Through the Keyhole!

Well, I've done it! Taken a couple of photos of my larder, and so now you can see it in all its glory.
Could have taken just one photo facing inwards from the door, but that way it would have been difficult to make out what was on the shelves, so took two photos - the shelves on the left, and the other showing shelves on the right.
Am sure you wish to know what is in every jar/packet, but can only give an approximation, but think you will get the idea. If you wish to know the contents of each of my numerous jars, will be happy to let you know.


First photo shows
shelves on the left,
these holding mainly
'dry goods'
Top shelf, partly
hidden, are stored
bags of flour, plain,
s.raising, strong bread
flour, and pasta flour.
Shelf below shows my
glass (kilner) storage
jars, in which are dried
fruits, bread sticks,
dessicated coconut etc.
Below that are more
glass (coffee) jars with
different sugars, choc
drops, meringues, etc.


At the end of that shelf (across the end) you can see taller glass containers holding red lentils, spaghetti, cocoa.
The next shelf down holds things I need for baking/desserts. A jar of dried beans (used for baking blind), tubs of custard powder, cornflour, a jar of Nutella, some Nesquick, jar of preserved ginger, then comes packets (not easily seen) of gelatine (leaf and crystal), hidden are a couple of cans of condensed milk/evap. milk. Then some 'savouries' such as Beanfeasts, sun-dried tomatoes, dried marrowfat peas, packs of dried beans (cannellini, haricot etc). Also some packs of (strange) flour that Gill gave me (yam etc). Also some packs of Chinese sauces, noodles, casserole mixes...

Shelf below that holds my 'essentials' for baking: tubs of raising agents etc (baking powder, bicarb, cr. of tartar, arrowroot, candied peel, glace cherries, angelica, spray on egg glaze etc.
Then come boxes that hold croutons, packets of jelly,
Towards the end of that shelf are big containers of long-grain rice and also big bags of sugar.

On the floor are several large Tupperware tubs that hold 4oz bags of s.r. flour, another with the same of plain flour, next has 4 oz bags of caster sugar, the last holds unweighed icing sugar.
On top of these containers are assorted baking tins, paper liners etc (still have to find an empty cupboard to keep them in).
There is a top shelf (unseen) as this is almost too high for me to reach it holds spare tins of Marmade, a Victorian type apple peeler and very little else.

The second photo (below) shows the right hand side of my larder. These shelves hold mainly canned and bottled foods.
The bottom shelf starts with the assorted sauces and pickles,, that are used regularly, and further down the shelf there are many small jars of assorted (home-made) jam. Also a jar of two of honey.At the end of the shelf is a PG tin that holds re-fill packs of spices.

Next shelf up starts with the taller bottles of ketchup and HP sauce, then several cans of baked beans (the shelf isn't full, there is room to put another layer at the front, so am not THAT much of a hoarder), followed by canned plum and chopped tomatoes, then a few cans of corned beef and Spam, followed by 'the fish' (pilchards, sardines, salmon, tuna, anchovies...). Unseen - but there - are half a dozen or so cans of fruit (sliced peaches, fruit cocktail, cherries, cherry pie filling, pineapple).

In the corner are some canned soups, and cartons of passata, and the shelf across the end also holds canned chickpeas, new potatoes, UHT milk and cranberry juice. We see (again) the tall glass jars mentioned/shown above.

Next shelf up holds jars of assorted curry sauces, behind these are 'back-ups' of mint sauce, redcurrant jelly, mango chutney, vinegar, packs of rock salt, sea salt, black peppercorns etc. Towards the end of the shelf are spare jars of golden syrup (the tins of black treacle and tin of golden syrup are on the 'cake' shelf but unseen), also a jar each of crunchy and smooth peanut butter.

Last 'get attable' shelf holds unused bottles of mayo, salad cream, more vinegar, and have to say 'bits and bobs' of things that I have been given (like 'mock' caviare') but never got around to using. Across the end are a couple of jars of Peppadew some more canned chickpeas and boxes of tomato juice/cranberry juice.

On a VERY high shelf can just be seen my bags of sugar (next to some boards and a roll of wallpaper). This shelf carries on round and also holds hardly-used equipment such as an ice-cream machine, my Mouli-mill etc.

My intention was to put the second picture at the side of the first but they wouldn't fit into the same space, so now not sure where the second picture will go. But to save me writing all this again, hope you have been able to make sense of it. Tomorrow will show the photos of the paper crown that my daughter made, one not to miss.

Beloved has requested no main meals at the moment, he is 'saving himself' for the turkey dinner tomorrow. So that let me off baking yesterday. Put my feet up instead.

By the way, if anyone wishes to know what veggies I have in store, can always get them out of the fridge and put the lot on the kitchen table to be photographed, or I could just write a list. Let me know.

Now to comments... Did love your expression 'chat pack' Elaine. So pleased you found yesterday's offering worth a read.

Also liked your approach to the challenge Lynn - not attempting a 'super duper frugal' but 'eat well for as little as possible'. Once we have got the latter right, and possibly last out a couple of months the easy way, then this means if we had to start again using the same foods (and no more) that we had in store, we could keep going for twice that length of time.

Love the sound of your combination microwave/grill Cheesepare. Think Les would be interested in having one of those. If our old micro fails, then might just get one myself. But do I need one? That is the question.

As you say minimiser deb, it is lovely to be spoiled. And Alison, your mother must have really enjoyed her day with you for that very reason.

Don't get me wrong Ceridwen, as myself am always ready to try something new. But usually a 'new to me' natural food, not something like a packaged and flavoured couscous. Although nothing wrong in that. With me it is always whether something can be afforded, not because I wish to try it regardless. As you can see from my shelves, I don't rely only on 'basics', tucked in there somewhere are tiny jars of soft green peppercorns (in brine), capers, harissa paste, a tube of anchovy paste...

Some of the Amish families did seem to have a lot of children, but believe that many do live in one house as an 'extended' family, the older sons and daughters with their wives/husbands and their children.

I once wrote about how the population was controlled in China, no family being allowed more than two children (or was it just one?). In many ways this makes sense, for we would see a lot less famine and deaths in Africa if the population was similarly controlled. When I mentioned this had almost a hate-mail from ladies who wished to have a large family and saw no reason why they shouldn't. We so often read about large families living on benefits, and quite happy to do this. All I can say is, if we wish to have a large family, then we have to be sure we can afford to provide for them without any outside help. Otherwise it is not fair.

In the old days, having a lot of children was not always good for a wife's health. Have to say that with our four (three born within three years, a fourth four years after the third - with two probables in between that were lost almost before they began), have to say that it seemed to do me no harm other than making me gain too much weight. Certainly all the daily walks with the youngsters kept me fit. Think nature decides whether a woman is a 'good breeder' or not.

Having been an only child, do feel that we should all have at least one sibling for companionship. Larger families can be even more fun, but the way the world is today, it requires more thought. If we can live the simple life, and allow (as the Amish do) our children to 'help' from a very early age, and not expect presents at any other time than birthday and Christmas, and not expensive ones even then, maybe it would work. Bring more children into the world then 'spoil' them, teach we then make a rod for our own back as well as theirs in the future.

Have three times got in a mess with this posting, hitting wrong buttons, putting photos in the wrong place, and each time had to edit when in 'draft', so think I'd better wind up for today and continue 'chatting' again tomorrow. Keep those comments coming, and enjoy finding ways to use up the left-overs before the challenge really begins. TTFN