Monday Message (on Tuesday)

Provident Living: Sept. 10th at 9:30 a.m. at the Shooks - this will be on showing and telling our binders with three month menus for the three month storage start to storage. We will also be planning upcoming classes.

"Relief Society stands for self-reliance. 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."
~ President Gordon B. Hinckley

http://www.budget101.com/frugal/homemade-gluten-free-mixes-189/ I am throwing this in for those who may need gluten free ideas....

Can you make this recipe with what is in your food storage? http://www.bigmamashomekitchen.com/2010/10/mini-pineapple-upside-down-cakes.html  Wouldn't it be great if you could store food so that you just shop off the shelf to make what you wanted, or at least what you like? We tried these completely using our food storage... YUM! is all we can say, licking our lips.

http://amazing-recipes.net/pasta-basic-recipe-for-homemade/  This is a great thing to know how to do. We enjoy the taste of the fresh pasta. My sister does lots and freezes for gift giving. It is very nice, of course you can do them by hand if you do not have a pasta machine. http://www.beckysbacktobasics.com/get_full_recipe.php?search.x=54&search.y=30&File=1274380338 

If you are tired of all the ways with zucchinni here is my very favorite use and you could do this without saying to anyone and let them guess they never will as it tastes Just like APPLE pie, no kidding.... http://www.beckysbacktobasics.com/get_full_recipe.php?search.x=35&search.y=55&File=1282174912

Remember now with yard sale season upon us, be looking for pressure canners, dehydrators, food sealers with vacuum ie food saver as well as canning jars, pasta machine things that will help you with your storing of food. Also put them on your Christmas list is good as well.

The very first Homemaking Meeting I went to I was not a member but an invited guest and my friend told me about the classes, of course when she said fruit leather I thought what? She said I think you should do that one, you will like it and well I did so here is my recipe that everyone loves... http://www.beckysbacktobasics.com/get_full_recipe.php?search.x=66&search.y=46&File=1270314345

http://www.beckysbacktobasics.com/aboutthehouse.php?search.x=94&search.y=77&File=1293221476 Ok this I threw in to remind you of what is coming...if you are reading this on Monday, sit and pretend it is not 102 out. But like those before us, fall always reminds us we must prepare for winter. Things have not changed that much. We still clean out the garage, stall to get the vehicle in, we caulk and insulate, we make those preparations that must be done but remember what happens when a snow storm is on it's way... one week out people talk about it, three days out we wonder will it really come and the day of everyone flocks to the store for ten gallons of milk. You see it on the news every year. Wouldn't it be nice to stay home, bake bread and put on some chili, maybe make some cinnamon rolls and play games or read we love to read?

It has been a long time since that first RS meeting and I have learned many many many things along the way from members of the church and also RS. Storage is one aspect of that one must never stop learning, not ever. Life is it's own schooling as well as formal education. NEVER STOP LEARNING, it has served me well over those many years.

So what would you like to learn? Is it how to make bread .. do you know how? I feel if you know how, you are doing wonderful. If you say you can read a recipe ...well not doing as well as knowing how. So that might be something to work on. If you needed to have it mastered and you are only reading the recipe it might be a bit of a learning curve.and there are many in the ward who know how to make bread.

One time in one of our wards we lived in, we had a family with a lot of adopted kids, many she taught them all to do bread and each one had a turn. The burden was not on any one person, it was spread out. I imagine those kids grew up now with families of their own, guess what they don't need to learn...yep, how to make bread, they can move on to another skill.

Be reading the sale ads and stock up when you can. If blueberries are on sale, get them, wash them and freeze them (yes drying them works too). I do both, but how nice to make pancakes or scones with blueberries in them. Could we live with out them? Yes, but put in foods to your storage that will help give variety and little surprises.

Keep working on your storage, now is the time to put up excess for winter but it is also a good time to put up for time of need. Believe me when I say a time of need hits us all at one time or another and it is much nicer to have something stored when that happens.

Monday Message

(My cinnamon rolls. Click here for the recipe: http://www.beckysbacktobasics.com/get_full_recipe.php?search.x=32&search.y=23&File=1270333649)

Provident Living: Our first class will be September 10 at 9:30 a.m. at the Shooks. Bring your binders even if you did not get time to work on them. Those who are new, we are making a binder of three months of food storage recipes. Also, if you are new, bring some ideas from what your other wards are doing in the provident living area. We will plan what is going to be offered for classes so if you have something you want email me at bshook@huxcomm.net.

"Our emphasis on this subject is not grounds for crisis thinking or panic. Quite the contrary, personal and family preparedness should be a way of provident living, an orderly approach to using the resources, gifts, and talents the Lord shares with us. So the first step is to teach our people to be self-reliant and independent through proper preparation for daily life."
~ Bishop Victor L. Brown

My daughter, Sarah, pointed this one to us I would definitely like to give it a try. http://www.louises-country-closet.com/2013/03/homemade-dishwasher-detergent-cubes.html

A reminder again of the homemaking hotline: 1-800-262-3804 (if you have a question on any homemaking item). At this time of the year they are a great resource for canning questions.

A reminder - do not can like Great Aunt Ethel, okay? Things have changed dramatically since then and I want you all to be safe, so use the number above. They are open week days, if you can't reach them call or email me.

If you are planning to dry things in your dehydrator, a few items:

My favorite thing to dry is frozen mixed veggies....yep, look for them on sale. You open the bag and dump on your trays... no prep work. Of course, you can do this with other frozen veggies too.

If I get to the end of my green beans, I will dehydrate as there is not enough to run the canner. To do this, you wash and snap and then blanch and then freeze then take out and dehydrate them. I know it sounds like, why not leave them in the freezer but I usually can not spare the room and honestly, frozen veggies have not much of a life span in the freezer. You can buy them already frozen if you have no garden and then just dump on the trays and dry. They are dry enough when dropped on the counter and they sound like plastic. Yes, I have used them after hydrating and this was the helplines tip that I am sharing about freezing first, it makes them have a much better taste.

I am also reminded by Sister Gardunia that if you have surplus of zucchini, you can slice and dry it for putting in soups later and it is nice to have on hand!

I also love to dry spinach then I break it up and put in a jar and throw it in soups and other things that you would put spinach in... very handy to have.

Also, as you have those grapes that are now starting to be unappealing... not to worry, wash and throw them on a tray and you will make raisins better then you can buy!

Tomatoes at the end of those I also wash slice and lay on the trays to be used in soups and crunched up for breads.

Keep working on your storage! Now that the kids are back to school and you can breath and think again, it is time to get on your provident living goals.

After school snack helps...
http://www.beckysbacktobasics.com/get_full_recipe.php?search.x=20&search.y=21&File=1270689755 this is my famous chocolate cake, my girls love it!

http://www.beckysbacktobasics.com/get_full_recipe.php?search.x=32&search.y=23&File=1270333649 my cinnamon rolls

http://www.beckysbacktobasics.com/get_full_recipe.php?search.x=37&search.y=21&File=1272471726 my favorite choc chip cookies

http://www.beckysbacktobasics.com/get_full_recipe.php?search.x=17&search.y=13&File=1271360750 my favorite oatmeal raisin cookies

http://www.beckysbacktobasics.com/get_full_recipe.php?search.x=26&search.y=22&File=1270314345 lastly, how to do fruit leather

And for a neat family nite treat, once the apple leather that is plain is done, melt some caramels in the microwave and spread them over the leather and roll up like you would do cinnamon rolls and then slice into bite size pieces - Yum! Easy caramel apples :)

These recipes are made with all storage items, if you do not have the ingredients and like the recipes, store a year supply.

The chocolate cake was always a must when things were hard for us, the kids did not know it because they still had chocolate cake.

Keep working at being frugal and keep working at your storage and building your skills you are doing great!

Apron Contest

Here was my entry for an apron contest on a preparedness blog. 

I came in third. It was enjoyable to make :) 

Here is a link to the blog contest where you can see the other entries which were neat to look at and get inspiration from.

Monday Message

Provident Living: September 10 at 9:30 a.m. at the Shooks will kick off our classes. Bring your binders to have a show-and-tell so we can all get inspired by each other and get ideas. We will talk of food storage successes during the summer months and discuss what is wanted for future classes. This is open to all the ward brothers and sisters alike. If you cannot attend, but still wish me to teach on a subject let me know if you want a one-on-one. I am happy to work with you...kids and babysitters...the kids play, we learn...so no sitters are needed! We have not had one child say they were bored over here. We get cozy but we are not formal.

When will we learn these basic economic principles? However, “… when we really get into hard times,” said President Clark, “where food is scarce or there is none at all, and so with clothing and shelter, money may be no good for there may be nothing to buy, and you cannot eat money, you cannot get enough of it together to burn to keep warm, and you cannot wear it.” (Church News, November 21, 1953, p. 4.)

“The day will come,” said President Wilford Woodruff, “when, as we have been told, we shall all see the necessity of making our own shoes and clothing and raising our own food. …” (Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, p. 166.)

Remember to put up your veggies in whatever method you prefer.

Here is a beginner crochet site.. http://www.maybematilda.com/2011/09/cal-learn-to-chain-single-crochet-and.html

Here is a way to recycle and get a rug for your  troubles... http://blog.nobleknits.com/2012/02/how-to-crochet-rag-rug-tutorial.html

Here is another recycle item... http://chicenvelopements.wordpress.com/2012/11/05/ten-ways-to-refashion-a-sweater/

Provident Living has many areas to it and being frugal and reusing items we have is a big part of it, as well as the rest. We want to learn and grow and never stop learning.

Living within our means is attainable, it is what we have been asked to do. This encompasses so many skills that is why I throw in these things to help us to learn. Also when I see one of our talented sisters share a pattern, I like to show it... http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=1416461341&group=0&frame_type=a&blog=3524448&link=aHR0cDovL3RoYXRzc29qdWxpZS5ibG9nc3BvdC5jb20vMjAxMy8wOC9zZXZlcmFsLXNtYWxsLWZpbmlzaGVzLmh0bWw&frame=1&click=0&user=0

This will be a great first project for a beginner! Also, it is a great way to use up leftover yarn. Christmas is coming and I don't know anyone who would not like to receive them. Julie, thanks for sharing it with us!

Here are some neat ideas for grocery shopping budget-wise... http://www.kayteelaurenblog.com/2013/03/grocery-list-budgeting.html

You may have a better way or do it different then this gal, but I will tell you she might get your juices flowing on the subject. There are a few things I do differently; instead of estimating the amount, I keep a total running all the time that way when I have hit my limit I don't go over, I may have to shift things around but at least I know. I use pen and paper and yes I have a back up pen with me. I know a calculator is faster but I have a tendency to not trust it very well or worry I will get half way and then it all goes away. One other is I do not go to one store only, I try to save on the gas and go where all the stores I like to go to are close together.

Keep two things in mind.....(most important) the more trips you make, the more you spend out of budget and two, the gas adds to that expense as well.

Though, if you insist on going many trips, I always pick up one thing every trip to the store for storage. Do it even if you don't go a lot, it makes you feel good to be adding to your storage!

Remember this is just for the idea as she has some things on her list I save a lot by not getting (anchovy paste for one ewwwwwwww)

Next, I wanted to share this with you... http://residencyinmotherhood.com/608/ (Mostly for you to get the idea) I used to do this all the time with jeans that people throw in the free box at yardsales due to broken zippers.

I know you are thinking this way of life takes time, boy do I know how it does, but you will be less stressed to not see credit card bills or not be able to pay something at the end of the month.

USE IT UP.. WEAR IT OUT... MAKE IT DO... OR DO WITHOUT.... Still works today as it did for our ancestors. Before you toss it out think of ten things you could do with it. Then, if you do not wish to do them, donate!

Keep working on your storage. Once you let it slide, it is harder to catch up then keep up.

Can it, dry it, vac seal it, freeze it...keep working on it! If there is a sale, purchase to enhance your storage if you are able.

This is a hard time of year to be thinking on it with the expenses of getting kids back to school, I have not forgotten, but next comes Christmas so even though it is hard do a little here or there it adds up!

I hear you working on things and I am proud of you  WAY TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAMILIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! KEEP IT UP!!!

Monday Message

Provident Living classes will start Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m.This will be on a Tuesday at the Shooks. It will be a show and tell of sorts on how our progress is coming and how the binders are coming, mostly sharing tips and ideas we will also be planning future classes that are wanted. So if you have a class you want Sis. Shook to offer email her at....   bshook@huxcomm.net. Also if you want to share what you have been doing on your storage but cannot come please email, it is not bragging it is inspiring and helps us to be encouraged!

Vaughn J. Featherstone, “Food Storage,” Ensign, May 1976, 116
“Do I share with my neighbors who have not followed the counsel? And what about the nonmembers who do not have a year’s supply? Do we have to share with them?” No, we don’t have to share—we get to share! Let us not be concerned about silly thoughts of whether we would share or not. Of course we would share! What would Jesus do? I could not possibly eat food and see my neighbors starving.And if you starve to death after sharing, “greater love hath no man than this …” (John 15:13.) . . . Now what about those who would plunder and break in and take that which we have stored for our families’ needs? Don’t give this one more idle thought.


http://www.honeybeepantry.com/ - this is my favorite blog on food storage. There is so much that you can learn on this site, divide it like your own personal classes on the left side. She is a stake food storage specialist in Florida and if  you do not do anything else, read all she has on making bread. She holds your hand through all of it. Very good! I have used her ideas with success.

http://positivelyprepared.blogspot.com/search/label/dehydrating - now is the time we have extra from the garden! Dehydrating is an excellent way to save that produce to use later.....you can vacuum seal it when done and using it will also be rewarding.

http://ldsindex.org/provident-living - a few articles here to read.

http://providentlivingisfun.blogspot.com/2010/04/food-storage-recipes-for-2-week-supply.html - this site has some recipes to get you started on your two weeks then go from there. The main point is to start.

https://sites.google.com/site/sharingprovidentliving/milwaukee-south-stake-provident-living-newsletter-loaves-fishes-volume-1-issue-10 - in this site above I thought you would get ideas from another stake.

http://www.dinnerisinthejar.com/ - this is an interesting idea to share with you.

http://jamiecooksitup.net/2012/08/40-food-storage-recipes-and-food-storagepantry-staple-lists/ - just something with more recipes.  I encourage you to try out some recipes; in a crisis is not a time to test recipes and hope the kids will like it, if they do like it put it in your binder.

Keep working on your storage. I am proud of all of you!

Summertime on the porch