Monday Message (on Tuesday)

Provident living: Our last class will be May 13 until fall again to give you time for your gardens and families. The class will be hands-on planting in the garden (weather permitting) 9:30 a.m. at the Shook's.

Summer is just around the corner! Scroll down to check out a list of fun ideas to do with the kids :)

The Lord has warned and forewarned us against a day of great tribulation and given us counsel, through His Servants, on how we can be prepared for these difficult times. Have we heeded His counsel?" (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, November 1980

"When the economies of nations fail, when famine and other disasters prevent people from buying food in stores, the Saints must be prepared to handle these emergencies." (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 264.)

“Noah heeded God’s command to build an ark...that they might be saved from the floodwaters…Yet there was no evidence of rain and flood…His actions were considered irrational…The sun was shining and life moved forward as usual. But time ran out…The floods came, the disobedient were drowned… When God speaks and we obey, we will always be right” T.S.Monson Ensign 10-07

We need to develop skills we do not have and we need to improve on the ones we have

http://thesewingloftblog.com/2014/02/24/simple-steps-improve-sewing-skills/ improve your sewing skills even though at this time we can buy clothes, even used ones fairly cheap, we should know how to make the clothes ourselves and have supplies on hand to do so.

http://thesewingloftblog.com/2014/01/20/pressing-and-ironing/ brush up on the basics of pressing here

http://amandafarquharson.com/blog/the-8-most-helpful-hand-sewing-stitches these are basic and good to know

You should be watching the weather, when it is dry enough you should be getting ground tilled if you do not already have a spot cleared off ready to go if you do.

Planting season is just a few weeks away.

FHE is a good time to draw pictures of what will be planted where and involve everyone let them plant their own little section.

http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/7-ways-plant-potatoes? - preferred method potatoes

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/331085010076140022/  celery this is the part you would not keep so why not make more? This does work, actually I have some in water now that are waiting to go out and they already are doing this just in the water alone but I want to put them out.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/331085010076132065/ I showed this with onions before just wanted to tell you that mine are continuing to give me green onions. I put on baked potatoes or in anything that needs onions. You just keep cutting the top like you would chives.

http://urbanext.illinois.edu/containergardening/herbveggie_containers.cfm no room to have a garden? Here are great things about container gardening

This is something the Prophets have said for us to do. Believe me I hate gardening but I push on through. What I don't like and am rewarded for the grocery budget that it saves....plus through all the years of doing this I can tell you what not to do...as I have done them all, yep maybe I should write a book of failings in the garden.... naaaahh :p

http://naturalthrifty.com/how-to-mill-flour.html  this might be something to try in a Goodwill blender, not so sure how much the motor will take but if you get a used one at a good price this might be an option. If you do not have a grinder it is a good thing to know what you can do.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/259449628503563967/ this has a lady show you both ways of grinding. I am not familiar with the brands but the prices seem close. Yes, the electric grinders are that loud, my only add to this is that the tupperware she is mentioning that she gets ahead must be stored in the freezer.....  One more tip is like her it is good to have both types

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWOJovFzWfw  she walks you through making bread pretty well. You also could put it in loaf pans instead of free form loaves like she shows. I like the more narrow bread pans as opposed to the wide ones that one might put meatloaf in and then I spray my pan and I put the dough in so that when I push on it so that the dough touches all four sides, it is half full in the pan. I spray and cover and let raise till you have one to one and a half inches above the rim and bake.

http://giftedkids.about.com/od/nurturinggiftsandtalents/qt/cheap_fun.htm

http://www.carolinaparent.com/articlemain.php?12-Ideas-for-Summer-Fun-on-a-Budget-833

http://www.pinterest.com/tgilbert1/summer-picnic-ideas/

http://www.watermelon.org/Carvings/CarvingsDetail.aspx?ID=10

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/201958364513147798/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/201958364512278637/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/201958364510375294/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/201958364510374206/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/201958364510348294/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/201958364510341602/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/201958364510250998/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/201958364510023419/

http://spoonful.com/recipes/whatta-melon-pop

http://easybaked.net/2011/06/11/nutter-butter-flip-flops/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/201958364510004537/

These are the things from our class. I particularly love the idea of the gummie bear popsicle. I hope you all enjoy with your kids or grandkids what is gathered here to have fun and yummy at the same time, too neat!

Keep working on your storage, keep working on your skills. I know that it is harder to do in the summer with kids home but you can have them help and teach them and make gummy bear popsicles - yum! And you can have fun while doing them. I remember sewing and Laura would stand with one foot on each side and leaning over me while I sewed... :)

Spend time together, prepare together and work on a garden - do what you can do.

Monday Message

Provident living... Next class is April 22nd at 9:30 a.m. at the Shook's. Since it is the second to last class till fall we will do fun inexpensive summer foods for kids, camping and picnics. Be sure to bring your favorite recipes to share with the class! The last class will be basic gardening where will actually have hands on learning!

"How on the face of the earth could a man enjoy his religion when he had been told by the Lord how to prepare for a day of famine, when instead of doing so he had fooled away that which would have sustained him and his family." George Albert Smith, Deseret News, Mar. 4, 1868, 26

"Too often we bask in comfortable complacency and rationalize that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine and earthquake cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not acquainted with the revelations of the Lord or they do not believe them.  Those who smugly think these calamities will not happen, that they will somehow be set aside because of the righteousness of the Saints, are deceived and will rue the day they harbored such a delusion.  The Lord has warned and forewarned us against a day of great tribulation and given us counsel, through His Servants, on how we can be prepared for these difficult times.  Have you (we) heeded His counsel?" Ezra Taft Benson, Jun. 1980.

http://www.yourownhomestore.com/first-aid-quick-guide/ - click on the little blue page in the article to print. It would be a good thing to have on your frig and on this frame of thought how many of you have a first aid book in your first aid storage?

I thought this was interesting for those who have infants http://preparednessmama.com/infant-72-hour-kit/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3166662211317723/ good idea for one of those #10 cans

http://www.examiner.com/article/stock-the-pantry-and-cupboards-make-menu-planning-easier-spend-less-money - if you notice the blue highlights there are recipes to do your own.

http://wonkywonderful.com/1/post/2013/12/gingerbread-spiced-hot-cocoa-mix-recipe.html - here is a gift mix idea. Yes, we need to start collecting gift ideas and gifts for the holidays so that it won't be such a drain all at one time.

http://simplyfrugallifestyle.blogspot.com/search/label/Mixes  I want to have you try at least one thing of making your own mix. You can choose then expand once you like using your own mixes to save money and time.

http://momskitchencooking.blogspot.com/2009/01/homemade-shake-bake-chicken.html - if you like shake and bake try this one to see if it is as good as the one you like.

Whenever you are not sure if you will like a recipe or not that is a mix one, just half it or quarter it just to try. You do not need to make a whole bunch. If you like then go crazy and make a bunch!

Life is busy and let me tell you when the kids grow up and leave, it gets busier! But if you take the time to try new things now, it really can help.

Once you get your food storage up then when you go to the store you go for replacement and then remember to rotate. When you do, it gets a whole lot easier.

http://foodstorageresource.blogspot.com/2012/01/make-your-own-rice-mixes.html  - it would be convenient to have a rice mix on hand if not this one, type in one to your liking.

http://rainydayfoodstorage.blogspot.com/2013/04/homemade-febreze.html  - thought this looked way less expensive

http://rainydayfoodstorage.blogspot.com/2013/04/hamburger-helping-mixes.html - how inexpensive are these?????  Try and see if something in here strikes your family as a keeper. That is how good recipes are found. Take a vote and if you are not so sure what the response is gonna be, well... that is the night chocolate cake is offered, right? :p

http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/10/homemade-shake-and-pour-pancake-mix.html - it would take no time at all to get these made up ahead or even for camping. How cool to add shake and make! The kids could have a great time shaking while you are getting ready.

http://www.livingonadime.com/homemade-tootsie-rolls-4-ingredients/  - family nite fun, make tootsie rolls!

http://www.tomandlisatomlinson.blogspot.com/2011/12/as-promised-homemade-mix-recipes.html - mixes make meal time prep faster. Make them up when you have more time, use them when you have less time = a good thing!

http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/FN_Cooking&Baking_2011-02pr.pdf  I put this in again as it is the best thing yet to have on hand. I printed off the recipes and have them on a ring that I keep near the SOS mix.

How are you coming on building your skills?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMqK-fNrCrM - different ways to hem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdHnrlrQ6RE - this gal gives you some good tips no matter what machine you use.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmaFROQ8dBk - if you are afraid to machine sew, this will show how easy to make a baby dress.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnsR-by7kKk - how to sew an elastic waist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TxwfCWGUkY - how to make your own bias tape.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAIfrCViTBY - how to make a t-shirt.

These are some sites that will get you started on sewing. Build that skill and you will never regret it!

Keep working on your storage which includes more then food.

Look for sales stock up.

Practice these skills!

Monday Message

Provident living....Next class is April 22 at 9:30 a.m. at the Shook's. Since it is the second to last class till fall we will do fun inexpensive summer foods for kids, camping and picnics. Be sure to bring your favorite recipes to share with the class! The last class will be basic gardening where will actually have hands on learning!

"I stand before the Church this day and raise the warning voice. ... It is a voice calling upon the Lord's people to prepare for the troubles and desolations which are about to be poured out 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." Bruce R. McConkie, Ensign May 1979, pp. 92-93.

"Peace is fragile, civilization itself is fragile. The economy is particularly vulnerable..."I do not know what the future holds. I do not wish to sound negative, but I wish to remind you of the warnings of scripture and the teachings of the prophets which we have had constantly before us. I cannot forget the great lesson of Pharaoh's dream of the fat and lean kine and of the full and withered stalks of corn. I cannot dismiss from my mind the grim warnings of the Lord as set forth in the 24th chapter of Matthew. I am familiar, as are you, with the declarations of modern revelation that the time will come when the earth will be cleansed and there will be indescribable distress, with weeping and mourning and lamentation. . . . Now, I do not wish to be an alarmist. I do not wish to be a prophet of doom. I am optimistic. I do not believe the time is here when an all-consuming calamity will overtake us. I earnestly pray that it may not. "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. And, above all, my brothers and sisters, let us move forward with faith in the Living God and His Beloved Son... (Gordon B. Hinckley,October Conference 2001.)

.."We encourage you to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees—plant them if your climate is right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from your own yards. Even those residing in apartments or condominiums can generally grow a little food in pots and planters. Study the best methods of providing your own foods. Make your garden neat and attractive as well as productive. If there are children in your home, involve them in the process with assigned responsibilities...Develop your skills in your home preservation and storage. We reaffirm the previous counsel the Church has always given, to acquire and maintain a year’s supply—a year’s supply of the basic commodities for us. We encourage families to have on hand this year’s supply; and we say it over and over and over and repeat over and over the scripture of the Lord where He says, ‘Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?’ How empty it is as they put their spirituality, so-called, into action and call him by his important names, but fail to do the things which he says. Spencer W. Kimball (April Conference, 1976)

Grow a garden. There is a good primary song - "The Prophet Said to Plant a Garden" and me who hates any kind of gardening at all, I am out singing that song in my head. So I encourage you to plant one if you have space... do container gardening if you do not. I am most certain no one hates it more than me but in the end we have good food to eat and with the constant costs for food going up it is a necessity as well... Guess we can't like everything :p

http://jamiebrock.hubpages.com/hub/Easy-Sewing-Projects-for-Beginners - here is a great sewing site to get you working up some simple things to renew your skills.

Our class this week was convenience in the kitchen. I showed that I make a bacon pie on a busy day. Here is the recipe:

Bacon pie

2 c. milk
3 eggs
1 cup bisquick tho I use my own version
salt and pepper

I put this all in a quart jar. I stir well and then refrigerate it till supper time.

I use a casserole that is about pie size, spray it and sprinkle with bacon pieces. I use the kind you put on salad and a package of swill cheese and at supper I shake the jar, pour over the cheese and bacon pieces and bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes.

I showed how to do meals like this doing prep work early and finishing later near supper.

We talked about muffins making up your favorite, mixing just the dry ingredients and storing in a bag. On the front of the bag write what you need to add and how to prepare it. On the back of the bag you write what is in the bag so once you make the muffins up you have the recipe to refill the bag.

Make some mixes from sites you have gotten in earlier Monday Messages or check out the Make-A-Mix books from the library.

Sister Miller's rolls which are a mix are good to have on hand in the frig.

On my counter I have in a plastic baggie it is taped to the area near the powdered milk container here is the link http://everydayfoodstorage.net/handouts/milk-conversion-charts.pdf

I also have the yogurt recipe next to it

Also inside my cupboard doors I have "most used recipes."

On that I also have a basket that holds four notebooks one is my food storage note book that I gave you the recipes last Monday.

Then I have three others bed and breakfast, meals soup and salad, desserts snacks etc.

Those are the three and these just have my most used and favorite recipes in so I can grab what I need when I need it.

I have my often used items out. I do not want to drag out a mixer etc.. so I have the wheat grinder next to the bread mixer and the attachments and all are plugged in and the regular mixer and it's attachments, the blender and attachment the vacuum sealer and its parts, the toaster near the bread etc...

Have everything handy like hot pads, dish cloths and towels, dish washing soap by dishwasher... just using common sense.

By the snack cake mix I have little recipe book and Baker's Flower and the book to go with it ...this is my like bisquick mix.


My kitchen is set up for work as efficiently as possible - that was kind of the run down of what we did today in our class.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/331085010076132065/  my friend says she has been doing this for quite some time now so I decided I would try them now as well you just keep cutting off what you need of the greens and it grows back.

I also have celery bottoms in just a bit of water to keep them going till I can plant them in the garden this time far from the edges no one gets to eat but us since some critter got them last year.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMb7PNVf_lr_saSAISTPCxEc_wE_3wTiOe2TR_TOSqd6Gk6LCYt2D2vMF6ZrTPBpfJY43t_uy0gWvkEyeB0Ecysr6Fz5PVJcyxPsQMhWOF12h0xQXM7XmhjCBEHFCEo92bqgF864ZEp5z/s1600-h/100_5851_00.jpg have the kids make these row markers for you...how cute

Scroll down to see the beautiful way they did an herb garden. I think it is really a neat thing that would continue to give you herbs -http://www.artandappetite.com/category/home_decor/

If you have room to plant trees I suggest everything you plant in your yard to be a provider for you like blue berries, raspberries, rhubarb, apple trees, plum trees that sort of thing and then you learn how to use the yummy goodness :)

http://www.artandappetite.com/category/home_decor/ Sis. Iseminger does this with her's and she has lots of peppers when she does this.

http://www.almanac.com/plant/tomatoes  time to think about doing the garden

http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/Horticulture_and_FarmersMarkets/pdfs/GrowIowaBooklet.pdf this is great for those who will be container gardening

http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/2007/06/bread-making-for-beginners.html#comment-form  great bread tutorial

http://www.honeybeepantry.com/  this is a great site on food storage, she is a wonderful lady always so helpful to help others do good storage!

Keep working on your storage and keep learning those skills. It is harder with the summer coming on but keep pushing on! :)

Monday Message - Food Storage

Provident Living class will be April 8th at 9:30 a.m. at the Shook's - it will be on convenience in the kitchen.

"Too often we bask in comfortable complacency and rationalize that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine and earthquake cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not acquainted with the revelations of the Lord or they do not believe them.  Those who smugly think these calamities will not happen, that they will somehow be set aside because of the righteousness of the Saints, are deceived and will rue the day they harbored such a delusion.  The Lord has warned and forewarned us against a day of great tribulation and given us counsel, through His Servants, on how we can be prepared for these difficult times.  Have you (we) heeded His counsel?" Ezra Taft Benson, Jun. 1980.

I will share my food storage binder with you here :   http://www.beckysbacktobasics.com/Reference/Sister_Shooks_Recipes.pdf - those who have young women share this with them as well as I taught in young women on Wednesday and shared they might want to start collecting recipes and learn some basic skills.....they are eager to do so.

I like what this sister has done with hers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0utbvIJFsO4 this is a very interesting way to do your food storage binder

http://myfoodstoragecookbook.com/create-your-own-book/  this shows you what you would need to build the binder, below are more video clips on how to do it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBzp-AmUDcw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7ddwnasoWQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4XJ-zn7gos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRoLgwp0xHY

http://myfoodstoragecookbook.com/recipe-index/ she has her recipes here

http://myfoodstoragecookbook.com/2011/08/08/orange-marmalade-rolls/  here is a recipe for marmalade cinnamon=type rolls. She is doing it in a solar oven. I know you can do them inside too but some have the solar oven and this would be helpful... some day my goal will be to have one too.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/201184308325740488/ this is just a picture but what a great idea you could also take actual photos or copies of photos and do this same thing of close family and friends have it in close access to the children.....keep family close

http://designedbydawnnicole.com/2012/01/simple-shower-organization-tip.html such a clever idea if you have a small bathroom

http://goddesshobbies.blogspot.com/2010/05/ecolovies-how-to-make-no-plastic-wrap.html a great sewing project that would save on plastic wrap

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0nT0HRbf-c this would be helpful to watch how this person does her food storage....just for ideas

http://laurenmakes.wordpress.com/2012/02/05/heart-hoops/ this is a project that your children may do, especially those wonderful girls in young women I taught.

http://www.eweewe.com/blog/2012/5/24/knitship-bracelets-free-knitting-pattern.html - a great learning project for young women or anyone who would like to knit something small (hint hint) those in young women - this would be a great thing to make

http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/46496/making-bread-with-kids#_a5y_p=943980 this has some great ideas and recipes, skip the beer one

http://www.commonsensehome.com/emergency-preparedness-summer-storms-tornadoes-and-hurricanes/  time to gear up for this season

For those new to the area:

Have a plan to go to basement or a shelter or center room.

Tornado watch means weather is favorable for tornadoes to form - keep a close eye out.

Tornado warning means it is time to go to the basement and chances are the sirens are going off outside.

If you do not already have a weather radio now is the time to get one. We have one on main living floor and in our bedroom. This will go off whenever there is a "warning" of any type in your county.

Study up, print a map of the counties in Iowa so you can grab it and see how close the storms are and where they are headed.

I will tell you a story - When we lived in student housing we had to go to a building on campus. This is not a fun thing to do in the midst of sirens and rain and hail and such. We went the first time with our little kids, a two-year-old and a baby. We got there all wet and it was miserable till the all clear. So I took a five gallon bucket and packed it with a change of clothes and diapers, towel and stuff to make a bottle and snackies, crayons and coloring books and games. The next time we went we were prepared and helped calm other children with colors and games and snackies.

The next time we had to go I was surprised to see everyone we were with in the last round had a suitcase or other tote and they had followed our example. They all gave us a knowing smile. It was good.

So if you have a basement, stick a game and flashlights down there. I know you will not be long unless you are trapped so snackies are good and water too.

Our mailbox is evidence of the last one we had a close call with. I can tell you that we could hear things happening from the basement. 

So now is the time to be prepping for this season is here already.

Keep working on your food storage, keep working on your skills. I am so proud of all you and I know this message goes further than the boundaries of our ward so I am proud of you all. Keep working at it. It is harder now with prices but not impossible.

Monday Message

"Brethren, I wish to urge again the importance of self-reliance on the part of every individual Church member and family. None of us knows when a catastrophe might strike. Sickness, injury, unemployment... I do not predict any impending disaster ... yet prudence should govern our lives ... We can begin with a one week food supply and gradually build it to a month, and then to three months. I am speaking now of food to cover basic needs. ... I fear that so many feel that a long-term supply is so far beyond their reach that they make no effort at all.  Begin in a small way... gradually build toward a reasonable objective." Gorden B. Hinkley, Priesthood Session, October 2002.

Provident Living:  We will have a class on April 8th at 9:30 a.m. Tues morning at the Shook's. It will be convenience in the kitchen.

http://www.stacymakescents.com/10-easy-ways-to-cut-costs-in-the-kitchen

You won't have to worry about the coffee filter, however I use coffee filters in vacuum sealing powdery things like flours. You take the lid of the jar you are going to seal after putting in the product, you trace the lid on a coffee filter and cut it out and put it on top of the product so that little particles do not go into the vacuum sealer and kill it. Yes, it does happen more often than not so this is helpful info about vacuum sealing.
  
http://www.iheartnaptime.net/homemade-bread/  a refresher course here on making bread we all "knead" to know this :)

http://www.underthehighchair.com/2009/04/diy-pita-bread.html  pita bread - make your own, tastes soooo much better!

http://sticktoyourhips.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-11-10T12:22:00-08:00 this also has some good looking recipes besides the bread

I urge you to practice making bread if you are ever in a situation where you are needing to bake it, that is not the time to learn there is a learning curve....practice practice! 

Sister Ebanks tells us to put as much cider vinegar in our bread as yeast, it helps with the strengthening of the bubbles the yeast makes.

Also storing Vital Wheat Gluten is not essential but it will make your wheat bread a lot more pleasing.

Do you have wheat in your storage?????? If so, do you have a wheat grinder????? That would be something to work towards if you have tax refunds you might think about one or beefing up your storage.

Since we have so many new  families in our ward, I think it is a good time to remind you that our Ankeny Units have a wheat grinder in the kitchen, it can be checked out through the Relief Society president.

Other things one needs is a pressure canner, dehydrator, vacuum sealer, the grinder as I mentioned, and all the gear to go with.... i.e. jars, lids , rings, you get the pic.  One cannot just get all this at one time.....get it as you can....

Once canning season is going it is almost impossible to burrow a pressure canner so give this thought.

I urge you as well to put some sort of garden in. Last year lids for canning jumped in price so get packages as you go to the store pick up lids for regular or wide mouth. I encourage everyone to learn to can and get the equipment. It really helps with our budget for me to do this.

So have I ever told you I hate gardening? Sister Watson is laughing at this, I know she is :p I hate it bad but a Prophet told us to plant a garden and that is what I do. It feeds us but I hate every aspect of it. See, we cannot all just get to do what we want to do, right?

If you don't have the ground to put one in do container gardening.

http://alternative-energy-gardning.blogspot.com/2013/03/growing-potatoes-in-laundry-basket.html


http://princesponiesanddiamonds.blogspot.com/2013/05/upcycled-mens-shirt-toddler-dress.html  sewing skills are very important to have. Basically, this little dress was free... the shirt being no longer useful for clothing.

http://woolandchocolate.com/2012/02/06/darning-tutorial/ this shows how to darn socks. Some day you may need to do it. I will tell you it saves time rather than going to a store. Something to think about....life gets too busy.

http://sweetteasoakers.blogspot.com/2012/02/toddler-called-jayne.html wouldn't it be great to make a needed hat?

Build your skills, you can learn whatever you would like. If you can read, you can learn and if you can't, you can learn!

We always want to be learning to help our families.

Also, keep working on your storage. If you have a year's supply of peanut butter is that it? Do you not work on it any longer? No!!!! You use and replace use and rotate! To provide for your families you need to do this.

Keep learning new things. Each thing you learn is a valuable layer.

I am proud of all of you!

Monday Message

Provident living: Class will be Tuesday, April 8 at 9:30 a.m. at the Shook's. The class will be on convenience in the kitchen.

"Now you ask where do I get the money for these things. I agree I need them, but I'm having a hard time making ends meet. Here is how you do it: Use one or more of the following suggestions: Food Storage Christmas: Use 25-50% of money for food storage, New Clothes: Don't buy instead make it last a few more months, use that money for food storage,Vacation/ Holiday: no vacation or holiday until food storage is complete, Recreation: Cut by 50% use money for food storage, find fun, free things to make lasting memories, Snowmobiles/campers/boats: sell or trade to get a year's supply,Change Diet: eat cheaper foods and use extra money for food storage.  

"The Lord will make it possible, if we make a firm commitment, for every LDS family to have a year's 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 and we will have our storage areas filled.

"I believe it is time, and perhaps with some urgency, to review the counsel we have received dealing with our personal and family preparedness. ... With events in the world today, it must be considered with all seriousness. We are not in a situation that requires panic buying but the instability in the world today makes it imperative that we heed this  counsel and prepare for the future." L. Tom Perry, Nov. 1995.


I want to encourage you to keep trying to get your storage in. Look for sales, share sale info with others so we can make use of the sale as well.

http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2013/07/how-many-clothes-do-kids-really-need.html  I once read a book that in the summer this family cut down the clothes to seven shorts, seven tops, seven undies and two swim suits. That was all the casual summer clothes they had and it really helped on the laundry. So this might be something to think about. This lady has some interesting things she does.

http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2013/06/how-to-make-healthy-ice-pops-frozen-treats.html - she has some recipes if you scroll down that look pretty neat.

http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2013/05/30-things-to-make-instead-of-buy.html I still will buy my imitation vanilla, not keen on the recipe she uses but you might find stuff helpful with the rest.

http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2013/03/when-the-line-between-need-and-wants-gets-blurred-and-the-preposterous-numbers-of-ways-you-can-use-a-stick-blender.html I think we all need to know how to tell the needs from the wants. I know living on a shoestring budget is very stretching and things you thought you would always have to have suddenly you find out you can do nicely without...

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/crunchy-crackers-recipe  Try your hand at making some crackers. Would be great with some cheese for family night to make them together!

http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2013/02/17-homemade-spice-mixes.html Making your own spice blends rather than paying more is always a frugal thing. Remember we can get spices by calling Ameriherb in Ames - they are a shipper of spices and if you call and leave your name and address, tell them you want a catalog. Then when you want to order just call and say when you plan to be in Ames and what time and you can get way cheap spices.....a good place to get stocked up however they sale only in one-pound packages so go in with someone else if that is too much for you. (The spices keep nicely in canning jars)

http://www.reneesgarden.com/articles/start_seeds.html It is time to start a few seeds growing inside to reduce the cost of someone else doing it for you.

http://www.gardenweb.com/sesbania/startsds.html - more info on seeds indoors

We need to learn our skills or strengthen them and teach our children!

http://snailpacetransformations.com/2013/03/27/ways-to-become-a-knitting-ninja/ - this has some ideas for learning to knit

I will add to this that there are so many tutorials out there that you can learn from and yes you can even teach yourself!

Sewing a hem - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMqK-fNrCrM

Sewing on a button - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrSs_DiJ-ZA

How to iron a shirt - http://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing-care/iron-dress-shirt-00000000000925/

These may seem pretty basic but it is something we need to learn if we do not know how and it is something we need to teach our sons and daughters.

http://simplekids.net/baking-bread-with-children/ - this would be useful to the kids to know, as well as yourself.

http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/46496/making-bread-with-kids - more easy recipes for kids making bread

http://acultivatednest.com/2008/08/how-we-manage-on-less-money-part-1/

http://acultivatednest.com/2008/08/pantry-basics-how-we-manage-on-less/

http://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/2012/4/27/sew-the-blue-linen-dress-refashion.html - this is a good idea and going through our wardrobes to see how we can refashion it.

http://crafting-cousins.blogspot.com/2012/03/sew-your-own-maternity-jeans.html  how to make "preggy" jeans :)

http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2012/10/05/eat-out-at-home/ - eat out at home!

http://frugalliving.about.com/od/growyourownfoods/tp/How-To-Regrow-Foods.htm I have done the potatoes and also the celery but something ate the celery before I did get it... so this year I will do them in the middle of the garden and see if I get it this time but it was growing a whole new bunch of celery, it would have worked great.

It is time to keep thinking on the garden planning!

Keep working on the storage :)

Have fun with the kidos on spring break!

Mixes for easy kitchen prep!

Looking for convenience in the kitchen? Mixes are a great way to cut down on the cost of meals and prep time!

On the front of a baggy I write what the mix is and what I need to add to it. On the back I write what I need to refill the bag with.

I have two snake cake mixes, one from the More Make-A-Mix and the other from Women's Day Magazine from tons of years ago, though you can now find them on the internet - http://grandmaloyskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/06/diy-groceries-snack-cake-mix.html

I also made a little booklet of the recipes for one and made up the recipes on cards for the other.