A Well-Stocked Pantry: Avoid Baking Disasters.

I had a problem the other day. A problem that I don’t usually have. Like, I can’t even remember when I’ve ever had it before!

I went to make some cinnamon rolls, and I HAD NO FLOUR! NONE! (The tiny bit of white fluff in the bottom of my flour jar doesn’t count.)

Here is the proof…EMPTY!

As I was walking around in shock, looking in cupboards, down in the basement, here and there–anywhere a bag of flour might be hiding–I found that I had TWO problems! I HAD NO BROWN SUGAR! NONE!

How does that even happen?!

How in the world was I going to make cinnamon rolls without flour and brown sugar??!!

---

A Full Pantry Out of Necessity

We live out in the country and I am a homebody–I am NOT a fan of wasting my time and gas running to the store for one or two things! So, to combat THAT problem, I either need to keep my cupboards WELL stocked, or I need to make do.

NEWS FLASH: I can’t “make do” and make cinnamon rolls without flour!

Way back, we didn’t even have a grocery store in our little town, so stocking up was even more important! And on top of that, we lived even further out in the country.

Fifty-miles-round-trip-to-a-grocery-store type of out in the country.

I dearly loved it out there, but one doesn’t just run to town for a bit of flour. That’s when I learned how important it is to have a list, AND a well-stocked pantry.

---

The List

Here is a grocery list….a list of the “normal” basic staples of a well-stocked kitchen pantry. Of course, every cook is different…if you never bake, you aren’t going to need 20 pounds of flour sitting around!

Also, to add to this basic list, I ALWAYS have canned soups, salsa, enchilada sauces, etc. But again, if you don’t like Mexican food, you probably don’t need 6 jars of salsa in your cupboard!

If I only have these ingredients on hand, I can usually figure out SOMETHING to make, to put on a decent meal. Some are quick–from ready made ingredients, some are from scratch, and take a bit longer to throw on the table, but we won’t go hungry!

You can download this free list below, print it off, and add or subtract items that make your pantry complete!

---

How To KEEP a Full Pantry

There is a trick to KEEPING a full, well-stocked pantry: have at least one, backup of each item.

For some items, I have 2 or 5 or even 12 extras….because of how much I use them. And I need to be ready for when we have company or potlucks, or funerals….

One extra bag of flour isn’t enough! And it sure isn’t enough if I forget to write it on my list and get more!

When you are cooking along, and you need to open a new can/bag/whatever, grab your pencil RIGHT then and there, and write it on your list. Even if you have 3 more!! The idea is to have PLENTY….to have a well-stocked pantry, not a partially-stocked pantry!

That way, you don’t have to panic when you all of a sudden need to make some cinnamon rolls and you don’t have any flour!!! 🙂

The next important thing is to rotate your stock!! NEVER just come home and put your new items in the front of the row!! It takes time, but always take the time, and pull them all forward, and put the new ones at the back! Always!

---

Other Basics to Keep Well-Stocked

There are lots of other items around the house that you don’t want to run out of. This is by no means everything, the list is SOOO long!

• Think toilet paper–remember 2020 🙂
• Shampoo
• Well…toiletries of all kinds!
• Vitamins
• Laundry detergent, Spray and Wash–VERY Important when you man is a farmer!
• Air Fresheners
• Cleaning supplies
• Dish soap
• Pet food

---

Storytime:

Several years ago, our sweet little old friend died, and another friend was helping clear out her house.

Friend # 1 had lived way out in the country all her life. Friend # 2 hadn’t.

As she was cleaning out cupboards, she came out and told us that she was just mystified that there were THREE cans of air freshener under the sink, in the bathroom!! “WHY would she need three cans?!?” We tried to explain…..but I don’t know if she really “got it”.

Maybe you just have to live it to understand. Maybe you just have to run out of flour a few times when you REALLY need it to “get it?”

I don’t know, but I DO know I want to pay more attention to keeping my pantry full!!

Are you a “full pantry” type of person, or a “run to town for one jug of milk” type? Tell us in the comments, I’d be interested to hear!

Well, that’s all the deep wisdom that I have for the day!

Thanks for being here, and come again!

---

Good Thoughts

“By failing to prepare, you’re preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin