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)

Still warm here but fall is in the air! I made my pumpkin muffins - they are so yummy.

Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

I mix and set aside the topping: 

1/3 cup flour 

3 Tbsp brown sugar 

2 Tbsp cold butter 

In bowl, mix well: 

1/4 cup soft butter 

1/2 cup sugar 

1/4 cup brown sugar 

2/3 cup pumpkin 

1/2 cup milk (I add tsp of vinegar to it) 

2 eggs 

1 Tbsp molasses 

Then, don’t stir again until all dry ingredients are measured in. 

2 cups flour 

1 tsp dried orange peel 

2 tsp baking powder 

1 tsp baking soda 

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice 

1/4 tsp salt 

Then, stir well and fill 12 regular muffin cups. I use liners, but it's not necessary. 

By spoon, divide topping over all evenly. Bake in preheated oven at 375 for 20-25 minutes. Delicious!

I think they are like bakery muffins.

I went to Salvation Army as we happened to be in town for something else. It just happened it was on a Wednesday which is senior discount day. And I found this dress. The price said $3.99 but after the discount it was $3.

I thought I would show you on the blog what to do to save money by remaking clothing. I thought it would be the perfect project to show you how you can remake clothes into something useful.

The dress was way too long, like drag on floor too long, and the bodice had huge flower buttons and the button holes were stretched out. So you see hemming this would ruin the flower border at the bottom.

First thing, I washed the dress. Then I separated the bodice from the skirt. Then I took off the buttons  and because I didn't need to undo buttons as it could go over my head, I chose to sew the button band closed on both sides of the buttons. Next, I needed to stitch closed those stretched out button holes.  Then I found buttons in my button drawer that would be better than the flower ones it had. I saved those flower buttons in my button drawer.

Next, I needed to cut off the extra length at the top of the skirt to make it the right length for me. Then I sewed big stitches at the top to make the skirt gather to fit the bodice and sewed it in place. Pressed it and top stitched the skirt in place.

And the total cost of this dress was $3 plus some time and buttons I already had.

So you see, you can be thrifty and find things to remake clothing for your family.

On that same trip, I got a pizzelle maker. I already had one but thought two would make it faster to make. It was just over two dollars after discount. It even was the same design even though different brands.

After cleaning it up, I tested it and it was so much faster making four at a time rather than two at a time, so this was way worth it to me.

So don't rule out those thrift stores. Yes, prices have gone up but still cheaper than buying new. We are still watching our pennies but I wanted to share how to make that dress over. It was well worth it. Just take your time and look for the best price.

Gardening is winding down. I just unloaded the dehydrator of the last of the tomatoes. I still have about seven very green ones. We will just eat fresh if they turn red.

This season seems like it is ending early. I did pick three more bags of rhubarb and put them in the freezer. That will be it for this year for them. I also picked two bunches of mint and washed and hung to dry. While the temps are still warm, the outdoors looks like October.

Still not gotten groceries for September so see how helpful having storage is? I did see on the news that prices on groceries are to even go way higher so I hope you have been able to stick some things into storage.

Missy says stay the course, don't be lured into complacency! Every little bit you can get and every skill you learn will be a huge help to your family.

Tippy Longstockings says work hard putting frugal ways into place at your home too.

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)

I think as we go through this deepening trial we all are in all around the world, this will be more important than ever.

No time to be laying on our backside, we must be anxiously engaged!

This week found me once again cutting volunteer trees and dragging them to the burn pile. Also, helping husband build a partial fence. The wood was given us by someone who took the fence down. So a frugal project.

We put posts on one day and today added the horizontal and the first vertical slats. Tomorrow, we will put second layer of vertical slats. We will do in the morning as we are going to heat up, after that we have some high nineties coming.

So with that in mind, yesterday I baked bread and made granola and made oatmeal raisin cookies. We will have those on hand when it is almost a hundred degrees - good grief!

I did manage to weave some...

I still haven't had time to finish my dresses or the dishcloth on the knitting machine.

We did go to Winter Quarters Temple near Omaha and did some work there. It is 150 miles away. I am really looking forward to the Des Moines temple, it will be pretty close to us. I did pack our lunches so that was frugal.

I find myself wishing for no outside work. The garden is almost done, I have cleared most of it. I did pick hot peppers. I pop off their little hats (aka stem part) and wash, then freeze them whole. When I need one, I pull one from the bag and chop it frozen. This helps with the hot oils you would normally get on your hands and rub in your eyes - ouchie!

Still working on the burn pile as I just added more to it.

I had gotten some heavy duty page protectors from the thrift store and I have a bunch of church magazines for children from when our church library got cleaned out. So I pulled fun activities like mazes and hidden pictures and coloring pages and the like and put them into these heavy page protectors and made five binders. They're for the kids to use who sit by us. You can use dry erase markers as well as crayons then just erase with a bit of cloth that goes with each binder. They were well received. These are like quiet books.

So that has been what I have been up to for this last week. What are you working on? Write in comments below!

Because I am concerned about our future right now, I am tossing in some more frugal sites.

https://adimesaved.com/thrifty-living

https://thesavvycouple.com/frugal-living/ - I like that they said let go of the idea that money brings happiness.

https://savvyinsomerset.com/frugal-living-tips/

https://frugallifeproject.com/frugal-living-with-kids/ - this has great ideas.

https://www.thejourneyathome.com/how-to-teach-our-kids-to-be-frugal/

And just around the corner is Christmas....

https://www.thefrugalfarmgirl.com/frugal-christmas-ideas/

https://www.thesimplifydaily.com/budget/holidays-activities-/budget-christmas/53-creative-ways-to-be-frugal-at-christmas-44507691

https://moneysavingmom.com/ways-to-celebrate-christmas-on-a-budget/

I think it's good we start talking to our families now that Christmas will be tight with so many being laid off. Pick a fun night with what ideas I shared and as a family pick the ideas that you all would think would be fun.

Everything can be fun with the right enthusiasm. Don't approach it as if you were down in the dumps.

Remember, the candle in the forest and how the little girl's parents helped her have a fun Christmas? We can do the same. I am always inspired from others so please write ideas in the comment section below.

Missy says keep working on storage - watch those sales and plan frugal things.

Tippy Longstockings says plan now NOT to go into debt for Christmas. Find fun free things to do instead.

Keep doing the best you can!

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 can really say having storage in your house helps so much when hard times hit. It has been a real help to us this month when our unexpected bill came. Never the less, I continue to work on storage despite the no-grocery month. Today, I will be chopping and freezing green peppers. Still will be drying more tomatoes.

As much as I hate gardening, I do it because it helps us and so I continue to have one.

Prices continue to rise so for now we hunker down and do what we can.

Most of my week has been spent still outside burning the burn pile. It has been a lot of work for this old lady. Still have three tree trunks that need chain-sawing and two stumps but it looks a lot better than it was.  

I have done a bit of weaving and have sewn on the two dresses. I want to get those finished this week...we shall see.

The great news is our daughter received an advance copy of her book "Queen of the Dead" and that is her peeking around the book. Sarah is all the tech behind this blog. A huge thank you to her for all she does. Her book comes out in November.

With fall here, it is time for us to think about getting things tended for winter. Watch for any sales and try to add to your storage as you can.

https://sixdollarfamily.com/how-to-live-frugally - some frugal helps here.

https://lifeshouldcostless.com/family-meal-planning/ - worth the read.

https://lifeshouldcostless.com/how-to-meal-plan-on-a-budget/ - this is very helpful.

https://www.onefrugalgirl.com/frugal-living/ 

https://mindfulofthehome.com/diy-repurposed-clothing/ - I like the bracelet idea.

https://www.hgtv.com/decorating/diy/crafts-you-can-make-with-old-clothes-pictures

https://diycandy.com/upcycled-clothing-ideas/

https://www.fabricfits.com/how-to-make-clothing/ - sewing your clothes is a way to save if you can find frugal fabric. Many go to thrift stores and buy pieces with lots of fabric, wash it, then cut it apart saving pieces to use later.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEp-wTunXNs - this would make nice gifts.

With prices still high on clothing as well, learning to make your own would be a valuable skill!

https://www.hometimeactivities.com/arts-crafts/good-kids-underwear-sewing-pattern/ 

So be thinking of ways you can be thrifty. Hopefully, you will find things that will help you in this post.  Remember, don't waste anything - if it isn't useful now on your project, it may on another.

I am watching a lady who saves her boxes and she used them in her garden. So think before you toss: how can I use this?

With tariffs and other countries halting shipping to my country, yarn that we did have, we no longer can get for the time being. So go back a few blog posts HERE where I tell you how to reclaim yarn from thrifted sweaters if you need yarn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Blh_P5Q_Gw - she helps you through making slippers.

Also, be thinking on Christmas as it is coming.

Things can change in a minute. You might have a job today and none tomorrow... being prepared is what we can do

Missy says having skills is so very important! Here she is wishing she had thumbs so she could spin yarn. She says keep building your skills.

Tippy Longstockings says it is more important than ever to build your skills and build your pantries.

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)

Well, this week found me out doing yard work for two days - hard, hard work! My body doesn't like it at all and tells me so in hard ways boo :(

I also took a hard fall to sidewalk just before that so my knee took the worst of it. It is a pretty dark plum/purple color but is starting to look better.

It is still very tender though and I hit my knee twice pulling weeds - owie!

My garden only has two things left - peppers on one end and watermelon on the other end. I pulled and cleared the rest. I haven't had a garden end so early.

I have things planted outside the garden but we will see??

I am still drying tomatoes and freezing some peppers.

I managed to just sew a small bit on the dresses.

With weaving, I keep at a section a day.

Not much else got done I am afraid.

I did ride to town with hubby, he needed some part and it was senior discount day at Salvation Army so I stopped in.

I found two bags of crochet thread. I got them both for less than it would have cost for two balls brand-new. There ended up being 24 unused balls so that was a thrifty find for sure.

Our weather finally cooled down. It has been nice to have windows open.

While going to the garden, I spied this morning glory growing. We have not planted any this year so it was a fun surprise.

That sums up my week of hard work, hard fall, putting up food, and a bit of thrift.

I just saw that the postal service is going to put up prices yet again. You might want to take that into consideration for Christmas gifts, it will cost a lot more.

Groceries they are still talking of prices really going higher. We need to keep working at putting in supplies.

Up here they are talking long winter - does that mean elsewhere long summer? Who knows but we should all be getting stuff ready.

https://moneybliss.org/thrifty-tips-tricks/ - here might be some thrifty ideas.

https://morningchores.com/frugal-living/ - more ideas.

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/smart-moneysaving-creative-reuse-ideas-122566 - some clever ideas.

https://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/homemade-pumpkin-pie-spice/ - great site! I love this gal and I love being able to make my own mixes.

https://theeverydayfarmhouse.com/living-a-frugal-and-thrifty-life/ - interesting.

I like learning how other people manage, it helps us learn things we can use.

I have been watching this video about a gal who buys a house in Sweden. She only has a bike and does lots of hiking but she is redoing this little house. She never used a power tool till then and is some kind of designer? 

Anyway, she can do work from her home. She spent most of her savings buying this house and property. I went back and watched earlier because I watched the later ones and she does great things. She ends up making her furniture but she has a great designer mind. She doesn't just build couches, she puts beds in them for sliding out from the couches. Yes, she did two. It is very inspiring as she makes do. At some point, she orders a waffle iron - it is cute to see her joys. She puts in gardens and a greenhouse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjQy5VrqdZo - if you want to watch. This one starts as she gets the cabin.

You can start at beginning, there are 111 videos at this time. She sews her clothes, she looks at clothes then designs to fit her body. It is all inspirational.

Missy says keep pushing on - she knows you can do it and so do I!

Tippy Longstockings says finally fall weather is here. She is finding joy in it and reminds us to find joy around us wherever we are.

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 finds me still dehydrating tomatoes.

I am trying to weave one section on the scarf every day...

It has been hot, hoping by the time you read this it will be cooler.

I am starting the dishcloth and am having some difficulties but I am learning. It is a slow process so far. I am able to fix when a stitch doesn't catch but will play more with tension.

This is how it is when learning a skill - lots of practice but I will get there. Each mess teaches me something more.

How are you coming learning your skills? 

It has been too hot to sew but maybe later today.

The garden is winding down rapidly. Peaches are not yet ripe but soon and then I will be working them up. I am glad for that one cool morning we had so I could do the raspberry jam.

This week, I also did a bit of reorganizing my embroidery things. I redid two sewing boxes that I had bobbin lace stuff in and put the bobbin lace stuff into two wicker drawers that was a better solution for that.

This box needed some repair that I was able to do then put the embroidery stuff inside. This will be a lot handier for finding what I need.

This box is housing mostly embroidery patterns.

I also organized a few other things I do and the kitchen as well.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/19-ways-to-eat-healthy-on-a-budget#at-home-tips - worth reading.

https://thecleaneatingcouple.com/budget-healthy-meals/ - some helpful ideas.

Sewing patterns are even getting high at the thrift store so I found where you can get some free patterns, cute Christmas ideas too...

https://www.creativefabrica.com/subscriptions/graphics/needle-arts/sewing-patterns/?utm_source=bingads&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=533112938&utm_content=Evergreen&utm_term=Free%20Sewing%20Designs&msclkid=4cc61a3fefee1f8af984729a193b4095

https://www.allfreesewing.com/

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/free-sewing-patterns-1356433 - this has tutorials as well.

I know things are hard right now with all that is going on and you are probably getting kids ready for school and finishing up gardening so I thought we'd play "Where is Tippy Longstockings??"

Tippy Longstockings says, "tag you are it!" Good job finding her.

Missy says keep working on your skills as you can. Pick the ones on your list that will benefit your family the most and start there. You are doing great!

Tippy Longstockings says keep putting up supplies and watch for sales, you can do it!

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)

Tippy Longstockings says first - don't stress. She says if this happens to you, that is step one.  Stress is not good for our bodies.

Well, it’s been a very busy week for sure. I mentioned last week that we had an unexpected bill come, so I thought I would walk you through what I am doing to ease the stress of the unexpected bill.

First, our grocery budget is our most flexible fund to be used.

So I will show you how I do… again, like Tippy Longstockings says DON'T STRESS!

We store powdered milk. It is no problem there as I know you are worried about that. I hardly ever buy it. Anyway, I use it to make yogurt as well - I always have yogurt going.

Making granola doesn't change as it requires just the basics in storage ingredients so that continues. Get the recipe for our favorite granola HERE. 

With the bad air quality our furnace filter that is supposed to last a year doesn't with the dangerous air quality. These filters cost a lot. It is like five inches thick so we can't use the thin ones. That being said, no new furnace filter for a while. We took the filter and one we hadn't tossed yet and in the driveway we used the compressor and blew out the stuff from both. So far it is good, won't do for a year probably but this is a good option for now.

I would like to fire the gardener… really, I would but since that is me, I continue on.

I continue to dehydrate the tomatoes, so pick, dehydrate, all on repeat… kind of like that joke Pete and Repeat are in a boat, Pete falls out, who is left? It doesn't end.

It will eventually end as my garden is closing down very early this year. What is in store for winter is what it makes me think.

We had one cool morning, so I pulled the raspberries that I froze and made three batches of jam.

I then went to my binders of recipes looking for recipes that used ingredients that I have in storage.

We don't eat out so that isn't a problem.

My allergies are a problem, making me think they’re a month too early. Does this mean winter is coming a month early? I hope not! I would rather have a long fall.

I see the chipmunk has snatched another peach. I hope to get most of them but they are not ripe yet. After harvest, we have to cut some branches on it as they have gone beserk.

On that note, I will try hard to start more peach trees from the pits.

I have been saving seed as I go. I have been putting up everything I get my hands on.

The young women of our church presented me with these beautiful flowers.

Just as they were starting to die, I clipped the flowers and put them in a big cookbook to press. I will make something with them to keep them in my house.

Missy says having storage gives one ease of mind, please don't forget your pets.

Besides all this, I have been working on my skills.

I have gotten further on my machine knitting. You can't make it out in this picture but I tested gauge which made a nice stripe. This I could see used in a sweater. Then I moved on to tackling the tuck stitch.

I am making two dresses at the same time with the same pattern.

How are you coming with your skill building?

Missy says when not overseeing my sewing, she finds time to rest. Things are not good right now all around the world. She wants you to work hard on not stressing and getting rest breaks each day.

Tippy Longstockings says keep a stiff upper lip. Things may not be good in the world but to work even harder finding joy.