Ice Packs for School Lunchs

Saw this neat idea on Pinterest and would have loved  this back in the day when I was packing the kid's lunches.  Now that they are teenagers I no longer care if their lunches are cold!
 My Kitchen Escapades: Lunchbox Icepacks:

carebags

A little souvenir from Alberta. I got the reusable grocery bags down pat but am forever using plastic bags to put produce in. I once made my own out of those plastic mesh bags you buy oranges in but they fell apart in the wash. Mine were never this cute anyway.

Check it out!
http://www.carebagsonline.com/

Non-Toxic Food Storage Containers

A few months ago I chanced upon a couple of these stainless steel food containers made by Greentainer. I tend to use these for bagels or wraps as they are well protected and remain intact come lunch time. The lid stays on well but I would not put any juicy fruit (like strawberries) in them as the juice tends to leak out. They are easy to wash and must not be too embarrassing to eat out of because Daughter Elder hasn't refused to take it to school.

I found these reusable snack bags at a local craft fair last weekend. The outside is made of cotton and the inside is made from DEHP and BPA free nylon. I put cut up vegetables in them and it is working very well. Daughter Younger said the first day she used them she had a few people asking why she put her carrots in a pencil case holder. Daughter Elder said I was insane but as she is not complaining about using it I will consider it a success.

The vinyl is sturdy and easy to clean. I just pull out the liner and give it a wipe. The bags can also be put into the washing machine using cold water. They are made locally by two talented sisters. Check out their sling...sort of makes me wish I had a baby (slap me now).

You can check them out at theslingsisters.com

Wrapping Paper

Santa wrapped the kid's gifts in material this year. Mrs. Claus sewed the edges so they won't fray.

Kid's Clothing

The thing that used to make me crazy is spending too much money on jeans, only to find the kid's knee poked a hole through them, or they got lost. I probably spent $30-$60 on a pair ( not including alterations) and the kids never seem to have enough. Now I go to Value Village and hem them myself. Last week I bought 5 jeans (Silver, American eagle, Garage) and 2 really good leather belts for a total of $50. I used to spend $16 for hemming but since I found heavy duty needles for my Janome I do it myself. True, it isn't as nice as Yana's but they look great from a distance and the kid's don't care anyway.

My maternal great grandmother was a talented seamstress and if she passed on her skills to my grandmother I'll never know. I only remember her hemming her slacks by hand. My own mother did not own a sewing machine and I wouldn't have one either if it wasn't for my great aunt buying me one years ago. Now I think how wonderful it would be to have some of my great grandmother's knowledge and skill.

This makes me think of other areas in life where skills, no longer deemed important were lost through the generations.

Freecycle

I love Freecycle!!!!  Instead of driving stuff to the Salvation Army  I just post what I want to give away and somebody picks it up, usually the same day.  People are so appreciative and it is nice to know somebody finds my unused stuff useful. This encourages  give away more stuff, the sentimental things that we no longer need or use... like the Shredded wheat poster we had hanging in our kitchen when we first got married 18 years ago, the same poster my kids say is gross and now sits on the floor of the laundry room.    OK, so I haven't been able to let go of that yet.  

I am a minimalist by nature so  not often tempted by all the good offers posted.  People give away all kinds of great stuff and it can be tempting to want to collect it.  I have a few self made rules with this site.  Only pick up an offer if it is what I need (versus want) and  if it is being offered in my area.   I received 2 pyrex bread pans because I am baking my own bread these days, reading glasses to replace the pair that broke, and canning jars.  A brief history can be found at www.freecycle.org/about/background