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)

"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)

In Argentina, Relief Society leaders are trying to teach the importance of food storage. They wrote: "Unfortunately, most of the sisters [here] cannot afford to buy an extra kilo of sugar, or flour, or an extra liter of oil. However, they have been encouraged to save, even just a spoonful at a time." (Elaine L. Jack)

"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)

"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)

"Decide as a family that there will be no vacation or holiday next year unless you have your year’s supply. Many Church members could buy a full year’s supply of the basics from what they would save by not taking a vacation. Take the vacation time and work on a family garden. Be together, and it can be just as much fun." (Vaughn J. Featherston) *Intended as a suggestion. For the full context, read his talk here.

I think I could not enjoy a vacation knowing I did not have storage in. I once heard someone give a talk and say a person hasn't any business buying antiques if they did not have their storage in, it has helped me to have perspective.

They just said our wheat is going up. Wheat is in an awful lot of the food that we all eat so we need to take that into account.

I think now is the time to be stocking up on the very basics like dried beans, pasta, instant potatoes, flour (whichever kind you can eat). One time I told a lady about putting flour in five gallon food-safe buckets. When I saw her later, she said she had her flour and sugar in and showed us one bucket of flour and one of sugar. I then told her we were going through a bucket a month of each for our family so I kindly explained more would be needed.

It is easy to think it is a lot but when you have to do everything from scratch - cookies, bread, biscuits, rolls, brownies, pies, cakes, pancakes, waffles...you go through a lot of flour.

And that isn't all you need - yeast and lots of it. I get those two pound bags at Sam's. Get quite a few and store them in the freezer. I put one in a quart jar I keep in the refrigerator, this is my using jar. Then you have baking powder and baking soda and salt, I store powdered milk, and I keep my chocolate ingredients on hand.

You can use those ingredients to make my favorite chocolate cake, scroll down here for the recipe - http://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2020/04/monday-message_20.html 

Think about everything you eat then plan your storage.

What is the most expensive meal you eat? Is it fifty dollars for example. What could you get for that amount of money? Oatmeal, beans, pasta, flour, sugar, cornmeal, popcorn, canned tomatoes....so give up those meals for a time and use the money to stock your pantry. Get oil and shortening, get one dollar brownie mixes, get pancake complete mixes that you only have to add water to - it can be waffles or pancakes. You can purchase syrup or get the ingredients to make your own, have brown sugar and jams and jellies.

If you do not can meat get canned tuna, chicken, ham, beef. We store dried beef. I make a white sauce and add a little cheese and chopped up dried beef to it. We have this over toast or mashed potatoes. If you can, try canning meat, it is the easiest to can. Have beans and rice too.

https://jamiecooksitup.net/2012/08/40-food-storage-recipes-and-food-storagepantry-staple-lists/ - this can be helpful to get you thinking.

https://www.pinterest.com/mamakven/food-storage-recipes/ - more ideas.

https://www.fromvalerieskitchen.com/easy-pantry-staple-recipes-food-stocking-storage-tips/

https://preparednessmama.com/basic-food-storage/ - anything out of Utah is great food.

https://preppersuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Food-Storage-Recipes.pdf - this has very helpful information.

I wanted you to see eating this food can be good, you are not just eating beans although beans in things taste great too.

Peanut butter, jams jellies any of them in sandwiches on biscuits on waffles or pancakes or even fry bread is wonderful.

There are many recipes in this cookbook that are very easy and if you don't have a bread machine do it by hand it is just the same, here's my post with the recipes inside - http://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2020/04/monday-message_20.html

https://extension.usu.edu/sanpete/files/Soup_or_Sauce_SOS_Mix.pdf - my favorite.

https://chickensintheroad.com/cooking/homemade-hamburger-helper/ my other fav.

https://www.theideadoor.com/home-family-resources/self-reliance/food-storage/everything-under-the-sun/ - this is fantastic, another fav. I use her egg replacer recipe, it's one you should have in your binder.

Well I just want you to have the best resources out there. Things are changing and will be for quite a while, we need to adapt.

Keep working on your skills...

This is what I worked over trying different ways of doing it till I got the one I like which is the red one.

I took some of the fabric I used to cover the ironing board with, cut them into strips and used them to decorated a bit in my sewing area.

Missy says build those binders with recipes and information like egg substitutes.

Gus says remember to keep being safe, remember to be kind in all things and pray for Ukraine.

Get out your binders add your frugal recipes.

Monday Message

"To foster the economic self-sufficiency of the Latter-day Saint families, fathers and mothers, priesthood and Relief Society leaders are encouraged first to focus upon family preparedness, an important part of which is home production—canning, gardening, sewing, making household items—and also upon home storage, on the need for Saints to have a year’s supply of food, clothing, and, where possible, fuel." (H. Burke Peterson)

"I have on occasion cited the need for many reservoirs in our lives to provide for our needs. I have said, 'Some reservoirs are to store water. Some are to store food, as we do in our family welfare program and as Joseph did in the land of Egypt during the seven years of plenty. There should also be reservoirs of knowledge to meet the future needs; reservoirs of courage to overcome the floods of fear that put uncertainty in our lives; reservoirs of physical strength to help us meet the frequent burdens of work and illness; reservoirs of goodness; reservoirs of stamina; reservoirs of faith.

"Yes, especially reservoirs of faith, so that when the world presses in upon us, we stand firm and strong; when the temptations of a decaying world about us draw on our energies, sap our spiritual vitality, and seek to pull us down, we need a storage of faith that can carry youth, and later adults, over the dull, the difficult, the terrifying moments; disappointments; disillusionments; and years of adversity, want, confusion, and frustration... Parents...are expected to lay foundations for their children and to build the barns and tanks and bins and reservoirs." (President Spencer W. Kimball)

It is so sad to watch what is happening in Ukraine. Their lives will never be the same. All their buildings and homes destroyed. Their lives upended. You can see what they value most is family and loved ones.

We have been asked to sacrifice before and now we have been asked to again. We need to pull together. It saddens me to see people be so petty about the price of gas. 

We need to be an example, we need to be kind. I heard a report about how bad Russians who live here now are being treated poorly just like Asians are ever since Covid and Muslims ever since 9/11. I do not know why people do that. There was protests in Russia against this invasion. So, I say we need to be kind. We need to do what we can to do our part and for now... that goes for enduring high gas prices and in turn groceries and other products. It will not kill us to give up the extras to make do for now, that is doing our part. If we are not able to, what does that say about us? I say we can find ways to make do.

Yes, it means things will be tight and tighter yet. We need to roll up our sleeves and work a little harder and wiser for now. We live in a country that has freedoms and we can be supportive or negative but being negative is exhausting and is not a good example to the next generation. Lets show them we can push on and be kind to others.

One of the skills you know that I have been working on is weaving. I used some odd cotton yarn left over from knitting dishcloths to weaving some.

They are still wet in this picture but they turned out wonderfully. I will do them again at some point.  You can see I tried a waffle weave on one of them, I want to see how it holds up. In the podcast I watched to learn to do these, she showed her old ones when she made the new ones and they looked just as new as the new ones. She said she washed them several times a week for the last year. So doing them from what I had on hand was a bonus and a good way to use up those little balls of leftovers.

I now have the little loom warped up ready to do mug rugs as I continue to learn new skills.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nkPrJk9X5s - love this gal, this should be inspiring to you.

http://artthreads.blogspot.com/2011/12/monday-project-christmas-tree.html - I thought this would be an easy way for you to work on the embroidery skill.

https://www.moderndailyknitting.com/category/how-to/ - this is a learn how to knit techniques site, very nice.

https://lifesewsavory.com/how-to-sew-a-shirt-womens-free-tshirt/ - I love free and she has a free pattern to print piece together and make t-shirts but go through here and watch her make one from a man's used t-shirt. If you have a used men's t-shirt and this pattern then whole thing would be free.

Speaking of used t-shirts, did you know you can make underwear from the t-shirts as well https://atfirstblushpatterns.com/how-to-make-underwear-out-of-a-t-shirt/

https://fondi.com/how-to-stretch-pizza-dough/ - okay, I thought who doesn't want to learn this skill? :p

http://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2014/02/monday-message-convenience-in-kitchen.html and of course to go with it is this post on my favorite pizza dough.

https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/blog/frugal-living/ - frugal living.

https://savvybudgetboss.com/frugal-living-tips/ - frugal ideas.

https://lifeandabudget.com/best-frugal-living-tips/ - there is a nice list here to get you thinking.

There is more we can do, we just need to think differently about what you can do.

https://wediditourway.com/low-waste-zero-waste-kitchen-on-budget/ - a different way of thinking, use everything, waste nothing. Find a use for items, don't throw them out.

Save glass jars with their lids to use for leftovers or storage items. https://www.ruralsprout.com/reuse-glass-jars/ - don't throw them out.

If you make your own mixes you save money and excess waste.

https://www.budget101.com/frugal-living/5956-why-you-should-make-your-own-homemade-mixes/ - this site has wonderful recipes for mixes.

I use cardboard boxes to put down on the garden to keep weeds from growing before planting time arrives.

Gus said here is another idea to reuse a cardboard box...take an old t-shirt and put it on the box so the neck of shirt is at the open part of the box, then tip the box like in his picture and tuck the rest of the shirt like an envelope in the back.

Missy says use what you have on hand to store things in rather then running out to buy items. You could start a whole new trend and it may even have a dual purpose as Missy shows with her exercise routine.

They both say to still be very safe and to be kind to others. Look for frugal ways to build your skills and storage and to pray for Ukraine. Meow.

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, 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)

"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)

"We can begin ever so modestly. We can begin with a one week’s food supply and gradually build it to a month, and then to three months. I am speaking now of food to cover basic needs. . .I fear that so many feel that a long-term food supply is so far beyond their reach that they make no effort at all. . .Begin in a small way, … and gradually build toward a reasonable objective." (President Gordon B. Hinckley)

"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)

I feel like we needn't panic buy. Several podcasts I have been on talk about how people are flocking to the stores in droves because they are in panic mode. We need not be panicked. Just keep on building your storage and really work at building your skills.

Having the skills to make do in hard times is so important and learning before you need them is the very best time.

https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/easy-recipes-to-know-by-heart/ - these are really basic. If you know how, teach the kids or grandkids.

https://grandmaloyskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/06/diy-groceries-snack-cake-mix.html - this is one of my favorites, I keep this made up all the time.

You can see this mix on the top shelf. I keep one made from Make-A-Mix and the other is the snack cake mix above. I got the recipe out of the magazine back then.

https://downshiftology.com/recipes/how-to-make-homemade-yogurt/ - you can make a lot yourself.

You can make a yogurt cream cheese by straining your yogurt.

https://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/40-groceries-to-stop-buying-and-start-making-to-save-money/ - making our own groceries is good to know how to do.

https://savorandsavvy.com/homemade-grocery-items/ - more DIY groceries.

https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/grocery-store-foods-to-make-at-home/ - more on making your own groceries.

https://frugalfamilyhome.com/food/recipes/make-your-own-groceries-35-recipes-to-make-at-home-and-save - this has even more.

With prices and shortages we need to stock the basics so we can make our own things.

You can do way more than you think...

With a purchase of a used sewing machine, I was able to mend our clothes, make clothes for our kids, curtains for our windows, blankets for the beds, and toys for Christmas.

Could I afford fabric? Nope...still can't...but I would go to yard sales and everyone had a free box. I would look through them and there would be almost brand new jeans but with broken zippers. I would grab those and make jeans for our kids. Sometimes there would be grown-up shirts I could remake for the kids, even t-shirts that were no longer what the person wanted. I would make underpants out of them for the kids. Sometimes there were items I just needed to hem or add a button or applique a fun patch to a hole.

I still have that used machine. Learning to sew and make bread and cooking from scratch were skills I learned that made a huge difference.

Patterns to make clothes are a huge expense if you do not get them on sale but an even cheaper way is to trace off a pattern from clothes you already have.

Notice in the second picture the cutting board under this pattern I made, it was 25 cents from a yard sale.

Just get a used machine and some notions and you have just added to your storage. Learning to use it is a skill that is priceless.

I took some fabric and covered my little ironing board. This saved a few dollars. If you are willing to do things like this, the amount of funds you have will go further.

Getting things used has aided us in more ways than I can count. So if you need something, check thrift stores or freecycle or neighborhood pages or yard sales first.

When Sergers came out it wasn't long before I found one at a yard sale for ten dollars, it still serves me well.

Have we gotten rich by doing all this? Nope...but it has helped our quality of life. Do I still learn skills? Oh yes I do. Everything you learn will enhance your life.

We are headed into a harder time where we have to be able to know how to make do.

When I was very young we walked everywhere. I was always looking at the ground and I would see buttons on the ground. I would pick them up and started collecting them. Now that I am older I have quite a collection that was totally free and very very helpful.

As we see the horrible things happening we need to keep people in our prayers. Being kind to others is a huge thing that we should keep doing too.

Gus says make a budget and stick too it and add a few extra things to your grocery list to stick in your storage.

Missy says learn needle skills and if you are walking along look down, you might see a button to start your collection.

Monday Message

"Wood, coal, gas, oil, kerosene, and even candles are among those items which could be reserved as fuel for warmth, cooking, and light or power. Some may be used for all of these purposes and certain ones would have to be stored and handled cautiously. It would also be well to have on hand some basic medical supplies to last for at least a year." (President Ezra Taft Benson)

"Concerning clothing, we should anticipate future needs, such as extra work clothes and clothes that would supply warmth during winter months when there may be shortages or lack of heating fuel. Leather and bolts of cloth could be stored, particularly for families with younger children who will outgrow and perhaps outwear their present clothes." (President Ezra Taft Benson)

"Most of us cannot afford to store a year’s supply of luxury items, but find it more practical to store staples that might keep us from starving in case of emergency." (James E. Faust)

At the time of writing this blog post horrible things are happening in Ukraine. Our hearts and prayers go out to those people who are being affected.

It sure seems that in this day stuff like that should not be happening. 

It makes us think more on our own preparedness.

I have still been spring cleaning here.

I cleaned the cone yarn shelf, unloaded it, wiped it down, wiped the bags I had over the yarn and bagged the yarn I didn't already have in bags, then reorganized it.

I have been working on the dishcloths. I think they are working up nicely.

I have gotten out a few projects I wish to work on as well as the ongoing ones by my chair.

I have done a little spinning when I can.

I have been rearranging the bedroom and bookshelf and putzing around at odd jobs.

Do you remember when I talked about making a food storage binder? - http://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2015/03/monday-message_23.html 

It might be a good time to revisit that and keep building it. Keep building your skills. Incase we are in for harder times ahead, it is good to know what you can use instead of eggs. For example, because of the conflict in Ukraine we will see higher prices and should brace ourselves. Learn what are some of the most frugal meals your family enjoys and put them in your meal rotation.

Try getting a few extra canned goods when you get groceries. I am sure we will have more shortages.  We want to be able to weather through what lies ahead.

We need to find ways to live more frugally.

https://www.seamwork.com/magazine/2020/06/how-to-sew-cloth-pads

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P26nU_a5gHc - how to make cloth diapers. If you don't want to make them then just purchase cloth diapers and plastic pants and diaper pins...not fun but oh my, so so very much cheaper!

Think of ways you can save. What do you spend a lot on? Look for ways that perhaps you can make those things yourself.

https://www.awilson.co.uk/making-friends-with-your-sewing-machine-using-the-buttonhole-foot/

I like how she says make friends with our sewing machines. Yes, we need to learn all that they can do to help us.

Gus says that we need to keep an eye on what is going on and make sure you are beefing up skills and storage, especially cat nibbles.

Missy says we need to make do with what we have on hand.