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

With winter on the way now is the time to brush up on bread making skills. An electric knife is super helpful for getting thin slices. Scroll down to find out how to start baking bread.

With winter here already and promising to be bad http://www.foodstoragemoms.com/planning-food-disaster/ this will have ideas to help when bad storms come.

This is a good time to review or learn bread making skills http://www.kingarthurflour.com/videos/bread-101-basic-white-bread-getting-started this takes you from beginning to end. My tip: you can make bread with a basic wooden spoon no need for anything fancy.

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/pumpkin-cinnamon-rolls snow days were our favorite days, try making these yum!

If times are tight or not for you here are great ideas http://thehappyhousewife.com/home-management/homemade-christmas-gifts/

http://www.mysimplerlife.com/blog/a-less-expensive-more-meaningful-Christmas

http://thinkingthrough.wordpress.com/2007/09/11/101-gift-ideas-on-a-budget/  switch coffee for hot cocoas. I love hot cocoa as always, use things that apply.

http://www.buynothingchristmas.org/alternatives/index.html

http://www.singingthroughtherain.net/2012/11/ideas-for-a-low-budget-christmas.html

http://www.thenewhomemaker.com/keepingchristmassimple again switch to making hot cocoa mixes, I love what this lady has in her books, worth checking out of the library.

http://www.organizinghomelife.com/archives/824 great ideas.

These have many ideas but the best thing is have fun and make memories, they last for a very long time.

Our fortunes turn on a dime when we least expect it so learn well the skills that will help you through the tough tides of life. We can be always sad and down or we can choose not to be and help those around us by our being strong. Most of all don’t make yourself feel less then you are or that you must not have learned something that is not how it is. We are subject to life’s experiences. Most times we can help others get through because we have been there and can help them navigate. 

Keep working on your food storage build it when you can because it is hard to build it when you can’t.

Don’t go into debt. This time of year things tug at your heart but these ideas can be used in place of the credit card. We don’t have to get things now only to suffer hardship later.

Make sure you are set for any storm we get and be thankful we are not getting six feet of snow.

Make traditions..…  it takes not too much to make caramel corn and play a game, fun is as simple as that.

Monday Message

With winter coming and rumors of a bad winter on the way, now is the time to prepare.

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/preparing-family-winter-weather

It is a good time to take stock of what is low in your storage. Toilet paper is high on my list, especially with flu and cold season. Get flu shots soon - there will be clinics. Have some cold meds on the shelf. Have a sick plan (having a casserole in the freezer at all times is good).

So start thinking on this and make ready. You do not want to be the person on the news who had to go to the store for eight gallons of milk, right?

Winter always makes me think of being snowed in. Oh what to do when the electronics go off? Have those board games all organized and ready. Have goodies stashed and have one fantastic family time!

Now is the time to make sure the winter kit is in the car.

Also, as I mentioned before, try to put gas in at the halfway mark instead of empty in case you get stuck on the interstate (it happens a lot!). Plus winter weather and accidents equals bumper to bumper traffic for hours and hours in very cold weather.

http://foodstoragebascisandbeyond.blogspot.com/2011/09/food-storage-recipes-sept-oats.html find recipes using your stored food.

http://foodstoragebascisandbeyond.blogspot.com/2011/09/september-is-national-preparedness.html - this is very good advice.

http://foodstoragebascisandbeyond.blogspot.com/2011/09/budget-101-idea-of-month.html  good ideas, it sometimes is hard to come up with ideas to save.

http://foodstoragebascisandbeyond.blogspot.com/2011/09/what-is-for-dinner-sept.html this is a great idea though we don’t get hurricanes we do get ice storms that take down power, so keep informed on the weather and try to think of what could help if power goes out. Ask those who have been through it or just sit and close your eyes and think what you would wish you had prepared and make it happen. Don’t let things get in the way of taking care of what you need to do.

http://foodstoragebascisandbeyond.blogspot.com/2012/09/keep-germs-at-bay.html this could be a great family nite activity to all learn. Mostly refresh learning these things, I am just on auto pilot washing my hands all the time but wee ones are always in a hurry and forget.

http://survivallife.com/2013/06/13/7-ways-to-prepare-wheat-without-a-grinder/# this is great on how to use wheat without a grinder…. http://www.tasteandtellblog.com/whole-wheat-blender-pancakes/ I just had to add these, I love these pancakes!

http://www.yourownhomestore.com/living-without-running-water/ learn from others

One thing I have noticed is if you have truly had the experience then you are really compelled to have storage, next best thing is to learn from others.

Keep working on your skills. We all don’t have to be the best in the world but just knowing and being willing to learn goes a long way!

http://toteachwhatisgood.com/?p=416 - some basic skills

http://basichomemakingskills.blogspot.com/ this is a good one to look around on.

Keep working at building skills. Add to what you already know and remember you are not competing against any one, and that it does not matter that you are not the best. I am pretty sure there is no one person who is the best at everything and really what does it matter? What matters is your family and what you need to do for them.   

Remember you can teach yourself wonderful things this time with YouTube and books and computers. You can learn so be your own teacher and learn what you can teach your children. Be prepared and do the best you can and be the best you can… not everything will be all wonderful i.e. cleaning toilets but one has to anyway, other things will be more fun….you can do it!

Monday Message

Each year when the snow falls, it's a family tradition that we read The Long Winter.

We have a class on starting a small business this Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Shook's.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie - "I stand before the Church this day and raise the warning voice. It is a prophetic voice, for I shall say only what the apostles and the prophets have spoken concerning our day. ...It is a voice calling upon the Lord's people to prepare for the troubles and desolations which are about to be poured upon the world without measure.

For the moment, we live in a day of peace and prosperity but it shall not ever be thus.

Great trials lie ahead. All of the sorrows and perils of the past are but a foretaste of what is yet to be. And we must prepare ourselves temporally and spiritually." General Conference April 1979.

http://www.honeybeepantry.com/topics/view/51cbfc93f702fc2ba812df75/ - she has tons of packed info on this site.

One thing that is on my mind is that if we come along a sale that is a good stocking item, that we let all the sisters know so that they can take advantage of the sale as well we are all in this together! Facebook is a great way to do this.

Remember that Christmas is just around the corner! If you are asked what you would like, remember things that will help you (i.e. canner, dehydrator, food saver things of that nature) I know probably other things you really want are in your mind but think long term.

A chill is in the air... time to check your smoke detectors and have extra batteries for it and flashlights, not to mention the need for batteries at Christmas... nothing comes with a battery it seems.

If your children grew, look around and pass to someone else their out-grown winter things, spread the blessings for sure!

As I reminded you, do not put off putting your winter kit in the cars and trucks.

Have a sick kit handy i.e. soda crackers, chicken soup, chocolate...especially the chocolate, it cures everything! :p 

There are days it is hard to make meals when you are sick. Along that line, keep a few casseroles in the freezer for your family or another that may need it.

Where are your snow shovels? .....it's time to locate them. It's also good to have ice melt on hand.

I also think it a good read and a tradition here to read The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder. It is good to do as a family and it is something fun to look forward to each day to hear how they come out.  It will make you thankful for warm homes and food on the shelves. I usually wait till the first measureable snow storm. Now I read to me but the kids got all those stories read to them and what fun we had! By the way both kids are avid readers.....read to those little ones, they grow up too fast!

If you have a kerosene lamp for decoration (I have lots) don't let them sit empty. Make sure they are full and you know where the matches are and your flashlights. We do tend to lose power in some storms.... emergency candles are good to have too but with all this care must be taken.

It is not too late to print off a list of cabin fever ideas or snow day ideas...

http://www.pinterest.com/eila/snow-day-activities/

http://www.frugalupstate.com/general-frugality/40-things-to-do-on-a-school-snow-day/

http://herviewfromhome.com/36-snow-day-activities-and-ideas-for-your-kids/

http://www.pennypinchinmom.com/ten-fun-snow-day-ideas-for-the-kids/

There are some ideas for just when that happens!

And do some things different than you normally would. One night the snow was falling straight down we took the kids on a walk, they loved it catching snowflakes on their tongues. It was a fun peaceful walk. We were the only ones. We walked in the street (you can do that in a little town) but it was unexpected, sometimes that makes things even more fun then planning for it.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/hot-cocoa-mix/ - time to mix up your hot cocoa mix

http://spoonful.com/recipes/better-breakfast-ideas  - breakfast ideas

http://www.babble.com/best-recipes/hot-cocoa-and-marshmallows-in-a-waffle/ - what a fun idea for a snow day!

This had lots of helpful things for breakfast http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/40-back-to-school-breakfast-recipes-ideas/

On this idea I will tell you we have eggy waffles, it is just french toast cooked in a waffle iron. Made it a hit at our house but now it is some time for hearty breakfasts to hold through the cold mornings!

If you have an interest in a provident living topic and would like me to have a class on it email me at bshook@huxcomm.net or grab me at church, I will try my best to get all the info needed and to present it.

Remember, continue to look for good bargains and gather in your supplies....you will thank me later! ;)

I love hearing how you all are doing your storages and I am thrilled to know you all keep it up!

Monday Message - Winter storm prep

Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m. there will be a class at the Shook's on starting a small business.

President J. Reuben Clark (Church News, 1953) –
“When we really get into hard times, where food is scarce or there is none at all, and so with clothing and shelter, money may be no good for there may be nothing to buy, and you cannot eat money, you cannot get enough of it together to burn to keep warm, and you cannot wear it.  You can’t eat money, but you can eat your three-month supply of food – IF YOU HAVE IT AND KNOW HOW TO USE IT."

We never know what is around the corner this is sound advice.

I find that there are things we could never dream of if we sat all day long thinking then when it happens it is totally unexpected and never did we ever think that could happen.

President Ezra Taft Benson - "Plan to build up your food supply just as you would a savings account... We urge you to do this prayerfully and do it now."

President Harold B. Lee – “If you knew what I knew, you would pile it up (referring to food storage) in the middle of the floor, throw a cloth over it and walk around it!”

As Elder Featherstone proclaimed, “The Lord will make it possible, if we make a firm commitment, for every Latter-day Saint family to have a year supply of food reserves…  All we have to do is to decide, commit to do it, and then keep the commitment. Miracles will take place; the way will be opened.”

Now the we have had a little snow rain mix three times I have been in it already this is essential that you start now to put your winter car kit together. I leave mine in all year-round just change out anything that is needed to be eaten.

When the kids were home and driving vehicles, we made sure that there were kits in their cars too. I know it is one more thing to do, but you will thank yourself when you are in need to use it. Nothing like having kids in a stalled car with no blanket, no way to keep them warm. And the thing that is always a concern to me here in Iowa is that you get on the interstate and there may be a terrible accident or a jack-knifed truck blocking all traffic which then backs up and you are stuck with no way to get out of that and you must try to keep your car filled with gas. I often wonder how people make it through stranded on the interstate for ten hours, yep happens a lot so get on this. I, myself, need to do a clean through and transfer before the snow flies.

http://voices.yahoo.com/15-must-winter-survival-kit-items-drivers-7337680.html?cat=27
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/ilx/pdf/Winterstorm_Survival_Kit.pdf
http://www.nd.gov/des/uploads%5Cresources%5C147%5Cwintersurvivalkit.pdf
This would be just as good in Iowa.

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/motorist/winterdriving/survival-kit.htm - this is like the first one

Here is one for the home - http://www.ncemcs.com/electricity/safety/winter.htm

http://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/advice/emergency-preparedness/

Lots of sources are saying that this will be a very cold and very snowy and rough winter so be prepared....

I think you can plan a box, instead of rainy day call it a snow day box. Go to the dollar store and gather things that they can only play with on snow days. Add games and snacks, keep it in your room or in some location that they won't get into it till you present it. Of times you cannot count on that, there will be electricity if things get too bad so have plenty of blankets, and ways to fix food and spend the day playing. Keep flashlights. Things you can think of that would be helpful.

Read up on stories of people who have lived through weeks without elecricity due to snow or ice storms. You can learn from them what to have on hand. I read one that was after the bad ice storm in Canada and the woman told of what they did and how they would go out to the car once a day to get the local news and that once they ran out of wood it got dangerous to go out and look for wood as the ice was snapping the trees and you could be hurt. The one thing that stood out for me was that the lady said the one thing that bothered her the most not being able to vacuum the carpet and so I thought hmmmmmm and went to a yard sale and there was a carpet sweeper for 75 cents and I got it in case but I found that I use it a lot, so I have that covered but reading on these experiences of others will help us prepare.

A few tips - freeze some empty milk jugs that have water in them and when you lose power and need to keep the frig cold you can take them out and put in the frig to help with that.

Keep in mind that when power goes out you will have no heat as electricity powers the fan on your furnace. So plan how to have heat. If you have a fireplace, have wood stored. If you have a gas fireplace, see if it will still work without electricity, ours does but not all may do. Remember using other heaters in the house is usually what kills people, you hear of that all the time.

Get long johns for everyone. yes they are unflattering but helpful when cold.

Have food in your storage that can be fixed without heating if necessary.

We now have gas stoves with those rotten electronic ignitions I am sure are a safety feature but you cannot run your oven in a power outage. You can run the burners, so keep that in mind unless you are all electric and then you will have to have another source like a camp stove or such.

Another thing is that you might think you can go to so-and-so's because they have the warm house... I can tell you the roads may not be passable. We once lost electricity in an ice storm and you could not even walk to the mailbox or a neighbor's house.

So it is time to be working on those sorts of things.

Those huge Halloween totes you see out now would be good to make a home winter kit of sorts.

I think now is the time when we are thinking of having our stuff all secured and safely gathered in to weather what may come.

If you have not done so DO IT NOW, get those hoses off the house faucets or they will freeze and cause damage. If you have water barrels EMPTY THEM NOW, the cold weather will freeze and crack the barrels. It is time to button up everything and be getting ready.

Now on another topic... Keep looking for sales and stocking as you can, remember do the best you can.

I keep working on Christmas gifts here...

http://beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-outfit-for-dolly.html I am making two dollies with this outfit only using velcro so that the dress is reversible.

http://beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.com/2012/01/diapers-for-dolly.html doing the same with velcro for the diapers so they can be reversible as well. I am sure you all are working on your own gifts, I just happen to be working on these.

I also crocheted a Mario for our oldest grandson.

I have lots of things going when you do the same remember to rest, I keep forgetting that myself.

I love to visit teach and I am always looking for ideas for Christmas and birthday gifts for my special sisters. Here is a site with ideas for yours. http://www.pinterest.com/barbarayork/visiting-teaching-gifts/

Keep up doing the great things you all are doing, remember to keep working on your storage. It is not something you set down for a year, it is rather like doing dishes - you always have them to do and you always have storage to do. Remember to keep being frugal. Let's remember how long our loved ones and us have worked to make the money that we spend it most frugally make it go as far as it can....

Remember to keep Christmas in a frugal way, do not go into debt and don't do more then you can... I will insert a story about my grandma here...

She had six children and her husband died during the depression. She had no money and worked so hard. One year she had nothing to give her children, so she tried to make it special by opening up the cook stove and they all sat and looked to see what things they could see in the coals, kind of looking at clouds when ones sees a rabbit or such... that was all she could do but she was blessed in town, someone knew how hard it was for them and they brought out a tree and all sorts of things for the kids and food to eat... That is the real meaning of caring and love and what Jesus would want us to do to celebrate. We do what we can and remember to serve others who are in need, I am so thankful that someone did this for my grandma.

In years after she would make little cupboards out of crates for the girls, she did what she could and is my wonderful example.

Lets work hard to make a very meaningful Christmas this year!

Monday Message - Frugal Christmas

Next provident living class will be Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m. at the Shooks. We will have a class on starting a small business. Also, we will have a pumpkin treat :)

Those families will be fortunate who, in the last days, have an adequate supply of food because of their foresight and ability to produce their own" (Ezra Taft Benson, in Conference Report, Oct. 1980, 47; or Ensign, Nov. 1980, 33). 

As winter approaches rapidly we must be prepared with our storage to outlast a winter storm so that we can stay in and warm and not have to rush to the store to get supplies when people mob the stores for their 8 gallons of milk for a two-day storm.

Make sure you have everything you need to fix food if the power goes out and, an added plus, make sure you have everything on hand to make cookies and have fun family time.

Everyone loves a snow day...

http://www.honeybeepantry.com/topics/view/51cbfc93f702fc2ba812df79/
- This will help you know what to have on hand to make bread, apply it to other things

http://www.honeybeepantry.com/topics/view/51cbfc93f702fc2ba812df76/
- Some words from the prophets

Now we all know only too well Christmas is coming too fast so I will add some homemade gift ideas...

http://adiamondinthestuff.com/2011/12/i-spy-ornaments.html

http://gooseberrypatch.typepad.com/blog/2010/12/that-yummy-bread-on-our-christmas-card.html#.UmF88dK-pbs

http://www.stamperosity.com/2010/12/12-days-of-christmas-waltzingmouse.html

http://createstudio.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-thank-you-notes.html

http://penniesandblessings.com/2011/10/12-ways-of-christmas-ways-of-frugal-gifting/

http://preparednotscared.blogspot.com/search/label/Preparedness%20Project

http://christmas.organizedhome.com/crafts/christmas/blessing-mix - this has lots of ideas on the side bar

http://mawhats4dinner.com/soup-in-a-jar/

http://queenbeecoupons.com/homemade-play-dough-recipe-using-kool-aid-or-jell-o-preschool-teacher-and-kid-approved/

http://www.bhg.com/christmas/gifts/holiday-food-gifts-recipes-plastic-containers/?sssdmh=dm17.553285&esrc=nw100d11_4_d77_120111&email=609130149#page=7 - has several ideas here, click the arrows

http://www.thenshemade.com/2010/09/tiskit-tasket-little-green-paper-basket.html

http://savingcentbycent.com/2012/11/27/frugal-christmas-gift-ideas-part-1/

http://savingcentbycent.com/2012/12/04/frugal-christmas-gift-ideas-part-2/

http://savingcentbycent.com/2012/12/10/frugal-christmas-gift-ideas-part-3/

http://savingcentbycent.com/2012/12/17/frugal-christmas-gift-ideas-part-4/

http://moneysavingmom.com/2013/09/make-it-from-scratch-week-homemade-bath-bombs-day-3.html - this has lots of ideas; at the bottom I like the homemade garbage disposal cleaning cubes

http://www.mariasself.com/2012/12/dollar-store-diy-christmas-gift-ideas.html

http://www.kgw.com/lifestyle/money-saving-queen/frugal-living/183960371.html

http://www.951shinefm.com/common/page.php?id=1051

http://www.mommysavers.com/frugal-christmas-25-days-of-homemade-gift-ideas/

http://wholenewmom.com/whole-new-budget/easy-frugal-homemade-christmas-gift-ideas/

So, if you stuck with me this far, these are all frugal ideas to help you get a jump on Christmas gifting!

I will tell you there is a sister in our ward who, knowing her children's interests, formulated a gift around them. I know I always loved a gift that gave me things I enjoyed doing. So look to your children's interests; if they love art, encourage it and make a kit of art things, if they like magic tricks - do a gift of those, if they love reading -make a starter kit of a series (one that you approve of... isn't that the great part?).

Most of all DO NOT GO INTO DEBT for your gift giving. If you cannot purchase due to a tight budget then make a gift. If not that, then a card... if not that, then a letter that would be dearly loved. But never go into debt, that makes a bad situation worse!

Living providently is a wise way to live. We do not know what tomorrow will bring and how many of you have spent a lot of money on a toy to have the kids play with the box it came with. Kids will live if they do not get what everyone else has.

Don't do more then you can. Plan traditions! Being together is what your children will remember.

Continue to work on your food storage and supplies. Giving food storage can be a real blessing to your children who are not at home. Keep doing the best you can, that is all we can do.