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)

Over the years, I have gotten equipment from yardsales, friends who were downsizing, and from thrift stores. I kept a list of what I was looking for and things I knew I would need. The last time I was in a thrift store, I saw a food savor, an electric knife, and a bread machine for five dollars. So you can still find these needed items, you just have to haunt thrift stores and go yardsaling.

It is very easy to be compliant and say I don't need to learn canning or sewing... life is good, husband has a job, we are doing just fine. If that is the case, more than ever you should learn the skills. If you wait, you will be trying to learn while having to deal with the hardship at the same time while you are managing a family. I know we are tired and convenience food could let you rest, but what could you have gotten for that same price? A meal and perhaps some storage items, but would require you to push on and fix the meal then rest? Food for thought - tee hee see what I did there? :p

My friend Jane gave me this relish recipe many years ago. She made it for her family and now I have made it all these years since. This is our favorite. I use it to make chicken salad, my husband’s favorite.

Jane Russell's Relish

4 c. ground cucumbers (i use the food processor and grate)

1 c. Grated green pepper

1/2 c. Grated red sweet pepper

3 c. Grated onion

3 c. Grated celery

Put all together in a big bowl, sprinkle with 1/4 c canning salt, pour cold water to cover all. Let sit for four hours.

Then drain well, pressing out excess liquid.

In a large pan put....

3 1/2 c. Sugar

2 c. White vinegar

1 tbsp celery seed

1 tbsp mustard seed

Bring to a boil, stir till sugar is dissolved then stir in the veggies you grated and drained.

Bring up to a simmer and simmer for ten minutes and stir. Then put in pints, wipe rims, put on hot lids, add rings, then water bath or steam can for ten minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/@RoseryApparel - this gal is in Australia and she shops thrift shops for sheets and fabrics and makes lovely dresses and clothing from them.

https://www.youtube.com/@tanitagiu/search?query=Sewing - this gal thrifts fabric items and takes them apart to use fabric for house things (you will need to watch with closed caption).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejNB3P9-u6I&t=1235s - she makes lots of items for her home, uses her scraps very well (again, you will have to watch with closed caption).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM6C5c6cWNI - I think she is calming.

https://www.youtube.com/@ByTinymite/videos - sewing tutorials.

https://blog.tincanknits.com/2021/02/04/how-to-recycle-yarn-from-second-hand-sweaters/ - plus a free hat pattern.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNWZMF4aJfs - This is a different way to recycle sweaters if you don't want yarn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD4ZjOrRlyg - this is on getting yarn from sweaters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daUhFgUPaU4 - this is the best at explaining that. She uses a ballwinder. If you do not have one, just roll it into a ball, have a helper or put the sweater between your knees and do it that way. I like how she is giving yarn as a Christmas gift to her daughter - great tip!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9BNgd8lJNs - this lady shows you how to remove the kink left in yarn. I think it knit just fine either way, kinky or not.

https://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2021/07/one-thrifted-twin-sheet-repurposed-into.html?spref=pi&m=1 - this will even give you gift ideas.

I once taught a class at a women's meeting at church. We had a table set up where people could bring what they no longer needed and people could take what they wanted. This was what we did every time. Well, knowing I was going to teach this class, I waited till everyone was through with the table then I picked out things to take apart and used them to teach this class. I saved collars, ribbing, zippers, and buttons. I made underwear for a girl and one for a boy using a t-shirt for a girl's pair and a flannel shirt for little boxers.

Everyone enjoyed the class and we all learned just what we could look for and what we could do. Being frugal is going to be a bit harder as we move ahead, so anything we can do and learn will be helpful.

We had an unexpected bill come up which will require my not buying groceries for a month (I usually get them once a month). Could you do this with what you have in storage? It is another good reason to have storage for these kind of unexpected things. Kind of like insurance.

So if you would like a homework assignment, how about looking through what clothing items you have. Look for something that needs repairing that can't be fixed or no longer fits anyone and make some potholders. You can always use them plus it is about improving or learning a skill. When you accomplish this and are comfortable with it, then think about gifts you can put applique or trims on, use what you have already on hand.

Be looking for used items like canning jars, canners, food sealers, bread machine, dehydrator, sewing machine, notions for sewing, knitting, crocheting. Reclaim some yarn or some fabric.

Think about bread pans - do you have any? Do you have basic cooking equipment like rolling pins, pots, and pans? They can easily be found at a thrift store. Mixers, a blender? You will be surprised to see what there is that can help you.

Don't be complacent tho if you wait till things get worse you will be competing for items they may be harder to find.  It is all just being frugal and think ahead.

Things aren't looking too good out there so share what frugal things you are doing in the comments below.

Learn those skills so you can make gifts instead of buying gifts.

Learn to make your own mixes for helping in the kitchen and what you find most helpful, make into a gift. I once made up some mixes and put them in bags as a single use and put them all in a basket and gave as a gift to a new mom. She said that was the best gift ever.

Missy says push on and do the best you can with what you can. Keep learning, You are blessed.

Tippy Longstockings says you will be amazed at how helpful being more frugal can be. She offers you a hug!

Monday Message

"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)

As I'm writing this, they are saying prices are going higher starting August 1st. So we need to do all we can to work around those higher prices and still stay in our budgets.

One way I am trying to do this is by canning...

Also, don't waste anything...

Make croutons from bread that isn't fresh any longer.

With skills, I am sewing two dresses in progress now. By the time you read this post, I hope to have them done.

Gardening though is amping up so we shall see as I will put up all I can from the garden. Also, when temps cool off in the fall, I will make the raspberry jam.

What ideas do you have on getting around the higher grocery prices? Of course, those are not the only things going up so we need to be very very frugal. Our power bill has doubled, insurances are all going up and meds and such. What are your work arounds? Tell us in the comments below.

Continue to get in storage, which is not just food but soaps and pads and toilet paper, you get the idea.

https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/super-cheap-recipes/ - some helpful ideas here.

https://hillriverhomestead.com/extreme-frugal-living-ideas/ - helpful ideas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUSvKHZTIJw&t=1s - has good ideas using leftovers.

Remember, I said waste nothing...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_igucnKrd4 - this will show you how to utilize your fabric scraps.

And here is where I mention to you Christmas. Things will be really high this year due to tariffs - we need to be thinking ahead.

Visit with your family to come up with a different plan. For example, my sister and I just exchange birthday gifts because our birthdays are so close to Christmas. But with things so high, we are only going to make each other a card.

This is what we are doing. There are other things...

https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/100-cheap-easy-diy-christmas-gifts/ 

I think making up a kit whether for adult or a kid is a great idea for Christmas. What are their interests? For example, if you want to make a kit for a knitter, you could find a free pattern and print it off and find some yarn and needles the pattern calls for. Then you could toss in a favorite treat. 

For kids, if you start early, you can scour the thrift stores to help you find items. I always liked building an art kit with paper and stickers and markers etc. Dollar stores are a help. I was always going to melt crayons down and put in a pudding cup type container to cool. Now that is one fancy multi-colored crayon! Paper dolls - sew a mat with streets and parks and buildings then add a car, a truck with it, and some fruit snacks like cars - really let your creativity shine!

https://tipjunkie.com/diy-craft-kits/ - terrific!

https://theimaginationtree.com/30-diy-gifts-make-kids/

https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/969/101-diy-gifts-for-kids/

https://artfulparent.com/kids-art-kits-to-make/

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/homemade-gift-ideas-1251561

https://www.thriftyfrugalmom.com/20-cheap-easy-homemade-gift-ideas/

https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/20-cheap-awesome-diy-gifts.html - okay, I have to say, I love the clementine wreath and the dino phone holder - too cute!

I guess I am saying to start now so you can do bit by bit, that way you can reduce your stress and your spending.

Perhaps these will spark ideas for you!

Missy says we are all in this together! Share your ideas and little by little you can accomplish a lot.

Tippy Longstockings says we can do hard things - we can! Just do what you can.

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)

We got notified our power bill will double next month. I am sure many were notified as well. News says the grocery prices will go up August 1st. I sure do not see this getting better any time soon.

Also, Christmas is on the horizon.

Are you feeling stress just reading this far??

These are stressful times so I suggest finding joy and peace. Stress does bad things to our health and we don't want that to compound our troubles.

Sometimes we cannot control things so take a step back. We need to concentrate on what we can do.

Heavenly Father wants us to find joy. Admittedly it is very hard right now with all that is going on.

Try to think back to happier times. Even though times are tight, try to find happy things you can do with your family for no cost. I remember when our kids were little, we could not afford a sitter or a meal out. When I put the kids to bed, I made a candlelight dinner. I didn't fix anything fancy, it was what we normally had, but a quiet candle light dinner for two was a joy.

One time for a family night activity I set up a mini carnival with games and prizes which basically was prizes for all .

It might take all we have to get through these hard times - more work, more effort using what we have.

We might have a not fantastic meal but pop it up with funky names, make it special.

Have a movie and popcorn night - a rerun roundup sort of thing. Don't ask what they will want to watch - no one will agree. Instead, you know what are the favorites that all like. Cut pieces of paper, write down those and put in a bowl. Let dad draw out a paper and that way it is a show everyone likes and no bickering.

It will be hardest on you but you can push through the tired to make the ordinary special.

One night after an ordinary meal, have cookie dough already made up ahead and everyone make cookies together, but do it with someone in mind who could use love of a plate of cookies. Plus, eat as they make - what fun! Then deliver the plate of cookies.

https://healthyfamilyandme.com/free-activities-for-families/ - some great ideas.

https://www.lovetoknow.com/parenting/parenthood/free-fun-family-activities - for all seasons.

https://healthyhappyimpactful.com/family-challenges/ - some fun ideas.

If we are stressing, our family picks up on that.

When we had stressful times, I would make this chocolate cake. I keep the ingredients in storage at all times. Our kids never knew we were stressed, they just knew things were okay and we had chocolate cake.

How many different kinds of cookies can you make?  One of our daughters brought home a friend. I always had cookies freshly made for after school. After several times of her little friend coming this little girl said to me, how is it you know how to make so many kinds of cookies? Bless her heart.

Here is one of our favorites few people probably have heard of....

Fruit Cocktail Cookies

1 c. Shortening

1 c. Brown sugar

1 c. Regular Sugar

3 eggs

1 c. Raisins

3 c. Drained fruit cocktail

1 c. Chopped nuts

1 tsp. Vanilla

1 tsp. Baking soda

1 tsp. Ground cloves

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Baking powder

4 c. Flour

1 tsp. Cinnamon

Cream first three ingredients together, then add eggs and vanilla, mix and add dry ingredients, mix and add fruits and nuts. This is not a real stiff dough just so you know.

Drop and bake 10-12 minutes in a 375 degree oven.

This is a soft cookie, cake like.

Frost cookies while warm.

Frosting

Melt one stick of butter then add two tbsp water and 1/2 tsp. vanilla. Mix and add powdered sugar till frosting consistency but don't make it too thick, you want to spread it. The hot cookies melt it a bit to make it drip down sides. As they cool, the frosting sets but you do not have to wait to eat them cool, they are great either way.

You will love these as much as we do. I store them in airtight container.

Lets face it, this is the best way to eat fruit cocktail after all.

Remember, we all are having hard times so let's cheer up the sad. Do kindnesses wherever and whenever we can. Don't judge others, just be helpful. By doing so, you too will be lifted.

We have all had hard times, granted not as widespread but we know what to do. We can do this! Go back to basics. We will be working with less but we will make it fun for our families.

Missy says be sure to rest during hard times.

Tippy Longstockings says yes to rest and she is thinking of fun things to do as well. She wants you to know you can do this - we are all proud of you!

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)

No matter where we live, no matter who we are this applies to us all.  

If anyone is reading the news, they see the problems we are having affects the whole globe. We are all in it together and it will probably take all of us to get out of it.

I can't stress enough - we need to show kindness even more than ever before.

We all need to build skills. All of us need to do what we can to learn. We can use the internet to teach ourselves skills.

I always think making bread is one of the best skills you can learn, so here is my link where there are lots of useful bread making information.

Note! If you make bread, make sure you store what you need to make it!! 

Flours and grains

Salt

Sugar or honey

Yeast (Always store yeast in the freezer. I also keep a quart jar in the refrigerator as my using jar.)

I store vital wheat gluten as well.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2015/07/monday-message.html - has very useful bread information.

I think knowing how to sew and mend is a really huge skill to have.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2019/12/monday-message_9.html

I watch several videos from women from other countries. They shop at thrift stores and look for things that they can take apart for the fabric. They make potholders and dresses and items for their homes - lovely items! I see them draft their own patterns from items they have already that need replacing. So sewing is very huge, even if you only use it to mend.

Preserving food for leaner times is a very important skill. I see these same ladies I mentioned can food, by the way they are young women, not just old ladies like me.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2017/08/monday-message_28.html - In this, I show canning and vacuum sealing food and dehydrating. Haunt your thrift stores for canners, dehydrators, and vacuum sealers. I see them all the time for great prices. Also be hunting for jars and rings and purchase lids.  Start saving jars you get food in now from the store to put your dried food in. If you have a canister to use with your vacuum sealer, you can even seal your food in that jar. For example, popcorn - put it in your spaghetti sauce jar. You can vacuum seal it and it will stay fresh longer.

Cooking from scratch is very valuable.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2018/11/monday-message.html

Also, making jams is very easy to learn to make. We have raspberries that some bird planted - yep, it is quite a berry patch! I pick, wash, and freeze these till the weather cools down and then I can them into jams. So you see, I am not canning these in the brutal hot. I can pick what cool day works best for me. So learn that skill.

You really can learn so many skills and while they look hard they are not, just read and practice.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2016/05/monday-message_16.html

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2021/08/monday-message_16.html

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2018/03/monday-message.html

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2015/10/monday-message_12.html

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2016/06/monday-message.html

I threw in some blog posts that will help you with information you can work at.

Where I live, produce is now coming out of the gardens, so it is a good time to can and dehydrate.

REMEMBER - If you are canning tomatoes, save those skins and dehydrate them and make them into a powder. It is so nice to have on hand.

I know one of you asked to have me tell about my life...

We bought this house in a rural town in central Iowa in the US. My husband drew this picture of it one year for a Christmas card. This house was built in a town a mile away in 1879 because they thought the railroad would go through that town but it did not. It went through the town I now live in, and most of that town moved here. Our house is the oldest house. It was moved in 1910 to this spot. They raised the houses onto logs and with horses that pulled the house. A log would roll out the back and they would run it around to the front. Pretty labor intensive. We have added on to the house. I know way too much about construction now than I ever wanted to know. It was a lot of work.

We are from Iowa, originally the northern part.

My husband and I have known each other since seventh grade. We were high school sweethearts.

We have been married now 51 years. We have two amazing and wonderful daughters and two grandsons and one granddaughter and we love them dearly.

Our town is small, we knew we wanted to raise our kids here and we did.

I went to yard sales a lot when they were small. I made them clothes from free boxes and remade them for the girls. 

We lived frugally our whole lives and I feel like it all is an education that I could not have gotten any other way and this education is what helps us now in our senior years.

Missy says nose to the grindstone on your skill building.

Tippy Longstockings says we are all proud of all of you, keep up the good work!