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 quote packs a lot in it. We all could benefit from following this example.

Trying to have things on hand will bless our family and others.

Now with fall coming on it is time to think about what lies ahead and planning for it like I mentioned before, are we prepared for winter??

Some things we know are coming and some things we don't.

So being prepared the best that we can is SO helpful. We all have been through so much this last while. Our ancestors faced hard times just like we are now. They showed how strong they were and how, no matter what, they pressed on doing the best that they could and finding happiness along the way. We can as well. Nothing is ever so bad that it can't get worse. So we can set an example for others. We see Covid numbers going up, we went through this last year so we know what to do.

I talked about this shirt last week and how I made a pattern off a shirt I liked for comfort. Learning this skill helped me with this...

I got this shirt used years ago. Once, putting it on I knew they had sewed two back pieces together in construction. I carefully picked out the front neckband from shoulder to shoulder only in the front. Then I folded the front in half and cut the neck like it should have been and reattached the neckband and it worked wonderfully. Being able to sew and learning skills has been very helpful. I think on any t-shirt if you wanted to even just change the shape of a neck you could do the same process.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnTwT-ifLkU - this is a fantastic sewing machine tutorial, I love this gal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM_B5_I_Rkk - here she takes you through making a pattern and making a gathered skirt, she shows beginning to end.

I am trying to learn more on sewing skills myself  I have been blessed by knowing how to sew and it is a good skill to build on.

Building our skills helps us to be able to stretch our budget.

These are a few more things I do that stretch the budget. The more we can do ourselves, the more we save.  Learn those skills, it makes a difference

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htT0wwBLpB8 - this gal shows her storage.

https://preparednessmama.com/basic-food-storage/ - this has some good info.

https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-start-a-food-storage-on-138765 - here she tells more.

https://preparednessmama.com/food-storage/kitchen-tips-2/ - helpful ideas here, she has kitchen tips plus more info near the bottom.

Missy says to try and do something you enjoy everyday.

Gus says please be safe.

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)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N624MhSpPgo - she shows getting storage ideas.

I have been working a lot outside this week but worked on the t-shirt that I traced off of an already made t-shirt. I liked using a tracing wheel so this skill building was a win.

It fits just like the original, a great skill to learn. I learned how to make a pattern from an already made shirt with a tracing wheel.

I learned how to make t-shirts when my kids were little. I would applique fun things on the front. Back then we used ribbing for the neck. This was my first one using the same fabric the shirt was made from. I really like the look and it was a savings to boot.

I made a soap sack this week to hold the bits and pieces of soap that get leftover. I wanted to make this to stretch the soap farther for when I don't use these ends for laundry soap.

https://www.crochetwithmarybeth.com/learn-the-iris-stitch-for-charity-free-crochet-pattern/ - here is the pattern, it's free.

https://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/homemade-liquid-laundry-detergent-plus-a-free-printable-label/ - this is the laundry soap I like. I have found just any bar soap works...so none of my soap goes to waste.

I also finished this knitted elephant girl I’ve been working on. The cats approved!

So that is what I learned and finished this week.

Gus wants to know what skills did you learn this week?

Every little thing adds up whether you are growing food storage or growing your skills.

Missy asks are you building a food storage binder with recipes and information you would need?

With prices going up on, well, everything, we will need our skills and storage now more than ever.

The more we can do for ourselves, the more we can save.

Gus says don't stick your tongue out at being safe, keep wearing your mask.

Missy agrees and adds for you to be sure to social distance and wash your paws.

Monday Message

"Included in the year’s supply of basic foods should be life-sustaining foods that store well for a long time: grains (wheat, rice, corn, or other of the cereal grains); dried milk, dried fish or protein vegetables such as beans and peas and other fresh, canned, dried, or pickled fruit or vegetables; sugar or a sugar substitute such as honey; some form of fats; salt; and water. Fresh taro or sweet potato, and live pigs, chickens, or fish might be considered as a supply in some areas of the world where it is difficult to store food. Remember that regular use of whole grains is important in building a digestive tolerance for roughage." (Barbara B. Smith)

I want to stress 72 hour kits with all that is going on. You see people don't get a lot of time to evacuate. Having one ready will help you be able to gather photos, scriptures, masks, meds, and other items. You wouldn’t have to try to think about what to put in it in the last minute as it would be ready.

This is very helpful on 72 hour kits - http://storethisnotthat.com/store-this-not-that-72-hour-kit-food/ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVFKQj3iimw - this shows a pantry.

https://www.youtube.com/c/OutsmartDinner/videos - here are her videos, I love these gals and have both their books.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhNeBYJLXKI&t=6s - helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9lAFTdJdF0 - great ideas.

I am wanting you to realize you can do great meals with food storage and have ideas on what to store.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXJbrFvOksM My tip is when you cut biscuits DO NOT twist the biscuit cutter back and forth, just straight down and up, this will give you the layer tall biscuit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Wy6NgplFjE - best fudgy brownies!

https://www.erinliveswhole.com/oatmeal-blender-pancakes/ - this is oatmeal pancakes.

https://www.melskitchencafe.com/whole-wheat-blender-pancakes-my-new-favorite-breakfast/ - this is wheat pancakes, they are done in a blender and oh they are fantastic!

https://www.melskitchencafe.com/mels-kitchen-tip-buttermilk-substitutions/ - this shows how to do buttermilk.

http://preparednessnibblesandbits.blogspot.com/search/label/Dehydrated%20Apples%20Recipes - this is our favorite apple crisp made with my dehydrated apples. Look around the site, lots of good info.

http://everythingunderthesunblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/book-2.html - l think this is a very good food storage site. I keep her information in my food storage binder.

So you see this post is mostly on food storage and what to do with it. If you haven’t already, start putting together a binder with information on food storage and reserve an area for recipes in it as well.

Be getting in storage for your working pantries.

Let us know how you are doing on yours by leaving us a comment down below.

At the same time be working on your skills. A little here and there adds up.

This week I took a t-shirt I love and made a pattern from it. I turned it inside out on paper and then used a tracing wheel to go around the body of the shirt. This leaves little holes that I then use as a cutting line. After cutting, I fold the shirt sideways in half. I fix anything askew, making sure they are the same, then I cut in half and label one the back and write “cut one on fold.” 

The other piece needs to have the shirt on it again to trace the front neckline, then I cut it out and write “front” and “cut one on fold.” I draw that fold arrow on that edge you just cut on both pieces. Then I fold the sleeve in half and trace it again, labeling and drawing a fold arrow and “cut two on fold.” Those are the pieces in the picture. I haven't decided what neck treatments I want to do yet. The shirt has bias tape on it but first I just want to see how I come out once I have it. I want to make several shirts out of this, changing little things as far as the look - like different neckline ideas or adding a pocket, etc.

Lately, I've been working on the knitted elephant girl here. I just need to finish her arms and she will be done.

I am really learning a lot by doing these smaller things. One tip I’ll pass along - if you are stuck on directions, stop, mull it over in your mind about how you think it’s supposed to go and then do it. If it’s wrong, take it back out and try it different till you get it. Relax, don't stress. I am getting great at taking things out, which in itself is a great skill to learn. The more I do, the more I find shortcuts and streamlining which I can use in other projects in the future.

Missy says now is the time to be extra safe.

Gus says put extra in Missy's statement a few more times and wash your paws and don't eat off the floor.

Monday Message

"More than ever before, we need to learn and apply the principles of economic self-reliance. We do not know when the crisis involving sickness or unemployment may affect our own circumstances. We do know that the Lord has decreed global calamities for the future and has warned and forewarned us to be prepared. "(President Ezra Taft Benson)

With all that is going on, it feels like we are getting pecked to death. It is hard to keep on in it all.  We must try to find comfort and peace. We need to keep on stocking up and keep learning skills.

Our preps need to include things like needles and thread. If you have a sewing machine, learn how to use it better. If you don't, be looking at yard sales and thrift stores but be sure to try them before you buy them. Be on the lookout for dehydrators, jars and any canning supplies, look for fabric and sewing supplies, look for zippers and buttons, look for knitting and crocheting supplies, etc.

Add to that list, good books, also children's books, puzzles, board games.

Look for back-up items like blenders and toasters, things you might need. I try to do this because inevitably I will have one die at the worst time and in the winter I might not have any luck finding used and will have to pay higher prices.

Look for the old church type cookbooks where everyone put their favorites in and use the basic ingredients.

Start preparing for winter, I know it’s early but maybe it will cool you down some. Do you have ice melt? That is what I will need more of. How about ice scrapers? Shovels? Try to think ahead. But if we never get out of the heatwave, no snow will come - OK, that is a joke :p

But we need to think ahead and plan ahead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlazQtUfJ-0 - remember to build your cooking from scratch skills.

So back to these times being hard, they will paralyze us if we let them...don't let them.

Use this time to learn your skills, they can be therapeutic.

I am working on this shawl for winter. The yarn is homespun, some my sister spun and the rest I spun. I will be learning new techniques.

I also am still working on the critters. I am learning so many things by working these up. l love little cotton rabbits. She makes the cutest critters, her patterns are clearly written unlike some others I have done, bringing me back to hers. Not a commercial, just a very happy customer.

So find something that will make you smile and build a skill.

My garden is winding down. I have never had success growing watermelon. I am so so excited that these yummies came out of my garden this year!  You might remember me telling you one year that I was excited I had one a bit smaller than the size of a tennis ball, then one day it disappeared without a trace. I was so disappointed. The next day it showed up again in the same spot. A critter took it, ate on it, must not have liked it and brought it back. Too funny.

Gus said, if only he had longer legs and thumbs he would take up weaving.

Missy says, always stay safe no matter what.