Howdy Sugar Pie! Well, as promised, I’m sharing my pantry update with you today! In a previous post, I shared that I was spring cleaning and decluttering my pantry…and boy did it need it! It’s crazy how things can accumulate and get out of control! I didn’t even think to take a before picture but trust me it was overloaded…there was just too much STUFF! I use my pantry not only for food but my extra bowls, platters, small appliances, jars, and such so it was time to get purging! Every time I went in there I cringed a little and I would have this recurring thought ‘I’ve got to get in here to clean!‘ but as it is with life, other more pressing things always got in the way until I finally decided, ok that’s it ( I said to myself with my hands on my hips), I’m getting this pantry organized for crying out loud! Lol!

I got started thinking that I could breeze right through my cleaning in a couple days but right in the middle of it, I needed to stop and help my daughter move her things out of her dorm room for College break. Then some other things came up and so, unfortunately, I didn’t get to finish until a week and a half later! Eeeeek! I have no doubt that our environment affects our sense of well being because this mama was not happy about stepping over things to get ingredients to cook for dinner. Goodness!

Finally, I got back to it and got it done! Yay!

So after I cleaned, purged, and organized I decided I didn’t like looking at all of my extra things on the lower shelves. They were things I needed and wanted to keep but I still felt like it looked cluttered so I ordered some crisp white cafe curtains and some tension rods  to hang on the lower half of the shelves to make my pantry look simpler and prettier.

See what I mean? It still looked a little cluttered.

Finally, my cafe curtains order came in and in just a few minutes, using tension rods, I was able to hang them so easily!

I love how simple, clean and fresh my pantry looks now! What do you think?

I left the four white baskets exposed because we use them every day for snacks and drinking containers and I didn’t want to have to fuss with moving the curtains each time. The other things that are behind the curtains are things we use occasionally, so it’s no big deal.

My granny aprons, freshly washed, hung all in a row and ready to go!

On the very top shelves, I added some vintage goodness…a nod to the turn-of-the-century and old-fashioned ways. Take a look at the coffee pot with the wooden spool knob. The original knob must have broken off so most likely the farmer or the farmer’s wife cleverly attached the old thread spool to the lid. Back then you made do with what you had!

The very old tomato cans (they are empty) are from the area where I live. The label says Heart of the Ozarks. I love having a little bit of history from my home town.

I purchased my potato and onion bins on eBay but I recently saw them at Hobby Lobby if you’re interested. Onions and potatoes need to be kept separate otherwise they spoil quicker.

The glass percolator coffee pot belonged to my grandparents. I love thinking about them sitting down at the kitchen table for a cup of hot coffee to have with Grandma’s homemade Biscotti’s. My grandparents were from Sicily, Italy and came to America back in the early 1900’s. They were the cutest couple! I loved being in their kitchen. I can still see the spaghetti sauce bubbling on the stove and freshly baked bread on the table. Grandma’s kitchen was one of my favorite smells!

I just had to throw this photo in of my Italian grandparents sitting on a paper moon in New York City on their honeymoon! Oh honey!

This is the baking-center side of my pantry. When I designed my baking center and pantry I was inspired by the turn-of-the-century houses on Main Street USA at Disneyland. I imagined what the kitchens might have looked like inside those charming homes with the cute front porches. I’d like to think that Walt Disney might have given me a wink if he could’ve taken a peek at how my pantry turned out! Heehee!

This view is looking into the pantry from the pass-through window.

This is the view looking into the kitchen from inside the pantry.

My grandkids love to play in the pantry…and that makes me happy!

I love the detailing of this old farmhouse screen door…the best part is that it squeaks!

Well, I hope you enjoyed my pantry tour!

Please say howdy in the comments below and let me know where you’re from!

Thank you so much for stopping by… it’s always wonderful having you here.

Here are some other blog posts you might enjoy:

5 Ways to Make Your Home Warm & Wonderful

A Little Bit of Good Ol’ Summertime Goodness

Someone’s in the Kitchen with Ruthie

Call Me Old Fashioned

Old Fashioned Goodness Mayberry Style

Be sure to check out my

Farmhouse Country Store here

if you love farmhouse style everything!

Come on back and see me again real soon!

Bless your family…make home sweet!

Aunt Ruthie

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“An excellent woman [one who is spiritual, capable, intelligent, and virtuous], who is he who can find her?
Her value is more precious than jewels and her worth is far above rubies or pearls.” Proverbs 31:10

You are precious, needed, and valued!

Just think about all the things you have to juggle for your kids from day to day! Feed hungry babies, wipe up spills, exercise patience, calm squabbles, clean, cook, organize, get the laundry washed and put away, doctor’s appointments, school activities, baseball, football, soccer games, plan celebrations and holidays, decorate for parties and seasons, bake cookies for school events, buy and wrap presents, hugs, kisses, storytime, grocery shop, clothes shop, fix boo-boo’s and owies, bring encouragement, pray, comfort hearts and wipe tears, make happy memories, play games together, care for them when they get sick in the middle of the night, change diapers, bathe the little ones so they’re fresh, clean and smelling sweet, tuck them into bed with prayers at night, get out the door to go to church with hair combed and shoes on, tell them you love them to the moon and back, sit, listen and look into their eyes and savor their sweetness…and a million other things! As a mother of four kids, all of whom have grown into amazing adults, I know what I’m talking about…been there, done that, got the T-shirt. Lol!I know that there are people out there who think taking care of your home and family isn’t a job. Nor do they think it’s important. But, Abraham Lincoln himself said, “The strength of a nation lies in the homes of its people.”.  He also said “All that I am or ever hope to be I owe to my angel Mother”. Well,  I’m not going to argue with good old Abe! A great nation does begin with a good and loving home. If you’re doing it right, it’s hard work. The future adults that we are raising are going to either be a benefit or a detriment to society.  That’s how important our job is. Mother Teresa said “What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family!”.  Amen Sistah!

So from me to you, dear Sugar Pie Mama, know that YOU are highly valuable and vitally needed! Keep up the good hard work! When you begin to grow weary remind yourself that the good seeds you are sowing will, in due season, become a bountiful harvest. And might I add, I’m not talking about being the “perfect” mother or keeping a “perfect” home. No way! I’m talking about doing what you can to the best of your ability to love and care for your family. That’s my message here at Sugar Pie Farmhouse!

May you have a Blessed and Happy Mother’s Day!

You are loved dear ones

and so very precious!

Aunt Ruthie

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