As a child, I could never understand why my mother and grandmother actually seemed to enjoy the cleaning bouts that involved turning out every cupboard and closet. Now I understand that there's something truly exquisite in being able to put your hand right on what you're looking for, and being able to see right to the back of the refrigerator. Rare, but exquisite.
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| Illustration by Martha Hernandez • The Honolulu Advertiser |
So, let's say today's the day. C'mon, it'll only take the morning, and we'll only do the kitchen. And not only that, we'll not just clean the kitchen, we'll get it organized so it works better for you. Here's how.
• Hang out: Pot racks can be hung in a kitchen window or over an island counter. Many appliances come in under-cabinet versions (measure carefully to be sure you don't lose use of counter space underneath). Hang cups and mugs. Suspend a bag or basket from an over-the-door hanger to hold shopping bags and such.
• Cupboard crawl: Take everything out of each cupboard. Ask three questions: Do I need this anymore? Is this stored in the right place? Does this have to be in the kitchen? Vacuum cupboards and wipe them down. Line cupboards to cushion dishes, make clean-up easier, discourage insects.
• Container madness: Pull every plastic container out of its hiding place. Throw away the lidless containers and the containerless lids. Place all the lids in a large open box. Stack and nest all the remaining containers. Try to keep it this way.
• Food review: Go through food cupboards, refrigerator and freezer, discarding items that are past pull-date, damaged or unlikely to be used. Throw out any spices more than three months old (date spices when you buy them; buy in the smallest possible container; use as quickly as possible). Buy airtight, stackable canisters for staples (rice, flour, cereal, sugar, beans). Group similar foods so things are easy to find.
• Stay cool: Store spices and flavorings in the coolest part of the kitchen, never near the stove or atop the refrigerator. Ground spices (not herbs) last longer in the freezer. Store whole-wheat flour, baking mixes and other goods with high fat content in the refrigerator or freezer. Oils, especially unrefined and fruity olive and nut oils, should be refrigerated.
• Clear the counter: Only appliances and tools that you use every day should be on counters.
• Think outside the kitchen: Store rarely used appliances, company-only serving pieces, holiday dishes and such elsewhere — in the garage or attic, a bedroom closet or linen cupboard, to create more space for everyday things.
• Make a pantry: A floor-to-ceiling closet devoted to food and paper goods — preferably away from heat-producing appliances and bright light — is an organizational help. Consider converting a broom closet, linen closet or hall closet.
• Store where you use: Put frequently used tools in a canister by the stove. Keep dishes near the dining area.
• Rack it up: Invest in racks, shelves, pullout organizers, pantry sliders, cup hooks, stackable containers, under-cabinet spice drawers, soda-can racks, pot lid holders and other space-saving, organization-promoting storage units. (Check stacksandstacks.com; shopgetorganized.com; kitchenshelves.com; organizeeverything.com; improvementscatalog.com.)
- By Wanda A. Adams
Assistant Features Editor
New farmers market debuts in Mililani
A new Saturday Farmers Market in Mililani begins this afternoon at the Mililani High School parking lot. The grand opening will feature Roy's West Side Style Bentos from executive chef Mike Leslie and his team from Roy's Ko Olina Restaurant; pop and jazz music by the Mililani High School Jazz Ensemble; guitar music by Derek Nakamoto; and food, fabulous food, and other products from two dozen vendors.
The Mililani event —from 2 to 4 p.m. each Saturday — is co-sponsored by Mililani High School and the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, which also co-sponsors the farmers markets at Kapi'olani Community College (7:30 to 11 a.m. Saturdays) and in Kailua (5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Kailua Town Center parking garage, behind Longs).
Admission is free.
Hawai'i's Plantation Village hosts Year of the Rooster festivities
Lest we forget it's the Year of the Rooster, there's another celebration at Hawai'i's Plantation Village in Waipahu. Attractions include plantation games, cultural displays, cooking demonstrations, a lion dance, kids crafts and food.
Hours are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. The village is at 94-695 Waipahu St. Admission is free. 677-0110.
Adventure, animation films to roll at Sunset
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Jackie Chan stars in "Around the World in 80 Days" at Waikiki's Sunset on the Beach tonight.
Davi Appleby
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Sunset on the Beach returns to Waikiki this weekend with entertainment, crafts and food booths, and films on that 30-foot screen at Queen's Surf.
Tonight's feature is the Jackie Chan adventure film "Around the World in 80 Days." Tomorrow's is the animated "Yu-Gi-Oh!" based on the popular kiddie trading cards and television series.
Sunset on the Beach events begin at 4 p.m. each day; the movie screens after the sun goes down, about 7 p.m. Admission is free.
The next set of Sunset events is scheduled for March 26-27.
These little piggies will race at annual Sports Carnival
When you head for the annual Sports Carnival, continuing at Aloha Stadium, expect to find all the usual attractions — the E.K. Fernandez midway with rides, games and food. And then get ready for something a little different — pig racing!
A dozen from Hedrick's Racing Pigs, Kan., will race around a track for the ultimate reward, an Oreo cookie. Race times are at 2, 4, 7 and 9 p.m. each day of the carnival. Carnival times are from noon to midnight today and March 19; noon to 11 p.m. tomorrow and March 20; and 6 to midnight Friday. Admission is $2 general, $1 for kids 4 to 11 years old, free for keiki 3 and younger. The carnival is a fund-raiser for youth organizations. www.ekfernandez.com.
Beads galore in 2-day show at Ward Warehouse
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| Beads, beads and more beads will be on display and for sale at the Best Bead Show today and tomorrow at Ward Warehouse. |
OK, fans of shiny glittery things, here's an event you won't want to miss: the Best Bead Show at the Ward Warehouse (second-floor conference rooms) expects to offer everything a beading enthusiast could hope for.
Forty exhibitors, including eight from Hawai'i, will sell single beads, strands, jewelry, buttons and supplies. There'll be demonstrations, too.
Hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow. Admission is free. 591-8411.
Honolulu Festival culminates with Waikiki parade tomorrow
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| This fan-shaped illuminated float will be one of the highlights of the 11th annual Honolulu Festival parade in Waikiki tomorrow.
Honolulu Festival photo
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Note to parade watchers: Tomorrow's Honolulu Festival parade should be a real eye-catcher, with floats from Japan (including one with a fire-spitting dragon and another that's illuminated and shaped as an elegant fan); a Hawai'i contingent of marchers; Japanese performers; the Aborigine dance troupe Descendance; and more than enough to fill your camera's memory card.
The parade begins at 4:30 p.m. at Saratoga Road and travels along Kalakaua Avenue to Kapi'olani Park.
The Honolulu Festival is celebrating its 11th year of promoting cultural understanding between the people of Hawai'i, Asia and the Pacific. Performances and demos are happening today and tomorrow at the Hawai'i Convention Center, Ala Moana's Centerstage and at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. All free. www.honolulufestival.com.
Go Jimmy Go show tonight on Maui
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Advertiser library photo
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Ska band Go Jimmy Go performs with Crazy Fingers at 9 tonight at the Sandbar & Grill in Pa'ia, Maui. A $15 cover gets you in and dancing the night away — if you're 21 or older, that is. (808) 579-8742.
