Turning out cupboards

[mint]

Yes, yes, I know, boring, boring!  But then so is the weather depressing, depressing!

And anyway, I pm'd Woolybanana (on another matter entirely) and told him categorically that I was going to turn out a cupboard.  So, nothing for it.............

And guess what, I only "did" one cupboard and have found the most amazing things in it!

There were all sorts of tins of fish which I'd forgotten about (OH does not eat meat)

There were all sorts of flours including bread flour from the days when I thought I'd bake all our own bread.  There was even some sarasin flour (anyone knows what to do with that aside from making buckwheat pancakes?)

There were packets of vanilla pods (well, I knew they were expensive in France)

Oh, the joy of finding treacle and Golden Syrup!

Coconut milk?  But, of course, that's for the Thai curry which I haven't yet made and don't actually like.

Loads of lentils, chick peas and similar pulses in brine and in tins.

But, heaven, lots of dried fruit and almond essense so the Christmas cake is a real possibility!

But, tinned crab meat and ground cinnamon...do they really go together?

Not going to bore you anymore with my finds but do have a go at clearing out a cupboard.  It could be a profoundly satisfying activity, especially as the weather is so horribly nasty at the moment!

BTW, have on hand a fortifying glass of something or other and you'll be pleased to have psyched yourself up to do this!

Cheers[B]!

[Russethouse]

Because of my mothers poor mobility I put her shopping away now - last time I happened to catch site of a jar on the top shelf of the larder. Further inspection showed that it was a jar of French honey that I bought in France, near Triaize in the Vendee, in 1986 !!![:-))]

[mint]

RH, I don't know where the housewives and househusbands are who don't turn out cupboards!  Sniff, sniff...

Anyway, I have now turned out 3.  Latest cupboard is the one under the sink!  Yes, I know, it's the pits and the hardest.

Anyway, here are some of my "finds"...2 old china vases dating back from God knows when but they have the "Chinese" blue glaze and suitably oriental scenes plus the glue that OH applied when one of them got broken.  There might indeed be "Cash in the Attic" or in the cupboard, folks, so do look.

Then there is "Muc-off"..what's that?  Oh, yes, the stuff that I used to use to clean the spokes of my bicycle wheels.  Oh course, I haven't actually had the bike out since we moved here because a) the road outside our house is a major fast road and b) haven't yet got a bike carrier to take the bike somewhere quiet to ride it.

Then there is the pewter cleaner.  Pewter cleaner, what is that for?  At the last count, I have about 3 pieces of pewter and they are developing a nice patina, thank you.  Why would I want to clean those?  So, that's another item for the bin.

Nettoyant laiton?  No, sounds too much like hard work but, it's a new bottle so better just dust it off and put it back!

I must be the world's biggest hoarder of cleaning stuff that I never use because a) I can't find the appropriate stuff when I need it  b) I'm a lousey housewife and c) I believe everything I read about being able to clean your house without any elbow grease whatsoever.

 Now, do let's have an account of some of your efforts, otherwise, I shall have to reluctantly conclude that you are all lazy so-and-so's!

[Russethouse]

Oddly I have discovered that many people who are labelled, or who have labelled themselves 'houseproud' are not great cupboard cleaners.....my mother and my late ]mother in law both fall in this category.

I remember once being quite pleased that a friend who was the 'bees knees' in domesticity admitted not turning out the cupboard under the sink since moving into her house several years earlier - I was quite good at tidying cupboards at that stage - now I just have better things to do......[:)] [:)]

[mint]

Dear RH, I wish I "had better things to do"  and, most of the time, I do.  It's just that it keeps raining off and on, the dog is complaining, the OH is under my feet and I just take myself off to turn out cupboards and have a secret drinkie at the same time.

I've been trying to knock down a wall until OH comes out, looks disaproving and says, "I wouldn't do that if I were you, it's very dangerous!"

Well then, once I've stopped doing that and changed all the bin liners, what can I turn my attention to next?

Gr.............Could play the piano but we only have the one reception room and OH is watching the TV!

Help!  Anyone would like me to turn out their cupboards?

[Judith]

Well I am clearing out, but that's because I'm moving.  Funnily, I think I must have done it at some stage in the not too distant past, as there isn't all that much to throw away, but like RH, and you, Sweet, I have far better things to do.  I'm looking forward to having space to put things when I finally get to France in 3 and a bit weeks!  And there, I will have far better things to do than tidy cupboards!!

[Patf]

Eddie has just returned from the UK where he was clearing out the attic of our house there. Among other things he has brought back piles of bedding - don't ask where it comes from. Mostly sheets and pillow cases. It's all in good condition, just needs a quick dip in the washer. Far too much for us to use.

Any suggestions where I could take it? It seems a shame to take it to the dechetterie.

 

[Christine Animal]

To your nearest animal shelter?

But why put things away in cupboards?  They only get forgotten.  Just leave them "on the side" or "on the top".

 

[Limousin Lass]

Christine, that made me laugh because I don't have time to tidy up my cupboards, I spend most of my time searching for things OH has put down on any available space where he happens to be at the time and then can't remember where he left it, be it tools, paperwork, clothes, etc.

[mint]

Forgot to mention yesterday when I turned out the cupboard under the sink, I found a most useful object.

It was an old-fashioned tin whistle and the letters on it was ARP.  Asked the OH, who said it belonged to his dad and the letters stand for Air Raid Precaution.  It is a relic from the war!

So, why do I think it useful?  Well, it'll come in jolly handy when OH is at the top of the garden and there is a phone call for him, won't it?  Saves me hollering and shouting at the top of my voice, only to have the dog come bounding in and no sight of the OH anywhere.

I hope though that the French people didn't have anything similar in the war or my French neighbours might get the wrong message and wonder when the air raid will strike!