It always happens like this: I can't find something in the kitchen cupboards. I let it go, and let it go, and let it go some more. Until, one day, I can't stand it and seize the moment no matter what else is in store for the day. And do what I should have done months earlier. CLEAN OUT THE CUPBOARDS!

That's what happened Sunday, when I was looking for a cake mix. Couldn't find the mix, but ended up pulling everything off of the shelves and starting from scratch. And what finds I found. I don't think I'll need to buy pasta or noodles until 2011. I had SOOO much on hand. Same goes for the chocolate chips, cookie decorations and cupcake liners. We're good. Probably until my sixth-grader gets to college. And we've got so many Halloween sprinkles, neighbors and friends alike can expect colorful cookies cut into pumpkins and witches. I FINALLY threw away the bottles of tomato chutney, kiwi dressing and berry sauce that were either long-ago food-basket gifts or something I picked up on vacation and vowed to put to good use immediately upon returning home. Never happened.

Most inexcuseable find was the bottle of beef bouillon wedged into the back corner of the triangular cupboard; the sell-by-date passed -- a decade ago. The good news? It looked like I never opened the bottle. But really!

Now, on to the spice cupboard ...