Put it to good use.

In an effort to turbo boost our productivity my fourth post is "put it to good use."    I am amazed that if I step back for a bit of a review I can see things I didn't see before.   The big potted plant that is no longer thriving... there is another pot for my veggie container garden!   The cupboards full of beautiful tall preserving jars sitting EMPTY.   It too me watching this video on Prepsteaders, How to Prepare for Imminent War Part 5,  to realise I had an asset I was not putting to good use!   Sometimes I feel so silly not realising something is right there staring me right in the face that could be very helpful! 🤦


I have now filled all of my tallest preserving jars with dry goods.  There are over 100!  I have kept the next size down for actual preserving.  Each of my kitchen cupboards go to the ceiling so each cupboard looks like this...


I guess we all do it.  The space in the hallway that could easily fit shelves.  The old kids play house thatwould make an awesome chicken house.  The closet that has become a dumping ground,  the sewing machine that hasn't sewn a stitch in years.... right down to the vitamins that were purchased with good intentions but we never took them!   Here is one... if you put a shelf above the door frame of the inside of the toilet room you have a place to stack bulky packs of toilet paper.   Big space saver!  Here is another... if you use blocks or purchased bed risers you suddenly have an enormous space under each bed for storage that is completely out of sight.

This is a bit of an extension of "getting the ball rolling" as we might already have the first steps completed but we need to take some more to get things happening.   Maybe we would do some mending and sewing IF we had a little space to set up the machine.   Maybe we could start a veggie garden if we got some soil to fill our pots.   I am in the city right now with Mum so I have a good one.   There is an old iron bed head in the shed.  Maybe if I can get the home it would be an awesome trellis for my Spring Cucumbers!  

We might have handmaidens we don't use but with a session of reading the instructions they could be working for us!  This, I confess, is the case with an InstaPot my Dad gave me.   He actually gave it to me because he had the same problem haha!  So I will commit to learning to use it.   It could be another help in the kitchen.

What do you have around that could become an asset if put to good use? 

My Aunt shared showed me how she uses her wheelbarrow to start seedlings.  She puts enough good soil into the wheelbarrow and sows seeds into it.   When her seedlings are big enough she pushes the barrow to where she wants and transplants them into the garden.   My Mum parks her wheelbarrow near the car and fills it with her groceries.  Then pushes them to the front door.  A broken down wheelbarrow makes a beautiful herb garden.   So for a wheelbarrow alone there are many uses.    On the farm an old bath tub is an absolute gem that can be an animal trough,  a worm farm (perfect!) a planter or a duck pond.  I have my eye on a pink one that is cast iron and only the tractor could lift.   I am determined to get that one!   Even an old laundry basket is a good strawberry planter.    I once used a big dog house (from side of road) as a hen house for four chickens.   It was perfect!   

So this is the challenge... what do you have that can be put to good use?  We can think outside the square! I think between us we can come up with some clever ideas!  I especially love when we realise something we thought was useless is actually an asset.  Like with the shredded paper... I had access to masses but I just didn't understand it was good for the chicken nesting boxes,  great for the compost,  a layer in my raised garden beds,  a weed suppressant around my fruit trees...    silly me.   But now I never say no to shredded paper!

Sometimes we are sitting on a gold mine and don't even realise.   When we are trying to save,  grow more self sufficient,  built the pantry and garden,  a bit of ingenuity and inventiveness can really help!   This all might help us turn a little into a lot!   

I have a lot to report just from being in the city one day!  By Friday I hope to have taken enough photos to share some horror prices, shortages and also some really good ideas!   One thing I know is that when I get home I will be making a big batch of laundry liquid.  I saw laundry liquid for $34 for three litres.   I can make three years supply for that.  And I have the bottles... I might as well put them to good use! xxx


Comments

  1. How strange! I have been looking for a single wardrobe to turn into a sewing station as I don't have a dedicated sewing space. It would be in my living room, but painted and decorated I think I can get away with it. I haven't yet found the wardrobe, but I will, but yesterday I found a small ironing board to go into it, something I hadn't even considered and for £2 in a charity shop.
    I have been thinking about buying myself an Instapot too, but haven't been able to decide if I will use it enough to justify the cost, I have a pressure cooker that I don't use because a) there were no instructions with it (it was brand new) so I have no idea how long things take to cook and b) it takes so loooong to reach pressure that I am not convinced there's any fuel saving. I would be very interested to hear what others think or do with their Instapot.
    Another lovely, interesting, thought provoking post.

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    1. Dear Su,
      A sewing station would be beautiful. A small desk even might work. I hope you find something and make it just lovely. Pinterest has ideas on this theme.
      The ironing board will help a lot! Now... I can help you with the pressure cooker. Google the name and model number and it will give you the instruction book that you can read or print. Six Sisters stuff on you tube have a lot of insta pot meals and ideas... this has helped me start learning. I hope this helps! With love Annabel.xxx

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    2. JulieT from Minnesota11 August 2022 at 12:10

      Su, my sewing machine and serger are in the closet in my guest room. I put a 4 foot table in there. Bought 2 clamp lights that clamp to the closet pole. They plug into the outlet in the closet. Hubby built me shelves on both ends of the closet and that is where I store my notions, fabric, and such. When I am done I just close the bifold doors and no one is the wiser.

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    3. Su- does your pressure cooker look like a stock pot? If it does, it could also be a pressure canner. If you look it up as Annabel suggested, you should be able to find out. My favorite thing to use my pressure cooker for is to cook turkey for canning. Works a treat! Love my Instapot, too. I use it to make rice, hard boil eggs, I've made yogurt, soup, and cooked meat. It's fabulous!

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  2. Some fantastic ideas to ponder over. I love the wheelbarrow idea for seedlings. Thank you for keeping the ball rolling Annabel. Have a great week. Lots of love, Tania xxx

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    1. Dear Tania,
      Thank you! The wheel barrow idea could really work for you especially if you have a spare barrow. I really like it. A wheel barrow can hold a lot of soil too! I am hoping to end up with some extra ones myself. I found one that just needs a new tyre and then it can go into use! With love Annabelxxx

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  3. Great post! I love that you mentioned space over doors. One of the things Hannah and I (because of course my opinion counts ;) ) in her house was that the space over the bedroom doors has shelving. She is using it for storing her handbags, spare bedding, suitcases - things she doesn't use every day but still need to be handy. You don't even notice them, who looks above the door in a room?

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    1. Dear Cath, I know this space is usually completely blank. I am going to ask Andy to add some more of these shelves as they truly are not noticeable. I have bee looking at baskets too as I love them for storage, they look neat and hold a lot! Many thanks! Love Annabel.xxx

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  4. Dear Annabel,
    These extra posts are so encouraging. I have been walking around our home, just this week, looking at items and deciding how they can be used differently.
    I did some in-depth planning for zones for our two kitchens. We have a completely updated kitchen downstairs that I don't use. It has a designated purpose now and it will allow me to spread out further for food processing.
    I have hand maidens in many cabinets that are going unused. During my zone planning, I decided that, as soon as time allows, they will all be pulled out and set on our countertop and table so they can go to their appropriate zone for use. I need to read the manual on my Instapot, also. 😁
    Thank you for another thought filled post.
    With love,
    Glenda

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    1. Dear Glenda,
      Thank you! Looks like we both have some manual reading. I noticed Six Sister Stuff have a lot of Insta pot tutorials I think they will help me. I also really need things out mostly in order to be using them. If I pit them away they are forgotten.
      Thanks so much Glenda, With love Annabel.xxx

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  5. I am loving this series, Annabel. After reading Get the Ball Rolling, I realized I do all of those things--just not consistently. I'm also a procrastinator. Now I am making lists to remind me to do extra things. I've only been at it 4 days, and already I can see it is making a difference in being timely and consistent. Within 24 hours of arriving home from a trip to see my son, I had unpacked the suitcases, washed ALL of the clothes and put them away, cooked good meals and washed and vacuumed the car. This is ALL a first for me!

    So, back to today's post. In newer houses in the US, one shelf above the hanging rack in clothes closets is the norm. In the past few months, I have added a second shelf higher up in all the closets. It isn't the most convenient space, but we all store things that are not needed very often. It was easy using metal brackets. The closet in the master bedroom is a walk-in with poles and shelving on both sides and in the back (U shape). I did exactly the same thing except that I replaced the shelf in the back with a piece that is slightly wider. (I reused the shelf I removed). This is really handy for storing extra blankets...wool, of course! (I don't have an actual linen closet). H'mm...over the door in that closet is another good idea.

    You have also given me several other ideas I hadn't thought of...looking forward to giving them a try. Thank you so much!

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    1. Dear Maxine,
      Thank you for telling me this! I am so encouraged by your report.
      I think you're extra shelf added up higher is a great idea. We often have unused wall space! What handy storage that is! I am a big fan of basket in these spaces as they look so nice and you can really get any shape or size for any space. I have used the back of several doors for the pocket hangers. One is full of small jars. I can stash a lot behind the doors this way and they are not noticed. I love finding new ideas I can use. Thanks for your kind comment! With love Annabel.xxx


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  6. Wonderful thoughts, Annabel! Thinking outside the box is hugely helpful - these extra posts are so useful - they're literally shaming this procrastinator out of her lethargy and I can't thank you enough! love, Cari in SA

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  7. I love the wheelbarrow idea. We have an old, holey one sitting around. I just need to figure out what to plant in it, though I also love the idea of planting seeds and wheeling the seedlings to their planting spot. Decisions! Looking forward to your next post.

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    1. Dear Laurie, Oh lucky you, it would be a lovely herb garden. And look so nice! Thanks so much! Love Annabel.xxx

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  8. I love my instant pot (crockpot express) and use it often. In the winter to make stocks, soups and stews and in the summer it cuts down on heat in the kitchen from using the stovetop. It also cuts the fuel bill compared to cooking in the oven. I think it is well worth the investment. I learned more about how to use it from looking for recipes online than in the manual, although obviously the actual do and do nots are important to learn.
    In the kitchen I am harvesting, preserving and using up our garden fruits and berries. In the pantry I have recently reorganised my shelves and made sure I know how much of everything I have in there. The largest preserving jars (2 litres) have been filled with the contents of a bargain 25kg sack of fine white flour. They take 1kg each.
    In my sewing room I have turned a thrifted cotton curtain into a housedress, using a free pattern downloaded from ellaharp.com, an old gingham sheet has become a gathered skirt and I am still crocheting away on my latest blanket ( Attic 24’s Harbour pattern).
    My biggest project at the moment is turning a shed full of “stuff” (old furniture, children’s toys and school projects, outgrown sports equipment etc) into a useable space. I am aiming for a library/retreat with shelves for all my books instead of them being boxed up in storage.
    Following your advice from a while ago, I have been drying flowers to decorate with. I am going to supplement these with some glycerined leaves this autumn. Gill in Norway.

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    1. Dear Gill,
      Keeping the heat down in the kitchen is a very good point. Thank you. Autumn leaves would be beautiful to preserve! They press dry very well also. I love them. Your large jars full of flour sound beautiful. I think they would be about the same size as mine. Beautiful for storage.
      I love the sound of your sewing! I will check out the patten site you mention, thank you!
      The shed sounds like a great project. A library/retreat will be beautiful. The Harbour pattern is just beautiful. I think I love all Atic 24 patterns! Plus as a bonus I can understand them! Many thanks Gill! With love Annabel.xxx

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  9. Dear Annabel, I really love your reminders. One day I was at my SIL who homeschools her children. She was asking if I knew if anyone had a small desk for sale for one of the children. As I was leaving she said do you want this vanity set. I looked at it and said, um, if you take the mirror off it, isn't it a small desk. She was astounded and then we had a good giggle together. Yesterday I was thinking what I could use as nesting boxes. I remembered a half barrel my husband had cut for water for our big dog who is no longer with us. So into the pen with hay it went - only trouble is when I went back out, our rabbit was sitting in it! Funny boy. I am looking forward to Fridays post. Love Clare

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    1. Dear Clare,
      I love how you realised the dressing table would be a fine desk! That was a funny one! I am always considering things as nesting boxes. One of my best ones was a three tiered vegetable storer. Also I collect things for perches like an old wooden clothes rack, an old ladder... I hope the rabbit will move out so the hen can move in! With love Annabel.xxx

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  10. am so enjoying your encouraging posts, they sure motivate me. these are thr type of things i like to read and learn from. in the kitchen today i made salsa from excess zucchini and tomatoes. and froze peaches. the freezer is getting full. time to start dehydrating. tomorrow i plan to can blackeye peas. in the sewing room have been making comforters for the needy using scrap fabric in 6" squares that is left over from sewing skirts and dresses. sometimes i use mattress pads from the thrift shops or friends for the batting . this makes a nice warm comforter. we've been using cold water for laundry and hanging it outside since the sun is free. our electric has gone up significantly in the last few months too. my husband has been busy this week to stacking our firewood supply for the winter. we,ve always burned wood. hope your week goes well. blessings to you and all the bluebirds. bonnie

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    1. Dear Bonnie, Thank you! You are doing really well filling your freezer and the dehydrating will add to your shelves too.
      The comforters you are making sound beautiful. That is wonderful.
      I think the firewood stacked is better than money in the bank! A security. Yo had a great day with the salsa and peaches! With love Annabel.xxx

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  11. After reading your post I was inspired to haul out the instant pot my daughter gave me 18 months ago, read the instruction book and use it. It had been “hidden” at the back of my saucepan cupboard and never used but as fuel prices here in the UK have soared I am determined now to get to grips with it and have now used it twice! I have cooked a piece of ham in it, and cooked chick peas to freeze. Yours was just the wake up call I needed, so I send you my grateful thanks 😊 Lesley

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    1. Dear Lesley, Thank you! I am glad you have your insta pot working for you! I am hearing about the fuel /heating costs. It is terrible. Winter is not shaping up to be too good. All savings are helpful now. Well done! Love Annabel.xxx

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  12. Thank you for these encouraging extra posts. My Instantpot is one of my favorite handmaidens and I use it all the time. It's great for making stock from bones and scraps, for cooking large batches of dried beans or brown rice, for steaming big batches of vegetables or stewing fruit and for boiling a lot of eggs at once. They come out perfectly every time. Because you can 'set it and forget it' I also find it useful for making things like mashed potatoes -- I don't have to worry about the pot boiling over on the stove and running dry if I'm busy with other things.

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  13. I always find it easier to look for instructions online, preferably with a YouTube video. I open a Word page and write down the instructions in my words after I've played the video a few times. Works for me. V

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  14. Dear Annabel, thank you so much for your extra posts. Sitting down with a cup of coffee and reading your post is like opening a gift. Goodness, I think I have lots of gaps. I need to work on this! We have an empty pot. I think I could store soap and toothpaste under our bed. I have jars, they could be filled with dried goods or I could be propagating in them or storing seeds. I could use hanging material shelves to store more yarn, and one of those back of the door organisers to store wrapping paper in the hallway. I have been noticing a lovely verge garden nearby, and what he does for mulch. I realised that all my leaves I was taking up, the branches I was cutting and the palm fronds I was throwing out could be cut up and used as mulch. One day I will get a shredder, but I am cutting it up by hand now. I would love to find a bathtub that we could use as an outdoor bathtub for the kids to play in when it gets hot. Lots of love, Lily

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  15. I'm an American, so can someone please tell me what a "handmaiden" is?

    Thanks

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    1. Hi Anne, In Proverbs 31 the woman of the house would get the day going and all her handmaidens working. Back then handmaidens were the staff who helped the household. These days we have machine handmaidens that help us do our work ie the washing machine, the bread maker, the dish washer and so on. And what a help they are! So today we can achieve a lot having our handmaidens all busy to help us. I hope that makes sense! xxx

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    2. It’s just referring to the appliances we have around our home that we can “put to work” to help us, like a slow cooker, washing machine, or dishwasher. They can work for us while we do other work. Few of us have true maids to help with housework, but we have many mechanical helps that make our tasks easier.

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    3. A handmaiden is a small kitchen appliance that can work for you like electric mixer, bread machine or crockpot. Just a cute name for them.

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    4. That’s just a fancy word for modern conveniences like washing machines, mixers and gadgets that do the household work that was once done by actual people.

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  16. a handmaiden is any appliance, tool or machine that helps you get things done around the home. such as washing machine, dryer, sweeper, bread maker, mixer or food processor ect. we sure would miss them if they weren't around. bonnie

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  17. My husband actually bought the materials to build a shelf above the door in our bathroom. The entry there is long and narrow and he thought a shelf for storing paper products and cleaners and such there would be smart. Then we started keeping our grandson and that planned project got pushed off the radar. I've got to start a list of jobs he can do about the house to help him remember. That would allow me to move toilet paper from my pantry storage and free up more space for foodstuffs.
    Which makes me think of empty space in my laundry area where I might store paper products (plates, cups, aluminum foil, waxed paper, zippered bags) as well as our laundry items that are already there and free up more space in the pantry. There's also room there for a second lower shelf. Another item I've meant to add for years...Well now is the time. Then things I use more often can go on the lower shelf and things like canning jars and hot water bath canner could go up top and free up more space in the pantry closet...Oh gee!
    I have a wheelbarrow with a broken handle that I'd meant to plant seeds in this year but never got drain holes drilled into it because we lacked a strong enough drill to do it. Another task for that job list for hubby!
    I've also been looking at kitchen items I have and wondering "How can I use these more?" Like the pizza stone that only gets used for pizza night and the waffle iron that is used only occasionally. I'm not a big one for appliances overall but I want to get all the use I can from things I do own.

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    1. Dear Terri, Toile paper is so lucky that if it is up on the shelf it really frees up a lot of cupboard space. Paper products moved into the laundry would be a good idea... that way you can see how much food you have in the pantry. When I took all non food out of my pantry I didnt have as much food as I thought!
      A job list for your husband is a great idea... the holes in the wheel barrow will give you a great planter! You. are really thinking and doing! With love Annabel.xxx

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  18. These are awesome ideas! I got to thinking after reading your words that I might should take all the nonfood items out of my food pantry, to include bath tissue! There are places to store the tissue, but that's my main food pantry. I'm beginning to think about ways I can store things where they are needed too. Thank you for the extra, fun posts! :)
    Stacy

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    1. Dear Stacy, When I first took out all the non food I was shocked that I didnt have as much food as I thought! So now my pantry is much better stocked with actual food. Toilet paper is so bulky too... Thanks so much Stacy, with love Annabel.xxx

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