The Laundromat

Prideful people like moi actively avoid any form of public do-it-yourself-laundry (Just rephrased that from self-laundry. Ah-hem...) That's why our pouffy comforter has been unwashed since purchase. And, I'm not reminding anyone just when it was purchased other than to say it was not in 2014.
Now I can procrastinate with the best of them. Plenty of experience. Got that one down pat. But, when I'm a bit low I make myself do one task I dread at least once a day. Builds up my self-esteem. There's nothing so much a downer as repeatedly walking past the same pile of papers, the cluttered island, the laundry sorted piles, procrastinating throughout the day.

So, today after the gym and library, I bundled up our king-sized comforter, checked out my laundy options on Mr. Google, and headed out. I did not enjoy my chore. But, I pressed on knowing that the clean comforter will be a daily boost, and the sense of failure I've stewed in nightly is gone! When I draw the covers up to my chin tonight, I will be smiling and giving myself a silent high-five.

For sure, the laundromat met many of my low expectations but the attendent was smiling, helpful, and kind. And, I spent all my 2+ hours of waiting time tucked into my car, sitting in the sun with my iPad.

If that's not lemonade out of lemons, than I'm not Marielle!

Who Knew?

Top shelf: Dry Ingredients and Baking.
Bottom shelf: All Gluten-Free.

 

I've had to re-organize my kitchen.

Going gluten-free requires more than dietary changes. In order to eat well, one must cook. And, bake. That requires ingredients. GF bloggers and creatives provide a road-map that is so valuable--the Gluten-Free Goddess and Aran fron Cannelle et Vanille, to name two who have been on my radar for years. Not just because they live gluten-free, but because they are amazing cooks and photographers; artists, truly.

So, as new ingredients piled onto my kitchen island, they overflowed the pantry basket I designated to contain them. I've spent a bit of time this week shopping for the right storage containers. Containers that incorporate design, utility, and visibility. I do not want these expensive ingredients disappearing into the dark recesses of my small pantry.

I've spent odd moments pondering the same principles--design, utility, visibility--looking for the best solution. Luckily, I'm a process-oriented individual. I can usually work through needs vs. options and find resolution; at least the solution that streamlines and works for me.

The answer this time is these from Crate and Barrel...

 

These are not brand new to our family. I regularly use three sizes, plus bowls for pantry and freezer storage. We've actually used these as drinking glasses in the past.

Creating the above storage shelves required that I re-organize another cabinet, as well as my pantry shelves.

 

Baking and Food Prep Equipment

Re-organized Pantry to accommodate baking pan storage.

 

This project took me about two hours this morning, and quite a bit of time shopping and processing over the past week. I've ordered more 21 oz. jars and lids from Crate and Barrel to further organize the gluten-free dry ingredients.