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 think things are still hard for almost everyone. We need to do what we can to help others.

My sister came for a visit and we stopped in at a thrift store and oh my goodness, the prices were awful  - very high for used things. I haven't been into regular stores perhaps those are really high as well but we sure weren't buying at those high, high prices.

So we need to keep building our skills. We can execute repairs on things in our home and try to keep things going for as long as possible. We must try harder than ever to be more frugal. We could be in this for a while.

When we visited a yarn shop when visiting our daughter the skeins of yarn were $35.00 a piece...YIKES. Making my own never looked better.

We need to fine-hone skills, if we know how to sew you can learn to do even better.

While my sister was here she wanted to sew some bags for her purse so we looked online for some patterns that were free...

https://craftygemini.com/pop-pouch-video-tutorial/ - we did this without the embroidery. This is the little cat bag in front. HOWEVER...she had hardware that you needed to purchase to close the top of the bag. I knew something we've done from another pattern could work instead of the hardware. I still had tape measures from the Dollar Tree back when I did that other pattern (that was when the prices were really a dollar there). We cut the tape measure tape. I put duct tape around the end to keep the tape part from going inside and then set the rest aside for other projects. We cut the two per bag, just under the size of your bag top. We did ours a bit bigger than hers here. When you fold down the top part, it makes a channel for you to slide it through at the top. We then put duct tape on each end of the sections of tape from the measure. 

I used an old paper scissors to cut the metal tape. Now when you go to slide it in the channel, make sure the curve of the tape faces the inside of the bag. We then just put in a few stitches so the tape won't push out and that was it. You can pull apart to open, get out what is inside, then let it go and it will snap back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRVFwGUODts&t=1112s - this one we used for the other bag in the picture, only we did the bottom and top with two different fabrics.

So challenge yourself to learn more skills.

I have gotten this sheet that I am thinking to maybe make a dress with, this was given to me...

https://www.roseryapparel.com/videos/sewing-a-vintage-pattern - this gal does many dresses out of sheets. Scroll around, they are pretty and she does the full tutorials to show you how.

I had this metal tin and some watercolor paint replacement pans of paint I got for ten cents a box at a yard sale many, many years ago. So I constructed this paint palette.

Really look around to see what you can do with what you have.

These are the vine balls I am making from a weed vine. Free is a great thing!

This tomato cages package someone did not want. Looking at first pic, I can understand, but I got them together and out in the garden - whew, it is hot out there!

Missy says you won't be sorry you built a skill, just keep at it.

Tippy Longstockings says be sure to rest between hard jobs.

Monday Message

"I have on occasion cited the need for many reservoirs in our lives to provide for our needs. I have said, 'Some reservoirs are to store water. Some are to store food, as we do in our family welfare program and as Joseph did in the land of Egypt during the seven years of plenty. There should also be reservoirs of knowledge to meet the future needs; reservoirs of courage to overcome the floods of fear that put uncertainty in our lives; reservoirs of physical strength to help us meet the frequent burdens of work and illness; reservoirs of goodness; reservoirs of stamina; reservoirs of faith.

“Yes, especially reservoirs of faith, so that when the world presses in upon us, we stand firm and strong; when the temptations of a decaying world about us draw on our energies, sap our spiritual vitality, and seek to pull us down, we need a storage of faith that can carry youth, and later adults, over the dull, the difficult, the terrifying moments; disappointments; disillusionments; and years of adversity, want, confusion, and frustration.

. . .Parents. .are expected to lay foundations for their children and to build the barns and tanks and bins and reservoirs." (President Spencer W. Kimball)

Times sure feel like they are hard and they where for our ancestors as well. They pressed on. They did without when necessary. They grew and preserved food and stored what they could ahead. It isn't enough to just have enough for now, some are tempted to live a little better come what may but sometime 'come what may' can be hard.

So every time you go in a store for something, add one item to put up for later. It will add up.

Things are happening now with more frequency and causing so many to have hardships. We need to have stores for us and for others. Disasters don't come in convenient times.

Keep working on those skills too. You never know just how necessary they will be.

This is a sweater I have started. The yarn was gotten at a Hobby Lobby on clearance and the white Llama needle stoppers were a gift from our daughter, her set is the pink ones.

I am almost done with this needle case. I just need to add a button and cord.

It is now raspberry picking time. I have already started. I will be picking every other day now till the first few days in July. I wash and freeze them and make jam like I showed you in one of the last blogs.

I also made three batches of strawberry-rhubarb jam, one of our favorites for sure.

I have also froze rhubarb to be used in the winter.

At the time I am writing, our 50th anniversary is tomorrow. We have just come back from seeing our children and going to our grandson's graduation, it was a long trip.

And since you will see us in the hard hats during tornado weather we had before we left, I will add that after the first leg of the journey we had just got to our motel (a kind of rickety thing because it was a holiday weekend). It was on the second floor. We were there five minutes when our daughter texted us asking how was our weather... Well, it was overcast. She is a newscast producer and she told her weather person that we were about halfway there. The weather person anxiously asked where. Upon hearing, she told our daughter to tell us to take cover. As soon as we got off with her, the phone notification went off and tornado sirens sounded. And just that fast we were hit with bad weather. I could not believe it, it was the third tornado warning in one week! 

We took pillows and went to the bathroom. We were fine but we saw damage on the way from there. I felt not at ease not knowing what county we were in and not even sure of the town, it was a suburb of St. Louis but what was it called? We turned on the TV but couldn't find weather or local news so we were googling fast to find out. At home, I know the look and feel and have lots of warning ahead. We would be told by weather days in advance that bad weather was coming and the day of we would be put in thunderstorm warnings, tornado watches, then finally a tornado warning and we can go to the basement and put on our pretty hard hats....this wasn't the case but we made it through okay.

We had a nice time with everyone and no more bad weather was had. I had packed food ahead for supper to save money, here is where I say - poverty has its perks, we were not out in the weather.

This cat in the basket is what I picked up while visiting a yarn shop. The lines on it show different widths of yarn and tells what weight it is, very very useful because of that coned yarn I have, it will help me when trying to figure yarn for a project.

Tippy says, oh no another cat! But since she doesn't have to interact with it decided it was okay.

These are the Easter Lilies this year, pretty as always. 

The kittens are teaching each other the skill of resting, they say keep building skills.

Missy says keep learning to build your skills.

Tippy says to remember to get a little something each trip to the store to set aside for a rainy day.

Monday Message

"[Concerning emergency storage] You may wish to consider storing, where they could be picked up at a moment’s notice, such items as water, food needing no refrigeration or cooking, medications needed by family members, a change of clothing for each family member, a first-aid booklet and first-aid supplies, an ax, shovel, and blanket. These would be used when a family or individual has only a short time to flee a disaster or needs to stay in a sheltered area within the home. It is also wisdom to have the family’s important papers and documents together where they could be picked up at a moment’s notice." (Barbara B. Smith)

This looks to be another active weather year.

So I thought after the week I have had, we should review a few things... keep in mind I am writing this like three weeks ago as you read this.

Two days ago, tornadoes ripped through Iowa - one devastating the town of Greenfield as well as causing damage around the state with some lives lost.

So my foremost item of advice - if you are warned in any way, follow that warning!!

We had advance warnings on the weather plus we stay weather aware so I suggest you make that a daily thing. Our weather was saying it was coming and they usually will say winds, rain, could be tornados but that time they were telling us there could be F 2 or F 3 tornadoes. That was the first they ever did that and it made me nervous.

The day started with the biggest ever thunderstorms with many inches of water. We were unaware the gutter over our front door had blockage not much of one, but enough of one so when rain came fast and hard, we had water come in the front door. We caught it fast then the next wave came. We could not go out because of lightning. We also took on water in the basement from the clog. When we could safely go out, we unclogged the gutter then put fans on the basement floor.

The rest of the day the air got heavy and very humid but that only made us think it was going to be bad.

At supper time, the sirens went off, the cell phone went off, the weather radios were going off...which meant go to the basement. My husband grabbed the phone, I grabbed the tablet and we went down. The reason we grab those is to have the weather info. At the top of the basement steps, I have two flashlights and spare batteries. We grab them on the way down. Then when we get down there, I keep two hard hats that we put on. 

A few years ago, they suggested people have them and a crowbar. We have a crowbar down there too.  A high percentage of deaths in tornadoes are from head wounds. The crowbar is if your house should be hard to get out of or your neighbor has a hard time getting out, you can help them. So there were tornadoes all around us. I really thought that storm would get us. We were blessed. The floor was dry when we had to go down with sirens going.

That was two days ago. As I wrote this then at about 4:30 in the morning, the weather radio woke us. We have one on each floor. This was followed by sirens. We did the same routine again... got to the basement, donned the hats, tuned into the weather.

That is us looking tired and wore out. Yep, I feel that it will be a year of weather.

We had no damage this time and no water, so that was good.

We did inherit big wet empty boxes someone must have had next to a garbage can. We added them to our burn pile, who knows where they came from as we had high winds.

I know not everyone lives in an area with tornadoes but you may have other weather like hurricanes, flooding, forest fires...whatever you have, be prepared for it. If you are instructed to hunker down or flee, heed the warnings.

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/tornado.html

https://www.travelers.com/resources/weather/tornadoes/how-to-prepare-for-tornadoes

https://www.noaa.gov/hurricane-prep

https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/wildfire.html

https://www.dnr.wa.gov/publications/rp_fire_how_to_prepare_wildfire.pdf

So here are a few sites to find information on how to prepare.

Tippy Longstockings says it is very important to be prepared, always have catnip in your bug out bag.

Missy says stay weather aware, always keep one eye on the weather.

Tippy Longstockings say if you hear the sirens, don't just roll over and go back to sleep.

Missy says listen for the sirens.

Tippy says if you find things are falling apart...find a friend.

Tippy and Missy say talk with your friend and it will be okay.

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)

Growing a garden is a very important skill. As much as I hate gardening, I still push on because it helps our budget.

I love to watch the garden grow. I just hate the work of it and dirt and bugs and weeds and watering... you get the idea.

How are you coming with your skills? I added a new one to my list...

I learned synchronized brushing...wow! Did they ever like that :p

This week I picked up a pattern and fabric from the thrift store.

So take a little time to really haunt your thrift stores. It is too costly for me to purchase fabric and patterns new or new clothes for that matter. So when I have the chance to happen by one, I stop and look to see if there is anything I can use or that would help us. Saturday I was able to stop at a few yard sales as I had some coins in my wallet. I got a bead loom for free and got four of the church type cookbooks and two cozy mysteries - a pretty good haul with just loose change. So start stopping in at yard sales and see what you can find that would help you. I know some places don't have good yard sales but it doesn't hurt to look.

This is the time of the year that is yard sale season.

I was just passing by going elsewhere and I thought I would check.

Our small town's set a day that the whole town has sales as a yearly event. There are still sales throughout the summer but this event makes it easier to hit more in one go. So check and see if your town has this as well. I know when I would go to the larger town to our north long ago there were neighborhood sales....just something you can check on.

Remember to look for things like canning jars, pressure canners, canning equipment, dehydrators, vacuum sealers, sewing machines, notions and yarn and knitting notions...  these can be found at yard sales still and I saw canning jars at the thrift store, I got the pattern so I know if you keep looking, you will find what you need.

Also, anything you may have an interest in learning, get the supplies used to see if it really is something you want to do that way you won't have a huge outlay of cash to find out you don't want to do it and end up selling at your yard sale.

Don't rule out used bookstores for books on what you want to learn.

I think the key take away is be frugal. You can do what you like still, just spend less doing it.

The news is saying the price of groceries will start to come down. I hope they are right. Either way, keep setting some aside each month for a day when something happens like a car repair or unexpected expense or a time that prices go up again.

Remember to be kind...it takes less muscles to smile than it does to frown, but kindness is a huge service to others. When things are hard sometimes people can get unkind. You may never see the affect your kindness has but it will help.

Along with that, don't be quick to be offended, 90% of the time we take things wrong or it just came out wrong, getting older has showed me that is the case....the rest just need a plate of cookies.

Just remember everyone has bad days, accept it, smile and move on.

Be someone else's good example.

Keep working at skill building and being frugal. If you can be frugal when times are good, you have a jump on the times that are bad.

Missy says if you have a bag you have everything no matter what it looks like.

Tippy Longstockings says being content is key.

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)

It sure seems like we are all in turmoil, weather is broken here, we keep getting severe weather and worse is hitting elsewhere. Having storage on hand makes it easier and faster to help others in these hard times.

It has been hard back-breaking work but I planted the strawberries and put a cover over to keep out the critters. I planted four apple trees and have gifted others. I have planted the seedlings I had started so, live or die, they are in ground. I will work with what I get.

I made up jam from the last of my raspberries and peaches I froze last year. So peach raspberry jam. 

I used some milk that needed to be used to make two quarts of yogurt and cream cuts. Someone wanted to see what they looked like...

It is like buttery pie crust on bottom and on top, the pudding in the middle is like a rich French pudding and is topped off with almond icing. Get the recipe HERE.

My husband's mom made this for us when we came in from a snowmobile date all cold. This was so good.

Because I store the basics in my storage, I had everything on hand to make it.

As you get your groceries or stop in at the store, pick up a few basics that you can tuck away like salt, baking soda, baking powder, flour, yeast, sugar, shortening...little by little it will add up.

Stick some seeds in pots if you can't garden. Every little bit helps.

I rearranged the watercolor table...it is a bit more balanced. I am tired of moving things about though so enough of that for now.

How are you coming on learning a skill? I know it is hard to find the time. Spread it out to fit your schedule. Break each part down. For example, if you got a machine and you want to make a t-shirt... Step one - learn different things about your machine. Step two - find the pattern and fabric (this might be using an adult size one to repurpose to learn on). Next step could be study the directions for pattern.

Just break things down. Plus, if you find your machine is skipping stitches on knit fabric, you need to use a ball needle.

I would throw into this next step to watch some podcasts and sew some swatches to understand your machine.

We don't need to do it all in one go. Take a learn as you go approach.

Missy says that you will get things done, don't heap too much on your to-do list, enjoy the things you do as well.

Tippy Longstockings says remember to be kind in all you do.

Monday Message

"The rationale for emergency preparedness is that by living providently and by acquiring in advance the skills and resources necessary to cope effectively with difficulties, Latter-day Saints can minimize or avoid the suffering that accompanies the unexpected.  They can also have the sense of security and peace of mind (D&C 38:30) that are essential to spiritual development."

Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 14 vols., edited by Daniel H. Ludlow (New York: Macmillan, 1992),, p. 453

I think we all see the prices rising and rising. So it is times like these that we need to find more frugal ways. Learn how to stretch what you have. Teach your kids skills they will need. Because we all have hard times. Think of hard times you have had, what do you wish you had known then. I wish I had known how to bake bread and how to stock some food for bad times. I remember when we moved to student housing, back then you could get four packages of hot dogs for a dollar and four packages of mac and cheese for a dollar. I remember one week we could get a dozen eggs, the next a bag of flour...hard times aren't all bad. They taught me how to make do and manage.

I say we never stop learning...

I wanted to show you how I remade a pair of capris pants to be my size.

I cut the center seam from cuff to cuff. Then folded them inside with side seams touching as in the picture.

..followed by the rest. I put the front of the pattern to the front which has a zipper and ties. Then I fudged the pattern about so that I could use the waist band zipper and ties, side seams and hem, and it worked great with very little sewing time. So look at your clothing and find ways to extend the life of the item.

For that matter, find different uses for things you already have instead of heading to a store.

https://kiwienergy.us/10-easy-ways-to-repurpose-and-reuse-common-household-items/ - there are some good ideas here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT6yqK4VLFg - there are some good ideas here as well, I might even try some.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58WGkkMej3s - here are some frugal ideas.

Try this week to do some more frugal things... let us know what frugal ideas you find in the comments below.

I saw a podcast where a lady showed how to make these vine balls. I love them! So this year I have started doing them with this awful vine that I usually pull and toss on the burn pile but now doing this ball, every time I find one, I add it. Kind of like war on this nasty vine and in the end I win big time.

Missy says seriously find ways to be frugal on everything, even like she shows often with her brown grocery bag.

Tippy Longstockings is in shock at the rising prices look for frugal things.