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)

There seems to be no end of devastation. So many need help everywhere. We are needed more than ever to be kind and help each other.

I think we are starting to get better here after being sick. I need to get better fast as the garden needs to be planted in four weeks. By the time you read this, I will have only two weeks till planting.

Are you planting something this year? I feel with all the instability with everything we should try. Also, keep building your storage and really be building those skills.

While we have been so sick, I haven't been able to work on skill building but I am hoping you have been able to build on yours.

Last week I mentioned you can vacuum seal in any jar if you use a canister. In this picture, I was doing chocolate chips.

I did push myself hard to get the seeds started and now a few tomatoes are starting to pop out.

Just how far can you stretch your grocery budget? This is a skill as well.

We can teach ourselves. There are free classes all over the internet on just about anything you want to learn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4UsgU4q4q4 - here she shows you how to make a recipe binder.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2015/09/monday-message.html - I have ideas here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttK7RyXf8uY&t=454s - they show some cook ahead things. I like to have cooked hamburger in packages in the freezer, it sure came in handy while being so sick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvG7e-bkQWM - very helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb6iVezqpnA - more freezer ideas.

I think there are great ideas in their videos!

Learning to cook from scratch is the best skill for sure. Get my favorite granola recipe HERE.

It won't be long now and summer will be upon us...

https://www.littlehouseliving.com/wprm_print/homemade-fudgesicles-recipe - so stick this recipe in your binder.

https://www.instagram.com/karissaathome/reel/C1fjDGUSt-O/ - this might be something you could put in your binder.

In your binder you could have a page for the month that you could put meals on and another page that you put down needed items when you grocery shop to make the items. I also think some extra meal ideas would be good in case you would like to change your mind.

I keep a running list going all month of items that I need to replace, then this list is added to the grocery list. I also make a list of meals to make with 31 meals. Now we have lots that make enough for other meals we use for lunches or another main meal. This means we won't use all the 31 meals which gives a jump on the next month. I get groceries for the month saving time and money as we go 30 miles to the store. It is a chore but saves money, I am willing to do it. Also, having the extra meals makes it so we can change our minds. I also make sure I have easy meals on the list in case I am not up to something I had planned, hence the cooked hamburger in the freezer to help with that as well.  

I like how that one site had a page for Try-It-Thursday. Remember what I say homemade rolls and a dessert just incase it isn't a winner recipe.

Since being sick has been a huge part of this last month I would suggest having recipes on hand that could fit your sick plan.  I liked the ideas of freezing food that you just needed to microwave like those gals were fixing. 

Don't toss those leftovers. We find leftovers taste best! What I do is make a TV dinner from them to have again. You can put them in the freezer for an easier meal when needed.

Try not to waste anything. For example, if you have some apples that are past their peak, bake them. To do this cut out the core and put brown sugar, cinnamon, nuts, and raisins and a tbsp butter. Wrap in foil and bake, these now are a terrific dessert! I like to do these when I am fixing hobo dinners or foil dinner. In the foil, make a hamburger patty, slice a potato, and a carrot. I sprinkle with dry onion but doesn't have to be dry. Sprinkle salt and pepper and wrap in the foil. So then you have a meal that cooks for an hour and is warm and comforting.

We all have heard of the little bit of veg leftover to keep a container in the freezer, you just add those too and when you get enough you make a soup.  Make these things a habit.

We had conference weekend last weekend and I was able to knit while I watched.

Missy says use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without...meow!

Tippy Longstockings is continuing to be shocked at the higher prices. She says be as frugal as you can and stock up, plus, grow some food if you can.