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Make-Do Mondays, as you may recall from last week’s post, is to be hosted by Shari at My Practically Perfect Life. I’m no longer the hub, but I do have a small make-do idea to share and link to the carnival.
Back in August, I posted a photo of my make-do plastic bag dryer—a crock full of utensils on which I can hang the bags.
But I have yet another plastic bag dryer I can set up when we’re rinsing out a lot of bags all at once. I got this idea from a magazine like Better Homes and Garden or Real Simple. Can’t remember which.
I keep all the wooden chopsticks from our Chinese takeout and pop those in the holes of a retired toothbrush holder.
Two or three sticks can fit in each hole, allowing for lots of bag-drying “racks.”
This make-do set-up is kind of cute and very handy.
I almost donated the toothbrush holder to Goodwill. I’m glad I didn’t. When I saw this make-do solution, I was able to start using it right away.
This, along with the utensil crock dryer, allows us to get several uses from each bag.
For more make-do ideas, visit My Practically Perfect Life!
Don’t miss a word: It’s easy to subscribe to annkroeker.com updates via email or RSS feed.
Visit NotSoFastBook.com to learn more about Ann’s new book.
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At Make-Do Mondays we discuss how we’re simplifying, downsizing, repurposing, buying used, and using what we’ve got.
It’s a carnival celebrating creative problem-solving, contentment, patience and ingenuity. To participate, share your own make-do solution in the comments or write up a Make-Do Mondays post at your blog, then return here to link via Mr. Linky. Enjoy others’ ideas by clicking on Mr. Linky and then clicking on people’s names.
Here’s a mini-tutorial on Mr. Linky:
Click on the icon and a separate page will pop up. Type in your blog name and paste in the url of your new Make-Do Mondays post. Click enter and it should be live. If it doesn’t work, just include the link in the comments.
To visit people’s posts or check that yours worked, click on Mr. Linky and when the page comes up, click on a name. You should be taken right to the page provided.
Make-Do Mondays Participants
Make-Do Mondays with Ann Shari
When I started Make-Do Mondays on December 29, 2009, (*Correction* that would be 2008) I began, “In this fragile economy, I thought it might be informative (and a little entertaining) to share all the ways we’re making-do.”
And with that, I launched Make-Do Mondays: a carnival that I hoped would celebrate creative problem-solving, contentment, patience and ingenuity. I think it has—I hope it has! I hope readers and participants have enjoyed pondering how they can use what they’ve got on hand and sharing some of their clever solutions.
As the year progressed, I began to realize that I was running low on ideas and eventually concluded that I would not be able to sustain the role as host.
So last week I proposed letting someone else host Make-Do Mondays. If no one offered to take on the role as host, I was simply going to shut it down.
However.
Shari of My Practically Perfect Life stepped up to the plate! Make-Do Mondays lives on!
Shari is a veritable make-do guru. You might enjoy browsing her collection of make-do solutions here.
What this means is that I’ll pack up Make-Do Mondays into a duct-taped box and send it to its new home. This time next week I’ll provide the link to Shari’s first official post, where it will have been unpacked and arranged nicely in its new home base!
I’ll still be making-do, since that’s in my basic nature, and when I manage to put together a Make-Do Mondays post, you’ll know where to find me.
As a kind of book-end to my part in this, I thought I’d show you my make-do floss. Because the floss, you see—the broken floss container, that is—well, that’s what started it all.
Please don’t tell my dentist how much is left.
If the main button is too big, try this one:
Don’t miss a word: It’s easy to subscribe to annkroeker.com updates via email or RSS feed.
Visit NotSoFastBook.com to learn more about Ann’s new book.
see below for alternative button
At Make-Do Mondays we discuss how we’re simplifying, downsizing, repurposing, buying used, and using what we’ve got.
It’s a carnival celebrating creative problem-solving, contentment, patience and ingenuity. To participate, share your own make-do solution in the comments or write up a Make-Do Mondays post at your blog, then return here to link via Mr. Linky. Enjoy others’ ideas by clicking on Mr. Linky and then clicking on people’s names.
Here’s a mini-tutorial on Mr. Linky:
Click on the icon and a separate page will pop up. Type in your blog name and paste in the url of your new Make-Do Mondays post. Click enter and it should be live. If it doesn’t work, just include the link in the comments.
To visit people’s posts or check that yours worked, click on Mr. Linky and when the page comes up, click on a name. You should be taken right to the page provided.
Make-Do Mondays with Ann
I started thinking about the long-range goals for Make-Do Mondays a few weeks ago.
I started thinking, “You know, Works For Me Wednesday (WFMW) is sooooo similar to Make-Do Mondays. I wonder if I should just send people there and shut down Make-Do Mondays?”
If you haven’t seen WFMW, the emphasis is only slightly different. Many people linking to WFMW are sharing ideas that could be described as making-do. In fact, most of my own ideas would work just as well with WFMW, because in the end, both WFMW and Make-Do Mondays are all about great solutions.
However, I love encouraging a make-do mindset—a duct-tape, can-do attitude that encourages a person to get ingenious and be content with solutions that may not be cool or brand-new-shiny. But I’m nervous. Because, you see, I’m low on ideas these days and don’t think I can sustain the role as host.
So I’d like to open up the possibility of letting someone else host Make-Do Mondays. If you’re interested in taking on this carnival and running it from your site, please contact me via e-mail or in the comments.
If no one takes it on, I’ll invite readers and participants to migrate over to WFMW being hosted by We Are THAT Family. The information page for WFMW is HERE.
Regardless the future of Make-Do Mondays, you should visit WFMW to see all the ideas.
If the main button is too big, try this one:
Don’t miss a word: It’s easy to subscribe to annkroeker.com updates via email or RSS feed.
Visit NotSoFastBook.com to learn more about Ann’s new book.
see below for alternative button
At Make-Do Mondays, we discuss how we’re simplifying, downsizing, repurposing, buying used, and using what we’ve got.
It’s a carnival celebrating creative problem-solving, contentment, patience and ingenuity. To participate, share your own make-do solution in the comments or write up a Make-Do Mondays post at your blog, then return here to link via Mr. Linky. Enjoy others’ ideas by clicking on Mr. Linky and then clicking on people’s names.
Here’s a mini-tutorial on Mr. Linky:
Click on the icon and a separate page will pop up. Type in your blog name and paste in the url of your new Make-Do Mondays post. Click enter and it should be live. If it doesn’t work, just include the link in the comments.
To visit people’s posts or check that yours worked, click on Mr. Linky and when the page comes up, click on a name. You should be taken right to the page provided.
Make-Do Mondays with Ann
Birthdays are almost always make-do events for us.
As you may recall from Food on Fridays, my son wanted to offer several different desserts for his birthday party in lieu of cake.
So I made a humble pumpkin pie, which became the pie of honor.
The crust wasn’t very artistic, but it tasted fine.
I made a coffee cake, which we renamed “crumble cake.” This was for marketing purposes, because some family members wouldn’t touch a dessert if a speck of coffee could be found in it. But I started preparing it a little too late in the morning. I mixed and assembled it, but didn’t have time to bake it before we had to leave.
The cake was transported to my parent’s house in batter form inside a cooler. I baked it upon arrival, but the crumble topping had already sunk into the cake. The surface looked something like an anthill.
I’ve never made a berry pie before. I watched my sister-in-law make a berry tart one time, so instead of making a pie, I used this tart recipe and made one for the first time ever.
Again, it wasn’t spectacular, but it was okay.
I did my best to create per the requests of my little boy, and he was pleased.
In fact, he ate two pieces of pie.
As we were in the car driving to my parents’ house, I started to worry I’d forgotten something that he’d requested.
I reviewed our plans. “We have the pies and crumble cake, we have the gifts, we have swimsuits for swimming,” I said. “Are we forgetting anything for your birthday? Anything you had in mind?”
He paused for a moment, then replied, “We’re forgetting how great it is that Grandma and Grandpa are hosting this today! We’re forgetting the love!“
For all those who make-do on birthdays or any day, please … don’t forget the love.
How do you make do?
If the main button is too big, try this one:
Don’t miss a word: It’s easy to subscribe to annkroeker.com updates via email or RSS feed.
Visit NotSoFastBook.com to learn more about Ann’s new book.
see below for alternative button
At Make-Do Mondays, we discuss how we’re simplifying, downsizing, repurposing, buying used, and using what we’ve got.
It’s a carnival celebrating creative problem-solving, contentment, patience and ingenuity. To participate, share your own make-do solution in the comments or write up a Make-Do Mondays post at your blog, then return here to link via Mr. Linky. Enjoy others’ ideas by clicking on Mr. Linky and then clicking on people’s names.
Here’s a mini-tutorial on Mr. Linky:
Click on the icon and a separate page will pop up. Type in your blog name and paste in the url of your new Make-Do Mondays post. Click enter and it should be live. If it doesn’t work, just include the link in the comments.
To visit people’s posts or check that yours worked, click on Mr. Linky and when the page comes up, click on a name. You should be taken right to the page provided.
Make-Do Mondays Participants
- Home…With Purpose (toy storage)
- Not the Jet Set (outlet cover makeovers)
- sunnydaytodaymama (make-do birthday)
- Hopeannfaith (Summertime Crock Cooking)
Make-Do Mondays with Ann
There was a time, years ago, when I was made fun of for doing this:
I’ve been switching over to glass storage, but sometimes plastic bags are the ideal container for a particular situation. And so to reuse my plastic storage bags, I continue to wash, rinse, and hang them on my kitchen utensils to dry.
How do you make do?
If the main button is too big, try this one:
Don’t miss a word: It’s easy to subscribe to annkroeker.com updates via email or RSS feed.
Visit NotSoFastBook.com to learn more about Ann’s new book.
see below for alternative button
At Make-Do Mondays, we discuss how we’re simplifying, downsizing, repurposing, buying used, and using what we’ve got.
It’s a carnival celebrating creative problem-solving, contentment, patience and ingenuity. To participate, share your own make-do solution in the comments or write up a Make-Do Mondays post at your blog, then return here to link via Mr. Linky. Enjoy others’ ideas by clicking on Mr. Linky and then clicking on people’s names.
Here’s a mini-tutorial on Mr. Linky:
Click on the icon and a separate page will pop up. Type in your blog name and paste in the url of your new Make-Do Mondays post. Click enter and it should be live. If it doesn’t work, just include the link in the comments.
To visit people’s posts or check that yours worked, click on Mr. Linky and when the page comes up, click on a name. You should be taken right to the page provided.
Make-Do Mondays Participants
- Homesteaders’ Heart (Make-Do Yarn Holder)
- Leila at Like Mother, Like Daughter (Make-Do Baby Blanket)
Make-Do Mondays with Ann
Last week I wrote on NotSoFastBook.com about flexibility and spontaneity in our schedules.
Maybe I’m stretching my concept of making-do, but I think spontaneity and flexibility free us to make the most of opportunities that arise. I hope that fits into Make-Do Mondays conceptually, because that’s what I’ve written about.
We decided to head to the Indiana State Fair this weekend. Already that was a spontaneous decision.
Upon arrival, we formulated a rough plan of what we wanted to see, do and eat.
While there, however, we learned that the Department of Natural Resources offered free fishing lessons, which three of the kids were eager to try. Fishing lessons were not part of the original plan, but they turned out to be unexpectedly delightful–one of the highlights of the day because the man-made pond was well stocked with voracious fish and each kid caught three in a row.
Then we ran into some friends–one was recording artist Carmen D’Arcy.
We met the real Carmen, but I thought I’d let you see her big banner.
As it turns out, Carmen was scheduled to play at a nearby pavilion about an hour later, so we stayed flexible and watched them perform.
Here’s Carmen warming up.
Here’s Carmen performing.
After the concert, I chatted with Carmen’s husband, Bill, who is the voice of Indiana Youth Institute’s informative “Kids Count … on You!” radio spots. We talked about kids using (or not using) cell phones, Facebook, texting and “sexting.” I’ve never been good at small talk.
After the concert, we enjoyed several fair foods, which I shall do my best to chronicle on Friday for Food on Fridays.
Then we found ourselves at a good spot to enjoy a parade with several floats, bagpipers, a calliope, a clown band, and a long line of vintage tractors.
At the end of the evening, we were heading to the parking lot and realized the evening music was about to begin: Heart was opening for Journey, so the Belgian Wonder let the kids climb on top of the minivan to listen and watch. The parking lot offered a partial view of the stage, but the lights could be seen turning and changing for the show.
We wouldn’t have bought tickets to see Journey, but thanks to some flexibility and spontaneity, the kids enjoyed a fun make-do concert.
How do you make-do?
If the main button is too big, try this one:
Don’t miss a word: It’s easy to subscribe to annkroeker.com updates via email or RSS feed.
Visit NotSoFastBook.com to learn more about Ann’s new book.
see below for alternative button
At Make-Do Mondays, we discuss how we’re simplifying, downsizing, repurposing, buying used, and using what we’ve got.
It’s a carnival celebrating creative problem-solving, contentment, patience and ingenuity. To participate, share your own make-do solution in the comments or write up a Make-Do Mondays post at your blog, then return here to link via Mr. Linky. Enjoy others’ ideas by clicking on Mr. Linky and then clicking on people’s names.
Here’s a mini-tutorial on Mr. Linky:
Click on the icon and a separate page will pop up. Type in your blog name and paste in the url of your new Make-Do Mondays post. Click enter and it should be live. If it doesn’t work, just include the link in the comments.
To visit people’s posts or check that yours worked, click on Mr. Linky and when the page comes up, click on a name. You should be taken right to the page provided.
Make-Do Mondays Participants
- My Practically Perfect Life (Make-Do Planter)
- Feels Like Home (Making Better Pancakes with What You Have)
Make-Do Mondays with Ann
When I dropped off my kids at youth group, I spotted a high school student who worked with me during VBS. When I waved and called out hello, I saw that she was sporting some make-do glasses.
“Hey, you’ve got a safety pin on your glasses!” I exclaimed, thinking immediately of Make-Do Mondays.
They broke on a recent missions trip, she explained, and someone stuck the safety pin in them for a temporary repair.
The trip was a few weeks ago, and she’s still wearing them.
I love that.
So I’m sharing her Make-Do Mondays solution, celebrating a teen’s ingenuity, confidence, and contentment.
How do you make do?
If the main button is too big, try this one:
Don’t miss a word:
It’s easy to subscribe to annkroeker.com via email or RSS feed.
see below for alternative button
At Make-Do Mondays, we discuss how we’re simplifying, downsizing, repurposing, buying used, and using what we’ve got.
It’s a carnival celebrating creative problem-solving, contentment, patience and ingenuity. To participate, share your own make-do solution in the comments or write up a Make-Do Mondays post at your blog, then return here to link via Mr. Linky. Enjoy others’ ideas by clicking on Mr. Linky and then clicking on people’s names.
Here’s a mini-tutorial on Mr. Linky:
Click on the icon and a separate page will pop up. Type in your blog name and paste in the url of your new Make-Do Mondays post. Click enter and it should be live. If it doesn’t work, just include the link in the comments.
To visit people’s posts or check that yours worked, click on Mr. Linky and when the page comes up, click on a name. You should be taken right to the page provided.
Make-Do Mondays Participants
- Gravity of Motion (My Time)
- My Practically Perfect Life (Impromptu Cake Plans)
- Sunnydaytodaymama (More toy storage in a small space)
- Feels Like Home (kid sushi)
- Rancho Ruperto (Squash Plea)
Make-Do Mondays with Ann
This is a big week. Saturday marks the official release date of my book, Not So Fast: Slow-Down Solutions for Frenzied Families.
August 1, 2009.
It’s a date I’ve looked forward to for two years.
So where will I be on this momentous occasion?
Finishing up family camp.
We’re at a simple, low-tech, minimally programmed (no speakers, no big events, no concerts) family camp that is the epitome of relaxation. We are in the slowest of slow zones here.
This includes Internet access. Slow, slow, slow.
What the camp provides are things like canoes, kayaks, and small sailboats. We can hike through the woods. We can sit on Adirondack chairs in front of the lodge and stare at Lake Huron. We can read, pray, write, think, reflect, chat, or play cards or Scrabble. There’s a beach for sand castles and a game room with ping-pong, carpet ball, Foosball and pool.
The kitchen staff makes our meals. I’m turning into Pavlov’s dog: when the bell rings, I start to salivate and walk briskly to the dining hall.
This is a place where families know how to slow down. They are, in fact, encouraged to slow down in a space and environment where unplugging and slowing down is possible.
And this is where I am for the release of my book.
With the beauty of technology, slow as it is, I can be with you, too, wherever you are on the world.
And I want to say thanks for sharing this journey with me.
Thank you for listening, reading, thinking, and wondering with me, as I ponder, research, pose questions, seek solutions and commit to my own slower lifestyle.
Today I want to share with you several endorsements for the book. What an honor to have positive words from Lee Strobel, Steve and Misty Arterburn (Misty wrote the foreword, too!), and Mary DeMuth:
Jill Savage, Phyllis Tickle, Mary Farrar, Holly Miller, Susan Alexander Yates…
And Michelle Cox.
Also, I’m delighted to organize a giveaway: you could be the winner of two copies of Not So Fast. I’ll explain how I’ll be giving them away later this week.
Keep an eye open to join the fun!
As I make-do with incredibly slow Internet access, I wonder…
How do you make do?
Don’t miss a word:
It’s easy to subscribe to annkroeker.com updates via email or RSS feed.
Mega Memory Month July 2009 is almost over:
Check in tomorrow for Progress Reports.
see below for alternative button
At Make-Do Mondays, we discuss how we’re simplifying, downsizing, repurposing, buying used, and using what we’ve got.
It’s a carnival celebrating creative problem-solving, contentment, patience and ingenuity. To participate, share your own make-do solution in the comments or write up a Make-Do Mondays post at your blog, then return here to link via Mr. Linky. Enjoy others’ ideas by clicking on Mr. Linky and then clicking on people’s names.
Here’s a mini-tutorial on Mr. Linky:
Click on the icon and a separate page will pop up. Type in your blog name and paste in the url of your new Make-Do Mondays post. Click enter and it should be live. If it doesn’t work, just include the link in the comments.
To visit people’s posts or check that yours worked, click on Mr. Linky and when the page comes up, click on a name. You should be taken right to the page provided.
Make-Do Mondays Participants
- Feels Like Home (Watergate Salad)
- Coupons, Deals and More (Apple Brown Betty)
- Sunnydaytodaymama (Art display in a small space)
- My Practically Perfect Life (Notebook Pockets)
Make-Do Mondays with Ann
Last weekend I bought a desk at our church garage sale. It looks like this (except messier).
We slid the old desk—a long, heavy, solid wood piece—a few feet over to make way for the new one and never really dealt with it.
Over a week later, the old desk is still sitting in the middle of the living room.
Our intention is to set up the old desk in the basement for the Belgian Wonder. But first we need to clear a path. Then we need to ask about seven strong men who can bench press 275 to lug this big beast down there.
So as we wait to begin step one, I decided to just make the most of it. The long, cleared, flat work surface of the old desk has served as an excellent spot to prepare a postcard mailing, organize American Literature materials, and sort through some old magazines.
It’s an eyesore. It’s in the middle of everything. I’d be embarrassed to have visitors squeeze past it.
But I have to admit: it’s been kind of handy.
I figure until we move it, I might as well use it.
How do you make do?
If the main button is too big, try this one:
Don’t miss a word:
It’s easy to subscribe to annkroeker.com updates via email or RSS feed.
Join Mega Memory Month for the month of July!
Check in tomorrow for Progress Reports.
see below for alternative button
At Make-Do Mondays, we discuss how we’re simplifying, downsizing, repurposing, buying used, and using what we’ve got.
It’s a carnival celebrating creative problem-solving, contentment, patience and ingenuity. To participate, share your own make-do solution in the comments or write up a Make-Do Mondays post at your blog, then return here to link via Mr. Linky. Enjoy others’ ideas by clicking on Mr. Linky and then clicking on people’s names.
Here’s a mini-tutorial on Mr. Linky:
Click on the icon and a separate page will pop up. Type in your blog name and paste in the url of your new Make-Do Mondays post. Click enter and it should be live. If it doesn’t work, just include the link in the comments.
To visit people’s posts or check that yours worked, click on Mr. Linky and when the page comes up, click on a name. You should be taken right to the page provided.
Make-Do Mondays Participants
- Kitchen Stewardship (reusing plastic bags–all of them!)
- Feels Like Home (garlic scapes)
- Teaching Money to Kids (Investments a.k.a. perennials)
- Teaching Money to Kids (Drive One Car)
Make-Do Mondays with Ann
At the church garage sale, the Belgian Wonder and I bought a beautiful desk for my work area.
I haven’t needed a mouse pad until now, because the previous desk had an appropriate surface for the ball to roll on.
While working at this new desk, I was afraid of scratching the surface of the wood with the mouse, so I grabbed the steno pad I use to keep a to-do list and take other notes. It’s the right size and needs to be on my desk anyway.
Voila!
A make-do mouse pad:
How do you make do?
If the main button is too big, try this one:
Don’t miss a word:
It’s easy to subscribe to annkroeker.com updates via email or RSS feed.
Join Mega Memory Month for the month of July!
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