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)

"Our bishops storehouses are not intended to stock enough commodities to care for all the members of the Church. Storehouses are only established to care for the poor and the needy. For this reason, members of the Church have been instructed to personally store a year’s supply of food, clothing, and, where possible, fuel. By following this counsel, most members will be prepared and able to care for themselves and their family members, and be able to share with others as may be needed." (President Ezra Taft Benson)

We need to be in the position to help others. With so much happening everywhere there is a great need. We might have missed the last one but might not miss the next one. We need to help each other. Teach our kids to help too. Our eight year-old grand daughter donned a helping hands t-shirt and helped with the Florida hurricane.  

We had a tornado hit a few years back. A town to our west was hit at night and it wasn’t till daylight that they saw the extent of the damage. All the churches in our area, our church included, worked together. I remember the youth forming a long line walking shoulder to shoulder through the fields finding photos and other items of those affected.

We are to get snow Friday at the time of this writing, are you ready for it?? I put the winter car kit in the car. Do you have a car kit ready to use?

How are you coming on your storage? Remember, giving food storage is a great gift to give during holidays.

One time a lady at my church gave her kids 72-hr kits. For those who don’t know what they are, they are kits containing emergency food and items. You can grab on the run and will help your family for 72 hrs.

https://lifeasmom.com/5-frugal-gifts-to-make-frugal-friday/ - I like the crayons

https://lifeasmom.com/diy-on-a-dime-great-gifts/ - more here

https://lifeasmom.com/tgif-make-pizza-yourself/ - pizza

https://goodcheapeats.com/2013/04/last-minute-pizza-sauce/ - great idea

https://goodcheapeats.com/2013/04/jamies-spice-mix/ - great

How are you coming on your skills?  

http://www.wisebread.com/25-thoughtful-and-frugal-personalized-gift-ideas - more ideas

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=gifts+from+the+kitchen&qpvt=gifts+from+the+kitchen&FORM=IGRE - great ideas

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Pinterest+Handmade+Gifts&FORM=RESTAB - handmade gifts
  
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/11892386492019049/ - ideas here 

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=homemade+toys+for+kids&qpvt=omemade+toys+for+kids&FORM=IGRE - I love the bowling games.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/twopoodles/toys-you-can-make-yourself?utm_term=.gg3veDPgp#.rlbNLY1K7 - cute

https://www.pinterest.com/explore/homemade-kids-toys/?lp=true - I wanna play too!

https://www.pinterest.com/rafleetwood/homemade-kids-toys/?lp=true

Make kits up with their interests in mind.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=homemade+toys+for+kids&qpvt=omemade+toys+for+kids&FORM=VDRE

https://www.pinterest.com/barbarayork/visiting-teaching-gifts/?lp=true

So now I have shown you many frugal ideas to get your brains working in the right direction, I hope this helps.

Please share your frugal ideas and what you will be doing.

Keep working on storage and skills. Do the best 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)

I want to tell you what my mother-in-law told me years ago. She said never ever go into debt for Christmas but to give within your means instead. Very good advice.

The ones you give to would not want to know you will be making payments all year on their gift.

If people gave me gifts I would want food storage items, totally would love it!

So parents think about food storage gifts for your kids away from home. Add family favorite recipes, how fun is that?

If you know someone struggling, make them a food care package, be sure to toss in chocolate and goodies with it.

It is not too early think on gifts for giving at Christmas time.

Make your own Angry Birds kit! Pattern HERE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTCodG3OOdw&feature=em-uploademail - apple roll

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTCodG3OOdw&feature=em-uploademail - gift ideas

https://www.iheartnaptime.net/handmade-christmas-gifts/ - more gift ideas

http://www.the36thavenue.com/25-handmade-gifts-under-5/ - inexpensive gifts

http://www.bhg.com/christmas/gifts/ - gift ideas

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=inexpensive+homemade+christmas+gift+ideas&qpvt=inexpensive+homemade+christmas+gift+ideas&FORM=VDRE - ideas

http://www.woohome.com/diy-2/24-quick-and-cheap-diy-christmas-gifts-ideas - full of ideas
https://www.thespruce.com/homemade-gift-ideas-1251561 - gift ideas

https://www.thebalance.com/homemade-gifts-for-kids-1387907  good ideas

I am a firm believer in making craft kits with everything to open and do that go along with your child’s interest.
https://www.pinterest.com.au/explore/inexpensive-christmas-gifts/ - lots of ideas

Please don’t forget your sisters you visit teach and those who visit teach you and for home teaching families and those you home teach.

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/11/13/a-do-it-yourself-christmas-34-great-gifts-you-can-make-yourself/ - this looks great

I have given you great places to start.

I again say give food storage. I was able one year to give a case of veggies, another year an oil lamp set.

So think of those you give to and please stay in budget.

Keep working on storage and keep working on skills and start working on Christmas.

Do it with love.

Monday Message

(LDS Church Handbook 2, Section 6.1.1)
“Church members are responsible for their own spiritual and temporal well-being.....To help care for themselves and their families, members should build a three-month supply of food that is part of their normal diet. Where local laws and circumstances permit, they should gradually build a longer-term supply of basic foods that will sustain life. They should also store drinking water in case the water supply becomes polluted or disrupted."


Winter is nipping at your toes are you ready?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrauctQSNBE - this is great if you want to learn to crochet or just brush up on it.

http://www.knitting-naturally.com/basic-knitting.html - can’t have crocheting with out knitting.

http://diyagain.com/10-amazingly-easy-sewing-tricks-for-beginners/ - sewing

http://theprudenthomemaker.com/make/a-gift-a-day sewing gifts here great things she has made.

Are you building your skills or sharpening them by working on gifts?

I tried this recipe this week it was great.

Gingersnaps

2 c. flour
1 Tbsp ginger
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt

Sift these dry ingredients into a bowl, stir, then sift again into another bowl.

In a mixing bowl add:

3/4 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 egg
¼ c dark molasses

Cream sugar and shortening then add egg, mix well, then molasses, mix well. Add gently a third of the flour mixture, mix and then add rest of the mix.

Shape in balls, roll in a sugar and cinnamon mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for ten or eleven minutes.

It is always nice to find a recipe that takes everything I already have in the house, plus it's a keeper recipe at that.

How are you doing on your basic skills?

How are you coming on your storage? I know you are in Christmas mode but now is time to take advantage of sales, lots are good storage items…

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=making+and+canning+your+own+broth+big+family+homestead&view=detail&mid=F3BEE2B0EAA9ED991134F3BEE2B0EAA9ED991134&FORM=VIRE make your own broth, save those turkey and chicken carcasses.

http://www.bigfamilyhomestead.com/homestead/how-to-pressure-can-chicken-broth-stock/ - here is the same only canning the broth, our times and pressure will be different so call the home extension number 1-800-262-3804 to get the info from them but watch as he shows you how.

It is a good skill to have.

If you do not have the canning supplies just do it and freeze it.

Remember to stay within your means as you celebrate Christmas. Let this be the year you gain control.

You must set an example for your kids now! Your kids will not be traumatized by not getting the greatest new thing out. I guarantee you those items will be at a yard sale come summer. They might have a tantrum but what they learn is way better for them.

One thing we did is not ask the kids what they wanted for Christmas. I would yard sale and pick up things and fix them up like new. I would sew doll clothes and I would make sure there was a kit I would put together for them to have fun to make something. I also steered toward their interests and what they collected. I think kids having collections is a great thing. We also would have a puzzle under the tree to the whole family. We would work the puzzle over Christmas break.

Make happy memories, they don’t have to be grand and expensive. The favorite thing our grandkids remember every year is painting snow. To them this was their most favorite fun thing. I filled three empty dish soap bottles with water. I put a few drops of food coloring in each of them and do a different color in each one. You can use spray bottles but they tend to leak and make little hands too cold.  

We went out and wrote names and drew pictures and just attacked snow banks with color. We traded bottles for a different color, we had great fun. What was total cost? Three bottles I already had water in as they say fill your empty soap bottles with water, so you could wash dishes in an emergency. So all it took was a few drops of food coloring to make a memory of a lifetime. So think about living within your means.

When your kids grow up it won’t be what they got they remember but being with you.

http://momsoffaith.com/2013/11/101-frugal-christmas-tips/ - great things here that will make you think.

Another thing you can do is during Thanksgiving and Christmas if you can pick up extra turkeys and hams and make yourself keep one of each for the next year. Just in case you could not afford to purchase them, yes such times come to everyone.

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/07/powdered-milk-budgets-and-blessings?lang=eng - if you don’t read anything else this is the read. I think it is worthy to keep putting it  in for you to read.

Another note I want to mention, we are all children of our Father in Heaven and we all are important. The size of our wallet and house is unimportant. It is how we live our life when you struggle to put food on the table or not. We must live well, use what you have, make the best of what you have do the best that you can. Because a person has little does not mean we can judge they don’t handle money well.  

There is a reason we should not judge. We don’t know what things they have to deal with. I know many thought, well, we only had two children, we didn’t do our part or obey to have children. We were married seven years before adopting our oldest. What a blessing that was this beautiful girl then within two years we were blessed to have a baby, another beautiful girl. We have truly been blessed. 

No other children came to our home. We have never been wealthy, actually have always struggled making enough but while many probably criticized why hadn’t I gotten a job…you see, I did work before we adopted but in the terms of the adoption I was to stay home. Stay home I did and raised our beautiful daughters, I fulfilled what were the terms. Which caused me to not to have enough hours to get retirement and once the girls were raised I got fibromyalgia and was too sick to work.  

I tell you this so you might see a side you think is the story but not an accurate story. Therefore never judge, we don’t want to be judged by how we judge. Would I do it differently? A resounding no. I would do it all over again. We have the best two girls, they are wonderful and the sacrifice was worth it. The journey has taught me all that I share with you and will be the knowledge that helps us continue on.

So I guess I tell this story so that if you are tempted to judge, stop first and tell yourself you do not know the whole story. When you see someone who needs help, just help them.

Keep working on your storage keep building your skills as you never know what journey you will have and all of it will help you and your family.

Monday Message

“From President Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor, we hear: "Many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had their year's supply of food . . . and were debt-free. Today we find that many have followed this counsel in reverse: they have at least a year's supply of debt and are food-free."
“We call upon priesthood bearers to store sufficient so that you and your family can weather the vicissitudes of life.”

Now he is the Prophet, are we listening??

This is a good thing to think about. This time of year think how you will feel when bills start coming in.

http://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/ways-save-money-christmas/

http://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/6-ways-to-have-an-old-fashioned-christmas/

As I write this I have been sick for almost two weeks, my immune system isn’t good with fibromyalgia so I must be careful. But this warrants asking, what is your sick plan? Because we are heading into that season as well.

-Stick a few casseroles in the freezer
-Get lotion loaded Kleenex (as my nose gets sore)
-Plan on easy fix meals
-Stock up on overcounter meds

Next time you make chicken soup freeze some just for sick days.
I like what I call my sick drink - orange juice mixed with diet squirt, in my case seven up can be used too.

Time to start a book you have set aside. Chocolate is always nice and a few magazines free from the library, there is also free books there too. I am a cozy mystery book person but there are others. If you have something you want to learn, put up YouTube videos and learn without really trying cause sometimes you are just too miserable. This would also work with of course movies and a sick blankie is good too. What would be bad is being sick and having to load up kids to go get food. And when you are sick making more expensive choices at stores will happen.

So give your sick plan some thought.

http://indietutes.blogspot.com/2007/07/peasant-blouse.html - put your skills to use, this is great. 

http://theprudenthomemaker.com/blog?view=entry&id=18544 - here you can see what you can do, plus she gives you info on how she made one for her older child measuring off her other shirt to get the size.

http://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/how-to-stretch-ground-beef-using-oats/ - great ideas to stretch your meat.

http://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/easy-slow-cooker-chili/ - tell me you're not wanting this now. I love the cheese and corn chips in the picture.

http://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/homemade-chili-seasoning/ - this is where her chili spice is.

http://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/recipes-grandma-knew/ - revisit cooking from scratch.

http://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/30-items-can-make-home-save-money/ - did you know you could make these?

http://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/15-homemade-christmas-treats-to-give/ - inexpensive.

http://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/25-christmas-activities-for-kids/  ideas with kids.

http://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/living-on-one-income/ wise thoughts. 

http://www.beingfrugal.net/50-frugal-christmas-ideas/ - you don’t have to spend money and you do not have to keep up with others.

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/giftstomake/tp/HomeMadeGiftIdeas.htm? - gift ideas

http://www.dummies.com/crafts/knitting/knitting-projects/how-to-knit-a-cowl/ knit a cowl

I want you to not go in debt for your gifts. Shop thrift stores and fix up and make things to go with. Like one person got a free dresser, it needed help and they turned it to a doll house. Think what you can do be creative. Find frugal ways.

I want you to think outside the box, change it up and have fun. Help kids start collections, help to learn their talents. I always think a kit of some kind is fun. Our granddaughters are getting French knitting kits, totally forget the hottest things and go for the funnest things.

Share your ideas on the blog.

Hunt for good things from sales to build storage.

Do the best you can, you will thank me later.

Monday Message

I redid my big binders into smaller easier to handle binders.

(Gordon B. Hinckley, October 2001)
“As we have been continuously counseled for more than 60 years, let us have some food set aside that would sustain us for a time in case of need. But let us not panic nor go to extremes. Let us be prudent in every respect.”

http://storethisnotthat.com/revolutionary-way-to-look-at-72-hour-kits/ if you don’t read anything else in the blog post, read this!! I really loved hearing this lady’s version of emergency kits. Makes tons of sense. She talks some in the first clip but scroll to the second, she is detailed. So this is your homework to watch.

Then this goes hand in hand…

http://www.foodstoragemoms.com/2016/11/need-keep-gas-tank-full/ - a good plan as especially for winter accidents which can block traffic for hours.

http://www.foodstoragemoms.com/2016/11/13-tips-need-get-family-ready-for-winter/ - it is coming closer ever closer, wish we could hang onto fall.

http://theprudenthomemaker.com/blog?view=entry&id=18549 - a good reminder, what has been good can always change. We should prepare in good times for the hard times. It is easy to fall into complacency and say another time, now I want the ease of things but watch out. Things could go bad in an instant. Would you be ready or caught off guard?

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=living+on+a+dime&qpvt=living+on+a+dime&view=detail&mid=CE7A7BFD94C1E9075C8DCE7A7BFD94C1E9075C8D&FORM=VRDGAR - stick with them they get off to a rough start but are very helpful.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=linda%27s+pantry&qpvt=linda%27s+pantry&view=detail&mid=EFE952D92FBAF16EAD8BEFE952D92FBAF16EAD8B&FORM=VRDGAR - talks about canning.

http://theprudenthomemaker.com/blog?view=entry&id=18542 this is a neat blog to follow as she does a gift a day, gives you incentive to get your skills sharpened.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aim3X7dTqUM - very useful when your candles get low.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKT1eHGNXAo&t=17s - great homemade caramel corn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dzBRaW4nZE - making your own baking mix.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFyNSbFoc4I - here they talk about a blizzard. Learn from others I say. Also listen how they were brought bad food, the family was sick and needed cooked food and someone cleaned their old food. That wasn’t good, not a helpful thing.

http://www.livingonadime.com/pumpkin-cake-muffins/ - you could make these for easy making.

http://www.hgtv.com/design/make-and-celebrate/handmade/55-crafty-handmade-gift-ideas-pictures - get some cute ideas here.

It is not too early to get your gift making started. Please don’t go into debt. It will be better for your family and best for children to see another way because debt isn’t the answer.

If you have been following you saw kneady homesteader do her binder redo so I thought I would take her example and redo my big binders into smaller easier to handle binders that were given me for free. See heading picture as to what I did.

I hope that you are finding that being frugal is not an awful thing to be shamed by but that learning to be frugal is very freeing.

Keep working on your skills and your storage. Work on things mentioned in this blog post to help your family.

Monday Message

DIY ornaments are easy and fun to make, plus they make great last minute gifts. Tutorial HERE.

(Gordon B. Hinckley, October 2001)
“As we have been continuously counseled for more than 60 years, let us have some food set aside that would sustain us for a time in case of need. But let us not panic nor go to extremes. Let us be prudent in every respect.”
“From President Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor, we hear: "Many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had their year's supply of food . . . and were debt-free. Today we find that many have followed this counsel in reverse: they have at least a year's supply of debt and are food-free."
“We call upon priesthood bearers to store sufficient so that you and your family can weather the vicissitudes of life.”

http://www.foodstoragemoms.com/2016/10/need-to-be-prepared-disaster/ - a short read.
   
http://www.foodstoragemoms.com/2016/10/15-ways-to-be-prepared-unexpected/ - work on being prepared.
  
http://theprudenthomemaker.com/blog?view=entry&id=88 I encourage you to read this, it doesn’t matter where you are.

How are you doing building your skills?? I have to tell you I have seen lots on frugality and skill building this last week and I can tell you it just makes me feel so good to see and hear these things. I am also so excited to see the younger people working on their skills too.

None of us get through this life without trials. It is up to us as to how we handle it, how we plan and prepare, and skills can make the difference as how we get through it and keep those who depend on us from having a harder time.

I have been checking out YouTube videos while I am trying to heal a tare in my tendon just below my right knee and boy does that hurt bad.

So one I watched this mother and daughter went out to pick carrots to can, it was nice to watch https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=homesteader+canning+carrots+you+tube&view=detail&mid=BB16CB200E388F490659BB16CB200E388F490659&FORM=VIRE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNrOlAsVn4E this is on making an apron out of sheets. I want you to notice her sewing machine. It is what a new treadle looks like. This woman is striving to have off-grid things. It is interesting to watch and the apron is so cute. I think her approach is a good idea. You might think what things you could do to be more self-reliant. I found this interesting.
  
With weather running amok it seems are we ready for such things, fires in the west, hurricanes, cyclones, tornadoes, earthquakes and soon winter storms will be here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GByuvpwa5Dg what I want you to see is the few things she does and that is because she is always ready.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bARrivHM4CI - this is living on a dime.

part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzI0UkyYT9k - there may be something useful to you.

http://www.biblemoneymatters.com/100-frugal-creative-homemade-christmas-gifts/ 

http://www.frugal-living-tips.com/frugal-halloween.html - Halloween

Last minute/frugal gift ideas as things get more hectic for you...

http://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2013/12/monday-message-last-minute-christmas.html

http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/12/02/holiday-gifts-8-homemade-gifts-in-a-jar-with-free-printable-gift-tags/

http://innerchildfun.com/2008/12/frugal-last-minute-gift-idea-for-kids_19.html 

http://beingfrugalbychoice.blogspot.com/2011/12/another-fast-last-minute-holiday-gift.html

http://innerchildfun.com/2008/12/frugal-last-minute-gift-idea-for-kids_15.html

These below are wonderful ideas for maybe stocking-stuffers... They are broken down by age groups.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/96897829456569928/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/96897829456569938/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/96897829456569935/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/96897829456569921/
   
http://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2013/12/monday-message-last-minute-christmas.html

As we approach this Christmas season don’t go into debt. If you think it would not be fair to the kids it is time for a family meeting. You could go to Dollar Tree and turn everyone loose, learn to have a fantastic Christmas and find new ways to make it fun.

If we cannot afford old family traditions then it's time to make fun new traditions. Pick an elderly couple or person or even just a lonely person or just someone having difficulties - pick them as a family to do fun things for. It could be pictures the kids have made with coloring, etc... you have fun planning as a family. Your kids will talk of this forever. 

http://www.frugal-living-tips.com/frugal-christmas.html - frugal ideas

http://www.frugal-living-tips.com/frugal-ideas.html 

http://www.biblemoneymatters.com/100-frugal-creative-homemade-christmas-gifts/ you may find good ideas here.

You could do a search on frugal gift giving, the main thing is that you stay inside a budget.

Keep working at getting storage in, sales will be going on. Practice or learn your skills.

Monday Message

(Gordon B. Hinckley, October 2001)
“As we have been continuously counseled for more than 60 years, let us have some food set aside that would sustain us for a time in case of need. But let us not panic nor go to extremes. Let us be prudent in every respect.”

This will be the last message before Christmas so a reminder to find time for yourself, to find time to rest, find time to rejuvenate.

These last few days usually are the most stressful. 

Don’t forget the reason we celebrate!

Remember to look around you... is there someone who needs a kind word or to be remembered or lifted? This is the hardest time of year for so many people.
  
www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-ideas

http://tatertotsandjello.com/2015/12/great-ideas-quick-easy-neighbor-gift-ideas.html

http://everydayfoodstorage.net/2010/12/16/neighborhood-gift-ez-bread/food-storage-recipes

http://everydayfoodstorage.net/2010/12/13/christmas-magic/food-storage-recipes

Mix up some cookie dough, roll in a log, wrap in plastic wrap or tinfoil, write the recipe and baking directions and wrap around and tie ribbons on both ends - a great gift last minute!

http://everydayfoodstorage.net/2010/12/07/6087/food-storage-recipes

As we use lots of ingredients for our holiday baking we need to be reminded to restock what we use. This is a good list of what to store in our storage for seasonal baking http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2008/11/21/holiday-baking-food-storage/

http://everydayfoodstorage.net/2011/12/15/just-for-kids-gingerbread-or-whatever-theyd-like-them-to-be-cookies/food-storage-recipes - fun with the kids

Family fun and traditions - http://www.cozi.com/live-simply/50-holiday-traditions

Here is a food storage room... http://preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com/2013/08/pictures-of-my-food-storage-room.html

I think she has done a great job.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=food+storage+pictures&id=71043262D58A6AB3DC4185AC600A47A57EC699CC&FORM=IQFRBA

Just some storage pictures to get you excited to organize it this new year or to get started if you haven’t.

Each family will have their own needs, wants, likes in what they store or how they store.

I really enjoy when someone tells me about their storage or what skills they are working on.

I want you and your family to have a Merry Christmas and a great New Year!

Monday Message

Put your skills to work and do homemade presents this Christmas like the knitted rib warmer I made my granddaughter.

“We all need to build a personal ark . . . And we shouldn’t wait until it starts raining, but prepare in advance. This has been the message of all the prophets in this dispensation . . . as well as the prophets of old.

“Unfortunately we don’t always heed the clear warnings of our prophets. We coast complacently along until calamity strikes, and then we panic.

“When it starts raining, it is too late to begin building the ark. However, we do need to listen to the Lord’s spokesmen. We need to calmly continue to move ahead and prepare for what will surely come. We need not panic or fear, for if we are prepared, spiritually and temporally, we and our families will survive any flood. Our arks will float on a sea of faith if our works have been steadily and surely preparing for the future.” (W. Don Ladd, October 1994 General Conference)

Being grateful is huge. We are being blessed every day. Are we grateful when times are great? Are we also grateful when life is hard?

We can choose to be happy or not.

If all you have is four potatoes for Christmas, make those four potatoes an event!!!

Things won’t always be good and this is the time of year that unmet expectations can seem larger than life. Having hard times seem much harder, I am not sure exactly why that is. But try to be aware of those around you, help lift their spirits.

Back to the four potatoes… If this is what you have been dealt, you can make it worse or better. It is up to you. Don’t pout and think you are owed or deserve more, it is just life’s up and downs. Now I just pulled the four potatoes out of the air to use as an example. I think there are wonderful ways to make those potatoes an event to make something special.

When times are going along pretty well you just do what you do... you pay your bills, go to the grocery store, just normal everyday things. And when you are there it is hard to think - what if we lost income or were dealt a reversal??

I can think plenty of times I thought how would I ever do without ____ you can put anything in the blank. But then it would be a hard time and I found I could actually manage okay.

Life can be very stressful. I think having storage on hand helps me not be as stressed. It helps smooth out the rough times.

I think building skills is just like that or has been for me.

Not everyone will have the same struggles, so the skills we have talked about may not be for everyone and those who have steady jobs may opt for other skills, but knowing how to use those skills to make up the difference in loss of income is a wonderful thing and even if you have steady work that can change in a second…

So preparing for unseen things is huge.

If you are used to eating out a lot then suddenly you have no money for that, then what? Will you have wished that you had learned to cook more from scratch and had built up a book with the recipes to do that? Also wishing you had built your storage so that you could fix the recipes? I know that this sounds pretty elementary but there are some who just eat out and don’t even own pans. Yep, then it would really be hard with nothing to cook on or in, let alone food to put in said pans.

Knowing how to manage on less is really huge.

Sometimes we can be lured into a sense of security - don’t be! Have yourself ready to help by knowing how to…

Make your own bread
Cut up chicken
Make your own noodles
Spend your budgeted amount for groceries wisely - this is huge too.
Make your own pizza
Make pancakes or waffles…from scratch
Have a date in because funds are tight and make it an event
Not waste anything
Mend anything
Make laundry soap if needed
Have a garden
Can or dry your garden
Make hot cocoa mix
Darn socks to get them to last longer
Make blankets or quilts
Make mittens
Make socks
Make slippers
Make scarves
Beef stroganoff from scratch
Make rolls from scratch
Make cookies from scratch
Bake anything from scratch
Make your own syrup
Make it do, use it up, wear it out
Sew anything
Fix as much as you can
Learn as much as you can

I don’t think learning these and other things would put someone out too much but to be able to use your skills could be so helpful.

It seems the bread winners have to work much harder and more hours for less money so lets do our part to live as frugally as you can.

Better to learn when you are not under pressure - you will thank me later for this statement.

Life is learning and we must never stop.

Joseph Smith’s mother stepped in to paint oil cloths to help supplement their families income during a set back.

www.greatist.com/health/45-healthy-foods-make-and-never-buy-again

http://bakingbites.com/2009/11/how-to-make-your-own-frozen-waffles/

http://www.browneyedbaker.com/top-10-list-favorite-muffin-recipes/

http://allrecipes.com/recipes/355/bread/pastries/doughnuts/

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/french_toast/

http://www.beckysbacktobasics.com/get_full_recipe.php?File=1270333649&search.x=23&search.y=34

http://www.beckysbacktobasics.com/get_full_recipe.php?File=1292621149&search.x=54&search.y=55

http://www.beckysbacktobasics.com/get_full_recipe.php?File=1291834437&search.x=52&search.y=68

http://www.beckysbacktobasics.com/aboutthehouse.php?File=1288793562&search.x=72&search.y=146 this is just to show you that even when you are a grammy it is good to know skills

The new year will soon be here, let me know of what skills you plan to work on.

Monday Message

“It is . . . necessary that each home and family do what they can to assume the responsibility for their own hour of need. If we do not have the resources to acquire a year’s supply then we can strive to begin with having one month’s supply.” (James E. Faust, April 1986 General Conference)

I know it is hard to think of buying storage items in December but that is when sales are going on, so keep an eye on your sale flyers!

Also a reminder to not go in debt for the holidays. It is hard with commercials and sales and commotion all about decorations, your own decorations to do, many things distracting you from your lists, plus the notion to try to give your kids more than you had. Instead, stick to your budget and your kids have good parents, that is the best gift.

Remember, try to be frugal...

http://www.littlehouseliving.com/100-frugal-or-free-christmas-gifts-for-toddlers.html  great gift ideas for gifts for toddlers

http://www.cozi.com/live-simply/50-holiday-traditions building traditions

http://www.realsimple.com/magazine-more/inside-magazine/your-words/how-to-keep-a-holiday-budget - helps to stay in your budget

http://www.jennablogs.com/2011/10/150-stocking-stuffer-ideas.html - ideas for stocking stuffers

Now is a good time to get large items needed like grain mills. I keep getting sale notices. And look for dehydrators, pressure cookers, food savers, sewing machine... I know they are not glamorous gifts but items that can help us with being frugal down the road.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/33-clever-and-adorable-diy-advent-calendars#.btWyygPxl - inexpensive advent ideas

Fun giving ideas...  http://todaysfabulousfinds.blogspot.com/2010/12/15-gift-ideas-under-2.html

http://todaysfabulousfinds.blogspot.com/2010/12/neighbor-gift-idea-game-night-in-bag.html - great idea for a gift to give your family. I always did a puzzle or such so we would have family fun…

I always liked giving "to do" things like a drawing set I would put together or a sewing kit or something along their interests - a gift put together by you!

We loved picking someone who needed some Christmas love…we picked food things to go with the twelve days of Christmas then each day we secretly dropped them off, the last day we made ourselves known with the gift but I have seen it too where they are never known, either way it is a blessing to all. 

Here are some ideas…

http://foodstorageandsurvival.com/twelve-days-of-christmas-food-storage-style/

www.thegamegal.com/2012/12/10/12-days-of-christmas-gift-drop-off

http://thegoldenseven.blogspot.com/2012/12/12-days-of-christmas-gift-ideas-for.html

http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/12-days-of-christmas-2/ - I like the ring and run but the one doing nativity set as an advent is good too...

http://www.alteredstateofmine.com/the-12-days-of-christmas-a-ring-and-run/

http://gigglesgalore.net/12-days-christmas-service-project/ - boy wouldn’t it be wonderful to get that one at the end? What a blessing.

I remembered giving five cans pineapple rings for the golden rings, two bottles of dove dish soap, hens a laying... we took eggs, we just thought hard on each section then we would get those items - fun was had by all! You can have this fun and brighten someone’s Christmas and if using food items it helps them as well.

Get your kids into it, they have great fun and learn to be giving as well.

There are so many people who are in need and need lifting.

Keep working on your skills and your storage.

Monday Message

Be frugal this year and make your own Christmas presents! Click HERE to find out how you can make these cute Hello Kitties or these fun Angry Bird toys.

“Regardless of where we live or our financial situation, the path to preparation will open before us as we comply with the counsel of the prophets and go forward as means and circumstances permit.” Gordon K. Bischoff, The Ensign, Sept. 1997, p. 67)

Why should we have food storage? I think I covered many reasons why over this last year: tight times, lost jobs, helping others... the list can go on for quite awhile.

The term "shelter in place" came up this last week in the news and I wonder if we were told to shelter in place, how long could you hold up?

I feel a lot of people misunderstand that we should store food for the end of the world situation….hmmmm. I would have to say things happen every day. I notice people losing their jobs (that is a huge deal), unexpected medical bills, car dies, refrigerator or washer and dryer die... you can see there are many things and many more I could write time permitting. We cannot foresee what bumps lie ahead on our road of life? If something like this were to happen to you would you feel like your storage would make you feel better or worse??

I like to think if something big happens it takes time for help to arrive, are you in a position to help with your storage? Think about many who have storage dotted all over the map, who would be there first? Neighbor and friends. Try to be in the position to be of help. Sometimes we might be the ones in need and we will be glad that someone else heeded warnings to store what was needed.

Most people cannot run to the store and get all the storage, first off couldn’t get it in the car… most of us cannot do big purchases. How then do we do it? You can do it a little at a time. You would be really surprised how fast it builds up. Remember what I always say... at every store you go in pick one item for storage like, one package of toilet paper or even a box of jello. What if on the normal week you go to five different stores and one is just clothing? Pick up a pair of socks. At the drug store get a first aid item at the end of the week you would have at least five items to add to your storage… it just makes sense.

By the time you get this message Thanksgiving will be over and our thoughts are turned to Christmas.

Remember, watch your spending. Live within your means. I know you don’t want to look past to later down the road. Do you really want to put yourself in a bad situation? Wouldn’t you like to not be taking on huge payments??

I will give some ideas for frugal Christmas...

www.momswhothink.com/christmas/homemade-christmas-gifts.html

http://thehappyhousewife.com/home-management/homemade-christmas-gifts/

http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/home-made-christmas/

http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/handmade-kidchristmas

http://dodoburd.com/Diy-Christmas-gifts okay, I love the chalkboard mug, how cute is that? Tie a few pieces of chalk and put packets of hot cocoa mix. For that matter write a holiday message on it for who you give it to.

http://www.bakerella.com/goodie-goodie/ - this looks yummy and very inexpensive to make.

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/handmade-christmas-gifts/

http://www.beingfrugal.net/50-frugal-christmas-ideas/

http://www.simpledebtfreeliving.com/gift-ideas.html

http://www.simpledebtfreeliving.com/gift-basket-idea.html

http://foodstoragemoms.com/2015/11/21-food-storage-items-survival/

Keep working on your goals and skills, you're doing a great job.

Monday Message

“We live in turbulent times.  Often the future is unknown; therefore, it behooves us to prepare for uncertainties. When the time for decision arrives, the time for preparation is past.” President Thomas S. Monson

http://breadbaking.about.com/od/yeastbreads/r/1loafbread.htm
http://breadbaking.about.com/od/beginnerbasics/ht/kneadhowto.htm

Cooking from scratch is so better for you and stretches our budgets http://frugalliving.about.com/od/foodsavings/tp/Learn-How-To-Cook-From-Scratch.htm

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/simple-waffles-from-scratch-recipe.html - waffles, yum! Make them special.

https://willowcottage.wordpress.com/2010/05/30/surviving-a-layoff-getting-aquainted-with-your-kitchen-part-i/

http://www.beingfrugal.net/frugal-tips-to-survive-a-recession/ - how to survive hard times
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/07/powdered-milk-budgets-and-blessings?lang=eng if you have kids, and even if you don’t, this is a must read, I love this.
http://raisinghomemakers.com/2011/homemaking-in-hard-times/ - we often learn from others, reach out.

http://www.simplesimonandco.com/2015/10/art-homemaking-motherhood.html/  - it’s worth it.

Reflecting on our hard times... they have made us stronger, they have made us a close family, they taught us that if you cannot buy what you need you sometimes can make it. Sometimes it taught us how to take out and replace our gas engine, our selves, we learned how to shingle the roof. I learned you don’t carry the full package of shingles up to the roof. Going to church one morning I saw a roofer cut his package and carried only half which never occurred to me. 

When times got tight I learned to make food from scratch, learned to garden, to can and dry our food. For Christmas, if it's a good year for us year we will go on a Christmas date to the used book store to pick out our own book. And I make our Christmas jerky. On a harder Christmas we just stay home and do what we enjoy and I fix a treat. These are when no one is coming home and things I made all year long have been sent. The kids will open their gifts from home while Skyping.
So I guess what I am saying is be flexible and if you are having tight times do all homemade gifts and play with your little ones. Happy memories will still be had and if you have older kids at home, talk to them, tell them it will be a tight Christmas. You just might be surprised by what ideas they can come up with. But do not put Christmas on a credit card, the whole family may suffer more as it takes so long to pay off. 

When we were first married my mother-in-law told us don’t start something you can’t keep up, I'm pretty sure this is her way of saying don’t go into debt for Christmas.

So if you have a tight Christmas have a family conference, plan to make cookies, cards and build snowmen. You can plan a pretty cheap Christmas for wonderful fun.

This is where our skills will kick in.

So if your brakes go out and you look up info on how to do it yourself, trade skills.

http://thehappyhousewife.com/home-management/homemade-christmas-gifts-2015/ okay, you don’t have a hundred days but this will help you stretch your budget.

Jerky

I have a rump roast I have been saving just for our Christmas jerky.
Take it out of the freezer the night before this way you get thin slices. In a bowl, I use glass, put one jar of soy sauce and one jar of liquid smoke, stir then put your slices in moving around to get well covered. Then in to the dehydrator dry till done, about 24 hours, yum yum yum, then we see who will be first to snitch it.

Keep working on your storage. I put in a tub of shortening as it was on sale. So do what you can and live within your means, it brings a peace well worth the sacrifice.

Monday Message

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Shooks!

I saw this and thought it sounded like a good idea so passing it on to you http://www.foodstoragemoms.com/12-christmas-meals-bags/

http://www.foodstoragemoms.com/need-want-christmas-gifts/ - good to read

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/11892386491999982/ - a great food storage gift, you can see the tutorial.

http://www.midwestliving.com/recipe/candy-cane-snack-mix/ - snack for family

http://christmas.organizedhome.com/crafts/christmas/blessing-mix  - nice to remember our blessings and tastes great too!

http://foodstorageandsurvival.com/making-evaporated-sweetened-condensed-milk-powdered/ - this is helpful info.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Basic-Sewing-By-Hand-Tutorial/ - this is a good tutorial to teach our children.

http://www.loveofknitting.com/instructions.html - knitting

http://crochet.about.com/od/crochetstitches/tp/basic-stitches.htm - crochet

http://theartofsimple.net/back-to-the-basics/ - this looks good but I wanted you to see the video clip, scroll down. I think you will find something you can relate with.

Remember, it is not about who has the best decorations. It is not about comparing yourselves against someone else who seems to wake up and walk out of a magazine, whose house is like a page from a magazine. These images are not the real picture. Every house has a kitchen sink for dirty dishes, so if you really live in your home things really are not like the magazine page.

I once looked at a magazine thinking hmmmm that is soooooo nice then looked closer and in the different pics was the same stuff used over again taken so you would not notice, plus someone who did have their pic of their house put in a magazine said not much was hers and that they moved out her stuff and put in their stuff just for the pic.

So what I am saying is sometimes we don’t see the whole picture. What might look like the perfect family with the perfect kids is not that way at all but yet we have a tendency to beat ourselves up for not being as perfect. If you do that you only end up with boo boos.

I one time asked my grandmother how she was doing and she said well I can't clean the closets as well as I use to... I responded for her not to worry about them, no one looks in them anyhow. Many years later I get it. I know just what she was saying as I have arrived.

Life is hard enough without adding unnecessary stress. Enjoy life so there are toys all over the floor. I actually love to go to a home with toys all over the floor, it says fun happens here!

Christmastime can get out of hand stressful .

When our kids were little we would read aloud The Little House on the Prairie series in order from beginning to end.

Even now my tradition is when we get the first really bad winter storm I will read The Long Winter from that series. Nothing will make you want your food storage in more except to live it perhaps.

So pick up a copy and join me in reading it this year when we get the first real bad "stay indoors" storm!

So if you are feeling overwhelmed you can cut back on everything, you have permission!

Keep your eye out for someone who isn’t feeling well or doesn’t have the Christmas spirit this year. You don’t have to look far. The economy is pinching all and bring them some of your cheer. Opportunities are out there to brighten..…

Maybe there is someone who is ill in your family circle or have had hard times fall on them. Start there and work your way out. There is plenty of suffering all over, even a kind smile will warm a weary heart.

Monday Message

We asked the kids long ago if they would like a Christmas dinner or have a snack day, you can guess what they chose. So we would spread the table with our favorite snacks and we watched movies, played games, ate snacks and had punch and that became a tradition. What was left we froze and brought out again for New Years Eve. They loved it :)

Traditions are so fun to make your own and bring with you the ones from home.

If I still had kids at home I would do the elf on the shelf, it looks so fun….

http://tatertotsandjello.com/2013/12/happy-holidays-neighbor-gift-idea-youve-been-snowed-on.html#qk6hHfDMDjyZvlCB.32 fun to do for neighbors.

We have the nicest neighbors! They had a deer out back to practice bow hunting, I always wanted to go out and dress it in different things like a wig, scarf and sweaters, just to keep them guessing but I figured they would catch me too fast. I would've left foot prints. I should have tried to do it, I think they would have had fun :) So think of fun things to do.

http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/2013/07/random_acts_of_kindness_ideas/  I love seeing what people come up with. I used to be a nurse's aid and worked in nursing homes. Families would come in and carol, the people loved it so. Also school kids would color placemats and bring in, they loved those too and cards. You never know who really needs some kindness that very day. And I add keeping doing things all year long, the kids will love it and it is as much for them as the recipient.

http://simplykierste.com/2014/11/25-days-of-family-christmas-activities.html#_a5y_p=2846185 - family fun

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/212021094933509143/ I want one of these.

We also would have eggnog and I would make cinnamon knots. For family night we decorated the tree. You could do from scratch or you can take the canned breadsticks roll in melted butter then roll in sugar and cinnamon. Tie in a knot and bake... an instant hit with all! Plus we thinned the eggnog with plain milk, better tasting and less expensive too!

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/212021094933504286/ - always fun to make things with pancakes. I made them purple one April Fools morning served with green eggs and ham.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/212021094933389600/ - cute idea

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/212021094933083406/ - cute idea for your apple cider

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/212021094933023904/ I always thought this a nice thing to do.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/212021094931355192/ - inexpensive idea

http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2012/12/20/easy-to-sew-pajama-pants/ thrifty way to use that sewing skill!

My favorite new recipe….

Pumpkin Waffles

2 eggs
2 tbs brown sugar
1 c. milk (I used powdered)
4 tbsp melted butter
1 c. flour
1 1/2tsp b. powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice (I used my recipe I gave you before)
1/2 c. canned pumpkin

Mix up and make waffles, so yummmmmmm!

Keep working on your storage. Build memories with your families. Enjoy the season! Don’t use credit and slow down. How is that for a homework assignment?

I tried to find you fun and inexpensive ideas for this message with lots to choose from for inspiration.

Most of all just make fun memories with your family!