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)

As the prices of everything are so high let us be in a position to help others as we can. Even if a kindly smile or kind word is all we can do, let us do it and if we can do more, let us do that. Kindness will never go out of style. As we go into the holidays, kindness will be needed more than ever.

When you read this a week from now we are finally feeling a bit better. This was a tough cold thingy, hope we won't catch anything else. So still trying to rest here. Don't want it to come back on us.

This is the time of the year that stores offer some good sales. So be stocking up as you can. Shopping those sales are a great way to get a few extra items.

Winter is knocking at the door for us here in Iowa, best have things you need on hand. Our county is now in the red for flu and other germs, so if we don't have to be out around others right now that is a good thing.

It was 19 degrees this morning brrrr!

I did finish up the advent bags. I did a couple every day till I was done. That is my approach to food storage as well - just pick up a few extra items and it adds up without sticker shock.

I made a hat for my husband this week. The yarn may look familiar to you as I made this sweater with it...

So the hat was made with leftover yarn from the sweater. The hat only cost the time to make it.  Knowing how to knit or crochet helps to make warm things.

https://sarahmaker.com/easy-knitting-patterns/ - she has such cute patterns here, great for gifts.

https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knitting-Collections/knitting-for-beginners-guide-9-free-knitting-patterns-for-beginners

https://www.sparklesofsunshine.com/crocheted-christmas-ball-ornaments-free-pattern/ - cute and fast, just in time. Thank you, Sarah, for sharing this find.

https://sarahmaker.com/crochet-hat-patterns/ - I really like the waffle hat.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 c. margarine or butter

1/2 c. plus 1/3 c. shortening

1 c. sugar

1 c. brown sugar

Mix this well and add:

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

Then I really cream this together, all of it so far, maybe three to four minutes.

Then add:

3 c. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

Mix just enough to incorporate it, stop and add:

12 oz. package chocolate chips

Half to one cup chopped nuts, either walnuts or pecans (if you have picky kids you can leave out or take out half and add nuts to the other half).

Drop then bake at 350 degrees till golden.

Finding recipes that are scratch recipes help stretch the budget funds. This is a recipe I made for our girls and their friends.

Can you see what is living in my knitting right now?? I am making the frog a mouse friend.

Missy says grab a blanket and make chocolate chip cookies and build a mouse. Sounds like a great plan, keep working at your plans.