Tip of the Day 4/25/12

We have cleared out and pared down the dishes and glasses, now it is time to tackle the pots and pans and baking dishes. If you love to cook it is very easy to end up with cabinets full of them. There is a reason pans are sold in sets, these are the basic 4 or 5 pans any cook will use. The type of cooking you do should determine what you add to your collection. Go through your cabinets and ask yourself when the last time was you used each pan or baking dish. If it has been years, or never, it is time to get rid of it. If you have forgotten you had it because your cabinets are so full, or think you might like to try making a cheesecake in that springform pan, put these items on a shelf together. As you use them put them in a permanent area. At the end of six months if it still has not been used, it is time to get rid of it. This is similar to putting your clothes in the closet with the hanger backwards until you wear it. Because I cook a lot I like having a wide variety of pans and baking dishes. I have ramekins and I have a lasagna pan. I have a cast iron skillet and mini-loaf pans. I also have an electric skillet, rice cooker, wok, and crockpot. I have varying sizes of skillets and one each of a lot of sizes of baking dishes. I use everything I have and the reason I do is because I can see them all and easily access them. If you have ever watched a cooking show you know the kitchens are set up with open shelving. The cooks can see exactly what they need without digging through dark cabinets. We do not live in a large home and do not have a basement, so I set up shelving in the garage with all of my baking dishes and have a shelf in my pantry for all of my electric appliances. I can see them and access them, so I use them. Determine a spot in your home that you could set up open shelving or consider clearing some shelves in your pantry for this purpose. Get rid of duplicates. You do not need more than one of each piece. Layer cake pans and ramekins are an exception of course. I used to have four 11 x 13 baking dishes because I make a wide variety of casseroles during the holidays. Space constraints and sensibility told me I only need one. During the holidays I purchase aluminum pans and don't have the storage issue any longer. Before anyone gets upset about environmental issues, I recycle them, use them for taking a dish to someone that is ill, use them in craft projects, etc. I don't just throw them away. Take the time to seriously evaluate each of the items you have been storing and either start using them or move them out.

Word for Today, Name: Parents-to-be spend nine months contemplating the right name for their child. It is a monumental decision. Before I was born my parents considered naming me Victoria Lynn. It is a very pretty name, but I can't imagine it being my name, I'm pretty happy with Dee Ann. Of course there are always people who decide they really don't like their name, my Nanny hated her middle name and changed it. Others go through phases and do something silly like changing their name to a symbol or deciding they will send a message to the world with a name that represents a cause or feeling. Because our girls were already named when they joined our family we did not choose any of their names We asked the younger ones if they wanted to change their names, Timberlie said no, but Desrie', the 3 year old, said yes she would like to change her name to Leona. I'm sure that is a fine name for someone but we told her we would stick with Desrie'. She is glad we did. One of the nicest things about all of the girls names is that contained in each of them are names we had considered. Our oldest and youngest have my middle name, Ann, another has a middle name we had chosen, Rene', and the other has two names we had chosen, Elizabeth Kay. I have always believed God is into details and even our names are important to Him. He told many parents in the Bible what to name their children because they would fulfill a particular role in history and their name reflected that role. He still speaks to parents today about the right name for their child. We are told in the Bible that when we die we will be given a new name that only God knows. I can't wait to find out what my Heavenly Father has chosen for me. As I wait for that day I will praise the Name that is above all names. "You shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."