Make it Monday - That's make it do, make it last or simply make it!

I've renewed my efforts to make good use of our resources - good for our finances and good for the environment. This past week I did a lot of things but I want to share these three.
- made a shapeable ice pack,
- mended some pajamas, and
- made a treat to take to a party.

Make it do - In my wanderings around the internet I came upon just what I needed to easily ice my painful shoulder. The physical therapist uses one of those shapeable ice packs wrapped in a pillow case and I didn't want to buy yet another one as I have a large one for use on my hip. Well, over at One Good Thing by Jillee I read that you can take 1 part rubbing alcohol plus 3 parts water, put it in a ziploc bag and freeze for a homemade version. It stays pliable so you can bend it over your shoulder. I used a one gallon ziploc bag and ended up double bagging it. Works just like the one I didn't buy and when I no longer need to use it I can just dump it down the drain, wash out the bags, and not add anything new to my house!

Make it last - I'm frequently glad I learned to sew as small mending comes in very handy. I have a pair of knit pajama bottoms that have developed a small hole suspiciously the same size as a poodle princess tooth! It just took a few stitches to fix it so it won't get larger. If you don't know how to do simple mending, find someone to teach you as it eliminates a lot of expense and saves the clothing you like.

Simply making it - I offered to bring cookies to a surprise birthday party for a neighbor couple this past Saturday and decided to follow this recipe for Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting from Laura of the fabulous I'm Losing It Here blog. I decided to make them more bite sized and cut them into squares instead of bars as you can see in the picture.They are more of a cake like bar than a cookie like bar. Delicious and light although not exactly low calorie LOL.