topic Re: Why I like January/February in Kitchen

Why I like January/February

Mollie — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 04:13:44 GMT

While everyone else hates January/February I like them. The rush of Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas and New years is over...it is a calm time. Time to center yourself and organize your home and life. I go through the pantry and take everything out...getting rid of the things we will never eat and outdated foods. Organize it all back in pantry and make lists. Then on to the freezer and fridge for the same thing. I reorganize my spices and baking center...the gardening catalogs start arriving and I plan out my spring garden. I take everything out of the kitchen cabinets and decide do I really need 6 pie pans and when is the last time I ever made a panini. I go into the closet and just have a come apart until all the clothes/shoes I never wear or don't fit are gone. I vacuum the very back and all the baseboards. I order a new calendar for the new year and put on all the birthdays and important dates. January/February is a purging time and an organization time. I feel really good and upbeat when many people are in the dumps...make this time of the year work for you. New beginnings, fresh start...embrace change!

Re: Why I like January/February

SharkE — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 04:19:49 GMT

Yeah, I'm glad when the holidays are over too. They're fun, etc. but I don't like mail disruptive, public offices closed, Gov. libraries, etc. You have to anticipate everything ahead of time to stay ahead of the game, etc.

Re: Why I like January/February

Midnight11 — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 04:38:13 GMT

Mollie, I like January and February, because things slow down, and I can relax a little (with a demanding job). However, I wish I was organized like you. We have a lot of stuff to get rid of, so we can move.

Re: Why I like January/February

kaydee50 — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 11:46:23 GMT

I hate January. Long, long month. Dark and cold here in Chicago. It seems interminable to me. At least February is a short month and the days are getting longer.

Re: Why I like January/February

AuntG — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 11:59:24 GMT

You made some good points and reminded me of what I need to do.

Re: Why I like January/February

LoveMyBaby — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 12:53:18 GMT

@Mollie wrote:
While everyone else hates January/February I like them. The rush of Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas and New years is over...it is a calm time. Time to center yourself and organize your home and life. I go through the pantry and take everything out...getting rid of the things we will never eat and outdated foods. Organize it all back in pantry and make lists. Then on to the freezer and fridge for the same thing. I reorganize my spices and baking center...the gardening catalogs start arriving and I plan out my spring garden. I take everything out of the kitchen cabinets and decide do I really need 6 pie pans and when is the last time I ever made a panini. I go into the closet and just have a come apart until all the clothes/shoes I never wear or don't fit are gone. I vacuum the very back and all the baseboards. I order a new calendar for the new year and put on all the birthdays and important dates. January/February is a purging time and an organization time. I feel really good and upbeat when many people are in the dumps...make this time of the year work for you. New beginnings, fresh start...embrace change!

@Mollie

Great thread topic. I liked your comment: 'when was the last time I made a panini', lol. The bedroom closet overload unfortunately is in my basement cellar too, with too many platters, baking tins, pottery, canned goods, gadgets, etc, etc.

I do suffer the 'I might need it someday syndrome'.

Re: Why I like January/February

Mollie — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 14:59:07 GMT

Just take stock of your small appliances...electric skillet, ice cream maker, pressure cooker, panini maker, waffle iron, bread maker, hot pot, food processor, big mixer, hand mixer, electric juicer, crockpot (3 sizes), toaster, toaster oven, blender, and the list goes on. PURGE...you don't need an electric something to make a grilled cheese sandwich.

Also are you in plastic (you know what)? Too much lock and lock, tupperware, and all that disposable plastic that you never seem to get rid of but just get more. This morning it is ALL out on the dining room table and matching lids/bottoms and just keeping essentials.

Count how many pie pans you have...metal, pyrex, stoneware, Tempations, etc...when was the last time you made a pie...how many pies did you make at one time? Keep a couple and the rest goes no matter how pretty. Count how many loaf pans you have...same thing.

It gets out of control...if you are putting it in the basement, attic or spare closet...you don't need it. PURGE. It is a new year! We haven't even gotten to the laundry room yet.

Re: Why I like January/February

OKPrincess — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 15:02:26 GMT

My weakness is Lock and Lock. They keep coming out with different sets in pretty colors and here I go again. I understand where you're coming from.

Re: Why I like January/February

Mollie — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 15:04:16 GMT

Don't look at January/February as dark and cold...if it were sunny and warm the last thing we would want to do is clean out closets and organize. We have had the Winter Solstice on December 21st so each day now we are gaining daylight on our way to summer.

Re: Why I like January/February

Diva on The Q — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 15:16:43 GMT

@Mollie wrote:
Don't look at January/February as dark and cold...if it were sunny and warm the last thing we would want to do is clean out closets and organize. We have had the Winter Solstice on December 21st so each day now we are gaining daylight on our way to summer.

I give you a thumbs up on each of your posts this morning. I, too, love the cold winter months for several reasons. I think we all need the time to regroup, refresh and replenish on so many levels.

Re: Why I like January/February

Carmie — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 15:21:44 GMT

I am not a winter girl at all. The cold, cold weather and getting dark at 5 o’clock does not appeal to me at all.

i certainally don’t love cleaning or organizing. Spending two months doing something I hate doing in the cold weather that I also hate is not my idea of enjoying anything.

I have stopped buying so much junk a quite few me years ago. Now I don’t have to go through it and purge stuff I paid a lot of money for. I have no appliances or plastic ware or pie pans that I don’t want anymore. Why buy stuff and create a cycle of purging and cleaning?

i would think it’s time to stop shopping for things you don’t really need instead of being proud of yourself when you get rid of it.

I prefer to spend the dark, cold winter months reading or even traveling to warmer places.

No one can get me excited about purging and cleaning....no way!

Re: Why I like January/February

SharkE — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 15:21:49 GMT

If you lived in Tx you would say enough when it comes to the sun. I start suffering every June with sky high electric rates that's always increasing and a husband that keeps thermostate on 78 and the heat can get to over 100 on some days especially July. One time it hit 108.

I live in sun screen, the law won't let you have just a little teensy dab of sun blocker tint on your windshield or you will get a ticket for 200. We found that out the hard way. Just a 'eyebrow' on your front glass all you can have. Big deal ! I buy only the best sunscreen with SPF of 50. (Shisedo)

Also, when it's cold keeps the loonies in doors LOL

Re: Why I like January/February

Goldengate8361 — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 15:49:11 GMT

I love these months because the holidays are over and I love, Love winter! Work, however, is always crazy busy during these two months, so I’m relaxing now for very busy times on the job during these months.

Re: Why I like January/February

chrystaltree — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 16:02:04 GMT

...sounds like you are either retired or a housewife with the time to do what you want to do, when you want to do it. That spring cleaning and new beginnings thing doesn't kick in for me until April. That's when I start looking ahead and transitioning into spring. January, February and even March are the coldest and snowiest months for us. All I want to do is get through them.

Re: Why I like January/February

faeriemoon — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 16:37:15 GMT

I don't think there is an excuse or project in the world that would make me like January or February.

March stinks too.

Re: Why I like January/February

Mollie — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 17:31:45 GMT

Ahh, you had me pegged...I retired recently after teaching 35 years so I have a lot of stuff to do around the house I have put off for a long time.

Re: Why I like January/February

q-girl — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 17:35:28 GMT

WAIT!!! No slowing down for me til February! I still have my husbands birthday and our anniversary to get through in January. Oh, and then there is Valentines Day if February and Easter then Mother's Day and more birthdays in May. THEN I get a break til July. OK, none of that is like the wonderful stress of the Holidays,

and everything after January was written sort of tongue in cheek.

I love winter. I physically cannot tolerate heat of any sort - weather, heater, self-generated - so cold months are my favorite. This is a great thread, OP. Happy post Holidays to all!

Hugs. . .

Re: Why I like January/February

SharkE — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 17:38:16 GMT

My Ann. is Jan 29th Already got my gift it counts as Valentine's Day too LOL

Re: Why I like January/February

debcakes — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 18:43:11 GMT

I like that the pressure of the holidays is over but have no use for January. It is currently 5 degrees with a windchill below 0 . I just don't even want to leave my house. Hopefully, once my holiday activities are over, I will be able to do some organizing like so many here on the boards.

Re: Why I like January/February

NycVixen — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 18:51:35 GMT

I love Fall and Winter. I really despise when it's hot. I'm an August baby and that is the month I detest the most. I've suffered so much in my lifetime from its heat and relentless NYC humidity. I know dramatic. That's how much I hate it.

Love the crisp January and February air. I agree with the OP; it signifies a time of new beginnings brimming with possibilities. It's a great feeling.