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)

I think this year has shown us that we have to be prepared for anything. The other day we had a tornado outbreak. There were fifteen tornadoes close to our area. There was a farm where the first one hit and being in the country they had no sirens and I am guessing they had a phone alert but this one totally destroyed everything. I don't know what their house looked like before but only part of the first floor was there. They had eight grandkids visiting at the time, that alone sends fear through us all. But they went to their basement and went under a pool table. They were all unharmed, thank goodness. We all should be getting geared up for our safety spot to make sure we all know the plan.

We only had a walnut tree break in half but we played lumberjack and got it cut and put in the burn pile.

I am feeling like storm damage is our new normal.

We had tons of rain. Though the sad thing is the driveway usually always has puddles, big puddles when it storms like that and part of the side yard has standing water, well there were no puddles and no standing water this time as we were in a drought and while the rain was good it still isn't enough.

The garden is looking rough from the weather this year but I press on.

As we watch the news, terrible catastrophic things are happening all over. We need to be prepared to be able to weather what comes our way. There is no way to be prepared for everything and most have no budget for that either so we have to do what we can do. Learn skills and put in some storage and stand ready to assist our neighbors.

https://homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-make-pickles/ - as we will soon be in the canning season I thought this might be helpful.

I know it has been hard to find canning items this year so remember you can still freeze and dehydrate as well.

Stock up on some basic items: salt, honey, sugar, dry beans, rice, flour, and other things like this and beef up your low areas.

I finished the sheep dress I was working on. She looks great with her dress. Now I am working on the next one so they all will be dressed. I have to say I am learning a lot of knitting skills.

I have been doing some organizing this week...

Missy says what?? Were you going to put something in this basket? I thought the rule was to fill the baskets...what better to put in here than me!

I decided to put my embroidery supplies in these containers all together rather than in several areas.

I decided to move my sock machine here...makes for more light and more elbow room.

Here I have a tatting toolbox and shuttles with a basket of books to read on top.

Since tatting was brought up here is thread I use for tatting and bobbin lace which is in the turquoise drawers.

So I have been working hard organizing.

Gus said we should plan to rest more and he is demonstrating just how to do that.

Both Gus and Missy say for you all to stay very safe, wear your masks and keep your paws clean.  And find time to rest.