Make-Do Mondays: Pictorial Review of my Birthday with a Make-Do Camera

It’s Monday. Time to talk about how we’re making-do.That’s what this carnival is all about. Here, we discuss all the creative and humble (or even humbling) ways we’re making-do.How are we duct-taping our furniture together or tolerating a lumpy old couch for another few months (or years)? What kinds of products are we squeezing every drop out of before forking out a few dollars to replace?It’s a place to celebrate creative problem-solving, contentment, patience and ingenuity. It’s a carnival where we encourage each other not to rush out and get the next new cool thing if something we have on hand can get the job done.Write up your Make-Do Mondays post at your blog, then link to it with Mr. Linky.Here’s a mini-tutorial on Mr. Linky:

Click on the icon and a separate page will pop up. Type in your blog name and paste in the url of your new Make-Do Mondays post. Click enter and it should be live. If it doesn’t work, just include the link in the comments.To visit people’s posts, click on Mr. Linky and when the page comes up, click on a name. You should be taken right to the page that they provided.

Make-Do Mondays Participants

1. Ship Full O’ Pirates (spinach smoothie w/spinach substitute)
2. My Practically Perfect Life (pin cushions on individual spools)
3. Like Mother, Like Daughter (make-do bedside carafes and bedroom tour)
4. The Goat (take it from the stash)

Make-Do Mondays with AnnI’d like to offer a pictorial review of my birthday here on Make-Do Mondays using my faithful old digital camera.My kids’ cameras, which are newer and less expensive, yield better close-ups than mine. I’m quite tempted to save up for some really nice equipment, but I’m not running out to replace anything. No, sirree. I am making do.And now, my make-do camera and I will walk you through my birthday.I awoke to birthday decor in the eating area of the kitchen:I was treated to a breakfast of eggs, toast and tea made by two of my kids. I forgot to photograph the meal, but let me assure you it was delicious.Then we headed over to church:I apologize for the next photo, because it reveals that I didn’t have to put up with a make-do birthday dinner–The family took me out to eat at a very nice restaurant:My daughter snapped a photo of the complimentary birthday dessert they brought me (note the leftovers bagged up in the background for a make-do lunch).A trained opera singer serenaded me with “Happy Birthday” in Italian. Then the waiter presented me with a single gladiola:After dinner, the kids asked, “What do you want to do for your birthday, Mom?””How about we go shopping?” I proposed. My favorite make-do store was just around the corner:There, I found some placemats, coasters, and napkins for the kitchen table, and some shoes. I’ve been looking for something in leather with a nice shape and low heel. This pair fit the bill (they look brown in the make-do lighting, but they are actually black):I bought them because they fit and looked good, but I thought maybe that was a swanky brand. Maybe. When I got home, I looked up the brand, “Amalfi,” on the computer and realized it was a quality shoe. Mine look a little like this one, though not in patent leather. On sale, Zappos is selling the similar shoe for $149. I got mine at Goodwill for about $3.99.Back at home, the kids made some cards for me:And then, some gifts (not from Goodwill). Earrings from one daughter:Gloves from another who tries to look for ways I can stay warm in winter:And from everyone, an appliance I’m told will shock and amaze me with its usefulness. We’re having leftover pasta for lunch on Monday, but guess what we’re having for dinner?Just for fun, I thought I’d show you what I found at my parents’ house on Saturday. I was a huge fan of someone in the ’80s:I showed it to one of my daughters. She laughed and said, “That’s back when he had hair!”Yes. Well. I suppose even Sting with all his fame and fortune has no choice but to make-do with less hair.Personally, I think he’s making-do quite nicely.