Saturday 28 October 2017

Small jars have other uses.

Hello. Just a quickie post tonight. I was fed up of my coffee, sugar, and powdered milk jars taking up too much space on the worktop. I don't need to have big jars, I only have one coffee a day, sometimes two, so I don't need so much close at hand. The coffee goes horrible and sticky and doesn't taste so nice if it is in the jar for a long time. The lids on two of the big jars were broken anyway, so I thought time to get rid of them. 
Here is my solution. I buy mayo in a small jar for 20p from the Cash and Carry, they are cute little round jars. You might remember that I turned some of them into tee light holders and painted them with nail varnish, and put wire round the top to hang them. 
They are also the right size for this as well. Don't need to label them as it's obvious what's inside. Worktop is not so cluttered now and coffee stays fresher longer. Perfect, and they're free.

What do you use small jars for?

Thanks for popping in, we;ll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

PS. Don't forget to turn your clocks back by one hour tonight if you are in the UK.

34 comments:

  1. I love jars.Only yesterday I filled a quite small one that had Manila honey in which I use as antiseptic.I poured white wine vinegar in I'd had ages and popped in 7 rosehips in.I picked these whilst walking along a path winding to the sea.The morning was sunny and there were birds singing and butterflies landing near the cowpats.I took 7 because I felt greedy taking any more as the birds rely on them.I shall take one teaspoon full if I get a sore throat during the winter and be filled with happiness again x

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    1. Sorry,I meant Manuka honey( my I pad spells some words wrong-honest ) x

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    2. Hi Flis,i didnt know you lived near the sea!!,You lucky girl and wish i did .My nearest is 80 odd miles away.,I went for a 10 mile hike with my grandaughter today...saw loads of berrys....but didnt know what they were?.We had a great time though!!,Debi,x

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    3. No I don't Debi,I was on the south coast..I'm pleased you had a good walk,the weather was lovely here.10 miles is great-I haven't done that for ages.My cousin said I should be careful about what I disclose online-but I also live in the midlands x

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  2. I use small jars for things like poppy seeds, spices, fresh dried yeast (really keeps it fresh too), fruits that I have dehydrated, oatmeal, etc. Once I have opened a packet of something I always decant it into an appropriate sized glass jar to keep fresh longer that way.

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  3. I use small jars to store spices. I also have a jar to collect coins. Once it is full I take it to the bank and deposit in my savings account.

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  4. Christmas presents, jam, marmalade and chutney.

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  5. Thanks for reminding us all about the hour,an hour more in bed!!....Still wake up at the same blooming time though..but hopefully be able to get back to sleep for the extra hour!..Them small jars...well i need to have big tins for T Bags cause we use alot....And the tins ive got are vintage ones.......But i have been reusing 3 old jars ...for chopped onions,peppers and chicken stock.My hubby is a meat eater..everyday..So i tend to reuse the stock over every meat and veg he eats.I keep some glass jars for T lights,Half of chopped carrot,turnip,broccoli stalks,even the last bit of cheese!!Anything that is left over goes into a glass jar to be used the next day or the day after.My Grandaughters love pitted olives,so i save all the jars and reuse them.I hate having plastic in my kitchen now,although i used to reuse it....i now try to avoid it..although it is hard with shopping in the Aldi,Asda,Tesco etc.we have no option to buy prepacked goods.Although,tomorrow i am starting to use up all the sun tan cream that we have had for the last few years as body cream,to use up over the winter!!Debi,xx

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  6. This post made me chuckle . . as I DO love a good jar,and am quite known for saving and using them. : )

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  7. I wonder why your coffee goes sticky. I keep mine for many years (I seldom drink the instant kind) and it has yet to go sticky.

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    1. If you look at the jars-you'll see what looks like instant coffee granules.

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  8. I use small jars for many things. Right now am using several for nutritious yeast (the one that tastes cheesy), awkward shapes spices like cloves, bulk pepper, bulk Himalayan salt, nuts,popcorn and so on.

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  9. I use those to store leftovers. I gather small things in them to put into a larger plastic container--buttons, coins, screws. Plus, if I have a huge jar almost empty, something like pickles or relish, I put the remains into a smaller jar to free up room in the refrigerator or cabinets. If I am making jam, jelly, or anything I want to share, I can put it in a small jar like this so I won't have to give away canning jars that are expensive.

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  10. keep and reuse all jars = food storage, sewing supplies, art projects, DIY cleaning brushes. Reuse as much plastic containers as possible. Even the thinnest ones and wrapping films used to collect up peelings in kitchen, emptied in compost on way to recycling bin!

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  11. There is a brand of Canadian yogurt (Riviera) that comes in similar jars. You do have to buy the lids (as they come foil covered) but you get a dozen for $3.00 and they have all different colours. I use them for my herbs and spices and all my little baking odds & ends.

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  12. I use my little jars for homemade mint sauce, for the bit that's always left and there's not enough to fill a big jar when I make chutney, candle lanterns, to display shells I've collected at the beach, also to display sea glass, for holding craft beads, for PVA glue from my big tub, and to hold scented crystals for my burner as the bag they come in usually splits. Jean.

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  13. I have home canning jars I use to store dried beans and rice in my pantry. No digging around for bags they sit right on the top shelf easy to see and also when making a shopping list I can see if I am running low or have a full jar .

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  14. I've started being much more selective about the jars I keep and I use them for jam, marmalade, etc. I love the Bonne Maman jars in particular. They're so easy to fill. Unfortunately, Bonne Maman preserves are expensive but fortunately, a friend passes the empty jars on to me.
    J x

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  15. There are some fun small sized jars out there. I save some too. I have a nice sized square red tin that I keep already wrapped tea bags in. It's under the counter. Works well as Megan and I like a few varieties. Decaf and caffeine. USA turn clocks back next weekend. I didn't know UK set theirs different. Enjoy an extra hour of sleep!

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  16. I store homemade toothpaste face cream hair curl cream etc

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  17. This goes against all of Ilonas teachings BUT I have been known to buy a small jar of posh decaff coffee because I needed the jar for herbs and spices - Not frugal, not thrifty but it does look better on my spice shelf!!
    I can see everyone fainting in horror as I publish!

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    1. My daughter very often buys something in a pretty jar because she likes the look of it. But does use the contents and fills it when empty with cottons, ribbons etc. Hazel c uk

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  18. love your "little" jars. You are lucky that something you purchase regular (and CHEAPLY) comes in such nice small jars with lids. I have not had this luck. I will keep my eye peeled.

    I use jars of all sizes to store things too. In the fridge, I like them as they "stand upright, as opposed to a bowl", and take less space. Also, the lid is a nice tight fit. I don't like stuff much stored in plastic containers, as I always think the plastic leaves a taste.

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  19. Hi Ilona,
    I just love glass jars, of all sizes and shapes, my jar draw is full to bursting with saved jars. I first soak them to get the labels off, then run them through then dishwasher. I use them to store sugar, spices (whole and ground) bicarbonate of soda, coconut, chia seeds, oats, sultanas, pasta, rice, loose leaf tea, Himalayan salt, pepper, honey, nuts, coconut oil, dates and prunes. I also make fruit butters, pickled chillies and relishes and store them in those saved jars. Love, love, love glass jars for storage.
    Have a lovely day.
    Fi

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  20. I was just reading through your blog again Ilona and being rather curious(some may say nosey),your jar of coffee looks very unusual,I wonder if you have blended yourself out of more than one jar or is it an unusual blend.Tell me to mind my an business if you like x

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    1. I mix two different kinds. Nescafe and a more expensive one.

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    2. Thanks Ilona-I'm going to do that,never done that before x

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  21. Catherine from France29 October 2017 at 18:36

    Hello ! We keep the jars of marmelads, olives...to keep everything : lentils,flour,sugar ,half of onion in the refrigerator without smell (and plastic:)...
    Thanks four your blog.Catherine from France

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  22. Hi, I use small jars for lots of things as I have a small campervan.i decant everything into small mustard jars and the like. I also buy £1 tub of water based cream which I use for face everyday, feet after soak, and anything else that comes along ! I half the jar and put one jar in the van and leave the other in the house.so face, hand and foot cream for 50p a jar !!! How's that for thrift??

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  23. Not about jars but I thought you mihlike it Ilona.

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/buy-nothing-year-one-woman-saved-22000/

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  24. I love saving the pretty glass jars for other uses when they are empty. I use the large ones for rice and pasta, sugar, salt. I also store leftovers in the fridge using them instead of wasting plastic zip lock bags.

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  25. I am currently making my own 'flowersoft' substitute. Those jars would be lovely to use to store it all

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  26. When I make jelly or jam, I use found small jars. It makes for nice gifts. I keep the big filled jars for myself!!

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