goddess of thrift

On the Buying Power of Gold . . .

"If all the gold in the world were melted down into a solid cube it would be about the size of an eight-room house.  If a man got possession of all that gold -- billions of dollars worth -- he could not buy a friend, character, peace of mind, clear conscience or a sense of eternity."

--Charles F. Bunning

Yard Sale Find -- The Multi-Functional Canning Jar

Canning jars are fairly easy to find at yard sales, particularly those in semi-rural areas or at the homes of senior citizens.  In the past I have purchased regular canning jars (ranging in size from 1/2 pint to 1 quart) for about $1.00 per dozen, and I still find boxes of jars priced at a dollar or two. (This price is about 10% -- 20% of the retail cost for new jars.)  Bail-top jars, typically anywhere from 1 pint to 1/2 gallon in size, are also offered for $.25 to $1.00.  In addition to their obvious use in preserving food, these jars are great for a variety of uses, including:

--Gift containers for food or drink mixes, homemade potpourris or bath salts;

--Storage containers for leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer.  Be sure to leave about 1" head-space at the top of the jar when freezing food, to allow for expansion;

--Storage for staple items in the pantry, such as baking ingredients, pasta, rice, nuts and seeds.  When I store baking soda or cornstarch in a bail-top jar, I cut the name from the box and tape it to the jar lid for identification.  It is much easier to measure a teaspoon or so from the jar than from a cardboard box, and I can see at a glance how much I have left.

--In a sewing or craft room for supply storage of buttons, shells, beads and other small items;

--On a bathroom shelf to store cotton balls, cotton swabs or band-aids;

--Above the washer, to hold change, paper-clips and other items retrieved from pockets;

--As a "time-capsule" in a childs' room, filled with kids' meal toys or party favors.  This function is primarily for decoration rather than use; it is safer to use unbreakable plastic containers for toy storage for young children.  For this purpose, consider using clean, empty plastic peanut butter jars (with lables removed) for small items;

--In the workshop to hold a variety of nails, screws and other hardware;

--In the office, to hold rubber bands, paper clips and fasteners, or as a holder for pens or pencils.

When purchasing canning jars or bail-top jars, be sure to examine them carefully for chips and cracks, and pass on any you find with such flaws.  It is especially important to use flawless jars in water-bath or pressure canning in order to avoid breakage.  Mineral deposits on or in jars can usually be removed by rubbing or soaking with white vinegar.

The many uses of canning jars are only limited by your imagination.  Obviously, you have seen or heard of many of these uses before, but it doesn't hurt to be reminded how various containers can help with organization, storage and display.  Thinking in advance about how they can be used will help you to determine how many to purchase the next time you see them on a clutter-covered table at a yard sale.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2010

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From a Christian Perspective: Another Lesson From My Dog

Whenever I remove Zoe's leash from the nail where it hangs by the freezer, she does her happy-dog dance, jumping and turning complete circles.  She then sits, and after being leashed, scrambles outside with anticipation.  Typically, we go down behind the barn and around the meadow twice a day, and have been doing so for five years.  One might think that, after all that time, walks would have become merely routine.  Yet she still greets the prospect of a walk with expectation and excitement, as if the experience is new every time.  From her perspective, I'm confident it really is.

I can't help but think about how different her reaction is from the way I meet a new day.  Am I ever so elated about the possibility that exists in each day that my joy can't be contained?  Can I read a story, re-attach a button, or taste a fresh tomato warm from the garden and absolutely savor that moment?  Am I held in such close captivity by my to-do list that life has become little more than a series of tasks to complete?  What does Zoe know that I haven't yet figured out?

It occured to me that my dog -- somewhat like God -- lives completely outside of time.  (I'm not drawing any particular theological conclusions about that.)  Oh, sure, she typically sleeps at night and has a routine for eating, but she is totally unfamiliar with concepts like early, late and efficient.  She consults no time-managment studies, clocks, calendars or schedules.  The only idea of time she has is:  now.

Before you think I'm advocating immediate disposal of all of our "planning tools", let me assert that I believe they do have a place in our lives.  But I can't help but wonder how much less stressed we'd be, how much healthier we'd be, and how content we'd be if we learned to appreciate "now".  Maybe if we became conscious of the gift we have been given in each moment, each meal and each breath, we wouldn't need to medicate our stress with stuff.  Perhaps we'd even realize that we have surplus to share if we took time to notice the abundance -- material and otherwise -- that we have been given.

The thing I love about my dog's happy-dance is that it never fails to warm my heart.  Her joy in the moment is contagious, and as a result, I look forward to our walks, too.  I think God has the same reaction to me -- and you -- whenever we pause to enjoy and notice the blessings he pours out upon us.  Our appreciation of His goodness to us becomes a form of worship.  I'm pretty sure that makes Him smile.

So, lets each work on our "happy-dance".  As we re-learn the meaning of the word now, I believe that our joy will become contagious.  As we allow the Spirit to set the pace of our lives,  I know that He will be faithful to point us to the tasks that truly need to be done.  Each day -- each moment -- is a gift, and I pray that you and I will rediscover the thrill of a life, moment by moment, which is truly blessed by the Giver of all good things. 

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."  (Psalm 118:24 NIV)

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2010

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On Giving Help and Comfort . . .

"Compassion means that if I see my friend and my enemy in equal need, I shall help them both equally. Justice demands that we seek and find the stranger, the broken, the prisoner and comfort them and offer them our help." --Mechtild of Magdeburg

Late Summer Donation Idea

By mid-August when the discount stores are clearing their racks of remaining summer merchandise, it's a great time to stock up on deeply-discounted flip-flops.  While those of us living in four-season climates will soon be tucking away our summer footwear for the season, there are untold numbers of people in poorer, warm-climate countries who own no shoes whatsoever.  Flip-flops are fairly sturdy, inexpensive and water-proof, and protect children and adults from contracting bacteria and parasites through sores or wounds in their feet.  Of course, you can purchase and donate flip-flops any time of the year, but by buying them at the end of the season, your money will stretch to help even more. Many organizations providing relief to countries like Haiti, Guatemala and Uganda will be happy to receive your donations.  Matthew 25 Ministries is one such organization in the Cincinnati area.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2010

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Yard Sale Find -- Cartoon Bear Clutter Containment!

Yard sale season is at its peak in my area from May through September, with more sporadic sales in other months.  Some of the great finds I've stumbled upon lately are woven wooden picnic baskets for just a dollar or two.  They make great, dust-proof storage bins for anything from gift-wrapping ribbons to playing cards and small board games, and look attractive on top of a shelf or cupboard. While a large variety of storage containers are available at retail and discount stores, they are usually much more expensive, often less aesthetically appealing, and many times don't have lids, which results in dusty contents over time.  I always wondered what Yogi Bear did with his picnic baskets after he emptied them . . . now I know!

-- Susan Rodebush  ©  2010

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On Experiencing Abundance in Life . . .

"There cannot be a sense of abundance or the experience of prosperity without appreciation.  You cannot find beauty unless you appreciate beauty.  You cannot find friendship unless you appreciate others.  You cannot find  love unless you appreciate loving and being loved.  If you wish abundance, appreciate life."

--William R. Miller

On Investing for Tomorrow . . .

"Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago."

--Warren Buffett

Cool and Quick Veggie Sandwiches

The beauty of these sandwiches is that they can be made without heating the kitchen, and you can use whatever you have on hand.  The amino acids in the cheese combine with those in the whole wheat roll to yield complete protein, so meat isn't necessary, but can be added.

For each serving, split:

1  whole wheat bun or roll

Top both halves with:

sliced or shredded cheese of your choice

Microwave for 30 -- 45 seconds or until cheese melts.  Season, layer with remaining toppings and enjoy!

Some topping ideas:

The Salad Sandwich -- layer leaf lettuce or spinach, fresh cucumber and tomato slices, and fresh chives.

The Marinara Sandwich-- spread roasted garlic on roll; melt provolone cheese.  Top with slices of tomato and fresh basil leaves.

The Southwest Sandwich -- sprinkle chili flakes on melted cheese.  Top with refried beans, salsa and thinly sliced avocado.

The Pizza Sandwich-- sprinkle dried oregano and basil on melted mozzarella cheese.  Top with sliced tomato and pepperoni, sliced mushrooms, bell pepper strips or whatever else you usually enjoy on pizza.

The Fruit Sandwich -- top with lettuce, thinly sliced apple and pear and smoked chicken, turkey or ham.

These are just a few combinations to get you thinking.  Consider also using, or adding, some of the following toppings:

--thinly sliced carrots, summer squash or zucchini

--coleslaw or broccoli slaw, drained

--alfalfa or other vegetable sprouts

--apricot or berry jam (especially good with provalone, smoked poultry and spinach leaves)

--thinly sliced, hardboiled eggs

--other uncooked greens, such as chinese cabbage, swiss chard or arugula

--hummus, dijon mustard, chili sauce, barbecue sauce, sesame tahini, nut butter or ranch dressing

Enjoy experimenting!  Your options are only limited by your imagination -- and what's in your refrigerator and garden.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2010

All materials in this blog are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission.