Monday Message

"I wish to urge again the importance of self-reliance on the part of every individual Church member and family. None of us knows when a catastrophe might strike. Sickness, injury, unemployment may affect any of us. We have a great welfare program with facilities for such things as grain storage in various areas. It is important that we do this. But the best place to have some food set aside is within our homes, together with a little money in savings. The best welfare program is our own welfare program. Five or six cans of wheat in the home are better than a bushel in the welfare granary." (President Gordon B. Hinckley)

I feel like now more than ever it would be a good time to pick up a little extra when you get groceries.  The prices keep going up and so many are losing their jobs. It is a hard time for everyone.

What makes it harder is the holidays. We all have traditions. Maybe this year we think harder on those traditions. Can we afford them? If not, what can you do instead? Maybe it is time to make new ones that are more affordable. We all have turkey but nothing says we can't have something else. There is no shame in cutting back. Think of ways that will not stress your budget. You might even find less is more enjoyable, less may mean more time with your family than the kitchen. You may even find yourself not so done in by it all. Nothing is all good or bad as they say.

What people will remember is not the meal or gifts but that you all were together.

If you are having a hard time this year, and I am guessing that is most of us, talk things over with your family as how to have a good time together without the huge expense.

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/g23601545/christmas-traditions-kids-family/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=arb_ga_ghk_d_bm_prog_org_us_g23601545&gclid=CjwKCAiAmuKbBhA2EiwAxQnt77SehlNSK82Y44cCvQykBK_JUZlmMP1X_riLreaTzos7dnrkp_BTFRoCvkYQAvD_BwE - this has some fun ideas, I love the pin the nose on Rudolf. I like the pickle idea too. We are doing an advent, mine is all things in the house already. The elf on the shelf sounds good. Make your own elf...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcNG47qGaW8 - elf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba91b7kHrUE - elf

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/292945150734215316/ - elf

You can find one to make out of what you already have on hand.

https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/holidays-celebrations/g34080491/funny-elf-on-the-shelf-ideas/ - elf ideas.

https://www.womansday.com/life/g29515335/elf-on-the-shelf-ideas/ - elf ideas

https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/g22690552/funny-elf-on-the-shelf-ideas/

Pick what fits your budget.

I watch a podcast where she watches badly made Christmas movies while she works on projects and that is her tradition.

This is one of my favorites...

https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/holidays/featured-holidays/christmas/20-ideas-for-serving-others-as-a-family-this-christmas/ - when you are feeling down because of hard times, think what could I do for someone else? It does more good for your spirits than you know.

https://beingfierceafterforty.com/40-hygge-ideas-for-winter-wellness/ - there are great ideas here. I think it will be a long winter.

Think of ways to get through winter.

Read The Long Winter but stretch the book out a little each day and if you have littles, read aloud to them each day then do some of the activities they do in the book.

Have a puzzle going. Learn or teach each other things. Make cinnamon rolls. There's so many things you could do. Have everyone help.

Have a meeting and make a list then put it on the fridge for those darkest days that way you won't have to think up ideas.

I think with budgets tight going to the library is a great idea. Have everyone check out books for the week and keep this going all winter long. If you have littles be sure to get books to read aloud. One of our favorites this time of year was Frederick by Leo Lionni. Another was Too Much Noise by Ann McGovern.

When was the last time you played one of your board games?? Yep, this year let's dig them out!

I would encourage you to keep picking up a little extra when you get groceries. It will be nice not to go out in the cold windy snowy weather if you have meals you can fix in your house.

This week I made a turtle.

I also made a tiny mouse friend who got up to some mischief with Frog on my new yarn genie my daughter gave me. 

They all did a bit of twister which the octopus won hands down.

That is enough of doing little things for a while. I will be finishing up a few thing I have been working on.

I did however organize my double-pointed knitting needles, no easy task but soon tended.

I did do a bit of organizing this week - big stuff like moving furniture and such. I am happy with the results though I strained something in my arm, it will soon feel better.

Missy says she has more fun in this free bag from the grocery store than anything, so she is saying sometimes it isn't about the expensive flashy cardboard box, it is the simple inexpensive things that mean more.