Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2021

mandy47

Repaired my gillet yet again. I bought it in a chazza, BNWT. If I had had it from a store it would have been returned. Awful quality for a well known brand. I've restitched the entire seams in the lining, including the hood in the last 6 months.

Taken up 2 pairs of work trousers. Short is too short, regular too long. So the sewing box has to come out. Does this count as minimising .Haha.

mandy47

Mended
While I was in the sewing mood I've repaired 2 of DH coats. One is 17 years old and still in excellent condition. Hopefully get a few more years now it's repaired. 
Minimise.
DD is away on holiday so we're using up the little bits and bobs from the freezer. I've only had to buy salad and bread this week and the freezer is looking tidier. 
Make do.
Been invited out for a meal with DH manager. I contemplated a new dress but decided to sort through my meagre wardrobe and found a charity bargain that I haven't worn yet. That will do. 

kboss2010

Instead of buying lunch for a couple of days in a row, I’ve been raiding the fridge, cupboards and freezer.

Used the end of a focaccia loaf and some leftover ham and cheese to make a sandwich (with some added mayo, wilting basil and black pepper) and dug around in the freezer for some lentil soup yesterday.

Today both of us are WFH so I’ll use a packet of Pasta n Sauce & bulk it out with mini macaroni, a ham stock cube, a pinch of dried mixed herbs and the leftover cheese to serve two for lunch with what’s left of the granary loaf and some butter.

I really need to clear out the fridge this weekend and use up all of the sad veg, mince & potatoes.

I think I’ll make a cottage pie and mince & tatties to freeze.

YorksLass

@kboss2010 - It's amazing what can be done with odds and ends, isn't it?  We had a chicken stir fry last night using a couple of large thighs and there's still some meat left over.  I've decided to use it for a casserole for Sunday dinner - with added veg plus mash and steamed cabbage there should be enough.  If not, I can always add some mini herby dumplings to pad it out.

Yesterday I used most of a carton of UHT milk that had just gone past its BB date to make a rice pudding (enough for 4 portions) and will use the rest tomorrow for a large custard tart.  I'll make extra pastry so I can make some macaroons (to use the last of the ground almonds) and I may as well fill up the oven with a batch of fruit scones (last bit of yogurt gone).  So, a fair bit of minimising of existing stocks.

Last week's main meals all came from what we had in and tbh I think I could probably do the same again this week.  I've not got much on my shopping list at the moment and am planning to move my next grocery delivery on by a week.

I'm currently knitting a cardigan from my yarn stash and thought I was going to have to buy some buttons for it but I've found enough matching ones in my button box - more making do.  

kboss2010

YorksLass said:

@kboss2010 - It's amazing what can be done with odds and ends, isn't it?  We had a chicken stir fry last night using a couple of large thighs and there's still some meat left over.  I've decided to use it for a casserole for Sunday dinner - with added veg plus mash and steamed cabbage there should be enough.  If not, I can always add some mini herby dumplings to pad it out.

Yesterday I used most of a carton of UHT milk that had just gone past its BB date to make a rice pudding (enough for 4 portions) and will use the rest tomorrow for a large custard tart.  I'll make extra pastry so I can make some macaroons (to use the last of the ground almonds) and I may as well fill up the oven with a batch of fruit scones (last bit of yogurt gone).  So, a fair bit of minimising of existing stocks.

Last week's main meals all came from what we had in and tbh I think I could probably do the same again this week.  I've not got much on my shopping list at the moment and am planning to move my next grocery delivery on by a week.

I'm currently knitting a cardigan from my yarn stash and thought I was going to have to buy some buttons for it but I've found enough matching ones in my button box - more making do.  

It really is, things always go much further than I expect!

Same. I don’t think I’ll need to do much shopping next week.

London_1

Today I shall have for lunch some chilli halloumi slices I discovered in the freezer that I forgot I had, I shall have them with a nice salad as I seem to have a fair bit of greenery  in the fridge

 I also discovered a pot unopened of red mini peppers but I can see a date on it ,and its got to be from before Christmas when I did a big shop, so I shall open them, sniff and taste, and probably use in the salad.
I keep finding odds and ends in the freezer and cupboards which I am going to use up if I can. I am doing my best to get through existing stuff as DD says its possible we may move by the end of the year and I do have quite a stock of stuff.

So it a bit of a mixture of making do and minimising  

I have got now that when ever I can I aim to declutter at least 10 things a day I have a small pile of paperbacks that I've read which will go to the CS next time I walk across to the shops. also some small ornaments that I certainly don't need.I did a good declutter of kitchen utensils and spare plates and mugs to a lady collecting for a Ukraine family who had virtually nothing in kitchenalia at all I also had a declutter from towels ,sheet and the linen cupboard at the same time I actually counted up over 4 dozen tea towels in my airing cupboard !! lots were things given to me from people who had been on holiday and bought me back a tea towel they definitely got downsized.

I too have a bag od dark wool left overs that will end up at the knitting club as I only use light bright colours for my charity blankets as they are for street children who've nothing. 

I must think of what I can do with the big box of chargers and old phones in my spare room there seems be so many of them and I hate the thought of them just been dumped into landfill, any idea where I can pass them onto.

JackieO xxx

mandy47

London_1 said

I must think of what I can do with the big box of chargers and old phones in my spare room there seems be so many of them and I hate the thought of them just been dumped into landfill, any idea where I can pass them onto.

JackieO xxx

Try Olio. There's often someone looking for chargers etc. 

YorksLass

@London_1 - Try Freecycle?  Some charities have postal collection schemes (will need to search on internet) and quite a few supermarkets/phone shops will take old phones.  We have a WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) bank that takes old mobile phones and accessories in our local Sainsburys car park - maybe there's one near to you?

Nelliegrace

I looked online to find out how to repair a tear in a padded gilet. The thin nylon fabric seems very fragile and cannot be sewn? Ordered waterproof Tenacious Tape down jacket repair patches, in ‘clear’ as we have padded coats and waterproofs in several colours. 
Job done. 

kboss2010

I had one lonely strawberry and a pear in the fridge which I couldn’t really do much with so I made a snack with them! Waste not, want not!