Howdy all. It is a damp morning here! We did get some rain overnight - but not much at all here. It is very cloudy and dark outside still, and we may get some more rain later today. South of here, got a nice amount of rain - here maybe 1/4". It is water from the sky - so we gladly take it but need so much more.
To understand me and my ways - know that I have lived in my home for 40 years now. It was paid off in 15 years; it is a small bungalow and built in the 40's. My vehicle was brand new when we bought it, 23 years ago! Only new car either of us had ever owned. It is still going, and not bad looking. My furniture is 23+ years old. I still have a flip phone (cell). Quality is important!
I talk about replacing the vehicle and furniture often, yet here it is! I have the funds to do it, I guess I just have to be in the mood. LOL
You know that old saying "if it aint broke don't fix it" - well even if it breaks - fix it! That's my advice.
- I can work wonders with stale bread - so many options
- I use leftovers, some as is, some in new ways. Love soups and casseroles - great ways to change up leftovers
- I water down just about everything. Dish soap, laundry soap, shampoo, juices, etc.
- Garden and eat it and preserve it in some way
- Cook from scratch and eat at home. I eat very well, yet very simply. Some of my favorite meals are the simplest.
- I make most of my cleaning products. Vinegar and water for windows, I keep a bottle of ammonia/water/Dawn mix for cleaning. I often make orange cleaner with citrus peels.
- Old t-shirts make hankies and rags for cleaning (no waste or trash)
- Scraps and old clothes - used to make projects.
- Get creative when crafting (espec. w/kiddos) - I will do a post on CREATIVE CRAFTS
- I wash zip lock baggies and reuse
- Keep glass jars and use for storage and pantry goods - helps get rid of plastic & glass is mouse proof!
- I make most gifts - jams, jellies, salsa, cookies, treats (in goody baskets), and even toys & such
- I very seldom turn on lights - I love the look of candles (or battery candles), even a small string of twinkle lights (they give a lot of light)
- Keep AC and furnace off until totally needed
- Use rain barrels - great for watering plants & water for animals
- I even use the dehumidifier water in laundry - no need to waste it
- Hang most of my laundry to dry (even indoors) and use dryer to only fluff
- I run errands at one time and in a circle pattern around the town - ending up back at home
- I do yardwork myself for exercise and I walk everyday! No gym needed here
- Fix things - YouTube can teach you about anything
- I compost - in my own way (I do things a bit different than most because of critters)
- I keep the candle scraps (bottom of jar) to use in my melt pots (still smells good)
- When I had a printer - I saved the scrap paper to cut into note pads. I use old envelopes to make lists, and keep the front of Christmas cards for tags for gifts next year and also for lists
- I always keep pretty bags and boxes and tissue paper to reuse - some have gone on for years!
- I shop thrift stores and yard sales FIRST
- I use black wash cloths in the kitchen to wash dishes and clean with - they show no stains and I know where they are for
- Dates on things mean very little to me
- I keep my favorite recipes written down in a little book together. They never get deleted!!!
- Buy ingredients and not specialty stuff - you can get so creative
- I drink mainly water, flavored water or iced tea (homemade)
Oh the list can go on and on. Yep, mom did most of these things as well - so I had a good teacher. But for me it is just common sense and a way to live and respect life. Not wasting things is so important. Not only does it save money, but it so good for the environment. Anything I can reuse, buy used, or fix - stays out of the landfill!! Heck - I have even rescued every animal I have ever had!!!!💖
It may sound like a lot of work to some to do many of these things, but once you get used to it - you will find it fun, and I bet you will look around and try to figure out other things you can.
I hope this gives a few ideas to some of the newbies here and even all our regulars. There is so much more - but it just seems normal to me.
Call me old fashioned - I find it a compliment!!!
I love living like this - I appreciate all things.
Have a super great day!
The little dab of moisture we got was welcomed as if an all day rain! Hopefully we will get more before the day is done. The ground is quite parched.
ReplyDeleteIt is very challenging to our little grey cells to make do, find another way to accomplish something, all the while appreciating what we do have. It's easy to buy instead of trying to repair, remake or make from scratch. What's the fun in that? Use the good sense the Good Lord gave us. We need to be good stewards of what He has given us. As all responsible adults should do, avoid the toxic ingredients, whether in food or cleaning goods. I think you will find that more and more people are becoming "old-fashioned".