Living the Pantry Lifestyle - I am back and rested!

I needed the full two weekends off from blogging this time.  The first week, I was still appreciating the Christmas decorations and just relaxing.  This past week, I was concentrating on the pantry after it was fairly neglected for a couple months... and pondering world events.

However, I am ready to write again and that includes thank you notes to a few precious people.  Time got away from me this Christmas.  The box of Christmas cards to send remained on the desk unopened. They have now been packed away for next year.  Maybe I should begin in July?  

However, I do plan on writing a few notes this next week.  There may be a few emails that have been flagged to respond to later, also.  It was very freeing to have two weekends where I didn't wake up thinking of writing and yes, this morning I could not concentrate on my first cup of coffee because of the words flowing through my brain.  ;)

As usual each year, I checked expiration dates while doing Holiday baking on those few items where it really matters.  The Use By date on my favorite Rumsford Baking Powder was 12/20 so after I used it, I threw what was left away.  I don't bake like I once did so there has been some left the past few Holiday seasons.  

The backup can in the pantry was brought out with a Use By date of 12/21 and another can was placed on my Kroger grocery list since that is the only store locally (except the health food stores) that sells it.  Even though the new labels do not display that it is non-aluminum, it still is according to the manufacturer and the ingredients list.

I've written that I don't follow Use By dates on spices, my sumac was flavorful for years after the date. I only recently purchased another jar. However, I am more careful with dried herbs although they usually are fine for awhile past the date.  The open jar of yeast is kept in the refrigerator so it is good past the date. I check it once in awhile by putting a little in a small bowl of water with sugar added to see if it foams.  If it does, it is still good.  When I bought yeast in bulk, I kept part of it in the freezer and it lasted for a very long time.

I wasn't concerned about Use By dates on any canned goods since I only restocked the pantry this past year.   I need to check the dates on the cake and pancake mixes soon.  Time does go by fast and I've thought they were still fresh only to find a Use By date of a year ago!  Any items containing baking powder needs to be used soon after their Use By date so it may require baking a cake or making pancakes for the family.  ;)

As far as shortages, there have been plenty of items available for baking at all three stores I go to regularly.  They were all well stocked ahead of time.  Some other canned good items have been unavailable but it may just be due to the Holiday season.  

The store brand of Benedryl and Migraine Strength Excedrin that I buy have been touch and go to find and when I do, I purchase two or three small bottles (which is the only available size this past year).  I have a feeling so does everyone else who use those products.

Where I have found continuing shortages is in the cat food aisle and I have been careful to talk about it when Florentine is not around. She gets a half of a Sheba pate each morning as well as her kibble. I may have to switch to another brand that I know she likes if Sheba continues to be hard to purchase.  Although, all brands have been out off and on for awhile now.  

If you have a cat in the house, you know that they are very picky about their food.  She prefers fishy cat food and this morning, she just picked at her Sheba chicken pate.  Which, at one time, was her favorite.  Sheesh...  Obviously, she is not starving.

Mouse doesn't get canned cat food because she is an outdoor cat and she really is a mouser.  Our neighbor, who works with veterinarians, said feeding her kibble is fine but no canned meat kitty food if we want her to catch mice.  She has been known to leave a dead mouse in front of our door, which apparently is a sign of affection?

I'll talk more next week about the tweaking I have done in the emergency pantry.  Given the state of the nation and the world right now, keeping extras of what we need is a very good idea.  

I'm also including the link to one of my favorite bloggers, now called The Bluebirds are Nesting on the Farm.  For fans of Laine (Laine's Letters), she is now regularly writing blog posts there, too.  Thank you to Annabel for sharing your blog!!!

Mentioned in this Blog Post

Rumford (non-aluminum) Baking Powder can be found... here for 4 oz. can, here for 8.1 oz. can, and here for two 8.1 oz. cans (which is the best price if you do a lot of baking).

Some grocery items on Amazon are ridiculously expensive but these aren't bad, especially the two 8.1 oz. cans sold together.

Bluebirds are Nesting on the Farm blog... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

Image: The Sledding Party by Robert Duncan (one of my favorite artists)