Monday Message

"Those families will be fortunate who, in the last days, have an adequate supply of food because of their foresight and ability to produce their own." (Ezra Taft Benson)

We need to build skills.

As much as I hate gardening, there is more to gardening than putting seeds in dirt. So there is a large learning curve. Take time to learn this skill. It is a try and fail thing too - what works, what doesn't.

I am here to say, I do not know it all for sure, I am still on the learning curve.

The weather makes a huge difference and pests - there's so many moving parts.

What skills are you working on? Let us know in the comments below!

Making bread is one skill that I think is at the top of the list. "Knowing how" is a skill you will have forever and you can make so many things.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2012/04/four-in-one-bread-dough.html

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2015/07/monday-message.html

Learn to make your own laundry soap....

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2015/06/monday-message_29.html

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2017/08/monday-message_28.html - learning to can is up there too along with all ways to preserve foods.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2019/12/monday-message_9.html - Sewing is huge. You can mend and remake clothing as well as making your clothing. Learning to knit and crochet are very helpful as well.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2012/03/preserving-your-childrens-artwork.html - learning to embroider to decorate your home or useful things for your home dish towels and curtains and on your clothing I even have used to hide a hole in clothing or a stain that wouldn't come out. In this case, I traced off my children's artwork and made pictures of their artwork.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2020/02/monday-message_24.html

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2019/07/monday-message_8.html

I would say that it takes skill to use what you have. Here, I used a bowl for a yarn bowl.

So look around your house and find different uses for things. You will be amazed at what you find and could very well start a trend using something you already have in a different way. Make it a game and see what you can do.

Along with that, learn to be content.

Another skill cooking from scratch...

https://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/35-frugal-recipes-to-make-when-youre-broke/

https://www.thriftyfrugalmom.com/homemade-foods-to-make-from-scratch/

https://www.fifteenspatulas.com/

https://www.foodstoragemoms.com/cooking-from-scratch/

Missy says little by little, build those skills.

Tippy Longstockings says she knows you can do it, she is pulling for you!

Monday Message

"Today, I emphasize a most basic principle: home production and storage. Have you ever paused to realize what would happen to your community or nation if transportation were paralyzed or if we had a war or depression? How would you and your neighbors obtain food? How long would the corner grocery store—or supermarket—sustain the needs of the community?" (President Ezra Taft Benson)

Well, we certainly have the potential for all these things happening all at one time. There is also some hacking thing going on as well. I watch a podcast that is from the Isle of Skye a few weeks back and they had a hack on grocery stores. I thought that it was a one time thing. It is worse for them being an island. The stores couldn't get their orders filled and the shelves were totally empty.  

Then I heard it happen somewhere else but can't remember. And then two places here in Iowa. It isn't so bad as you can drive to other towns here but this being done at all makes me think they are testing and learning how to do this on a bigger scale. The one store here in Iowa, the owner said she then called their supplier and they cautioned not to be greedy as they have many orders they are trying to fill. Was there more than these two stores? I wonder. Suffice it to say, really be working on your storage so that if this happens in your neck of the woods you will have something in house.  

Since other countries are being hit like us, it just isn't a hit for one but many. I first thought it was a joke but a nasty joke, because Skye being an island has to have stuff brought to the island. I also think they are hitting small unnoticed areas.

So if you are starting out with storage...

https://stockingmypantry.com/how-to-build-a-3-month-food-supply/

https://survivalstoic.com/3-month-food-supply-list/

https://emergencyprepguy.com/get-a-3-month-food-supply/

https://providentliving.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/providentliving/content/resources/pdf/PD60004682_000_Home-Storage-Handout.pdf?lang=eng

https://providentliving.churchofjesuschrist.org/food-storage/what-is-food-storage?lang=eng

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/04008_eng.pdf

Getting something in is important and it is good to review and good to take stock of what you do have, looking for holes you may need to work on building up.

Once you feel like you have three months in, work on six months, then a year.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/english/life-help/Personal-and-Family-Emergency-Preparedness-Planning-Guide.pdf

It isn't to scare anyone just be prepared for well, anything. People are losing jobs all over. As one whose husband's job was downsized, I can tell you we have had to live off what we had till another job was found. Unexpected expenses - they say our electric bills are to go way up and they have already started to. Medical expenses, higher insurance, car problems there are so many things that can happen just regularly that adding extra troubles is rotten for sure. But you can buffer that with storage.

My crew here is hard at work helping us with this post...

One thing I did was go through all my recipes and picked ones that could use no eggs if getting them was a problem and recipes I could use shelf-stable items to make. I put these all in a binder...

I have them all in this binder with a table of contents.

I have shown you the system here that I use so you can go through your files and compile, if you wish, recipes that would be made of shelf stable foods. I do can meat but have seen that you can now purchase cans of ground beef or beef and there are chicken, etc. So if you do not can meats, you can find them. I encourage you to learn to can meat as well.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2022/07/monday-message_18.html - Here is my blog with more pages of my binder, of course I put it in a better binder.  And those of you who miss Gus will get to see a pic of him at the end.

To leave you on a sweet note, enjoy this recipe. It is so yummy. You can switch apricot with any jam you have.

Missy says, you thought I was sleeping didn't you? She says be sure to have supplies on hand for any emergency you may find yourself in.

Tippy Longstockings says keep putting in your storage and remember your pets.

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)

It feels like the world is more chaotic every week I write this blog. Keep working on skill building and putting supplies into your storage.

I know times are hard but I feel we have much harder times ahead. Every little bit helps...it all adds up.

This week I blanched and froze three more bags of asparagus. This is what I mean by doing whatever you can. Three bags isn't much but add them to what I have done and it adds up.

I also haven't been able to bake with this heat so I am dehydrating three trays of sourdough starter, this is my excess or discard they call it. This is what I mean by finding uses for things, do not waste anything. I think we will be happy we did so later.

It is raspberry picking time for me - an ouchie job but I pick, wash, and freeze. Then when it is cooler, I will make jam with them.

Yesterday I went out behind the raspberries to make a path so I can easier pick them. It was a hard job, with so many volunteer trees growing up. I got the pathway cleared though so that will help a lot when picking but still pokes me - owie! But I'm always glad for July Fourth because the raspberries are done by then.

Before I tell you a stress I had, I thought I would show the flowers are pretty this year.   

Okay so you know I am stressing? Building your skills is not always easy to do. I have been trying to learn the Toyota knitting machine.

Yesterday morning, I was looking at it and pushing the carriage across it was getting increasingly harder to push, which was hurting me ever so much. So I was looking at this while pushing the carriage and got just a quick glimpse at the problem. The sponge bar had failed. Now I refurbish my own but when I pulled it out part of the foam stayed in the machine. I had to leave it till afternoon when I could get back to it.

Both cats decided they would sleep on the problem.

I looked it up on the internet and could find nothing on just how to fix this. I only saw one mention of if foam gets in the machine it would be disastrous - well, that wasn't helpful at all.

I put the pen on the bed of the machine to help you see the size of the slots I was having to work with.  It took me four hours of picking the foam out of those slots - very much not easy!

But I stuck with it.

I was able to fix this. I'm hoping it never happens again but if it should, I know how to tend it. So even though it wasn't what I wanted, I did learn from this. Each thing I do is helping me to understand it more.

So if you are working with a skill and getting frustrated, walk away, go look at some flowers, and tackle each step on its own. Little by little you will figure it out. When I try to think of all the steps at once, it doesn't go well and when I am not stressed by a mean teacher, I am learning better, I am not mentally freezing up and can slow down and soak in what I need to learn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWVg6JcpyDI - this is another skill I am wanting to learn.

What are some skills you are wanting to learn?? Let us know in the comments below.

Every morning you can find Tippy Longstockings right here under the floor loom, taking a morning snooze.

https://www.instructables.com/2-Felt-Cat-Toys-Fish-and-Dinosaur/ - here is a neat way to hand-sew cat toys, it is on my too do list pretty soon.

https://www.littlehouseliving.com/153-grocery-staples-that-you-can-make-at-home.html - this is worth putting in here again. We can make things that we may think we can only buy at the store.

https://www.artfulhomemaking.com/homemaking-101/ - this is helpful as well.

https://heartscontentfarmhouse.com/ - great ideas on scratch cooking.

https://www.artfulhomemaking.com/ - great things here.

While you pick a skill to work on, involve your kids so they can learn it as well!

Missy says be wise in how you do things. Take it in steps. No need to do anything all at once.

Tippy Longstockings says try hard to not over do and try hard not to stress, we will all get through this time.

Monday Message

"Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance, for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience. He has lovingly commanded us to 'prepare every needful thing' (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we may care for ourselves and our neighbors, and support bishops as they care for others." (All is Safely Gathered In pamphlet)

Welcome to my home! Summer is here and it's very hot indeed today!

Summer is always so busy. I wonder where they got the lazy days of summer from...?

The yard work never ends here. I should train the squirrels in the art of landscaping and how not to plant those walnuts. Or teach them to cut down the walnut trees that grow all over because they planted them grrrrr.

I hope you all are doing well. 

I see more and more people talking of tight times for their families. I sure do not expect things to get better and it will take a lot more than just saying they are better when they are clearly not.

I know it is early to mention but those who need school supplies, you might want to get a little at a time when you get groceries to spread out the cost.

Start hitting those yard sales and thrift stores - this is a must do! When you do, have a list school clothing and in what sizes needed. Don't forget winter gear - we all need to have coats... Be sure to pass down clothing to siblings. 

While talking about lists, don't forget to look for a pressure canner, vacuum sealer, dehydrator, canning tools, canning jars, a used sewing machine, look for fabric and sewing supplies, look for yarn and knitting needles and crochet hooks and other supplies, look for things you can use for gifts... yes, even items you can makeover for gifting, look for cookbooks - especially those church type cookbooks where everyone put in their favorite recipes.

We celebrated our 51st anniversary on June 15.  Since that falls on Father's Day this year, we celebrated early so we could celebrate Father's Day by itself. We like to go to the used bookstore for our anniversary, which we did, and I picked up a quilting book and a sewing book and a few quilting magazines from their sale section. These all did not cost much but I also had a coupon. It was fun just looking at stuff too. So think how could you celebrate special dates inexpensively. I plan to make a carrot cake to make it special. We don't need to break the bank.

These times we find ourselves in will require us using every tool we have, every skill we can learn. Try to work hard on the skills that can help you the most.

Speaking of working hard on a skill...

I am working hard learning this machine. I am making progress and am happy at that. I am putting lots of studying in on it. 

I am thankful to my past self for all the yard sales I went to and all that I did that is now helping me in my old age.

Set a grocery budget that is comfortable for your income and then stay in that budget. Try to do things more frugally so you can have some left for stocking your pantry.

I know it is hard. I know it is going to get a lot harder for all of us so we need to step up and put your skills to work. I am right there with you. We will all get through this, we will. Find time to find your joy in every day. Today, mine was walking up to our front door. It doesn't have to be flashy, just something to give you joy. Yes, things need painting but just for today it was a joy to walk up to the door. Mind you, it could be I just finished watering the garden but joy never the less.

I know it is very hard all the things that are going on. We need to not dwell so much on it that we fall into depression. Use your energy instead getting prepared.

https://www.queenofthehousehold.com/homemaking-skills/ - some good ideas.

https://www.artfulhomemaking.com/8-useful-skills-grandmothers-knew/ - a few ideas here as well.

https://www.christian-works.org/beating-summer-boredom/?msclkid=44f749444562123dce23210da1a9ad06&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CW+-+Resources%2FGeneral&utm_term=summer+activities&utm_content=Summer+Activities - we will all need these before summer is over and those in winter, there might be some things to help with cabin fever.

https://mamateaches.com/50-free-summer-activities-for-families/

Take care of yourself too. I watch podcasts while I treadmill so right now I have been watching things on learning knitting machines.

Cynthia shared this info with us....

"I meant to tell you about this. I had a friend that lives in Alabama email me and tell me that she found out about peak electric use. Someone had told her and she googled it and found that her electric company had peak hours during the afternoon in summer and morning hours in the cold times.  I googled here and Mecklenburg Cooperative has peak hours 3 pm to 6 pm during summer and 6 am to 9 am cold times. Although you have to sign up for emails or text to let you know when they think they will go into peak electric usage. You might check there."

We need to be using everything we can to make it through hard times.

Thank you, Cynthia!

Missy says she is trying to learn that knitting machine with me. She encourages you to pick a skill and master it. Make it fun, reward your accomplishment.

Tippy Longstockings says whatever you do, look cute doing it and remember you are important too, so take care of yourself as well.

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)

I wish things would improve but I am afraid we are in it for a while.

Keep working on your storage as you can.

I picked the second picking of rhubarb today while it was sprinkling. Finally we have rain.

I planted the suckers from tomatoes and picked more suckers. These are bigger and now they are in water. About the time you read this, in two weeks from now, they will be planted too.

Long ago, I called our homemaking hotline to ask for a recipe for strawberry rhubarb jam and they gave me this one from general foods and we have used it ever since.

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

1 lb. Rhubarb slices (thin) to make two cups

4 c. Crushed strawberries, crush them one layer at a time

5 1/2c. Sugar

1 box Sure-Jell

6-8 quart pan 

Measure sugar and set aside.

Mix Sure-Jell and fruit in pan over medium-high heat, stir till a full boil. Then add the sugar all at once, stir, bring to a full rolling boil then boil hard for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and skim off the foam, saving it to have on toast - yum! Then ladle into jars, fill to 1/4 inch from the top then wipe the rim of the jar and add lids (I still like to bring water to a boil and turn off and put the lids in till you are ready) put on rings and water bath or steamer can for ten minutes, then I set on a towel and leave for 24 hours before I move the jars. I do that with anything I can.

So today is jam making day here...

I had enough rhubarb left over to make rhubarb cake yum!

Trying to stretch everything I tell ya.

https://www.almanac.com/how-make-jam-refrigerator-jam-or-water-bath-canning

https://thedomesticwildflower.com/easy-jam-recipes/

Making jam is very easy and is a good way to start your canning journey.

This week I have been studying up on the Toyota knitting machine - some reviewing and some learning. Tippy is showing her way on how one should study.

This time I picked something I want to make then I reviewed my notes I took on this and read through the pattern. Next I tackle ONLY one thing at a time, do that, and move to the next. I feel I am making better headway rather than learning everything at once. I am wanting to make dishcloths again only this time with a better understanding.

The Toyota knitting machine is the toughest skill for me yet to tackle.

I took a few classes but I was just starting with fibro. It was hard to understand the teacher plus she was having stuff going on with her husband that they would shout bad at each other and I was having a very hard time concentrating. Plus, picture the mean piano teacher that hit kids with a ruler. She never hit me but boy was I afraid of her and the more stress she caused me, the more I would freeze. If she had been nice and sat with me doing it alongside, I would have learned better.  

I took notes - very detailed notes with pictures. She would scream at me that I didn't need to take notes on everything (yes, I did). With the classes I was given a kind of booklet of machine knitting basics. Inside it said take as many notes as you like...wow. But I can tell my past self thank you for the notes and pictures as they are helping me now. And with no one stressing me, I can go at my own pace. I can think more clearly and retain and understand when not under stress like I was.

So this is the skill I am trying to learn without a teacher. If you have a skill you are trying to learn, take it in bite sizes. Start with something small, learn it and move on.

That is my advice.

Missy says just pick a skill you want to do and take it at your own rate - she knows you can do it!

Tippy Longstockings says times are hard and we have to work harder, so take time for yourself and be kind to others.