Use it Up!

 Hello all.  It is a much better morning today - sunshine and no rain.  Looks to get pretty warm today (they say 87*F) and then it appears there will be a near perfect weekend!  The water out back is 'mostly' gone - but there is still standing water in places.  Yesterday at one spot it was over ankle deep! (ask me how I know - lol).  Today may (probably) be the day that the AC gets a trial use!!!  All that moisture out there and high temps - me thinks it will be humid!  I can do heat - just don't handle humidity well.

It took me a few minutes to get started this morning, as Bitsy had to have a snuggle session.  He got on the couch with me and needed a lot of hugs, kisses and loving!  Sometimes he just snuggles up to my side and wants to be loved on - not often, but I love it.

Isn't this cute?  A great way to use old hubcaps!  I would love to do this to my shed.  This isn't my picture - but it sure is cute.  I have an old washstand that belonged to grandma (without tubs).  I do have 2 portable tubs on stands out back (all metal) to use for planting!

There are so many ways to use things up and it isn't just about food.  Yes, it seems food items is a big one - but we can use things up in other areas as well.

• Citrus peels - make sure you grate the peels and freeze for future use in recipes.  They are just something that gets throw out - may as well use.  You can also use to make cleaners, or to make extracts....
• Meat bits - beef, chicken, ham, or whatever you have - chop and place in a blender with a little mayo and some pickle relish or pickles and blend to make a sandwich filling.  May be just enough for a lunch!
• I saw the other day a post on FB about keeping the oil from roasted tomatoes or peppers and use it to make homemade (flavored) mayo.  You can also use to make salad dressing.  It is a seasoned oil - so use it.
• Coffee grounds, tea bags, banana peels (chop up), eggshells, etc. are great for your garden and roses.  You can also compost
• Pickle juice - never throw that away.  I drink dill juice to help with restless leg.  I also like to use with salads as a little dressing.  It can be used as a marinade.  I love dill pickle juice in tomato juice.  Sweet pickle juice can be used in all types of salads to flavor.
• Leftovers - makeovers - planned overs -- use to make stir fry, fried rice, lunches, soups, burritos, pizza, calzones or hand pies, dips..........
• Ends of Romaine heads and the bottom end of celery can be rooted and planted to regrow!
• Have some older OJ (or other juice) - that kind of seems to be fermenting!!  Don't throw it out.  Freeze in cubes to use in recipes or to flavor drinks.  Add some champagne and make a mimosa!!!!!!
• Bits left in jars of all kinds - dressings, salsa, mayo, catsup, mustard, sauces, etc.  add oil, vinegar, milk, whatever matches up and shake - use every bit!

Don't forget those tomato skins this summer when canning.  Dry them, grind up, and put in a glass jar to use as tomato seasoning this winter - in soups and such.

Got old cups, teapots, dishes, etc.?  Maybe a broken handle or a crack - it doesn't have to be trash.  Look at these cute flower containers.  You can use anything - makes a great conversation piece. (not my pic).  They make cute birdfeeders as well.

As Cookie mentioned the other day - she is using up scraps of fabric to make cute and useful Christmas gifts.  Material can be made into quilts as well.  Piece together a bunch of fabrics (to make a new piece of fabric) and then make pillows.  I am doing that this Christmas for the littles - I will be making bears from scraps of the fabric left from their blankies I made.

Keep glass jars!  They make great storage for all types of things.  Great for the kitchen for spices, leftovers, seasoning, pasta, rice, etc.  Can use small ones in the garage for bits and pieces.  Craft room to hold utensils............

No pots for gardening - use old plastic bottles/milk jugs as planters.  Ask around and have family, neighbors and friends save them for you!

Cardboard or newspapers can be used as a weed guard in gardens and under mulch.  It eventually returns to the earth.  Shredded paper can be used in compost.

The list of things that we can use and upgrade and recycle is never ending really.  Most everything can be re-created.  As I have been saying all year - you need to get creative!!

Make some piles or have an area - for KEEP, DONATE, RECYCLE, TRASH as you clean and de-clutter.  Hopefully the trash pile will be the smallest of all of them!

Just a few ideas to use it up and SAVE MONEY!  Can't beat saving things from the landfill and saving a bit of cash!

Have fun with it.

Give some of your best ideas!!!!

Have a blessed day.