Grand Plan Challenge - Week 4

This week's challenge - the Kitchen and Pantry! and your printable checklist.

Reading this week's challenge makes me tired.  But don't give up!  This is week 4!  You can do it!  Think of how much better your entryway and living room felt after you were done.  We're all cheering you on!  You can do this, and it will feel great afterwards!

Read this week's challenge, fill out your checklist and then tackle what you can, when you can.  Obviously, you want to do these challenges at times when the kitchen isn't needed for mealtimes.  In my house, I'll probably do it after the kids go to bed.  Don't try to tackle it all at once!  Give yourself a few days to get it done so you don't get burned out.  And then celebrate!  Make some cookies or a cake or something healthy (boo) in your immaculate kitchen!  Relish that free feeling!  It's amazing what a clean kitchen will do for your mood.  When I do get around to cleaning up my stove top and counter tops, I will usually immediately dive into some cooking project because it's so much easier when there's no clutter!

And I'm going to challenge you to be generous.  Purge those things that are taking up space.  Do you really need that whatchamacallit?  Is that once-a-year use really worth the space in your kitchen?  I cook a lot.  So I have a lot of time-saving gadgets.  But I see them as tenants and my kitchen as real estate.  Countertops are prime real estate - i.e. high rent.  If something doesn't get used very often (use = salary), it can't afford to be there.  Drawers are next highest real estate, then main cabinets, then corner (barely useful) cabinets, then the pantry.  Make your gadgets 'pay' for the space they take up.  If you don't use it very often, or you haven't used it in the last year, it's probably time for it to bless someone else.  You are smart, you can probably find another tool to do almost the same job.

My goal this week is to find space to get my kids' plates, cups, bowls, flatware and my daughter's cooking supplies into a cabinet they can access so they can set their own stuff at the table.  But, I'm going to have to seriously purge to get that far, so wish me luck!

Comment here on your progress and encourage each other! We can do it!  We can have amazingly clean and organized kitchens!