Small Space Living

[Lily&Me]

Found these little guys at the Container Store.

We use our Corelleware or flexible silicone mixing bowls for leftovers, rather than carrying containers just for this purpose.

Being tired of pitching the endless, leaking parade of plastic wrap or elastic covers, when I saw these I had to have them for the Interstate.

A little on the pricey side for 4 lids in incremental sizes..... but stretch to fit tightly and are washable, microwavable and permanent!

Wherever you stick or stack leftovers, the lid will stay put.

I love silicone.


Maggie

[Globie64]

Since I drag everything out of the trailer whenever we store it, and then drag it back in when we load to go camping, I'm really aware of what gets used and what doesn't when w camp. If it isn't needed, we don't take it. Almost everything is unbreakable, stainless martini glasses and coffee mugs, melamine plates, stainless pots and pans. I've spent a ton on some items and others I find at thrift stores, so it kind of evens out. Since we don't carry a lot in the trailer and it's a small space, the design of each thing is important (to us)

[Skater]

Originally Posted by doug&maggie

Found these little guys at the Container Store.

We use our Corelleware or flexible silicone mixing bowls for leftovers, rather than carrying containers just for this purpose.

Being tired of pitching the endless, leaking parade of plastic wrap or elastic covers, when I saw these I had to have them for the Interstate.

A little on the pricey side for 4 lids in incremental sizes..... but stretch to fit tightly and are washable, microwavable and permanent!

Wherever you stick or stack leftovers, the lid will stay put.

I love silicone.


Maggie

That's really neat - good find. If anyone is curious, I (finally) found them on their website.

[Len n Jeanne]

Our Bambi is so "efficient" (OK, small) that the rule is one new item in must equal one previous item out. I'm really big on things that either lie flat or nest inside each other. Was just in Bed, Bath and Beyond, and found a Squish brand collapsable over-the-sink collander. It lies flat when stored. I also got a set of nesting, lidded stainless-steel bowls that can double for mixing or serving.

Just getting ready for camping in 2014.

Have a petite and sweet holiday!

Jeanne

[Lily&Me]

We're headed home on the train, returning from our annual Christmas-time get-away to the Windy City.

Found some great sales & deals, not the least of which was this really nifty item from Crate & Barrel.

A deep, 10", CORK FABRIC bowl.....FLEXIBLE, FOLDS FLAT and can go in the WASHING MACHINE!

On sale for $24.95....had to have it for the Interstate.

I see other places online have this, as well, and there is also a smaller size.

Maggie

[AWCHIEF]

I have to ask. What are you going to use it for?

[Lily&Me]

Crate & Barrel also carries these little cuties.

Heavy glass, about 3" tall, with a tight, sturdy lid, and currently on sale for $.95!

Bought one of these for the motorhome a couple of years ago, for those last few tablespoons of cream in the bottom of the carton. Hate buying a new one because I'm running out, then having to find space in the tiny frig for two cartons.

Loved it, until I flushed the lid down the potty with the dishwater one morning. Was not going to go fishing around, looking for it, so have just used it lidless, with a small elastic cover over the top. It leaks this way if jostled too much, however.

I now have a replacement and, at 95 cents, a couple of spares.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

I have to ask. What are you going to use it for?

Well......anything I like!

I was thinking guests for dinner and rallies......bread, tortilla chips, salad, etc.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

One of the few banes of small space existence is the tendency for cooking odors to adhere to fabrics. Specifically, my potholders....which I keep in the silverware and cooking utensil drawers in the galley.

Hate pulling those out and smelling the nondescript odors from recent meals.

No, they of course are not spotted with food.....they are clean....just disgustingly aromatic.

Several years ago, Doug put leftover cedar paneling on the floor of the closet. We also have cedar or lavender sachets in our respective clothing areas. They work beautifully, keeping clothing, towels, etc, smelling fresh and nice.

So, I thought, why not put a cedar sachet in each of the utensil drawers.

Voila!! The drawers and my potholders have the fresh, clean scent of cedar!

I'm so happy!

Inexpensive, small and readily available, including at WalMart.


Maggie

[Mockinbrd]

Originally Posted by doug&maggie

One of the few banes of small space existence is the tendency for cooking odors to adhere to fabrics. Specifically, my potholders....which I keep in the silverware and cooking utensil drawers in the galley.

Hate pulling those out and smelling the nondescript odors from recent meals.

No, they of course are not spotted with food.....they are clean....just disgustingly aromatic.

Several years ago, Doug put leftover cedar paneling on the floor of the closet. We also have cedar or lavender sachets in our respective clothing areas. They work beautifully, keeping clothing, towels, etc, smelling fresh and nice.

So, I thought, why not put a cedar sachet in each of the utensil drawers.

Voila!! The drawers and my potholders have the fresh, clean scent of cedar!

I'm so happy!

Inexpensive, small and readily available, including at WalMart.


Maggie

Maggie ,
You seem to find the best 'stuff'. Love your simple yet effective solutions.
I keep buying new pot holders but they aren't as good as the old -worn - stained - dirty looking - icky one I love to use. But I keep looking! I just gotta find something to replace my old green pot holder that grips everything just right. Maybe this summer I'll go on a real hunt for a new one (my favorite old green one came from a vintage costume shop! )
Ah well, love reading your posts.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by doug&maggie

One of the few banes of small space existence is the tendency for cooking odors to adhere to fabrics. Specifically, my potholders....which I keep in the silverware and cooking utensil drawers in the galley.

I never have that problem. Fabric potholders are washable just like towels, so when I do laundry, the potholders go in as well.

[Lily&Me]

My potholders are washed regularly, but not weekly unless they become soiled. I just prefer fresh, clean scents to stale food odors.

I'm sure it is the long term travel that we do that contributes to this problem. Seldom a few days, usually a few months. A good problem to have, really.

Mockinbird, if you are ever at a rally with me....I am an addicted crochet-er and can supply you with some new, handmade potholders and dishcloths. If green is your favorite color, I can do green!

(The Moraine View rally in central Illinois is the second weekend in June.)


Maggie

[joemikeb]

Originally Posted by Mockinbrd

Maggie ,
You seem to find the best 'stuff'. Love your simple yet effective solutions.
I keep buying new pot holders but they aren't as good as the old -worn - stained - dirty looking - icky one I love to use. But I keep looking! I just gotta find something to replace my old green pot holder that grips everything just right. Maybe this summer I'll go on a real hunt for a new one (my favorite old green one came from a vintage costume shop! )
Ah well, love reading your posts.

We use silicone pot holders in our AI as well as at home. They are very effective at not conducting heat and they do not absorb anything, even odors. A quick scrub and rinse with the dishes takes care of any spills on them. They aren't "cute" but highly functional.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by joemikeb

We use silicone pot holders in our AI as well as at home. They are very effective at not conducting heat and they do not absorb anything, even odors. A quick scrub and rinse with the dishes takes care of any spills on them. They aren't "cute" but highly functional.

I use Ove-Gloves for handling pots and pans. Comsumer Reports gave them a favorable review in their July 2010 issue.

Since trivets take up too much room, I use silicone potholders in place of trivets to protect countertop and table from hot pans. I tried using them as potholders as well, but never felt that my grip was as secure with them as it is with the Ove-Gloves.

[Len n Jeanne]

Ditto on silicon pot holders. They are heat-resistent enough to double as trivets for hot pots-- another space-saving move.

BTW, lavender is very easy to grow in the garden or pot on a windowsill. You can dry it, and then stuff it into a pre-made cotton jelly or herb bag from the kitchen store, for those of us who don't sew-- or do so only under extreme duress, such as mending pants when the seat rips out.

[Lily&Me]

I am a devoted fan of silicone everything, and have large silicone mits at home that I wouldn't want to be without. Their innards are fabric, though, so they still need an inside-out run thru the washing machine every couple of weeks, as hands ar not always pristine when inserted for use.

So, y'all are saying I have solved a problem of my own making? I guess that's true!

Truth is, I like cotton potholders, and little minis I invented that I call "lid-lifters" because the silicone are not always as flexible as I need and would like.

At home, I have more room and so have both. In the Interstate, I only have cotton.

There is also the very important cute factor. I love the pop of color from pretty potholders, especially the crocheted ones from variegated yarns.

They make me happy.

And so, rather than wash all the potholders and hotmats every few days, a cedar sachet in each drawer is working very nicely to keep my drawers smelling fresh. I no longer open the utensil drawers and smell stale mexican, italian, pot roast, etc.

I grow lavender in my home garden. Love it, can't get enough of it. It is in all my drawers and closets.

Maggie

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by doug&maggie

There is also the very important cute factor. I love the pop of color from pretty potholders, especially the crocheted ones from variegated yarns.

I'm a guy. Single. And an engineer. I don't give a rip about cute, I just want stuff that works. Hence the Ove-Gloves.

But I am well aware that when it comes to the tools for domestic chores, I'm very much in the minority with that opinion. If cuteness floats your boat, power to you.

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

I'm a guy. Single. And an engineer. I don't give a rip about cute, I just want stuff that works. Hence the Ove-Gloves.

But I am well aware that when it comes to the tools for domestic chores, I'm very much in the minority with that opinion. If cuteness floats your boat, power to you.

Thank you.


Maggie

[73shark]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

I'm a guy. Single. And an engineer. I don't give a rip about cute, I just want stuff that works. Hence the Ove-Gloves.

But I am well aware that when it comes to the tools for domestic chores, I'm very much in the minority with that opinion. If cuteness floats your boat, power to you.

Originally Posted by doug&maggie

Thank you.


Maggie

I think it was a compliment.

We engineers can be a little blunt.

[weirdstuff]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

I'm a guy. Single. And an engineer. I don't give a rip about cute, I just want stuff that works. Hence the Ove-Gloves.

The first step in getting help, is admitting you have a problem.