Sunday, January 2, 2011

MAKING DO......

Some of you have asked how I am making do without our household goods...

For starters, we purchased a couch and loveseat, kitchen table, and matress. So we have somewhere to sit, eat, and sleep.

But...even tho in our airshipment we have a crockpot (should have been here by now, the airshipment were items to keep the house going until our household goods came)....we purchased another one...and I have been keeping this puppy busy.



We did get our items we put in storage for 3 years but no pots and pans....until I remembered these cast iron pots my great aunt gave me.



We used these for camping and being in storage these have rusted terribly. If I had a wood fire going, I would have just thrown these on the fire until all the rust brunt off...but instead...I had to clean, put on stove...oil...and repeat until I felt they were cooking worthy. I didn't oil the outside so they still look a little on the rough side but...hey it works....

Momma has gotta eat!!



I have a confession, I have a dish fettish....yes...a fabric one too... So I collect old dishes. Well....we are using my wheat glasses to drink out of and later I will show you some more of my dishes.


My husband gave me this knife to open boxes...next thing he knows, he goes to get him a brownie and finds this knife doing the honors of cutting the brownies (ooopsss).



Like my measuring cup? Already made cookies and brownies with this cup....
I have to hone my measuring skills but for now, it works!!



Trying to get some knee action in....not use to this knee lifter but trying. My hands are so grabby....I keep grabbing for the lever that lifts the foot instead of using the knee and then I use the knee when I want to start the machine...yes...not known for my coordination.



The joys of being in the USA...all the batting a gal can dream of. I got this roll (10 yards) at JoAnns when they had the 50% off and then 10% off at the counter....oh yes....my dreams are filled with fluffinesss and they are coming true. May all your dreams come true in 2011!!!



Don't forget the giveaway below...

35 comments:

John'aLee said...

Barb, you sound like you are in the same situation as me. My stuff is coming in Feb. and we have a bed, two couches...I do have most of my kitchen stuff...but had to borrow a crock pot from a lady I go to church with.
It makes one really thankful for our 'things' doesn't it?
Good luck with it all!

Suzanne said...

I had that same wheat pattern in glasses and dishes nearly 29 years ago as a newlywed! Glad you are settling in...stay warm, Island girl!

Mary said...

Amazing how much you can do with what you have!!! Good job. I hope your things come soon!Happy New year to you and your family.

Robin Quilts, etc. said...

Barb, it's sounds like you are doing just fine "making do". I have lots of pots and pans but I must tell you I love my cast iron pans. I heard someone describe them as the original non-stick pans and they are right, As long as you occasionally oil them they are wonderful for all kinds of things.

Wacky Woman said...

I remmember those glasses. I still use some cast iron skillets. Love them. But, I have a gas stove. It is amazing how we can make do with so little. Makes one stop and ponder doesn't it. Good to see you up and going Barb.

Unknown said...

Feel like camping,huh? Not in the weather you are having but making do, probably is just part of your makeup! You go girl!
I also have that bar for my Bernina, in the beginning I tried it but I never got use to it. So I put it away for....ever.

IHaveANotion ~ Kelly Jackson said...

Funny how we can do without most of what we think is sooooo necessary isn't it? We did for 14 months and I'm so glad I had that experience....I'm also glad it is over :)

Kelly

Mary L. said...

What a blast from the past. I received a set for 8 of the milk glass/wheat dishes when I got married in 1962. I think my middle son still has them. They went through my house fire in 1984 and I had to spend hours trying to clean them up but they came out pretty good.

Toni said...

You are a quilter, hence creativity is in your blood...you can be creative in the kitchen as well :)

I LOVE your new crockpot--I have 3, 4 cup, 4 qt and a 6 qt, but I sooo want one like yours!! Like you between moves and only half my family with me, we are using the 4 qt at least 3-4 times a week!! Love crockpot cooking! Make spilt pea soup yesterday!

Looks like you are making do nicely!

JustCindy said...

You can't have too many crockpots. OH cast iron skillets make the very best cornbread. When are you going to show us something that you and Mr. Big created?

Anonymous said...

It does sound like you are making do with what you have. Those cast iron pans are awesome once they are well seasoned.

I can't use my knee thing either. When I learned to sew the foot pedal was attached to the side and you used your knee to make it go. I really wish they still had such devices. I just have a really hard time realizing that that knee thingy will raise and lower my presser foot. SIGH!!! What is it that they say about old dogs and new tricks?????

Cyndi said...

Hey, I think you're "making do" quite nicely, Barb, but I'm sure you'll be really ready and super glad when your stuff arrives! I can't wait to see more photos of your new home!

XOXO,

Cyndi

Dana Gaffney said...

It sounds like you are figuring it all out. Any word yet? Is everything still on the docks? This all reminds me of my first apartment when I got out of college, but I wouldn't want to do it all again. Hope you're doing O.K. with this, I've been thinking of you.

julieQ said...

Barb!! I have a whole set of your "measuring cups"!! From my dear mother...and I have my grandmother's china too. They are so much smaller than current ones!! I know you will be happy when all your household goods arrive...

Terry said...

It's amazing what we can get by with when we have to! How long until the rest of your stuff will get there?

Average Quilter said...

That's the same crock pot I use. I just hasd to purchase another - wore the other one out. Crock pot and grill - what a simple life. You'll get the knee lift before long and you believe you use to sew without it. Have fun

Jackie's Stitches said...

Your positive spirit and attitude is always so wonderful!

You'll get used to that knee lift. Just keep at it!

Yvette said...

Well, you really are making do!

I love using the knee lifter, I am so lost without it. I learn to sew with my left foot and that made it much easier.

Gene Black said...

My mom had that Golden Wheat pattern when I was young. That brings back memories

scraphappy said...

You make "making do" sound like a real adventure. Hope everything else arrives soon, but at least you know now how little you can truly get by with.

ranette said...

We used glasses like that when I was little!!! And my grandma always measured her flour with a "tea cup" as I call them.

Cooking in cast iron is supposed to be good for you and I do it sometimes, but man those pans are heavy!

Melissa ;-) said...

I sure do hope you get your things soon. There is a definite difference between roughing while camping and roughing it daily! And as for that knee lifter, I can't use mine, either. I know better than to try to do 2 things at once!!

andsewon said...

Think you are managing just fine! When we would go off on a mth log trip in the motor home I learned to deal with less. Sadly did not carry over to home...hahaha! I have cast iron handed down to me from my Mama's people. Use it a lot.
Can't use my Bernina knee thingie with how mine is set into the extended sew table. Just as well that is a bad knee anyway...;-)
Can't wait to see some of your dishes!!!
Hugs,
Lola

Pamela said...

You really are "making do". And doing well! I am almost positive that my mother had those wheat glasses and the wheat dishes.

You use what you can, as people always have. :)

Scrappy quilter said...

Isn't interesting what we can make do with. I love it! Hugs

swooze said...

Obviously managing famously as if I had doubts! Hugs!!

Deanna said...

Great cast iron! I cook with my old stuff nearly daily and wonder why anyone would ever want anything else. You seem to be settling in marvelously (not that we would have expected any different).

Shari said...

I just love your wheat crockery... and your cast iron pans... nothing wrong with bringing older things in to the light and putting them to good use! Hope your air shipment arrives soon!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

You have all the basics covered. The best laid plans of men!!
I love your measuring cup!!!
The knee thing, I have it and for the life of me cannot get use to it! But I love the auto cutter. We must think alike because I just ordered a roll of batting too! better get sewing!
I sure hope your things arrive soon!

Linda said...

It looks like you are doing just fine. You have food, shelter and a sewing machine. What more do you need? Oh yeah, some fabric! Anyway, I hope you get your stuff soon and try to have some fun with that sewing machine...I love Joann's sales for batting! Hugs!

Joanne Lendaro said...

My mom had the wheat pattern too!! Hope your stuff arrives soon....

Crispy said...

Good to hear you are making due LOL. I once had those iron pans but got tired of lifting them....man they are heavy!! Hooray for your access to batting, a gal can't have too much of that on hand :0)

Crispy

hetty said...

Sounds like camping to me. It's fun for awhile. Hope your stuff gets there soon. Love that wheat pattern. It looks familiar. Think I had some of those. Inherited from my mother.

Kim said...

Sounds like you are having fun making do. :) I think if I squint my brain I remember a time when I didn't have the excess that I now own. Something we are confronting as we prepare to downsize our life is a bit of excess.

Susan Entwistle said...

I was just wondering if you went to JoAnn this weekend. I bought the exact same thing...10 yards of Warm and White. I'm going to have to learn to use my kneelift. One of those things I never mastered. Even if it's connected, I'm still fumbling around to raise the foot. Same with the needle up...tap the foot pedal, get your hands of the wheel....sigh. Oh, and I love your brownie knife. I'll bet your guests will have a whole new respect for you when you slap that puppy on the table with the dessert.