Stocking a kitchen for a 13 week travel assignment

Now that the 13 week travel nurse assignment is underway and rolling along smoothly, there is time to reflect on what we brought along to make our home feel like, well, home.  I've discovered a few things I wish I had brought along and some that I should have left at home.  Keep in mind, this first adventure is designed around moving into our own, private space in a a 1 bedroom apartment.  Our next contract was in a room we rented in a furnished house - big difference!  Since I'm not working outside of the home I take it as my job to cook and provide meals to enjoy at home and to give my husband a home-cooked meal to take along.

In addition to being clinical here with my following list, let me remind those caretakers of the travel nurses that romance does not have to be dead even living on minimalistic supplies.  Here is how I set the table for a romantic dinner at home. Since we don't have a patio I set up on the sidewalk next to the front door.

 I brought too many spices.  I packed our stacking spice rack, a plastic grocery bag filled with 1oz scoops of spices, AND several jars (the size of Mrs. Dash).  I will use quite a few of these spices but certainly not all.

Yesterday we discovered that the Big Lots! here is so much better than the one in Wisconsin. Food is actually name-brand here and is about 1/2 the price it is in grocery stores.  I will be picking up several things to consume while we're here at this place.

With all the blogs I've read I haven't found many details of what to bring so I'll lay out what we brought for you to see.

Other revelations of discovery:

Kitchen tools:

• I brought only 1 hotpad. Not smart!
• 1 large non-stick frying pan with lid.
• 1 small frying pan
• 1 6 quart pot with lid
• full set of silverware
• 1 good large knife, 2 steak knives, 1 paring knife
• 1 vegetable peeler
• 1 corkscrew
• 3 wine stoppers and air pump
• 1 tbsp measure
• 1 liquid measuring cup
• 1 metal vegetable steamer
• 1 large French White baking dish with cover
• 2 cookie sheets
• 6 coffee cups
• 2 heat-resistant turners, 1 slotted, 1 not slotted
• 1 ladle
• 1 garlic press
• 1 cheese slicer
• 1 can opener
• 1 set of dry measuring cups
• 1 6 cup coffee maker
• 2 insulated water bottles
• 1 cutting board that fits across a sink (it is most often used for expanding countertop space in our small apartment)
• 2 dishrags (not enough) and 2 dishtowels (enough)
• 4 of each; dinner plates, salad plates, bowls 
• Dishwasher tablets

 Here is what we went out to buy for the kitchen:

• 4 cheap wine glasses (from Walmart)
• 5 white dishrags
• small ziplock bags
• 4 flat and 2 square Rubbermaid storage containers
• Olive oil

We are choosing to live without a microwave, toaster, and/or toaster oven.  Instead, we are using the oven to do the same things.  To make toast in the morning I crank the oven to "Broil" for about 5 minutes then insert slices of bread on the very top rack. After 3 minutes I turn them over for another 3.

To thaw fish or chicken in a hurry I add the frozen chicken to the French White oven-safe dish and put in the oven set at 200 for about 20 minutes. Voila'! Thawed chicken or fish!

This first venture into providing our own housing is truly an experiment with how to live, but we seem to be making it work without acquiring many new things. This will be particularly helpful in 11 weeks when we move again!

Buying is small quantities is the biggest challenge I have these days. Live, learn, and use up our supplies before buying more! Old habits die hard.

I've learned that 4-6 weeks before the end of an assignment, or 1/2 way through the contract is a good benchmark to start using up all of our consumables.  Whenever we grocery shop or buy household supplies like toilet paper, we buy the smallest quantities available. The end goal is to have zero left on moving day.

First, we buy no more canned or boxed goods unless it is for a meal we eat the same day.  Same goes for refrigerated items such as juices, cheeses, and condiments.  I assure you that there will not be enough room to take it with you and you will end up throwing it away. 

This point has become the game for us; what can we make with what we have.  Each day becomes more of a challenge to use resources on hand.  We found that using the different spices and strange combinations of foods actually creates a refreshingly new menu and it not as hard as it sounds.

As our first assignment came to a close, we concluded that we simply packed too many of some things and not enough of other things.  For example, we only needed about three towels and a few washcloths.  We should leave all but a few spices at home and instead, pack a toaster oven.  We only needed two wine glasses and fewer plates.  Whatever clothes you pack, leave half of them at home!  Each and every time we get somewhere we end up not using most of the clothes we hauled along - and ladies, this also includes jewelery.  Leave it at home. Better yet, when you get to your tax home SELL the extra costume jewelry that you no longer wear and/or need!