52 Week Home Organization Challenge

Who else is joining in the 52 week home organizing challenge over at Home Storage Solutions 101?  When I saw the link on Twitter, I knew I had to join in.  So glad I did, the {free} weekly challenges are delivered right to my inbox-- breaking up a houseful of organizational challenges into small, easy-to-manage chunks.  Apparently about 12,000 other people thought it was great as well-- the link went viral and crashed their mail system!  But I think it's working now, so you should sign up along with me if you haven't already.

Last week's challenge was to organize kitchen counters. 

I wasn't sure how much I needed to do that, until I did it, you know what I mean?

Since one of my 2012 goals is to strive less for perfection and more toward getting things done (because I'm finding perfectionism paralyzing, true be told) I took the photos for this post on my cell phone.  That's right, no Pinterest-worthy photos here!  Uh-oh, is my blog going to die a slow, agonizing death because of it?  I sure hope not, but I'm willing to take the chance.  My mom doesn't seem to mind if photos are pin-able or not, so I'm not going to either.  {hi mom!}

If you promise not to be too jealous of my green laminate countertops, I'll show you how I organized them.  Because I love you.  You know that, right?  Let's just pretend the laminate is actually granite, okay?

Spice Rack

A quick inventory revealed I needed more thyme {but, hey, don't we all?  Haha!}  Seriously, though, it the thyme bottle was empty, and a few others needed filling.  After cruising my spice cabinet, I managed to combine several spices and get the spice rack full again.  One trick to pass along it to save your empty spice containers (the ones from the store that you use to fill the ones on the rack if you have one) and fill with homemade seasoning mixes.  Right now I have homemade salmon rub, taco seasoning, and poultry seasoning all sitting in old spice jars.  Makes using and storing them a breeze.

I'm also taking deep breaths and pretending I don't notice how much the spice rack needs to be wiped down.  I'm practicing letting go... deep breath...

Feeding Area

BEFORE AND AFTER

Most people probably don't need to designate an entire counter area for this, but thanks to Noodle's feeding issues in our home we do.  It was also a handy area for Bee's bottles, back when he used them.  Thankfully the pile is getting smaller as both Bee and Abby eat more "adult" foods.  Each week I seem to manage to store more items needed for her frequent meals in the cabinets, and less on the counters. Having things within easy reach is nice, but I bet by her 4th birthday I can reclaim that counterspace completely.

Clutter Catchers

Ever notice clutter collecting in a certain spot, time after time?  That's what I designate as an area that needs a clutter catcher!  One of those spots is near Noodle's feeding area.  It's also her toothbrushing/ hair salon/ meds area.  {And... DVDs.  No lectures on t.v. watching and baby brains, okay?  It's doctor approved for Noodle's feeding therapy.}

Enter the clutter catcher, collecting all those important bits and pieces.  After a cleaning out it was looking much nicer.  And I love nicer.

Utensil Holder

BEFORE

AFTER

Until I thought about it, I didn't realize it wasn't necessary to have out every single large spoon, all my kabob holders (I mean, it's winter so it's not like we're grilling) and five spatulas.  Okay, maybe the spatulas are safe because I use them all, but the others were hogging room in the utensil bin.  Into the drawers you go!

Two things problems arose as I worked on this challenge:

#1: I need a bigger bread box.  This small IKEA one isn't working for me anymore.

#2: Any ideas on knife storage?  These sets date back to my wedding (possibly before), and I think I need a better storage solution.  Drawers are out because I don't have many (and those I do have are within reach of The Danger Twins), and I don't have a good stretch of wall for a magnet strip.  Any clever tricks to share?

This week's challenge is kitchen cabinet and drawer organization, but I might have gone ahead and done my freezer too.  Wait 'til you see what I found in there.  I counted 24 of them.  Yikes.

Who else is joining along with this challenge?  Any advice for countertop organization?  Anyone else with bee-autiful green laminate counters as well?

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