Monday Message

Part of being frugal is figuring out how to do things yourself. Once you do, add it to your binder so you can continue to add to it. The more you can do for yourself the more you will save.

Scroll down in the message for a link on how to sew your children's underwear.

http://www.dishingthedivine.com/2011/07/17/just-like-thomas-english-muffins/ - this could be a fun family activity.

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/english-muffin-bread-loaf - I have made this up as mixes and gave as a kit with jam.

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/self-reliance/cooking-from-scratch/  - cooking from scratch saves money. Yes, it might take a bit more time but so does getting in the car and going to the store and getting something fast and full of not-good-for-you-things, plus you are then subjected to the grocery store's plan to spend spend spend!

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2010/06/25/blasts-from-the-past-my-favorite-ultimate-food-storage-recipe/ - this is a great walk through.


http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2009/10/31/food-storage-recipes-enchilada-pie/ - basic ingredients and you can make it fast.

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2009/10/29/whole-wheat-tortillas/ I like how she takes the above recipe and shows totally how to use storage to make it and even down to the tortillas.

We could do this with other recipes as well, keep these successes recorded in a binder.

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2013/06/20/17-ways-to-use-your-wheat-grinder-wondermill-giveaway/ - ignore the give away part, this is an old part but look at all the things you can do with a grinder! Read your grinder info before trying other than wheat to see if your grinder has a do nots listed.

Inserting here a reminder that our church building has a grinder you can check out from RS president.

Since we are talking as well on building our skills what a neat way to recycle your kids t-shirts into underwear for them http://www.indigorchid.com/2011/11/06/sewing-underwear-the-free-pattern/

http://www.indigorchid.com/2011/11/17/sewing-underwear-the-extras/

Work at building your skills. Wouldn’t it be nice to recycle for the fabric so work on the sewing skills? Google sewing helps, there are many help aids out there.

http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/get-kit/anatomy every time you go to the store pick up one item for a first aid kit, also make sure you have one in your car  and now is the time to start gathering your winter car kits.

http://ready.wi.gov/winter/HowToMakeAKit.asp

If you get it ready ahead of time it is always a good idea.

Along that idea, get your storage up for those snow storms that will hit and you can stay on with the kids and have a snow day, we loved those!

One thing too is it is a good idea to get in the habit to fill your car when it gets half empty instead of totally empty. Often there is a breakdown or accident that you would be stopped and stuck on the interstate and you can keep your self and others warm until you can move again.

When we put off getting storage till the emergency then it is too late and some how with much hardship you get through it but it often makes you get prepared so that does not happen again. So be wise, learn and prepare ahead of time.

I have told this before but it is worth repeating...

Many years ago we had a two year-old and a baby. We lived in Pammel Court as many know that was then the cheaper ISU student housing. Nothing more then a chicken coop made of corrugated metal. When the tornado siren sounded they were not safe. We would have to get in the car and drive through the storm to a building on campus with a fall-out shelter. 

The first time we grabbed the kids and went to the car then into the building. Well I do not need to tell you how wet we were. The kids were crying and it was awful, other people were in the same boat. So I never wanted that to be the case again. I packed a five gallon bucket with snackies, coloring books and colors, towels, change of clothes for the kids and a toy or so, sure enough we had to go again the way it is in Iowa, this time I had grabbed the bucket that I had by the door. It was the same group of people, wet wind ... miserable, though most could not speak English. 

We made an impact louder than words as we changed the kids clothes and we dried off with the towels and kids had treats and something to do which we shared with the other kids too. Next time we went there everyone had some sort of the same thing we did, one even had a suitcase we all smiled at each other for we knew we all learned to be prepared... so learn and do, it was simple.

Keep working on your storage, your binders and your skills. You are doing well!