for about $35.00 or so (without shipping) . I did have an odd interaction going out of the thrift store with a woman I didn't know. She came outside the door and said in a loud voice do you have my Roseville Bowl. I didn't know who she was I didn't know if there was going to be a problem and I just said oh I don't know. I went ahead and put it in the backseat of my car and close the door and she said oh yeah that was my Roseville Bowl. Then she walked off. Day was behind her and looked at me and I looked at him and got in the car. I told him what she said and he said oh you know he she works there. She had on a uniform best which I didn't notice. I don't know if she had her eye on it was going to buy it but apparently she had to say something so what can you do? There can be some interesting people in thrift stores sometimes so sometimes playing dumb is best route I guess

It's on my counter for now-

Another trip I scored some really cute holiday decor, $15.00 total-

Wall hanger

Fun winter wood wall decor

2 trees, how cute!

I donated my other large one the Keurig was on, I may mount to the wall, maybe

Basket for our crackers in the cupboard

Fits perfect! 

Another trip- this made my laugh so I bought it, $1.00, love the frame! If I ditch the print I could re-use-

For Life curved teapot, new these sell for $35.00, got for $3.00! Great for smaller pots of tea, has a nice silicone seal on the lid, doesn't drip. I found out after buying it they sell all kinds of really cool tea pots, love their designs.

Nice with silicone lid seal, full of biscotti's for winter

I forgot to add this to my last technology update. One of my kids kindly loaned me her CD player/radio when I started working from home last March. I knew I'd be bored to death with nothing to listen to!  Before Christmas she wanted it back. I looked around and found this for $45.00 at Target-. 

It has FM radio, CD player, wireless to tunes/podcasts off my phone and a head set jack. Works great and it's much smaller! 

Using Winter Stores-

It's so satisfying to bring out some of my home stored foods! This one meal I served- homemade Chow Chow, fermented pickles, home grown organic canned peaches, sale bought chicken breasts. These pickles I have to say are the BEST ever!!! Probably since I finally found some local pickling cukes that were freshly harvested. So crunchy! I also bought the chicken, 1/2 off during summer season. Froze, thawed and roasted with Trader Joe's Honey Aleppo Pepper Sauce with honey. Tangy and slightly sweet it was okay, next time I'd use BBQ sauce instead, too bland for me. I served with brown rice-