Super Saturday -- the Late Edition (or Part Deux)

So... just so you all don't think I'm all talk and no action [because it's easy to sound awesome and much harder to actually be awesome], here are the results of my Super Saturday effort.  It's been a "spicy" morning.

Firstly, we attended my son's first basketball game and although he seemed a bit confused this morning... he did make a free throw! It was awesome.  He actually improved during the course of the game.  It was kind of an "aha" moment for me.  You don't have to wait until you're good to get in the game... you can only get better by playing the game.  Practice is important, but it's not everything.  Are you "in the game"?

Secondly... I came home and cleaned out my spice cabinet.  And I don't think you'd really grasp it without seeing the before, during and after pictures (with commentary, of course).  And you'll see signs of real people living here... my life isn't perfect.  It's Awesome!

So at the start... this is what I had to contend with:

At first glance, this may not seem like such a bad situation... but let me explain... that box up top-- I never use it and I didn't even know what was in it.  I don't know what spices I really have or how many and I definitely have stuff in there I don't use.  There are also several canisters of spices from Sam's Club on the counter.  So it seemed to me the most logical solution was to take it ALL out.

To be honest... wow... that's a lot of spice.  And I'd like to point out that a few minutes later I knocked over my cup of tea and had a major mess on my hands.   At this point, I tried to figure out what I have and what I still need.

Here's a prime example... two jars of Carribbean Jerk Seasoning.  [As well as 4 different types of garlic: garlic salt, garlic powder, granulated garlic, minced garlic; 3 jars of ground cinnamon; 2 jars of cinnamon sticks; and 2 cans of Old Bay Seasoning] How's this for gross:  the one on the left expired in 2004-- when my 7 year old was born-- and had never been openned!  I think I have a spice problem!

After tossing out about 14 jars of expired, dried out, unopened, will never be used and "I have no idea what this even is" spices... I had a lot more room in my spice cabinet for those I do use and do love the flavor.  [Yes, I did keep the Caribbean Jerk "Perfect Pinch" and I've committed to making something-- who knows what-- with it.]   I started putting it all back in with great results.  Without going into extreme details, there is a rhyme and reason (seasoning spices together, frequently used spices in the center, and baking spices on the left, for example).

I don't know how you feel about the end result... but I feel awesome.  I can see all my spices and can easily figure out what I need for a new recipe.  Frankly, peeps, I love to cook!  So yes, I do use these spices. 

I'd like to end this with my hubba-hubba-Hubbie's response.

Me: Did you see the spice cabinet?

Him: Yeah it looks great.

Me:  Dude, you didn't even open the door and you're looking in the sink.

Him: {sigh} Just a sec...

Him:  {walks across kitchen, opens door 4 inches) Ahhhh [angelic type sound-- like you imagine you'd hear in a movie. He then quickly slams the door... opens it again, all the way] Ahhh!  So is there like a system here?  Organized by color?

Me: [aside] Good call... now I can talk about it.

Me: Well, you see... [5 minute explanation that he kindly listened to while acting interested].

This my friends is why he was first named "Capt Awesome," because he is!