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)

If things suddenly changed in your life and there was a job loss, what would you have wished you had stored? Make a list and look at your storage and determine what you need to beef up on. But don't get anything before making sure it is something your family likes, otherwise you might as well just throw your money away. Also, make sure you have the basics stored because that will bless you the most.

https://www.familysurvivalplanning.com/food-storage-basics.html - this has some great info.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs_G03QYkOE - this is very good.

I do have to say they now say that non-instant powdered milk will last 25 plus years. I know this first-hand as I am now in year twenty-six and tastes as good as ever. I do not have mine vacuum sealed.

I live in Central Iowa and have a basement. I store it just in regular buckets with regular lid, no bay leaves - I save those for my pasta and grains and such, but mind you this is how to in my climate.  Gamma lids are fantastic. I only have two that were gifted to me, as I age I would love more.

Flour - I take it out of the paper bag it comes in as bugs like to live in the corners but in the video she freezes hers which is a good way as well. I buy my flour in the twenty pound size, no room for that in the freezer. I dump it in the bucket, put two bay leaves on top of the flour, and put the lid on, then label and date the bucket, and I store it in basement... huge note here - never store your storage right on the floor!! Put wood on the floor and then the bucket on that. I have gotten five years on the flour so I try to rotate through using my oldest first.

My buckets I had collected from bakeries, most were free but then they started charging a dollar for them. If you can't find any, you can go to Lowe's and get FOOD GRADE BUCKETS ONLY. You can get them and lids but they also have gamma lids separate, this costs to purchase but is good to know this is an option if you cannot get at the bakeries for free or low cost.

https://www.theideadoor.com/home-family-resources/self-reliance/food-storage/everything-under-the-sun/ - this is good, click the X on the note and there is tons of information there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dH1jOuFO9M - she talks about storage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z32C8xwGwfk

https://valleyfoodstorage.com/blogs/inside-vfs/how-to-start-food-storage-essentials-for-beginners

I thought we would dig more deeply into storing food.

Also learning basic skills...

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2017/08/monday-message_28.html

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2019/12/monday-message_9.html

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2021/08/monday-message_16.html

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2020/01/monday-message.html

What are some basic skills you are wanting to learn this year? Write in the comments below.

Be sure to be thrifting for things that will help you be frugal.

Looking at things outside the box... Tippy is showing you mats that I picked up for free. They are children's mats to play on but for me, I knew right away what I would use them for and that is to block out projects.

Learn to plant stuff in pots or in the garden. This isn't a fun one for me as I hate gardening all to bits but I know it is a skill so I am still learning even though I hate it. I know it is important for us to be able to have food and to help with the cost as we can all see that the prices are still continuing to climb.

This last year I saved seed for next year, even seed prices have gone up.

Learning to sew is huge. Check out thrift stores for patterns. Also look for fabric either in too big of clothing that you can use the fabric for and even sweaters to reuse yarn for other items you need.

https://www.roseryapparel.com/videos/ultimate-gathered-dress - this gal makes the best dresses out of sheets and tablecloths. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxrCz8wFX1c - we have talked about unraveling sweaters before but here is another.

These are all frugal things to do.

A time may come that every arrow in our frugal quiver will be needed so learning now will help you then.

Missy says keep learning skills, they will help you in huge ways!

Tippy Longstockings says this is the year to start learning these things...DON'T PUT IT OFF!

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 think it will take all our skills in the coming years. Add to those skills as quickly as you can. Learn to make more from scratch meals and look for some frugal recipes and learn more frugal ways to save on the things you usually do. Try to cut down the spending even if you think you cannot do more, you will be surprised by little things you can do.

Try learning frugal meals so you can find favorites. If you learn frugal desserts and bread, I think your family will be okay with being testers. Then have them rate the meal one to ten and you build a binder of what everyone liked. Then make your basic purchases around these items.

I think you will like the meals that you find.

Also keep putting items in your pantry storage.

https://www.thespruceeats.com/standard-kitchen-supplies-for-your-pantry-1808020 - here are some ideas.

But remember, I keep saying store the basics and build your knowledge to know how to use them.

Frequent your thrift stores and yard sales to find things that can help you be more frugal like canners, dehydrators etc.

Over the years, I would gather things like these used and every bit of it has saved us money and has continued to serve us well over the years.

I have been working on this hat. I got the pattern free but the yarn that it calls for is $25 said the designer. Well you know that is not in my budget, so I decided to use some roving that I spin and use it by striping the same size from it and using that. As you see, it worked. I tell you this to show you to think outside the box. You could even undo a sweater using that size yarn from a thrift shop but check the inside seams to be sure they are not serged, those will not work.

https://blog.tincanknits.com/2021/02/04/how-to-recycle-yarn-from-second-hand-sweaters/ - this will help you understand how to.

Many years ago I found this pizzelle maker at a thrift store for five dollars. I had always wanted one. It is the black one in the picture here.

Here are the cookies I make in it.

The cookies are so delicate and taste like a waffle ice cream cones but can be done with other flavorings.

Hear is the recipe I used...

Krumkake (a Norwegian cookie)

One stick butter melted

1 c. Sugar

2 Eggs

A scant one cup of milk, I used powdered milk mixed up (a frugal tip from me)

1 1/2 c. Flour

You mix this all together, stir well. Then have your maker hot and ready to go. Then put a tbsp of batter on each and close. This cooks very fast so you need to stay with it.

I have always hear that these are Italian cookies but for this recipe it said a Norwegian cookie. I have seen several podcasters from Norway make these.

Wherever they come from, they're delicious!

I had always wanted one but they were too expensive. Finding it for five dollars was a wonderful surprise!

So as you start your new year, don't rule out thrifting to help you save money.

Missy says prices won't be coming down soon, so find a frugal work around.

Tippy says no matter how hard things get, keep a stiff upper lip - we can do it!

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)

Well at the time of this post it is the thirteenth of December by the time you read it. Christmas will be over, I hope everyone had a great Christmas!

This afternoon at four we are to get freezing rain which will go through the night and until noon tomorrow. I am glad we don't have to be out in it for sure. It does remind me of when our girls were youngsters, we had such an event, however there was snow on the ground.  And this freezing rain encased the snow... we all went out with pennies and skidded them across the ice encrusted snow. We had a great time and to this day we are finding those pennies in the driveway - a happy memory for us all :)

We all turn our thoughts to the New Year....

Many economists are saying higher prices ahead. I hope they are wrong but we should be ready for that just in case. Remember, every time you go into a store, pick up one thing for your storage.

I don't really do resolutions but I plan to learn new skills, learn more frugal ways of doing things, and also to be content with/using what we have - I feel this is a skill as well.

I think finding joy will be a good thing to do this coming year.

Finding ways to slow down and enjoy the spaces between the lines would be a good thing too. I feel sometimes I am running from one thing to the next.

I have been watching many water-coloring tutorials so I hope to put it all into practice this new year.

I started some Christmas baking...

This is my favorite, it is julekaga. It is like a stollen with frosting, very yummy.

I use this recipe and add 1/8 tsp. cardamom and add half a cup or some more of candied fruit and fourth a cup of raisins and handful chopped almonds. Then I have a frosting of powder sugar, two tbsp. butter and half tsp. almond flavoring, a little hot water, mix till you get the consistency you want and then put on these breads which I make into these shapes. You could make whatever shapes you want, then when frosted I sprinkle with sliced almonds yum.

The first holiday puzzle is finished...

I have pulled another out to get it started.

I finished up this little mitten I was making to hang on the knitting bag where it now lives. Yay!

I have a mitten I will be working on over winter - the speedy Selbu mittens, remember it is before Christmas as I write this and it will be my Christmas Eve cast on.

I look forward to making them. I will be using what I have on hand, so that is my plan. Sounds relaxing to me.

I hope that you are slowing down and looking to the new year.

Some make bean soup out of the leftover Christmas ham to bring prosperity in the coming year as a tradition. I like bean soup sound warm and inviting.

Missy says practice frugality this year.

Tippy Longstockings says be sure to rest more this coming year.

We all wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

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 this post should come out a couple days before Christmas....You are all very tired maybe very stressed as well.

So I thought we should all have this post about Hygge...

hyg·ge

/ˈho͞oɡə,ˈho͝oɡə/

noun

A quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).

"Why not follow the Danish example and bring more hygge into your daily life?"

So light some candles and get some hot cocoa and I shall find wonderful hygge things... are you set?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YDTNVDo6oA&t=12shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YDTNVDo6oA&t=12s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOAppAbd5yw&t=3shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOAppAbd5yw&t=3s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DWl3QBrUtkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DWl3QBrUtk

https://sohnne.com/danish-hygge/https://sohnne.com/danish-hygge/

https://www.instagram.com/mindthehygge/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/mindthehygge/?hl=en

Are you feeling calmer yet???

Take a trip to the library and check out hygge books and books to cozy up with.

https://www.31daily.com/adopt-nordic-hygge-cozy-home/

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/11037/aebleskiver/https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/11037/aebleskiver/ - you can put half the batter in then jelly or jam, then finish with more batter. When you have turned them and they are done, sprinkle with powdered sugar. Yum! You can also do with applesauce instead of the jam.

https://www.daringgourmet.com/aebleskiver/https://www.daringgourmet.com/aebleskiver/ - fun read.

Yes, cinnamon rolls are part of that feeling.

Soups and stews and rolls and bread freshly baked.

We got an inch and a half of snow this week and cold, brrrrr!!

I think sitting by the fire and knitting is a hygge thing to do

https://urbanmamaz.com/last-minute-diy-christmas-gift-ideas-everyone-will-love/ - this is for just in case you still need some gifts.

Missy says take time to ponder and be cozy.

Tippy Longstockings says she is demonstrating how to do hygge - first, get a piece of tissue paper, then, lay on it and go to sleep and hope your mom doesn't take a picture!

Hope you have a merry Christmas from all of us!!

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)

At the time I am writing this, it is the last day of November and a cold windy day. By the time you read this two weeks from now you will have a week or so till Christmas.

So a reminder - this time of year should be joyous, giving goodwill, and doing kind things for others.

You are probably very tired and very much poorer...maybe it is time to make simpler traditions and more meaningful time with your loved ones.              

I think times could become more difficult in the year ahead so take time to ponder if that is the case...what can we do? What more can you cut? How much farther can you tighten the belt?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbUdc5u9G3Q - I like what she is doing. I have done this for years, I also love to get thrifted gifts. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXxZ6yZh5gM - watch this for gift giving, used things are fantastic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-AfCzFaMUE - wouldn't these be fun to gift?

As we move into the new year, you might put thrifting into your plans. I think I would be happy with any of these gifts.

I finished the Christmas stocking knit-along. This was free and I used what yarn I had in my house. The one I did this year is on the right. The one I did last year is on the left. I used off-white yarn, again using what I had in my house. This has been a fun, free activity

The sock in the center I made years and years ago. It will hold the cat toys for the kittens in it.

This will be our third year of doing advent. I thought they would be fun three years ago to do, it was something different and we loved it. So I got things from the thrift store all year and put them in lunch paper bags and put our initials on except for two days, one for my husband's b-day and of course Christmas, as it has a special treat. 

We do this more frugally than getting each other gifts, which was frugal then too, it was a trip to the used bookstore but our budget only allows this right now. And you probably are thinking, if I know what is in those not much fun, but I remind you I did little things all year long and I have fibromyalgia so I can't remember. These are just small gifts, a pair of dollar tree socks, stuff that we need. Some are very funny, so fun will be had.

We read the scriptures in the morning and that is when we open that day's gift.

Even the cat's toys were thrifted. They have to wait for Christmas Day though and we too will have stuff in our socks, each of us will get a toothbrush, not exciting, and an orange, maybe an apple, peppermint sticks, stuff like that.

So have fun. It doesn't have to cost lots. Find a fun, more frugal tradition because prices sure have not come down.

If you do a little each month of the year, it won't be hard to get nor will there be sticker shock.

Missy says be wise and be frugal (it isn't a dirty word) and you can be creative and be frugal.

Tippy Longstockings says don't push yourself so hard, find time to rest, and a gift you can give yourself.

Monday Message

"The counsel to have a year’s supply of basic food, clothing, and commodities was given fifty years ago and has been repeated many times since. Every father and mother are the family’s storekeepers. They should store whatever their own family would like to have in the case of an emergency … [and] God will sustain us through our trials." (James E. Faust)

With so many things uncertain everywhere, it makes good sense to have storage in our homes to help us weather any storm a lot easier.

It can help us in good times as well. Like when there's an unexpected expense or a snow storm you don't want to go out in. Or any number of reasons. I can't figure out one reason not to have storage.

At the time of writing this blog post, this is what the stocking looks like. Still have the top ribbing and the heel, which will be two days - so a total of three days and this will be done.  It has been a fun free thing to do. Plus, it is helping me develop my colorwork knitting skills.

Missy and Tippy Longstockings popped in here to remind you to put in a supply of pet food as well.

Since it is Christmas time, I thought I would share my little Christmas collection here. I thought this year I would get them down and dust them off. I have had these for so long I don't even remember how I started collecting them. They all were used I know that.

Share some of your traditions with us in the comments below!

https://www.raegunramblings.com/mason-jar-pin-cushion-tutorial/ - this would be a great gift idea.

https://celebrate-creativity.com/my_weblog/2012/12/sugar-cookie-sack.html - you could use your favorite recipe and do this as well.

https://www.hometalk.com/posts/craft/holiday-gifts/how-to-wrap-baked-goods-24320458 - these are a few last minute gift ideas.

Missy says shop the sales and get some storage ahead.

Tippy Longstockings says this is a taxing time of year, remember to take rest and care for yourself!

Monday Message

"The best food storage is not in welfare grain elevators but in sealed cans and bottles in the homes of our people. What a gratifying thing it is to see cans of wheat and rice and beans under the beds or in the pantries of women who have taken welfare responsibility into their own hands. Such food may not be tasty, but it will be nourishing if it has to be used." (President Gordon B. Hinckley)

Yes, having it in home is best. Plus, when there are calamities in your neck of the woods, you can be ready to help.

I have a feeling a lot more are going to be coming, so it's good to be prepared.

This time of year is a great time to stock ahead as there are so many sales. We need to keep getting, using, replacing our storage.

Well, at the time of this writing, here is how far I am with the Christmas sock knit-along...

The yellow string is where the heel will go at the end is my guess. When we finish the ribbing but we will see we never know what the six rows will be until we get them each day.

It has been a fun free thing to do and since I did the one last year as well, we will use them both this year for old-fashioned things in like an orange, an apple, some peppermint stick, some nuts for Christmas day.

This will be our third year of doing advent bags to open. The bags just have little things in each bag, just something fun. Like I got a package of pens that write different colors at the thrift store. I tucked those in a bag. 

Funny story, I had remembered I got them. I knew I had as I tested them to see if they were good. So I thought, I know I got them but was looking for them in my locations of pens. I gave up and figured I will find them later. Then I remembered I put them in a bag. Too funny. So I can't remember what is in my bags and I packed them. So it will be funny to see what I get as I do this through the year, hence not remembering. 

For us, this is more frugal than purchasing gifts for each other. With tight times, this I could do and we have fun so that is what we are doing. As for the rest, I used my skills and made gifts to give. With the new cheap as we could find health insurance and huge medicine prices, we could make two or three car payments for that amount, good grief. It has been a hugely costly year so I am thankful to have built up some skills that I could make gifts and stretch groceries. It hasn't been easy but I feel thankful to my past self for learning these skills.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cjz3oGVdRI - this gal is teaching basic sewing, so watch her and learn if you had sewing as one of the skills you wanted to learn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wzGNbVXQWI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uReOIkY9qWs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8K5zXSG-rI

Now if you watched these, you just got a lot of learning for free.

Being able to do this for free and learn at your own pace is a wonderful thing. Plus, don't rule out books you can get at the library to learn with as well.

As you go to your thrift shops, look for patterns.

Being able to make clothes for myself or take in suits or clothes for my husband and I, has been so helpful this year as we both lost weight.

Now, just to see if you are still paying attention, see if you can find tippy in the following picture...

Well done!!!!

https://talkpoverty.org/2016/01/05/surviving-holidays-poor/index.html we need to not go overboard with spending.

https://www.onebeautifulhomeblog.com/create-magical-christmas-no-money/

https://www.scarymommy.com/low-income-family-christmas

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2014/12/monday-message.html - this is our favorite story to read during the Christmas season. See if you can check it out from your library.

https://www.foodstoragemoms.com/preparedness-gift-ideas/ - for those who have a little more to spend.

You could make food boxes with pasta and sauce, fruit and veggies, all food storage items to your kids who maybe are struggling. As a gift, toss in pasta, spoon, strainer, favorite recipes, some muffin mixes with pans. Just put your thinking cap on. In the bottom, I would put a favorite treat so they can find it.

https://successfulhomemakers.com/dont-throw-it-away-how-to-re-use-old-food-containers/ - I like the one with rice in for an I-spy toy.

https://www.pinterest.com/veebee7/cute-containers-for-food-gifts/

https://blueandhazel.com/christmas-on-a-budget-kids

One thing I always liked doing was I wanted the kids to open one gift that was a kit to give them something to make on Christmas Day...

https://livingwellmom.com/christmas-playdough-kit/

https://www.thedatingdivas.com/50-diy-gift-kits-for-kids/ - I think this will get your juices flowing.

The one thing I want to point out is that gifts don't have to be expensive. DON'T GO INTO DEBT! Just play, eat, and enjoy time together.

Missy says it is the simple things.

Tippy Longstockings says be crazy sometimes too, think outside the box.