Monday Message

"Home storage should consist of a year’s supply of basic food, clothing, and, where possible, fuel. After this goal is reached, emergency and expanded storage is desirable.” (Barbara B. Smith)

We need to build our skills, stretch ourselves...we need to push ourselves to learn skills we do not yet have.

"More than ever before, we need to learn and apply the principles of economic self-reliance. We do not know when the crisis involving sickness or unemployment may affect our own circumstances. We do know that the Lord has decreed global calamities for the future and has warned and forewarned us to be prepared.” (President Ezra Taft Benson)

"My brothers and sisters, I feel our anxieties are justified. It is the opinion of many that more difficult times lie ahead. We are deeply concerned about the welfare of our people and recognize the potential privation and suffering that will exist if each person and family does not accept the word of the Lord when he says, 'Prepare every needful thing'" (D&C 88:119)  (Victor L. Brown)

"The day will come, when, as we have been told, we shall all see the necessity of making our own shoes and clothing and raising our own food.” (President Wilford Woodruff)

They knew we would be in difficult times and here we are....

Pandemic, job losses, and global calamities...they saw it coming and warned us.

We were able to pack the burn pile and it burned. A good thing we did it when we did because the wind has been blowing ever since.

Canning companies have said it'll be mid March before we see canning supplies on the shelves again.

I did stock up on lids last year but had I known I would have done a lot more.

Jars can be reused. Lids cannot be used to can again but I save them and use them in vacuum sealing.  We need to think twice before throwing stuff out.

So what happens now?? If your garden has done well and you cannot get canning supplies.....

https://food-hacks.wonderhowto.com/how-to/dehydrate-food-without-dehydrator-0161531/#:~:text=Use%20Your%20Oven,usually%206%20to%208%20hours.

https://food-hacks.wonderhowto.com/how-to/preserve-dry-your-own-garden-fresh-herbs-home-0148730/

You could easily make a rack of your own or look around your house, I have several of those clothes drying racks that fold flat or you can pull them and hang wet clothes to dry.

There also are foods you can dry just out on a plate...

I knew someone who strung green beans on a thread, sewing through all the ends and hung them to dry, looked like a string with green fingers hanging.

Also, do not forget about freezing...

https://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/freezing/freezing-vegetables-zm0z13aszsor

https://bonnieplants.com/gardening/how-to-freeze-your-harvest/

Save your jars from items you have purchased to store your dried food in. Also, you can use them to freeze food in but remember to leave an inch or more for liquid to expand.

If you have supplies, you can of course can.

This week I made relish 14 pints, salsa 8 pints, pizza sauce 4 pints and 14 jelly jars.

It has been a busy week.