Monday Message

"Let us be in a position so we are able to not only feed ourselves through the home production and storage, but others as well." (President Ezra Taft Benson) 

We need to be in a position to help others any way that we can.  Even a smile can help a person's day go better. Years ago I heard someone say that every time they hear a siren they pray for the person the siren is for. I adopted this so each time I hear a siren I pray and though I don't have the money to help I can do this and I can smile and be friendly to all. I try to do at least one act of service a day when my fibro let's me, but again if nothing else a smile or being kind I can always do. These are a few things I have adopted from others. There are so many who are having hard times, never a shortage of people in need of kindness.

Learning skills, having skills, teaching your skills to others is good as well.

https://yarnutopia.com/365-days-of-granny-squares/ - for learning to crochet the simple granny square is a good place to start.

https://www.allfreecrochet.com/Tutorials/13-Basic-Crochet-Stitches - this is very helpful in learning crochet.

https://www.google.com/search?q=knitting+basics+getting+started&rlz=1C1ZKTG_enUS834US834&oq=knitting+basics&aqs=chrome.5.69i57j0l5.19364j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#kpvalbx=1 - this shows very beginner knitting skills to get you started.

https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knitting-Collections/knitting-for-beginners-guide-9-free-knitting-patterns-for-beginners - this will be helpful as well.

https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2086/2014/09/Sewing-Skills-Checklist.pdf - this checklist can help to know what to learn, check it off as you go.

https://sewing.com/basic-sewing-skills/ - this has helpful info, though you have to go around the ads. 

https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/UIdaho-Responsive/Files/Extension/4-H/Projects/Sewing-For-Fun-Skills-Checklist-pdf.pdf - this is another checklist.

https://www.sewmamasew.com/2011/09/seven-essential-sewing-skills/ - this is helpful steps.

I was watching a grocery haul video that was recommended to me from another as frugal haul...it was not frugal. I suppose it was compared to eating out but it was expensive prepackaged things. We need to back up how doing for yourself things that are pre-cut or pre-made saves so much money. I could not help thinking how much more she could have gotten. There was a bag of already popped popcorn for same price as unpopped, only you would get way more with unpopped. Small containers of ice cream, each costing the same as a large container. Bar cookie mix which is way cheaper from scratch. I understand when life gets busy sometimes it is easier to just grab these items but when it keeps being busy it starts costing way more on a tight budget. Sometimes we need to analyze things by stepping back to see where you are at.

https://iambaker.net/5-tips-from-scratch-baking/ - this is great info

https://www.thespruceeats.com/learn-how-to-cook-everything-from-scratch-1388352 - cooking from scratch

https://www.creditdonkey.com/food-scratch.html - this has some good ideas

https://ourinspiredroots.com/cooking-from-scratch-for-beginners/ - this is very interesting.

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/25-skills-every-cook-should-know - this has basic things that some may not know.

Keep working on your storage, keep building your skills, and look for ways to help others.