What's on Your Kitchen Counters?

[SAHMmy Says]

Are your kitchen counters shined up and spartan, or are they the catch-all for mail, dishes, and backpacks? Today's post offers tips and products for keeping kitchen counters clear so you can fix dinner without splattering marinara on your catalogs!
I have a major java habit, so the coffeepot stays. I also keep two fruit bowls (would prefer that at least one could be displayed on the dining room table, but my kiddos would constantly be taking one bite out of each piece of fruit so I need the out-of-reach location.) and a cinnamon-scented jar candle. That's it for me--too little counter space and too much food prep throughout the day to allow more!
What do you keep on your kitchen counters?

[Darla]

One thing I found myself guilty of was putting my purse on the counter upon returning home. My neighbor shared a little secret that cured me forever of doing THAT.

She said "think of where the bottom of that purse has been: car floor, public bathroom stall floor where no hook was available, in a slimy grocery cart, etc.

THAT cured that one for me and I became really finicky about what I allowed on my counters (cats included - blech - but they're so insistent!!)

[songbirdtiff]

You're so right about the purse thing. I try to keep mine in the cabinet, but sometimes I just get lazy. If I keep it on the floor I'm afraid my cat will climb in and go to sleep.

One thing I never do is put my purse on a bathroom floor. I'll balance it on top of my head if I have to (wouldn't you like to see that?!) but never on the floor. I have a thing about bathrooms....

[JackieWks]

This article motivated me to declutter & rearrange kitchen cabinets.

Took pics...will post on blog soon.

[Darla]

Can't wait to see!!

[Jennifer A.]

Well, no bags or backpacks, those go on the dining room floor, for now. I keep a coffee maker, toaster, waffle maker, deep fryer (please dont ask), bread maker, and three jars that hold cooking tools. I also have a microwave on the counter and one corner is a catch all for mail, notes, myhusbands keys/PDA/Cell phones, change. I am lucky I have lots of counter space in my kitchen. I do clean the junk off once in a while and sort it/recycle it.
I need to revise my kitchen so its more effecient and I am not moving tons of stuff off the counters when I want to bake.

[ShawneeH]

Different countertop question --- does anyone allow their children (I'm thinking pre-teens and older) to actually SIT on the countertops?

I felt like such an "old lady" at work recently when I actually had to tell a 20-something co-worker not to sit on the kitchen countertops. When she actually got back up there after I jokingly made a comment about moving her butt, I then said something to the effect that it "really bothers me to have your bottom where I'm going to be preparing food." She did get down and acted offended. However, when I mentioned the situation privately to someone else, they weren't as shocked as I was.

[Christina]

Coffee pot, basket of kiddy cups (for the water dispenser), a vase that I need to put away, and a George Foreman grill. I have very little counter space.

[melissa @ the inspired room]

My husband is the counter police. I like to make little piles of things I need to do, you know, all the papers that come in to my life that I need to deal with? My husband, on the other hand, likes the counters to be free of clutter, so he always picks up my little piles and heads them off to who knows where. The counters do look better without my little piles, but out of sight out of mind for me. I have lost permission slips, school forms to sign, bills...I guess I need a better system. :-)