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)

Things seem to only be getting worse right now with groceries continuing to get more expensive with every trip to the store, bird flu with egg shortages, with job layoffs, price of gas, weather. It makes us all wonder, how can we manage?

We can't solve these problems but maybe we can do some things to help our family.

I have noticed the shortage of eggs, some areas have none and those that do, the prices are very high. What can we do?

These are my favorite substitutes for eggs...

For using one egg this is my favorite - 1 tsp. unflavored gelatin, add 1/4 c. cold water, stir till dissolved. Then add 2 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. of hot water then take out 1/4 c. of liquid from your recipe. This equals one egg.

If you need two or three eggs use 2 Tbsp. water or milk, 1/2 tsp. baking powder, 1 1/2 tsp. vegetable oil, 2 Tbsp. flour.

You can find other recipes but these are my favorite.

I always thought I would sorely miss French toast if I did not have eggs but not so.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_99AiTOF7Ao&list=PLQ5tDXveYZqdf5oDNm1FpWv6AaYwoNBLo

Here are more of her eggless recipes - https://www.youtube.com/@EasilyEggless/videos

With eggs so high-priced these will help stretch what eggs you do have.

Yes, it does take more work to be more frugal but we can do it.

I see many people doing no-spend months and only using what they have on hand. I guess I would say if times were normal this would be helpful but they aren't normal and I would suggest that if you do this, keep track of what you use and save the funds you would have spent for purchasing storage and replacing what you use. Look for sales and stock up. I say use, replace, stock up.

Stock up on non-perishable items that can stretch your budget.

I like to have instant potatoes on hand to add to bread or soup or casseroles. We don't mind eating them as mashed potatoes either but if you don't like them as mashed, cook a potato and use that water and the potato to add to the instant mashed potatoes.

We like them on this casserole...

Green Bean Casserole

In a greased 9x13 pan put cooked hamburger, whatever amount you have or I love using leftover taco meat, to this add two cans of drained green beans, add two cans tomato soup, you can add dehydrated onion if desired. Stir this all together and spread out evenly in the pan, top with mashed potatoes. I top with cheese if I have it on hand or you can leave it plain.

It is all about stretching what we have without sacrificing yumminess!

Flour is important to stock up on along with salt, sugar, yeast (which I store in the freezer and the quart jar I am using in the refrigerator) and vegetable shortening and oil, storing these items means bread products.

Then baking powder and baking soda, cocoa powder, canned fruits and veggies, powdered milk, rice and beans, popcorn, pasta, peanut butter and jams and jelly, oatmeal, molasses - if you have this and sugar you can make your own brown sugar.

There are more things that you can add to this list but you can see if you have items like this in-house there are more things you could make.

If you put off stocking up because you think the prices will come down it would be like years ago flour jumped from $3.79 (for a 20 pound bag) to $4.79. I wasn't happy so went to ask the worker what happened with the flour, he said it jumps this time of year (no it didn't), just wait it will come back down. Well I'm still waiting. It never did go back down, it has only gone up. I went ahead and got the flour. So long story short, just get it in.

I always say if you go into a store, don't leave without one item for storage, just a box of Jell-o or a jar of peanut butter or a package of beans. Either you will stop going to the store so often or you will build your storage.

French Dressing - This is a family favorite (my mother-in-law's recipe)

1 c. oil

1 c. ketchup

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. vinegar

1/4 tsp. each of...

garlic powder

celery seed

parsley

minced dry onion

Stir till sugar is dissolved.

This fits nicely in a quart jar just shake before using.

Bread is a frugal way to stretch your meals and tastes great as well, check out this post on all the recipes you can make with a bread machine or by hand! - https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2019/08/monday-message.html

Busy Day Soup Mix (I like to have jars of it on the shelf ready to go)

into a pint jar put...

6 beef or chicken boullion cubes

1/4 c. lentils

1/4 c. ABC-shaped pasta

1/8 c. yellow split peas

1/8 c. barley

1/4 c. green split peas

1/4 c. wide noodles

1/4 c. dried onion

Then I tuck a few bowtie pasta to fill in the rest.

To make it...

Add the ingredients of this jar to six cups of boiling water that you either cooked a cut-up pound of chicken in or a pound of hamburger which is still in there by the way. Simmer this for an hour.

It is terrific and so nice to have on the shelves.

Mary Ann gave us one of her favorite soups - https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/soup/vegetable-soup/cabbage-soup-12.html

And also shared this site...thank you! https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/main-course/casseroles/taco-spaghetti-casserole.html?utm_source=jap+TrendHead&utm_medium=curatorcrowd&utm_campaign=TrendHead&utm_content=TrendHead+1

I will add again these frugal favorite sites of mine...

https://chickensintheroad.com/classic/cooking/homemade-hamburger-helper/

https://extension.usu.edu/sanpete/files/Soup_or_Sauce_SOS_Mix.pdf

https://www.budget101.com/recipes/516-complete-mix-recipe-index/

Keep building your skills so you can mend your clothes and do other helpful things.

I am moving along on this project. Knowing how to knit has been a great skill, crocheting is as well.

It is nice not to have to go get food when a snowstorm hits.

Missy says be on the lookout for frugal ideas!

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)

This week I have been doing some deep cleaning and thinking about this post. I found myself grateful for what I do have, even if it was heavy to shift around. I thought perhaps we should be hanging on to the things we have. I think other people may be thinking the same thing as I have been in the thrift shop a few times (with a mask on for sure as flu is way too high in our area) and I have noticed a huge difference in what they have. Also, I noticed prices are way up too. So hanging on to things right now may be a good idea...use it up, make it do, or do without our grandmothers would say. Think outside the box - how can we use an item differently?

I also have been thinking a lot about stretching things from your food, supplies, clothes, shoes, etc.

We need to find less expensive ways of doing what you do now.

Cedar Creek Homestead on YouTube had a very helpful recipe for pan spread. In your mixer (using equal parts) mix one cup oil, one cup vegetable shortening, one cup of flour. Mix well and put in a jar with a lid. Put it in the refrigerator then if you need to grease a bread pan, take it out and use your pastry brush to spread it. Use this to grease your bread pan, cake pan, muffin tins, casserole dishes. 

This will last a very long time. This means you won't have to purchase spray cans. Every penny counts, it all adds up.

What recipe you can share that would save money?

We are going to need to get back to basics and build skills.

I am developing my knitting skill a bit more and using yarns I already have in my stash is great.

I have been working in my sewing area and thought I would show a free decoration for the wall. I had a frame and an old pattern. I took out the directions and put them in the frame which made for a free item for the wall.

This was totally free, all it took was just thinking outside the box.

I've been working on my weaving skill as well.

For my sewing skill, I had to learn to alter this shirt a bit till I got what I wanted for the fit.

I also worked on this is a project bag I made from supplies I already had on hand. It has two pockets on the inside. The pattern for it was a paid for pattern though from Craft House Magic.

Here you can see the fabric close up. Look those mitten strings, I kept thinking I had a loose thread on the fabric :p I plan to make a few more with other fabrics I have. I may be piecing some together but that too will be cute. I usually have multiple projects going.

If you don't have a bread machine try to find one at thrift stores, if you don't have bread pans look for them too.

Time to look for a water bath canner, pressure canner, dehydrator, food saver. Try to find used, even ask on freecycle first or ask for these kind of things for gifts. Talk to relatives who are done canning if you could buy their equipment. I even put it up at the post office that I was looking for free canning jars and that worked well. Look at thrift stores, look at yard sales, Craig's list.

These items will help you the most as well as a used sewing machine and supplies, even if you used them just to mend your clothes.

If things breakdown, do not be so fast to throw them out. Look up how to repair them. We fixed our dryer and our stove by doing that very thing.

Eggs are high right now, find recipes without eggs. Breads don't all take eggs so choose one that doesn't and use that. All this is to say, try to stretch what you have - in this case, eggs.

I got this gingersnap recipe from Mary Ann, it doesn't use eggs so that's a plus.

Ginger Snaps

Newfoundland cookie with a snap! If made thicker can be used for gingerbread men.

Bring to a boil in saucepan;

1/4 cup water,1/2 cup molasses,

1/3 cup shortening

Cool...

Sift together:

2 cups all purpose flour, 2/3 cups sugar

1/2 tsp. baking soda, pinch salt

1 tablespoon ginger, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

sift into molasses mixture, chill 1 hour. (I don’t do this I just stir in)

The instructions say….roll dough 1/8 inch thickness, cut with a cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on baking sheet.

Bake 375 degrees for 5 to 8 minutes. or lightly browned

Makes 6 dozen.

We really have to be mindful how we do things now more than ever. Missy says being frugal is serious business but that doesn't mean we have to be deprived.

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)

We see weather being crazy all over. Also, prices so high we need to continue to be frugal and to stock up. We need to be ready for our family and others when the need arises.

At this time of writing....it is the day before my 67th birthday.

I got an air fryer from our youngest daughter and her husband. While I am learning it still, I did do these...

When we would celebrate our anniversary or special events, we would eat at a favorite place and this is what we would have, it's a favorite of mine. A big thank you to my sister-in-law, Lynette, for steering me to the recipe. It tastes just like what we would have so now we can have them at home for way less. So that is wonderful to be able to make this.

https://www.eatingonadime.com/homemade-buffalo-sauce-recipe/ - this is the sauce.

https://www.eatingonadime.com/air-fryer-boneless-chicken-wings/ - so very good.

I look forward to seeing what else I can do with this machine.

I am continually trying to learn things. We can learn and I am thankful for that.

I made this little sweater and I am wanting to make the others in the set. It was a fun knit.

I am still weaving rug mugs. I am loving this color the best. I have no information on it, I even did a search and nothing. It was an odd leftover ball from the yarn haul i got so many years ago. I think I would try to dye something that will be close to it.  We will see how I come out on that. I am amazed I saved it as it was so small. But that said, I wasn't going to use it as it was kind of ugly but at the last minute i thought okay and working with the warp it is so pretty together.

I am trying to build my skills.

How are you coming on building your skills?

I am very much enjoying working on this shawl.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/154600199696287914/ - this is what it will look like when done and is a free pattern.

Use the long dark winter to develop skills.

Missy says build your storage and be safe!

Monday Message

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)

You can build your storage even just a spoonful at a time...we just have to do it.

I thought I would highlight some of my favorite podcasts...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF4WiY5bIzs - she is very frugal and you will learn a lot from her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuzthwEXdgc - this is so inspiring what they do in the UK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMjNXkmELBk - she does great work dehydrating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HXbrXSPCj4 - she shows sewing a skirt.

What are some of your favorite sites to share with us?

These are my favorite frugal books - http://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/search?q=frugal+books

I finally got to finish this shirt. The pattern is perfect so I plan on making more this new year. I love it when I have a pattern just like I like it.

Missy is overseeing my project and catching any mistakes is high on her list.

I have several projects I am working on baby Bertha (aka the table top loom pictured here.) 

I am trying to finish up the mug rugs. Next to it is my Christmas day cast on which is a shawl that will be worn around my neck as a scarf. Next to that is a small sweater with a penguin on it. Just for fun I would like to make them all, I think there are seven or eight in the set.

I have done some spinning to try to finish this spin since I'm so close to the end of it. Then on to a different spin. I am also weaving.

We are still working on our puzzle. A puzzle would be a good winter fun activity to do inside where it is warm.

I think for a New Year's goal learning more frugal ways is on my important list. There is always more to learn and ways to save.

What are your goals and your frugal thoughts for this coming year?

Missy says relaxing with her toy is high on the list so she is encouraging you all to find time to slow down and smell the catnip...or roses.

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)

At the time of this writing we are in the middle of a horrid storm. I am sure some of you are in it as well.

It is the worst I have been in for a long while.

We had a long notice it was coming. I had intended to make a fresh fruit run towards the end of the week but when I heard the storm was coming I rearranged my schedule. I went and did the errands right away so we would not be out in the storm to do the errands.

I made sure to be ahead on laundry and dishwasher in case the pipes would freeze.

Having storage and being prepared helped things to go well.

I fixed a big pot of chili and pecan sticky rolls in case power would go out.

http://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-snacks-julekaga-jerky.html - I made julekaga.

Tell us what you did to prepare for this storm or any storm down in the comments below.

I still have been working on the kits I made up in the advent bags.

Missy says have a happy and frugal new year and we say it with her as well.