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 am on a list of knitters and twice now they were talking about grocery store shelves being empty from all over the world so it is just not a U.S. thing. I do not get a sense of panic yet, more like having to make adjustments to what they purchase.

That is what we need to do tighten the belt a bit. People have been doing this for a while now so we must be getting good at it.

Soups and bread go a long way and on cold days that would be a wonderful thing.

Breakfast for supper is frugal and yummy.

Casseroles

Puff pancake

Crepes

Shepherds pie is frugal

Pot pies

What are some frugal things you make??

Waste nothing. If you have a little veggie left do not toss it out, throw it in a container in the freezer and keep adding to it, when it gets full make a great soup. One lady was asking how long out of date cans were good for, they are good for a lot longer than it says. If they are bloated or rusting through, toss them but otherwise they're still good. We do not want to waste.

Cooking from scratch helps us tighten our belts. My favorite chocolate cake can be made with ingredients you already have on hand - http://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2020/04/monday-message_20.html scroll down for the recipe!

The store I picked up groceries at had no English muffins across the board so when that happens here's what to do...

http://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2014/10/english-muffin-bread.html - we make our own. There are a lot of things we can make for ourselves.

http://makedohomemaker.blogspot.com/search/label/Bare%20Essentials%20Living - to inspire you.

https://frugalfamilyhome.com/food/recipes/make-your-own-groceries-35-recipes-to-make-at-home-and-save - here is a fantastic site.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCABC6LEy2nOwYyeADkaq8cw - she has more to see here.

https://www.youtube.com/c/Frugalfamilyhome/videos - lots and lots.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zU-6ZO6Br4 - make your own taco seasoning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQlUt28iyg8 - more seasonings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bDYm9-QtHw - I love watching this gal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_MB4XKOWxY - she is very good.

I am moving right along weaving this scarf.

Missy says be content with what you have.

Gus says wear the N95 or Kn95 masks and be safe, we are not over this yet.

Monday Message

"As we do our very best, we can be confident that 'the barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail.' We shall enjoy greater wisdom, security, peace of mind, and personal well-being. We shall be prepared, and because we are prepared, we 'shall not fear.'"  (Bishop Keith B. McMullin)

We got ten inches of snow at the time I wrote this, following it is bitter cold temps.

The funny thing is before the storm came I walked to the mailbox and look what I found in the garden...

Parsley! I could not believe it!! We have had temps that felt like -20 to -35. We have had snow storms and still it was there. I call that pretty amazing. Not something you would see here in Central Iowa in the middle of January.

With this current snow storm it was nice to be inside warping the table top loom. We call her Baby Bertha since the other loom is called Big Bertha.

Having extra on hand made it easy to stay home while the storm raged on.

The other thing is we need to all be safe. The cloth masks are not good enough protection against Omicron, use an N95 or a  Kn95. I heard on the news last night that the Omicron wave is heading to the Midwest. So I expect it to be much worse than it is now and now is pretty bad. We got an email from the hospital saying they were having a high volume of upper respiratory patients and they were having a list of what to do if you suspected you might have Covid. They also said wait times were going to be longer.

My doctor said things are really really really bad and not to go anywhere near a hospital right now so hoping we won't need to.

Missy said now more than ever be safe.

Gus says find a place to be cozy and stay put.

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 think we all see how long it takes to get supplies to people needing them. In emergencies, depending on the devastation, roads may be impassable. We want to be able to help others at this time so having a food storage helps not only ourselves but others as well.

https://www.littlehouseliving.com/how-to-prepare-for-difficult-times.html - I love this gal and this post is very helpful.

https://www.favequilts.com/Beginner-Basics/Back-to-Basics-Quilting-Tips-for-Beginners - this is helpful if you are wanting to learn this skill.

https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knitting-Tutorials/Knitting-Class - this was a great find this week, it has a course you can click on in the post.

https://www.allfreesewing.com/Basics-and-Tutorials/Beginner-Sewing-Videos-Learn-to-Sew-Tutorials - here is one on sewing.

https://www.allfreecrochet.com/Scarves/Classic-Infinity-Scarf - this one on crocheting.

https://thesurvivalmom.com/cold-weather-survival-survive-in-a-stranded-car/ - I think we all saw that clogged interstate on the news. This is always something I think about a lot in the winter.

I have always thought having skills is a great thing.

I am writing this post the day after my birthday. Traditionally, I love to go to the used bookstore, it's something I always look forward to. But times being what they are and this not safe for us to do, I needed to think what else would I like to do?

So I decided to dye for my b-day. I had everything on hand. For years I have collected things I would need to dye fiber.

When we insulated the garage a few years ago I had to use this mask, when we were done doing the insulation I put it in my basket of things for dyeing.

When you use dyes in their powdered form you have to wear a mask.

Once the dye is mixed I could take the mask off. I wear rubber gloves as well.

I braided up some wool fleece and soaked them for about an hour.

I laid out plastic wrap, it is here that I will mention everything I use was collected to be dedicated to be used for only dyeing not for use in food ever. Like the pans, the jars, the canner, a scale, the salad spinner, the stir spoons - I keep all these just for dyeing only.

This pan was one method I used for dyeing.

This is the other method I used.

When I was done dyeing they then have to thoroughly dry. Here is what they look like...

When dry, I make these braids and when I am ready, I will spin them into yarn.

This was what I did on my birthday and you got to see what fun it was! Even my furry supervisors approved! So even though we have traditions that we need to change because of Covid, it is okay, we still can have fun and fun was had for sure.

Gus says still be very very careful!  It is not time to let your guard down.

Missy says that staying safe sometimes means staying in.

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)

Today is the beginning of 2022 at the time of this writing. So far it looks the same. I truly hope this is the year we wipe out the pandemic and our government gets the spirit of working together - so much can be done when we work together.

I picked this quote to ask - have you ever thought about when everyone gets the virus like they did with the airlines what would happen? Like what if everyone in the grocery stores near you get sick? It could take weeks for them to get better. Do you have enough on hand to wait that long? This variant spreads so fast and workers are close together that this could occur.

As of now we have a big winter snow storm about to hit. Having stuff on hand is good in any event.

I have a big crockpot of chili going and just shaped cinnamon rolls to bake, what if we lose power? It's something I think about a lot. I would put the chili in a big pan and set it on a stove burner.

When I know that it could happen I make sure the dishes are washed in the dish washer and caught up and that the laundry is caught up as well. I just do this anyway but I am really mindful of what ifs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oodbG76dxPU - this is helpful, she goes through some items to stock up on in a budget.

https://theprudenthomemaker.com/blog/ - she has on this page frugal things she did and what she is thankful for, it is always helpful to read the comments too, so many ideas.

https://daisyfarmcrafts.com/crochet-dreamy-scarf/ - my daughter Sarah suggested this site and it is just perfect as it is to be soooo cold.

Something I always like is that people will make extra scarves and mittens and tie around trees or on a fence with a free sign so if people need the item they can just take it, I love this.

Being kind to each other is the most wonderful thing. It makes me think of Mrs. Wells - when I was eight she lived across the street, when my mom went to the hospital to deliver a set of twins she brought over a casserole. I answered the door and I did not know if we were to pay her but no she was just kind and now as I will be 66 in six days this memory still warms my heart and made a difference to me. I feel like kindness never ever goes out of style.

We usually go to the used bookstore for my birthday but that isn't going to happen with virus stuff so I thought and thought what would I like to do and here is my plan...

I am planning a dye fiber day.

For years I have accumulated what I would need to dye fiber from yard sales from years ago. So this is my plan for that day.

What things could you suggest for a stay home celebration? Share with us, we would love to hear it.

https://www.todaysparent.com/family/activities/fun-things-to-do-at-home/ - here are fun ideas to do at home.

https://lauragraceweldon.com/2016/02/03/45-cures-for-cabin-fever/ - more ideas for cabin fever.

Staying home should not be a punishing thing for anyone.

https://www.pinterest.com/whynotmom/indoor-activities-for-cabin-fever/ - visual ideas.

https://www.bradfordfamilydentist.ca/4-fun-family-activities-to-prevent-cabin-fever/ - great ideas.

https://www.snc.edu/safeandsound/docs/45-ways-for-grownups-to-beat-cabin-fever.pdf - some great ideas here for those with no kids at home.

https://parade.com/1009774/stephanieosmanski/things-to-do-with-kids-during-coronavirus-quarantine/ - great ideas, I love all that people come up with.

This is the new spinning project...

I moved my sock knitting machine and soon there will be some action there.

And don't forget to keep doing some hygge with candles and coziness!

Missy says find time for fun things.

Gus said he knows choices can be hard but please choose to stay safe.

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)

At the time of this writing it is Christmas Day and I imagining you are all having a terrific Christmas, some of you may even have a white Christmas. In Central Iowa there's no snow but lots of sunshine.

No snow equals NO shoveling so I am happy.

You will get this post a few weeks after Christmas and hopefully your are rested and destressed.

Running up to Christmas, I finished the mats I had on the loom.

I will cut these apart. I learned a lot.

Then I put the next project on the loom it took days...

This is way harder than it looks in the pictures but I was able to get it done before Christmas which was my goal.

I pushed myself through and am amazed I was able to do this - a real learning thing for me. It was a ton of work though. I never put on so much warp. These will be dishtowels. It was so surprising I took three colors and got the threads in order and soooooo very many threads - 362 in all.

This is what they should look like in the end.

Amazing I say!

It was hard to get this ready. But I took it and broke it into steps, the next time I do such a big warping, I will even break those steps down more...a lot more steps

I also put a new spin on the spinning wheel.

It will be a pretty spin.

About the time you get this, it will soon be my birthday and my plans are to dye some wool for future spinning, this too will be a learning thing for me to dye fiber by myself in winter as well but that is my goal.

What are your plans for this new year??

Missy and Gus are enjoying what they got for Christmas...

They say enjoy the year to come!

And I say sorry for the mess they made on the floor but I had to take the picture as Missy is usually a blur, I did pick it up after said picture was taken.

May we all have a much better year ahead.