Daily KJA - 31 January 2010

So I'm making soup and I need some Cajun spice, right? We have about 50 million jars of spices in the cupboard so I start the treasure hunt and stumble across a bottle of paprika that is no longer the color of paprika and is seemingly a solid mass.

"Hmmmm", I think to myself because I'm that kind of deep thinker on a Sunday morning, "I wonder when this expired?"

Best before 2003.

Hmmm, indeed.

Which prompted me to then go through every jar. 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009 and even the rare 2010. No idea why 2006 and 2007 are missing. Oh, and there's a couple of 1999s that really make me think "We hauled these stupid things from Coral Bay to Exmouth and have never used them?" Yes, a couple were even still sealed.

But my favourite find was the Cinnamon & Sugar from 1996. That baby started in Perth, moved to Coral Bay for three years and then made the migration with us to Exmouth in 1999 - by then, already three years out of date. It's survived Category 5 Cyclone Vance, numerous intensive pantry cleanings and four or five rearranging events. It looks like maybe two shakes were ever used. Ten years later, it's time has come. Buh-bye!

Note to self: when deep cleaning or re-organizing, please read Best before dates AND toss stuff as appropriate, hmmm, OK? Thanks.

Here's some of the 30+ jars I tossed as they surround the yummy vegetables destined for my killer soup

Canon 1DIII, Canon 24L MkII 1.4 @ ISO400, 1/60, f2.5