Imagine my joy…as I began to blog about my beloved jars…to find that you wanted to know more about them!! (And here I thought you’d think I was just a nerd with jars.)
Yes, it’s true.
I LOVE talking about jars, and looking at jars, and using jars…
So, here’s a bit more information about my jars for you!
I use jars if at all possible for just about everything, as I’ve read about the unhealthy use of many plastics. (Don’t worry, more on plastics coming up in another post!)
Beyond trying to avoid plastic…I simply LOVE jars.
I love the way they look…I love all the different sizes and shapes they come in…I love all the things you can put into them…and I love how things look once they’re in them.
I like to display them on top of my fridge with my baked goods. I like to fill them with my oats, rice, popcorn, beans and pasta and put them into my pantry.
I like to put my leftovers (if we happen to actually have any) into them so that I can see what I have in my fridge.
I like to put my spices into small ones since I buy spices in bulk…and don’t like pulling out a one pound bag of oregano each time I need a teaspoon of it. (Do you know how big one pound of oregano is? About half the size of your pillow…no kidding.)
The milk we get from our farming friends is put into awesome half gallon jars.
And of course, I do a lot of canning in the summer/fall…so I need hundreds of jars for that. Most of my canning jars used to be my mom’s, which makes them even more special. (And by the way, why…when we use jars to preserve food do we call it “canning”? I think it should be called “jarring”….but whatever.) 
I ordered my milk jars from my health food co-op, Azure Standard, for a very reasonable price. I’ve gotten many of my other jars very inexpensively at the dollar store. Or at garage sales.
Or…I’ve received them as gifts…because when people see cool jars…guess who they think of?
Yes…their friend…the nerd with jars. 
Join Tammy’s Recipe’s for more kitchen tips!
CC says:
Cool idea! I’ll be looking around at the dollar store for some!
May 19th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Kitchen Scrapbook says:
Came here from Tammy’s Recipes. I love this post! After reading it, I’m now wondering why I only own a handful of jars and don’t use them more. Makes perfect sense to use them because you can see what’s inside! And they look nice and organized too… well, ok, YOURS do anyway!
May 19th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Kerry says:
Nice jars.
What have you found as an alternative to plastic for storing food in the freezer?
May 20th, 2008 at 2:01 am
The Happy Housewife says:
I love all your jars. I think you have inspired me to start switching over. They are cute and functional!
Toni
May 20th, 2008 at 4:21 am
Lynn says:
Yesterday I cleaned out my pantry. I took everything out and organized it better. Jars one one of the things on my list to get to help organize it better. Yours jars look so great. I love really old jars also but most of the ones I have are small ones. Thanks for sharing.
May 20th, 2008 at 6:58 am
Sharmista says:
I love your jars!!! I should use more, but I’m so worried about the kiddos dropping them.
May 20th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Jennifer says:
I love the look of your jars filled with grains and canned items above. I don’t know why I have never really used jars. I think you have inspired me. I may go out this weekend and start looking around for some.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Mrs. Mordecai says:
I love jars, too! I find tons secondhand for a quarter. Thanks for sharing your collection.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:12 am
candace says:
I didn’t realize I could find them at the dollar store! I love jars too!
May 20th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Michele says:
Adding 1/2 gallon milk jars to the list… thanks!
By the way, how well do they fit in your fridge compared to gallon jugs?
I was just thinking how much I love jars, and was considering posting about it. But I’ll settle for just reading your great blog!
Thanks!
Blessings,
Michele
www.frugalgranola.blogspot.com
May 20th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
toni says:
Found you through Tammy`s Recipes!I love this post!I love jars too.They make everything look so rustic!i plan on transfering all of my spices into small jelly jars and hanging them on the wall in the kitchen.I think that would add some nice country charm to the kitchen,plus free up some cabinet space!Nice meeting you!!Have a blessed weekend!~~~~Toni
May 23rd, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Tiffany says:
LAURA! When I read your post about jars, I literally laughed out loud.
Growing up, my parents had a room in their basement where we were instructed to put empty jars. Over time, that room contained TONS of jars! So many, in fact, that *some* of us kids started putting them in the recycling when my mom didn’t know. She would NOT have been happy!
At my parents anniversary party several years ago, we were having them play the Newlywed Game. When the question was asked of my dad, “If the house was on fire,what would be the first thing she (my mom) would try to save?”, a couple of my brothers blurted out “THE JARS”!!! We have also bought each other gag gifts of jars like jar coffee mugs, etc.
The funny thing is, I never seem to have a jar around my own house when I need one. I say I am a great disappointment to my mother and a shame to my family;)So I definitely need more jars.
I thought you’d enjoy that story since you have a jar obsession. Tiffany
May 24th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Kirstin says:
I love jars too! I plan to fill my “new” pantry with jars filled with goodies. I love seeing things through the jars and the way they look. I was in a store a few weeks ago and fell in love with some that I saw. But as of now there is nowhere to put them so I’m not buying any.
June 24th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
jersey girl says:
I too love jars and have been using them for years. I also love canning and came across a great tip on: blog.TotallyReady.com
She suggests we use our canning jars for water storage after we eat the contents and before we refill them next season. Makes so much sense to me and takes up no additional room.
July 1st, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Laura @ Laura Williams' Musings says:
I love jars too! I love storing things in them as well as canning, etc.
I am stopping by to invite you to participate in the The Carnival of Home Preserving.
It is a Carnival to Share Recipes and How-To’s for Canning, Freezing, Dehydrating (drying), and Root Cellaring of Fruits, Vegetables, and Herbs.
The first edition is posted if you would like to come visit:
Carnival of Home Preserving - July 14, 2008 Edition
http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/2008/07/carnival-of-home-preserving-july-14.html
Submit your blog post (new or one of your archived ones that meets the above description) to the next edition of carnival of home preserving using the carnival submission form.
The Deadline to Submit is every Sunday 6pm EST
The Carnival posted by that Monday on the respective Host’s blog.
Everyone is welcome to join in (beginners and experienced alike).
Laura
July 15th, 2008 at 2:06 pm