Monday Message

“It is . . . necessary that each home and family do what they can to assume the responsibility for their own hour of need. If we do not have the resources to acquire a year’s supply then we can strive to begin with having one month’s supply.” (James E. Faust, April 1986 General Conference)

There are times that are harder than others but we just have to keep pushing on and learning ways we can be more frugal. If we give up, nothing improves.

That is why I stress when you are doing well try to put more in your preparations for those times you are not doing so good. It will help to smooth over the rough times.

I know I keep stressing skills as well. Your skills will help you and your family. Cooking from scratch helps to stretch your budget in sooo many ways.  

Some of the skills I work on may not seem like they would help but yes, they do help plenty. I am able to give gifts or beautify our home or make some article of clothing, in other cases like mending it keeps our clothing lasting longer. Knowing how to make baskets and having sewing skills helped me recently mend a pair of shoes.  So our skill building helps us in many ways. 

Making your homemade cleaners saves so much money. Like instead of buying a special cleaner to use on my stove so I don't scratch it I just use baking soda. When my tub drain or sink drain starts to slow I put a fourth a cup of baking soda down it followed by a fourth a cup or so of vinegar then follow it with boiling water. Sometimes I repeat if needed, but it works great.  

Did you know you can replace your dryer sheets by putting a few tablespoons of hair conditioner in a small spray bottle and filling with water? Just shake and spray a washcloth then throw it in with your dryer load - works fantastic. These are just a few things that save big.

Another thing I have mentioned before is to think outside the box.  Instead of buying new, think used or free or what do I have that can be used? For example, this colander makes a fantastic yarn bowl.

I have been doing some spinning, trying to improve this skill...

Be on the look out for more pics in the future because I also want to dye fiber to spin.

I have been trying to learn bobbin lace with no teacher... 

This bookmark is my very first project it isn't perfect as I should have used a lighter blue there are two colors of blue in it but keep watching, the next one I am doing will be pink and green.

So learn all the time - never quit!

This week I was at the library and they have a section were they sell used books. I found this book. I left the price on to let you see. 

I love Amish and Mennonite recipes, they have fantastic recipes they cook from scratch. So if you can check this out from your library it would be a good read. I am putting the table of contents here to give you a feel for what is in it...very good purchase.

https://onedishkitchen.com/cooking-for-one-recipes/breakfast/ - Mary Ann shared this link with us and I thank her. These could be easily multiplied for more than one.

Let us know what skills you are working on and keep working on your storage.