Monday Message

"You do not need to go into debt, may I add, to obtain a year’s supply. Plan to build up your food supply just as you would a savings account. Save a little for storage each pay-check." (President Ezra Taft Benson)

When you go to the store, always pick up at least one item to put in your storage. If you can only spend a dollar, then pick up something that your family likes. Think how many times you go to the store in a week. This is not as painful as big purchases. You'll be surprised how fast your storage adds up.

Be sure to stock up on those basics: flour, sugar, rice etc.

The election will be over by the time this comes out. We voted early and at that we were in line for fifty minutes.

At the time I am writing this the election is five days away. I try to keep a couple messages ahead incase I get sick or have computer issues.

My husband took off his "I voted" sticker and put it by the door bell. What a great idea - stops all the flyers and such.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2013/10/monday-message-fugal-christmas.html - look at that date... 2013. Back then I was a Provident Living teacher and teaching classes in my home.  So ignore that part about classes at our home, now I just do the blog.

I have been busy working on things for Christmas which is coming very fast. So is winter. Tonight is to be 32 degrees brrrr! I know some of you are going into warmer weather, but it is brrrrr here.

Soon this will be coming our way... oh dear.

The garden looks dead and cold. The leaves are blowing off the trees. Soon white cold snow will appear.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2014/10/monday-message.html

So those of you who are heading into winter, are you ready? Make sure your hoses are disconnected.

Make sure you have your winter car kit in the car.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2014/09/monday-message_15.html -this has info on a car kit and what should be in your car for if you get into trouble on bad roads.

Make sure you have non-perishable items in your storage in case you are snowbound for a time. Also, pack a box for an elderly neighbor or friend as well.  

I always start watching the weather more closely to be ready for blizzards and such.

I like to set the shovel inside by the door for when it is needed.

Those of you heading into warmer weather, be putting seeds in the ground or pots because every little bit helps that budget.

https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/tips/g645/crafty-christmas-presents-ideas/ - some fun Christmas gift ideas.

https://permies.com/wiki/handmade-gift-ideas - more ideas.

https://wholefully.com/homemade-soup-mixes-in-a-jar/#mv-creation-292-jtr - soup mixes as gifts.

https://julieblanner.com/how-to-make-a-teepee/ - so I would love this if I were a kid.

These will get you thinking of ideas.

Missy says keep your eye on the grocery store flyers this time of year for stocking storage.

Tippy Longstockings says when you cannot take it any longer, it is OK to block out the world and rest.

Monday Message

"Preparedness, when properly pursued, is a way of life, not a sudden, spectacular program. We could refer to all the components of personal and family preparedness, not in relation to holocaust or disaster, but in cultivating a life-style that is on a day-to-day basis its own reward." (President Spencer W. Kimball)

Yes, if we incorporated preparedness into our daily life, it would just become everyday, the same goes for living frugally.

It isn't such a hard thing to do. I can tell you that if you live frugally and then something happens that is financial, it is just what you are used to... hope that makes sense.

It is also not such a huge step when something goes wrong.

This brings us back to storing the basics - stuff to make things with. For example, you can get a muffin mix or you can get flour and things that are basic ingredients. And now you could make biscuits, bread, pancakes, cookies, pies... I think you get the idea. The basics are flour, sugar, brown sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder, shortening, yeast. If you store basic things, you can make so much more and stretch what you have.

https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/a10476/stocking-up-the-printable-list/ - this site has a printable list.

https://food.unl.edu/article/basic-foods-checklist-how-stock-your-kitchen-simple-meals

https://www.goingzerowaste.com/blog/make-at-home-instead-of-buying/ 

https://www.cooksmarts.com/cooking-guides/create-a-functional-kitchen/pantry-essentials/

https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/pantry-staples-you-can-make-at-home/ - this has things that that you can make at home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIjoSjmssLg&list=PLjIyprssAj9I5qiv-yCa8f5VkG1YTxtt4&index=1&t=61s - this is a very good pancake mix you can make that you only need to add water to when you make them.

https://www.littlehouseliving.com/scone-mix-recipe.html#scone-mix-recipe - this is also one I keep on hand as you just need water and whatever you want to put into them - wonderful!

And what a great tip - you can make it up, put in a jar, and add a tag then give as a gift. That goes for either of these recipes.

https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/grocery-store-foods-to-make-at-home/ - things that would cost less to do yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=T6Zn_mR6awU - making things instead of purchasing. I think when the price of canned soup went way up this became a great thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gVCBZSx4Pw - she has some great ideas.

I think we just need to try things. I, too, made yogurt that was awful at first but now we have it every day.

I make the yogurt cubes up as someone in the comments mentioned doing these and it really does save us tons of money. I just put a batch in the freezer to use as my yogurt starter because I just used up the last of the cubes I had in the freezer. So I'll be getting those stocked in the freezer for the next batches I will make. When those run out, I make them again. Thank you for suggesting making these yogurt cubes - you know who you are :)

When I say everyday I mean it....

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2023/12/monday-message_11.html - scroll down, you will find the recipe here and yes, that is how thick it is. Now I don't add sugar so you will need to add jam or syrup on it. We like it with maple syrup and my granola on it.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2023/06/monday-message_19.html - you can find the recipe here on this post. It's the best recipe. I have been using it for the past few years, same with the yogurt.

If I had quit after the first time I made it, I would not have kept trying till I got these recipes. In fact, I have yogurt going now in the ice chest.

So save money and try some of these things.

Missy says to store the basics and you will be making things when storms rage outside.

Tippy Longstockings says yes to storing food and to show you she does this too, she is showing you a picture...

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)

Well finally some fall temps arrived. Remember to do your winter preps by unhooking your hose, clearing gutters, and the like.

Now we all need to be thinking ahead to Christmas, getting gifts ready and such

We went and voted early yesterday at the time I'm writing this and I thought we'd just go into vote and be out... ha! It was a fifty minute wait. Wow! And the line was still long behind us. We haven't been in this kind of line for voting in over forty years. It has just been in with two people ahead of us, vote, and back out. Not this time.

So we had this big cardboard box and I was telling a young friend about it and that I was going to do something for the cats with it. She pulled out her little sketchbook and designed a thing to make for the cats. I took her designed and tried to closely follow it...

Tippy approved it. Missy will have to warm up to it yet.

So here are some homespun Christmas ideas...

https://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/11/no-cook-cinnamon-ornaments.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes

https://craftsbyamanda.com/corrugated-cardboard-snowman-ornaments/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/138837601007931528/

https://discover.hubpages.com/holidays/Gift-Wrapping-Ideas

https://www.calicoandtwine.com/blog/homespun-decorations - this is just a calm bit of inspiration.

https://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/scrap-fabric-tree-ornaments/

https://upcyclemystuff.com/the-upcyclers-guide-to-gift-wrapping/

https://www.dadshop.com.au/blog/guides/40-almost-free-christmas-gift-ideas-with-little-or-no-money/

https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/tips/g645/crafty-christmas-presents-ideas/

https://www.eatingonadime.com/christmas-puppy-chow-recipe/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes

https://orisonorchards.com/how-to-have-an-awesome-christmas-on-a-tight-budget/ 

So now this has your gears going, right? It is not too soon to get started.

The most important thing is don't over spend, don't go in debt, don't keep up with the joneses... you get it

But remember this has been a hard year on so many people.

I might suggest....

Care packages

A favorite recipe with all the ingredients

Basket of batteries 

Basket of light bulbs

Homemade bread

Share your ideas in the comments below.

Missy said don't get yourself run down this year.

Tippy Longstockings says try to spread things out so you can rest some.

Monday Message

"You do not need to go into debt, may I add, to obtain a year’s supply. Plan to build up your food supply just as you would a savings account. Save a little for storage each pay-check." (President Ezra Taft Benson)

You can see with the hurricane people helping people - those who have some food helping those who do not. Having storage makes that possible. It is such a sad catastrophe, we never know what can happen.

So put a bit away for any situation.

I have been praying hard for them that they will get the help needed quickly. It sounds like the government has been on top of it getting needed items there. It is a good work they are doing for all and a good work neighbors and communities are doing as well.

I have continued to fall clean here. The weather has been nice fall weather. I say this because tomorrow in the middle of the 70 degree temps there will be one day of 90 degrees, what?! Just out of the blue.

My goal as I am aging is to make things more streamline to have my kitchen flow much easier. With fibromyalgia I need to keep things out ready to use always. So that means in the sewing room my machines are out and plugged in ready to go. In the kitchen, other people can put appliances in a cupboard, mine stay out like mixers and such. With a tiny space, it is always a creative venture to make it all work. So I continue on with that.

It helps me with food prep and that is a good thing for sure!

The cats are getting good screen time - they love it! Soon it will be too cold to have the doors open.

My cozy spinning spot is ready for me to finish the spinning project I am almost done with.

Working on the rug loom as I go by and currently working on a scarf. The pattern is called Nestled Blooms.

As soon as I am finished fall cleaning, I have a jumper I want to sew and I have a hat cast on. There's so many projects I have ready. 

Soon we will be cold enough for running the fireplace. Raggedy Ann cannot wait.

If you can check this book out from your library, it would be worth it. I got it at a yard sale some years ago. I took a picture of these two pages so you can understand what I am saying about her book.

If under step one you only have the items on the left, you can make the items on the right. She has recipes for everything. But if you add just these few things to your storage, in step two you can make the list on the right so much more. She shows this for more steps and just adding a little more to your storage gets you many more options. Like I said, she gives you recipes most of the book is recipes that are fantastic.

What are you doing to stock up or build a skill? Leave a comment below. Are you also a fall cleaning type?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HOCPtcy85I - great on mending.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSUJjR3oAjM - part two.

I thought this might apply to those getting out their winter wear and to those putting away their winter wear. I thought these were very helpful.

It is the end of harvest time for me. I have some more squash out in the garden yet to bring in. 

Missy says every little bit you stick away can help others as well as yourself.

Tippy Longstockings says keep working on your skill building, nobody wants a hole in your fur.

Monday Message

"As we have been continuously counseled for more than 60 years, let us have some food set aside that would sustain us for a time in case of need. But let us not panic nor go to extremes. Let us be prudent in every respect. And, above all, my brothers and sisters, let us move forward with faith in the Living God and His Beloved Son." (President Gordon B. Hinckley)

My garden is nearing the end of this season. I have been saving seed for next year.

I know some have asked if they grow when you save it, and so far, for me, the seeds have grown and produced very well. So think about seed as you have that watermelon or squash.

This week I have been doing my fall clean-out. I have started in my closet, which is close to the one side of the bed. So I set stuff on there to try on or go through... I tell you this to set the stage...

Tippy Longstockings loves being able to look out the screen door at birds, rabbits, squirrels, and chipmunks. With the chipmunks, she lunges at the screen. Well, she lunged and it pulled a little away from the frame. Meanwhile, I am working upstairs on the cleaning.

A chipmunk, we shall call Alvin, came in through that spot but Tippy, ever vigilant, caught it and brought it up to me. With stuff piled on the bed, I was working on folding something on the other side when Tippy jumps up and startles Missy who hissed startling Tippy who dropped Alvin on the bed, startling him and he took a running jump off the bed. That is when I saw him. Tippy Longstockings says, WHAT? I did my job the first time! It took awhile but Alvin has since been captured and let out in his outdoor home and is probably telling stories about being inside the big house. So my week has pretty much been a busy one but I push on I say.

I did manage to weave but not so much, just enough to see I had it threaded correctly.

I have also chopped the last of the tomatoes and some zucchini for the freezer for winter use.

Smarty pants me thought yay! I am making headway on the zucchini... then I went out to find three more hiding, oh dear.

This week I got my glasses in the mail. We order them through Zenni Optical for a fraction of what they would cost.

I will continue to clean and get ready for winter up here where I live though for some reason it keeps thinking it is summer with these warmer than usual temperatures.

https://simplefrugallife.org/2024/09/18/be-gentle-with-yourself/ - I thought this was a nice article, we all need to be nicer to ourselves.

https://www.littlehouseliving.com/frugal-living-tips/frugally-fit - I love this gal and have mentioned her before.

https://www.providenthomecompanion.com/what-is-provident-living-really/ - interesting read.

Keep working on your storage. Look for sale items and watch your budget.

https://www.mumsnet.com/articles/how-to-do-christmas-on-a-budget - it is getting time to think on these things again. If we can think about it early, we can budget better.

Missy says to take time to ponder when life gets busy.

Tippy Longstockings says to tend your preps, sometimes things get away from you...like Alvin.

Monday Message

"The revelation to produce and store food may be as essential to our temporal welfare today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah." (President Ezra Taft Benson)

It is very important to have storage ahead especially with so many disasters happening around the world which we have no control of. Hurricanes here in my country have caused so much devastation and loss of life. Those who had shared what they had with others set great examples for us all.  

I feel like things happen so fast, one thing isn't done before another catastrophe happens. Because of this, I feel it is even more important to keep your storage up - for yourself and others.

I like to keep the basics in my storage so I can make any recipe like bread, rolls, English muffin bread, hamburger buns, cake, and cookies just as an example. Food is often what we think of first but also clothing, sanitary needs, first aid kits, and household needs.

As we have been discussing the great importance of skills...

https://www.creeksidesimplicity.com/25-homemaking-skills-you-should-know/ 

https://www.artfulhomemaking.com/8-useful-skills-grandmothers-knew/

https://onehomelyhouse.com/modern-homemaking-101-the-basics/

https://www.queenofthehousehold.com/homemaking-skills/

These will be inspiring to you.

What are you working on for skills? Leave a comment below!

I am trying to learn more on weaving as one of my skills. This is overshot that I am working on in this picture. It will be a scarf.

I cut the last of the rhubarb so now only a few more butternut squash just before it freezes and then I am done gardening. While in the garden I found this huge cucumber who was hiding. I plan to use his seeds to dry for next year but thought he needed to say hi to all of you.

https://www.cheaprecipeblog.com/2013/07/rhubarb-custard-cake-recipe/ - Mary Ann sent this recipe. I have ingredients on hand and will make with the rhubarb before freezing the rest. Thank you for sharing!

https://whitegunpowder.com/halloween-chocolate-pretzel-spider-webs/ - I saw this neat idea this week. Yum! I say and ready for Halloween.

https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/holidays-celebrations/gifts/g33416427/diy-christmas-gifts/ - Next on our list and coming fast.

https://www.pinterest.com/loriclem/homemade-christmas-gifts/ headache salve sounds good since I got bonked by a tree branch we were taking down.

https://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/ways-save-money-christmas/ - love this gal.

https://www.christianhomekeeper.com/all-the-frugal-christmas-ideas/ - on here lots of people tell frugal ideas for Christmas.

Take time for yourself as you start in on a busy time of year - this is the best of all idea as we just keep pushing through but we are important as well.

Missy says fill your basket with joy and happiness.

Tippy Longstockings says with all that is going on please take a break for yourself.

Monday Message

"We can begin ever so modestly. We can begin with a one week’s food supply and gradually build it to a month, and then to three months. I am speaking now of food to cover basic needs. . .I fear that so many feel that a long-term food supply is so far beyond their reach that they make no effort at all. . .Begin in a small way, … and gradually build toward a reasonable objective." (President Gordon B. Hinckley)

I have been noticing today busy little squirrels burying walnuts while they are preparing for winter so we should be busy getting ready for winter too.

Make sure you have stuff on hand for illness as you won't feel like going to the store when you or your family is sick.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2016/11/monday-message_21.html - in this post I have some sick plan ideas.

What outside things do you need to tend before winter or summer (depending where you live)? If you are heading into spring, is your gardening plans at the ready? I hate to think that soon I will be shoveling a walkway. We have fall right now but it is hot at the time I am writing this. We'll go from 84 degrees tomorrow to 64 the day after. I am ready for fall like temperatures, fall is my favorite time of year.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2016/09/monday-message_26.html - in this post you will find my all time favorite pumpkin streusel muffins. I love them! They say fall but I like them all year long!

I feel like my week has been filled with getting the loom warped for the next project. The picture with the black and white strip of paper is the back of the loom. I am threading the heddles, I made that strip of paper so it is easier to see. I move a clip as I do a heddle.

Missy wanted to jump in here to remind you to be learning those very important skills like crocheting, so you can have a warm cover up when it is cold.

Tippy Longstockings wanted to also jump in but she wanted you to see her fine coat with the black stripe down her back... She says, do you have your coats ready to unpack for when your season gets cold?

https://valleyfoodstorage.com/blogs/inside-vfs/how-to-start-food-storage-essentials-for-beginners - this has very good information on putting in your storage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-x88m8_6Ac - per Missy's suggestion, here is how to crochet a granny square which is what she was sitting on.

I have a friend who would learn one skill till she was good at it then pick another. This is a great way to build those skills.

If you think, why should I do this? Think how much do you spend on gifts? A lot of our skills can be used to share with others.

https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-us/l/knitting/knitting-patterns/free-knitting-patterns/free-hat-knitting-patterns - here are a lot of free hat patterns for you to make for when you get cold weather.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USAr7TFXcv0 - here are some very basic sewing gifts to make, I think they are great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPzwVCpv7J4

Missy knows one of the best ways to learn is from a book!

Tippy Longstockings says if all else fails, look cute!