As you know — and only because I write about it so much — I may as well be president of the Artisan-In-Five fan club for how the book and its method of making bread at home changed my life.
Back when I was first learning to do this (the book really does make it so easy), I decided I needed good quality bread bags, not only to store partial loaves, but also for presentation. Let's just say that when you bake bread, you have a lot of friends.
Turns out bread bags are quite inexpensive when purchased in bulk. And when I say bulk, I mean a case of 1,000 bread bags. I did. I bought a case.
As I look back, I'm not sure what I was thinking. Apparently, the idea of 1,000 loaves of bread ever coming out of my kitchen was overshadowed by a bargain-basement price on large bread and bakery poly bags.
While I continue to bake bread as needed by my household of two people, only occasionally do I use a bread bag for bread. But for dozens of other uses around the house? These bags are the best thing since, well, sliced bread!
STORE DECOR. I filled two bread bags with the pinecones I use during the fall and winter holidays in preparation for our big move. I can see exactly what's in each bag.
PACK SHOES. I don't like the idea of shoes touching clean clothes in a suitcase. Bread bags are the perfect size for one or two shoes of just about any size.
DIAPER DISPOSAL. Now that we have a new baby grandson, I'm changing diapers again. I keep a stash of bread bags handy to take care of soiled diapers before tossing them in the trash.
FRIDGE ORGANIZATION. I use bread bags in the fridge to hold everything from cut vegetables to cheese, meats and fruit. It's so easy to just throw stuff in a bag, tie the bag loosely and pop it in the fridge. Visually it's very appealing as well because I an easily see what's in each bag.
CRAFTY BITS. If you're crafty, you know the tyranny of little things. Thrown into a box, it's hard to find anything, which can lead to re-buying just because you can't find what you need! Keeping supplies in a cloth bag is even worse because you can't see what's at the bottom. I love bread bags for keeping balls of yarn segregated and organized. I have quilt pieces separated, stacked and sequestered in bread bags. It's so beautiful, I hesitate actually making the quilt because I'll have to spoil my artful organization! I use bread bags to organize all of the things I need in my knitting bag. Works like a charm.
KID STUFF. My grandsons and I use bread bags for everything you can imagine, from markers to puzzle pieces, socks, bibs and toy parts. We keep precious things like rocks, leaves and twigs safe and secure in them.
LUNCHES. Now and then I still pack lunches and I find bread bags to be so much handier than zip-type bags (cheaper, too!). They just work.
GLOVES. I slip a couple of bread bags on my hands when mixing a big batch of meatloaf or cooky dough and yes, even to form loaves of bread dough.
PAINT EQUIPMENT. A bread bag is the perfect shape and size to slip over a paint roller when I need to take a break but the job is not yet done. I wrap rollers and brushes tightly in individual bread bags to hold until the next day — no need to wash them out. The next day I just unwrap unwrap the roller and brushes, throw the bags away and we're good to go.
Since making this dubious purchase, I've come to the conclusion just about everything around my house is better thanks to my little case of bread bags.
Would you like more information? Log on to EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions, comments and tips at [email protected], or c/o Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Suite B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com, a personal finance member website and the author of "Debt-Proof Living," released in 2014. To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at http://www.creators.com.
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