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)

Keep trying to learn those skills - I can't stress this enough. We have a mindset that we can't do certain things because that is why we have professionals. But we need to retrain ourselves into the "I think I can" mindset. While it is true we won't be able to do some things, there is so much we can do ourselves.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpzKCNothHA - I think she does an excellent job helping you start a sourdough starter.

https://budgetgirl.com/10-shelf-stable-easy-meals-you-can-make-almost-entirely-from-cans/ - I like this gal.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N_J1usgyu1ZWdH-9c9P0AV7JU-6xfONv/view

https://budgetgirl.com/diy-shelf-stable-cake-dessert-kits-bake-anytime-without-a-grocery-run/ - I think having some of these in your pantry for sick days or when you drop off a meal for a new mom, take one of these along as well... she can use them when she needs.

I think these would be great to have a few on hand in your short-term storage for bad days. That said, I want to emphasize that you really need to have things in storage to be able to cook from scratch.

Think if you had a bucket of flour (you need more than a bucket, this is just an example) From this bucket, what could you make from scratch? Bread, cinnamon rolls, cookies of all kinds, hamburger buns, biscuits, noodles, pizza, quick breads, pancakes, waffles, crepes, popovers, pie, cake... you get the drift. It just doesn't make pizza, it makes many more things. This can be done because you stored the basic ingredients to be able to make anything that calls for flour.

This is why I emphasize getting in the basics. If you buy a one box of a mix then it isn't as versatile and won't last as long.

So get those basic ingredients in your storage.

https://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2018/02/pantry-essentials.html

https://maritimegardening.substack.com/p/what-are-basic-ingredients

https://www.livingafrugallife.com/how-to-cook-from-scratch/

These are just some lists that may help. Not everything listed would be what your family likes and you need to store what you eat and eat what you store. If you don't, you will waste your money and now is not the time to do that.

The first weekend in April is our general conference and we have a standing tradition of cinnamon rolls and chili - yum! You can watch it here as they replay it lds.org. By the time this comes out it will have happened.

Make yourself some cinnamon rolls and chili while you watch - yum! You can use recipes HERE for the dough. Remember, how I tell you we always have ingredients on hand for chocolate cake? Same thing for cinnamon rolls and chili.

Now is the time to really look at your storage with a critical eye. Are there areas you need to build up? Now is the time.

Here where I am, which is smack dab in the middle of the US, it is time for us to start our seeds. Last week, I told how I followed someone's method to start seeds in wet paper towels. These were those seeds and they are doing great. Well I plan to try this with other seeds but need to wait just a bit first.

So be studying up on growing food. Now is the time to learn and grow what you can.

Prices are going to go up a lot more so we must do what we can to make do. 

And you all know how I hate gardening so bad but I continue to garden to help with these tight hard times. When it comes to putting seeds in the ground, May 15 is the day for us so I need to have my seedlings ready by then.

During these hard times all of us are having around the world, we have to work harder and learn skills we did not think we would learn.

This is not a short-lived thing. We are in it for the long haul. We need to make-do and to buckle up - it might be a very hard trip. Our ancestors made things work, we can too.

Missy says keep building your storage, you bless your family by doing it.

Tippy Longstockings says build your skills, they are free to learn on YouTube - take time to learn every day.

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 continue as we can, a little at a time, to be working on our storage. We are living in uncertain times for sure. The problem is it just doesn't effect the United States but all other countries too.

Well, we did end up having another blizzard Sunday and Monday this last week (two weeks ago from when you read this) and I am really ready for winter to end.

This week, I made the bow and bowl cover out of scraps I had.

This is a great beginner sewing project and would make a nice gift as well. This is from this video she takes you through every detail... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLxfGLZqFOU

This week, I also made cornflake no-bake cookies.

Cornflake cookies

Melt one cup of peanut butter (I use crunchy) with one bag of butterscotch chips (regular size bag) on low heat, then stir in six cups of cornflakes. Then drop on parchment paper or wax paper - you can use those cereal liners that are in your box of cereal, so save those for things like this.

This is what they look like and how many you get from this recipe.

You won't be able to eat just one - yum!

https://www.littlehouseliving.com/cooking-tips-from-the-great-depression.html - great ideas here.

Keep working to build those skills. 

Start a sourdough starter. This is the starter I like to start with, there are many you can choose from but this is the one I use to start with.

Modern starter

1 1/4 tsp active dry yeast

2 cups unsifted flour

2 tbsp sugar

2 1/2 cups water

Combine ingredients in a nonmetal bowl, beat well, cover with cheese cloth or a dish towel and let set for two days in a warm spot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xV3hvnKYPM - this is my favorite gal for sourdough. You could do her way as well. I just need it to start sooner but she has a whole playlist for sourdough - what to make with, discard, etc.

In the link below she uses discard to dehydrate it without a dehydrator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6uU8rMdkT0 - this is fantastic. I like that it takes no special equipment to make.

Be thinking about Christmas gifts as you go along this spring. That said, shipping prices will be horrendous with gas prices so high.

Tackle one of the skills you want to learn at a time - just like building storage one thing at a time.

https://www.littlehouseliving.com/homemaking-skills.html

https://www.artfulhomemaking.com/pinafore-apron-pattern/ - this is a good beginner sewing project as well, don't rule out old tablecloths or sheets for the fabric. I have an old tablecloth that I am planning to make dish towels from.

https://www.artfulhomemaking.com/how-to-sew-cloth-napkins/ - here she shows how to make cloth napkins.

https://www.artfulhomemaking.com/old-fashioned-homemaking-skills/ - she has many things listed, I only pulled two as an example.

There are many skills out there to learn. Do some research on what would be the most helpful to your family and start with that one first.

Do the best you can at these things, they will bless you and your family in good times as well as bad times.

Missy says you can do these things - she knows you can!

Tippy Longstockings says try to find that joy in all you do.

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)

This is two weeks ago at the time you are reading this and we are at war and this is sad. War is always sad.

Our gas price went up twenty cents overnight. They are saying more of that to come. When gas goes up in price, everything goes up in price as well. So we should prepare for that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntjFBs9lHG0 - here she talks about that.

Having just come off a no-grocery February, I can say you should ask yourself those questions, like how long can you go without a grocery run?? Look for areas you need to beef up.

Today, I cleaned the refrigerator. You know I do this before grocery day. I do have a little celery to dry but I made up a lasagna and four pizzas - three for freezer and one for tonight's supper. This helps when I am busy to have meals made using up what we had in the refrigerator. Use things or lose things, right?! We need to be very frugal because I feel there will be less before there is more.

https://www.google.com/search?q=ways+to+be+frugal&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS960US960&oq=ways+to+be+frugal&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyCQgAEEUYORiABDIHCAEQABiABDIHCAIQABiABDIICAMQABgWGB4yCAgEEAAYFhgeMggIBRAAGBYYHjIICAYQABgWGB4yCAgHEAAYFhgeMggICBAAGBYYHjIICAkQABgWGB7SAQg3MDgzajBqN6gCCLACAfEFFY4gjPrFlKg&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:4443a268,vid:ZKZgQClyFSs,st:0

https://www.google.com/search?q=ways+to+be+frugal&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS960US960&oq=ways+to+be+frugal&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyCQgAEEUYORiABDIHCAEQABiABDIHCAIQABiABDIICAMQABgWGB4yCAgEEAAYFhgeMggIBRAAGBYYHjIICAYQABgWGB4yCAgHEAAYFhgeMggICBAAGBYYHjIICAkQABgWGB7SAQg3MDgzajBqN6gCCLACAfEFFY4gjPrFlKg&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:f021d856,vid:Bnah2FTdYMs,st:0

https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/g4064/how-to-save-grocery-money/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mgu_ga_clv_md_pmx_prog_org_us_18605172856&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18608362460&gbraid=0AAAAACq-IrtvfYgYM96ResWQ6bwAACHIr&gclid=CjwKCAiAqprNBhB6EiwAMe3yhnFNc2GDkT7LE-415VJrID6WmH2TMhrAdtQhGnvyB4JDiA8A8iApmhoCqQUQAvD_BwE

https://www.littlehouseliving.com/frugal-living-tips/frugally-fit

https://www.thefrugalgirl.com/teach-me-how-to-be-frugal-in-10-steps/ - as you scroll through, notice the books on the shelf. The big blue book, Tightwad Gazette, I just found a copy of at Salvation Army awhile back for $1.49 - worth it to me as it has the back section I do not have. So keep looking at those thrift stores when you can! Getting free or used for little helps in so many ways and it keeps stuff out of the landfill, plus saves on your budget.

Be content with what you have, don't let not having something make you miserable.

I want you to work on not being stressed. It is hard when what is happening affects everyone on the planet. Keep up a healthy lifestyle, like sleeping....

...eat balanced meals, look for joy, exercise, read, etc. There are many things you CAN do so concentrate on the things you can do. Turn over things you can't to Heavenly Father.

There are always ways to help others who might badly need a lift, so find ways to help and lift others. In doing this you will find joy.

https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-ideas - here are some ideas.

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/fun-things-to-do-at-home-35003444 - here are some things to do for free - fun ideas! We need fun too.

I know this is just a bit different for the blog but I really think we need to not be stressing, it isn't good for anyone. We are all in this, no one is in it alone.

Missy says find time for yourself and others - we will get through this!

Tippy Longstockings says find time to rest and find joy.

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)

At the time I am writing this, it is two weeks ago if you are reading it. We have nice spring weather and they are talking a little snow in a few days (boo!) but for now, I truly enjoy it! The cats love "doortime" with fresh air coming through the screen door and wildlife putting on a show on the other side.

My garlic chives are three inches up. Nothing kills them. I started with one tiny one and they are very prolific but handy to have - something you might consider. It's nice to bake potatoes and just walk out and cut some, wash, and snip them on those potatoes.

I also saw someone start pepper seeds. I thought I might try her way. She took the seeds and put them between wet (not dripping) paper towels and put in a ziploc baggie. So I have done that and will see how they do.

It will soon be time for me to start seeds.

How are you doing on your stocking of storage? Building skills???

I don't mean to nag, it is just that these things have helped us so much. I hate to think where we would be if I hadn't done these things.

And you all know how I hate gardening but I do it every year. While it's not my favorite, I do like to eat from it and I like to watch things grow.

Again, this week they said on the news prices are continuing to go up even though it is told that they aren't. I think without being told anything, we can see when we get groceries that they are higher.

If you feel like you need to see how to do things, we are blessed with so many tutorials on the internet.

Here are a few things I have enjoyed this week:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BqifjJ-NzI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3MJaL3Qlhg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISHcy6SLKAo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYa_Aczde5w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ77ojhZvQg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hsm0EXEJ04&t=561s

I like how she shows you how to make things from scratch.

She uses bread machines to make their bread as well. I saw Goodwill in my area had them for ten dollars, so they are still available for from three to ten dollars. You can still do bread by hand but having a bread machine helps me not to hurt as much and allows me to do other things while it works. Then I take the dough and shape it and let it rise and bake. She did breads in the whole month of February.  

These are just a few of what I watched. Are you watching tutorials? What have you watched? Let us know in comments.

This week, I have been working on rotating things so now that is pretty much tended. Rotating is when stacking your shelf, you pull the old to the front and put the new to the back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TiUar91sAw - this is a beginner sewing project that is so pretty, it is on my list to make.

I stopped into Salvation Army to look while waiting, and oh my prices literally have doubled. Softcover books used to be $1.49 now they are $2.99. I asked how come the prices were up so much and was told because of the economy hmmmmm. The yarn is cheaper next door at Hobby Lobby than what I saw there that day and they share a wall. This isn't good news. It was a few weeks ago they cut the senior discount day down from 20% to 10% so I think hang onto your things. Try to reuse, repair - stretch things as far as you can.

Keep trying to be as frugal as you can!

I have a 25 pound bag of rice that tomorrow I will put in a bucket. I washed the bucket today and dried it well. Then I like to air dry it overnight, then the rice will go in and I will put two bay leaves on top and put on the lid. Then I'll date and label it and remember to rotate it. Rice lasts a really long time.

I also want to remind you to not set your buckets or any food directly on concrete - they will wick up moisture into the food (not good!). Just put scrap wood on the concrete to set the buckets on to get the food off the concrete. It works well. Any scraps of wood will work.

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Tightwad-Gazette-Promoting-Alternative/dp/0375752250 - this was the last book I got at Salvation Army for $1.49, just before they raised the prices. I am showing you this so you can look for it used or check it out from your library. This is the best book out there on being frugal, in my opinion.  So I think it would be best to own a used copy as it is so full of things - a great resource but if you can't, then get it from the library.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RvzHcSDZb4 - she talks a little here about the book.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUFyD-FTf-E - here the author is herself.

So keep working on these things, you will be blessed.

Missy says she is trying to spin without thumbs, but she wants to be encouraging to you to build those skills.

Tippy says we all know you can do it and keep looking for joy! We need it more than ever!

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)

I say keep working on building those skills. Things will continue to go higher in price and things will continue to get worse.

We had a huge snow storm hit.

I am ready for winter to be over with for sure.

By the time you read this in two weeks, I hope all the snow is gone.

I was able to get four of these dishcloths made out of the cotton yarn I got for .99 from Salvation Army. And I still have some of it left so that makes each less than .25.

We must all try even harder to be more thrifty than ever.

https://www.littlehouseliving.com/15-frugal-habits-that-add-up-over-a-year.html

We are still struggling with meds and health insurance costs. I do not see this improving.

So be actively working on building your storage.

Now is not the time to let up on this. I think we must keep being actively engaged. I feel that things will continue to worsen.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2006/03/random-sampler/food-storage-for-one-year?lang=eng

https://www.homelandsecurity.ms.gov/sites/mohs/files/MOHS%20Files/EmergencyPantryChart_Color2.pdf

https://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/1-year-food-storage-challenge/ - this will help give a list of foods for storage.

Watch for sales.

Get your core staples - things you can use to make many other things.

Try to learn to plant a garden, even if you can only plant in pots.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnYGCCiOSx4

https://thehomeylif3.com/homemaking-skills-for-the-housewife/

https://www.foodstoragemoms.com/40-lost-homemaking-skills-that-need-to-be-refound/

We should not wait to build skills. It is harder to learn when you are going through the hard times.

Try to think if your hard time comes tomorrow - will you be ready to feed and care for your family? When you want to go "shopping for fun".....ask yourself that very question.

We need to stretch everything.

Be working on those skills!

Missy says please put food in your storage!

Tippy Longstockings says beef up your skills.

Monday Message

"Start now to create a plan if you don’t already have one, or update your present plan. Watch for best buys that will fit into your year’s supply. We are not in a situation that requires panic buying, but we do need to be careful in purchasing and rotating the storage that we’re putting away. The instability in the world today makes it imperative that we take heed of the counsel and prepare for the future." (L. Tom Perry)

Rotating is huge and use it as well. Use, replace, buy an extra one.

This is how you make it grow and rotate as well. On that note, today I pulled a tomato soup to use and it was bloated. I always wondered what those pop top cans would look like bloated. You definitely will notice as the top of the can goes like an upside down bowl. There will be an occasional can go bad no matter how well you are at rotating. This one was old but I have had current dates go bad, so it is all part of it.

Many things last way longer than those dates, so don't throw away those canned goods if they are not leaking or bloating, they are still good. And if you throw them away, it is bad for the environment plus many people are in need of food right now.  

We are having spring type weather here right now but I know more winter is yet to come. We get huge storms in March and even into April but they don't last long.

That said, continue to think how you plan to garden this year? What do you plan to put in it?

The celery is growing very well. You can get free celery by planting the bottom part of the celery that normally gets cut off and tossed, so don't throw them out.

Continue to find joy.

One thing I do is find ways around my house to have things set so all I have to do is sit down and do. Since I don't have space, they are all around.

This is set-up in our bedroom.

This too is in our bedroom.

The sock machine is also in our bedroom.

This is in the living room.

These both share a room.

This is how I have things set up for me, not the most attractive, but with fibromyalgia it is better for me not to take things out and set them up.

Missy and Tippy Longstockings say you find joy and work on your skill building.

How are you coming with skill building? Leave a comment below.

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

https://frolicandfare.com/homemaking-skills-values-and-routines/

https://healthhomeandhappiness.com/70-skills-every-holistically-minded-homemaker-should-know.html 

These are some lists that you can see if there are things you would like to build for skills. This last one has different things, I am interested in how to become unbusy... hmmmmm.

https://food.unl.edu/article/basic-foods-checklist-how-stock-your-kitchen-simple-meals/ - this has a good food list for your pantry.

https://extension.usu.edu/preserve-the-harvest/files/Food-Storage-Booklet.pdf - this has some food storage information.

https://www.pinterest.com/ideas/meal-planning-template-free/895461494297/ - this has some examples of free templates for menu planning.

Keep working on stocking items for your storage. Remember, a little extra works great - you can do this!

Look at what you have in storage. Can you go one month incase of unexpected medical bills like us? Things happen so try to have enough to be able to go one month with what you have on hand and build on that.

Missy says she is shocked prices keep going up, so be putting in the basics for your storage.

Tippy Longstockings says she knows times are hard but look for joy. Do not let things get you down.

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) 

How is everyone doing?

I know these are hard times we all are going through. We must not let this beat us down. We must find joy! 

Get creative with what you have. You can do this - yes, you can!

This is a getting-no-groceries month here to pay medical bills as I mentioned in past blog.

Today, I made bread, which I would do anyway, and I made yogurt, which I would also do anyway.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2023/12/monday-message_11.html - this is my favorite way to make yogurt.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2024/11/monday-message_11.html - in this post, one of you mentioned doing this freezing the yogurt cubes for a starter - that's the best tip ever! It saves sooooo much money!

I mentioned before how I use the leftovers for TV type dinners, this stretches things very far.

The other thing I mentioned was when I last got groceries, I had no idea that this would be a no-groceries month. But I bought groceries like I knew that but I didn't. I just thought what should I get if I wasn't able and shopped like that. I'm so glad that I did as it is helping us now.

So look for ways to be more frugal. We just have to be willing to do a bit more work.

I continued to spring clean this week. Going through things and better organizing it has helped a lot.

What things are you finding on frugal ideas? Share in the comments.

Also, what things are you doing to find joy?

I just can't stress enough to put extras into storage. Hard times hit everyone in one way or another. I don't think anybody thought they would be losing jobs - a lot of secure jobs have been lost. I never thought that the medical safety nets would be cancelled either. But here we are with things looking to get worse. So please, take some time to learn basic skills, such as:

How to make bread

How to mend clothes

How to darn socks

How to sew

How to knit

How to crochet

How to can food

How to make jam

How to dry food (I have a bowl of apples that I will be drying tomorrow) use what we have to make things last!

Learn ways of being zero-waste, for example: did you know the bottom part of celery can be planted? It will grow more celery.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2022/08/monday-message_15.html

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2023/02/monday-message_13.html

There are more things like that we can do (P.S. those orange rolls to die for, yum!)

How to cook from scratch

How to piggyback meals

How to make mixes

How to vacuum seal food

How to make your own cookies, scones, muffins, bagels, cakes, donuts, hamburger buns, hot dog buns, cinnamon rolls, pecan sticky rolls, pasta, and much more!

This list could go on and on. You don't need to learn it all at once, just one step at a time.

Learn, then do it.

Think before you throw anything out, can you use it for something else? Let's say you need a storage box. First walk through your house to see what you have - plastic crate, basket, even a box, you can put fabric on a box. We just have to be willing to think of what we have that will work.

Remember, put hard copies in a binder as it is hard to find things again. Plus, as in the hamburger helper recipes, they just took it down. I am thankful for my hard copy in my binder.

Remember to use your library. 

Remember, as bad as things seem for you, there are others who are worse off, so kindness is needed more than ever.

Missy says be kind, even to grumpy people. We are all in this together around the world and we need to lift others.

Tippy Longstockings says a smile can go a long way and is free.