Monday Message

Jar mixes for one pot spaghetti hamburger helper, recipe HERE.

"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)

Now the holidays are over and cold reality sets in brrrrrr. We have had very cold weather and dangerous wind chills.  I hope you had storage to fall back on and stayed in and kept warm.

We had a local gas station chain ran out of gas as it was so cold their trucks would not start as they run on diesel which won’t work in these really cold temps. One thing is definitely certain and that is things are constantly changing. Being prepared is essential.

I hope you were able to take advantage of the sales over the holidays and build up your storage.

I received a food storage gift of the hugest bag of chocolate chips. What a wonderful gift! I will pour into jars and vacuum seal them.

That is a great idea for your gift giving. Who wouldn’t love that gift?

As winter wears on cabin fever sets in…. 

Guess who is winning? :p

If you aren’t up to a riveting game of chess here are some fun ideas to battle cabin fever…

https://geekmom.com/2014/01/40-cabin-fever-cures-kids/

With spring still not here and the dull days of winter still with us, get a fresh flower to bring a reminder that spring is coming.

Taking a good long bath can help your mood…..

But seriously this is the time to work on learning new skills….

You can read a good book or two. My favorite kind are cozy mysteries. Or you could read a book on the skill you're building or maybe some cookbooks…

Don’t forget your mending and teach it to your kids as well, the more the merrier.

I am a great believer in random acts of kindness. Look for people who could use a kind act. That leaves it wide open as who wouldn’t feel happy to be at both ends of that?

Keep working on your storage, every little thing adds up.

Do the best you can!

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)

We have been given all this for our needs. We need to manage it wisely. We need to live frugally and not waste it.

There is a saying… the woman shovels out the back door more than her husband brings in the front door. Don’t be like that woman. Be frugal.

Remember to add to your list making up your mixes ahead to have them on hand.

We talked in the last blog post about meal planning and how that helps us be frugal. When we are thinking and not guessing, our money goes further. Once you build the habit you can go on to the next thing on your list.

Once you have your plan, you should be able to also have a grocery list.

http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/frugal-grocery-shopping.htm - frugal ideas

https://www.wikihow.com/Grocery-Shop-and-Cook-Frugally - there are some great ideas on here as well.

https://www.thebalance.com/grocery-savings-4073550 - great ideas

On the news they say we are in for a rough flu season, are you ready? They said the best thing is chicken soup so next time you make it, double it and freeze it in smaller containers just in case…

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

I will say stick to your list but check your sales and be flexible. If there is an in-store sale be ready to adapt your list.

http://www.servingjoyfully.com/2012/05/31/budget-series-frugal-living-groceries/ - great ideas here too.

We have covered a few ideas here to get you going. Find frugal recipes, not just easy ones, but frugal as well. And start a binder. Mine is divided like for your recipe files to help you find the recipe easier. This binder also serves as inspiration for meal planning and grocery shopping.

https://newleafwellness.biz/2014/11/03/six-crockpot-freezer-meals-aldi-40-minutes/ - it is nice to have some freezer meals at the ready to save you from going out to eat or if you get sick or to take to someone else who is sick.

https://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/10-free-aldi-freezer-meal-plans-that-will-literally-change-your-life/ - these could inspire you.

http://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/12-easy-freezer-meals-2-hours/ - I love this gal, she is so helpful.

http://www.thelittlefrugalhouse.com/the-ultimate-aldi-freezer-cooking-plan-80-meals-in-2-hours/ - these really are to inspire you.

It is good to find easy and frugal recipes.

https://newleafwellness.biz/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Six-Freezer-Meals-from-Aldi.pdf - you can use whatever store you like or have in your area.

https://newleafwellness.biz/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Six-Freezer-Meals-from-Aldi.pdfyoutube.com/watch?v=hRhbBbGoIdQ - watch this video if you don’t get to anything else...

This will get you to thinking frugal and doing stuff ahead which helps us very much as we all have to eat.

Keep working on your storage, it really saves in the long run!

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)

I feel strongly that we should be working on storage, skills, living frugally and within our means.

If you stayed within your budget for gift giving you will not be worried about how you will manage and pay off Christmas at the same time.

This would help us to get ready for next year. Start a place to gather gifts or make gifts. Build this up a little at a time rather than having to do it all at once.

http://christmas.organizedhome.com/simplify-your-holidays/gifts-and-giving

I like the gift closet idea for gifts.

As we look toward this new year let's think how to make it more frugal.

https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/a-frugal-new-year-lets-start-with-meal-planning/ - here is a topic, though it might sounding like nothing special.... ooooh but wait, if we did this one little task, we save much that could be used for storage and paying down debt.

http://organizedhome.com/kitchen-tips/menu-planning-save-time-kitchen

http://organizedhome.com/kitchen-tips/menu-planning-save-time-kitchen?page=2

http://organizedhome.com/kitchen-tips/menu-planning-save-time-kitchen?page=3
I think you will be inspired from these three links above.

We don’t have to do extravagant goals or goals we feel bad about not accomplishing instead just the basics.

I have over the years at yard sales and at the library section of free books gathered church-type cookbooks that has everyone’s favorite recipes.

I keep binders as well on food storage recipes and my using cookbook binder. I use binders for a lot of organizing.

Just grab an old binder and paper and dividers that you already have to build a household binder with meal planning as one category and save all your plans to review for ideas later to cut down the time it takes.

http://momsbyheart.net/how-to-create-your-own-meal-planning-binder-0908767/

http://momsbyheart.net/make-your-own-meal-planning-binder-day-2/

http://momsbyheart.net/create-your-own-meal-planning-binder-day-3/
One person’s way, her three links above.

I love this gal’s version of a household budget binder…. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=budget+binder+she%27s+in+her+apron&view=detail&mid=60EF9AF80B8A560FCD0160EF9AF80B8A560FCD01&FORM=VIRE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNtSMYxBnck - these people walk you through how they do meal planning.

Keep working on being frugal and on your storage and skills!

Toilet Paper Decorations

These decorations are super easy to make and turn out so cute. It's a great frugal way to make some holiday decorations and the kids can make their own too!

First step is to get your cookie mold wet.

Tear toilet paper into pieces.

Next, put toilet paper pieces into the mold a little bit at a time. Use a paintbrush dipped in water to wet the toilet paper, tapping it down as you go.

Once it is full, press your palm down on it and drain any water.

Then bake in the oven on the lowest temperature your oven will go, mine is 170 degrees. Let it bake for a few hours, testing it every now and then to see if the paper is dry. When done I used a paring knife to catch part underneath it will pop out.

These are how mine turned out. Fun!

Monday Message

"Let us be in a position so we are able to not only feed ourselves through home production and storage, but others as well" (Ezra Taft Benson, in Conference Report, Oct. 1980, 48; or Ensign, Nov. 1980, 34).

We need to be mindful of the needs of others. There are so many people who are hurting and they do not share openly what hard times they are in. We don’t need to know what they are going through to help. Sometimes all we can do is smile but a smile goes a long way.

https://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/random_acts_of_kindness_holiday_list/ - to give ideas

http://warm1069.com/christmas-2/daily-random-acts-of-holiday-kindness/ - more inspiration

https://www.coffeecupsandcrayons.com/random-acts-of-christmas-kindness-advent-calendar/ - good ideas

https://www.pinterest.com/penniesoftime/holiday-service-projects-and-acts-of-kindness/?lp=true - this shows many things that could be done and get the whole family involved.

https://blogs.brighthorizons.com/familyroom/holiday-random-acts-of-kindness-for-kids/ - love this great for family.

Let us set a goal to be kind, not just now but all year long.

https://www.quickenloans.com/blog/budgetfriendly-christmas-activities-family-enjoy - things to do with your family.

http://andthenwesaved.com/christmas-activities/ - more family activities.

Try new things. I tried needle felting last year and made these cuties.

Don’t be afraid to try new things.

http://adrielbooker.com/family-advent-activities-christmas-countdown-fun/ - this a great list. I like the idea they have of spending time on your bellies using a nativity and acting out the story. What a great tradition this would make!

How about making a batch of bread dough and have the kids make the nativity and bake.

One year my grandmother with six kids could not afford Christmas. For Christmas Eve she gathered the children around the cook stove and opened the fire box where the bright coals were visible. They sat together in that dark kitchen and guessed what things they could see in the coals like we do with clouds and they all had a great time together…though this was during the depression someone knew of their hard times and the following day, Christmas day, people came with gifts and food. What a blessing for all.

I think the more you can do with the family the more you make a lifetime of memories.

Whip up some yummy julekaga this holiday season. Recipe HERE.

Remember to watch for sales and build your storage!

Monday Message

“You do not need to go into debt to obtain a year’s supply. Plan to build up your food supply just as you would a savings account. Save a little for storage each paycheck. Can or bottle fruit and vegetables from your gardens and orchards. Learn how to preserve food through drying and possibly freezing. Make your storage a part of your budget. Store seeds and have sufficient tools on hand to do the job. If you are saving and planning for a second car or a television set or some item which merely adds to your comfort or pleasure, you may need to change your priorities. We urge you to do this prayerfully and do it now. I speak with a feeling of great urgency.” ~CR October 1980, Ensign 10 [November 1980]

Remember to stay within your budget. I know it is very hard but stay on target.

http://momsoffaith.com/2013/11/101-frugal-christmas-tips/ this has some very great ideas. Great tips.

http://www.frugal-living-tips.com/frugal-christmas.html - this is two pages, you need to click on the second page button but good ideas as well.

http://www.frugality-for-today.com/christmas.html - this has great ideas too.

I guess you can see a theme going on here frugal, frugal, frugal!!!

It is hard to change things if you have always done things a certain way. It is hard to change but if you make it fun and show excitement it is contagious. So don’t say bummer, we are going to have a bad Christmas this year…everyone will feel awful… instead, excitedly say that you are going to do something different this year. Have a homespun Christmas and say you are going to have sooooo much fun, that you are going to make gifts and you are going to keep what you make a huge secret till Christmas. Make popcorn balls and you can fill in anything to come up with but you can set the mood.  

I know when you have older kids it would be easier to talk to them about it being a harder time and have a jam session where they throw out ideas too.

https://bandanguitartphcm.net/frugal/frugal-christmas-gift-ideas.html - I like the santa-tizer, too cute. There are tons of great ideas off to the right on this page.

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/961118a.cfm - great ideas

http://www.stretcher.com/library/christmas/menu/christmas.cfm I think there are so many ideas.

https://fluxdecor.com/diy-christmas-ornaments/ - this would be great family fun making. My favorite is the hot cocoa mix bulbs.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AZcI5KB8wWcgf-esRVEExkvQjVqzSieNN-Nv0Pcl2DoNdD0g9Y7IoAU/ - okay, so this would be great for your used canning lids that won’t vacuum seal, isn’t it cute?

http://puddyshouse.com/2012/11/26/diy-christmas-decorations/ I love the gingerbread man ornament.

Remember to do kind acts all year long.

I know you are all having busy times so I shortened it so you can get back to work.

Monday Message

"I bear my humble witness to you that the great God of heaven will open doors and means in a way we never would have supposed to help all those who truly want to get their year’s supply." (Vaughn J. Featherstone)

With this wonderful quote it just makes you want to get to work on the storage.

I really want to stress again to live within your means. Stick to it, even with loud voices on every side saying to spend more than you have. Those voices are there all year but at this time of year it is fever pitch.

At the time of writing this we have 65 degree weather, sun shining and it is the day after Thanksgiving.

Now everyone will be trying to prepare for Christmas…

https://www.naturalbeachliving.com/acts-of-kindness/ - great ideas to do for others.

Look around you, there are things you can do to lift another. This is a hard time of year for so many.

We saw a family at Goodwill on Christmas Eve, the father handed the children twenty dollar bills and these children then roamed around the store and chose who they would give their twenty to, then did it and poof they were gone. How nice is that? So teach your kids how to help others. 

I was in a Walmart picking up cat litter and cat food and I noticed a couple around our age with flats of pineapple and other food too, but the flats caught my attention. I asked if pineapple was on sale. The woman said no, that they do this once a week for the pantry in their town. I said thank you for doing that. She said there were thirteen families in their small town and one family with eight kids. I said it isn’t always their fault. Later, I was next in line at check out and she saw me and said all they had gotten was less then fifty dollars. I said, see, they are getting blessed. She said we are all His hands and she is right. So look around you. Most people will never tell you how hard they have it… not because of pride but because they are doing the best they can.

Well I have a good start on the next weaving project learning more all the time.

Winter will soon be hear

Missy has been watching for it to come and says get your gloves mended soon.

Missy and Gus remind you to wear your hats!

Missy says no matter your tight times keep a stiff upper lip, find a warm spot, fix a cup of cocoa and read your family a candle in the forest - my favorite.

I know you are busy so this is short. Remember to help people in your path even if it is just a smile.

Do the best you can!