04 August, 2018

I Get By...

...with a little help from my friends. This post contains a few quick, clever tips that I have learned recently from my friends. These are those kind of super smart tips that resonate immediately; at least for me, with a "why didn't I think of that" sort of reaction.  The first tip is for cutting WOF strips (or any strips, really) where you will be using a long ruler. As we have all learned, the ruler is placed in position and held in place by your hand; once you begin rotary cutting you "walk" your hand up the ruler as you cut, spider-style, until you cut clear through the end opposite where you began. A few weeks back I hosted a nap-blanket workshop here. During the course of the evening one of my friends asked if I had a dumb-bell style hand weight. I did. She immediately placed it on the end of the ruler that was in position and cut, cleanly, in one swift motion without moving her hand. Perfection! My weight happens to have flat sides which makes it even better. I am thrilled to have re-purposed this piece of exercise equipment into something extremely useful, it now resides in my ruler drawer!
The second tip, from another friend, has to do with cookies. Fresh-out-of-the-oven-whenever-you-choose type of cookies. One of the reasons that I rarely bake chocolate chip cookies anymore (unless the grandchildren are visiting) is that we don't need batches of cookies sitting around, just for the two of us. (My husband would disagree with this logic, he certainly does his part to keep inventory down). But, he would agree, that the cookies are always best when they are just out of the oven. Now, because I paid attention to my friend's suggestion, I mix up a full batch of chocolate chip cookie dough and scoop it all onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Then I stick it into the freezer for several hours until each "cookie" is frozen through. Clean up is done all at once and I don't have to think about that again. 
From there, the "cookies" are placed into a plastic bag (I place that into an additional freezer container) to remain in the freezer until needed. From this point, whenever that cookie-urge strikes, or guests drop by,  you can bake as many or as few as you choose right then and there.
No muss, no fuss! Yum; pour the milk! 
Now, don't you feel smarter? I know that I do, thanks to my friends!
Life is Good!

10 comments:

Mary said...

Brilliant ideas. Definitely will be trying them both.

Bibi Chats said...

Thank you for sharing Mrs. G. I do so enjoy your blog. Congrats on your new vehicle. May you have many years of safe driving! Liz (Airdrie, AB)

Paula, the quilter said...

Both ideas are great! Thanks for sharing them.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

great idea on the dumbbell! I already do the hint with the cookie dough -

Jacqueline said...

Great tips thanks for sharing.

julieQ said...

That is super idea! I have made my own cookie rolls, like the ones from the cold section in the grocery store...but I like your idea better! I DO feel smarter, LOL!

rondiquilts said...

Thank you!

Rondi

Rebecca in AK said...

Great tips! Especially using the hand weight to hold down the ruler. Thanks for sharing!

Janet O. said...

I know I feel smarter about the weight and the ruler. Now I know what to do with my hand weights when I am finished with my shoulder therapy. :)
My sister uses that method for cookies, and I always think I will give it a try, but have yet to do it. Maybe this was the nudge I needed.

Debbie Lou said...

Great ideas! Thanks for sharing! I need to try them both!