ParsleyCarrots's Profile

I once spend my entire paycheck on a luxury goose down comforter and four goose down pillows. 20 years later, I still use that comforter 9 months out of the year. I have since replaced the pillows, but the originals are in the dog's "cozy corner".

Best investment ever.

I wonder if this is a problem that is common in certain regions? I usually try to buy locally milled grains and local store brand staples. When I lived in the temperate Upper Midwest (hot, cold, damp), I never had a problem with bugs in my grains. Then I spent a few years in the South 9hot, damp) and tossed oats, flour, crackers, cornmeal, pasta, rice and beans on a regular basis. Now I'm in the Dakota territory (warm, cool, dry); no bugs yet.

For what it's worth, my gracious Southern neighbor lady suggested putting a stick of Doublemint gum in the containers. I tried that--yes, it worked wonderfully, but there is a lingering aroma of mint on everything which can be either interesting (in chocolate cake) or just plain weird (on fried chicken).

I'll try the bay leaves.

A well-stocked, organized pantry is a beautiful thing. I know that if we get snowed in or just have a case of the lazies, we can always create a great meal from the supplies we have on hand. It also keeps us from reaching for the nearest pizza delivery menu. For someone like me who cooks from scratch nearly every day, having those odd, rarely used supplies on hand is just a necessity.