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)

I don't think we have to imagine very hard how things could go horribly bad.

They are saying on the news that our grocery prices are going to go even higher and that power bills will be higher as well. We should start preparing now for things to go high.

I remember now years ago, I can't remember when exactly, but I always tried to pick up flour (remember I buy flour in 25 lb. bags) well I went to get the flour and the price was higher than it used to be $4.64 and was two dollars higher. I asked the clerk and he said it was seasonal. What? It's not seasonal. It was summer and he said just wait, it will come back down. I am still waiting. It has always just gone up. It hovers around ten dollars now.  

I went ahead and got the flour that day. I wasn't happy about it but I did not wait for prices to come down. If I had I would have no flour and still be waiting. I tell you this to say higher prices are here to stay a long while I am afraid. So don't just sit around waiting. You must be working diligently to keep building a storage even if you have to pay a bit more. 

Our income has not raised (we are on social security). So that for us means that I get less for the same budget for groceries. I imagine it is that way for most people. I either do not get all we need or I find more frugal recipes and fix more frugal meals. It means I can waste nothing. We do not eat out, so people who still eat out could go out less and add to their grocery budget. Is it hard to tighten the belt?  Yes, it is but sacrificing for our families is what we do.

Build those skills!!!

Last week, I mentioned three things to do for homework. Are you working on those? I went ahead and did them with you.

I made a loaf of bread from this RECIPE. (I like to use an electric knife for slicing. I got mine at a yard sale but I have seen them at thrift stores). Do you need one? No, you can slice your bread with a serrated bread knife. The other thing I do is I slice my entire loaf at the same time. This helps the slices stay good otherwise bread gets harder to slice as the days go by. This bread freezes well and having it sliced makes it way better. If you have done the bread, notice the jam... in the picture is the strawberry rhubarb jam we talked about a while back. You can get the recipe by typing strawberry rhubarb jam in the search space. You will want to learn jam making.

I mentioned checking out this book from the library if you don't already own it...

I am reading it along with you.

Then I mentioned knitting a dishcloth as homework too with the tutorial to help you along every step.

I am knitting a dishcloth with you. I am knitting my favorite pattern but you are learning another of my favorites.

I have been working on the knitting machine. Learning this skill is difficult but I push on.

So do not wait, just dig in, and build your storage and learn your skills that would be most helpful for your family. 

Missy says do whatever you can, your family will be blessed and so will you.

Tippy Longstockings says don't wait for things to get better, we have to do the best we can now.