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.

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)

Feeling a little better here and have been going nuts spring cleaning when I should probably still be resting. That is what I have been doing this week trying to streamline things to help me work easier as I age with fibromyalgia, so I have been doing that sort of thing.  

I watched this video this week - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK7Hm3Rz2bY I know you all don't watercolor but I thought this applies to anything we do. She has very good ideas that could give you ideas if you are battling an illness.

We are having nicer temps right now but that nasty little groundhog says six more weeks of winter. I want to go take his blanket away.

I am ready for winter to go away.  No, I am not anxious to garden. I avert my eyes as I go by my garden. But yes, I will plant it again because they are only saying prices will still be going up. I worry about all of us, especially those who have no storage. The prices are brutal now, it is just awful!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajzkAOHv1ZQ - on frugality. She lives in Canada. Prices are way higher there I can tell you.

https://thispilgrimlife.com/frugal-meal-ideas/ - there might be something that will help here.

https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/g4287/cheap-dinner-ideas/?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-IrtkGJlZoHmlDTbErMdNWu9Rn&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-YvMBhDtARIsAHZuUzJT2BfCOIioXGTkYaK3oGEmIpmNqsGKECBcLc0Ub5wHMeIx4Hxm980aAvElEALw_wcB

https://www.busybudgeter.com/whole-foods-version-of-15-minute-meals/

https://www.littlehouseliving.com/the-cheapest-meals-to-make-on-an-incredibly-tight-budget.html - I really like this lady - well worth going to her site.

https://www.littlehouseliving.com/cheap-meals-to-make-when-you-are-at-the-end-of-your-budget.html

I know prices are not coming down but try to pick up a little extra when you get groceries - some pasta or bag of flour. Every little bit will help.

Push yourself to do scratch cooking. Double up when you make your meals and freeze the second. Then when you are frazzled, pull it out instead of going out.

https://www.attainable-sustainable.net/switching-from-boxed-and-canned-to-homemade/

When you are in the store and see precut veggies compare the price. What is the difference? What would you purchase with that difference if you cut your own?

Little things like that add up. Eat before you shop. Also, don't fall into the trap of being tempted by you are too tired and just get it. This would be extra money you could spend elsewhere.

When I get hamburger we get ten-pound tubes on sale. I hate the job, especially when I am tired from getting groceries but have to divide them up and wrap in individual packages. One pound packages costs more plus when I cut it to put in freezer bags, I cut it in more than ten packages - I do more like 18 packages. Also, I cook extra hamburger when I am browning it and put back into freezer for a leg up meal. This is so very helpful.

https://mommacan.com/category/menu-planning/ - here are some meal ideas.

https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/easy-meals-when-youre-stuck-at-home/

These may give you some ideas for fixing meals. Remember to keep your basics stocked in your pantry.

Make your own groceries. Here is hamburger buns - https://thefeatherednester.com/quick-and-easy-hamburger-buns/

I use our bread recipe for hamburger buns...

What else can you make that you don't need to purchase?

https://www.uaf.edu/ces/publications/database/food/make-your-own-mix.php - this is just one site with many things you can make.

https://www.budget101.com/recipes/516-complete-mix-recipe-index/ - this has tons and tons. I know I have it in here a lot but it is worth it.

As I am gathering things here for you, I want to impress upon you that if you find something, make a hard copy of it because I keep running into they no longer exist online.

Make a binder so you will always be able to find them again.

I have started a new spinning project and am enjoying it very much.

The cats both are better as well so we are planning to stay that way.

Missy says pick up a little extra when you are getting groceries to stick in your storage.

Tippy Longstockings says be sure to only put things you currently eat into your storage or you will end up wasting your money.

Monday Message

"A cardinal principle of the gospel is to prepare for the day of scarcity. Work, industry, frugality are part of the royal order of life." (Bishop Keith B. McMullin)

I have been trying to rest still. I really hate cold-flus (this was written two weeks ago and luckily we are through it now).

We only got the brutal cold, we did not get the weather they got in the south and up the coast.

This week, we had to kill time waiting for a place to open. We were already near Salvation Army and went in and looked around for twenty minutes. I found cotton yarn for dishcloths for .99, just one, so I went and got it and made this dishcloth...

I think I will get three more out of it, if not more, so that makes this one a quarter - unless it makes more in which case, it would be less.

A similar pattern is free here - https://web.archive.org/web/20140830015947/http://www.groupepp.com/dishbout/kpatterns/grfavorite.html I stopped at twenty stitches and decreased from there.

If you are familiar with knitted dishcloths, this is about the third the size.

The other item I got was some fabric. They have the fabric rolled then taped. This fabric had a blue tag which meant that day it was half off, making it two dollars.

When I got home I opened it up only to find there was damage the whole length four inches from salvages on both sides but I was determined and was creative in pattern placement.

And here is the dress I made with barely any fabric leftover.

So the dress cost two dollars...

The sweater I made a few years ago and was free too as I did it as a test knit, so the pattern was free and the yarn I used was free too.

So building skills is very important!

The amaryllis bulb we were gifted at Christmas is giving us a show every day now...

It's so pretty, we are enjoying it very much!

This week, I switched my carts around. The white one is a bit bigger and I wanted to put my paint brushes in a basket that had three sections. So the white one now has watercolor supplies in it.

Then I put the blue cart next to chair with knitting tools in it.

Build those skills and be frugal and stock up as you can. Things are not getting better any time soon I am afraid.

https://www.wisebread.com/20-great-frugal-skills-and-how-to-get-them

https://zenhabits.net/the-cheapskate-guide-50-tips-for-frugal-living/ - we can't do every one of them but maybe there is some information that will help us.

https://sloely.com/simple-frugal-life-skills/

https://thehappyhousewife.com/frugal-living/learn-a-new-skill/ - this has how to go about learning a new skill.

https://www.christasterken.com/frugal-homemaking-skills/ - how to make the most of what we have.

I hope you all are doing well and staying warm. Watch how people were able to get through that storm and learn from them. I watched a lady years ago tell how they made it through an ice storm. The one thing she said she wished she had was a carpet sweeper, so when I was yardsaling one day, I picked one up for 75 cents. What can you learn?

I am not totally over this cold-flu but on a sad note, both Missy and Tippy Longstockings caught it as well (don't worry, they're better now too!) so there is lots of sneezing on their part and coughing on my part.

Keep trying to outrun those germs!

Missy says she is resting in her bag. She says keep up the good work and if you get sick too, she would share her bag with you.

Tippy Longstockings says if you can't outrun the germs, make sure you get plenty of rest!

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) 

Day seventeen now with this cold-flu (though this was written two weeks ago and we're all better now). Thank goodness I got the flu shot or it could have been much worse. Missy has caught the cold so she is under the weather too.

I wish things were going better for all of us but it doesn't look to improve any time soon. We are going to have to put our heads down and push on through this hard time.

Keep trying to be frugal.

Keep adding to your storage and remember it isn't all food, it is medical stuff and hygiene things - it covers everything you use at home now.

Also, if you do not eat a food now, don't store that. Store only what you presently eat with a heavy emphasis on the basic ingredients you need to make things from.

Now it is time to learn to bake bread, rolls, all baked goods, cookies as well. So that means you need to store the ingredients for those.

Remember, my story of chocolate cake? I keep ingredients on hand in storage to be able to make the chocolate cake. Get the recipe HERE.

Remember that saying - nothing is ever so bad that it can't get worse. We need to be prepared for that worse.

We can do this a little at a time. DO NOT GO INTO DEBT!! Just pick up a few things extra - a bag of flour, some yeast, some oil, sugar, and salt. With these items you can make bread and lots of baked items.

I saw a lady reorganizing her pantry this week. She said to get rid of outdated things. If it was canned food it is still okay. If it was chips etc. taste them first. Pasta keeps long past that date. Just stick them in a container with a bay leaf. They are good for years and years.

Jars of pasta sauce keep unless that center of the lid is popped up - which I have never seen, so I don't think that happens very often.

Just use your common sense. You will know if something smells bad or tastes bad. Don't be so quick to toss things.

Taco shells, for example, taste stale right from the box but you are to heat them up in the oven.

If you are used to buying muffin mixes, you can make them way cheaper and can store the ingredients to do so.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ77ojhZvQg - this would be excellent. It is very versatile. The one thing she didn't say on the buckets is they must be food-grade. They are with the others so if you can't find them, ask - same with lids. I wish I could afford many gamma lids. I only have two. And as long as I am mentioning lids, they are sometimes hard to remove, so get a bucket lid opener at the same store but ask where. They are so handy in my old age.  Plus she said you can use gluten-free flour.

This doesn't have to be just muffins. There are recipes for many things.

https://www.budget101.com/recipes/448-convenience-mixes-2/ - this site has so many recipes. If you do the math, you will see that you are overpaying on prepackaged mixes.

I also, for your info, just use regular all-purpose flour. From this, I make my own bread flour: one tsp vital wheat gluten per one cup of flour. So I only store the all-purpose flour. I store white wheat berries and can grind my own, this formula for bread flour works here as well.

This is excellent if using a bread machine or by hand, just don't add extra flour if doing by hand. I did one in my machine and one by hand and you could not tell the difference. So don't disregard this because you might not have a bread machine, but I encourage you to haunt the thrift store for one just to make life easier. I set it on the dough setting and then shape it into whatever I want and bake in my oven.

Now is the time to stop shopping for frivolous things - not forever, just till things improve. Shop at home. You might have to hunt for an item you already have but running to the store to get another just wastes money. Use what you already have. Think, I need...an organizational item...and first look what have you got in your house. Then think, what else could I use? Like maybe even just a box. But if nothing will work, go to the thrift store etc. Time to rein in the dollars that leak through the cracks.  Look at this as a challenge. Keep to thrifty ways right now.

Keep working on your skills.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUa4VBdt7KQ - this gal is helpful on mending and is down to earth.

I would say if you know how to mend things you already have, that is a huge skill. I told you about stopping in an Amish store. I was behind a man and he had patches on his coveralls very neatly stitched. And I thought someone loves this fella very much to patch his coveralls and is very frugal. We can do the same for our families that we love very much.

Which takes you back to when I said storage isn't just food - put in sewing supplies so you can mend those things.

Yes, it is hard right now but look for joy where you can find it. Yes, it is hard work but we are not afraid of hard work.

Those of you who have been here a very long time will remember McGuire. He was such a good cat! And you will remember my husband's mother passed from Covid. She gave her sculpey to my husband and I used just a little of orange and off white and made this brush holder in remembrance of both of them. I picture McGuire sitting on my mother-in-law's lap watching me make this.

It took very little to make it and my husband baked it in the garage in a craft oven. 

It is things we already had and you too can look around. What do you already have?

Someone once said if you are uninspired, go and organize your supplies - this will get those creative juices flowing again.

We are all in this together we will get through it.

Missy says remember others who are having hard times too - an act of kindness goes a really long way.

Tippy Longstockings says, think what you can do before making that purchase.