reduce, reuse, recycle

Here are a few pictures of ways that I R-R-R. this top picture is of a small bag dryer I made from chopsticks and a pint canning jar. I put some dry beans in the bottom to keep the chopsticks in place.
This is an old hair serum pump that I rinsed out and put hand soap in.
this is a cream pitcher from a set my mom got as a wedding present. The handle broke off at some point so we glued it back on and turned it into a planter. I have another favorite cup that broke lately so it is now a small planter too.
This is one of my favorites. It is two things being recycled. The tin is a retired maple sap collecting bucket that is now my kitchen trash can. I use a small can in my kitchen so I can reuse all the bags I come home with every time I go grocery shopping! I have to take out the garbage from the kitchen at least once a day but I much prefer to run out side often then to have my kitchen smell like garbage.
I like to think of ways to reuse things. Things like the sandwich bags I don't think I'm saving that much money or saving that much space at the landfill. But maybe both together makes it worth my while.

My recent project

Today I made some little backpacks for Heidi and Lars. (I didn't make one for Molly 'cause she already has one.)
I made them from some denim pant legs from some old jeans of mine. then sewed on some decor from rags or scraps of materiel I had on hand. Than for the straps I used 550 cord.

My fun fast gift

Derek decided he needed to give his sarg. a gift so I quick put this together. I was so excited about it that I came right over here to share it with you! I made some powdered hot chocolate mix: 3/4 c. sugar (divided) 1 vanilla bean 1 c cocoa powder 1 T ground cinnamon 1/3 c dry milk powder Put 2 T of sugar and vanilla bean in a blender and blend until a fine powder. Combine remaining sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon and dry milk in a bag, add vanilla sugar and mix well. transfer powder mixture to an airtight container. To serve mix 1/4 c powder with 8 oz. hot water.
I put the hot chocolate powder in a 1/2 pint jam jar and tied a red ribbon with instructions for making drink and a cinnamon stick to the top. Than I made some chocolate syrup: 1/2 c heavy cream 1 c chocolate chips 1 c light corn syrup 1 T vanilla In a sauce pan over medium heat bring cream to a boil. Add chocolate and blend until smooth. Add corn syrup and vanilla. Remove from heat. let cool than pour into jar with tight fitting lid. store in the refrigerator. to serve combine 3 T syrup with 8 oz hot milk.

Derek had found the Jack Daniels flavored coffee at the dollar spot in Target last week. I had a basket on hand that I stuck holiday tissue into. I had made some candy the other day that I wrapped up in some green serene wrap and tied with a red ribbon. I used one of the mugs we had on hand and added tissue and the coffee to it. I also wrapped up some mini marshmallows and some doughnuts I made this morning. Then added the candy cane for decor.