Monday Message

"Preparedness, when properly pursued, is a way of life, not a sudden, spectacular program. We could refer to all the components of personal and family preparedness, not in relation to holocaust or disaster, but in cultivating a life-style that is on a day-to-day basis its own reward." (President Spencer W. Kimball)

After Christmas has come and gone, we turn our attention to the new year. I feel it is ever important to plan for it.

How is your storage? What are your goals for building it up?

Make a plan. Where are your low spots? How will you add to it? Prices are going to continue to rise. If you use up a jar of peanut butter, put it on your grocery list times two.  And ROTATE!!! If you don't do this, you are wasting money and food. Some I know write the date on the item when they put it in storage and some move things forward and put it behind.

But because prices are going up, do not wait for them to come down. Remember my story about the flour and how it had gone up? I asked why and the person putting out the flour said just wait. it will come down. Well, twenty-some odd years later, it hasn't yet come down. I bought the flour then and continue to buy it. We need to not wait.

I made the cats toys for Christmas...

Trying to work in my low budget Christmas, I worked with what I had. There is catnip inside each with the stuffing.

There are times that are hard and we have to work inside of tight parameters.

We can do this. 

Our cats will love these maybe more than store bought.

But working with what we have saves money in that I didn't need to add a burden to an already tight budget.

Which brings me to next year's plan again...

What are the skills you want to learn in 2026? Make a list!

https://www.creeksidesimplicity.com/25-ways-live-simple-life/ - here are some ideas to get your juices going.

https://www.queenofthehousehold.com/homemaking-skills/ - I like that rest and taking care of ourselves is on the list.

https://www.foodstoragemoms.com/40-lost-homemaking-skills-that-need-to-be-refound/ - has a nice list.

We don't need to know it all at once. We also don't need to beat ourselves up that we aren't the best. We do the best we can for our family.

Skills are so varied. Let's say you bought cookies (side note here wow - prices have really gone up! I walked by a display of Oreos and my heart wept at how high they have gotten) so maybe you let your skill be baking different cookies. I have a friend who makes a cookie of the week - different each week.  Your friends have favorite recipes and would love to share them with you! I will go first...

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2022/11/monday-message_21.html - these are our favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. Be a collector of good recipes.

I just used cookies as an example but there are so many other skills.

I plan to continue to learn more weaving using what fiber I have on hand.

I also will keep spinning to use fiber I make which is using what I have.

Sewing - I want to continue to make my own clothing using what I have or can find fabric thrifting.

These are a few of the areas I continue to work on, your list will be completely different.

Decide what on your list is most important and do that first.

Now for the fun we have been having with the elf...

We have had more fun with this silly elf and it has been free fun for sure.

Missy says she is shocked by the prices of everything. She says just do the best you can. Little by little it adds up.

Tippy Longstockings says she knows we will all get through this together. Keep trying to have free fun.  And to share your favorite cookie recipe in the comments below.