The little birds...

If you watch little birds you will see they are busy and happy! Using whatever they can find they create the most gorgeous little nest.
I would be the little bird with some glittery thread in her nest!
We can be like this. Happily working away with the things that are available to us to create a beautiful and happy home.
All the while with a little song in our heart.

Banner by Free Pretty Things for You.

Tuesday 26 May 2015

Pantries and Preparedness. Progress and a tour of Teri's Pantry.

I am happy to report that my metal shelves in the cellar are full! And my husband is on board with my project and has offered to build shelves across the other wall of the cellar. The people who lived here before us had it for wine storage. So one wall is still a wine rack. I have half filled one side with bottled water but other than that this section is difficult. So Andy is pulling it out and building pantry shelves. This will greatly increase my space and organization.

Last week I invited everyone to share pictures of their pantries and preparedness. And any information about how you do it. The first person to send me pictures was Teri S. Thank you so much Teri!  This was so exciting! Teri has agreed for you all to see. These are a testimony to hard work, consistency and prudence. This is part of Teri's letter, I know you will enjoy this as much as me...



I do want you to know that I've been working on food storage for many, many years and have had several friends and family members guide me along the way, with knowledge and encouragement.  You are doing a grand job, using your cellar, cupboards and other creative ways to store items!!  I love how you use tins and jars and make them look so beautiful!  My mom taught me many years ago to use cookie tins but we have never decorated them, as you do! I love the trunk you make too!!

I learned so much about dehydrating years ago (my first dehydrator used a small light bulb to dry the food lol).  I found that dried foods were so handy and I didn't want to waste food, or had an abundance from our garden, so this was a way to have fruits, veggies, herbs and even rose petals year round.  I learned how to cook with my dried foods, make fruit leather and potpourri.  I wasn't wasting, I could share extra and my family enjoyed our meals.  I've just recently started making a veggie powder mix (which I put dried onions, garlic and herbs) that I use to season ground beef etc. and I use my powdered tomatoes to make tomato "paste" thereby eliminating yet one more item to purchase at the store. I love to snack on dried fruit.  I use my dehydrator year round.  One year, I had lots of extra potatoes so I researched how to dry those. I dry broccoli, cabbage, carrots, celery and celery leaves, onions (both the round part and the green tops), herbs and fruit of all kinds.  I also dry winter and summer squash. 




It's only been the last 15 years that I've been pressure canning soups, meats, broth, veggies etc.  It took me a long time to feel comfortable using a pressure canner but one year we had a wonderful huge crop of green beans, not much freezer space and so I pulled out my pressure canner and canned away!  lol  I then learned how to can dry beans, chili, baked beans, soups, broth, etc.



The big wooden shelving you see full of canned goods was built for my mother-in-law.  She used it for years and that's the only thing I asked for!  :)  We have moved it several times and I love it!  It holds over 400 cans of food.  (it is 2 shelves stacked on top of each other and anchored in the back and sides).  The room where you see most of the food and wheat grinder table is something I dreamed of for years and with this house, my dream became reality! The room that holds a shelf with empty jars, paper products and #10 cans was just an extra room being used for nothing so we decided to make that space for paper, cleaning products extra.  It does get the hot afternoon sun so I don't store my canned goods in there (by the way, these rooms are in the basement (cellar)). My food storage room has little heat and stays the same temp year round.  (we do have water pipes in there so during winter we leave the door open a bit so it doesn't freeze).  This room is a work in progress.  I'm trying to organize it better, many thanks to you, dear Annabel!! Sorry its a bit messy.  The dried mint (in the paper bags) still needs to be pulled off the stems and put in jars.  Also, I recently rearranged so all my dehydrated foods would be on one shelf for the most part.  The totes hold extra flour, sugar, pasta, etc. and I'm using a small one to hold a few extra packages of marshmallows and will put other items in that too.



The last two pictures are under the stairs.  It holds some of my big buckets, stock pots and extra dehydrator racks.  Those buckets hold wheat, beans, rice and the boxes have #10 cans of flour and oats.  Over the years, we have shared lots with family members/friends needing a bit of help and I've yet to learn how to cook for two.  lol  You are a great help to me by encouraging me to use my freezer for "extras" so thank you!  :)  I also have two small closets off the kitchen that I use for my "pantry" and then refilling jars as needed.  (one of the closets was a "coat" closet and we added shelves as our kitchen is very small with little cupboard space).  We buy in bulk (from the LDS cannery and Costco) and wait for good specials at the grocery store, like you do.  We buy our meat from the mark down bin, mostly.  The prices of food is awful and they just keep getting worse.  Our garden is starting to grow but cold temps and rain have slowed it down.  However, I won't complain about the rain.  We truly need it! 
It's important to have food storage in various forms so not all is lost when electricity is out.  I do need to figure out a way to "earthquake" my shelves.  I've done some research but haven't decided which way to put a "rail" along each shelf.  




For our family, our food storage and other storage of non-food items is insurance and a way to take care of our family without running to the shops all the time.  I'd much rather go to the basement to "shop" than get in my car.  lol  It saves money, time and stress!  I still have a long way to go with getting things like LED lanterns, other ways to cook etc.  I did find a bag full of tea candles and other small candles at an estate sale a couple weeks ago, so my supplies are growing slow but sure.  I also keep material on hand to sew with, I mend everything I can to get more use out of it and I enjoy crafting.  Little by little, things get done and it gives me a good feeling! :)



Well, little by little Teri sure has got things done! Teri has been very generous and made me feel that for someone who is almost five months into this that I am doing ok. And that in my little way I have encouraged her! This is beautiful to me as encouraging each other is a big and important thing. 

Now, we are all at different stages. Plus we have different sized families and circumstances. The important thing is that we do what we can to have a well stocked pantry and be prepared. 
Teri pointed out she has been working on her pantry for years. This is good to remember. She has obviously worked really hard to get it this way and it didn't happen overnight.

Space is another issue and some of us are in apartments and smaller living spaces. Earlier in the series we explored some creative storage for small spaces. the point is to start now, making the most of what opportunities you have and using the space available. It will be different for all of us.

I am very lucky to have my cellar. It is little as cellars go but it is a space I can use 100% for food storage. Plus it is cool and a consistent temperature is a great thing for food storage. So I am making the most of that. But because I feel so prompted to do this if I only had under the bed, my kitchen cupboards or laundry cupboards I would still be doing this. If the power goes out, the ATMs are down, you are snowed in or whatever you have to be able to stay home and be ok and feed your family. 

Thank you so much Teri for the tour of your pantry. I just loved it. I am inspired and encouraged by you. 

We have covered a lot of subjects so far and there are so many more to go. But feeling inspired is very energizing! 

What can we do this last week of May to improve our pantries and preparedness? And what can we do to keep this a priority and continue to build up our supplies and reach our goals? Consistency is an amazing thing as little by little you achieve amazing things... consider the ants! 

I hope you are having a wonderful week. The sun is shining here again today and drying my sheets on the line. Lovely. xxx

44 comments:

  1. Wow, what an amazing food store! That is what I dream of! And what a great idea to use powdered tomato to make tomato paste. I have never heard that before and am definitely putting that on my list. We have moved to a very small house with no pantry in the kitchen, let alone space to store food. The garage is the only option but it varies so greatly in temperature that I don't know if it would work. I would love to build a separate storehouse - we have room on our 8 acres and it would be good building practice for if we ever get to build our own house! I am really inspired by all the pantry posts - loving them.

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    1. Thanks Jayne. On A Working Pantry Patsy uses a trunk, which is then used as a coffee table I think, as part of her pantry storage. Laine used under the beds. So there are sneaky ways! But ooohh a special room would be nice! 8 acres sounds just beautiful! Much of your pantry could be vegies and fruit trees which would be wonderful! xxx

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    2. Thank you, Jayne! Being creative with space will help, like Annabel suggested. Sometimes just rearranging things helps. Maybe you could try elevating a bed to put food under it. Or use boxes with food, stacked, and then a table cloth over to use as a "table". We added shelves to a coat closet (removed the metal rod for hanging) which helped us in our kitchen, since it is small and has few cupboards. How fortunate for you to have 8 acres! :) Teri

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  2. Teri, thank you for sharing your wonderful pantry with us! Your supply of dried food is really inspiring! I need to dehydrate more of our produce as it is very convenient and doesn't take much shelf space... This was just the push I needed :)

    And thank you for sharing this with us Annabel :)

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    1. Thanks Jes. I am finding that dehydrated goods are helping me fit in much more space wise too.
      It is a joy to look at a good pantry that is for sure. (why Im on your blog so often!) xxx

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    2. Jes, thank you so much for your lovely comment! I got a nudge from a friend a few years back! Dehydrating does take so much less space.

      Your pantry is amazing also! Teri

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  3. That is a fairly amazing food store, reminds me of my grandmothers! I had not thought of powdering my tomatoes either and I'm thinking I could powder and dehydrate onions and garlic etc. Learning from others instead of the hard way - my goal in life! It seems like it took forever to get my tomatoes to the 'sun dried' stage, any suggestions to get them dry enough to grind to powder? Thanks!

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    1. Kathy I know that Patsy makes powders from her vegetables so she will be able to help with that. Take a look on A Working Pantry as I know she makes powders to add flavor to soups etc. Also she is very good if you ask any questions she replies and helps.
      I would love to have seen your Grandmothers pantry! How wonderful!xxx

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    2. Kathy, I just wanted to let you know how I dry and powder my tomatoes. I use cherry, pear and roma tomatoes mostly for powder. The small size I slice in half and the bigger romas I try to slice 1/4 inch slices. I put them on my dryer racks cut side up to start. Then, every couple hours, I rotate the racks and turn each slice. I continue doing this until they are dry. Since it takes quite a few hours, I try to start early in the morning however there are times I just let the dryer run through the night. If you don't turn the tomatoes several times during the drying process, they do stick to the racks. (this could also be done outside in the sun).

      When totally dry, I put them into a basket to sit a few days (making sure each one it totally dry) and then put in jars until I grind them. I have used both a coffee bean grinder and a small (like 2 cup) processer. Sometimes, I use both to get a fine "grind" but this works for me.

      To make tomato paste, just measure out the amount of tomato powder and add warm water, stirring to the consistency you would like. If I'm making spaghetti sauce, I just add powder to the sauce cook a bit and add more if I want a thicker sauce.

      I do the same with my onion/garlic/herb mixture. When adding this mixture to ground beef, just sprinkle some in and mix. Using dried instead of fresh you would use less. Hope this helps! Teri

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  4. Yes, Annabel I do have a trunk as my coffee table that is used for pantry storage as well as another old trunk that I use as my gift trunk that sits in a different area of my home. Because we live in a 925 sq ft house I have had to get very creative in storing my pantry, but where there is a will, there is a way! I have thoroughly enjoyed this post ... thank you for putting it together!

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    1. Thanks Patsy. You got me going on my own trunk makeover. Very handy extra space.
      You are right where there is a will there is a way. I saw a picture where someone had lined their whole hallway/passage with narrow shelves. It made an amazing storage space and looked great! xxx

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  5. Annabel, I would say Teri lives in the Northern Hemisphere by the looks of all that food storage. Those ladies certainly know how to make use of their summer produce. Very inspiring. You are doing well with your cellar. Good on Andy for helping with the project.

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    1. You are correct Nanna Chel, Teri is one of the US ladies. They are amazing. I am learning so much.
      I am excited to have more shelves! It will be a great help. I hope you are having a good week! xxx

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  6. That is a very impressive store! I just love it and feel very inspired. Thank you. I am interested in your drying of herbs, you had mint in a paper bag, did you dry it in the bag or is that just where you are storing it until you strip the leaves. I am currently drying stinging nettle leaves and am interested in your herb technique. Thankyou. I wonder if electricity is a lot cheaper in the US. I would love to dry more food but our dryer uses a lot of power though I have instructions for a solar dryer which would be great in summer.

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    1. Dear Garden Del,
      I will let Teri answer herself, she will probably see your question.
      For me, here in South Australia, electricity prices stop me from using a drier. But I still dry all my herbs and I have also done tomatoes in summer on racks outside on hot days, covered in netting. It works a treat. Just google traditional ways to sun dry tomatoes and then pack them into oil. However SA has hardly any humidity and very hot days where 3 days and they are done!
      I hang all my herbs upside down in bunches to dry inside and they dry quickly and a good color. Also if you have a winter fire you can dry things near by that. Mum always did mushrooms this way by threading them along a string with a needle and thread and hanging this to dry. I think humidity is the big enemy but here it is really easy to air dry light things and sun dry thicker things. I hope that might help. It does not pay me to use an electric drier. Love Annabel.xx

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    2. Garden Del, Thank you so much! As I cut my mint and other herbs, I bundle them, tie string around the stems and then hang them upside down on clothes hangers (just leave a little string to tie around hanger). I just hang the "herb hangers" in my food room, kitchen and sometimes garage. It takes time for them to dry but smell amazing! This saves two things: power and taking each leaf off the stem. Most of my herbs are dried that way. With chives, I take a kitchen scissors, cut them and put them on a plate in a sunny window, stirring them a bit until dry. Parsley, thyme, basil and oregano can all be done either by hanging or in a sunny window.

      I put all my dried bundles into paper bags to catch the leaves and then just slowly run my fingers down each stem. After all of one kind is done, I dump the bag out into a bowl, crush them a bit more and then pour into jars.

      My mother had screens that she would place on our back porch, cover with netting and leave in the sun to dry. I would suggest bringing in your screens, trays, etc. each night and then turn the food and place out in the sun during the day. That way moisture can't "creep" back into the food. (If you have old window screens not in use, they would work well).

      The cost of the electric dehydrators is something to consider, as Annabel mentioned. My dehydrators don't use much electricity as they aren't big and have small fans. Also, I use a natural gas stove to do all my canning on. I wouldn't be able to afford the electricity if I used an electric stove.

      I hope this helps! I love the idea of stringing mushrooms to dry. I've done this with cranberries. I'm always learning something new! Teri

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    3. Thank you Terri and Annabel for explaining your herb drying. Much appreciated.

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  7. Annabel, What a lovely tribute!! Thank you so much!! All of you have been an encouragement to me! We use our pantry daily!

    At one time, Annabel, our children had food under their beds. We even had shelves in the basement for some storage (but heat was a problem). I'm grateful for wonderful friends and especially this group of lovely ladies! You are all so encouraging! Thank you!! :)

    And I'm excited for you and Andy adding additional shelves in your cellar. As you said, Annabel, getting creative with storage space helps a ton. You are a wonderful example!

    Have a wonderful week everyone! Love, Teri

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    1. Annabel, I'm sorry, I meant to say garage instead of basement in my comment. Our garage had no AC or windows, so the temperature fluctuated too much for bottles of fruit and canned goods. :) Teri

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    2. Teri thank you for helping Kathy and Garden Del with their questions. Your answers are so helpful and I am taking notes. I love that you air dry so many things. Nothing more economical that that!
      I am wondering what question to ask you next! Thank you so much. xxx

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    3. Annabel, you are so welcome!! I'm happy to help any way I can! Love, Teri

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  8. Wow, what a great pantry, its so beautiful to see. You have so many good tips.

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    1. I agree hobbyloes. A picture is worth 1000 words! xx

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    2. hobbyloes, thank you! Tei

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  9. A nice reminder that I need to get to work! Thanks for sharing at Homemaking Linkup

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    1. Dear Mary, Thank you! I am finding a lot of lovely blogs through that link up! Love Annabel.xx

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  10. Teri, you have a wonderfully stocked pantry. Thank you for sending Annabel the pictures to share with all of us; it was very kind and thoughtful.

    Thank you, Annabel, for your pantry posts.

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    1. Thank you Glenda. It is wonderful we all have plenty in common and to talk about and learn from each other! I am enjoying it so much!
      The questions and answers have helped me too, especially with drying herbs etc.
      xxx

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    2. Glenda, You are welcome! And thank you! I'm so glad Annabel has all these wonderful posts. I'm learning so much also! Teri

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  11. Dear Annabel and Teri,
    This was spectacular! What a resourceful woman you are, Teri. Thank you Annabel for arranging it so we can see one another's pantries and learn. Thank you Teri for being willing to share! As you know Annabel I've been in the thick of it and there are many posts I'm enjoying catching up on and this one is just great. I am canning for the first time this year and this is exciting! When I look at these photos I see love, hard work, perseverance, patience, and willingness. What a blessing. Much love, Colette xxx

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    1. Dear Colette, Thank you for taking this time to comment as I know you are so busy with a lot of things right now.
      I agree you cannot look at Teri's pictures without feeling happy and inspired!
      I hope you will share with us your canning experience! This is exciting!
      With love, Annabel.xxx

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    2. Colette, Thank you for your kind words! They mean so much to me! I'm so excited you will be canning this year. Wonderful!! I would like to suggest the Ball Blue Book. I've used it for years. There are many great canning books in the library also. This is the book I turn to again and again! :) Teri

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  12. Thank you Teri for sharing your pantry pictures and information with us. Your pantry. Is a dream pantry!

    I have cheap shelving in my little corner of our study/office at present. We bought these so we could see how it worked out having our long term stocks in this space. They need replacing with sturdier shelves or perhaps built ins. When our almost 20 yo moves out in the next year or so, this whole room will hopefully become my store and the spare bedroom a study then. It will be fabulous to have a dedicated room! We are not in the habit of having basements in Australia, but the storage space they offer is fabulous! Likewise with your cellar Annabel. Newer homes have large walk in pantries "butlers pantries" I notice them called on current home plans. It is wonderful to see people wanting dedicated spaces and returning to the ways our grandmothers thought of as normal.

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    1. Kaye ooohhh not wanting to push your daughter out of house and home but when she does move having a room to make over would be amazing! I have seen many pictures where people have converted a room to a walk in pantry and it is fantastic. It becomes like a home shop. Imagine!
      It is good to know pantries are being included now.
      You are right, our grandmothers thought it was just normal.
      If you do that the present shelves could be used for something lighter maybe.
      Many thanks Kaye.xxx

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    2. Kaye, thank you so much! I'm hoping we will see pictures of your future food storage room! :) Teri

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  13. oh my, Teri what an amazing store. I read the blog yesterday and came back again today with a little more time up my sleeve and read it again.
    I am so glad that you got to know Annabel and through her we can see your wondrous supply.
    I've never thought about drying things.
    Annabel thank you for bringing Teri into our midst.
    A great post from both of you.
    Fi xx

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  14. Fiona, Thank you so much for your kind words! It's been a blessing to me to find Annabel! Teri

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  15. This post would be a perfect addition to the new Our Simple Homestead Hop if you would like to share it with us!
    http://oursimplelife-sc.com/our-simple-homestead-hop-1/

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    1. Thank you Tracy for the invitation and I would be glad to! See you over there! xxx

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  16. Holy smoke is all I can say. What a incredible pantry. Great job!

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  17. Wow Teri, you have an awesome pantry! You have done so well with getting your pantry organised and running.

    I loved reading this post and can take away some ideas to use in my own pantry. One of my favourite things to do is look at other pantries to get ideas for organisation because I struggle with this sometimes.

    I am sure to be back to read this again for inspiration.

    Thank you Annabel for the idea of sharing our pantries. You are a sweet blessing to all our lives.

    Lots of love
    Tania xx

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  18. Wow, what a stunning pantry! My mouth fell open in awe when I saw the photos....such beautiful organization :) I have found my dream pantry and maybe someday I will have one that is similar.

    Thanks to Teri for giving us a peek and thanks to you, sweet Annabel, for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. Happy weekend!

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  19. Wow looking at these pictures just reminds me of walking into Costco for the first time!!!! I never even thought you could put your own things in cans. This post has also encouraged me to use my dehydrator!

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  20. Love this post and love your pantry. It looks absolutely fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing this with us at Good Morning Mondays. Blessings

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I really appreciate your comments thank you! The aim of my blog is the be a place of encouragement and happiness. Very rarely is anyone rude. Actually only twice so far! If you post a rude or aggressive comment I will read it but not publish it, thanks for understanding.xxx

Spam is never published... if you are advertising a product or selling website your comment wont be published. I am inundated with stuff about drugs, horses and weird things! I am not going to publish this stuff! Thank you.