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 we all are seeing the effects of war and things President Benson mentioned. So we see what we thought might not happen most assuredly did happen.

We need to keep an eye out for those we know or see that may need some help. We have a table at church that people bring food or needed items and set on the table and anyone who needs them can just take what they want. This was started by a youth. So maybe at your church you can do the same. Or start those pantry boxes that are like little libraries. Times are hard but officials are saying it will get so much harder, prices are to go up quickly. I guess we will look back at these high prices as low compared to what is coming.

Still hot here, oh my! I am so tired of the heat.

There was a request about peanut butter chips for baking...

https://culinaryadventuresinthekitchen.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/peanut-butter-chips/ - here is the recipe and yum! Plus, hubby said delicious - high praise, I say!

I like that it takes all things I already have on hand.

I have noticed that a lot of videos of late are talking about basics.

https://www.littlehouseliving.com/scone-mix-recipe.html#scone-mix-recipe - I will tell you that I love this gal and love this mix (note - no eggs)

https://www.littlehouseliving.com/ooey-gooey-brownies-mix-edition.html - this, too, doesn't use eggs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96L_ljjz0Ko - this is another favorite (note - there isn't eggs)

I think it is good to find recipes that become fast favorites and no eggs needed for these three are fantastic. I am not anti-egg but given how many recalls there are right now, these are an excellent option.

Plus, easy enough for kids to make up as well.

The girls are wondering if they could make them...

https://www.littlehouseliving.com/wprm_print/chocolate-muffin-mix-recipe - this is a great recipe as well. 

Make your own mixes I say. This is the time of year, I make sure to have mixes made up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkwIOoGvMiE - I love this gal too. Here she shows you how to make sweetened condensed milk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dhgxGcBBdQ - here she shows you how to make powdered sugar and brown sugar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFUJLgJ2-aY - how to make sour cream.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRTZJLY4R0o&t=1s - make your own chocolate syrup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11RxOKaITMc - how to make your own mayonnaise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez-JBMDrBiI&t=2s - how to make heavy cream from milk and butter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHmF84navi4 - how to make baking powder in a pinch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jatFYqq8dMc - self rising flour, cake flour, bread flour. 

Tippy Longstockings thinks the more we can make ourselves, the more we save!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzZGg6SF2qI - she shows how to make onion soup mix.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdrDO7n_dVg - alfredo mix.

https://extension.usu.edu/fscreate/files/2023-26-staff/SOS-Mix-Recipe-Book-PR.pdf - this is my all-time favorite, I keep a jar right by the stove.

https://ourjourneywestward.com/homemade-mixes/ - do you see mixes here that you normally purchase? Things are high and going higher.

So I added lots of mix recipes here in this post to help us have cheaper options. Yes, a little effort to make them but if you have things on hand that you could use instead of running to the store, that is helpful. 

Missy says it is always good to have these ingredients on hand to be able to make your own.

Missy says please be kind to each other. Help however we can, even if just being able to pray - things are very hard for so many.

Tippy Longstockings says take care of yourselves as well, cause you are important too.

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)

I hope your week was great.

I spent three days doing an overhaul of my sewing space...

I moved the furniture around. Then I rolled all the fabric in the wire drawers. I had fabric folded in the drawers but would have to rifle through looking for what I wanted.

So I thought rolling it would be better, no rifling. I can see all of the fabrics. This is way better but took soooooo long (too long) but worth it now.

In these pictures, you see all my machines except for two treadle machines in the dining room. Plus one in the cabinet - it is a very old singer black.

This now is very organized. Half of the room is sewing and the other half is stamping for making cards.

I gave the children's patterns I had to a young mom who sews for her kids which freed up space. I used what I had on hand to organize this space - being frugal and elbow grease and lots of sweat, it was soooo hot.

Looks to be getting warmer again. I am really anxious for cooler weather.

The garden is coming to a halt.

Keep working on your storage. Prices will still rise so stick storage away to help you when you need it. Our gas is still over four dollars. We have to pick and choose where and if we go.

The kids are back in school, so on we go to the next part of the year...

https://www.sixfiguresunder.com/inexpensive-handmade-gifts/

https://www.pinterest.com/thepeacefulmom/diy-gifts-on-a-budget/

We need to gear up for winter. Even though it is soooo hot, I have drained the rain barrel and we are preparing for winter because it's going to come in these parts of the world.

Missy says be actively building your storage and pick up water with it. Just do the best you can.

Tippy Longstockings says try to keep your spirits high, find free fun each day. She plays with Mr. Wiggles, her mouse toy.

Monday Message

"Our bishops storehouses are not intended to stock enough commodities to care for all the members of the Church. Storehouses are only established to care for the poor and the needy. For this reason, members of the Church have been instructed to personally store a year’s supply of food, clothing, and, where possible, fuel. By following this counsel, most members will be prepared and able to care for themselves and their family members, and be able to share with others as may be needed." (President Ezra Taft Benson

Don't let up on building your storage - storing water is equally important and that is what I need to beef up here.

What areas do you need to beef up?? Let us know in comments below.

I worked up most of the peaches I had left after making jam.

Every little bit helps. I also dried the skins of these peaches. They have a very faint peach flavor. I could see them as chips off side of a sandwich but I think I'll puree them next time and add a bit of Jell-O powder to flavor them. I think they could be a fruit leather - maybe even add a peach or two.

I think we need to be wasting nothing right now.

https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/34-ways-to-make-meals-from-leftovers/?utm_source=Everyday+Cheapskate&utm_campaign=686daea6d1-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_08_06_05_58&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-686daea6d1-67795555

Zero waste kitchen....

https://www.pinterest.com/zerowastedoc/zero-waste-kitchen/ - here are some ideas.

The peaches I canned in the picture above was zero waste. I canned the peaches, dried the skins, and the pits I buried in a hole by the compost bin with a marker trying to see if I can get peach trees of this variety, they were such big peaches - yum!!

So nothing went to waste.

I am still drying tomatoes this week but they soon will be ending. My garden feels like it does in late fall. Things feel weird this year.

Tomatoes - I am drying skins and all to then turn into tomato powder. Once they are powder, I will vacuum seal it in jars.

No waste there either.

https://foodwastefeast.com/no-waste-strategies - here are a few helpful ideas, I like the eat-first box idea.

https://foodprint.org/blog/zero-waste-cooking/ - it is good to be reminded to save and use.

https://jrfood10.com/blog/zero-waste-cooking-tips-for-beginners/ - there are some good ideas.

But it isn't just about food. We need to be like our ancestors - use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.

https://www.fdrlibrary.org/documents/356632/390882/certificateV1.pdf/56db3b72-c970-4dad-a9ea-f0a48a622122 - this is cute to track.

https://www.sixfiguresunder.com/make-it-do/ 

https://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/40-ways-use-wear-make-without/ - this is fantastic, a must-read with great ideas.

https://modernmama.com/use-it-up-wear-it-out-make-it-do-or-do-without/ - there great ideas here as well.

Tippy Longstockings says her bag is very frugal, try to find frugal ways.

https://zenhabits.net/the-cheapskate-guide-50-tips-for-frugal-living/ - Tippy suggests you read this one.

They are still saying food costs will go up even into next year so keep working on your storage. Every time you go into a store, pick up something for storage. It will add up quickly.

Missy says do the best that you can. Doing a little at a time adds up.

Tippy Longstockings says she knows you can do hard things and we don't need to be fearful - it will be okay!

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)

We are still hot here, just waiting for cooler fall weather.

It is harvesting time here for sure. Last week was rhubarb - this week, tomatoes. Our neighbor gave us peaches from his trees. Ours had no peaches this year.

They aren't quite ripe but soon they will be. I will do jam with some of them for sure...yum!

I also worked on tomatoes.

The tomatoes refused to wait for cooler weather so today I got all the ripe ones sliced and in the dehydrator.

I also got my annual ear infections - both ears, boo :( Whatever is my allergy outside creates this for me - not a fan.

Happy to report though that the basement continues to stay dry even though we have had storms. That is a great thing in my book.

I have froze chopped green peppers and jalapeno peppers are in the freezer as well. How I do those is I pop off the stem end, wash and freeze. And when I need one, I take it out, cut it frozen, and this works for what I need. Plus, with all the recalls going on right now, I am happy to have my own safe ones. I always say poverty has its perks. Poverty has saved us from many a nasty sickness.

I plan to take the tomatoes I am drying and turning them into tomato powder - a very nice thing to have on hand.

We still have plenty of tomatoes and salsa and pizza sauce, so powder is what I plan for this year.

What are you harvesting right now?? Let us know in the comment section below.

I know everyone is getting ready for kids to head back to school...so you are busy for sure. Remember the thrift stores for clothing, backpacks, even school supplies and also winter gear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDxj0zrGdf0 - this gal is very helpful on dehydrating. If you need information, go to her channel and just click on the purposeful pantry under the video, then hit videos, and there are so many helpful things.

https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/make-jam-jelly/jams-jellies-general-information/general-information-on-canning-jams-jellies-and-marmalades/ - this is a great place to start when you want to learn to make jams and jelly. I always think that learning to do jam is the best place to start your canning journey.

https://extension.umn.edu/cooking-home/food-preservation - here is a helpful site for preserving food.

If I can give you only one tip on canning it would be to follow sites that are teaching the right way to can, like the ones I've put in here. In some videos, people just doing willy-nilly things they say they have been doing without fail and some say they are canning rebels - do not follow these people!! You need to can safely and properly.

At best, it costs a lot in time and hard work and money to just throw it out the window, at worst, it makes your family sick or can cause death because of not following professionals. I say call your county extension service to get accurate up-to-date canning times and pressure.

I think keeping a journal of what you can is good idea too.

Ask family members if they have jars, if they are done canning, also put out the word you are looking for free canning jars. That has helped me in the past.

The prices of groceries are continuing to rise. Putting up your own food is a great way to save.

Winter will be here before you know it (and I will be complaining of the cold instead of the heat) but prepare for it while you can, get or grow produce cheaper.

Continue to haunt those thrift stores for needed items - look at sheets as well for fabric. Going to thrift stores is a huge savings compared to new prices. It isn't just groceries that are going up.

Missy says that getting things ahead for storage should not just be done when hard times are on you but in good times too when money is more - that is best time to stock for when hard times come. So don't wait - prepare all along the way!

Tippy Longstockings says forgo going out and use that money to put things in storage - you will be glad you did!

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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)

This week, I have still been reorganizing my storeroom which has fabric, yarn, my fiber that I spin, our games and puzzles, the dehydrator, empty jars, etc. I got that done then retweaked it. In my mind, I would love to put my sewing room in there but haven't figured out a way, so in the back of my brain I am working on it. Though it is all good where it is. Leave well enough alone, right? But still my brain works on it.

We have a break in the hot weather today and tomorrow. So I will need to get stuff ready for six days of heat. Seems that is the pattern for now.

I made this form of ice cream sandwiches...

Puddingwiches 

1 1/2 cup peanut butter DIVIDED

3 c. Cold milk DIVIDED - I used cold powdered milk (already mixed with water)

2 c. Cool whip DIVIDED

1 small package vanilla instant pudding

1 small package chocolate instant pudding

One and a half boxes graham crackers

Foil line two 9x13 pans

Mix one set of divided ingredients together with the instant vanilla pudding mix and spread in one pan.

Mix the rest of divided ingredients with chocolate instant pudding mix and spread in other pan.

Freeze

Then I cut mine to fit each one on the half of the graham cracker and the other to fit the other side, like in the picture. Or you could stack the slabs on top of each other and cut to fit half the graham cracker.

Either way or do all plain, all chocolate and all vanilla - suit yourself but they are yummy!

Having something cold on a hot day is sooooo nice.

Prices were up yet again! I do not know how families are doing it. I don't know how anyone is doing it. I don't know how we are doing it but yet we all push through, right?

Everything I see or read says they will continue to go up.

We had old apples left before I got groceries this time, so I made apple rings and put them in water with some lemon juice then into the dehydrator they went. These I will use in winter to put in oatmeal. I also put in sourdough discard on sheets to dry. When they are dry, I will put them through the blender and into a jar. This then can be used for starting a starter if I should lose mine some how and can be given as gifts for others who want to start sourdough. 

Also, I am picking tomatoes just as they start to turn to get them before bugs and critters get them. I will be slicing and drying those this year. So far I have almost picked a bushel.

How are your gardens doing? My tomatoes have never been this big! I would get one this big occasionally but most all of them are big. Maybe has to do with those flooding rains??

Our phlox are doing well and spreading and look fantastic this year!

I am still weaving when I can. It is coming along nicely.

https://extension.usu.edu/preserve-the-harvest/files/Food-Storage-Booklet.pdf - here is a helpful booklet on storage.

https://sarahscucinabella.com/2020/02/27/a-guide-to-food-storage-basics/

https://diyjoy.com/sewing-projects-diy-gift-ideas/ - school has probably started and soon you will turn your attention towards making gifts for the holidays. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWsDzesoMcA - this gal is doing a great job teaching you how to make your clothing that you have now into patterns. She's very good teacher.

https://www.pinterest.com/rachris/homemade-gifts/ - lets make homemade gifts this year.

https://www.youtube.com/@RobynOnTheFarm - this gal makes all kinds of fabulous breads. In each, there is a tutorial she will guide you through and is very good.

I think it's time to start learning to make bread and she is a great place to start, you can even make biscuits.

Keep working at your storage to save money with prices continuing to go up.

I know everyone is busy with back to school for now, so I wanted to make this short and sweet so you can still feel inspired as you are collecting all those lists of supplies. When supplies go on sale, if you can, get some for someone you know who is struggling as a care package. I am sure it would be appreciated - these are hard times.

Missy says be kind, even it you meet someone grouchy - say a prayer for them and be kind. So many are having hard times.

Tippy Longstockings says work on those skills and find time for yourselves.

Monday Message

"Our bishops storehouses are not intended to stock enough commodities to care for all the members of the Church. Storehouses are only established to care for the poor and the needy. For this reason, members of the Church have been instructed to personally store a year’s supply of food, clothing, and, where possible, fuel. By following this counsel, most members will be prepared and able to care for themselves and their family members, and be able to share with others as may be needed." (President Ezra Taft Benson)

This last week we had extreme heat. I prepared for this by making up meals that I could just heat in the microwave and not heat up the house. It was extra work for a few days but so helpful to have meals when we had heat index of 115 degrees. I would like that to not come again.

I used the indoor time by cleaning and organizing a couple closets.     

How are you coming with skill building?                 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCU5mDiVbzQ - this shows how easy it is to make underwear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-Xm2v5E_Wc - this looks so nice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxUEJa6MmCI - she shows how to make a pattern from ready made.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdYPWHsgVAg - she also shows this.

https://thecraftymummy.com/2012/10/fabric-scrap-bookmarks/ - this would be a great project to do with your kids, also would be a nice teacher gift.

Keep working on your storage, every little bit will help you. Put up any produce you get for winter. I hate to keep saying this but they are still saying prices will continue to rise.

Tippy Longstockings say NO MORE on rising prices!

Also, be looking for things at thrift stores. Don't forget to plug in any electric items to be sure they work. Hit the yard sales (ask to plug in stuff there too). Be sure to check out the free boxes if they have them - sometimes there are clothes you could fix or remake.

Always - Always! have a running list. 

This will get you started...

School clothes

Winter coats, boots, mittens, hats, scarves

Vacuum sealer

Dehydrator 

Canner

Jars and supplies for canning

Things for Christmas gifts

Sewing machine if you need one

Sewing supplies

Patterns

Iron if you don't have one

Fabric and sheets to use for fabric

Knitting supplies

Crochet supplies

Yarn

 Things for sending sack lunch meals

Oil lamps

Emergency supplies like flash lights, candles, etc.

Shovels for snow removal

Gardening tools. Remember, I told you about our wheelbarrow needing a tire which would have cost us and when we were yardsaling we found a free wheelbarrow that was no good but the tire was and now we have a working wheelbarrow again. Keep an eye out for free things you can use that people set out. We set things out too and stick a free sign on them. It helps keep them out of landfills.

Add to this list of things you are looking for.

These things help a lot.

I know things are hard - believe me I know.! We will get through these times. Yes, we will have to work a little harder. We even may have to create some Franken-pumps like we had to do during the flooding.  But we can do hard things! Also, help others because we are all in this and it is the right thing to do. Even a kind smile will encourage someone who needs it.

Put together clothing exchanges where people can bring and take. You might need children's clothes in a size that someone else needs to get rid of. Now with market pages everyone can get together and do that. Meet at a park, take a blanket to set the stuff out on and have one huge FREE yard sale sort of thing! Fun!

It is time to be as thrifty as we can be.

Missy says we need to all look out for each other be kind to each other.

Tippy Longstockings says we should never ever judge others, just be kind, we don't know what others are going through.

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)

Well a busy time for us still. We had the water come in July 2, 3, and 4, and now I can add July 20 to that as well. We had another storm last night on the 20th and heavy rain which overtook the sump pump. Once again, we got two inches of water in the basement. This wasn't as bad as the last one, not as deep for one thing, and the other is that took many days to clean up. Plus, I've put many things up higher.

It has been costly. The pump that was overtaken this time was brand-new. Today, we've had to do many things to fix it but in the end we had to get another pump. We then try to have two in the pit of the basement, if it comes to this again. Hopefully, it won't. I am tired of this game.

But we push through.

These little emergencies are why food storage is important. It helps us be able to buy these pumps - all three of them!  

Tippy Longstockings is horrified at the rising prices!

Gas prices are going up again. Food prices are going up still.

How are you managing through these life emergencies?

They will always be there. We will all get through them but having storage makes the rough places not so rough.

We, of course, are planning for a future that may keep having these stronger storms.

I will tell you this makes two Fourth of July events, so we make plans and prep. We prepare for the worse and are hoping for the best.

Tippy Longstockings is praying that pattern stops.

I will continue to get things higher in the basement, higher than I currently have as one prep. One other thing I have done is now having a chair for each of us for when we go down in tornado warnings - no more getting a bucket to sit on.

The garden got beat down a bit but is doing well so that is good. I hope your gardens are doing well too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQqHIs8PPlo - this lady takes you through her storage, it is so different for everyone. She said store what you eat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-Xm2v5E_Wc - this is a cute way to refashion a shirt without a pattern.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hveYgv16oHk - time to be thinking about Christmas. This is a beginner project that looks fantastic!

How are you coming on your skill-building? I guess I am meant to build skills on water invasions hmm..

Tippy Longstockings and Missy both say they are trying to learn all they can from books!

Missy and Tippy Longstockings say...

Make sure you get plenty to eat and plenty of rest especially in stressful times!

Sometimes we feel like it is all too much.

But you can always turn to a friend...

Just know we are all pushing through the trials here at our house.

Missy says to please keep working on skill-building, maybe pick something more fun than moving water.

Tippy Longstockings says remember to take breaks!

All of us are hoping you all are well and happy!