Frugal Collections
Recently, while washing dishes with my new daughter-to-be, (my first born son is engaged!) she asked me if I had any special collections. Quilts and oil lamps immediately came to mind as I delight in any that come my way. However, since I don’t buy quilts or ask for oil lamps as gifts , I did not think these would qualify as real collections.
As proud as any collector of fine merchandise, I gave daughter-to-be a peak at my collection. Nestled on shelves of pantry and freezer, pickle jars reigned supreme. Filled with grains, baking supplies frozen milk and homemade soup, these jars showed forth their value. I beamed as she complimented me upon my resourcefulness.
Hmmm, maybe I’ll be starting a new pickle jar collection and passing it on to daughter-to-be!
Do you have any “frugal collections?”
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18 Responses to “Frugal Collections”
March 16th, 2010 at 7:45 am
that is too sweet!
March 16th, 2010 at 8:02 am
I have several nice big pickle jars in my cabinet because they look so useful and they’re actually pretty – they have decorative patterns pressed into the glass!
But how do you get rid of the pickle smell? I haven’t used mine yet because the odor lingers after washing. I’ll admit I haven’t tried anything yet but air. Maybe a long soak with baking soda and water or just soapy water?
March 16th, 2010 at 8:24 am
I collect pickle jars, too — the gallon sized ones. I also collect large sour cream and yogurt containers. They’re perfect for leftovers.
)
March 16th, 2010 at 9:29 am
Old Tins.
Candy, tea, biscuit, honey. Hinged ones are nice. And I use them to hold everything and anything.
March 16th, 2010 at 9:43 am
I have some canning jars used for applesauce. I never thought of them as a collection, but I guess they are in some way.
March 16th, 2010 at 10:37 am
kimc:
In regards to the pickle smell, as one who has been known to add leftover pickle juice to my soups, perhaps the smell adds a bit of flavor when freezing! However, pickle smell adds little to the flavor of frozen milk and I have found the dishwasher does a good job of eliminating the odor. But when that is not an option, a few squirts of the hydrogen peroxide I keep under my sink and a soak in water also works well.
Decadent Housewife:
I’ve never seen hinged tins. Where do you find them?
March 16th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
It sounds to me like you are about to welcome a wonderful like minded daughter in law into the family. Congratulations.
I too collect jars. I often paint the lids to make them match my kitchen. Some of my jars are very old…
March 16th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
You can buy mints in hinged tins.
March 16th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Old books. I love old books, especially classics and cookbooks! And as far as the pickle jars go, well, I’ve tried to hang onto a few that I liked and had to wash them several times to get the smell out. It happened eventually, but not on the first or second washing!
)
March 16th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
DL,
The tins are mostly older ones Made in England or Germany which I’ve found in second-hand shops – one or two while yard-sailing. Hinged tins are not as common.
March 16th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
I use gallon pickle jars for my laundry detergent – I make it two gallon batches so two jars are just right.
I really like the square jars that cornstarch and baking powder come in at Sam’s Club (and fancy Texmati rices comes in) because they fit just right into my pantry door.
Strong sunlight got rid of the pickle odor for me (after running through the dishwasher.)
March 17th, 2010 at 10:42 am
pickle jars, mason jars, most any large jar..for rice, beans, buttons, you name it. i also collect quilts, vintage linens, oil/kerosene lamps and vintage cookware and utensils..i really don’t think i am a “collector” though, because everything i “collect” is useful and put into use on a regular basis. i guess i am a “frugal collector”…
March 17th, 2010 at 11:37 am
I have a jar collection as well – they make up the glasses at home. I have even started collecting peanut butter jars – essentially the same, but plastic – so my daughter has safe glasses to drink from.
Great post!
March 17th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Soemtimes you can get the nice big glass jars from sub shops that they get their pickles in. I have quite a few. Ask and see if they will set some aside for you, they usually just recycle them.
March 17th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Get rid of the smell in just about anything with a denture cleaning tablet and hot water. Let soak overnight.
March 18th, 2010 at 11:57 am
Ha ha that’s funny… I collect olive and pickle jars to use instead of glasses mainly and for storing stuff.
March 18th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
oh yes to the glass jars! My favorite is a skinny capers jar that now holds my cinnamon sticks.
My grandma used to save yogurt containers and use them as cups for the grandkids. Not a pretty collection, but totally thrifty and very much her style.
March 18th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
I used a small peanut butter jar as a drinking cup for my grandson’s lunch box. It worked great. I put an inch or so of juice in the jar; let it freeze over night; then filled it with juice in the morning…by lunch time it was perfect for drinking. The jar was perfect for him because it held enough juice for my boy…
Another jar was used for fruit etc.
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